MSFS SDK Tutorial: Removing Objects from other sceneries - And how the Content.xml works!

In this tutorial I will be showing you how to remove objects from 3rd party packages in Microsoft Fligth Simulator, specifically static airplanes. The process involves to know how the exclusions are processed by MSFS, so I'm gonna also explain how the Content.xml works and why is so important!
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as per 13/05/2022 developer blog, in the next simupdate (SU10) the effect of the ExclusionRectangles Is going to be visible without the Need to reload the sim with the package in Community, great improvement Asobo 😌

[@thatltsmash]

The tip about viewing the origin of the static object is terrific. Thank you.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Thanks,!Maybe they could have added something more "obvious" to identify the origin, but that does the trick!

[@97thesalva]

Thanks for the tutorial, I didn't know why my scenery exclussion wasn't working, the zzz did the job, it worked.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Grazie Salvatore! Just be aware that the zzz- prefix shouldn't be abused 😅

[@patrikdimitrov]

Thanks a lot, I really needed this tutorial and it worked perfectly

[@LatvianController]

Had awful anti-aliasing with my Light Poles on payware airport, completely removed them, my sim looks so much more amazing, now i dont need to run it in 6k to get decent aliasing on the light poles. gracias my friend!

[@bertpieke8459]

Really useful in combination with the brilliant Marinas addon!

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Thanks Bert 🙂

[@alvarobravo177]

Thanks for the tutorials! :D

[@juandiego1248]

Always awesome tutorials, I wish u could make a video tutorial about creating Platforms, marks on the ground, the parkings, taxi lines please 🙌🏻🤩

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Thanks Juan, maybe i can do something about projected mesh in the future!

[@japp3playzz]

wow great explainings, thanks very much sir!

[@mirescapeful]

Thank you Federico !

[@_pjd]

Do you have a tutorial on how to add static objects?

[@elgalopinos]

Thank you very much for this new tutorial. I wish that one day the exclusion rectangle would be applied to more type of objects, I need to remove some taxi lights but can't do it with that tool.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Thanks Rafael! Could be handy, but I think that It Will not happen anytime soon, the taxilights are autogenerated from their object source (runway/taxipath), and you should work on them to get rid of the taxilights

[@daadood100]

very good informative video thank you

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Glad to help! Keep in mind that the content.xml part is outdated from SU10, Package are automatically sorted in alphabetical order (There is a in sim experimental ordering tool anyway) And luckily with SU10 the exclusionrectangle works live in the editor (objects are exlcudid without the need to put the file in community)

[@user-ui5rr4ke8j]

Hi Federico, can you help me with this problem: I am placing some static aircrafts in a addon scenery, then finish with the inspector and then reload MSFS: almost all aircrafts are there except for 2 in a certain area, there not showing (in the editor they are show, no errors by inspector reported), seems like a certain area is not allowing me to place aircrafts (objects)- what could be the reason? Thank you!

[@enriquebisetti9563]

Hello Federico from Lima, Perú. I've watch your video, followed it as you've shown but when I use "ExclusionRectangle", the objects I want to delete, they disappear, and after the compilation, it will say "0 Done". Then there will be no "XML", the directory will be empty. This a scenery that I bought and I has static aircrafts and where those aircrafts are placed, there is no functional gate, so they take up a place where other planes con park, if you know what I mean, specially when flying on VATSIM. Even the Apron on one of those gates is drawn, not functional. It is really annoying because I've been watching some videos on YT to learn how to get rid of those aircrafts with no luck for days now. Hope you understand what I mean and I'm going through. Thank you in advance for your kind help, cheers!

