Hi,I'm not sure if this is the proper forum in which to place this post. I've been using AFCAD 2.21 by Lee Swordy to add some parking places at various airports so the AI aircraft can park. I decided to try and build my own airport from scratch. I've been following the excellent manual and so far so good. I'm at the place now, however, that I need to get rid of the houses and trees in the apron and uncover two areas of the runway that are covered by the default scenery.The manual mentions using "flattening and exclude switches" to fix this problem. The manual references the Microsoft Article Archive.(www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator/fs2000 articles sceneryobjects.asp). There is also a program BGLTool Kit(not sure who the author is) mentioned. These articles and program were for FS2000 so I'm not sure if they would work for FS2004. Also, I really don't understand what the articles are saying - I have zero programming experience. The BGLTool Kit program also looks complicated to me.:-hmmm I was wondering if there is a newer program with a :-newbie user friendly interface or some "easy to understand" instructions now available for FS2004?Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.:-zhelp Tom

Hi,For exclude files (what you need), take a look at Exclude Builder, available at the usual places. For flatten areas, use the MS web page to add those to the scenery.cfg file. No programming is required in either case.There is no program that makes it easier than those, AFAIK.Hope this helps,--Tom GibsonCal Classic Propliner Page: http://www.calclassic.comFreeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.comDrop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___

>Hi,>>For exclude files (what you need), take a look at Exclude>Builder, available at the usual places. For flatten areas,>use the MS web page to add those to the scenery.cfg file. No>programming is required in either case.>>There is no program that makes it easier than those, AFAIK.>>Hope this helps,>-->Tom Gibson>>Cal Classic Propliner Page: http://www.calclassic.com>>Freeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.com>>Drop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___Hi,Thanks, Tom, for your kind reply. I managed to find and download Exlude Builder. I'm not sure, however, what you mean by "those" on the MS web page? Where do I add "those" once I find them?Sorry about the questions but I'm still learning my way around the internet, FS2004, and the computer.Thanks for your [email protected]

Hi,You need to add a flatten line to the correct scenery layer in your scenery.cfg file. That file is located in your main FS folder. Double click it (and choose Wordpad if necessary). Then scroll down to around the bottom of the file until you find your scenery layer there. Then follow the web page's instructions to add the flatten line (you probably only need to add one, although the example adds two) to the end of that entry.The web page is at: http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimul...neryobjects.aspHope this helps,--Tom GibsonCal Classic Propliner Page: http://www.calclassic.comFreeflight Design Shop: http://www.freeflightdesign.comDrop by! ___x_x_(")_x_x___

Both of Tom's suggestions are great, and I agree, sounds like all you need is to exclude some objects.But if you do need to to flatten the elevation around your airport, here's something else to look at as well: FSTFlatten by Steve Greenwood. Pretty easy to use, or at least I think. You can get it at http://www.fs-traveler.com/resources-g.shtmlIt's listed there as utility to flatten terrain.It does need the fsuipc.dll file installed (it will explain it in the documentation), you can download fsuipc here in the fs2004 utilities section, get the newest version.If the airport is just for your own use, it's really a question of which way you find easier. If you plan to share the airport, or future airports, fstflatten will create a bgl file you can include with the project.

Hi,Thanks, Tom and Larry, for your replies - much appreciated.This airport project is becoming a bit more than I bargained for.:-hmmm It's taking valuable time away from flying. But, I've started the project and I hate to quit now. I suppose I'll just have to learn how to use some other programs - not a bad thing - It's just that since I passed 60yrs, my attention span for learning new stuff has shortened - especially after a few rounds of holiday cheer.:-beerchug Happy Holidays's,Tom:+