Landable helipad polygon?

[Guest]

Hi,I have been working with my Swedish helipad scenery for FS2002 for some weeks now, and for information I have made all 3-d design in Gmax. On my helipad apron (mark polygon) has been lift up a little bit in the air due to place sides rocks around my helibase, more realistic look with that. But my problem results: Then I try to land on the polygon the helicopter sink down to the main (mesh) polygon's. So I have work out with some types of options to fix my polygon to be landable BUT I can't get it to work. Anyone can help me out there??See the picture below how I mean:http://www.nordicair.org/fssweden/heli_er.jpgThanks!!/Philip NordlanderTeam FSsweden

[arno 1]

Hi Philip,I think FsRegen has an option to make a hard polygon, but I am not sure about that.Otherwise you could make a small BGL using SCASM that will harden the part for you. I can find an example if you want I think.Arno

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Member Netherlands 2000 Scenery Team[a href=http://home.wanadoo.nl/arno.gerretsen]http://home.wanadoo.nl/arno.gerretsen/banner.jpg[/a]

[Guest]

Philip,RSREGEN has a way of creating "hard landable surfaces". The catch is,that you must download a new version of makemdl.exe, in order to use it. I would start by going to:http://www.nhreas.com/fsregen,htmlDownload and install the "v0.20b" based version. Read the documentsthat come with it carefully. Now according to BOB5656 you will not need to download and install a package called Middleman so I will not bring it up here. Then download and "copy the files" that get produced by the newest FSREGEN package you will find at that site, into the existing FSREGEN directory. I WOULD SUGGEST NOT DOWNLOADING THE NEWEST ALPHA package, until you know what is going on with FSREGEN etc.. But look for one of the lastest such as... The next thing to do is, go to:http://zone.msn.com/flightsim/FS02DevDeskSDK00.asp, and go to the SDK package called MakeMdl SDK. This package after installing it, will contain the newest makemdl.exe program that you have to put in your GmaxPlugins folder. This is the program that you use to export stuff into the fsregen directory that you then "post process" into hard placement objects or create reusable macro files .........IT ISLONG STORY, to much to be re-writting over an over in this and other forums. You will also have to download the latest bglc.exe program. This program is what you use to post compile the output "file_name.asm"file produced by FSREGEN. The bglc.exe program can be found at this same site (zone.msn....blah blah). Under the SDK package called Gmax Scenery Tutorial.........I am sure it is in that download.Bottom line is, after some carefull reading on how to and what to install, and trying out a few examples found in the FSREGEN package, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN DO IS CREATE HARDEND LANDABLE AREAS using a primitive object called "plane"and applying a specific highlite color to them while in Gmax, then export the Gmax file to the FSREGEN directory, then using fsregen post process the Gmax (makemdl generated "asm" file and assign the plane object as a hardend surface. It is just to much to have to write here, take my word for it. I have made "raised helio port pads" that I can land and take off from. You can make a whole top of a roof on a building in Gmax that you can land on using above tools.Go to Arno's site to get further information on FSREGEN etc..Lastly, if you proceed down this path, you will also discover a easy way to create special effect lights and other things on aircraft and scenery using fsregen tool. Look through this forum section for references to what I and others have already discussed concerning getting these tools up and running and how to use them.hope this helps you.George B.

[Guest JR Morgan]

Hello Phillip.. The "Create Helipad Routine" of the Apt26 works to install helipads on-top-of GMAX objects. You can use the provided heliport texture bitmaps or use one of your own design. I have tested them on both GMAX and standard SCASM macro buildings at elevations ranging from 1 meter AGL to tops of MS2002 default skyscrapers. You can get the latest version of Apt26 at http://www.airportforwindows.com . I'm not suggesting you not go the FSRegen route, however, the Apt26 routines might save lots of time and works well. Here's a screenshot of one I made at a small midwestern town (hope it displays OK): 3d6c28c060d34e5a.jpgRegards;J.R.

