[003] Adding User Created Scenery - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 SDK Tutorials

This tutorial covers how to import custom user created scenery by using the free and open source 3D package Blender (www.blender.or...) [version 2.83 was used in this video].
You will also need a free plugin for Blender that exports to the correct file format for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the free tool Blender2MSFS can be used (at least version 0.36.1)
www.fsdevelope...

[@FSadventureSky]

Guys...This is the Best Tutorial for adding your mods to MSFS. Our friend FT explains everything in a relaxed manner and very easy to follow. I went to many others but all were usually goind on a Long trip!!!! Thanks FT you sure know your stuff and teach very well..!!!!

[@MorrisseysMonkey]

Good tip if you want to skip the intro videos in MSFS. If you have Steam version type in set launch options -FastLaunch

[@FabFourable]

I just realized to load a simple cube into MSFS. The only change to this tutorial is that I copied the XML-file from the "SampleMyBox"-Folder which is the content of the original "modelLib"-folder you find in the MSFS SDK folder into my PackageSource/modelLib/"Project_name"-folder. Once the Blender object is exported to the project folder as described in Flying Theston's video I copy the GUID information (such as f7470eb5-813e-44f1-2243-24.....) of the Project-XML-file (which is located in modelLib/YourProject to replace the GUID information in the SampleMyBox-xml (which is now also located int he same folder). After that, I delete the "YourProject"-xml and rename the SampleMyBox-xml to the name you gave the project. This nice dude explains this process at minute ~ 6:00 in his tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5m4qnyQrrGYm9k. Hope this support Theston's great videos.

[@HubDubs]

Can anyone get this to work? I'm not having much luck.

[@Mkvy]

Has patch 2 changed anything? I’m struggling to bring in models now... maybe version numbers need updating?

[@alextee6376]

Great tutorials, easy to follow and the right length. Really useful. Thanks

[@Arkid77777]

For some reason my model won't show up on the Scenery Editor.

[@francis-bravoairspace2895]

This happened to me before, just do the SimpleScenery tutorial [001] and you'll see your model using this exact video tutorial [003]. Use a box and exported to [003] and you'll see it will appear on the list of models.

[@HarwinSingh]

I tried it step by step, but my model just wouldn't show I even tried exporting that Simple Cube at the beginning of Blender. What am I missing?

[@MCCDEMON]

I have a similar problem. Textures wont export for no reason. Sadly he wont reply :(

[@rjc0234]

I found it was that some of my textures were not square, and that they were not a power of 2 , e.g. 8x8, 16x16, 32x32, 64x64, 128x128 etc

[@GamingWithNick-ck5ck]

AFTER LONG PERIODS OF TESTING ETC I FOUND A SIMPLE FIX FOR THIS! DM me xNick_O#6885

[@JezevecCZ]

@@GamingWithNick-ck5ck Will you write the fix here?

[@Mrsolodermeister]

I had the same problem, after check 3 times, the name of folders, the routes, and the content (names) on the files, it works! now i have a shinny cube!

[@andrewb4048]

I've been wondering how to do this, thanks so much!

[@paulr4074]

Great videos. Can you help with "updating" models? Old models seem to persist in the sim even if I've updated them in the modellib folder. There are even models showing up in the list of scenery objects that I have deleted from the folder. Where are these stored, and how can I replace them with the updated models????

[@enderstick8282]

why when i export there is no color in the object?

[@aaronsastronomy9236]

"villla pawwwk"

[@MrPeya]

I just spent 25 minutes looking for a problem with why textures can't be exported. I used this tutorial but assumed I was making a mistake somewhere at the end. Eventually, I found out that I didn't select an object in the blender at the beggining. Oh god ...

[@bmw1200]

Hi after using your guidance for making changes to airport I thought I would have a go at making a 3d project. Unfortunately, I can’t get it to work. The files come across but the texture file is empty and the picture has no resemblance to my model. You say something about “the power of two” but I can’t find anywhere in Blender to change the settings. There is also another FlightSim menu with a whole load items but I have no idea what they are for. Any ideas? Keep up the good work mate.

[@LuisRodriguez-vm1wi]

I have everything working showing up in the editor, but when I close out everything disappears. I'm pretty sure I'm messing something up with the save file in the editor. It is not very clear in the tutorial how to save it. He clicks save and that is it, but when I click save, it opens the folder and I have to figure out where to save it. I'm stuck, any help would be greatly appreciated. Update. Sorry, Watch the tutorial 002 even if it doesn't apply to what you're doing because it shows how to save it. Figured I'd leave this here incase someone has the same issue.

