What grass texture file does FS use for the default airport's apron, and what does AFCAD or ADE use for its grass polygons?  I would like to set one of the grass textures in AFCAD to match the default textures and use it as a small multi-sided flatten option.

 

 

I would like to set one of the grass textures in AFCAD to match the default textures and use it as a small multi-sided flatten option.

 

If you are using ADE you can create a multi-sided flatten polygon quite easily without needing to use a texture at all. AFCAD 2.21 and ADE both use the same default grass texture for aprons, the only difference is the way or color each program displays 'grass' in their respective GUI. The result will never look like real grass or FS9 grass anyway, it will always look more concrete that has been spray painted green.

 

Regards,

Mel

OK, I'll look at converting the airports from AFCAD to ADE and go from there. Most are the smaller types that haven't been detailed out by scenery designers. I thought, since AFCAD uses grass for grass runway textures, there would be a big contrast between runway and the apron, but you are probably right that even with the same textures, the colors still won't match. Thanks. 

 

 

I thought, since AFCAD uses grass for grass runway textures, there would be a big contrast between runway and the apron, but you are probably right that even with the same textures, the colors still won't match. Thanks.

 

The grass texture used for the grass runways is not the same texture used for aprons and can not be interchanged that I know of. I do recommend that you do switch to ADE. It is much more capable than AFCAD for improving airports. It will allow you to move or replace the stock scenery objects or delete them if you wish. You can also move, edit or delete taxi signs to coincide with taxiway changes or labeling. Just read the documentation carefully and you'll discover ADE is AFCAD on steroids! If you already know AFCAD then you are out to a good start because the basics are much alike. What I have shared about ADE is just the beginning of what it can do.

 

Regards,

Mel

If I knew which texture file afcad uses for say grass3 and what is used by FS9 (I think its abgrass but not sure) I would use DXT bmp and change grass3 to more closely match the apron. Then I could easily draw a new poly with grass3 and use it as a flatten.

 

I know ADE can do this with using the flatten option for a new poly, and it is a superior program, but there are times when converting an airport from AFCAD to ADE strange things will pop up that takes far more time to resolve than to bother with.

 

Just trying to find a quick and easy way to do a minor task without a cumbersome redo of the complete airport from scratch with ADE. 

It will be in the main Texture folder, and it is something like taxiway_grass.bmp.

 

Hope this helps,

Maybe this will help...

 

 

regards,

Joe

tgibson,

 

Thanks, that is indeed what I was looking for.

 

Joe, that is a cool chart, don't remember ever seeing it. Much appreciated.

Joe, that is a cool chart, don't remember ever seeing it

I started reading the thread, and thought: I wonder where I posted that "What you see in AFCAD vs the sim" chart!

There was a bit of discussion around the topic at the time, but I got distracted.

Joe, do you have a link back to it? 

Sorry, no link.

 

I saved that chart from it's original topic for later reference.

 

I thought I bookmarked that topic also, can't find it now.

 

I can't even remember who posted the chart. Whoever it was put some time into it. Wish I could give them full credit.

 

regards,

Joe

As mentioned, I created the chart as part of a similar line of thought as this thread,

I think it was on Simviation, maybe I can find it again. 

I use F1 AFX which is AFCAD on steroids. But I have the same frustration - the textures it uses are often of poor quality. And I've been told that could be fixed. Then Ian Grant released a replacement texture for gravel runways - which is then placed by AFX in just the same way as the old gravel runway texture. With one huge difference - Ian's textures are FANTASTIC!!!

So I just find it frustrating and puzzling that somehow we can't use a program like ADE or AFX or AFCAD to place textures like airport grass that are state of the art instead of the drab and unconvincing default textures...

As mentioned, I created the chart

Ah, sorry, misread your previous post. Thanks for putting this together.

 

Pretty sure it was here.

 

I use F1 AFX which is AFCAD on steroids...

More so than most people know.

 

I use F1 AFX which is AFCAD on steroids...the textures it uses are often of poor quality.

None of these programs, Afcad, AFX, ADE etc. "use" textures, they all call the default FS textures by file name. Any texture upgrade that includes certain bitmaps will affect airports created/chenged with these apps.

 

regards,

Joe

It is possible to change the default textures.

However what you see is definitely not what you get, hence the chart I made above.

In particular, I made various attempts at "AFCAD water", none of which really cut the mustard.

 

I think I stopped fiddling because I started installing payware, where the need for such mods goes away.

 

EDIT: I found a folder containing all the work I did at the time.

It's 20 MB so too big to attach.

If interested, PM me and I'll try emailing it. 

Addendum: I went looking and found the thread I was thinking about - it originated with a question from Kiwiflyer, was linked by "Opa"Marshall, and ended up here:

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/279498-afcad-texture-mapping/

 

I've uploaded the bits I have, should appear in the library in a while.