Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 SDK Pack (All kits)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight Software Development Kits. Welcome to the Software Development Kit (SDK) series for Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight. The Flight Simulator team is publishing this reference for developers and enthusiasts who want to customize and create add-ons for Flight Simulator 2004. We're publishing the SDK in installments, which will roll out over the next several weeks. This package includes all of the SDK bundles, including the following:

Autogen SDK

Through the use of automatically generated (autogen) scenery, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 displays buildings and vegetation throughout the simulated world. Flight Simulator 2004 creates and displays this scenery at runtime using one of two methods: a lookup table or handcrafted texture annotations that specify footprints for the objects. To define the appearance of both the buildings and vegetation that are generated, autogen uses texture sheets.

The Autogen Annotation tool enables you to edit or create annotation files for both generic and unique terrain textures. This tool opens .bmp files and allows you to place footprints for objects on the image file and to set certain properties for those footprints. Autogen then uses the annotation files to display 3-D objects (buildings and vegetation). No prior programming experience is needed to use this tool.

autogen_sdk_setup.exe (5.4MB)

Netpipes SDK

PLEASE NOTE: The Netpipes functionality has not changed from Flight Simulator 2002 -- therefore, the information and content contained in the Flight Simulator 2004 Netpipes SDK is identical to the Flight Simulator 2002 Netpipes SDK.

Terrain SDK

The Terrain SDK explains how to add new line and polygonal data such as roads, rivers, coastlines and lakes to the Flight Simulator 2004 terrain system.

This SDK also explains how to add custom terrain to the Flight Simulator 2004 environment. It covers importing land class and DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data and how to texture the data by replacing standard land-class based textures or by importing aerial or satellite photos.

Filelist:

terrain_sdk_setup.exe (11MB)

Weather Themes SDK

Weather themes are new to the latest version of the product and a simple way for users to experience visually appealing and challenging simulated weather. This SDK describes how to create and distribute weather themes for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight using a special theme creation tool.

weather_theme_sdk_setup.exe ( 3.7MB)

Panels and Gauges SDK

The Panels and Gauges SDK for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 provides the information you need to create new gauges and panels for aircraft in Flight Simulator 2004. This SDK includes the following:

Traffic information systems such as traffic collision and avoidance systems (TCAS) and mode S transponders display information and alerts about to nearby air traffic that may pose a collision hazard. The Panels SDK also describes how to query for air traffic information from within a panel gauge to allow the simulation of TCAS, mode S transponders, or other traffic information systems in Flight Simulator.

IMPORTANT: The information included in this document is intended as a guide for programmers. It assumes that you are familiar with aviation terminology and technology, that you have an understanding of the C programming language, and you are familiar with the XML markup language.

panels_sdk_setup.exe (1.6MB)

Traffic Toolbox SDK

The Traffic Toolbox is a set of tools and utilities that allow you to view and customize the AI (“artificial intelligence” or computer-controlled) aircraft traffic in Flight Simulator. The tools in the toolbox include:

· Traffic Database Builder: Customize the types of aircraft and routes flown by AI pilots.
· Traffic Settings: Change the settings of the AI traffic system.
· Traffic Explorer: View a list of all nearby AI aircraft.
· Traffic Map: See the positions of AI aircraft on a map.
· Dump Airport List: Update the airport list used by the Traffic · · Database Builder.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· AircraftTypes.csv
· Airports.dat
· CustomAircraftTypes.csv
· CustomAirports.dat
· CustomRoutes.dat
· TrafficDatabaseBuilder.doc
· TrafficDatabaseBuilder.exe
· TrafficToolbox.dll
· TrafficToolbox.doc

traffictoolbox_sdk_setup.exe (1.5MB)

ABL

SDK ABL or "Adventure Basic Language," is a scripting language used by several Microsoft games, including Flight Simulator 2004. It provides developers of adventures and lessons access to and control of aircraft and game parameters without requiring extensive programming knowledge.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· ablguide.doc
· outstanding.wav
· sample.abl
· sample.flt

fs2004_sdk_abl_setup.exe (611KB)

Aircraft Container SDK

The Aircraft Container system organizes Flight Simulator 2004 aircraft files and attributes so that most aircraft-related files are located close together. This logical and consistent organization makes the files easy to customize. This SDK describes the Aircraft Container system in detail, explaining how the different files work together. It provides information on how to modify and share components among existing aircraft. It does not explain how to create new aircraft.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· AircraftContainerSDKFS2004.doc

fs2004_sdk_aircraft_container_setup.exe (609KB)

Note: The updated document adds parameters for "atc_flight_number=", "atc_airline=", and "atc_heavy=" in the [fltsim.x] section.

