Optimizing X-Plane 12 Scenery Installation on Mac M2 Studio: A Step-by-Step Guide
Please, I need help.
I have installed x-plane 12 on my Mac M2 studio.
I have downloaded the following scenery packages:
florida photoreal scenery,
hd-mesh-v4-complete,
londonvfr and
california complete photo real
I note that the download page says it's compatible with x-plane 12.
My problems are as follows:
1. Do I just copy and paste all the folders into my "custom scenery" folder or should i pick and choose?
2. How do I open and alter my "scenery packs. ini" in a Mac computer
3. Is there a simple reason why I have lost airport buildings in Florida airports - KOMN is an airport I have flown from - so I know there are buildings.
Your help would be appreciated as I'm keen to get the most benefit from your scenery downloads.
Nick Marshall
4 Answers
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1. Integrating Scenery Packs into X-Plane 12
The process isn't merely a drag and drop; careful consideration is required to ensure harmony between different scenery elements. The general rule is to place the most specific scenery at the top of the hierarchy. For example, if you have airport scenery, it should be layered above generic photoreal scenery.
However, the HD Mesh scenery should be placed below the photoreal scenery as it provides the underlying terrain detail that photoreal textures enhance. In summary, your "Custom Scenery" directory should prioritize airport sceneries, followed by photorealistic packages, and finally, terrain meshes.
2. Editing the "scenery_packs.ini" on macOS
To modify your "scenery_packs.ini" file, you will need a text editor capable of reading and saving plain text files - TextEdit is a built-in application on your Mac that can do this. Navigate to the "Custom Scenery" folder, locate the "scenery_packs.ini" file, and open it with TextEdit. Remember to arrange the entries as discussed above, save your changes, and restart X-Plane to see the effects.
3. Disappearing Airport Buildings
Missing airport structures can be due to multiple reasons:
- Conflicting scenery packs – Ensure there are no overlapping sceneries for the same area.
- Incorrect scenery order in "scenery_packs.ini" – Buildings may not appear if the mesh or photoreal scenery is above the airport scenery in the .ini file.
- Corrupted scenery files – Verify the integrity of the downloaded files or attempt a fresh download and installation.
To effectively aid you further, I might need additional information regarding your current "scenery_packs.ini" file structure or if you've installed other plugins that could affect the scenery.
Please let me know if you require further guidance or clarification on any of the steps mentioned. Enjoy your flight simulation experience with these breathtaking sceneries!
Thank you for the prompt reply..
This is the copy and pasted "scenery_packs.ini" file.
Once again, thanks in advance.
NM
000 Version
SCENERY
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/londonvfr/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/yOrtho4XP_Overlays/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/yOrtho4XP_Overlays_v3/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_A_EGLC_LondonCity/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_B_EGLC_LondonCity_Mesh/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-1-vfr/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-2-regions/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-3-details/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-4-extras/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-5-footprints/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-6-scenery/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-7-forests/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-8-network/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Vegetation_Library/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LFMN Nice Cote d Azur X/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LPFR Faro/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Airports - KBTV Burlington/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Berlin and Frankfurt/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Budapest/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Chicago/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Dubai/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Las Vegas/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - London/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Los Angeles/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - New York/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Paris/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Portland/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Rio De Janeiro/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Saint Louis/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - San Francisco/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Sydney/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Washington DC/
SCENERY_PACK *GLOBAL_AIRPORTS*
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_XP12_Library/
Thank you for sharing your "scenery_packs.ini" content, Nick. This definitely helps in pinpointing the issue and providing a more tailored solution.
From what you've provided, it seems that the order of your scenery packs could be causing the problem with missing airport buildings. The "scenery_packs.ini" file works in a top-down approach, with the sceneries at the top overriding those below. Hence, the priority should be given to the most localized scenery (e.g., airports) followed by regional sceneries and larger area photoreal sceneries, with libraries and global airports towards the bottom.
Here's how you can rearrange your "scenery_packs.ini" to potentially resolve the issue:
000 Version
SCENERY
// Airports should come first in specificity
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Airports - KBTV Burlington/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LFMN Nice Cote d Azur X/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LPFR Faro/
// ...add the rest of your specific airport sceneries here
// Next, include city-specific landmarks
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - London/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Berlin and Frankfurt/
// ...add the rest of your landmark sceneries here
// Then, regional sceneries and VFR specifics
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-1-vfr/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-2-regions/
// ...continue with simHeaven packs
// Overlays and meshes come after specific and regional sceneries
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/yOrtho4XP_Overlays/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/yOrtho4XP_Overlays_v3/
// Libraries should be next
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Vegetation_Library/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_XP12_Library/
// Global airports come towards the end
SCENERY_PACK GLOBAL_AIRPORTS
// Photoreal sceneries should be one of the last entries
// Add your photoreal sceneries here, like Florida and California
// Meshes should be at the very bottom
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_B_EGLC_LondonCity_Mesh/
// Add any other mesh packs you may have here
Please reorganize your "scenery_packs.ini" accordingly and ensure that you have all your specific scenery packs listed in descending order of priority. Once this is done, restart X-Plane 12 for the changes to take effect.
If you still experience issues with missing buildings, it's worth checking if there are updates available for your sceneries or if there are known issues with the versions you're using.
Let me know if this reordering solves the problem, or if you need any further assistance. Happy flying!
I have tried to rearrange things - as you can see.
I have lost the airport buildings around London City and the London scenery doesn't seem realistic.
California doesnt seem realistic either - Santa monica doesn't have a pier when flying over it.
However, KOMN is identical to how I remember when I gained my FAA/CAA licences in the 90's.
Your continued help is gratefully accepted.
Here's the newer scenery_packs.ini file, which I think is not yet correct.
Do I need to emport the specific meshs to the file, as I've merely copied and pasted the entire unzipped files to the custom_scenery file. (which I could send if that would help.
I
1000 Version
SCENERY
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_A_EGLC_LondonCity/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LFMN Nice Cote d Azur X/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LPFR Faro/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Airports - KBTV Burlington/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Berlin and Frankfurt/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Budapest/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Chicago/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Dubai/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Las Vegas/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - London/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Los Angeles/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - New York/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Paris/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Portland/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Rio De Janeiro/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Saint Louis/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - San Francisco/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Sydney/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Washington DC/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-1-vfr/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-2-regions/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-3-details/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-4-extras/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-5-footprints/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-6-scenery/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-7-forests/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Europe-8-network/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/yOrtho4XP_Overlays/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/yOrtho4XP_Overlays_v3/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/simHeaven_X-World_Vegetation_Library/
SCENERY_PACK *GLOBAL_AIRPORTS*
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_XP12_Library/
CENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/z_ortho_California_v5/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/z_ortho_Florida_130/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/londonvfr/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Orbx_B_EGLC_LondonCity_Mesh/
Thanks again,
NM
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