[Guest]

Hi,Thanks for all answers here. great Scenery design forum!!George, I have FSregen the latest one. (i have nerver try FSregen out so this will my first time) But anyway I have also the latest MakeMDL and BGLC prog.>Bottom line is, after some carefull reading on how to and >what to install, and trying out a few examples found in the >FSREGEN package, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT ONE OF THE THINGS >YOU CAN DO IS CREATE HARDEND LANDABLE AREAS using a >primitive object called "plane" >and applying a specific highlite color to them while in >Gmax, then export the Gmax file to the FSREGEN directory, >then using fsregen post process the Gmax (makemdl generated >"asm" file and assign the plane object as a hardend >surface.ok, so on my apron polygon I can only called it "plane" and then make the specific highlighted color, then only export it to FSregen then export it again from FSregen to a BGL without doing nothing there or??explain little more about that thanks! If it's so simple I will only use FSregen in future for my scenery (airports)>Lastly, if you proceed down this path, you will also >discover a easy way to create special effect lights and >other things on aircraft and scenery using fsregen tool.Ok, but I have made an REC light on my windsock already without any other programs only useing Gmax... but then I try to make an spotlight from the middle of the windsock down to the apron (landalbe polygon) I got it only below the aporn (landalbe polygon) then the light light's below it and anway from it. And I have set the right pivot and so on... but if i trying to make that spotlight via FSregen it maybe can work or?? but other lights is easy to set there what I can see;)) so that is good!Have not so much time for post this so sorry if you find any wrong spellings word here;)/Philip Nordlander

[Guest]

Hi, againNow I have test this then I come home but my polygon is not hard??I select the polygon i gmax, then I open the "Material editor" after that I do what that sees in FSregen manual. all thath with hightlighted color and so on.. but wich color do I need for this? dos it matter or? same with the defuse (wrong spelling here) color too.Then I export it from gmax to FSregen (with keep the files an so on) thean I open the *.azm file in FSregen and here I have try some different options. The first option (or step 3 in FSregen) for me was to add "Landing Area" but then I export it to *.bgl file and test it in FS I have the same problem as before. Then I try out with (now back in step 3 in FSregen) there I add "Ground Type" and then try some different options here but then I export it again and then open it in FS I got the same problem as before again after again..So please help me out of this;))/Philip Nordlander

[Guest]

Ok, Now I need your help here out to fix my problem as soon as possible because that is the only problem with my scenery and I must get it to work now, so I can continue my work!! right now Im stuck hereSo please help me....(H)/Philip Nordlander

[Guest JR Morgan]

Hi Again Phillip... Have you tried the Apt26 "Create Helipad" routine? Here are the sequential steps I use on the helipads I make using Apt:1. Create a flatten area at Ground (or water) Level elevation at the exact location of the object your elevated helipad is located-on. The "Create Flatten Area" routine of Apt26 works well for this. The size of the flattened area must be at least as large as the structure your helipad will be located-on. I determine ground level in slew mode, reading the altitude of the ground level and subtracting the height of the heli's skids or pontoons if amphibian. Use keys to display the altitude and subtract the gear height.2. Use the "Create Helipad" routine of Apt26 to place the landing surface (helipad) at the altitude of the raised structure's top or roof. The picture in your original posting appears to be a low structure. I estimated it to be approx 4 meters above ground or water level? A texture bitmap is available within the Apt routine or you can use your own set of texture bitmaps with seasonal/night colors by using the texture viewer in the Apt routine. The bitmap provided is illuminated at night but does not change with seasons. You may or may not need to raise the altitude of the helipad approx a half meter above your structure's roof or top, depending upon whether or not there's a z-bias display problem. Conversely, the height of the flatten area under the structure can be adjusted to accomplish the same thing.3. Test the helipad to verify it's altitude and visibility is OK --- Then Fly or slew away from the scenery area a distance far enough to be sure you've departed the scenery's Lat & Lon boundaries expressed in the scenery's source file header ( menu item in Apt. If upon returning to the helipad you find the local water or ground has been "sucked-up" to the altitude of the helipad, then:4. Create another helipad, same as the one in step 2 above AT GROUND OR WATER level exactly under the elevated pad made in step 2. This seems to "Anchor" things to prevent the anomoly of the flatten area not reliably re-activating when returning to the scenery area. This second pad, if needed, will not be visible in the scenery -- It's there merely as an anchor. (This step 4 "fix" was discovered by David Morgan of England).If you don't want to do step 4, you can always refresh the scenery library by selecting it pressing the key. Of course you must have activated your scenery in the library for this to work.This procedure should get you working --- Good Luck; and let us know how it works-out...Regards;J.R.

