Some time ago, I started writing an app called "Runway Resurfacer" to (hopefully) improve runway textures in an easy non-scenery writers way.In essence, the app looks at an afcad file for information re positioning, surfacing etc, then gives the user the option to change how it looks in FS.The user can change the visible surface (tarmac, asphalt etc) then is able to choose how the runway looks by overlaying different states. ie: how worn the surface looks, how badly cracked the surface is, how worn the markings are etc etc.The app then outputs a bgl "overlay" which when saved along with the appropriate afcad file, changes the result in FS. It doesn't alter the afcad at all, but lays the textures on top, if that makes sense. I haven't counted the permutations available, but its capable of adding loads more variety to the runways.The app is in the very early stages of development with lots of things to sort out, and though not as good as some dedicated overlays used in some addons, gives I think quite impressive results for very little effort on the part of the user.The only problem is it'll take a lot of effort on my part to produce something we can all use easily.So my question is this. Would any of you find this useful enough for me to carry on developing it, and has anyone any constructive comments, pro or anti?Dave

Hey Dave, that sound interesting but who's the target market? End users as in scenery developers or weekend pilots?Mark

Hi Mark,Thanks for the interest. Target market was anybody really. Should be simple enough for any novice and up to use, that's why I posted here and not in the design forum.I started it like I said a while ago, after reading that some designers were having problems getting to grips with overlays. I myself was bit bored with flying to different apts and seeing the same rather limited variety of runway textures wherever I went; nice though many of the replacement textures are they still all look alike, airport to airport, and kind of pristine.In more detail, basically in a few minutes you'd be able to create individual runway textures. For instance, you could start with say 3-4 different shades of concrete (or tarmac or asphalt etc). Then you could overlay this with say 3-4 different degrees of cracking and or grid markings. Then maybe 3-4 different degrees of runway marking wear, tyre marks etc and even a seperate texture for over-run area and so forth. You could even make the edges of the runway "ragged". The combinations should run into hundreds of visually different runways. I'd supply all the basic textures, so you'd really need no knowledge of scenery design at all in order to use it.The idea may be a bit simplistic for really serious designers, but hopefully still useful to them. Like I said, initial tests are promising and the app is certainly feasable, but it'll take a lot of effort on my part and dont want to spend a lot of time on something nobody'll be interested in.Dave

I like the idea of your app...it sounds cool. I could use it for a whole bunch of freeware airports that I fly into. Sometimes they have fantastic runway and apron textures but other times, the scenery designers concentrate more on the buildings. Aprons...that would be a nice addition but somewhat difficult I imagine.Oh, I understand about efforting an app like that. I've been re-writing something of mine in another language and it's going to take a month or two. I hope you succeed nevertheless :)Mark

Dave,Would this app make it possible to concentrate most of the touchdown tire skid marks near each end of the runway as in real life, rather than have the same texturing extend the entire length of the runway?John

Dave,Would this app make it possible to concentrate most of the touchdown tire skid marks near each end of the runway as in real life, rather than have the same texturing extend the entire length of the runway?John

Yes, that's the kind of thing I'd like to do (with choice, say, of representing heavy\medium\light usage?)Dave

anything new for fs9 is always welcome. Anything to make the gap between fs9 and fsx wider (i mean smaller!!!!!)Vololiberista

Speaking as a scenery developer, I would download it right now!I would like to see a mix of textures on a runway. For instance a tarmac runway with a repaved concrete section or vice versa. Woud that be possible.

The idea sounds great, I def would use somethign like that. Keep us posted.