9 hours ago, psolk said:

The POI is just the label not the 3D model itself...  So all of your models will still be there, just no POI labels.  I don't use POI labels anyway so never install them.  

Hope that helps

Hi Paul.

If you look at the size of the POI files inside the Content Manager (NZ amongst them), you'd realize they're not just the labels, but the 3D models (and the labels too, which I think, but not sure, can be added from a different menu in the Options).

If our mates from NZ don't install their POIs they won't have any 3D NZ landmarks in their sim, so I understand their frustration.

37 minutes ago, edpatino said:

Hi Paul.

If you look at the size of the POI files inside the Content Manager (NZ amongst them), you'd realize they're not just the labels, but the 3D models (and the labels too, which I think, but not sure, can be added from a different menu in the Options).

If our mates from NZ don't install their POIs they won't have any 3D NZ landmarks in their sim, so I understand their frustration.

 

 

 

Quote

 

No, POI (Points of Interest) files in Microsoft Flight Simulator are not the 3D models themselves. They are essentially markers or labels that point to specific locations in the simulator. 

Here's why:

• POI files primarily store information about the location of a point of interest, its name, and other associated data, rather than the 3D model itself.
• The 3D models are typically stored in separate files, such as .gltf files (used for models) and texture files (like .dds, .png, or .jpg).
• When creating custom scenery, these separate model and texture files are referenced within the scenery project structure, and the POI marker then indicates the location of that 3D model within the simulator's world. 

Think of it this way: the POI is like a pin on a map that says "Eiffel Tower," while the actual 3D model is the detailed representation of the Eiffel Tower structure itself. You can have the marker without the 3D model, and the 3D model can exist without a specific POI marker pointing to it. 

Therefore, while POIs are used to highlight interesting locations in MSFS, the underlying 3D models are separate entities, stored and managed in a different way within the simulator's file structure. 

 

 

 

 

 

AI Overview

 

MSFS POI files, or Points of Interest files, are data files that contain information about locations and landmarks within the Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) world. These files are used to display markers and information about these locations on the in-game map and during flights. They can be default files included with the simulator or custom files created by users or third-party developers. 

 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. What they are:

• MSFS POI files store data about specific locations, like landmarks, airports, cities, and other points of interest. 
   
• This data includes the location's coordinates, name, and potentially other details like descriptions or images. 
   
• They are used to display markers on the world map and provide information to the player during flights. 
   

2. How they work:

• MSFS uses POI files to populate the in-game map with markers and labels for various locations. 
   
• These markers can be customized, and different types of markers can be used to represent different types of locations (e.g., a landmark marker, an airport marker). 
   
• Users can add custom POIs to the simulator by creating their own files and placing them in the simulator's "Community" folder. 
   

3. Default vs. Custom POIs:

• Default POIs: These are included with the base game and cover a wide range of locations, including airports, cities, and landmarks. 
   
• Custom POIs: Users and third-party developers can create their own POI files to add new locations, correct existing ones, or enhance the visual representation of certain areas. 
   
• For example, Flightsim.to lists a variety of user-created POI files, including those for specific regions or landmarks. 
   

4. Usage in Flight Simulation:

• POIs help players navigate and discover new locations within the simulator. 
   
• They can be used to plan flights, locate specific landmarks, or simply explore the virtual world. 
   
• Users can also customize the display of POIs in the simulator's settings to suit their preferences. 
   

5. Example of Custom POI creation: 

 

• Users can enable developer mode in the simulator to access the scenery editor.
• They can then create a new project, select a location, and use the scenery editor to add a landmark location.
• By choosing the POI object type and setting the desired coordinates, users can create a custom POI marker.
• The custom POI can then be built into a package and placed in the "Community" folder for use in the simulator.

 

•  

Thanks for the info. It's still surprising to me that those pointers take that much disk space. Good to know when you don't use them and need to save disk space.

 

54 minutes ago, edpatino said:

Thanks for the info. It's still surprising to me that those pointers take that much disk space. Good to know when you don't use them and need to save disk space.

 

Yep, I've never installed them but I still have all the actual models of the POI's like the Eiffel tower, Statue of Liberty etc...    It's amazing how much you "don't need" from the official community marketplace.  Even when you get a World Update you can still pick and choose the individual components to install.  I don't install 95% of the airports, none of the POI's, very few of the landing challenges, none of the discovery flights etc etc.  I usually end up with a fraction of the total download size.

Huge time and disk space saver...

