Installing VFR Photographic Scenery GenX Version 3 into P3dV4.1

[Busterbvi 3]

Seasons greetings to the forum. Been a while since I posted here but always lurking. Having been a loyal FSX merchant since release and patiently waiting for P3D in 64 bit, I am now transitioning to V4.1 and determined, after years of FSX grief and headaches, to get things right from the start so I have a clean & stable sim platform.

All my flying is done around Wales and SW England. Not to keen on the Orbx stuff for this area so I want to stay with Horizon VFR Photo Scenery GenX Version 3 and UK2000 Airports, I believe both work well in V4.1. I like the idea of installing add on scenery and Aircraft in a folder outside the sim so they are not disturbed in future updates. I understand that there are a few methods of doing this. Editing XML files is not an option for me as, with my limited skills, this is asking for trouble, so I would like to keep it simple and create two folders outside the sim, one for add on scenery and another for aircraft. I understand that entering a path pointing to the new scenery in the scenery library "Add area" feature will work ? I read somewhere that a similar thing can be done for add on aircraft by adding a path pointing to them in the appropriate SimObjects cfg file ?  I am not clear on the procedure and looking for some guidance, I am new to all this so bear with me !

1/ I have Vol 1,2 & 3 of VFR GenX on DVD's,  should I unpack all three volumes into one new scenery folder and name it "VFR GenX" ?  Does it matter what the folder is named ?

2/ Or, should I create three new separate scenery folders and name them VFR GenX Vol 1,2 & 3 and enter three new file paths for each in the library ?

2/ What would be the correct path to write into the Scenery Library for the sim to see the new folder ? All things P3D are on my G: drive. An example would be most helpful

3/ Aircraft. I have created a new hangar outside the sim and named it "Addon Aircraft"  Should I make a path entry in the "Airplanes" cfg file ? if so, where is it located ?

4/ Should I make the new path entry at the top or bottom of the Airplanes cfg file ? does it matter ?  Again, an example of the file path to write would be very helpful.

Sorry for the dumb questions but I am not familiar with P3D. Always found this forum most helpful in the past so looking forward to any assistance with this.

Thanks. Buster.

[BillCusick 75]

Hi Buster..

My current Addon.xml for my Horizon GenX scenery might help. All my UK scenery is available to my three sims - FSX, P3d 3.4 & v4.1. No problems.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<SimBase.Document Type="AddOnXml" version="4,0" id="add-on">
  <AddOn.Name>Imported Scenery</AddOn.Name>
  <AddOn.Description>Wrapper for scenery imported from scenery.cfg</AddOn.Description>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area1\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area 1 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>133</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area1\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area 1 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>134</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area1\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area 1 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>135</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area2\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area2 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>136</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area2\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area2 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>137</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area2\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area2 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>138</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area3\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area3 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>139</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area3\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area3 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>140</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume1\Area3\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 1 Area3 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>141</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area1\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area1 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>142</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area1\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area1 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>143</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area1\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area1 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>144</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area2\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area2 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>145</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area2\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area2 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>146</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area2\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area2 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>147</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area3\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area3 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>148</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area3\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area3 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>149</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume2\Area3\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 2 Area3 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>150</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area1\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area1 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>151</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area1\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area1 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>152</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area1\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area1 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>153</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area2\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area2 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>154</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area2\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area2 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>155</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area2\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area2 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>156</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area3\4.8m Mesh</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area3 4.8m Mesh</Name>
    <Layer>157</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area3\2.4m Photo</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area3 2.4m Photo</Name>
    <Layer>158</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\VFR-Gen-X-2.0\Volume3\Area3\2.4m Night</Path>
    <Name>Vol 3 Area3 2.4m Night</Name>
    <Layer>159</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Manchester Xtreme</Path>
    <Name>UK2000 Manchester Xtreme</Name>
    <Layer>162</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Liverpool Xtreme</Path>
    <Name>UK2000 Liverpool Xtreme</Name>
    <Layer>163</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\Woodvale Scenery\RAF Woodvale</Path>
    <Name>RAF Woodvale</Name>
    <Layer>167</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\Woodvale Scenery\RAF Woodvale Static</Path>
    <Name>RAF Woodvale Static</Name>
    <Layer>168</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\Addon Scenery\FSTrain</Path>
    <Name>FSTrain</Name>
    <Layer>169</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\Addon Scenery\Freedom Tower</Path>
    <Name>Freedom Tower</Name>
    <Layer>127</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
  <AddOn.Component>
    <Category>Scenery</Category>
    <Path>D:\Addon Scenery\Meigs JD</Path>
    <Name>Meigs JD</Name>
    <Layer>126</Layer>
  </AddOn.Component>
</SimBase.Document>

I installed it just the once - some years ago, and I have backup folders on a separate 'off line' HD.

I used a combination of Scenery.cfg files and XMLs for v4.1. FSX & v3.4 entries are in their Scenery.cfg files.

I recommend Lorby-SI AddonOrganizer - makes it easy.

I apologise for the length of this post.

Regards

Bill

Hope that helps.

[ckyliu 1,749]

@Busterbvi seems you double posted, I replied at https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/526358-installing-vfr-photographic-scenery-genx-version-3-into-p3dv41/#comment-3767314

21 hours ago, ckyliu said:

So I used a registry entry and file named FSX.exe to convince the Horizon installer I had FSX, but the main scenery BGLs and textures are installed outside FSX anyway which is handy. I didn't let the installer do any addon scenery entries though, because I then used Lorby-SI P3D scenery organiser to add those folders to the addon.xml and hey presto!

