Can ground polys be date or time dependant?

[Guest]

Hello all! I've run into a slight road block on a scenery I'm working on and would be very greatful if someone might be able to enlighten me on my question. :)I'd like to be able to make a specific ground poly show based on a given set of dates inside FS. My hope is to then be able to have airfields change as time goes by based on the date set inside the simulator. I'm using Architect to place the poly. I experimented with API's, but found the use of the Architect "photo-grid" to give very good and steady appearance from many angles and distances. I've included a sample of the text code and am wondering if a scasm code can be entered to give a specific time the poly will appear, say years 1920-1960. Here it is.; Generated by FS Architect 2002; Version 3.2 build 03; Thursday July 31, 2003; Hand editing this file will not change the Architect document ; from which it was assembled. Header( 1 41:51:39.594238 41:31:39.605706 -82:34:31.281341 -83:01:15.518584 ) LatRange( 41:31:39.605706 41:51:39.594238 ) Menu( Ohio Islands - 3W9 ); -----------------------------------------------------------------------------; Textured Grid: 3W9 Tarmac Area( 5 41:41:37.982434 -82:47:42.490476 4 ) IfVarRange( : 346 2 4 ) LayerCall( :layer 16 ) Jump( : ):layer RefPoint( abs :TagPhotoGrid 1.000000 41:41:37.982434 -82:47:42.490476 v1= 7408 v2= 1024 E= 177.000000 ) RotatedCall( :rot 0 0 0.00 ) Jump( : ):rot LoadBitmap( 0 0 0 0 0 0 3w9tarmac.bmp ) Points( 0 -512 0 -64 512 0 -64 512 0 64 -512 0 64 ) TexPoly( 0 32767 0 0 0 0 0 1 255 0 2 255 255 3 0 255 ) Return Return:TagPhotoGrid EndA; -----------------------------------------------------------------------------; Synthetic Scenery OK, I hope it's possible!! :) Thanks very much!Best regards,Mark Smith

[Shaka 2]

Maybe it's not possible - with macros it would be easy.What are you trying to do exactly? If you are just trying to change seasons, then there is another way, but if you are trying to show that theground looks different on Monday through Friday, then you may be out of luck.- Martin

[arno 1]

Yes, it is possible. You need to add a check for the year. Here is the code where the polygon is only visible between 1920 and 1960:[tt]Area( 5 41:41:37.982434 -82:47:42.490476 4 )IfVarRange( : 346 2 4 )IfVarRange( : 38C 1920 1960 ) ; <<========= THIS LINES ADDEDLayerCall( :layer 16 )Jump( : ):layerRefPoint( abs :TagPhotoGrid 1.000000 41:41:37.982434-82:47:42.490476 v1= 7408 v2= 1024 E= 177.000000 )RotatedCall( :rot 0 0 0.00 )Jump( : ):rotLoadBitmap( 0 0 0 0 0 0 3w9tarmac.bmp )Points( 0-512 0 -64512 0 -64512 0 64-512 0 64)TexPoly( 0 32767 0 0 0 0 01 255 02 255 2553 0 255 )Return:TagPhotoGridReturnEndA[/tt]PS. At the end of the file you had[tt]ReturnReturn:TagPhotoGrid[/tt]Are you sure this is what Architect wrote? I think it should be:[tt]Return:TagPhotoGridReturn[/tt]

[Guest PaavoP]

You can always create an effect file that contains one or more static particles. So placing texture on the ground with effect file(s) will give You quite a big control over it.

[Guest]

Sincerest thanks Arno!! :D I had an inkling that you might be one of the gents that could point me on the correct path. Much appreciated sir!Martin, hello! I did indeed use a macro for this same ground texture, but I kept running into the dreaded "texture shimmer" from distances of about 3 or 4 miles away. :( I wrestled back and forth with both applications but decided the Architect placed ground poly was more stable ( I still hope!:( ).What I'm doing is creating an airport for FS2004 that will encompass visual changes as it "ages" so to speak. In 1938 you may find a very simple dirt strip and open fields, a barn for a hangar. ;) If you adjust your time/date to 1950 you will find an airfield that has matured with perhaps an asphalt runway, some simple tarmac and a true hangar. By 1980 you now have a fully developed airfield with multiple hangars, lights, a more modern layout.My desire is to offer pilots the chance to have several different flight experiences with an airfield based on the time they enjoy flying in. One scenery install, perhaps 5 or so different development points in the airfields history.Thanks again to all! :)Mark Smith