What is DSFbuilder?

Distribution Scenery Format Builder

Is a Manager and helper on the construction process of the Mesh Terrain (*.dsf) generated by the Meshtool program for X-plane, 10 and 11 versions. The Meshtool for your time is a development tool available for free by Laminar Research X-Plane, which through the command line in the DOS prompt is able to compile files using existing database in DEM (Digital Elevation Model), in format *.hgt, * .tif , combined with the format *. XES (Land Classification or Landclass).
To use the Meshtool by the traditional way is very boring. Enter repetitive commands line in DOS prompt, instructing the PC to read and interpret data from digital models of terrain (hgt or tif) combined with terrain classification model, in addition to submitting a script (SCP.txt) programmed by the user according to your need in the construction of the scenery. Manually is a dull task, which usually raises obvious typing errors. The DSFbuilder is a facilitator of this process, ideal for those who want to generate mesh terrain sceneries in X-Plane quickly and quite comfortable, without extensive typing command lines in the case of building large areas.

What makes DSFbuilder?

Automates the process of creating the repetitive tasks of the Meshtool command creating DSF format files (Distribution Scenery File), organizing them geographically in the respective folders equal in X-Plane 10 and 11. Assists in editing of the script, which in DSFbuilder is already a preset editable named SCP.txt file that can be edited through a window in the DSFbuilder, allowing to modify and save according to the needs of the developer. The DSFbuilder also creates HGT.log and XES.log files, which are HGT data files that are with problems at the source. For example, if the user has 100 *.hgt files compiling and one of them contains error, the DSFbuilder will report points to be patched and recompiled in isolation.

What you need to do?

It is known that before generating a mesh literally speaking you must acquire all necessary data and put together a well-written, well calculated Dataset and well dimensioned, downloadable from reliable sources with guarantee that the necessary files are free of errors.
The first step, after the delimitation of the area chosen for the creation of the scenario is to get the necessary files with the extension *. xes (land classification), free at the website X-Plane Developer, also the SRTM files, in the form of HGT, or extension GeoTif, which you can download free from various websites of satellite data from the Internet, which will be listed later in this document. In addition to the formats listed in this paragraph are required *.shp format file (shapefile) that will control and delimit the coastline, the bodies of water like oceans, rivers, lakes, roads, kind of vegetation etc.

What the DFSbuilder does not

• Does not increase or decrease with precision terrain mesh resolutions. The resolution is achieved in external program. (Later in this tutorial there is a good example)
• Does not provide files XES, HGT or SHP to the user. Only indicates where to get them.
• Does not create airport areas flattens or any other area flatten on the scenery. Shows in a tutorial an option how to make.
• does not compile photo realistic scenarios.

Technical Requirements

• Original copy of X-Plane 10 or 11
• Windows 7 or later version installed
• Computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and processor i5

Knowledge of user requirements

• Know how to use the tools available for X-Plane SDK;
• Basic knowledge of creating files and directories in Windows;
• Know edit in Notepad;
• Assemble correctly the database where the DSFbuilder will read the HGT files, XES and SHP edited files.
• Understanding of digital terrain model and extracting the same data from websites download managers of satellite data.
• Know the organizational structure of the X-Plane and the priority of how they work.
• Know how Meshtool work.

Important notice

The developer does not support questions of basic knowledge of Windows, knowledge of the Meshtool, X-Plane 11 or 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) and knowledge of satellite data acquisition required to build the mesh terrain. If you do not fit within these knowledge requirements, we advise you not to buy the DSFbuilder, or otherwise look before reading about these essential requirements of knowledge in website. If the user has no knowledge is required he visit the development of X-Plane to obtain knowledge essential. https://developer.x-plane.com/.

IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU READ ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE BUY