ADDING SCENRERY TO CFS2 MB

GRUMPY'S TIPS & TRICKS

USING IMPORTED SCENERY IN THE CFS2 MISSION BUILDER

Yes, it is possible to add imported scenery to the MB database for creating new missions.
I used Tampa International airport in Florida as an example & think it will show you how it's done.
It's not as complicated as it looks. You will need to use your own co-ordinates & airfield name.

As always, please back up files before modifying them. A mistake could mess up your CFS2......!

First, start CFS2 & go to the airfield in Free Flight. Hit Shift + Z to bring up the on-screen text.
Take a note of the runway co-ords, altitude & heading. The quickest method is to take a screenshot.

Exit CFS2, find airbases.dat in the CFS2\INFO folder & open it in Notepad. Scroll to the bottom of the text.
Highlight/copy/paste the complete last entry below itself to add the new base. Change the [runway.xxx] & id= numbers to the next in sequence & add the new data as required. Leave the other entries as they are.
Add as many bases as you wish in the same way. This example adds the FS2000 default Tampa Intl.

[runway.124]
id=8051
name=Tampa International
base_lat=N27 59.58
base_lon=W82 32.48
base_alt=32
heading=184
allegiance=3
units_across=2
takeoff_start_pos=-400,0
takeoff_stop_pos=1600,200
landing_start_pos=5000,350
landing_touchdown_pos=500,0
landing_stop_pos=-250,0

) change numbers to next in sequence
)
- name you wish to show up in the Mission Builder
) co-ords, alt & heading you noted earlier
)
)
)
- standard CFS2 country.cfg allegiance number

allegiance= (0 = Neutral, 1 = British, 2 = German, 3 = US, 4 = Japanese etc)

Exit Notepad saving changes. Tampa International should now show up in the Mission Builder.
For bases outside the default Operating areas you will need to type the co-ords in the Exact Location box.

Click Apply then click the Airbases button. Tampa International should be listed as a new Airbase.

Adding areas (like Florida) outside the CFS2 default theatre to the database as a new Operating area involves a little more work.

This shot explains how to find the co-ords. They don't need to be too accurate.

As Tampa is roughly in the middle of Florida I didn't need to move the map to cover the whole operating area.
You might need to use the Pan tool to position the map. When you have it adjusted exactly as you want it, note the co-ords for bottom right & top left in that order.

Exit the Mission Builder. Go to the CFS2\INFO folder & open opareas.dat in Notepad.
Give the the new area an appropriate name & add that with the co-ords to the bottom of the list. For Florida I added this line.
US Florida, N 25 17, W 79 25, N30 43, W 85 40
Exit Notepad saving changes. That's all there is to it.
US Florida should now be listed on the Operating area menu.

OK that's it. Now you can start creating those new missions. Good Luck....................!