I repeat: Runways do not "harden" the surface, only taxiways and aprons do. Runways never have, and the software you use to create an AFD file makes no difference. Using taxiways and aprons is a bodge, what will make a big difference is that ADE will create an invisible flatten polygon - this will be a separate file.

The reason I strongly recommend dropping the use of AFCAD2 (the latest version is 23 years old!) is because it will silently destroy features created by newer software such as AFX or ADE if you amend and save a file. There are a couple of very good alternatives to AFCAD - AFX is great for those used to AFCAD as it is very similar, but ADE has a few more features such as the flatten polygon mentioned.

John

 

I really can´t understand why Hans' carrier isn't working correctly. The basic Alpha scenery doesn´t include an Afcad file, but one named "CVN65_PuertoRico_LandableSurface.bgl". This harden the deck. Does Hans eventually miss it? There is an additional Afcad available somwhere in the web. I have it, but I modified the runway heading, as it it to short for AI landing. As Hans pointed out, the Afcad is esential to locate the carrier at all.

Bernard

 

 

In the meantime I've "covered" the whole of this CVN65 carrier's flight deck with 5 standard but invisible Afcad runway textures of different sizes, positions, headings, etc. and the carrier's flight deck has now become "hard" amost everywhere. I've also added quite some static US Navy aircraft and other deck objects. Looks very good indeed even with the whole project still being in a testing phase.

I'm now in the process of getting the catapult and the arrestor cable zones working but those are rather complex operations and may therefore still take some time.

Bernard,

I do not have the "CVN65_PuertoRico_LandableSurface.bgl" file, nor have I seen anything with that name anywhere, unless I've somehow overlooked it. I'm very inquisitive as to the methods used by this file and would therefore very much like to somehow get hold of it. Is it a separate file or should it have been part of the original download ?

Strange that you say that the original freeware Alfa download did not include an Afcad file because my download did in fact include one but I discarded it because it had a single runway, a taxiway and even an AI parking position, typical for AI activities. I therefore created my own Afcad file with the quoted 5 runways, predominantly because of my original deck "sofness" problems. Moreover, I do not use AI aircraft on carriers because it's my opinion that they perform very unrealistically, espcially the faster Navy jets.

I thank you again in advance for any reactions.

Hans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You might download it here:

https://library.avsim.net/search/basic/fs2004/cvn-65

The said file is included.

Bernard

Edited March 30Mar 30 by Retroavia

Bernard,

Thanks to your link and the download that followed I found that it was a little different to my original download. It had no Afcad file but the "surface hardening" file was very welcome indeed. However, I kept my own Afcad file with it's fake airport code but without the five runways and other entries because I wanted to keep being able to "Go to" that airport via the game's drop down menu.

Out of inquisitiveness I also disassembled the "surface hardening" file and found that it contained a VOR, an NDB and even an ILS. However, it also contained a "flatten" entry, so maybe John was correct all along, although I had tried "flattens" unsuccessfully a number of times myself.

In the meantime I've also been able to activate my catapult and cable trapping systems, which now work great on this wonderful ship. Pity that AI aircraft cannot make use of these systems.

WOW !! All problems are now solved and thanks to you.

Fondest regards.

Hans

 

Here are a few pics of my USS Enterprise in action.

 

 

Oops, must have pressed a wrong key again. Please disregard my post above.

Hans