Boston FS2004 Scenery

[eric5150]

I recently discovered and have been working on importing Google Earth 3D models into FS2004 (and hopefully eventually FSX). A pic is below....feedback wanted.


So far I've added the USS Constitution, TD Bank Garden, and Zakim Bridge.


I also redid the John Hancock Building and moved it to the exact place it should be (the default was way off!!)

Night textures were created by me.

Let me know what you think.

[KCD]

I think it's great; how did you, or did you do this?

KCD

[eric5150]

I already had experience repainting aircraft from years ago (virtual airlines.....been out of flightsimming for a couple of years but this is leading me back so that's how I was able to create night textures (used Adobe Photoshop). I found this website (http://www.myflightsimblog.com/MyFli..._into_FSX.html) and it tells you how to import a sketchup file into fsx. The only thing I did different was that I saved the models as FS9 models in modelconverterx and used DXTBMP (DXT1) to format for the textures after I created them and converted them. ModelConverterX gave me some trouble displaying the textures in the program but I did trial/error and converted some night textures one at a time using DXTBMP into DXT1 and loaded it into modelconveterx. Even if it didn't show up, it worked after I created the fs9 model file.

I hope that made some sense. It would be wonderful to get a bunch of people who could do this and do just like Google 3D Warehouse does with people who can create scenery working together to make the simulator more accurate and populated with the proper buildings.

To insert the model into FS9, I read this link: http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/newrep...4754&noquote=1
which helped me to create the xml file that compiled with bglcomp that is available as an SDS kit from microsoft for fs9. The SDK kits are also needed to configure modelconverterx. Modelconverterx is a free program and they have an excellent developer who answers questions and has tons of youtube videos on how to use it. Just do a search for Modelconverterx and you will find it.

The only difference, if I am reading my sources right, between the FS9 model and FSX models is that you need to save it as an FSX model (done with modelconverterx) and the textures have to be DDS for FSX instead of DXT1 (FS9). I'm going to try FSX after I get more models done for FS9.

Eric

Anyone interested in converting the Google Earth models (already made at Google 3D Warehouse) into FS9 and FSX I'm interested in working with you on populating FS9 and FSX so get back to me.

[eric5150]

UPDATE 5/6/12

Finishing Boston Public Library night textures (2 more to go)...looks great in FS9

Finished or Altered as of 5/6/12
-----------------------------------
Bunker Hill Monument (with Tobin Bridge location correction (from default scenery))
Hatch Memorial Shell
John Hancock Building (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
TD Garden (Boston Celtics/Boston Bruins venue)
USS Constitution
Zakim Bridge

Currently thinking...
---------------------------
Trinity Church (I had the model done with full textures but the model itself was too complex for FS9.....had missing textures on the church and other scenery buildings in Boston). I will use a less complex model and redo.

pictures to come soon

[eric5150]

UPDATE 5/14/12

Finished or Altered as of 5/14/12
-----------------------------------
Boston Public Library
Bunker Hill Monument (with Tobin Bridge location correction (from default scenery))
Hatch Memorial Shell
John Hancock Building (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
TD Garden (Boston Celtics/Boston Bruins venue)
USS Constitution
Zakim Bridge
Hynes Convention Center

Currently thinking...
---------------------------
Trinity Church (I had the model done with full textures but the model itself was too complex for FS9.....had missing textures on the church and other scenery buildings in Boston). I will use a less complex model and redo.

updated pictures





Let me know what you think.....

[eric5150]

UPDATE 2 on 5/14/12

Finished or Altered as of 5/14/12
-----------------------------------
Boston Public Library
Bunker Hill Monument (with Tobin Bridge location correction (from default scenery))
Hatch Memorial Shell
John Hancock Building (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
TD Garden (Boston Celtics/Boston Bruins venue)
USS Constitution
Zakim Bridge
Hynes Convention Center
Prudential Tower (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)

New pictures:

[ab2kpilot2002]

Thats awesome. When I saw this thread earlier, I was thinking about the prudential was the only thing missing. Great job. Will u be uploading this anytime soon?

[eric5150]

UPDATE on 5/18/12

I will be uploading scenery for availability soon as individual buildings (bgl file for each building). Have all these buildings and still pulling 40-50FPS on my Corei7 laptop with everything maxed on FS9. Going to keep going.

Finished or Altered as of 5/18/12
-----------------------------------
Boston Public Library
Bunker Hill Monument (with Tobin Bridge location correction (from default scenery))
Hatch Memorial Shell
John Hancock Building (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
TD Garden (Boston Celtics/Boston Bruins venue)
USS Constitution
Zakim Bridge
Hynes Convention Center
Prudential Tower (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
111 Huntington Ave (R2D2 building near Prudential)

New pictures:

[eric5150]

Update 5/27/2012

I will be uploading scenery for availability soon as individual buildings (bgl file for each building). Have all these buildings and still pulling 40-50FPS on my Corei7 laptop with everything maxed on FS9. Going to keep going.

Finished or Altered as of 5/27/12
-----------------------------------
Boston Public Library
Bunker Hill Monument (with Tobin Bridge location correction (from default scenery))
Hatch Memorial Shell
John Hancock Building (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
TD Garden (Boston Celtics/Boston Bruins venue)
USS Constitution
Zakim Bridge
Hynes Convention Center
Prudential Tower (updated new model with real pic textures and relocated to accurate place)
111 Huntington Ave (R2D2 building near Prudential)
101 Huntington Ave (part of Prudential Mall)

New pictures:

[eric5150]

coming soon....just fyi