ATC Voicepack SDK

The ATC Voicepack SDK describes the tools used to design and build air traffic control voicepacks for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. The term "voicepack" refers to a compressed file (.gvp file) that contains all of the content (audio and text) required by the ATC system. The SDK includes the information you need to create a fully functional voicepack for Flight Simulator 2004. To create new voicepacks, you should understand how to record, edit, and insert markers in .wav files.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· ASOSPhrases.txt
· ATCPhrases.txt
· ATC_Voicepack_SDK.rtf
· MFC71.dll
· msvcp71.dll
· msvcr71.dll
· msxml4.dll
· Voicepack Configuration.xml
· Voicepack Simple.xml
· VPEdit.exe
· PilotAwav wavefiles

fs2004_sdk_atc_voicepack_setup.exe (17.9MB)

FSEdit SDK

The Aircraft Editor (FSEdit) tool enables you to:
· Modify, add, or delete aircraft.
· Add, delete, or change aircraft panels, including gauges, instruments, and radios.
· Change, play, or remove sound files.
· Modify aircraft textures.
· Alter flight dynamics.

To use this editor, you need basic knowledge of aircraft and aerodynamic terms and concepts. You may also need a Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) or similar reference material for the aircraft you want to modify, or you can use the default values provided by the editor.

This editor does not provide a visual model for your aircraft. To create a visual model, you must create a new 3-D model or edit an existing visual model with the gmax tool created by discreet and provided in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.

Note to Japanese Customers: A Japanese version of FSEdit, which lets you edit text using a Japanese font, is also available. (File list is below.)

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· FSEdit.exe
· FSEdit.exp
· FSEDIT.HLP
· FSEdit.lib
· FSEditSDKFS2004.doc

fs2004_sdk_fsedit_setup.exe (1.3MB)

Filelist for Japanfsedit:

· FSEdit.exe
· FSEdit.exp
· fsedit.hlp
· FSEdit.lib
· eula.rtf

fs2004_sdk_fsedit_japan_setup.exe (1.1MB)

Multiplayer and Flight Instructor SDK

Flight Simulator 2004 provides support for peer-to-peer multiplayer flying. By leveraging Microsoft® DirectPlay® technology, Flight Simulator enables multiple users to share the same airspace through a connection with a modem, a Local Area Network (LAN), or the Internet. It's relatively easy for end users to connect with others using this technology.

This SDK is aimed at developers who want to build add-on products for Flight Simulator specifically designed to take advantage of its multiplayer capabilities. For example, you could use this information to create an add-on application that holds races between multiple players on the Internet or on a local area network (LAN).

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· Multiplayer_and_Flight_Instructor_SDK.doc

fs2004_sdk_multiplayer_setup.exe (524KB)

Make Model SDK

MakeMDL (MakeMDL.exe) is a program that converts 3-D models you create with modeling tools, such as gmax (a 3-D modeling tool from discreet included with Flight Simulator 2004), into scenery or aircraft objects that work with Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2004. This SDK explains how to use MakeMDL and provides several tables that list the part names you can use to make 3-D models compatible with Flight Simulator 2004.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· GMax Materials.doc
· makemdl.cfg
· MakeMDL.doc
· makemdl.exe
· MakeMDL.parts.xml

makemdl_sdk_setup.exe (1.1MB)

BGLComp SDK

The BGLComp SDK describes the latest version of the BGL scenery language compiler.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· readme.txt
· FS2004BGLCompSDK.doc
· bglcomp.exe
· bglcomp.xsd
· Generic Building Textures.xls
· LibraryObjects.xls
· Chelan.xml
· MortonWa.xml

fs2004_sdk_bglcomp2_setup.exe (857KB)

gmax Gamepack SDK

Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2004 includes gmax, a 3D modeling tool from discreet. The gmax SDK contains four separate SDKs, bundled together in one download and install. When you install the gmax gamepack SDK, you will get the following tools and documentation:

gmax_AttachTool

The Attach Tool included in this SDK is a MAXScript plugin that works in gmax and allows you to attach effects and other gmax objects to your 3D model. It also allows you to create landable platforms, remove crash boxes from parts of your model and attach beacons or other sim driven objects to your model.

gmax_Animation

The Animation documentation explains how to add scenery animation that you’ve created in 3ds max or gmax™ to Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2004. To use this SDK, you should be familiar with animation in gmax or 3ds max, plus understand the general concepts associated with creating and editing scenery objects in Flight Simulator.

gmax_CloudTool

Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2004 has a highly updated weather system including the use of realistic, volumetric clouds. These clouds were created using a special MAXScript tool in 3ds max that allows a user to define a cloud volume with boxes, which is then filled with cloud sprites. The gmax_CloudTool will document that MAXScript and show you how to use the Cloud Tool in gmax. Also, it also documents the cloud binary format for those that wish to create their own tools.

gmax_Aircraft

The gmax_Aircraft Creation documentation describes a set of best practices to follow when using gmax to build aircraft for use in Flight Simulator. You can create a model of an aircraft, apply textures and animations to that model, and then export the model to the MakeMDL program, which creates the format for use in the product.

gmax_Scenery

The gmax_Scenery Tutorial describes how to use gmax to create a model of a building, applying textures to that model, and then exporting the model to the MakeMDL program that places the model in Flight Simulator at the coordinates you specify.

