Simviation Forum - Chimney Smoke effect

Jan 7^th, 2010 at 10:34pm

Capt.Propwash Offline
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I would like to have some Chimney smoke [fx.chimneysmoke.fx] in one of my new developments, the only thing is, I have no idea how to add effects to scenery files. Could anyone explain how to do this???? OPA, do you have a tutorial on it somewhere at avsim??

do i have to build an XML to "control" the smoke effect??

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Reply #1 - Jan 8^th, 2010 at 12:20am

BrandonF Offline
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Are you using modeling software like GMax?

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Reply #2 - Jan 8^th, 2010 at 2:37pm

CAFedm Offline
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Here's an effect I recently did for a scenery project...features smoke adjusted for time of year, e.g., lighter smoke in summer months. If it's of help to anyone, please feel free to use it as required.

http://www.2shared.com/file/10544858/cac00f00/Chimney_Effects.html

Brian

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Reply #3 - Jan 8^th, 2010 at 3:43pm

Gypsy_Baron Offline
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Capt.Propwash wrote on Jan 7^th, 2010 at 10:34pm:

I would like to have some Chimney smoke [fx.chimneysmoke.fx] in one of my new developments, the only thing is, I have no idea how to add effects to scenery files. Could anyone explain how to do this???? OPA, do you have a tutorial on it somewhere at avsim??

do i have to build an XML to "control" the smoke effect??

If you have the SDK, read the section about placing effects in scenery.

A simple way to do it is to create an XML file
that will place a control fx on the chimney(s) in question.
You then use BglComp.exe to create the BGL file that places the
Cntrl_xxxx.fx file. "xxxx" is the name of the effect to be controlled.

Here is a sample of the files I am currently using to test placing FLAK effects
in various locations:

The XML placement file format:
Quote:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1" ?>

<FSData version="9.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="bglcomp.xsd">

<SceneryObject lat="43.0344" lon="-78.1596" alt="2468" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="FALSE" imageComplexity="NORMAL">
<Effect effectName="Cntrl_test_flak" />
</SceneryObject>

<SceneryObject lat="43.0285" lon="-78.1757" alt="2510" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="FALSE" imageComplexity="NORMAL">
<Effect effectName="Cntrl_test_flak" />
</SceneryObject>
</FSData>

Here is an example of the Cntrl file "Cntrl_test_flak.fx"

Quote:

[Library Effect]
Lifetime=5,5
Version=1.00
Radius=5000
Priority=0

[controller.0]
lifetime=0.00, 0.00
type=3
delay=4.01, 5.50
x offset=0.00, 0.00
y offset=0.00, 0.00
z offset=0.00, 0.00
random count=0,0
distance=5508.0,6900.0
effect.0=test_flak, 50.00, 25.00, 30.00, 75.00, 50.00, 60.00, 0.00, 1.00

I am using the "Type 3" mode here. That is the effect is triggered by the
distance from the user.

Both the Cntrl_xxxx.fx file and the actual same-named xxxx.fx file reside in your
FSX Effects folder. The BGL file goes into any activated Scenery file.

You can place multiple "controller" instances with one XML/BGL file. Also you can
specify multiple controllers and effects in the Cntrl file.

The SDK, although lacking in much detail, does define the parameters used.

Paul

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Reply #4 - Jan 8^th, 2010 at 8:22pm

Capt.Propwash Offline
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@ Hughes, everyone that has 2004 has Gmax on Disk1; but for this project I am not using it.

I want to use FS9/Effect fx_chimneysmoke.fx to come out of the chimney of the house.

CAFedm thanks, I will look into it. ....... edit: I think I can do something with your effects (will have to rename them of course) and try to figure out the X,Y coordinates of the chimney so that it gets 98% close to where it should to look good.

I will post some pics after I get the smoke working in the SCENERY DEVELOPMENT thread

The thoughts and expressions contained in the post above are solely my own, and not necessarily those of Simviation.com, its Moderators, its Staff, its Members, or other guests. They can not, are not, and will not be held liable for any thoughts, or expressions, or posts that I have made, or will make in the future.

Computer Specs:: Acer Aspire Laptop..Win7 Home Premium 64-bit (sp1), AMD Athlon II X2 P340 (Dual Core) [2.2 Ghz], ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 (256mb), 4GB DDR3......FS9.1(sp3) / FSX (sp2)..... Ultimate Terrain X, Ground Environment X, REX, FTX ORBX PNW-PFJ-NRM-CRM, OZx, Tongass Fjords, Misty Moorings

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Reply #5 - Jan 9^th, 2010 at 12:20am

CAFedm Offline
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Hello,

Hint - all's that needs doing is to slew to exactly where the chimney is - this is one thing I still use AFCAD for as it gives precise coordinates of your aircraft location. Make sure the altitude is also correct and I am sure you won't be disappointed with the effects.

Brian

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Reply #6 - Jan 9^th, 2010 at 1:23am

JoBee Offline
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Posts: 582

For placing scenery objects in slew mode, the best tool is Rob Finnegan's Crosshairs Plus.

Check it out - http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DLID=73331

To make it better add this panel mod by Jim Robinson- http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DLID=108863

cheers,
Joe

Don't argue with idiots, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

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Reply #7 - Jan 9^th, 2010 at 8:07pm

Capt.Propwash Offline
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@CAFedm :: for whatever reason I can not get the effect to work. I have renamed BOTH fx files, as well as the .mxl files. I also changed in the .xml's the line that points to the fx files.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<FSData version="9.0" xmlns:xsi='http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance' xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="bglcomp.xsd">
<SceneryObject lat="N64 20.5000" lon="W151 20.2700" alt="1045" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="FALSE" imageComplexity="DENSE">
<Effect effectName="fx_PAWH_smoke_wi"
effectParams="MOY=01,05;" />
</SceneryObject>
</FSData>

everything thing else is the same as it was, the highlighted areas are the only things I changed, but it still wont work.

or do i have to have it labeled <Effect effectName="fx_PAWH_smoke_wi

.fx

" ???????????????????

The thoughts and expressions contained in the post above are solely my own, and not necessarily those of Simviation.com, its Moderators, its Staff, its Members, or other guests. They can not, are not, and will not be held liable for any thoughts, or expressions, or posts that I have made, or will make in the future.

Computer Specs:: Acer Aspire Laptop..Win7 Home Premium 64-bit (sp1), AMD Athlon II X2 P340 (Dual Core) [2.2 Ghz], ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 (256mb), 4GB DDR3......FS9.1(sp3) / FSX (sp2)..... Ultimate Terrain X, Ground Environment X, REX, FTX ORBX PNW-PFJ-NRM-CRM, OZx, Tongass Fjords, Misty Moorings

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Reply #8 - Jan 10^th, 2010 at 3:20am

CAFedm Offline
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Hmmm...wondering if the "alt=" value is correct, I believe it should be in metres - is the scenery 1045 metres above sea level? Other than that, everything looks good; maybe try it without doing any renaming first, just modify the coordinates and see - maybe there's a subtle spelling or syntax error that isn't apparent right now. If it doesn't work I'll try compiling it and go to that location to see if it appears for me.

Brian

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