Kevlar212
Kevlar212 Pro Member Trainee
Trainee Joined: Dec 27, 2023 Posts: 1
Asked

Hi Guys 
Newbie to flight sims so decided to install XPlane with the complete hd-mesh-v4-complete.zip file, I have done the usual and searched YouTube and have got utterly confused.

I think it has to do with my scenery_packs.ini, which I have posted the contents below, everything apart from a few airports and the tops of some skyscrapers are underwater It would be great if someone could point me in the right direction.

I
1000 Version
SCENERY

SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/SFD_KBOS_Boston_Logan_Intl/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Airport Environment HD/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - EGLL Heathrow/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LFMN Nice Cote d Azur X/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LFPO Paris Orly/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - LPFR Faro/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - EDDF Frankfurt/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Aerosoft - EDLP Paderborn-Lippstadt/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Global Airports/
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 - New York/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Sydney/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/X-Plane Landmarks - Washington DC/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/Vehicle Library Extension/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/trains/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/HD Forests/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/zzz_hd_global_scenery4/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/KSEA Demo Area/
SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/LOWI Demo Area/

Thank you in advance
Joe
 

Answers 2 Answers

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Ian Stephens (ianstephens)
Ian Stephens (ianstephens) Pro Member Captain
Captain Joined: Feb 22, 2012 Posts: 882
Ian Stephens is an expert on this topic. Read his bio here.
Expert Answered

Welcome to the mesmerizing world of flight simulation! It's always exciting to have new enthusiasts onboard. Your issue with the underwater scenery in X-Plane 12 is not uncommon and can usually be resolved with a few tweaks to your scenery_packs.ini file.

The problem typically stems from how X-Plane prioritizes scenery files. The order in which these files are loaded is crucial. If the HD Mesh scenery is not loaded correctly, it can cause the default terrain to appear submerged. Here's a step-by-step guide to fix this:

  1. Understanding Scenery_packs.ini: This file tells X-Plane the order in which to load your scenery. It's vital to ensure this file is structured correctly to avoid any graphical anomalies.
  2. Correct Order: As a rule of thumb, your HD Mesh scenery should be near the bottom of the list. This allows it to override the default terrain.
  3. Editing the File: Open your scenery_packs.ini with a text editor. Look for the line "SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/zzz_hd_global_scenery4/" and ensure it's towards the end, just above the 'Demo Areas'.
  4. Avoid Duplication: Ensure there are no duplicate entries in your scenery_packs.ini file. This can confuse the simulator and cause it to load scenery incorrectly.
  5. Save and Restart: After making these adjustments, save your file and restart X-Plane to see if the issue has been resolved.

In case you're still facing issues, you might want to verify your HD Mesh installation. Sometimes, incomplete or corrupt downloads can cause such anomalies. Also, consider the compatibility of other mods or scenery packs you might have installed. They can sometimes conflict with each other, especially in a complex simulator like X-Plane 12.

Further Assistance:
If you need more help, feel free to post your updated scenery_packs.ini file here, and I or someone else in the community will gladly assist you further. It's all about trial and error, and soon you'll get the hang of it.

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy the journey of learning and exploring in the world of flight simulation. It's a hobby that rewards patience and perseverance.

Fly high and safe!

Rohin
Rohin
Guest
Answered

Question 1:
What if the `SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/zzz_hd_global_scenery4/` entry "is" near the end of the file just before the demo areas, like in the case of the OP?

Question 2:
What if the `scenery_packs.ini` file does not have either the `SCENERY_PACK Custom Scenery/zzz_hd_global_scenery4/` entry or the demo areas?
I have just done a fresh installation of X-Plane 12 from Steam, and I've got the water word. 
Here is my `scenery_packs.ini` file, which is currently located in `Steam/steamapps/common/X-Plane 12/Custom Scenery/`.

```scenery_packs.ini
I
1000 Version
SCENERY

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*
```

Here is a directory listing of my X-Plane 12 folder. 

```Steam/steamapps/common/X-Plane 12/
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          Aircraft
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          Airfoils
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          Custom Data
2024-04-13  23:01    <DIR>          Custom Scenery
2024-04-13  20:56    <DIR>          Global Scenery
2024-04-13  20:56    <DIR>          Instructions
2024-04-13  23:59    <DIR>          Output
2024-04-13  21:01    <DIR>          Resources
2024-04-13  21:01    <DIR>          Support
2024-04-13  21:01    <DIR>          Weapons
2024-04-13  20:02           298,384 steam_api64.dll
2024-04-13  20:02         3,975,168 Airfoil Maker.exe
2024-04-13  20:02         6,612,480 Plane Maker.exe
2024-04-13  20:02        70,492,952 X-Plane.exe
2024-04-14  00:42               291 debug.log
2024-04-14  00:43            50,346 Cycle Dump.txt
2024-04-14  00:39                 0 Data.txt
2024-04-14  00:43            87,627 Log.txt
2024-04-14  00:43            17,558 Log_ATC.txt
```

And here are the directory listings for the `Custom Scenery` and `Global Scenery` folders.

```Steam/steamapps/common/X-Plane 12/Custom Scenery/
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          Aerosoft - LFMN Nice Cote d Azur X
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          Aerosoft - LPFR Faro
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Airports - KBTV Burlington
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Berlin and Frankfurt
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Budapest
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Chicago
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Dubai
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Las Vegas
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - London
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Los Angeles
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - New York
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Paris
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Portland
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Rio De Janeiro
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Saint Louis
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - San Francisco
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Sydney
2024-04-13  20:55    <DIR>          X-Plane Landmarks - Washington DC
2024-04-14  00:40             1,127 scenery_packs.ini
```

```Steam/steamapps/common/X-Plane 12/Custom Scenery/
2024-04-13  20:56    <DIR>          Global Airports
2024-04-13  20:56    <DIR>          X-Plane 12 Demo Areas
```
 

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