how to install addons

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Tutorials Here you will find tutorials on installing add-onsn.b. they have been created for use with Flight Sim 2004

How to install add-on...

Aircraft1.Panels2.Scenery3.AFCAD's4.AI Traffic5.Sounds 6.

How to install add-on aircraft to FS2004This tutorial tells you step by step the procedures necessary when installing an add-on aircraft for FS2004.

NOTE! These instructions are valid only when the aircraft is packed in normal ZIP package. There can bealso self extrating packages or installation programs, which are not covered by this tutorial.

NOTE! FS2004 approves also add-on aircraft intended originally for Flight Simulator 2002. Only the laterFS2002 models will work normally. Older FS2002 aircraft will not work or will have some severe problems.FS2004 has also changed the flight modelling system, so the flight dynamics of FS2002 aircraft in FS2004may not perform as intended. FS2000 and older aircraft add-ons will not work in FS2004.

The best way to determine FS2004 compatibility for older add-ons, is simply to install and test the add-on.

Installation of FS2004 aircraft

TIP! FS2004 aircraft are installed in the exactly same way as add-on aircraft to FS2000 and FS2002.

There are many ways to pack a FS2004 aircraft, so first you must determine how the aircrafthas been packed to the ZIP file. So double click the ZIP to open it in WinZip (or similar)program.

1.

Look to the right hand side of the WinZip window to see the Path paragraph. This will tell youhow the file must be unzipped.

2.

Compare the Path setting to this image and find which one of the three types this package is.3.

If the directory structure is similar to Type 1 :4.

Unzip all files to the main directory of your Flight Simulator. For example: C:\FS2004\ .1.


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Unzip all files to the AIRCRAFT subdirectory of your Flight Simulator. For example:C:\FS2004\AIRCRAFT\ .

1.


Unzip all files to a new subdirectory of the AIRCRAFT subdirectory of your FlightSimulator. The directory should be named after the aircraft name. For example:C:\FS2004\AIRCRAFT\A321FIN\ .

1.

NOTE! You must have the Use folder names button checked in WinZip's Extractwindow when you extract the files. Otherwise the files will not go to the correct

subdirectories.

2.

Installation is now completed.7.

If the directory structure is not one the listed above, you must copy the files manually to correctdirectories.

8.

Unzip first all files to a temporary directory.1.Create first a new directory for the aircraft under the AIRCRAFT of FS. Name it afterthe aircraft name. For example: C:\FS2004\AIRCRAFT\A321FIN\ ..

2.

Then move to this new directory, and create the following subdirectories: MODEL,PANEL, TEXTURE, SOUND .

3.

Now move files from the teporary directory to correct subdirectories:4.AIRCRAFT.CFG to main dir, eg. ...AIRCRAFT\A321FIN\ .*.AIR to main dir.MODEL.CFG to MODEL folder.*.MDL to MODEL folder.PANEL.CFG to PANEL folder.SOUND.CFG to SOUND folder.*.WAV to SOUND folder.Texture files (*.*AF / *.BMP) to TEXTURE folder.

If the directory and file structure looks about like this in the new directory, everythingshould be fine.

5.

Now open your simulator and you should see the new aircraft in the aircraft l isting menu.9.

How to install add-on panels to FS2004One of the best features of the latest Microsoft Flight Simulators is the possibility to add almost an unlimited number ofthird-party add-ons such as new panels. This tutorial tells you step by step what to do when installing an add-on panelto FS2004.

NOTE! Most FS2000/FS2002 panels do not work correctly on FS2004, so we recommend that you only install FS2004panels to FS2004.

Installing FS2004 panels

Panel usually contains two parts: the gauges and graphic and configuration files . Some panels may alsocontain sound

files. All of these three file types go to their own directories.

1.

First unzip all gauge files, .GAU and .CAB , to the GAUGES subdirectory of your Flight Simulator. Forexample: C:\FS2004\GAUGES\ .

2.

NOTE! Do not extract the .CAB files into individual files! Just copy them to the gauges directoryas they are (= single .CAB files).

Now create a new directory for graphic and configuration files under the AIRCRAFT\FSFSCONV subdirectory of your Flight Simulator. Name this directory according to your panel. For example: C:\FS2004 \AIRCRAFT\FSFSCONV\PANEL.A320\ .

3.

