161: Adding Scenery Under FlyZone Switcher

For those subscribers who has completed the system preparation and verification processes for the FlyZone Switcher, followings are the procedures for adding new scenery addons under FlyZones.   Though it may look long and complicated, it is simply just a variation to the FlyZone preparation steps you have gone through.

Essentially, the installation procedures ensure that the core files and their corresponding base files required by the Switcher are in-sync at all time.

1. autogen files
2. scenery.CFG
3. DLL.XML
4. fsx.CFG

Below, I will use the installation of my recently purchased Jackson Hole (KJAC) scenery as an example to illustrate the procedures required to ensure the FlyZone Switcher continues to function properly.

160: Airspeed Gauge for Centurion T210

Carenado’s Centurion T210 is my favorite airplane which I have made it the default one for most of my free flights.

The FIP image on the right is the new airspeed gauge I just created to replace my last FIP meter for Cessna 172.

When time allows, will further customize a few more gauges for the plane.

Any subscribers who are interested to get a copy of this gauge could post their requests in the COMMENTS section below.

News: Orbx’s New Freeware Available

Orbx has just released a freeware download for West Wind (7WA3), Riverside (4WA8) and an unmarked airstrip in the Washington area.

Anyone who has the company’s FTX PNW scenery installed shouldn’t miss this.

My FTX NA Airports Maps for Google Earth has also been updated accordingly.

To All Subscribers

Have been receiving quite some questions about not getting the download link for the utilities I wrote.   I replied this question to individuals directly in the past.

Along with the release of the FlyZone Switcher, I think it is better for me to post my recent reply to Dustin (and a few others) who just asked the same question again why it is so:

…  I once sent out the first version of my ShadeShifter to all subscribers.    However, … some people were not keen and many expressed not happy to get emails like this.

So from that moment on, I ONLY send the download link of my utility to those people (subscribers of my blog only) who specifically show interests and request for it.

This is the practice I am taking for my blog — If you are interested in something I create, send me a request.

Also, you MUST BE A SUBSCRIBER to this blog.

I take this as a basic mutual respect.    And I make this statement clear in many of my posts.

I definite spend a lot of time (and money) keeping this blog running, not to mention the efforts I put on designing, programming and testing the utilities I share them for free.

So, please don’t feel bothered by just sending me a request for something that may bring you extra fun in FSX.

P.S.
For those who are interested to get a copy of the new FlyZone Switcher,  it will take a while because I would like to get some feedbacks from the first round of users first.    But it shouldn’t take long.

Moreover, don’t stop notifying me of your interest by sending me a comment post.

News: FlyZone Switcher Released

To all those subscribers who signed up to request my FlyZone Switcher, the download link has been sent to your mailbox today as promised.

However, you are still required to complete the LAST step-by-step system preparation guide described in Post 159 in order to run the utility properly.

Have fun !

159: FlyZone Switcher Sys Preparation #5

For those subscribers who signed up to request my coming FlyZone Switcher utility, this is the  LAST step-by-step system preparation plus utility installation guide.   Note again that this preparation step (including the previous 4s) is mandatory in order to run my utility properly.

Moreover, by the time you see this post, the FlyZone Switcher utility should be sent to your mailbox already.

Download it first and then follow the instructions below to complete the last part of system preparation for the FlyZone Switcher.

158: FlyZone Switcher Sys Preparation #4

For those subscribers who signed up to request my coming FlyZone Switcher utility, this is the 4th step-by-step FSX system preparation guide.    Note again that these preparation steps are mandatory in order to run the utility properly.

Last time we have created 14 scenery configuration files, which load corresponding scenery addons according to the FlyZone selected.   This time we continue to prepare respective fsx.CFG files to work with them.

Compared to the setting up of scenery files, the process of this fsx.CFG file creation is quite simple:

157: FlyZone Switcher Sys Preparation #3

For those subscribers who signed up to request my coming FlyZone Switcher utility, this is the 3rd step-by-step FSX system preparation guide.    Note again that these preparation steps are mandatory in order to run my utility properly.

Frankly speaking, all these preparation steps are not difficult to handle.   They are just a little complex and tedious and require proper carefulness.

Don’t forget that this FlyZone approach is somewhat restructuring your whole FSX system setup.

Even so, when the preparation processes are done,  the restructured FSX system is still pretty easy to maintain.   Furthermore, all files created and modified during preparations will be served as extra backups for the most important FSX configurations.   This no doubt gives additional safety and security when something unexpected happens.

As of today, the modification of the first version of my FlyZone Switcher is basically completed, except that there are minor adjustments to be made.    Initially, I was planning to have no more than 9 Zones for this first version.    Eventually, it ended up with 14 FlyZones altogether with another 22 possible areas to be added in the future.

The 14 FlyZones currently designated are shown below and they are grouped into four regions as follows:

156: FlyZone Switcher Sys Preparation #2

For those subscribers who signed up to request my coming FlyZone Switcher utility, this is the 2nd step-by-step FSX system preparation guide.    The steps below may be a bit wordy but I prefer to keep it that way so that users can follow them easily because these preparations are mandatory in order to work properly with my utility.

Do follow exactly of what I am instructing for now.    You will be able to customize some of the contents later once you complete and master the concept of my FlyZone Switching approach.