[@digitalme4404]

Thanks Luis, just what i needed.

[@twvs5]

So am I the only one that got it working? I see a lot of people have issues but I imported my object fine with textures etc

[@elgalopinos]

Great tutorial as usually. There is one thing that comes to my mind is about the LOD's, what happens when the aircraft is al little far from the object? I t will just suddenly disappear? Is possible to make 2 or 3 different levels so the object will disappear in a normal way? Thank you Rafael

[@della.g]

Very good video, congratulations. I need help. The scenario I'm doing has a lot of modeled items, around 700 items. Many of these items are copies, which are in different places. However, when flying with it on communityu, I noticed that it takes time to load, even with lods the 3d takes time to load, how can I fix this? thanks.

[@aldo_3d]

Can you make a video on how to remove custom objects from the Scenery object type list? They are cached somewhere and even after deleting them they still show up

[@NoticalMyles]

Great tutorials! Many thanks

[@jeppeson2001]

Thanks for the video tutorials. Very useful.👍

[@keukenrol]

Does this still work with SU10 and blender 3.3? Tool does not seem to have had an update for 2 years now.

[@kevinhope89]

Hey, first I love these tutorials. Absolutely amazing. What I am struggling with is the fact is that I am making an airport, not scenery. Is there a way to import the blender model into the airport files? Some of the files you are putting them into for yours don't exist for the airports

[@andreapassaniti9696]

Hi everybody .I paint a simple building for msfs , but i apply it colour instead of texture material. when I launch the msfs2020 I see it only when I be near the building but at 100meters and over it disappear . Someone can tell me how can I fix this issue . thanks everybody and good weekend

[@andrewb4048]

Is there a way to add in objects from blender that act as planes so u can fly them?

[@FlyingTheston]

You can make your own planes (it's a different process) but people have been making all sorts, like X-Wings, The Starship Enterprise, etc. I'll look to do a tutorial on it in the future.

[@rms59]

I only wish the audio was louder....

[@FLXBrasil]

Theston, is it possible to convert an object (a building for instance) within a .BGL file, made for P3Dv4, to MSFS2020? I managed to export it using ModelConverterX, made a MDL file. This file, I imported into Blender, and it opened ok, but the textures were all messed up. A tutorial about this would be awesome.

[@azmiziqra1118]

Hi, how to remove default jetway and add User created jetway on MSFS. I try to exclude terminal area but the default jetway still exist..

[@juanlopezvillegas1550]

For some reason, it won't build the package. Is my model to detailed? It is not as if it crashes or freezes, it even shows up the console, but the files remain the same, and I can't find my model in the objects panel.

[@marekpawlik8120]

Have the same problem. No way to bring models into the simulator even my previous models, now don't want to load in a new project.

[@cahilart8966]

it doesn't work.... (because he dont say what happen if the model is from a third party creator. And how to change the Fuggys textures if you have a prebuild workshop model.

[@Kingnothing75]

Hi, i was able to export into the modelLib/folder for my hangar, but the texture folder, which is above the modelLib/Hangar folder, does not show the texture associated with this hangar. It only shows my other previous texture i made for a control tower ( for same airport). Any idea what im doing wrong ? The same 'texture' folder can be used for different airport object folders , right ? "(like or Control tower, hangars etc.) . I am making sure the right *.png is loaded into blender as UV, and also selecting all so both the UV png and the blender objectare highlighter orange. thanks for any help!

[@TheLowshares]

Hi! My polygons don't saved in scenery. Why? 4 files generated, but they don't load

[@clabbem74]

Hi , tx for all you videos......I have a doubt, how i do if i want to add 10 object from blender to the same scenary created ? every time than i add a new object the texture in the folder of previous object are erased.

[@doug_gemmell_photography]

I am able to bring a simple model into the sim however when flying in the sim, the model pops up when I get near it. Everything else comes in from the distance but what ever I add from Blender does not do that. Is there a way to fix that so it slowly appears as I get closer?

[@MorrisseysMonkey]

Theres a new update for MSFSToolkit (0.40) which helped me with crashes.

[@relvenverse4333]

Hello tell pelase, can I export territorian from MFS to obj obx ect ?

[@ias2423]

I got this error when I built the scenery after saving it: failed to find asset group where the given path is located loads of it and no scenery when I tried to fly over it after installing it in packages/community. What am I missing? edit: maybe update 2 screwed everything up?

