This is a collection of SimObjects designed to respond to both wind speed and direction. The original objects were created for my Pistol Creek Ranch scenery. But rather than include them in that scenery, I decided to package them up as a separate library in case anyone else might want to use them in their scenery. All I ask is acknowledgement of where you got the object. Even better, I would love it if you would take a few minutes to post a screen shot to the User Gallery of how you used the object in your scene.

This library has three basic objects, but with lots of variations:

6' (2m) windsock on a 15' (5m) pole, fairly typical of small bush strips. This now comes in five color schemes (white, orange, red, orange/white striped, and red/white striped), and three configurations (with lighting, without lighting, and without a pole).
3' (1m) tall flag on a 25' (8m) flag pole. You can now choose from 306 different flags, covering nations of the world and US states, either with or without a flag pole!
Decorative 6' tall windmill that you might put in a garden or park.

To assist you in locating a particular flag, the download file includes a full list of the object names by location.

The download file also includes a tool that you can use to generate a library of flag repaints from a set of flag images of your own (in case 306 flags is still not enough to choose from). The files generated by this tool rely on the models in this library, but you can distribute your custom flag library and the custom flags in your scenery will work as long as the Windy Things library is also installed. Along with the repainter script are instructions on its use.

Finally, the download file includes instructions on how I created the animated flag in Blender and a link to a great discussion of this topic on fsdeveloper.com.

Important Notes

Unlike the default Asobo windsock, all of the objects in this library have been designed so that they will remain properly oriented to the wind, regardless of how you rotate them in your scene.

I am still interested in creating internal windsock lighting in addition to the external windsock lighting included in this library, but the lighting system in MSFS 2020 does not seem to work well for that application. If anyone has had success in creating a working lighting effect INSIDE an object in MSFS, please PM me here with your ideas.

Credits

Flag images are public domain from commons.wikimedia.org. Custom PBR textures were created using materials released under the CC0 license on cc0textures.com.

Amazing work, just wish there was a "half pole" option for the windsocks and a bigger bounding box, so they don't disappear so fast when you are not that far away.

BTW, you can scale SimObjects now, so that part of the FAQ is outdated.

3 months ago

PuenteDeHierro

Windsock and flag 180 degrees out from actual wind direction. I'm sending you a screen capture of a flag and windsock from windy things, a windsock from Asobo and the current weather observation. Your objects should be blowing from 230 degrees, but they are blowing towards the 230 direction. The wind direction on weather observations and forecasts are done in the from direction. I hope you can fix this because I like having all those flags. The runway orientation is 18/36.

Disregard - it's the Asobo windsock that is 180 degrees out

4 months ago

danielsjam

Been using this library for a long time. Works great. And now the SDK supports scaling and turning off ground snap of simobjects, so you can change the size and elevate these flags.

8 months ago

FreakyD

Everything works great.

It is SU11 compatible.

thanks for that

9 months ago

Quassel89

Thanks so much, it is very useful to my developements. The windmill can be resized and it fit as a real device. I whish to donate, but it isn't the option.

10 months ago

RoloBach

Wonderfull job! The package is so complete *-* even a ADE guide 4n00bs, real thanks! Loved the flagmaker tool

11 months ago

vlam94

Hi trfsto,

Excellent work...

Just a reminder to update the version number in the 'manifest.json' as it shows in the sim and Addons Linker and will be of primary importance in programs such as MFS AddOn Collector, for example, as developers produce auto-updating programs...

Here it shows the version number as 1.08.1, but shows 1.8.0 in the 'manifest.json'

Thanks for your efforts...

2 years ago

lawlegge

Thank you very much for all this work

laserjet34

how do i install and add a windsock in my sdk project?

CHACO_042

Thank you, very nice.

Fury

@trfsto - Just wanted to say thanks for the great flags and windsocks! 👍👍 I'm using the Thai national flag and also substituted the blue Queen Sirikit version in an array to sort of replicate the real situation. I've posted a screenshot in your gallery. Sad that we can't scale SimObjects as they're a bit oversized for my purpose, but they still add so much to the scenery. Luckily, I was able to significantly downsize the install folder by deleting all the unused flags and related entries. I didn't rename anything so the package is still wholly attributed to you. Thanks again!

Crash_Murdock

Hey, i got an issue with changing the height of your windsocks in my scenery. I can increase the height, but when i build the package it goes back to the standard height. Any idea how to fix this in my case?

PilotChris

Great models. I only used/wanted one (windsock) but it is great but a little difficult to add to use in Airport Designed Editor (although very easy once you have worked it out). It worked in my SU5 updated MSFS although cannot be scaled which is a MSFS bug.

jgplarnold

Used this in my scenery, thanks!

Mr_LiamT

Thank you for all your hard work! Amazing add on! Will use it in my sceneries and will give you a credit of course!

I have noticed if you put a flag (pole or no pole) on top of the custom made building (that has collision material), it just lifts the flag way above the building. It's treating the building like the ground. Also tried ground offset it doesn't work.

Once I put the pole/flag next to the building, it works fine.

5 stars for your work!! Can't wait to see more!

caniky

Do these objects automatically replace the default Asobo windsocks or other default objects if the Windy Things file is placed in the Community folder (or linked to with Addons Linker)?

Or are these objects only for makers of scenery addons to include in their work?

27 days ago

Ed1

Do I just drop the whole file into my comm folder? What if I just want to use the windsocks? Thanks for all your work here!

CenzoMac42

Thanks. I'll try to use it.

2 months ago

Tarassboulba

Thanks for reminding me that SimObjects are now scalable. I have deleted the FAQ.

trfsto

Glad to hear that my objects still fly in the correct direction. The Asobo objects have always been 180 degrees off.

1 More Replies

Seems to be having a problem with SU12? I can't see the flags any more under SimObjects. I do see the windsocks and a Windmill. And I don't see the lib in Scenery (which I don't think I should?). I thought maybe flags are added as objects instead of simobjects.

6 months ago

I figured it out... Weird though. If I select your library, I only get a listing of the windsocks and a windmill. If I select "All" libraries, however, and I search for tsr under "Objects", then all the items in the library show up. But I can't find any library on the right that would allow me to select them. Anyway,... All good... Thanks again for this awesome library.

FlyingsCool

why is the folder tsr-windy-things showing up red in my addonlinker?

7 months ago

If you are using MSFS Addons Linker, the red color usually means that you have two copies of the same addon somewhere in the files available to be loaded by the linker.

hawaiianstyle78

say I want to make some real big flags (the pole can be bigger or the same size), since ADE doesn't scale SimObjects, what should I do?

2 More Replies

Could you please include the "AZORES" flag..

Thank you

1 years ago

I will put it on the list, but I am unlikely to have free time to add more flags in the near future. If you want to, you can add your own Azores flag by "repainting" the standard 2:3 flag in the library. Instructions on how to do this are included in the download, and you should be able to get high-quality artwork for the Azores flag at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Azores.

Xpress690

I will fix the version numbering on the next release.

Hello in the sdk you have to open the SimObjects they are in and not in Scenery! good work

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