Development

When did you start developing for flight simulators and what got you interested in it?

It all started because I wasn't particularly happy with the default (empty) airports in X-Plane, and the included Aerosoft add-on airports didn't really satisfy me either. Also, the scenery created in earlier versions of X-Plane, by numerous other developers, did not cover airports that I was that interested in.

I know that a large part of flight simulation is about aircraft and flying, but I personally feel that take-offs and landings should occur at properly populated airfields. This should, in my opinion, include a certain amount of buildings and static aircraft. So, in mid 2012 I tried to do something about it. After reading countless tutorials and comments on this subject, and having both WED and OED to hand, I gave it a try.

Tell us about the nature of your designs and what you do?

The most important thing about an airport scenery for me, is that the airport should seem to look alive, even if nothing moves within the scenery. The object libraries available for X-Plane have a lot of great objects, and to use them to create realistic sceneries is quite easy if you know how to use WED/OED. Often in X-Plane, a default airport layout needs some adjusting before any buildings or aircraft can be placed on it, but once this is done, you're ready with the objects.

Out of my eleven created airport sceneries, the first nine contained only buildings from WED and other object libraries. The name given to these types of sceneries is 'Lego brick'.

For my latest two sceneries, I tried to create custom buildings with the aid of free software. The reason being, the objects in the custom libraries didn't really have anything which resembled the control towers, etc., which I required.

3D modelling and texturing is extremely difficult if you haven't had the time to learn it properly, so this was where tutorials came in very helpful.

Later stages of creating the scenery, such as placing the taxiway signs, adjusting taxiway lines, or adding taxiway routes are easy and fun (at least for me). When this is complete, you're ready to add your objects. These can be objects such as static aircraft, fuel tankers, cars, parking lots, fences, lights; you name it, there are so many! These amazing and growing object libraries make creating sceneries in X-Plane possible.

What do you consider your best or most popular work?

I would have to say, that the last scenery I created, EDXW Sylt Airport, is my favorite scenery so far, as it's all custom built. I also really like EBOS Ostend Airport, and if I'm honest, all the others in between! I think popularity is determined by download counts, even if you can't tell if a given scenery has been downloaded and then installed. Popularity also depends on the location of the airport and where the majority of X-Plane users like to fly.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of a project?

For me personally, to actually develop something which hasn't been created before in the X-Plane world is a real challenge. To see that it works and is then enjoyed by others (even though it might not be perfect or 100% accurate), is one of the things I enjoy most about creating scenery; as is the feedback I receive from users.

What have been your favorite projects?

My favorite airports are the smaller and less known airports of northern Europe. Many of these airports and airfields have lain idle for many years, but even though some of them are not in use anymore, they do not deserve to be forgotten; like some of the airfields in eastern Germany (former GDR/DDR).

What software packages and tools do you use to develop?

I always use the most up to date version of X-Plane, coupled with WED (World Editor), OpenSceneryX, ruscenery, r2scenery and finally the Overlay Editor. For the creation of custom buildings, I use SketchUp, SketchUp2XPlane and also XPL TaxiSign Generator. I also use Google Maps and as many photographs from the internet as I can, so as to make comparisons with the real scenery.

I try to use freeware tools as much as possible as, more often than not, they are a lot less complicated than a lot of commercial software. Using freeware might also encourage other X-Plane users to try their hand at scenery design.

Who would you consider to be your mentors or inspiration in the development world if you have any?

I don't really have any mentors to speak of. My wife though is my inspiration and 'mental coach' and gives me encouragement and support when my developing progress comes to a halt or is in danger of deletion because of some temporary and limiting ability.

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Do you develop payware/freeware or both and why?

Receiving feedback (hopefully positive) is enough to make me feel as though I've been paid. If I was to create payware I would have to offer a perfect product, and that is something I cannot deliver.

What advice would you give to aspiring scenery designers?

I don't know if there is any advice I could give, except to start small and take small steps. Reading tutorials is very helpful, especially when learning about airport layouts, fences, taxiways and buildings. Aircraft and the fancy stuff comes last! If you're using WED, organise your objects into groups, and lock the ones which aren't needed, but that's all in the tutorials.

Real Life

Do you have any experience in real aviation?

None at all I'm afraid.

What started your interest in aviation?

The fascination of seeing tons of metal take to the sky was enough to capture my imagination.

Any memorable flights in real life?

Oh...I have plenty!! A flight from EDDH (Hamburg) to SAWG (Argentina) felt like I was flying for a week; it was so long! I was in an emergency dive to Gander (US), something I will always remember, as was Lufthansa's service of real draft beer on the EDDH to KJFK flights in 1968!

Would you like to share what you do in real life?

I am a retired Waterways Police/Immigration Officer, but before that I served 15 years in the Merchant Navy.

What other hobbies or things do you do for enjoyment?

In my spare time and when I'm not designing scenery, I like to play golf and enjoy maritime photography.

Have you ever considered doing flight simulator development full-time?

Oh no...

Future

How do you choose your next new design or project?

My next scenery project is normally determined by how interested I am in the airport and whether or not the airport has already been created for X-Plane. If I don't find an airport, then I might try my luck at an aircraft skin.

What simulators do you design for now and what ones do you plan to develop for in the future?

At present it's only X-Plane and I can't see that changing.

In what ways do you see development changing in the future?

I think that files downloaded to enhance a flight simulator will only increase in size. As these files increase in complexity and size, I can only see a reduction in frame rates. I also think that orthophotos will become more mainstream, which personally, I'm not in favor of as I haven't seen a clear one yet.

Your Thoughts

If you could add one 'wish' feature to X-Plane, what would it be and why?

If I could add one wish feature to X-Plane, it would be to have better ATC, and one which enabled me to fly at a safe height without flying into mountains. Being from Germany, I fly a lot around the Alps, but unfortunately the ATC in X-Plane is always giving me suicidal altitude instructions!

What can sites like FlightSim.Com do to support you and the hobby better?

There isn't much to improve on. Just keep up the good work, continue to review X-Plane products and stay abreast of current developments within the flight simulation world.

How do you feel about the future of flight simulation in general?

I'm not sure. All I hope is that this hobby which many people share and enjoy, never ends.

What are some of the most important things a site or community can do to help developers?

In my opinion, honest feedback (good or bad), is one of the most important things a site can do to help developers. Also, having good servers open to upload and download work is important.

X-Plane is a great community!

Thank you.

Manfred Muller
Download Manfred Muller's scenery