Adding shapes and objects
Groundmaker works the following way: You draw polygons, lines, forests or place objects like runways or taxiway signs on the map. All items can be accessed with the toolbar.
Adding new shapes
To draw a new shape first click one of the following items in the toolbar:
Polygon - Poly(): Colored or textured.
Polygon - TexPoly(): Only textured. Lets you assign a texture coordinate to every polygon point.
Lines/Roads: Use them as taxiway centerlines or roads.
Dotted lines: Usually for night effects. For taxiway side lights.
Tree lines: They give the illusion of woods surrounding the airport.
Voluminous forests: They look like tree lines, except they are 'closed' and covered with a 3-D forest texture.
One flatten polygon: Required in order to have a scenery free of visual artifacts in FS. Makes a flat surface at the airport's altitude.
The mouse cursor will change to a cross. Left-click somewhere on the grid. This will position your shape's first point. Move the mouse to where you want your next point and left-click again. Repeat the last step until all points are drawn. In order to 'finish' the shape, double-click when positioning the last point. The shape's settings dialog will then be shown. The shape's settings can be accessed any time.
Read the DRAWING shapes or EDITING shapes help topic for more info on drawing and editing.
Learn more about shape settings: POLY, TEXPOLY, LINE/ROAD, DOTTED LINE, TREE LINE, FOREST, FLATTEN POLYGON.
Adding new objects
To insert a new object click one of the following items:
3-D objects (API macros): use GroundMaker's objects or import your own.
Taxiway signs
Runways: Default or custom runways.
VOR: Radio-navigation.
NDB: Radio-navigation.
Exclude object: To 'hide' default FS scenery.
World menu entry
The cursor will change to a cross with a symbol on the side. Then left-click on the map where you want the object to be positioned. The object's outline will be visible and the object's settings dialog will be shown. The object's settings can be accessed any time.
Read the ADDING objects or EDITING objects help topic for more info on objects.
Learn more about object settings: API, SIGN, RUNWAY, VOR, NDB, EXCLUDE, WORLD ENTRY.