[Guest]

JR,Ok, I know how that will work but, it took so long time to that or for some it sounds like that.Im want to lurn me how FSregen works, it's sounds very good program, so that I want to try out and get some help from all of you here;)If I do it via Gmax -> FSregen I get the same bgl file, but if i do it via airport260 I got a sep. bgl file. So if don't get help with FSregen of some of you i must do it via airport, and via airport is my last way out of this, or i must laydown my whole project:(/Philip Nordlander

[Guest]

Philip,Sorry I did not get back sooner. This is the first time I have logged into this forum for over a week.Ok. Your question is how to make a landable surface. You are at this point probably familiar with exactly what the fsregen documents mean by using the "highlight color" while in Gmax, that will eventually be used by fsregen to select a particular object you load into it for processing (in this case using the "landing area" found in the window list in section 3 of the main fsregen screen.In Gmax, you create an object using the Primative "plane". The assign a Edit Mesh modifier to the plane. Then in Edit Mesh, select the polygon from the list, while the plane object is selected.Then you go to the Material Editor and assign let us say a pure blue color for the highlight color. 0,0,255 as shown in the little color window that pops up. Then export the Gmax source file via. makemdl etc.In fsregen, after reading in the asm file for the helio pad design,in Section 2 selecting the blue color, then go to the process section 3, and select the "landing area" option in the little window.Then click on the "parameter button" found in section 3, and a window will pop up. In that window you will see a little window titled "Ground Altitude". Enter the actual height the ground surface (hardend surface object) should be at in this window. Then click on the step 4 Process button. Then in section 5 save the file.Then exit fsregen and go to the fsregen directory while in a DOS PROMPT window. I assume you know how to call up a DOS Window on your windoze box. You can make an icon for the DOS PROMPT screen by going to Windows Explorer or MyComputer and going to:C:Windows directory. There you will find the command.com file.Make a shortcut of the command.com file and drag it to your desktop.OK.Now click on it. You will get a black DOS Window. CD to your fsregen directory and find the file_name.asm file that you post processed in fsregen.The since you probably have the bglc.exe file in fsregen dir, simply type:bglc /bgl source_assembly_filename.asm some_file_name.bglfor instance:bglc /bgl helio_pad_3.asm helio_pad_3.bgl.Then copy this helio_pad_3.bgl file to your FS2K2ADDON SCENERYscenery directory.Keep points.While in Gmax following the steps Georgio outlines as how to assign a color to a given object for eventual use in fsregen, create an object, in the case a Primitave plane, that will sit on top of the base of your heliopad object in Gmax. You probably are using a box object for the base area.Then asssign a Mesh Modifier to the plane, then select in Mesh Modifier, Polygon, then go to the Material Editor assigning a pure color to the object (highlight mode, and setting the illumence to 100%.................forgot to mention this in the above, then after assigning the color and returning to the Gmax viewport, assigning a UVW Map modifier. Then finally exporting it for post processing by fsregen. While in Gmax Material Editor, you can also assign any color or texture file to the object in the diffuse/color window. That is, you could assign a concrete texture to the object. So when in Gmax viewport you would then see your plane having the concrete texture color. You will not see the "pure blue" color assigned to it.Lastly, when in section 3 of fsregen when you click on the parameter button and get the little pop up window that asks for objects altitude, you can also assign a concrete texture to the object in that window.Well I hope I have written enough accurate things here to enable you to create a "landable surface" on top of your heliopad.Once you have gottenn it to work, as you probably understand, you can make it a re-usable macro file in fsregen that you can then put that macro version in Airport For Windows for instance and place it in any Airport scenery file you create using APW tool or other scenery generator tool that allows one to use file_name.api type files (macros).If you are still having problems, you can email me at grb99@earthlink.net. I do not always get a chance to wade through all the new stuff in this forum.cheers,George B

[Guest]

George,Ok, now I have try this out but I got some errors.. but I have send you an email so read that for more info about the error mess i BGLC and so on..Thanks!Philip Nordlander

[Guest]

Hi all!I have now made my landable helipad with help of George and his help on fsregen (gmax) so many thanks to him.;))here is the picture of my scenery now:http://www.nordicair.org/fssweden/yes.jpgand now I can contiune with my scenery project!From a happy man in Sweden who knows how fsregen works now;))/Philip Nordlander