This little free(donationware) script (now in Version 2) helps to transform most parts of DSF files of X-Plane 10 Global Scenery to the GML format. The GML file then can be opened with most modern GIS tools, like the open source tool QGIS, to visualize the internal data structure of the DSF.

 

DISCLAIMER / IMPORTANT: this tool is only for technically versed / interested persons, who know:

• how to work with the command line
• have basic knowledge of scripting languages (especially AWK)
• do know what GIS means, and how to work with GIS tolls!

I will NOT give support/help of any type to people who obviously lack any of these skills!

 

This tool is only for visualization purposes and will in no way help you edit the basic DSF structure!

 

Currently it recognizes these DSF features (and their properties – you can read a lot on them and their use and properties under this link):

• terrain triangles (physical and overlay) this also means water (.TER)
  • TERRAIN name of terrain type assigned
  • FLAG physical or overlay
• forests (.FOR) polygons and lines
  • TYPE forest name (FOR) used
  • 1. FLAG
• strings (.STR)
  • TYPE string name (STR) used
  • 1. FLAG
• beaches (.BCH) only generic, no type identification
  • TYPE beach name (BCH) used
  • 1. FLAG
• lines (.LIN)
  • TYPE line name (STR) used
  • 1. FLAG
• draped polygon (.POL)
  • TYPE polygon name (POL) used
  • 1. FLAG
• facades (.FAC)
  • TYPE facade name (FAC) used
  • 1. FLAG
• autogen blocks (.AGB)
  • TYPE autogen block name (AGB) used
  • 1. FLAG
• autogen strings (.AGS)
  • TYPE autogen string name (AGS) used
  • 1. FLAG
• autogen points (.AGP)
  • TYPE autogen point (AGP) used
  • 1. FLAG
• networks (road, railroad, powerlines) these are currently only identified by their roads.net subtype numbers!
  • SUBTYPE number of network segment (road, railroad, powerline)
• objects (.OBJ)
  • TYPE object name (OBJ) used
  • ORIENTATION rotation of the object

You can see a few screenshots showcasing the usage of the resulting GML files in QGIS here: DSF-to-GML v2 script and QGIS

 

It works on Linux, Windows and I think on Mac too.

 

Infos and download is in the Tools / Scripts section of my web site:

http://www.alpilotx.net/tools-scripts/xp10_dsf-to-gml_v2_script/

Thanks, this will come in handy for a project I've been working on (I may have to adapt it to v9, since this is what the current meshtool uses).

It will most likely work with v9 scenery too ... you might just need to change the TERRAIN_DEF recognition regular expressions. Thats all ... Oh, and of course, the QGIS terrain style will not work, becausethere might be quite a few TER names in v9, which do not exist in v10 anymore.

Well you have my appreciation!  :lol:

 

 

 

 

This is probably my 5th time rebuilding this scenery (been working on this on and off for about 2 years), but I was never satisfied with it .... but a recent OSM update back in October has improved the coastline tremendously, and I've finally made a lot of progress recently. Now I'm really impressed with the results especially along the cliffs.  

 

Unfortunately, I have absolutely no 3d modeling skills, but thankfully the default art assets and textures are impressive enough.