Best Object Placement tools

[lowglow]

Due to a large tear in a tendon in my left shoulder I am unable to work at the moment, so I thought I would use this time to learn something about scenery design. I have spent some time now playing around with Gmax and have that reasonably mastered and awhile back i began to produce some buildings in my region, namely the hangers next to the Heritage Center at Omaka, so I thought I would drag them back out of my hard drive and get back into it, the models a almost complete, but now I need to learn something about placing them.
What do you guys recommend
I have tried using the SDK object placement tool but I am unable to get it to work I have run the exe file and installed the application, I have modified the dll file to activate sdk but I cannot get the tool bar in FSX to appear, I have been over and over the install many times and have searched the net on information but have not been able to find a fix.
I have also tried Modelconverterx I found a great tutorial on how to use this for placing scenery looks sooo easy but I keep getting endless error popups with this works fine all the way through the process until you press the button to write the files need to place the object and the errors start to occur I have downloaded and installed the update files and still no luck so I've given up on that one.
Any ideas/advice on good programs (freeware) to use would be great.

Chris

[toprob]

The SDK OPT is a bit of a nightmare for some, it requires a matching FSX/SDK version number, and even then if you install things in the wrong order or look at it the wrong way it won't work. However it is worth persevering with, as at least that way you know you've got a proper SDK install. Since this is going to be a requirement for any tool you use, it is important to get that right.

The options aren't all that great, I think that Airport Design Editor lets you place objects, but I've never used it for that. Same goes for MCX, I use it all the time but never for placement.

I use Whisplacer, but I am aware that not everyone can get that working, either. It is worth a crack, though, as it has some very useful features. I don't know what I'd do if I could no longer use Whisplacer.

Failing that, the simplest way is Notepad to create the placement XML, and then just drag the file onto BGLcomp.

[lowglow]

QUOTE (toprob @ Oct 7 2014,4:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The SDK OPT is a bit of a nightmare for some, it requires a matching FSX/SDK version number, and even then if you install things in the wrong order or look at it the wrong way it won't work. However it is worth persevering with, as at least that way you know you've got a proper SDK install. Since this is going to be a requirement for any tool you use, it is important to get that right.

The options aren't all that great, I think that Airport Design Editor lets you place objects, but I've never used it for that. Same goes for MCX, I use it all the time but never for placement.

I use Whisplacer, but I am aware that not everyone can get that working, either. It is worth a crack, though, as it has some very useful features. I don't know what I'd do if I could no longer use Whisplacer.

Failing that, the simplest way is Notepad to create the placement XML, and then just drag the file onto BGLcomp.

Thanks for your advice I don't suppose you have any ideas on what could be causing SDK to not work?

[NZ255]

I like instant scenery the best. You use your mouse and place the model real time in the sim. Pricey but so easy to use. And there's a demo too

http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=iscen3

[toprob]

Sorry, no, I've never had a problem with it. But I do know that you need to have the correct version for FSX -- so if you have FSX SP2, then you need the SDK for SP2, if you have Accel, then you need the correct SDK for Accel.

[lowglow]

Good news I have the toolbar now showing up in FSX it appears I missed out the last step of the installation I have FSX Gold edition with Acceleration. I used these instructions that I got from the SDK Installation Wiki

FSX Acceleration Pack OR FSX Gold Pack users

To install the SDK for FSX Acceleration Pack OR FSX Gold Pack:

Install the RTM SDK from FSX Deluxe Edition disk 1, (see 3.1.1 FSX Deluxe RTM users instructions above).
Insert your Acceleration Pack DVD.
Browse to the subfolder called SDK\SP1a\
Install the SDK SP1A from there using fsx_sdk_sp1a.exe, (dated 26/09/2007, size 165,569KB).
Browse to the folder called SDK\
Install the Acceleration SP2/XPack SDK using sdk.msi, (dated 06/10/2007, size 216,929KB).


I scratched my head over the last line and chose to ignore it. I just went back to the install disc and double clicked the file and it installed SDK. I had already modified the dll file in Roaming/Microsoft/FSX folder so now it works. :-)
just gota figure out now how to use it.

[lowglow]

I've downloaded Whisplacer and have been having a play around I have added the VLC library to the whisplacer library and I want to add the thumbnails I can't find the thumbnails folder within the whisplacer folder can anyone help with this

[toprob]

Do you mean you've downloaded the thumbnails from the VectorlandClass website?
I think you just drag the folder from the zip file when you install the thumbnails package from the Whisplacer website.

[lowglow]

QUOTE (toprob @ Oct 8 2014,9:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you mean you've downloaded the thumbnails from the VectorlandClass website?
I think you just drag the folder from the zip file when you install the thumbnails package from the Whisplacer website.

Thanks for that. I have successfully managed to place a few objects around the airfield so I think I have the operation of Whiisplacer sorted, thanks for your help.

[NZ255]

I still think you should check out instant scenery 3. Especially useful if you're trying to line something up with photoreal ground.

[toprob]

QUOTE (NZ255 @ Oct 8 2014,1:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I still think you should check out instant scenery 3. Especially useful if you're trying to line something up with photoreal ground.

Whisplacer has a live placement function.

[NZ255]

Oh, I didn't realise that.