Unzip PANEL.CFG and all graphic files (*.BMP) to the directory created in the previous step.4.




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Go now to the PANEL subdirectory of the aircraft where you wish to use this panel. For example: C:\FS2004 \AIRCRAFT\A320FIN\PANEL\ .

5.

In this directory, open PANEL.CFG file which is located in this directory. File can be opened with Notepadprogram.

6.

The contents of the opened PANEL.CFG file should look like thi s (xxxx being the name of the current panelin use):[fltsim]alias=FSFSConv\panel.xxxx

7.

Now simply change the alias= section of the file to match with the directory created in step three. For

example:[fltsim]alias=FSFSConv\panel.A320

8.

Save the PANEL.CFG file.9.TIP! You can use the same panel in as many aircraft as you like. Just edit the PANEL.CFG ofeach aircraft like you did in steps 6-9.

If sound files (*.WAV) were included in the panel package, unzip all of them to the SOUND subdirectory ofyour Flight Simulator. For example: C:\FS2004\SOUND\ . Note, that they do not go to the SOUND subdirectory of your aircraft.

10.

Now open FS2004 and you have your aircraft equipped with a new panel.11.

How to install add-on scenery to FS2004One of the best features of the latest Microsoft Flight Simulators is the possibility to add almost an unlimited number ofthird-party add-ons such as new sceneries.

This tutorial tells you step by step what to do when installi ng an add-on scenery to FS2004.

NOTE! These instructions are valid only when the scenery is packed in normal ZIP package. There can bealso self extrating packages or installation programs, which are not covered by this tutorial.

NOTE! FS2004 approves also add-on scenery intended originally for Flight Simulator 2002. Please note thatalthough most of the FS2002 sceneries work in FS2004, you may encounter some problems - so useFS2004 scenery when available.

Installing FS2004 sceneries

First we need to unpack the scenery file s into Flight Simulator directory. Please consult the readme file ofthe scenery for any non-standard installation procedures.

1.

Open the scenery file in WinZip (or similar program). Extract the files to a directory of your choice. FlightSimulator's Addon scenery subdirectory is a good choice. Make sure you have Use folder names buttonturned on.

2.

Make sure you create a own subdirectory fo r the scenery you are about to install. All BGL files must belocated in the scenery's scenery folder and all textures (.bmp etc.) must be in texture folder. For example:

3.




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C:\FS2004\Addon Scenery\EFHK\scenery and C:\FS2004\Addon Scenery\EFHK exture .

Now start your Flight Simulator 2004.4.

Select Settings and Scenery Library from the main menu.5.

In the Scenery Library menu, press Add Area .6.




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Browse to the main directory where you unzipped the scenery files. For example: C:\FS2004\Addon

Scenery\EFHK\ . Amend the scenery area title if needed. Keep setting Use this scenery directly and pressOK.

7.

The scenery now appears on the scenery library listing. You can use Move Up and Move Down buttons tomove the scenery up/down in the priori ty layer listing, but for normal sceneries you can keep the defaultsetting.

8.




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Press OK and restart the Flight Simulator.9.

How to install add-on AFCAD files to FS2004This tutorial describes the procedure of installing AFCAD (airport & facilities data) files into Flight Simulator 2004, andalso background information of the files.

What are AFCAD files?

With AFCAD program users can create add-on files for MSFS, which change various aspects in the scenery of the

simulator. The AFCAD files can include modifications in scenery startup positions, parking stands, traffic taxi routes andAI traffic movement routes / parking. One can also modify the elements seen on GPS and flight planner screens. AFCADcan also affect the actual visible scenery of an airport, by adding / modifying runways, taxiways, aprons and their lightsand signs. Full listing of all functions is avail able on the AFCAD manual.

To enhance any of the items mentioned above, users have created AFCAD add-ons for airports in the Flight Simulator.The AFCAD file may be an addition either for the simulator's default scenery or for any additional third-party add-onscenery. Most common reason to release an AFCAD file is to update the parking stands and AI traffic movement for anew add-on scenery.

You can find both the AFCAD program and AFCAD files from our file library. For this tutorial, you only need AFCAD files- the program itself is not required.




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AFCAD program's screen.

AFCAD files in FS2004

The current release version of AFCAD program is version 2.x. It is the only version compatible with FS2004. Th e older(1.x) versions work only with FS2002.

