How do I install, order and manage overlays in X-Plane 12?

Install each X-Plane 12 overlay as a separate folder directly inside Custom Scenery, start the simulator once, then close it and edit scenery_packs.ini. Keep custom airports above overlays, overlays above orthophoto and base-mesh packages, and mesh at the bottom. Entries nearer the top have higher priority.

Where do X-Plane 12 overlay folders go?

An overlay is scenery that adds objects such as buildings, roads, forests or landmarks without replacing the underlying terrain mesh. It belongs in the main X-Plane 12 installation’s Custom Scenery folder.

1. Close X-Plane: Do not install scenery or edit its configuration file while the simulator is running.
2. Extract the download: Unzip the package rather than placing the archive itself in Custom Scenery.
3. Check the folder level: A typical overlay folder contains Earth nav data directly inside it, sometimes alongside folders such as objects or a library.txt file. Avoid an extra wrapper folder such as Custom Scenery/Product/Product/Earth nav data.
4. Copy every required component: Multi-part regional packages often use numbered or named folders. Install each component separately and retain its supplied name.
5. Let X-Plane register it: Start X-Plane once, close it, and then inspect Custom Scenery/scenery_packs.ini.

If the extracted folder structure is unclear, our checklist for identifying and installing X-Plane add-on folders covers nested directories, disabled entries and common packaging differences.

What is the correct scenery_packs.ini order?

The order runs from highest priority at the top to lowest priority at the bottom. This is the usual arrangement for X-Plane 12:

Keep the supplied internal order of a multi-folder overlay package. Numbered component names often exist specifically to maintain that order, and the package’s documented requirements take precedence over this general table.

Scenery libraries are different: they supply objects for other packages and normally do not render a region by themselves. Their position is usually less significant, but their SCENERY_PACK entries must remain enabled.

How do overlays interact with orthophotos and mesh?

Orthophoto scenery commonly supplies a base mesh, while its companion overlay restores roads, buildings, forests and other objects above that mesh. The overlay must therefore sit above the photo tile in scenery_packs.ini.

For Ortho4XP, the separate overlay folder—commonly named with a y prefix—belongs above the corresponding tile folders, which commonly use a z prefix. Our separate Ortho4XP tile-and-overlay procedure explains that workflow without mixing the generated components.

Only one base mesh normally wins for a given tile. Putting another mesh above an orthophoto package can make the imagery disappear, while moving the orthophoto above it replaces that mesh. Overlays can combine, but priority does not automatically remove duplicate buildings or roads; using two regional object overlays over the same area can produce doubled scenery unless one includes suitable exclusions. Our explanation of how regional overlays, orthophotos and mesh packages interact can help when choosing which layer to retain.

How should I edit scenery_packs.ini safely?

Edit scenery_packs.ini only with X-Plane closed, moving complete lines rather than changing the folder paths.

1. Make a backup: Copy scenery_packs.ini before reorganising a large scenery installation.
2. Move complete entries: A normal active line begins with SCENERY_PACK. Place higher-priority packs above lower-priority ones.
3. Disable packs for testing: Change the line to SCENERY_PACK_DISABLED instead of deleting the scenery folder. This makes conflicts easier to isolate and reverse.
4. Save as plain text: Do not let a word processor add formatting or alter the filename.
5. Load the affected area: Test a location inside the overlay’s coverage rather than assuming every installed overlay is global.

Can I delete scenery_packs.ini and let X-Plane rebuild it?

Yes, X-Plane will regenerate a missing scenery_packs.ini, but it cannot reliably infer which folders are airports, overlays or mesh. A rebuilt file therefore needs manual checking, and deleting it can destroy a carefully arranged order. Backing up and editing the existing file is safer.

Why is my custom scenery overlay not showing?

A missing overlay is usually caused by folder nesting, incorrect priority, incomplete coverage or a missing library rather than a graphics setting.

• Extra folder nesting: Move the actual scenery folder—not its outer download wrapper—directly into Custom Scenery.
• Wrong load order: Move the overlay above orthophoto and mesh entries. Also check whether a higher-priority package contains exclusions that suppress it.
• Disabled entry: Look for SCENERY_PACK_DISABLED beside the package in scenery_packs.ini.
• Missing tile coverage: An installed regional package will show nothing outside the tiles included in its Earth nav data structure.
• Missing dependency: Open the Log.txt file in the main X-Plane folder and search for the package name or missing-resource messages. Install every library specified by the package.
• Competing overlays: Temporarily disable other regional scenery covering the same location. Ordering alone may not prevent duplicate or conflicting objects.
• Base mesh mistaken for an overlay: A mesh package cannot be layered like object scenery; only the highest-priority mesh covering that tile normally appears.

How should overlays be managed after updates?

Replace an old package cleanly instead of leaving two versions active under different folder names. Preserve any numbered component names, launch X-Plane to register newly added folders, and then recheck scenery_packs.ini because newly discovered packs may be inserted above your established order.

For troubleshooting, disable one suspect pack at a time and reload the same location. This is faster and more reliable than repeatedly rearranging every scenery entry at once.