This is an updated version of the scenery I had originally created for FS2002. Since that time, I have learned a lot about scenery design, and this is reflected in this newer version. Many of the objects will look the same, but there are a few improvements which will result in better performance.
The two biggest changes have to do with the ground textures, and the use of library objects. I no longer use custom ground textures, since I think the default styled textures can look good when used as directed in the SDK. Also, every tree, car, fence, and any other object that appears more than once is now a library object, which helps to improve framerates on slower systems.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to get a high resoulution map, so I havenot been able to deal with the placement of nearby landmarks well enough.
The Airport
Ubon was on of the RTAF bases used by American forces during the Vietnam War. There is still evidenc of this in the form of revetments and the ample parking areas. It is home to 211 Squadron (The Eagles) of the 21st Air Wing, flyin the F-5E/F. The military side of the airport makes the airport seem more busy than it really is. If you were to only consider the civil side, you would compare this aiport in terms of size to those found at Chiang Rai or Krabi.
Still, the airport buildings are modern, and it is obvious that the government has invested some money into the airport. Ubon is one of the larger cities in Thailand, and it is a fairly long distance to travel to by bus or train. Given its location near the border, you can imagine that it has the potential to prosper due to trade.
According to the Thai government, the airport had 188 scheduled flights in January 2003, with 11,204 departing and 10,201 arriving passengers. Being a military airport, it also had 326 Military flights during this same period. This equates to an average of 690 total passengers per day, on the three daily flights to and from Bangkok. Although it is an international airport, I am unaware of any international flights at this time.
Installation
Unzip to any folder you wish. Make sure Use folder names is checked off in Winzip so that the proper directories will be created for you. It should create a directory called Ubon Ratchathani 2004 with subdirectories called scenery and texture. If this doesnt happen for some reason, then just make a new directory called Ubon Ratchathani 2004, and create sub-directories names scenery and texture, and place all the *.bgl files into the scenery subdirectory and all the *.bmp files into the texture subdirectory. Go into FS2K and add the scenery in the usual manner. If you dont know how to do this, then RTFM or go to www.SurClaro and there are tutorials that tell you how to do this. Flatten and exclude switches are not required for any of this scenery.
There is another folder created at this time also: Landclass. These files are not necessary to use the scenery, but they will enhance it in various ways. However, these files require further installation to be useful. Most people will know what to do with these files, but for those of you who dont know what these files are for, a brief description follows.
Landclass
I have included a landclass file for Ubon, which you can use if you like. It is not necessary for the scenery, but it makes it look a little more realistic. Landclass files are extrememly small scenery files that change the appearance of the ground textures using the regular scenery textures used by FS2002. The result is that huge areas of the world can be made to look different using these tiny files. I use them to change the appearance around the airports to make them look more realistic.
Im still thinking about alternate ways to distribute landclass files so that you dont have to do two instalations every time you get new scenery. Its just a small thing, but it can get to be a pain. In case youre new, heres what the problem is:
When we install scenery, we normally have a scenery and a texture directory in which all the files go. All the .bgl files contain the scnery information, and then go into the scenry folder. The .bmp files are bitmaps, and they go into the texture folder. Landclass files are .bgl files, so they would go into the scenery folder, however, due to the way that these special files work, if there is a corresponding texture folder, then they look there, and only there, for their textures. Other .bgl files will norally also look in the default texture directory.
Anyway, what happens is that when it doesnt find the textures, things go sort of haywire in FS2004. As a result, all landclass files must exist in a scenery folder without a corresponding texture folder. Ive received lots of email about this, so Ill hold your hand this time.
So, in the above example, we see the folder where the Ubon scenery was installed. The scenery folder is highlighted and we see the various scenery files (*.bgl) in the pane on the right. This is the wrong place to put landclass files, since there is a corresponding texture folder visible beneath the scenery folder. Get it?
Ok, here is a better place to put landclass files. Again, we see the scenery folder is highlighted, and we see various scenery files in the pane on the right. This time, there is no texture folder, so the scenery will display correctly. Notice that there can be other landclass files in this folder and that is exactly what I do. I dont make a separate folder everytime I install some landclass files. I just put them all into one big folder, and it all works out fine.
Well, I think I beat this horse to death, but it seemed to be causing a lot of people some problems.
Thai Flight Simulator
http://www.thaiflight.com/
I strongly recommend that you drop by this site if you are interested in Thailand. He has collected many sceneries for Thailand, most of which have been updated for FS2004. The people there have been very helpful with all my development.
Other Stuff
This scenery is freeware. You never have to pay to use it. It will always be free from my website at http://www.martinstrong.com/FS_Project.htm . The textures and objects that I have created are copyrighted by me. If you want to use them, just email me at martinstrong@martinstrong.com and Ill be more than happy to let you do this. If you want the original *.api files for any of the objects, just email me and itll be no problem. Just remember to give me credit. Do not upload this scenery to other websites. I am tired of seeing my scenery on other peoples sites with uploaded by: Joe Blow underneath it. If you feel that this scenery would complement your websites library, then please contact me first, and I will deal with it on a case-by-case basis. Usually it wont be a problem.
This aircraft is released as Freeware. Copyright (C) Martin Strong. As freeware you are permitted to distribute this archive subject to the following conditions,
- The archive must be distributed without modification to the contents of the archive. Redistributing this archive with any files added, removed or modified is prohibited.
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- No charge may be made for this archive other than that to cover the cost of its distribution. If a fee is charged it must be made clear to the purchaser that the archive is freeware and that the fee is to cover the distributor's costs of providing the archive.
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