Same applies also for AFCAD output files. If you wish to install any AFCAD file into FS2004, it must have been createdwith AFCAD 2 to work.

All FS2004 compatible AFCAD files are .BGL files!All FS2004 compatible AFCAD files are .BGL files!All FS2004 compatible AFCAD files are .BGL files!All FS2004 compatible AFCAD files are .BGL files!

Installation of AFCAD files for FS2004

Installation of AFCAD files in FS2004 is the most simple procedure. Simply copy the .BGL .BGL.BGL.BGL file from thedownloaded AFCAD package into Flight Simulator's Addon Scenery Addon Scenery Addon Scenery Addon Scenery directory. For example: C:\FS2004\Addon Scenery\Scenery\ .

1.

If the AFCAD file is for some add-on scenery you have already installed, it is best to in stall the AFCAD file tothe same directory than the add-on scenery. For example: C:\FS2004\Addon Scenery\Helsinki\Scenery\ . Thisway the AFCAD file is also removed if you decide to remove the add-on scenery.

2.

Note that you do not need to have the AFCAD program installed. You can install the AFCAD files straight tothe simulator.

3.

Installation complete!4.

How to install add-on AI traffic to FS2004Are you tired to FS2004 default AI traffic or would you like to see real airlines flying through the skies of your simulator?Since FS2002 the Flight Simulator has had computer controller air craft, also called AI aircraft, flying in predefinedroutes in the simulator's world. Users have been also able to add their own AI traffic or customize the current ones.

Some resources where to find AI traffic related items are for example: Project AI , which provides dozens of real airline

packages to be used as AI traffic. You can also download AI airplanes and their fl ight routes / flightplans (al so called AItraffic timetables) separately from various websites. One major resource for the flight routes is Most Realistic AI , andairplane models for AI use can be found from the website of AI Aardvark .

When customizing your AI traffic, only your imagination is the limit. A good example of this are the AI traffic Geese (thebirds!) which you can download and make to fly in your simulator.

In this tutorial we will install an AI traffic package for FS2004. We will use the flightplans of Most Realistic AI andairplane model of Project AI as an example. In the example we will install the flight routes of FinnComm Airlines whooperates ERJ-145 planes in Finland.

Downloading the flightplans and aircraft model




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First we shall download the flightplans used by the AI traffic from the website of Most Realistic AI . You canfind similar packages also from FS Nordic's file library and from various other websites.

1.

Most Realistic AI group is located at http://www.mostrealisticai.com/ .2.

Download the flightplan package via their website. In this example we use Finncomm as the airline to beinstalled.

3.

Unzip the downloaded file to a temporary folder. Package contains three files t hat we need, and they controlthe airplane models, airports and fl ight routes/times this AI ai rline uses. Besides of these, the package has areadme file and also a file for Most Real AI's own installer program ( setup.cfg ), but that we won't be needing

here. Contents of the folder is as follows:

4.

Next we need the information about what individual airplane models does this flightplan package use. Theseneeded AI airplanes must be installed to the simulator, and this is what we'll be doing next. The airplanemodels required can be found from the airplane configuration file of the flightplan package, which in this case

is the Aircraft_MRAI_Wi04-05_Finncomm.txt text file.

5.

The contents of this file tells you the airplane models you need. Each used airplane model is on it's own linein this text file and the Flight Simulator name of the airplane is the last item on each row. In our example, weneed just one airplane model, which is Finncomm Embraer RJ145 as you see from the image.

6.

You can download the basic airplane package and Finncomm livery package from Project AI 's website. Youcan also use any other Embraer ERJ-145 AI aircraft if you wish, but in the example we will use Project AI'splane.

7.

So go to http://www.projectai.com/ . We need the ERJ-145 base pack, and second package for Finncommintextures.

8.

The ERJ 145 base pack can be found from Official files section, in menu PAI Models & Flight Dynamics packages .

9.

Finncomm textures can be found from PAI Libraries . There select Browse & search the PAI Libraries in text mode and make a search with Finncomm when you will find the package Texture.FC-Finncomm Airlines ERJ145 NO CALLSIGN.zip which we will be using in the example.

10.

Once downloaded, unzip this texture package to a temporary directory. You will see the following files:11.

In this example, I recommend that we rename the long folder name texture.WBA-Finncomm Airlines ERJ145 FINNCOM to some easier format. So change the name of this folder to Texture.Finncomm .

