NAS Cecil Field file uploaded to SOH library!

Navy Chief said:
Lawgiver,

When were you stationed at Cecil? I was there 81-90. I will take a look at the scenery files, but can't promise anything. I didn't create it, just uploaded it! Pete Ward, AMEC, Ret.
Click to expand...


Hi Chief,

More than likely we crossed paths a few times. I was there from 88-90. Arrived there a newly minted third class (MA3) after doing 3 years on-board CONSTELLATION out of North Island. Many fond memories at Cecil.

As far as the scenery, took the weekend to look at it and found the issues. There is a forest fire effect coded into the xml object placement file of "EZ_Cecil_Buildings.BGL"
Why is it in there?? Don't have a clue. I suspect that the author might have meant to add a different effect instead but the forest fire was placed by mistake. The effect comes from a file package called "EZ Effects" specifically the "ron_ez_effects.bgl" which is included in the package. This package contains 17 different effects for the sim including the one in question. The effect is rather impressive......the screen cap I posted doesn't do it justice. The reason some see it and others don't is it all depends what object libraries the user has installed in their sim. In my case, the "ron_ez_effects.bgl" was included in the Runway 12 object libraries I installed for another add-on scenery. One can search their sim for the "ron_ez_effects.bgl" file and remove it or set it aside. But be advised if you just delete the bgl. file, another of your sceneries might not work correctly if that bgl. file is needed.
Now, what I have done is edited the xml file and removed the forest fire effect only. I recompiled the xml back into the "EZ_Cecil_Buildings.BGL" and added it back to the sim. Cecil seems to perform as it should minus the raging fire by the hangers.
If anyone would like the modified bgl file, let me know.

I also found out where the floating beacon was hiding at that was left over from the removal of the water towers. I modified that bgl. file to remove the floating beacon. Have that one available too if anyone would like it as well.
On a side note, while I had the scenery in ADE chasing down the fire, I noticed a few missing object libraries by the flight line. I searched for these libraries by the model GUID's but couldn't find them. I fired off an email to John asking him if he remembers what he might have used when he designed Cecil for FS9. If I track them down, I will let everyone know.

Regards,
Rob
 
UPDATE:

Heard back from John Stinstrom the original author of the scenery. He was kind enough to take a look and try to identify the missing library objects. But, they are still a mystery. Whatever they are, the items are not vital. All the good stuff is there.
He also gave me links to an updated JGSE/GGSE library object package for Cecil Field here:

http://www.militaryaiworks.com/packages/israel.html Israeli package part 7

http://www.militaryaiworks.com/packages/unitedstatesofamerica.html Barksdale package

The newest libraries contain many more objects as well as retexturing and remodeling to repair some errors in the originals for anyone out there that uses JGSE or GGSE for scenery design. The present FSX/FS9 versions currently available separately at the usual sites do not have the additional objects.
If anyone wants the modified bgl files to remove the fire effect and the floating beacon let me know. Special thanks to John Stinstrom for all the help.


Regards,
Rob
 
Lawgiver said:
UPDATE:

Heard back from John Stinstrom the original author of the scenery. He was kind enough to take a look and try to identify the missing library objects. But, they are still a mystery. Whatever they are, the items are not vital. All the good stuff is there.
He also gave me links to an updated JGSE/GGSE library object package for Cecil Field here:

http://www.militaryaiworks.com/packages/israel.html Israeli package part 7

http://www.militaryaiworks.com/packages/unitedstatesofamerica.html Barksdale package

The newest libraries contain many more objects as well as retexturing and remodeling to repair some errors in the originals for anyone out there that uses JGSE or GGSE for scenery design. The present FSX/FS9 versions currently available separately at the usual sites do not have the additional objects.
If anyone wants the modified bgl files to remove the fire effect and the floating beacon let me know. Special thanks to John Stinstrom for all the help.


Regards,
Rob
Click to expand...

I would definitely be interested in the revised file. A question though. Why doesn't the fire show up in my Cecil scenery?

Also, with regards to the updated GSE files, are they yellow or green? I noticed that one of them is labeled Barksdale? Tells me the SE equip is most likely green? All of the SE equipment back then, on most NAS's was yellow.

WAY back when I was helping J. Stinstrom with pictures and details about Cecil, he had included a awesome static object of an "Old Dominion" freight lines truck, parked by the VA-15 hangar. Old Dominion was one of the usual truck lines that carried all of our equipment to the ship at Norfolk, and Mayport. No idea what I did, but I lost that static truck object:frown-new:

Pete
 
Hi Pete,

I am not sure if SOH permits download attachments to the forum posts so PM me your email and I will send you the modified files to remove the fire and the floating beacon. I will also send you a thumbnail pack of the updated JGSE objects so you can see if you want them or not. John S. does have the yellow gear as part of this updated package. There are 13 new objects as well as corrections to the models in the new JGSE pack. The latest one for FSX I found on AVSIM only has 54 objects.
There are actually 3 updated packages, JGSE (Yellow), GGSE (Green), SGSE (Desert) from the MAIW packages noted above. I am in the process of extracting the updated objects and adding them to my current library.

The fire effect comes from a package called "EZ Effects". From what I have learned, it is a popular package containing 17 different effects for the sim including the one in question. I downloaded the full package from AVSIM to take a look at it. There is a library object bgl file in that package called "ron_ez_effects.bgl" The reason some see the fire and others don't is it all depends on whether the fire effect included with "ron_ez_effects.bgl" is installed into your sim. In my case, the "ron_ez_effects.bgl" with the fire effect was included in the Runway 12 object libraries I installed for another add-on scenery. You can search your sim for the "ron_ez_effects.bgl" file and remove it or set it aside. But be advised if you just delete the bgl. file, another of your sceneries might not work correctly if that bgl. file is needed. The whole problem is, if you find the bgl on your system, you don't know whats included with it without de-compiling the bgl file or the xml file that a lot of authors include..
Since my last post on this subject I have discovered that a lot of freeware devs use the ron_ez_effects bgl file in their add-ons. I have found the bgl in a lot of my freeware stuff. But, it is not the complete effects package. The author might have only used one or two of the effects and packaged it with their scenery as is such the case with Cecil. The only effect from the "EZ Effects" package was the forest fire. I found the effect in the "EZ_Cecil_Buildings.bgl" xml file. I edited the xml file to remove the effect and recompiled the file back into the "EZ_Cecil_Buildings.bgl". The bottom line is if you are not seeing the fire you don't have the effect from that package installed in your sim somewhere.
Hope all that makes some sense. Why it's in there or how it got in there, I don't know........I suspect it was meant to be a different effect such as the fireworks effect from the package but can't be sure.
As far as the "Old D" truck/textures.......Been looking for those myself. If I find them, I'll let you know :very_drunk:

Regards,
Rob
 
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