WARNING:

Before downloading the gmax Gamepack SDK, make sure you have already installed gmax (included with Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight on disc 1 in extrasGmax).

IMPORTANT:

If you’ve already installed the Flight Simulator 2002 gmax SDK, make sure to read the document “Installing the FS2004 Gmax SDK over the FS2002 Gmax SDK” immediately after running setup. This document describes the procedures you must follow in order to run the FS2004 Gmax SDK on a machine that already has the FS2002 Gmax SDK installed.

Filelist:

· EULA.rtf
· FS2004.lnk
· gmax.ini
· plugin.ini
· Installing the FS2004 Gmax SDK over the FS2002 Gmax SDK.rtf
· docs
◦ Animation.doc
◦ AttachTool.doc
◦ CloudToolGmax.doc
◦ gmaxAircraftCreation.doc
◦ gmaxSceneryTutorial.doc
◦ FS2002.lnk
◦ gmax.ini
◦ plugin.ini
.extras
◦ aircraft.cfg
◦ CloudArtFilesAllOne.xml
◦ fx_ChimneySmoke.fx
◦ fx_VentSteam.fx
.plugins
◦ FSModelExp.dle
◦ makemdl.exe
◦ makemdl.parts.xml
.scenes
◦ AnimHouse.gmax
◦ CumulusCongestus48-1.gmax
◦ Curtiss_Jenny.gmax
◦ EffectHouse.gmax
.scripts
◦ AttachToolGmax.ms
◦ GmaxClouds.ms
. exture
◦ cumulus01.tga
◦ Curtiss_Jenny_C_1.tga Curtiss_Jenny_C_2.tga
◦ Curtiss_Jenny_T.tga
◦ decals.tga
◦ decal_nnumber.bmp
◦ EffectHouse.bmp
◦ EffectHouse_lm.bmp
◦ House.bmp
◦ House_LM.bmp
◦ Prop_Jenny.tga
◦ VCRainMoving0000.tga
◦ VCRainStopped0000.tga
◦ _Panel_Jenny_1.tga
◦ _Panel_Jenny_2.tga
· ools
◦ imagetool.exe

fs2004_sdk_gmax_setup.exe (15.5MB)

Special Effects SDK

The Flight Simulator 2004 special effects system places emitter points in the Microsoft Flight Simulator world, which then spew forth particles. These particles can have rules of physics applied selectively and creatively to approximate a variety of real-world effects--from wakes on pontoons to fireworks above Las Vegas. This particle-based effects system has been improved from the previous version, especially with the introduction of the "controller effect." A controller is an effect that can emit other effects, creating a great degree of subtlety and variety. This SDK describes the special effects file format, the .fx files. These files are used by the simulator to portray various effects, playing a programmed sequence of particle emission, rather like a score of music.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· Effects Parameters.txt
· FS2004 Effects.doc
· How to Place Effects in Flight Simulator.doc
· Effects_placement
◦ ForestFire.XML
· Special_Effects_samples
◦ fx_ForestFire.fx
· READ ME.txt

fs2004_sdk_special_effects_setup.exe (693KB)

Cabdir SDK

If you create add-ons for Flight Simulator, you can use the Cabdir utility (cabdir.exe) to combine all the folders and files in a directory into a single .cab file (similar to a .zip file), simplifying the process of distributing files to end-users, whether they download the file from a Web site or install it from a CD or floppy disk. You can use a setup utility to extract and install the files for end users or explain that they can manually view and copy files in the .cab file.

Filelist:

· eula.rtf
· cabdir.doc
· cabdir.exe

cabdir_sdk_setup.exe (559KB)

Although portions of the SDK may prove useful to Flight Simulator enthusiasts with little or no programming experience, keep in mind that many parts of the SDK assume familiarity with XML, the C programming language, and game development.

Please note: The information in the SDKs is NOT supported by Microsoft Product Support.

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Adam McEnroe

Adam McEnroe is a flight sim enthusiast who has been simming since the days of FS95. Adam writes all of the download section editorials after testing each of the files. Adam has extensive knowledge using various flight simulator packages and thoroughly tests the files before writing about them. Adam also like to fly real-world aircraft in his spare time and is training for his PPL.

Should you wish, you can contact Adam via email at adam@flyawaysimulation.com.

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