Now we have downloaded all the needed fil es and they can be installed.12.

Installing AI airplane and texture package




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Project AI has created their own installer program system, and each one of their "official" packages must beinstalled using this installer program. As we use Project AI's ERJ-145 model i n our example, you must usethe installer to get it properly installed. Since there are also other options for AI aircraft models, which do notneed these installer programs, and since Project AI provides usage manuals for the installer, we will notdiscuss it here. You can download the installer program and manuals for it from PAI's site.

1.

Generally speaking - the installation procedure for AI aircraft is (excluding the PAI aicraft) is completely thesame as installing normal aircraft models for FS2004. If you are unfamiliar with this, please see the tutorialHow to install add-on aircraft to FS2004 from FS Nordic.

2.

So install now the AI airplane model (base pack) into your simulator, either by using the Project AI installer if

you use their airplane model, or manually if you use some other model.

3.

When you have installed the airplane model, we need to install the texture package for our own airline (basepack includes only the model, no textures). The folder that we created in part 11 of last tutorial sectioncontains the textures for Finncomm that we use as our example. Now move the whole Texture.Finncomm folder into FS2004's AircraftPAI E145 subfolder (the folder that contains the ERJ-145 AI model what was justinstalled).

4.

The directory for ERJ-145 in your s imulator should now contain a new subfolder called Texture.Finncomm .Next we will be adding the needed parts to the Aircraft.cfg file, so that the Finncomm livery is accessible.

5.

Open the Aircraft.cfg file from the directory of the AI aircraft, in our case the file is located atC:FS2004AIRCRAFTPAI_E145AIRCRAFT.CFG .

Beginning of the file contais either one, or more, fields that start with text [fltsim.x] , where x is an increasingnumber starting from zero. These [fltsim.x] fields define the texture packages that use this current airplanemodel.

6.

To add a new texture package / livery for this airplane model, first look what is the last [fltsim.x] number inthe Aircraft.cfg file. Then add the following lines to Aircraft.cfg , and replace the x on the first row with thenumber that is next on the [fltsim.x] list. Example: if the last [fltsim.x] field that you found from Aircraft.cfg was[fltsim.6] , then you need the following field number is [fltsim.7] .

The lines you need to add to Aircraft.cfg can be found from the readme fi le of each package. The FinncommERJ has the following lines in it's readme. Copy/paste these into the Aircraft.cfg file:

[fltsim.x] //


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subdirectory texture.Finncomm , the "texture" field in Aircraft.cfg file must then read Finncomm .

The AI airplane model and airline textures for it have now been installed.9.

Installing AI traffic routes

Now the only thing left is to install the routes (timetables) for the AI traffic. For this you will need theTrafficTools program that is used to convert .txt formatted timetable files to a format that Flight Simulatorcan understand. You can download TrafficTools from our fil e library.

1.

First you must make sure that the airplane model in the timetable files is the same that we installed in theprevious part. To check this, move to the directory that contains the timetable files which we downloaded initem 4 of the first chapter.

2.

Open the file that contains information about airplane models, which in our example is Aircraft_MRAI_Wi04- 05_Finncomm.txt . Change the airplane model name in this file to match the airplane model that we installedin item 7 of previous chapter.

The name of the airplane model in this file must be the same as the name of the airplane we wish to use, asdefined in the Aircraft.cfg file of this particular airplane. In our example, we installed the ERJ-145 aircraft,and it's name ( title ) is PAI E145 Finncomm . So replace the Finncomm Embraer RJ145 text w ith the correctname of the aircraft, which in our example would then look like this:

3.

Now we will compile the timetable data. Copy the three .txt files of the timetable package to the folder whereTrafficTools program is located. The files were unzipped to a temporary folder in item 4 of the first chapter ofthis tutorial, and in our example the files are Aircraft_MRAI_Wi04-05_Finncomm.txt, Airports_MRAI_Wi04- 05_Finncomm.txt and FlightPlans_MRAI_Wi04-05_Finncomm.txt .

4.

TrafficTools folder contains now the following files:




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Now start TrafficTools , from TTools.exe .5.

Source Files list contains now our three files that we are about to install. To compile this information, and tomove it to Flight Simulator, just press the Compile button.

6.

Result should look like this:7.




