How do I install and load scenery add-ons in FSX: Steam Edition?

Installing & enabling scenery in FSX: Steam Edition

Hi Glen — FSX:SE handles add-on scenery the same basic way as boxed FSX. The two big pieces are: (1) put the scenery files in a sensible folder, then (2) add that folder in the Scenery Library inside FSX.

1) Check what you downloaded
Most scenery downloads fall into one of these layouts:

• A folder that already contains Scenery and Texture subfolders (ideal).
• A bunch of loose .bgl files (those go in a Scenery folder).
• Sometimes an Effects, Sound, or Gauges folder (those must go to the main FSX folders).

2) Place the scenery folder
You can install scenery in a couple of ways. The simplest is to create your own “Addons” folder somewhere you can easily find.

Example (recommended if you want to keep things organized):

• Create a folder like: C:\FSX_Addon_Scenery\
• Inside it, create a folder for the scenery, e.g. C:\FSX_Addon_Scenery\MyAirport\
• That folder should contain (at minimum): \Scenery\ and usually \Texture\

You can also place it under the FSX installation tree, but Steam installs can be in “Program Files (x86)” which sometimes causes permissions headaches for older installers. A separate folder outside Program Files tends to avoid that.

3) Add it in FSX (Scenery Library)
In FSX:SE:

1. Start FSX.
2. Go to Settings → Scenery Library.
3. Click Add Area.
4. Browse to your scenery’s main folder (the one that contains the Scenery and Texture subfolders).
5. Click OK to add it.
6. Move it up/down in the list if needed (see note below).
7. Click OK and let FSX rebuild the scenery index.

4) Layering / priority (important)
As a rule:

• Airports/city sceneries usually belong above landclass/mesh and above most default entries.
• Landclass entries typically sit below airports but above default base scenery.
• Mesh can often sit lower (but depends on the author’s instructions).

If the scenery includes an AFCAD/airport file and you still see the default airport after enabling it, that’s usually a priority issue or a conflicting airport file from another add-on.

5) If the download includes extra folders
Only do this if the author specifically included these folders:

• Effects → copy into FSX’s main \Effects\
• Sound → copy into FSX’s main \Sound\
• Gauges → copy into FSX’s main \Gauges\
• Texture (a “global” texture folder) → sometimes goes into the main \Texture\, but only if instructed

A couple quick questions so I can tailor it to your exact download

• What’s the scenery you downloaded (name) and what folders/files does it contain after you unzip it?
• Is it an installer (.exe) or a manual zip with folders like Scenery/Texture?
• Where is your FSX:SE installed (your Steam library path)?