Ideas for AutoAsm and Sbuilder

[Guest Horst]

Hi all,This post should give only a little inspiration, how you can use Sbuilder and AutoAsm.Not for the experts, only for newbies like me.Using the other two excellent programs, Ground2k (use the search function here) and Slartibartfast (I am sure, you will find more information in the future).For all 4 programs read the available tutorials to get an impression, what you can do with it.I will give you only a very small description, how I use the automatic and semi automatic functions of Sbuilder and AutoAsm.Both authors Luis Sa and Chris Wright did a very hard and great job (spending a lot of time with it), and the programs getting more and more complex with a lot of usefully features. And I hope, besides their other projects, they will find time for further developing.Do not forget it is only a game.Looking for usefully maps and data, I always start here:http://www.maps.ethz.ch/map_catalogue-world.html#metadatahttp://www.maps.ethz.ch/map_catalogue.html You will find raster and vector maps and data.I use most of the time GPS maps in combination with GIS Data and raster maps.To learn more about the GPS World go to:http://www.gpsinformation.net/Scroll down and pick you out some articles about projection, formats, raster maps, vector maps, etc.Sbuilder and AutoAsm have a very important feature. The import function. Both can import bln-files.Please go to GisUser/FreeTools (except other great tools) and have a look to the translators section:http://www.gisuser.com/component/option,co...ory/Itemid,105/Use the Dxf2xyz Tool.So it should be possible to save your CAD or GIS data (vector format) to a bln file, because with most programs you can save to dxf. Do not forget the projection lat/long WGS 84.Sure, you will lose the attributes or legend of the files, when you save to bln. But you will define them, when you import the vectors to Sbuilder and AutoAsm.Here is a big concern for the copyright issue.With Sbuilder you use the points 1:1. When you are allowed to do it, it is the faster method.With AutoAsm you save the vectors to a raster bitmap and read the lines and polygons again, using other points. And your are not limited anymore from the export to bitmap function of any program.I am not a lawyer (maybe someone can explain), but I think with Chris method, to have only a accurate basemap, it should be possible to share the generated data. Otherwise I am not allowed to take any map and draw some lines.Another import possibility in AutoAsm is the so called polish format (Luis also know the format)There exists different formats for the GPS basemaps. The raster maps and the vector maps.Dave Patton has a nice side for Canada, explaining different raster source and comparison.http://members.shaw.ca/davepatton/gps.htmlOn the other side the toporama maps for Canada are also available in vector format.www.garmin.com Topo Canada(Have a look to the maps and the third party maps)Here is also a list (not actual) from commercial and user created maps:http://gps-maps.info/topoguide/garmin_reg_id.htmlAll this maps files have an img extension.You can imagine that the

[Guest cwright]

Hello Horst, a very intersting post! I'll be going through it in more detail later.... Best regards, Chris

[Guest Horst]

Hello Chris,I know it takes time, to think about the approaches. I thought maybe someone has maps, or GIS Data at home or in the office, or use it for other purpose or navigation. Or find something in the NET, which can be usefully for his scenery project.Unfortunately the bluecharts, used for boat navigation, are not discovered yet.It must be interested to use the contour lines, the

[gregger 0]

Hi Horst, I'm a GIS guy, but I find the tools and methods for scenery design pretty confusing. I have GIS and data, and I've got two specific projects I'd like to start with:1) Get the roads for Ontario, Canada (http://www.geobase.ca) into FS2) Do up a landclass using CLUMP (only covers a small area around several Canadian cities, including Ottawa), and maybe the Ontario Landcover data (both found at Geogratis http://www.geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca.I already poked around in AutoAsm and Ground2K, but couldn't really make sense of either of those programs. Looks like I've got some manual reading to do :)Anyways, just thought I'd say hi and thanks for the great post. I may be back with some questions!Greg

[Guest Horst]

Hello Greg,I agree, at the first moment, it looks confusing.Probably like most things, when you understand it then it is very simple.But do not forget, how many data sets with different projections, datums and file formats you can find.All this knowledge besides the SDKs is research by the scenery designer community. From enthusiast, also using there free time for developing such tools.Reading manuals should be essential :)Slartibartfast:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...21948&mode=fullLWMViewer is also a useful tool, from the same author, Jim Keir:http://www.jimkeir.co.uk/FlightSim/index.htmlAutoAsm:The last temporary update is linked here in the forum.SBuilder:You will find it on Luis Sa page: http://www.ptsim.com/en/index.htmIn the forum section you will find the last official Version 2.01, sb201.zip, and a tutorial.http://ptsim.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=18You also need Scasm from Manfred Moldenhauer: http://www.scasm.de/The version 2.95, you will find on hot news.Ground2k and the tutorial, you will find here in the library.I would also recommend to read Christian Stocks TMF manual and Richard Ludowise and his LWM Tutorial. You can also find them here in the library.Before you are unsuccessful with the tools, do not hesitate to ask a question here in this forum, there are a lot of experts. And a lot of problems have been already discussed.Good luck for your project.RegardsHorst

[Guest Horst]

Hello all,Part 2 for inspiration:(Probably, because I wrote up there: Google will help, the approach is not easy to understand, and comparison is important.)I will use an example for land use:Post from Luis here in the forum:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...g_id=1893&page=(the attachment you will see here: http://ptsim.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=150)Then he post it here (please also read Dicks and Jims answers):http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...20139&mode=fullSo global landuse is not available in the accuracy we need, but an interestingly approach for the FS.Other people also do not have this global data available!:http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/GIS/index.html(last updated 2001)But they tell you what they use:Overview:http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/GIS/landuse0.htmFor China:http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/GIS/landuse_china.htmFSU:http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/GIS/landuse_fsu.htmEurope:http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/GIS/landuse_eur.htmYou will see there also data with 1km grid out can be tested.Following the

[victorwest2 0]

Many thanks for a very useful thread, Horst.Sorry if it's been mentioned elswhere but what is the resolution of the default vector (rivers roads etc.) data?

[Holger 0]

Hi Victor,I can answer that: ;-) The default LWM and VTP data are based on the LOD13 grid, with 256x256 points per LOD13 Area. Given an approximate N-S extent of 1,223 meters of a LOD13 Area (W-E changes with latitude) the distance between two VTP2 points is 4.78 meters. See the "Creating Terrain.doc" in the FS9 Terrain SDK.However, the VTP2 points are referenced according to LOD8 Cells, which explains why some of the X/Y code has these high numbers. It would be great if LWMViewer could show those coordinates because it would help with fine-scale adjustments.Cheers, Holger