FSX Tofane Mountains Group Scenery

This freeware package brings an enhanced photorealistic representation of the Tofane mountain group to Microsoft Flight Simulator X, offering improved definition of steep rock faces and minimizing the usual distortion that can occur when photographic scenery is applied to sloping or vertical terrain. Prepared by Frank and released here by Raimondo, this add-on seamlessly integrates with ItalVFR’s base coverage for Trentino yet can run entirely on its own for those seeking a localized improvement within the Dolomites.

Unique Terrain Modeling and Photographic Sources

In this rendition of the Tofane massif, carefully processed photographic material from a local aviation enthusiast has been employed to achieve fine detail along cliff edges and rugged slopes. The imagery undergoes specialized adjustment (an “elaborated graphic production” approach) that compensates for vertical surfaces, ensuring the rock strata appear crisp without warping. This approach is particularly useful in mountainous regions such as the Tofane formations in northern Italy.

Layering with the ItalVFR Base

This add-on enhances any existing ItalVFR coverage in the Trentino region (which includes the Dolomite area) but can also be operated standalone for those who wish to see only the immediate Tofane peaks in high detail. ItalVFR divides Italy into different segments at a 2-meter resolution. These scenery packages include:

• trent1.zip
• trent2.zip
• trent3.zip
• trent4.zip
• trent5.zip
• trent6.zip
• trent7.zip

All these form the underlying coverage for Trentino and ensure extensive photoreal content. You will still see Tofane in remarkable fidelity if you opt not to install the broader ItalVFR coverage, yet you’ll be missing the surrounding regional scenery.

Installation Guidelines

Setting Up a Dedicated Folder

Within your main FSX directory, create a folder to store Frank’s add-ons. For instance:

Step 1

Create a new folder named “frank_addons” in:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Scenery\frank_addons

Step 2

Inside that, create a “scenery” subfolder:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Scenery\frank_addons\scenery

Step 3

Extract the tofane_estive.bgl file into that “scenery” subfolder.

Adjusting the Scenery Library

Once that folder is populated, head into FSX and activate the new directory through the scenery library interface. Place the frank_addons entry at a higher priority layer than any ItalVFR packages. For example, if the Trentino region data is set as layer 2, your newly created add-on folder should be layer 1. That ensures the Tofane updates take precedence over the base textures.

Optional: ItalVFR’s Trentino Base Modules

To appreciate the surrounding valleys and other mountain slopes in the area, many users choose to install the complete Trentino ItalVFR suite (the trent1.zip through trent7.zip collection). Although Trentino is freeware, other parts of Italy within the ItalVFR collection are sometimes offered at low cost. Regardless, Frank’s Tofane package can function independently if you only need the Tofane peak improvements.

Appreciation for the Development Team

Frank is the primary creator of this photographic mountain series, having captured authentic vistas of the Italian Alps. Raimondo has provided guidance, online availability, and additional support to bring this scenic representation to the flight simulation community. Their dedication to accurately reproducing the Tofane range creates an immersive backdrop for virtual aviation, all released under freeware terms for enthusiastic pilots to enjoy.

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