Is there a rule about Scenery Layers in the Scenery Library that one should follow? I suspect that this can be the source of FS not being as "fluid" as it can be.I would love to "re-arrange" my layers to the benefit of my individual needs, but where do I start? What should be on top, below, or in-between. I would love a tutorial or to be pointed in the right direction for this.Thanks and have a great Holiday if you're celebrating.

I think it's an almost impossible question to answer, unless you ask te scenery developers of each addon you have in turn.There is no general rule except that default should be at the bottom, and enything that modifies or adds to the default needs to be above. After that, read the instructions for each addon and follow the guidelines. In any event, you can create a copy of scenery.cfg then play around with the numbers to your hearts content - you can't do any permanent harm.But it IS a good idea to have your addon scenery on a separate hard drive from FS, if you have 2 or more HD's and the space to do it.Allcott

Thanks....I'll do some experimenting.

It's not true that there's no general rule for layering!You can search the MSFS forums for informations how to do it best if you like.In general, higher layers mean higher priority for mesh files. But if two overlapping meshes have the same LOD, the one with LOWER layer takes precedence.Landclass is different, the higher layer seems to win (though I found that two overlapping LC areas always mix).It's pretty difficult to find a good way how to manage all the landclass/mesh/VPT etc. files, but I for my part found a solution after several FS9 re-installs over the years.I spent many, many days in total fiddling with the various aspects of scenery, and still have CTDs sometimes, but I now now a lot more how to avoid them.The last CTD I had confirmed that I have a pretty well maintained scenery layout, and I can only suggest to not mix any add-on with default FS9 things (never ever copy any scenery files into original FS9 folders, even if the install docs say so (they do this only to faciliate things for the innocent)), or you loose control quickly. Once this happens, you need deep knowledge of what to do to recover from such a mess (if that's possible at all).Get a tool like Scenery Manager 2004 (available at the library) to maintain your scenery.cfg.Hope this helps a bit, use the forum search function to find more infos.Andreas

Andreas, thats fine for standalone files that only do the one job, but too much of a generalisation when you encounter addon scenery that includes mesh and/or landclass. And then there are some packages that require a specific order and location for their elements, and others that require a specific order for all the elements to show up in aftermarket packages such as FS Navigator.So you see, for every generality there is a specific exemption.Better to read the instructions!Allcott

Does "Higher Layers" mean those with larger numbers (appearing later in the scenery config list) or lower numbers (appearing higher or earlier in the list}?Thanks!Bill G KSAT

The "higher" layers are the one with the lowest numbers, I believe. If you look at the scenery list under settings/scenery library, new sceneries are always placed in the #1 position, the highest layer.If one takes the default scenery which may reside fairly lower in the list, thus larger numbers, and move to the #1 spot, your add-on scenery will take second place. So if in doubt, look at the list and the placement of the sceneries.Sometimes an author will require a specific location, e.g. "below #43" or what ever number specified.If I'm wrong, someone correct it please.

Thanks ILTF!I kind of thought so, but wanted a confirm before I started changing anything.Bill GKSAT

As far as I know FSNavigator steps through all active areas. Is that assumption wrong?I have many add-ons, and of neither I can say that this mysterious "correct order" is mandatory to let them appear as they're designed to.Given the fact that most FS users are completely unaware what scenery.cfg does and what different BGL types there are, it's easier to tell them to place the files here and there. They probably have difficulties even with the Windows Explorer when juggling the files around.My opinion is that when you have more than a few scenery add-ons, things get really difficult. I dare to say that I even doubt that the same scenery looks the same in some cases on different FS installations, though everyone tries to "make it right".Sometimes additional properties of the BGLs (transparency etc.) gives different results when mixed with others.A very difficult story, I for my part don't know how to exactly treat scenery right.Anyway, I'm happy with what I have.Andreas

I have 750 scenery entries covering all the continentsmost of them third party freeware or payware.After messing around for sometime and various CTDs,etc. I decided to create separate scenery config files for each continent. The rule of thumb I use is as follows:Each scenery config contains the default entries originatedby the SIM. Then immediately after that all the Mesh entriesrelevant to the continent in question, followed by an entryfor a single general landclass folder, however if an addon creates anadditional landclass folder then I usually place it immediatelyabove (lower scenery number) its related scenery folder.The remainder of the config file has all the other scenery areas.Any new scenery areas are always also added to a master scenery.cfgwhich I maintain as a general back-up. When I want to fly in a specificarea I copy the relevant scenery.cfg file to the FS directory, run align.exe toensure all layer numbers are correct and off I go.Granted that this method is a bit more involved, but the benefits arethat FS9 loads much faster than with all sceneries added and thatif there is a problem with any scenery, it's always easier to identify it.Not sure how many entries you have but this may be worth a try.

Thanks for the tip Joaquin! Sounds like most of the work is in the initial creation of the filesBill GKSAT