- Choose File | Preferences from the menu and click the Compiler tab at the top. The path in the Compiler field should point to the SCASM folder which is turn is under ASD (e.g. c:\asd\scasm by default). If you have installed ASD in a different location, you will need to identify the new path and fill in this field. NOTE: SCASM is a DOS-based compiler. This means that it can read file/folder names up to eight characters long. Any extended filenames are abbreviated (.e.g. "Program Files" becomes "Progra~1"). If you have installed ASD into your Program Files folder, you may want to consider re-installing ASD to the default location (c:\asd).
- Delete the file "ASDESIGN.INI". This info file contains various ASD settings. Removing this will forces ASD to "find" all of the settings again. To delete "ASDESIGN.INI", click Start | Find, then choose Files or Folders. In the "Named" box, type ASDESIGN.INI and set the "Look in" box to your C:drive. Click the Find Now button. The file will be in the c:\Windows folder. Click on the file name ASDESIGN.INI and press the Delete key and choose Yes to send it to the Recycle Bin. Now start ASD again.
NOTE: You will have to enter your ASD ID and SN again from the Registration Card Stub.
- New! - Elevated Mesh Terrain - easily adds authentic, realistic, textured mountains, rolling hillsides and more.
- New! - Automated Entry of Elevation Data - conveniently imports USGS elevation data for USA (about 200 points per two square miles) and for other geographic areas (at about 30 points per two square miles).
- New! - 3-D Scenery Library - adds an extensive library of 200+ custom 3-D scenery "macro" objects.
- New! - Airport and Facility Directory - automatically updates the AFD to include the new scenery areas.
- New! - Map View - conveniently displays the elevation of surrounding tiles for quicker adjustments.
- New! - Tools - conveniently handles heliports and windsocks with built-in tools.
- New! - Global Changes - quickly apply changes to individual parameters of feature groups, e.g., textures or color.
- New! - Complex Objects - adds support for large scenery objects, e.g., complex static aircraft.
- New! - Updated SCASM Compiler - adds support for larger memory model, floating point math, and includes license for commercial use.
- New! - Pilot Controlled Lighting - adds PCL to airports; add authenticity by turning airport lights turn on and off.
- Improved! - 3-D Scenery Map View - easily organize, view, add and manipulate 3-D scenery objects. Works with both the ASD 3-D Scenery Library or your own custom SCASM-format macros.
- Improved! - Airport View - precisely position objects from overhead view.
- Improved! - FS Performance - inserts optimization techniques for maximizing frame rate.
- Improved! - Usability - dozens of other user-requested improvements for better accuracy, convenience and ease-of-use.
- Issue 1 - July 1, 1997
- Issue 2 - July 22, 1997
- Issue 3 - September 30, 1997
- Issue 4 - November 10, 1997
- Issue 5 - December 11, 1997
- Issue 6 - February 8, 1998
- Issue 7 - May 15, 1998
Issue Number 8 - July 6, 1999
Welcome If you're new to either the Airport & Scenery Designer or the "The Airport & Scenery Designer Flyer", you'll be glad to know that we have additional information on our Web site. In fact, we may have already answered questions that you have. Visit our site at http://www.abacuspub.com, click on the ASD Central icon and then "FAQs and Tech Support".
If you'd like to receive this newsletter by e-mail,
click here. Make sure that you include your e-mail address (please type carefully).
Please read see below for the latest information about the upcoming Airport & Scenery Designer Version 2.0 Upgrade.
A Long Time Between Newsletters Over the past months, our staff has noticed that the contents of our previous issues and the F.A.Q.s were adequate to answer most of the questions that you've sent to us.
This is a sign that Airport & Scenery Designer is a "mature" product - something that happens when a product is achieves the stability that almost three years of solid performance demonstrates.
There a a few small items that we'd like to address before we introduce the upcoming ASD Version 2.0.
Error Messages If you see this message, it means that ASD is unable to find the map file for compiling. When ASD compiles your scenery, it reads the information and settings for the objects placed on the map (the *.SCB file) and creates a SCASM text file. ASD then instructs SCASM to compile the text file which in turn creates the corresponding *.BGL files. These files are always genrated in the same location as the *.SCB file. If ASD cannot locate the map file, it will not be able to compile the scenery.