[@marekpawlik8120]

Did you find any solution?

[@ias2423]

@@marekpawlik8120 actually not, but I wanted to import google maps data only. Now there is a tool which lets you avoid using blender and it's much easier, you can find a tutorial in this channel

[@ToxicGaming-mk4bi]

I do realistic real estate showcase videos and nearly 50% time is spent creating accurate surroundings. Can we use MS Flight sim to put our 3d models where they're located and record cool videos?

[@FlyingTheston]

Yes, I don't see why not

[@ToxicGaming-mk4bi]

@@FlyingTheston been trying for a week but no luck so far. Can you guide us via remote access? (Paid) I already have sketchup models ready.

[@hpharold23]

Dude your amazing!

[@pixvizstudio]

Fantastic work, very informative. Thank you! It would be great if you can solve some Error occured when following these tutorial!! how can i contact you!??

[@Jimbo-in-Thailand]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@flyny4539]

how do you import?

[@johnarnold7460]

Please note that unless each material used has SPECULAR is set to ZERO you might see unwanted reflections displayed in MSFS.

[@johngalley8788]

where can I get that house (or a similar object) to use in blender?

[@arnaldopansera]

how do i do this mapping of textures in blender to save the png right?

[@grzezzz3984]

Hi, thank you a lot for tutorial series! I'm struggling with new object missing in editor. I have created a second object and trying to add it to existing scenery, but cannot be found in Objects menu. In console everything looks fine like this model is seen by FS: 'Compiling GLTF data file Katedra.gltf...', no other errors than in yours tutorial. Done everything you advised, rebuild and so on, but nothing helps... Please save me from that! ;)

[@grzezzz3984]

Let me answer myself. If - even if you went step by step through this tutorial - you dont see object in Objects menu, build a package as shown, go to Packages directory inside your scenery project directory and copy paste whole scenery folder to your community folder (as you normally do when installing new scenery). Then start/restart game, open project again, load scenery in editor and you will see object and it can be added to scenery.

[@digitalflightworks8751]

@@grzezzz3984 I had the same problem and did as you suggested and it worked! But why did it work?

[@grzezzz3984]

@@digitalflightworks8751 to be honest, idk. There were some suggestions that this tutorial was recorded before one of released patches and that is the difference, I mean, something changed with patch, but this is only my assumption. My second assumpiton is that in game dev tools only see objects from community folder loaded during game start - if those objects werent there, they are not loaded and in result not visible in dev tools.

[@Mkvy]

I found out my problem msfs toolkit is exporting the same guid key for different models. So I’m using an online key generator ,

[@arkitekto6027]

hi, I was able to follow everything on your videos but I'm struggling on the texture, I'm not sure how to do this power of two texture stuff on blender. if you can make a video for applying material using the texture.

[@paulr4074]

This just means that when you create an image to use as a texture, it needs to be a square image file where the number of pixels on each side are a power of two. I use 4096x4096 for big buildings, but this house might be 512x512 or even 256x256. Once you create this image file, you can use the UV Mapping feature on Blender to assign what part of your texture image you want each face of your model to display.

[@Bernardo-simu]

thank you

[@frankgordonsmith4795]

how did you learn all of this stuff, amazing work

[@FabFourable]

Same to me. I tried an earlier version of Blender (2.83.7) but that doesn't help either. The export from Blender seems to be ok. I found the file in my project file where they should be. In MSFS I can select the project but If I build the package I get strange messages in the console (speaking mostly from some aircraft) and in my "packages file" with my project file a "TEXTURE" file has been build but no BGL... Somehow I think, MSFS cannot grab the right files to build that BGL.

[@rjc0234]

I found it was that some of my textures were not square, and that they were not a power of 2 , e.g. 8x8, 16x16, 32x32, 64x64, 128x128 etc?

[@FabFourable]

@@rjc0234 Thanks for the hint - I'll give that a try!

[@sarvesh156]

Hi..thks for very helpful tutorial..I had made all textures in multiples of 2..but with airport name image texture I am bit stuck..it has size 714×24 ...like name plate.. please suggest me how can I create this kind of image in multiples of 2..cos as I am doing with this is looks very weird.

[@FlyingTheston]

You can have transparent areas of your texture if that would help

[@ursmeyer3796]

Hi Theston, thanks to your fantastic videos I could create my own airport quite easily. But I found a problem, I could not solve up to now. I created hangars with open doors where I can see parked planes from outside, but also walk inside. But what a surprise: With rainy or snow weather I see the rain or snow falling inside the hangars. The ground gets wet or covered with snow. So my roofs let go through everything, also reduced sunlight. Solidify the roof did not help. What's going wrong? Thanks a lot for your estimated comment.