[mswift 0]

Hi

I have a similar question but maybe a different solution is required, I don't know?

I have FSX installed but due to the requirements of my Fly-Elise display software running in my full size 737 cockpit it looks like I will have to migrate to Prepar3D V4 something I have been reluctant to do as everything is working in the cockpit ok and I have years of addon software installed which I don't want to discard.

I would like to access my Horizon VFR Generation X Version 3 software (all UK areas) from Prepar3D as well as FSX

Is this possible?

How do I do it?

Hope you can help

Regards

Mike

[ckyliu 1,749]

I used lorby's tool to add them to addon.xml and they work fine. Bit time consuming as you have to each area bit by bit but it works a charm 

[Christopher Low 5,324]

You should be able to manually add the required entries to the Scenery Library, which is exactly what I have just done after switching from P3D v3 to P3D v4 yesterday.

[mswift 0]

Hi Guys

I used the Lorby tool and it picked up all my FSX scenery and added them to Prepar3D

All I had to do was turn down the autogen and the Generation X VFR photographic scenery was all there and working.

It even loaded my Manchester UK2000 airport scenery, perfect.

Thanks for all your help, I will now use Prepar3D V4 as my primary sim for the full size 737 cockpit I have.

The warping of the visual display should now work perfectly across my three 55" screens.

Cheers and thanks again

Mike

 

 

[sleightflight 17]

I tried to get my horizon genx scenery that was installed in P3D V3.4 into V4, I tried manually adding them in the P3D scenery add on page, but it often said a scenery of this name was already installed, as a lot of scenery folders have the same name for the different regions, so that didn't work.

I then tried Lorby but that kept telling me their were no scenery files in the folders I was selecting, even though their was.

I have since un installed all of my P3D v3.4 and sceneries, & then tried to install horizon gen x, it came back after installing the first area telling me I would need to add the scenery manually as it wasn't able to change the scenery cfg.

Back to square one and still not installed.

I'm at a loss as what to do.

[stufer 30]

Hi Paul

You need to change the names of the scenery areas as you add them to the scenery library.

For example, when you add the first area, lets say it calls it '4.8m mesh' as the title for that scenery area. Add to the start of that something like 'GenX Vol1 Area1 4.8m mesh'. Then add the 'GenX Vol1 Area1' prefix to the next scenery folder - '2.4m Photo' - so it reads 'GenX Vol1 Area1 2.4m Photo' and so on.

Then when you get to the next area, change the prefix to 'GenX Vol1 Area2' and add those. Then you'll also change the volume numbers too so it says 'GenX Vol2 Area1' etc. It takes a while but soon you'll have all 3 volumes installed with unique names so they can all coexist happily!

You can copy/paste the prefix names to save time (but remember to increase the area number and the volume number by 1 at the appropriate times!

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Stu

[sleightflight 17]

Ok, thanks Stu, I will give that a go.

[Christopher Low 5,324]

I copied the entries in the P3D v3.4 scenery.cfg file to my P3D v4 scenery.cfg file, and modified the scenery entry numbers as required. Very easy, and it worked perfectly.

[sleightflight 17]

Thanks, I've managed to get them working. 

Only thing I've noticed is in UK central there is an additional scenery folder that when opened up contains agn files, I can't add this folder, not sure what it is or what they do, could be something to do with Snowdon demo.

[BillCusick 75]

4 hours ago, sleightflight said:

Thanks, I've managed to get them working. 

Only thing I've noticed is in UK central there is an additional scenery folder that when opened up contains agn files, I can't add this folder, not sure what it is or what they do, could be something to do with Snowdon demo.

Paul...

These are autogen placement files - created with Autogen Annotator in the SDK.

Take a peek at this site:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forums/autogen.104/

They would normally be placed in the 'Texture' folder of the matching BGL folder - and they plot additional Autogen objects (houses, trees etc).

Arno's FSDeveloper site is a treasure trove of data. You need to spend some time there in order to understand what is possible in FSX/P3d etc.

Just keep a copy of the agn files, and place copies in whatever texture folder that a particular area of your scenery requires.

In my local scenery for EGOW Woodvale for example, all my own agn files, created with Autogen Annotator, are in the UK scenery folder for my local area:

'D:\UK Scenery 4.4\2.4m Photo\texture'

I have modified my own Gen-X installation since my original posting at the start of this thread - it now has a new listing based on the four texture types - 1.2m Photo/2.4 Photo/2.4m Night/4.8m Mesh.

For example, I now have two major folders for my UK scenery - one for FSX/P3d 3.4, and a second for v4.4. This is required for my scenery edits in 64-bit.

My local 64-bit bgls cannot be used for FSX/P3d v3.4, hence my two major listings. A few of the new folders have nearly 1000 agn and other textures. P3d appears to be a little faster in loading.

Hope that helps.

Arno is a sim hero IMO. His site should be in every simmers address book.

Any questions, just ask.

Regards

Bil;l

 

[sleightflight 17]

Ok, thanks for the reply. I will check that link out. 

The folder currently lives where the installer put it. I haven't had time to fly around to see if the landmarks are working or not.

[Rene_Feijen 125]

I also used Lorby tool but I only see Area 1 from the England Wales scenery, and also almost no autogen, only near airports. Strange thing is that I do see Area 2 and 3 in de P2D library in program. Maybe I have to add Areas separately.

 

EDIT: added per Area but still the same. Also strange, from within P3D I can move all kinds of areas up or down, but it is not possible for these VFR sceneries.

Edited February 7, 2019 by flopdoc