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TrafficTools automatically compiles all the data to a format that is used by FS and also automatically copiesthe output files to correct subfolder in the simulator. This completes the installation and now you can see theAI traffic of this airline flying in the simulator.

8.

You can use this installation style to all AI traffic airlines that you've downloaded. All you need is suitableairplane models, texture packages for that particular airline, and timetables (routes) for it. You can find theseAI traffic items as single packages, or as full bundled downloads where all these three items are in onepackage.

9.

How to install add-on sounds into aircraft in FS2004These instructions tell you two dif ferent ways to install new sound-files to FS add-on airplanes. The choices are:

Installation directly to the airplanes sound folder of your choice.1.Installation using aliasing 2.




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Of these two alternatives the first one is the quickest and easiest to do, but then you can only use the sound package inthe airplane you installed it in. With aliasing you can use the same sound package in different add-on aircraft and soyou will save hard-drive space, but the installation is a bit more complicated. Decide before starting installation whichway you want to use.

Installing sounds directly to the aircraft sound folder

Using this way of installing the sound package is only available for that airplane you decide to install it.

Unzip all files from the sound package to a temporary folder, for example C:\B757_SOUND\ .1.

Open the temporary folder where you unzipped the sound package. The fo lder includes .WAV files and aSOUND.CFG file.2.

At this time remember to read the readme file that comes with the sound package. It usually contains vitalinformation about installing and using the sound package.

3.

In the temporary folder where you unzipped the sound package select all .WAV files the SOUND.CFG file.4.

Copy all of the files to the clipboard using CTRL+C command (or choose from the upper menu Edit - Copy ).5.




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Now move to FS directory and open that airplane's SOUND folder where you want to install the sounds in to.In this directory you will see one SOUND.CFG file. If there are other files already installed in this SOUND folder (for example already installed sound package), you can remove all of those files (with this action youreplace the old sound package).

6.

In the SOUND directory you opened, paste files to this directory from the clipboard by pressing CTRL+V keys (or choose from the upper menu Edit - Paste ). Press Yes , when you are asked if you wish to replacethe SOUND.CFG file.

7.




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Finally remove the temporary folder you created in the first step.8.

The sound installation is now finished. Now you can hear them in the add-on aircraft you installed thesounds in to.

9.

Installing sounds using aliasing method

By using this installation style, you can use the sound package in several add-on aircraft simultaneously. Still the soundpackage stays only in one place at your hard-drive.

Make a new folder for the sound package in Flight Simulator's AIRCRAFT folder. Name it according to thesound package. In our example we are instal ling sounds for the B757 and thus name the fo lder as Boeing 757-200 . In general for example C:\FS2004\AIRCRAFT\BOEING 757-200\ .

1.

Make a new sub-directory under the newly created folder called SOUND .2.

Unzip all .WAV sound files and the SOUND.CFG file from the sound package you downloaded into theSOUND folder you created. In our example to folder C:\FS2004\AIRCRAFT\BOEING 757-200\SOUND\ .

3.




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Now open the Windows Notepad via the Start-menu.4.

Write the following rows to the empty Notepad:[fltsim]alias=Boeing 757-200\sound

Replace the 'Boeing 757-200' with the name of the directory you created in part 1. Remember that we areusing B757 only in this example.

5.

Now save the file as SOUND.CFG to the directory you created in Part 1, for example C:\FS2004 \AIRCRAFT\BOEING 757-200\ . We save the file to this folder so that we can copy it later to the add-onaircraft of our choice. Note! Do not save the file to SOUND subfolder and do not replace the originalSOUND.CFG file that came with the sound package.

Remember that saving with Notepad that 'Save as type' choice is set to 'All Files' and that the name of thefile is SOUND.CFG and not SOUND.CFG.TXT.

6.




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Now our sound folder (in our example the Boeing 757-200) should look like this:7.

Finally you have to copy the SOUND.CFG you just created to the SOUND folder of the add-on aircraft youwant the sounds into. The old SOUND.CFG for that add-on aircraft must be of course replaced with the oneyou created so that aliasing works correctly. You can also delete all other files in the aircraft's SOUND folderso that there is only the SOUND.CFG you created.

8.




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With aliasing you can use the same sound package in as many aircraft you like. Just repeat the latter partand copy the SOUND.CFG you created into the SOUND folder of your choice.

9.

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