[@TwentyNailsBike]

Same here, did you find a solution? I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong

[@AzzySunfire]

I can't make it work, I want to delete an object because it overlaps with another

[@ChrisA7X89]

Removing scenery objects from a different, existing scenery doesn't work anymore. It works and shows being gone in scenery editor, however as soon as the package is build and in the community folder the objects are there again. Tried it with polygon exclusion and exclusion rectangle. As soon as the package is built, everything's there again

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Hi Chris, Did you make sure that your package name came AFTER the one you want to remove your object from? Either via its name or using the package reorder tool Also advice to join the discord for faster support discord.com/invite/rSSnTT7N

[@TwentyNailsBike]

Thank you Federico. Just deleted the content.xml file but it's not recreating anymore. It's a MS Store version. Also I followed all steps but when building the package, the console says 0 done. No errores are shown. When re-launching the sim, enabling debugging to show disable rectangles, can see the one I created, but static airplane is still there (I also checked is not part of a bigger object). So I guess is because of the order of the packages, but since my content.xml is not re-creating, can't figure out what I am doing wrong or how to re-order the packages. Thank you!

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

I have to say that part of the video is outdated at this time, the content.xml has been removed There is an interface called the "packages reorder tool", it should be in the experimental in game options, there you can set the priority of your package

[@theafricanflyer]

Hello, I've been following your tutorials, always very interesting. And I've learned a lot. There is however a step that I cannot do: When I use models and objects from other scenery packages, which I include in my project, how can I make them be part of my folder, so that other users don't necessarily depend on the source scenery? (they dont need to have it also installed to their CF). Of course, all this is done with the proper authorization of the authors.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Thanks a lot! There is no other way that asking the original modeller the source .glTF, .bin and .xml, so you can include in a modelLib of your own Otherwise, you need to ask users to download and install the source package, this is the "price" of using others work (and they really deserve it because there is a ton of work and knowledge behind a single object :D)

[@theafricanflyer]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS Yes, indeed, I agree. All my files have the deserved credits of the authors. However when we put the projects for download, not all users read the description and the notes saying that they must get additional files. Having the proper authorizations, it would be a more direct and often even publicity for the author.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

@@theafricanflyer There is a simple answer to that: don't use others objects or libraries in your sceneries. I know it will take a enormous amout of time (learning the 3d software, design, texturing and such), but will make your work unique and add more soul and realism to your airport (..i'm against libraries: libraries creator are awesome and kind people, but too much libraries are a real headache for the final user!)

[@theafricanflyer]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS I understand your position and I respect it. However, here we are in disagreement, because I think that each one has his own art. We can't all do everything. If there are thousands of models available, already made and if their authors make them available, I don't see any logic in each of us making our own. (we would end up with hundreds of models of the exact same object). Imagine if we use that same philosophy on scenery?! - "Don't use what someone else made, make your own!..." No worries, we should all be working in the same direction and sharing what we can (just as you share your knowledge "your property" in these videos). Thanks again for attention and support

[@_pjd]

Exclusion rectangles can no longer rotate?

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

They never did As per the documentation, it is faster for the engine to compute them without rotation

[@F5PZQ]

Hello it would be interesting to do a tutorial on how to add the elements of the MSFS SDK how AirportServices I am looking for but can not find the solution thank you

[@gracebyseven]

Thank you Federico. I have done as you said, but having issues with my Content.XML. I installed MSFS to it's own folder on the C drive and the only Microsoft Flight Simulator folder I have anywhere else in appdata is under Roaming and the Content.XML only has a couple of entries. I have the steam edition. Thanks.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Hi, scenery order has changed since SU12 or so, you can sort order of sceneries manually using th e Package Reorder tool inside the game (just like in the good old flight sim edition) it should be in MSFS options menu -> General options -> Experimental.

[@gracebyseven]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS Thank you very much!

[@JaimeCCS]

This technique can be used to remake a new runway? Runway numbers have change in my home base airport, but no signs for updatingn the scenery from the devoloper.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Nope, to remove a Runway you need to add and Airport object in the editor with the same ICAO of the One you want to mod and use the deleteCommands in the Airport Properties, deleteAllRunways. Then you need to add the new runway This may work ok or not depending how the former creator has set up his scene

[@Adrianpria]

I spent hours removing a large number of objects in Lvfr San Diego scenery, that heavily impact the processor. Everything was done as shown in the tutorial, with no export errors or anything related. However, when I added the folder of my project to the community folder, the scenery no longer appears, but the default asobo scenery does. What could be the reason? I only removed vehicles, cargo containers, some trees etc.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Hi Adrian, make sure your select excludeLibraryObjects only in the exclusionrectangles (untick excludeAll)

[@Adrianpria]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS Thank you! I hadn't realized that you explained it in the tutorial. Everything worked perfectly, I just had to add the prefix Z- to the name of my folder in the community folder.