You tell ASD where the *.SCB file is located by opening a map and choosing Edit | Map Properties from the menu. Click the Files tab at the top of the window. The top line reads: Output Path. Make sure that this points to the location of the *.SCB file that you're using. Some of the maps that come with ASD have the Output Path set as F:\PAJ-BETA. To change this, type the proper path to the map or click the button at the end of the Output Path line (the button with three dots) and browse for the proper folder.
Watch the Wizard Part 2! The Wizard is an easy way to begin your scenery design. If the Wizard is not available in the File menu, you can fix this as follows:
It's considerably easier to work with a single large scenery area using ASD than to work with many small ones. Thus making multiple small maps with the Wizard is a good way to begin building a large map. Here's how.
When using the Wizard, the last screen gives you the option to "Create Scenery Files". If you remove the check from the checkbox, ASD will create only the *.SCB file. The map name is the three letter airport ID followed by .SCB. For example, the map name for the Rockford Airport is RFD.SCB.
For example, if you are going to create a scenery for an entire state, you can use the Wizard to create all of the airports within that state. Afterwards, load the empty state map (you may have to copy this from the ASD CD-ROM using the Map Installer), and then append the Wizard maps to the state map. After you open the state map, choose File | Append Map. Change Files of Type from Map files (*.MAP) to ASD files (*.SCB). Locate the map created by the Wizard (e.g. RFD.SCB) and click Open. This adds the airport map to the state map. When you have appended all of the Wizard maps to this state map, save it and all of the airports will be there for you to enhance.
Other Map Considerations Therefore, if you load one of these maps and try to save it using the same name, you'll see this error. To fix it click Start | Find and then choose Files or Folders. Type the name of the map file (e.g. IL.SCB) and set the "Look in" box to the drive where ASD is installed. Then click the Find Now button. When Windows finds the file, right-click the file and then left-click Properties. Remove the check from the Read-only checkbox and click Apply. You'll now be able to save the map with this name.
Airport & Scenery Designer Version 2.0
In case you aren't familiar with the new features in ASD V2.0, here's a quick list:
For complete information see ASD webpage.
Upgrade Release Information
Here's why. Worldwide CD-ROM duplication capacity is now overtaxed. As a result, all CD-ROMs (including ASD V2.0) are taking much longer than normal to manufacture. We are not the only company experiencing delays - this is a "temporary" global problem.
News For Would-Be Upgraders
If you haven't yet ordered your upgrade, you can do so now by clicking ASD V2.0 Upgrade.
A Plug for our "Sister Company"
FULL THROTTLE MAGAZINE - Bringing the Best in Flight Simulation Previous Issues
Welcome to the latest edition of the "The Airport &
Scenery Designer Flyer" the newsletter for ASD users.
If you're a subscriber to The ASD Flyer, you'll recall that it's been a while since our last newsletter.
A common error message that users run into is one that reads: ERROR: Cannot Create Navaid Output File or Cannot Create Tile Output File.
Previously we gave you a quick "behind the scenes" look at the ASD Wizard. Now we'll show you a technique used by other designers for creating large scenery areas.
One other thing to look out for when using any of the ASD-supplied maps is the "Read-only" attribute. If you copy a map from the CD-ROM, it will inherit the "Read-only" attribute - since you can't write the the CD-ROM.
We've happy to say that ASD V2.0 is almost ready to go. The software is complete - it has been for several weeks, but we are currently finishing the new handbooks and documentation.
For those of you who have already ordered the ASD V2.0 Upgrade, we'll start shipping upgrades as soon as all components, manuals and documentation are back from our suppliers. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact date - but we're hoping late July.
If you're a users of ASD V1.0 or ASD V1.1, you can upgrade at a money-saving price. For details, please read upgrade information.
In Full Throttle Magazine, our staff of top notch writers has been turning out dozens of practical, informative and ground-breaking articles for flight sim enthusiasts. Managing Editor Tim Dickens heads up the completely new staff of expert flight sim writers. Visit the Full Throttle website at http://www.ftmagazine.com
The following issues of Airport & Scenery Designer Flyer also available:
Written by: Adam Howe and Paul Lee
Customer Support: Julie Snider, Beverly Gay, Karla Muss, Darcy McCandless
Published by:
Abacus
5370 52nd Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512 U.S.A.
Phone 616 698-0330
Fax 616 698-0325
Email info@abacuspub.com
Web www.abacuspub.com