[@FlyingTheston]

sounds like the buildings don't have collidable surfaces on them so the sim is just passing straight through them. If you're making them in blender then I'm not sure how to make collidable surfaces, I believe in 3d studio max there is an option in the flight sim 3dmax plug in.

[@BritishAvgeek]

Is this out of date now with SDK changes? I've tried to load it in - I've build a few models now and none of them load in using this tutorial and I've gone step by step with it

[@FlyingTheston]

No this isn't out of date, this is still relevant for how to bring in custom models. Just make sure you're building your package before loading in your scenery. It can also help to build the package in the main menu before loading the airfield you're flying at. Also, check the console error logs as it will tell you if your models aren't building

[@BritishAvgeek]

@@FlyingTheston thanks for the quick reply - I've tried a few things including some ideas in the comments below... Figured I'm doing something wrong. When I build it I get an error in the console for the models XML but not sure how to fix that

[@FlyingTheston]

@@BritishAvgeek what is the error about the model? Sometimes the model XML can be malformed causing it not to build. Also the model.XML needs a unique guid

[@BritishAvgeek]

@@FlyingTheston thanks, I had all that... weirdly, I exited the sim, went back in to start the process again but went loaded and built the project in the world map before spawning and that kicked it in bizarrely! Thanks for all your videos by the way - I'm in no way shape or form good at this but your videos have helped me get started!

[@mariocera7748]

How to have more than one customized object in one project?

[@Brukn0ws]

I'm wondering this as well. I think you probably have to use the same project with all the models inside the model folder so that they all load and you place them in the correct places.

[@Brukn0ws]

just saw he has another video on this topic kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWHdo5KeeLGJjpo

[@johnhodgkiss9882]

Been using this method to great success. But since updating the SDK none of my new models are importing.

[@abhijitanil3363]

Same with me also 😔

[@NZ255]

I found after building the package my models weren't showing in the list. This is because they're compiling to your project Packages folder but the simulator can't see them. To make them available; after building the package, copy the folder inside the Packages folder (in your project folder) into the Community Packages folder (like when you're distributing your scenery).

[@thomassonor]

@@NZ255 Thank you!! Is there any other way than to restart the simulator to load the community folder content into the sim, or dev mode?

[@NZ255]

@@thomassonor I've found it a bit inconsistent. But the sure fire way is to restart the sim. Best to compile all your models at once.

[@michaelsturm219]

@@NZ255 OMG.... That is the answer. Seeing the model in the list in an earlier version of my project was because I did just what you said. So, I created a seperate package for objects only to place my models in and then put it in the community folder after the process in the video was done. Something is not right with the SDK for importing new models. It created the models, however doesn't show up. Putting the package in the "Community Folder" does the trick. Thank You.

[@MrFiideell]

Hi, in my scenery editor there is a star behind the polygon name. Like its not saven. How do I save it? Thanks

[@maikjustus2003]

Save the scenery. (Saving the project does not save the scenery.)

[@Salvo26282]

Hello, first of all a lot of thanks for all your videos, without you I would not be able to create my own scenery. I have a weird problem, I have created two big pylons that are visibile in my city even from great distance (they are 220 meters tall). In the editor everything looks fine but, when I load into the game, the pylons appear only when I get really close to them. Strange fact, once they appear I can move to a great distance and they still stay visible this time, like they should. It's like the game loads them only when I'm near but once loaded they work fine. I have not find answers anywhere. Thanks in advance.

[@migumunich]

Dublin ?

[@aneltoro0894]

hello there! Do you know how to add collision to the models. For now when I add my models I can just fly trough them. I would like to add proper collision but dont know how ? Any help is apriciated!

[@FlyingTheston]

I don't know how to add collisions with Blender, it seems the MSFS2Blender plugin has a Collision Material option but it doesn't seem to make things colliable. 3D Studio Max has a collision gizmo that can be used.

[@GWAIHIRKV]

Question. Is it possible to use SketchUp to generate the building models? Thanks.

[@FlyingTheston]

Yes, if you can get the model into Blender then you can get it into flight sim

[@Brukn0ws]

Do I have to build the package everytime I change something on my model? Or is it only to load the model to the list and when I add the model any changes will be in effect?

