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Sidney Schwartz Scenery Developer Interview Conducted by Dominic Smith Development Hi Sidney, could I begin by asking about how you began developing for flight simulators and what initially got you interested in it? I started flight simming with the Sublogic Flight Simulator in the mid 1980's. In around 2005 Lago's FSE (Flight Simulator Environment) provided a simple way to customize scenery using shared scenery objects. This added a new dimension to flight simming for me that I quickly got hooked on. However, it was frustrating having to rely on others to create 3D scenery objects that I could use, so after another year or so I learned to use Gmax to create my own objects. Many of my first contributions to the flight sim community were libraries of scenery objects I created that users could place in their own scenery using EZ-Scenery and other payware and freeware programs. I also compiled libraries of many of the stock FS scenery objects, like terminal buildings and jetways. My first airports consisted mostly of library objects (my own or those made by others), and I gradually progressed to making airports consisting entirely of my own bespoke objects. Could you tell us a bit about your airport projects? I like to make a recognizable version of an airport, but I'm not interested in super-realism...it takes more time than I like to put into a project. Also, I don't have a state-of-the-art computer, and so I keep in mind that many others can't run highly complex scenery too. When choosing a project I prefer to create small to medium sized airports that have scheduled flights by commercial carriers. Airports that need updates to runways and/or taxiways, or airports that aren't represented at all, are prime candidates. My usual method when modifying an airport is to delete pretty much everything except the runways and then rebuild it. Google Earth images allow for exact placement of the various elements, and I use Navigraph charts to make sure taxiway and runway designations are correct. For the buildings I use images from Google Earth and Bing Maps, including street views where available, and from whatever images I can find by doing a web search. I usually only do those areas of an airport that can be taxied to by a pilot. Sidney, out of all the airports you have created, which do you consider to be your best or most popular work? My ramp lights objects library and also KDPX Portland Airport have probably gotten the most downloads. When creating an airport, what do you find to be the most challenging aspect? The most challenging part of a project is finding images of all or most of the airport buildings so that I can make at least a reasonable approximation. This can be time consuming, and sometimes I'll have to give up on a project because I just can't find what I need. Google Earth and Bing Maps street views are a great source of images, and a general web search usually turns up a surprising amount as well. What have been your favorite projects so far Sidney? I collaborated on two WWII airfields that no longer exist; the KPYT Rattlesnake bomber base in Pyote, Texas, and KSWW Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. Flight simmer Zeb Gardner wanted to do these as a tribute to the men and women who served at them, and approached me to create the buildings and other 3D objects. Learning about these facilities and the men and women who served at them was fascinating, and I felt a much more personal connection with the projects than I usually do. During the development process, what software packages and tools do you use? I use the free version of SketchUp for creating 3D objects as I find that it's very will suited to the kind of work I do. Arno Gerretsen's Model Converter X converts them for use in FS and also optimizes the use of textures. I use Jon Masterson's Airport Design Editor for placing objects in the scenery and pretty much every other aspect of airport design. Without these great tools I wouldn't get to square one. Who would you consider to be your mentors or inspiration in the development world? I'm pretty much self taught and so I can't really say I've had any mentors, although there are plenty of other scenery designers whose work I greatly admire and take inspiration from. Sidney, do you only create freeware sceneries, or have you considered payware as well? Strictly freeware. I do this for my own enjoyment and for the fun of sharing with the flight sim community, from whom I've gotten so much. The Team During your time as a scenery author, have you ever worked with any other developers or teams My most frequent collaborator was Pete Ham. I've also worked on Dutch Harbor and some other Alaskan airports with Roger Wensley. In both cases my main job was 3D modeling. Future Sidney, how do you go about choosing your next new design or project? Sometimes I'll come across an airport that's out of date or otherwise inaccurate. I'll check to see if someone else has already done a better version of it. If not, it becomes a candidate. Sometimes if I have nothing in the works I'll go looking for an airport of suitable size (one that hasn't already been enhanced) and start working on it. What simulators do you design for now and which ones do you plan to develop for in the future? I design primarily for FSX, mostly because my system isn't capable of running P3D or X-Plane very well. I'm planning on getting a better system, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. In the meantime, if anyone wants to convert any of my FS2004 or FSX scenery to work in Prepar3D or X-Plane, they are welcome to do so, as long as I'm given credit for my work. Your Thoughts What can sites like FlightSim.Com do to support you and the hobby better? I think you already do a great job. FlightSim.Com is a prime resource for information and downloads. Sidney, how do you feel about the future of flight simulation in general? Back when I starting flight simming I didn't think it would last as long as it has. However, it's not only lasted, but improved by orders of magnitude. I see no reason why that shouldn't continue. As a developer, what are some of the most important things a site or community can do to help you? For someone like me, feedback is always appreciated. I don't mean just reporting errors or problems, but also general preferences and ideas. Lastly Sidney, what would you like people to know about you and work? I really, really appreciate all the great stuff I've gotten over the years from other members of the flight sim community. Some truly great work! Thank you so much. Sidney Schwartz Download Sidney Schwartz Freeware