Can't find an answer

[JFortner5]

Hey guys Ive been lurking for a little while just wishing I had a flight simulator. Well, my dad gave me and the wife a new computer for Christmas. Its got an Intel E5300 @ 2.6ghz, 4GB RAM, 750GB hard drive,Windows 7 Home 64-bit, and came with Nvidia 7050 integrated graphics. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a card and upgrading the PSU so for now I just went across the road to Best Buy and got a BFG 1GB GT220. I decided I'd give FSX a shot and went and got the Deluxe edition.

I am very satisfied with it, I keep it locked at 24fps and it stays there for the most part unless I get in some really dense stuff, it dips to about 16fps. Sorry for rambling on, Im still just happy to have this game and that it is running good enough to keep me happy.


My question was about adding aircraft. I have installed SP1 and SP2. I downloaded a P51D, and an F16. I have them in my own little folder I made which is completely seperate from FSX. I extracted the files and put them in the Plane folder under SimObjects like I read to do.

I went to go fly the planes, and the plane was there, but it was just the shape of the plane. It had no "paint" or window details or anything. It just looked like a clay 3D model of the plane. It also did not have any gauges. I read a little tutorial about how to do it and I followed it.

Am I missing something?

Thanks for the help,
Joey

[Jun aka Pekto]

Someone might have a more comprehensive answer than me since I'm not that much better off than you. :D

But, have you checked the archive Read Me or Read First! files. Usually, they show where to place not just aircraft, but also textures, gauges, sound, etc.

Beyond that, the aircraft isn't fully FSX-compatible and may require some conversion or additions of which I'm not familiar with yet.

[JFortner5]

I guess that would have been a good place to start, lol. I'll take a closer look and see if I can figure it out.

[mnpilot]

Joey, I don't have anything to add to the other post but have a couple of links for you to check out and hopefully get better performance with FSX.

nHancer: Advanced Control Panel and Profile Editor for nVidia cards:

http://www.nhancer.com/

And a guide for the above program:

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=29041

Welcome to the flight sim world.

[mjrhealth]

Be wary of installing fs9 planes into fsx the may have texture issues, especially after sp2.

[Swordmaster]

Joey,

Check the contents of the zip file not only for instructions, but many of them have a sub folder for the aircraft.

The folder that needs to go into the Sim Objects/airplanes folder should have the aircraft.cfg file in it and sub folders for Panel, Textures, Sound, thumbnail etc.

Some of them have an .exe file that just installs the aircraft, but that would not include an aircraft folder, probably just the installer and a readme file in the zip.

Adding FS9 aircraft to FSX is a bit more work, if the aircraft uses 2002 guages they do not show up in FSX. Replacing the guages is somewhat like editing HTML or a BAT file. Also you need to create a thumbnail file for the Choose Aircraft screen.

I have only updated one plane for FSX (so far) Dream Fleet's 7CM Cessna 310.
Had to replace the Com1/Nav1 radio, the transponder, the altitude annunciator, the HSI, and the GPS. Also had to replace the prop texture as FS9 props look terrible in FSX IMHO. You also need to add some text to the Aircraft.cfg file. There is a nice little article about just this process in the Main Menu of Flightsim.com. http://www.flightsim.com/main/howto/fsxacft.htm

Probably best to just download or purchase aircraft specifically for FSX. Many of them are FS9 aircraft that the creator has done all the grunt work of replacing instruments and textures etc.

The only reason I did this one by myself is that I already flew it for years in FS9, it has always been my very favorite, and it was not ever going to be available for FSX according to the manufacturer. This form of tinkering is fun for me and adds to the whole hobby for me personally,

If you don't have a favorite add on from FS9, No need to update anything yourself, just get stuff that is specifically for FSX.

Since you are here, I presume you have found the How To articles in the main menu for Flightsim.com. There are some very helpful Ideas there and I would look through there if you have time.

The reviews section might be helpful to decide whether or not to buy or download some of the addons available for FSX.

Hopefully my stream of conciousness rambling has given you some ideas.

Welcome to a wonderful hobby, and have fun!

Jim

[N2056]

Which planes did you download? Could you list the actual zip file names?

[bgets]

This no textures will happen if you have DX10 Preview checked. Uncheck it and see what happens.
Bob G.