2 hours ago, psolk said:

very few of the landing challenges, none of the discovery flights

I do the same, no landing challenges or discovery flights installed, any of them. And of course, any of the "microsoft flight simulator" repaints of some default aircraft (or so).

4 hours ago, psolk said:

Yep, I've never installed them but I still have all the actual models of the POI's like the Eiffel tower, Statue of Liberty etc...    It's amazing how much you "don't need" from the official community marketplace.  Even when you get a World Update you can still pick and choose the individual components to install.  I don't install 95% of the airports, none of the POI's, very few of the landing challenges, none of the discovery flights etc etc.  I usually end up with a fraction of the total download size.

Huge time and disk space saver...

 

Hi Thanks for the information but it just does not feel correct.  

Given that I presently cant use the POI in MSFS 2020 I wen to look for the Farewelll spit lighthouse  at the top of NZ south island.  in MSFS 2020 there is no lighthouse there.

As I also have 2024 working with the POI installed, I will have a look to see if there is a one at the same location.

Frankly I hope your information is correct and it is only labels that I am missing but it just does not feel that way 

Thanks again for the help.

Best wishes.

Bob

Interesting about the Farewell spit lighthouse. 5GB of labels and position data seems a bit on the high side. I dont think the worldwide nav database is that big.

Bob, are you a member on the NZFF forum by any chance?

NZFF.org

18 minutes ago, cowpatz said:

Interesting about the Farewell spit lighthouse. 5GB of labels and position data seems a bit on the high side. I dont think the worldwide nav database is that big.

Bob, are you a member on the NZFF forum by any chance?

NZFF.org

Hi @cowpatz Many years ago (Back in Flight Sim x and P3D I was very active with the bunch at NZFF.  I have found memories of the screen shot competition and a very friendly members.  However have not visited the site in a while 

Are they still active?

Best wishes

Bob 

  

Yes very much so. There is an online group flight every month as well. Currently it alternates between 2020 and 2024.

Pop by and say hi. You may still recognise some of the members.

Looks like the culprit is this file:

OneStore\microsoft-newzealand-point-of-interest\scenery\Microsoft\newzealand-pois\objects.bgl

Commenting it out in the layout.json file also stops the CTD from occurring but it looks like POIs do not load.

1 hour ago, Saffa_Jake812 said:

Looks like the culprit is this file:

OneStore\microsoft-newzealand-point-of-interest\scenery\Microsoft\newzealand-pois\objects.bgl

Commenting it out in the layout.json file also stops the CTD from occurring but it looks like POIs do not load.

Hi Well done finding the culprit, My instinct relating the this issues is that there are a few POI that the sim does not like.  For me NZ north island appears fine, sadly the south island is not so fine.

Do you feel there is any advantage in reinstalling the POI and commenting out it out as you have?  (As you note commenting it out also stops the POI from loading). 

I wonder if Microsoft are investigating the issue?  My dealings with them yesterday did not fill me with confidence that the have acknowledge that there is an issues.

Thanks again.

Best wishes.

Bob   

2 hours ago, cowpatz said:

Yes very much so. There is an online group flight every month as well. Currently it alternates between 2020 and 2024.

Pop by and say hi. You may still recognise some of the members.

Hi

I will have a look.

  I have never tried a group flight it might be interesting to give it a go at some time. 

A few of the characters I remember are Marty (I recall he went by Splitpin) and a good friend of mine Adam (Adamisk).  Back in the day they held a monthly screen shot competition.  I think Adam and Marty won the most of the time. (I think I won it once or twice in all the time I tried, However it was fun entering).

Best wishes.

Bob  

So I have to ask, is The Brokenwood Mysteries a show from NZ originally?  

I'm just watching it now and it's very good.  Was just wondering with all this talk of NZ LOL 

25 minutes ago, rlaycock said:

Do you feel there is any advantage in reinstalling the POI and commenting out it out as you have?  (As you note commenting it out also stops the POI from loading). 

I do not believe there is any use to do that as commenting out the file or deleting the entire POI pack has the same result with no POI shown. For now it is no POIs if you want to fly over the South Island of NZ until MS acknowledges the issue and fix it, of which no one knows the timing for that.
The other option is if there is someone out there who have not updated their NZ POIs and they can share the files or create a community folder version.

25 minutes ago, psolk said:

So I have to ask, is The Brokenwood Mysteries a show from NZ originally?  

I'm just watching it now and it's very good.  Was just wondering with all this talk of NZ LOL 

Hi

Yes the  Brokenwood Mysteries is a NZ show 

Its mainly filmed around Warkworth  (about 50-60K north of Auckland).  I often ride up there on my Motorcycle.