[@FlyingTheston]

no, once your model is built you can change the source file and it will auto update in the scenery editor

[@tranquilgames]

Hi, thank you for your videos ,very educational, i have a question about adding scenery i made for FSX, i can get the scenery into fs2020 but when i go into the editor im a little lost as to how i go about removing the default scenery, i have tried your method but once i close all the boxes the scenery reappears, i think im missing something as to why this is happening. any help highly appreciated, thank you, Tranquil (maiw)

[@FlyingTheston]

are you clicking the save scenery button? if you close the scenery window then it will close the scenery project, you'll need to build your project and put it in your community folder for it to show up in the game

[@tranquilgames]

Yes, i click save after i make the exclusion polys but never do i see a build option, could the problem be because im importing my FSX scenery and its bgls? the scenery is already placed as it has placement bgls too, so after i put that into the community folder it shows up straight away in sim, all i am trying to do is remove the default buidings that are there, thank you

[@suite050]

With version 0.40.0 the model doesn't get into the sim... did everything step by step. Got all the files, but they sheem to not work. Do You have an solution for that? Greetings...

[@FlyingTheston]

you're best off asking the dev of Blender2MSFS on the FSDeveloper.com forum

[@GamingWithNick-ck5ck]

AFTER LONG PERIODS OF TESTING ETC I FOUND A SIMPLE FIX FOR THIS! DM me xNick_O#6885

[@rjc0234]

It's a real shame textures have to be square and in the power of two :/ lots of models out there that don't have that and has made importing them difficult!

[@sabby5]

When installing the addon for blender, I keep getting error msgs during the install and also during the export (which fails and doesn't export my object). What could be wrong?

[@FlyingTheston]

try blender 2.83 instead of 2.90

[@sabby5]

@@FlyingTheston I'm actually on Blender 2.81. I'll try 2.83 I guess

[@FlyingTheston]

@@sabby5 That's your problem then

[@sabby5]

@@FlyingTheston You were right. Worked like an absolute charm in 2.83! Thanks so much!

[@JezevecCZ]

hi, you have good tutorials. But I have a problem. I will do everything according to the instructions and the building in the simulator is only white and not textured. I've been worried about it for a few days now and I haven't come up with anything. Not according to other tutorials. Wouldn't you know where the problem might be? Thank you in advance for the advice.

[@FlyingTheston]

when exporting from blender, you need to make sure your textures go into your modelLib/texture directory so you can type ../texture/ in the blender export box for texture to set that, and if that's not working then put the full path to the modelLib/texture directory (e.g. C:/mypath/myproject/packageSources/modelLib/texture)

[@JezevecCZ]

@@FlyingTheston Thank you for the answer, the textures will be automatically transferred to the ../texture folder, exactly as in the instructions. But it still doesn't appear in the simulator.

[@JezevecCZ]

If you had the time and taste, I packed one building (a project into a blender and then after the export), so if you looked at it, you would find a mistake. Thank you. drive.google.com/file/d/1QSNef1deFp2x_Cvd1inOctJzTshdb1Qz/view?usp=sharing

[@JezevecCZ]

console writes an error: texture * .png not found even though it is in a folder.

[@michalhorak778]

@@JezevecCZ Mám stejný problém.Co jsem se ale dnes dopídil možná by to mohlo být špatnou velikostí textury. Dnes to budu zkoušet pokud se mně podaří přidat objekt.Nějak se mně ho nedaří přidat do seznamu objektu.Když se to povede vše uložim a ve hře není vidět.

[@MizaT11]

Is it alright if my model is only made up of quads? Or do I have to convert it to triangles?

[@digitalflightworks8751]

That doesnt matter

[@MSFS-]

where is the location of the Scenery \ world \ Scenery directory? everyone never explains where that is.

[@vidaroni]

It's created under your project folder, under the subdirs "Packages\mycompany-scene".

[@FlyingTheston]

why do you need to know where that directory is?

[@MSFS-]

@@FlyingTheston to continue the tutorial, I'm not able to follow your tutorial, if you can help me I would appreciate it very much

[@MSFS-]

I did a project in blender and I'm not able to apply it in MSFs 2020, if you can make a more detailed video I would appreciate it very much

[@FlyingTheston]

@@MSFS- I don't understand what you mean, what tutorial are you continuing with? Why do you need access to the Scenery\World directory?

[@DAILYTECHLIFE]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXyyoIanqdqSapY Close shave again. No deaths this time lol xD Good job Air Asia! Is it me not able to align or some issues with the 320? Just cant make it to the centre line.