[napamule2]

Man you guys. You are just posting blindly and guessing. Bad for my nerves. Let someone that knows the answer respond and STOP THE BS posts. Very annoying.

Joey,
What you need to do is put a few line in your FSX.cfg that point to where that folder you made is at, so FSX can go fetch the files. It is just the path. Will provide you a pic in a minute. AS you can see I added path 6 and path 7. The 1-5 were there already, so you'll find where you folder path goes. Do a 'SAVE' (NOT 'Save AS') your FSX.cfg.

I do this. I have 1 folder called 'FS9 Aircraft' and 1 folder called 'FSX Aircraft'. The FS9 Aircraft' folder has all port-over A/C from FS9. The FSX of course are downloaded add-ons that are intended for FSX. The default 'Airplanes' folder is left 'as is' and never put nothing in that folder. You can put helicopters in that folder you created. No need to put them in Hovercraft folder. Same for boats.

I also have Gold Acelleration and I have had no problem with the port overs. What is critical is that you find a jet, a prop, and a general use (for boats, motocycles, etc) panel for each type to sub for those panels that do not work in FSX (due to older gauges that FSX refuses to work with). Beware also of those aliased panel and sound (look in cfgs). They refer to files that are in FS9 but not in FSX. That's why I recommend you get your own panel (one that works in FSX) so you can fly the FS9 aircraft in FSX. You can do 'COPY' of aircraft folder(s) to the new folder(s) which I recommend you put under 'SimObjects' folder (it's 'OK', it does not effect anything) for convinience when you go install more aircraft. Happy Flying.
Chuck B
Napamule

[N2056]

I guess I'm all hosed then since I don't happen to install planes using that method! The funny part is that they all still work ;)

All I did was ask which files he was having problems with so that I could do some homework before I offered advice.

C'mon Chuck, lighten up!

[JFortner5]

Sorry I haven't had a chance to reply yet. I just tried again, this time with a Grumman F8F. I downloaded it to my little file and then copied it under Simobjects/planes.

All of the gauges work in this one, but the plane still has no paint or textures inside or out. The 2D panel is ok, but the VC is missing all of the texture as well as the outside of the plane.

This file came from this site, and is F8F_FSX.zip .

Thank you all for your time, I really do appreciate it for helping a newb.

Joey

[Jun aka Pekto]

I have the the same file. Let me install it on my pc and see....

[Jun aka Pekto]

Nope. That F8F Bearcat works just fine on mine...... Nice bird actually. Reminds me of the Reno Air races.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Check and see if you have DX10 preview enabled in your settings. It really shouldn't be.

[napamule2]

They say: Cheer up Chuck: things could be worse. So I cheered up and sure enough. Things got worse. (What to do, what to do...? Cheer Up?)
They say: Lighten up Chuck: things could be worse. So I lightened up and sure enough. Things got worse. (What to do, what to do...? DO NOTHING!-ha).

Joey,
You said '..to my little file and then copied it under Simobjects/planes'. The folder which your aircraft should be UNDER is called 'Airplanes' and not 'planes'. Just to clear that up.

WHERE you put that 'planes' folder you made does makes a difference. You can download, and extract to desktop if you want (but you will find it easier to deal with if it's in a 'Temp' folder under 'Microsoft Games X' folder. Then you can copy the whole aircraft folder (after you check for panel or sound 'alias' (double click cfg in each to confirm which panel or sound the want you to use). Then you simply delete the panel folder (or sound folder) under newly installed aircraft, and go get (copy) entire panel (or sound) folder from some other aircraft to your installed aircraft.

You can copy the whole aircraft folder (by right mouse click and drag) and drop it into 'Airplanes' folder. It will then be 'under' the 'Airplanes' folder where it belongs and then be useable (ie: will work).

Of course, with Win's 7 you need to turn off permissions to enable copy/paste operations like in Win's XP. And the DX 10 problem (FSX related) might cause those 'ghost' aircraft to 'happen'.

But start with correct 'path' (ie: where you put your 'little folder' or 'planes' folder.). Your path to those installs should be: 'C:\Program File\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\P51 Mustang' . (Or, 'Grumman F8F'). See pics for folder layout.
Chuck B
Napamule