[@smartchines]

Hola Federico Hey I have a problem editing an scenery, necesito Ayuda

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Please join the Discord so I can help more! discord.gg/vh3edMB5

[@touchdown081]

Tried this but it´s not working unfortunately, the auto generated buildings are still there.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

The exclusionrectangle explained in the video is not suitable for autogen building You need to use a polygon, go to its properties and select building/exclude This video can help you, minute 6.20 kzbin.info/www/bejne/noaZiZSdZsqajLs

[@touchdown081]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS Worked first try, thank you so much, I was told to use the exclusion rectangle and tried for hours^^

[@fredjones7705]

I seriously need to eliminate windmills...any hope on that front? Satalite dishes would also be nice because asobo seems to put one everywhere they possibly can.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Hey Fred, yeahh!! Since SU9 or 10 you can use a polygon, In its properties select excluded feature points, the windmills will be removed!

[@Gio0317]

Doesn't work for me for some reason... I putted the exported folder in community folder but the static aircrafts are still there

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

What's the package you want to exclude? Be aware that you need your package name be after the package you want to exclude, in alphabetical order, SU10 will take care without messing with content.xml

[@pinoytypr]

Tried this with removing a terminal but the Build All command doesn’t give me anything but the json files and the thumbnail

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Did you click on save scenery prior to clicking build all? Join here so we can troubleshoot that (if you want to) discord.gg/8A79tgac

[@tomasmenezes3683]

Hey Federico! Does this work to exclude trees for example? Thanks

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Hi Thomas, if trees are placed as 3d objects, yes!! If are "autogen trees" you can remove them with a simple polygon, vegetation type, setting scale or density to zero

[@tomasmenezes3683]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS Thank you Federico!

[@thedrewh10]

I’m able to exclude a third party object in the editor and it disappears but when I build the package and move it to the community folder the object is still there in the sim. Have you heard of that happening where it is not visible in the editor but is in the sim still?

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Hi Drew, When working in the editor, your project is Always mounted on top of the virtual file systems, so the excludes remover anything under it When copied in community, the alphabetical order is followed, So it the 3rd part package is called bobo-airport, and your dodo-airport, your will be on top of the other and the exclude will work Otherwise, if the other is called tata-airport, yours will be under it What package are your trying to exclude from?

[@thedrewh10]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS I’m trying to exclude some annoying lights posts that are directly in the approach path of a runway at addon KMRY by beautiful model of the world. When I try to exclude the light poles they disappear when the exclude box is over them in the editor but after compiling the are still visible in the sim. Very frustrating! I tried deleting them in the airport modification package I’m doing called drew-airport-kmry-monterey and also the method you describe here but neither one has worked so far.

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

@@thedrewh10 i went to the airport ... do you have the Andreas 3d lights in your community folder? He places lot of very high mast in airports, they are in Monterey too near the smaller runway. To remove them, your addon needs to start with zzz (cause his starts with z-andres) Hope that helps!

[@thedrewh10]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS Dude! That was it. I removed that addon and they were gone. Still not sure why my exclude didn’t work because I named my package zzz-mry but no luck. At least they’re not blocking the runway now. I really appreciate your help! I will investigate further.

[@ChrisA7X89]

Too bad this no longer works...

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

Uhm it still works The content.xml is no more there cause there is a the package order tool But exclusionRectangles are still working, and better that before

[@ChrisA7X89]

@@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS neither Exclusion rectangles nor polygon or "delete all taxiways" removes the fuel station objects for me

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

@@ChrisA7X89 what is the airport ICAO?

[@ChrisA7X89]

It doesn't work in general. No matter what airport it is on. No matter where it is, it simply doesn't work. Already stopped projects because of this crap

[@MSFS-SDK-TUTORIALS]

@@ChrisA7X89 oh Sorry fuel stations needs an Airport with the same ICAO, then the deleteAllTaxiways delete command (in the Airport properties) the is gonna work If you can name a place where is not working I'm happy to investigate!