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:

Greyed buttons are areas to be implemented.  They are currently disabled.

The following steps will show you how to prepare corresponding scenery file (scenery.CFG) for each FlyZone.

With these specific scenery files activated via the FlyZone Switcher, FSX session load up times (inherently affected by the number of addons installed) can be significantly improved as each area will be individually optimized (minimized).

STEP 1)
Locate your scenery.CFG file under C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\FSX directory.

Note that the location of your scenery.CFG may be different from mine.

STEP 2)
Make a backup copy of your current scenery.CFG (such as scenery-Original.CFG) before proceeding to the following steps.

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STEP 3)
Although ASIA-OCEANIA is assigned to be the first group in my Switcher design, for easy handling sake, we will start with the simplest one to create the scenery file for the REST OF WORLD region first.

Step 3a)
To do so, just make another copy (in the same directory) of the scenery.CFG file and rename it as:

Step 3b)
Then open the file Scenery-DEF.CFG and add “+++  FSX Default  (DEF)  +++” to the end of the second line that shows “Title=FS9 World Scenery”

• Title=FS9 World Scenery   +++  FSX Default  (DEF)  +++

My FlyZone Switcher has an option to quickly check if the corresponding scenery.CFG and fsx.CFG are loaded correctly after switching to a new FlyZone.   By adding the text to the top of the files will allow instant identification of its corresponding FlyZone when it is opened.

Step 3c)
As its name suggests, this FSX DEFAULT FlyZone is assigned to load FSX default scenery only.    Therefore, just Delete all additional addon scenery entries in the Scenery-DEF.CFG file that you have just created from the scenery.CFG.    However, you can still keep your additional terrain and mesh enhancement (such as UTX) entries untouched if you want to.

Step 3d)
When done, save and quit the file.

DO NOT PROCEED to the next step until you have mastered the concept and completed the creation of this first scenery file without doubts.

This will save you a lot of troubles when dealing with more FlyZones in other three regions.

Here is my Scenery-DEF.CFG file you can use as a reference when modifying yours.

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STEP 4)
If you have no problem with Step 3), let’s continue with the ASIA-OCEANIA region.    Actions involved are more or the less the same as for the REST OF WORLD region.

Step 4a)
Make another 4 copies (also in the same directory) of your scenery.CFG file and rename them accordingly as follows:

Step 4b)
Open each file one by one and modify its second line to what shown below accordingly:

• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ ASIA   (ASA)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ AUSTRALIA  (AUS)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ NEW ZEALND  (NZL)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ OCEANIA  (OCA)  +++

Step 4c)
Based on their FlyZone assigned, Check and Delete all unrelated scenery entries in each file accordingly.

Unfortunately, there is no one-fit-for-all solution about removing unrelated scenery entries.   You have to check and decide what to keep and what to delete by yourself.

Anyway, here is the ASIA-OCEANIA Scenery.CFG.rar that contains my Scenery-ASA.CFG, Scenery-AUS.CFG, Scenery-NZL.CFG and Scenery-OCA.CFG, which you can use as references when modifying yours.

Again, DO NOT PROCEED to the next step until you have complete this step successfully with the 4 files created for the ASIA-OCEANIA region.

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STEP 5)
Let’s continue with the EUROPE region.

Step 5a)
Make another 2 copies (also in the same directory) of your scenery.CFG file and rename them accordingly as follows:

Step 5b)
Open each file one by one and modify its second line to what shown below accordingly:

• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++  United Kingdom + Ireland  (UKG)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ ALL EUROPE (EUR) +++

Step 5c)
Based on the FlyZones assigned, Check and Delete all unrelated scenery entries in both file accordingly.

Here is the EUROPE Scenery.CFG.rar that contains my Scenery-UKG.CFG and Scenery-EUR.CFG, which you can use as references when modifying yours.

Again, DO NOT PROCEED to the next step until you have complete this step successfully with the 2 files created for the EUROPE region.

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STEP 6)
Preparation steps for AMERICA are the same as previous three regions, even though it has 7 FlyZones altogether.

Step 6a)
Make another 7 copies (also in the same directory) of your scenery.CFG file and rename them accordingly as follows:

Step 6b)
Open each file one by one and modify its second line to what shown below accordingly:

• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ NORTH AMERICA ORBX  (NAO)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ NORTH AMERICA MISC  (NAM)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ NORTH AMERICA ALL  (NAA)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ CENTRAL AMERICA  (CAM)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ SOUTH AMERICA  (SAM)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ CENTRAL-SOUTH AMERICA  (CSA)  +++
• Title=FS9 World Scenery  +++ ALL AMERICA  (ALA)  +++

Step 6c)
Based on their FlyZones assigned, Check and Delete all unrelated scenery entries in each file accordingly.

Here is the AMERICA Scenery.CFG.rar that contains all my scenery files for the region.    You can use them as references when modifying yours.

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This ends the 3rd System Preparation guide for my FlyZone Switcher if you have successfully completed all the steps described above.   There are two more system preparation processes to go and I might put them together in the next post because the Switcher is basically ready for use.

However, as this one is the most complicated and time-consuming part of the whole preparation process,  the next post will not come until next week so that those who requested my Switcher could have enough time to ensure all things are properly handled before proceeding to the next one.    Certainly I need a break to refresh myself as well.

Should you have any questions about this system preparation procedure, send me a post through the comment section below.

Stay tuned.