2.3 How do I convert and install downloaded aircraft?
From FlightSim
Q:
I HAVE JUST BOUGHT FS98 AND WOULD LIKE TO DOWNLOAD AND USE SOME OF THE FS98 PLANES THAT ARE ON THIS SITE. DO I NEED THE CONVERTER TO USE THEM AND WHERE DO I COPY THESE FILES ONCE I HAVE THEM.
A:
- Download and install the FS98 converter! Everyone needs it even if you aren't going to add any airplanes at all. And even if the airplanes say that they are already converted for FS98.
- Read the instructions that come with the converter and the online help file in the program after it is installed.
- Be sure that you have a 32-bit unzip program. Pkunzip or any DOS based program will not work because it will not handle long file names, which are inherent in FS98 files. There are 32-bit unzip programs available here in the files section. Winzip95 is one.
- If the airplane(s) you have in mind is (are) FS98 airplanes, they should have the folder structure zipped up in the file also. Be sure the "recreate directories" option of your unzip program is turned on and unzip the file into the airplanes folder of FS98. The new folders, as outlined in the above message, should be automatically created and show up in the airplanes folder.
- That's all that is needed. The new airplane should appear in the aircraft menu of FS98.
- If, for some reason, the zip file does not contain the directories, my reaction would be to pass it up, at least until you get more courage. If you don't want to do that, the preceding message is a valid way to install it.
- If the airplane(s) are FS95 (FS6.1) or FS5.1 models, they need to be processed through the converter. This is easier than FS98 airplanes.
- Unzip the file into a temporary or interim folder. I keep all mine in a folder called Imported Airplanes and put them into sub folders with the name of the model.
- Run the converter and direct it to the path of the interim folder.
- The .air file will show up. Select it and close the window.
- The program will tell you if the conversion was successful or not. If it wasn't, forget it and go find another plane.
- That's all you do. The folders for that airplane are created and put in the right place also. The airplane will show up in the program aircraft menu.
Bob Fiedler
Quick additional note: Be sure the panel.cfg and sound.cfg files
point to panels/sounds you actually have. Sometimes an aircraft will
come in that has something a bit different. If these don't point to
a usable spot, the aircraft will not appear in your list.
Larry N.
Good tips... if you convert the .air file though and do not have a
model texture sound and panel, do you create one or just take what
they give you? For example there will be no sound config file etc...
If, in the case of a FS5.1 airplane conversion, there is no .mdl file, the converter will create one, just as it would have done if you were converting to FS95. The other, sound and panel, folders will be created using the "vanilla" panels in the FSFSCONV folder and the sounds in the "stock" airplanes. This will make the airplane fly. If you want to "customize" these later, you are free to do so. I'm not an expert on that process though.
Bob Fiedler
The initial folder to download to can be called anything and placed
anywhere, except, I would keep it out of the actual flight simulator
program folder, which is the one that you described. I download lots
of things into mine, like recipe files and music files. Its just
easier than continually assigning a new folder during the download
process and then remembering what it was after I sign off. From
there, I usually cut and paste the airplane zip files into a interim
area that I have called Importer Airplanes. I open a new folder there
with the name of the airplane. This is just for organization, it is
not required by any program. I don't have Winzip, but if it doesn't
have the "recreate directories" option it will probably do it any
way. I have a commercial zip/unzip program and it has that option. My
program is called Zip-it.
The converter programs you mention are exactly what you should have. Don't change any of them.
If you unzip a FS98 airplane .zip file into the Airplanes folder and the directories are truly recreated, you should not have to create any yourself.
If you convert a non-FS98 airplane with the converter, the directories (folders) will also be created automatically.
In short, you shouldn't have to create any sub-directories in the Airplanes directory at all.
Bob Fiedler
- Yes, unzip it and put the file in a folder. C:\FS95\conv is fine.
- Start up the converter. Hit the button that says "Aircraft Files"
- In the box that pops up click type in the path to your file C:\FS95\conv
- Highlight the *.air file, hit OK and you should have it show up in your aircraft menu when you open FS98.
To answer your other question, when you unzip a zipped file it always keeps the original zip file intact.
John D. Hefcheck
If you downloaded an fs98 plane then it should work ok as is in
fs98. Check the instructions again and then take a look at the
planes directory structure in the fs98 aircraft directory. Sometimes
it is possible that you might have copied the files into the wrong
places without realizing it. If everything is okay then I guess your
file must be corrupt or your register damaged.
Gary S. Norton
Or you don't have the converter downloaded and installed! All
airplanes require the installation of the converter files. Even when
they say they are for FS98 already! Don't convert just install.
Bob Fiedler
Q:
CAN SOMEBODY COMMENT PLEASE ON WHETHER THE FUEL USAGE IS GENERALLY REALISTIC ENOUGH IN SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR AIRCRAFT MODELS POSTED IN THE FILE AREAS. ALSO, WHERE OR HOW WOULD ONE ADJUST THE FUEL SCALARS IF NEED BE?
A:
What I usually do to solve any editing problems are keep a copy of my old FS 5.1 installed with FSFS included. Any airplane I want to edit I put in the Pilots menu (this only works with pre FS98 aircraft) and then load up FS5.1. You can then edit any aspect of the aircraft u want. Once done I go back to Win95 and convert the aircraft (with converter of course) back to FS98's format.
Les L. Dillon
