| 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.
vlam94
Wonderfull job! The package is so complete *-* even a ADE guide 4n00bs, real thanks! Loved the flagmaker tool
vlam94 18 day(s) ago
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?
vlam94 18 day(s) ago
if by any chance I can just modify any script and multiply the size of the whole generated object thayt would be plenty
Xpress690
Could you please include the "AZORES" flag..
Thank you
trfsto 7 month(s) 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 7 month(s) ago
thank you
lawlegge
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...
trfsto 7 month(s) ago
I will fix the version numbering on the next release.
laserjet34
Thank you very much for all this work
CHACO_042
laserjet34 8 month(s) ago
Hello in the sdk you have to open the SimObjects they are in and not in Scenery! good work
Fury
Thank you, very nice.
GunStrauss
Can we expect SU7 compatibility for this add on?
elgalopino
This is really amazing, such collection of flags. Thank you very much for your work and share this with us.
Rafael
qqwertzde
Thank you so much for this package. I just submitted a new version of my CYYQ scenery that uses your flags 😊
https://images.flightsim.to/images/20/cyyq-churchill-airport-MaDdn.jpg?width=1400&auto_optimize=medium
JDLinn
Hi, per your suggestion, I put up pics of how we are using Windy Things at Return to Misty Moorings (Freeware). We have put it in at all 48 BC lighthouses, all 18 Alaska Lighthouses, and all of our 28 Seaplane bases. What is great for a developer like us, we tell people they should download the Windy Things Mod ...recommended. If they do, they will see all of the windsocks and flags. If they do not, nothing in the scenery is impaired, they simply don't see the great Windy Things eye candy. So you can safely add this mod (as a developer) and your result will not be adversely affected if the user doesn't have Windy Things. (But you should always remind them to get it to see what they are missing). We have had NO PROBLEMS with this wonderful mod and it is standard anytime we put in a location that needs a flag or windsock. Thank you for the mod, it makes our many locations come alive!
trfsto 12 month(s) ago
I am so glad to hear that the library is working for you. Thanks for the kind words.
trfsto 12 month(s) ago
And thanks for posting the screenshots to the User Gallery!
caniky
For the flags lighting.. you might be able to assign an emissive texture with a very small amount of emission. So they are not completely black in the dark. Something like a moonlight effect.
trfsto 12 month(s) ago
Interesting idea. Thanks for the suggestion.
kychungdotcom
Thank you for your beautiful works, I've used them on the most recent version of my Hedlanda Airport addon:
https://flightsim.to/file/7214/hedlanda-airport-esnc
FreakyD
I was able to add the animated flag to my scenery package. However, at some wind speeds and directions, the animation is janky. The direction of the wave will jump plus/minus 20 degrees. Any thoughts? SU6 issue perhaps?
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
Could be. I noticed that SU6 changed a whole bunch of my display settings in the Sim. I had to go through and reset things to my preferred settings (Ultra of course). You might want to review your settings after any update and make sure nothing changed.
Ken3801
Does this work with Sim update 6?
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
Yes, just tested with SU6 and it seems to work fine.
Crash_Murdock
@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!
barrodoy
Hey,
I am trying to create a custom flag and I follow all the instructions but when the folder in community is created the DDS wont be there. Any ideas?
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
Are you trying to repaint an existing flag from the library or create your own flag from scratch? In other words, are you following the instructions from "Creating an animated flag.pdf" or from "Using the flag repainter.pdf'?
barrodoy 1 year(s) ago
I followed the "Using the flag repainter.pdf" file
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
Sent you a PM.
jgplarnold
There seems to be a problem with the windy things sim objects as when I add them to airport (scenery) in Airport Design Editor they do not display in FS2020 yet other sim objects (assume standard FS2020 sim objects) when added do display. Is this a result of the latest FS2020 update (6)?
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
I have not had time to install the latest MSFS update yet. Once I do, I will see if I can replicate the problems that you are seeing.
gryper 1 year(s) ago
It doesnt display when downloading other files on this website either. I am always given a list of libraries required when downloading files here. Even though I have Windy Things installed, this website will not recognize it and it always tells me I have to download Windy Things. Kinda weird.
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
My apologies, gryper, but I don't understand what problem you are experiencing. The original question was about the use of the library with Airport Design Editor. As noted in the FAQs, using additional library objects with ADE requires some manual editing of the configuration files for ADE. In your question, you say that "this website will not recognize" Windy Things. What website? Can you provide a bit more information on the problem that you are experiencing? Does it have anything to do with ADE?
jgplarnold
Excellent.
A BIG TIP for users of ADE. Be careful when copying the 'objects' from the .TXT file to teh adeSimObjectList.dat file. If you accidentally add a new line after the last character of the last object name, ADE will crash when loading. When you paste the contents of the .txt file ENSURE the cursor is 'flashing' to the right side of the last object name and NOT on the next line.
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
And please make a backup of your ADE data file before you make any edits.
PilotChris
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?
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
As noted in the FAQ, this is a known limitation of all SimObjects in MSFS. You cannot rescale them or change their altitude.
PilotChris 1 year(s) ago
This is sad, would you mind to create a slightly bigger windsock for maybe not only me but also other users? I am talking about a windsock with a pole height of around 8 - 9 meters.
On my airfield in germany this seems to be the standard size.
Thank you very much, i really appreciate your work. Keep on going!
CapKirk88
Just to confirm, since I'm relatively new to msfs mods; is this mod just for people creating scenery? or does this actually place flags and whatnot to existing airports, in game? I find the amount of windsocks in the game are lacking. At some airfields/airports I cant even find one to see wind direction... Thanks!
trfsto 1 year(s) ago
This is a library of objects that people can place in their custom sceneries. It does nothing for existing sceneries.
CapKirk88 1 year(s) ago
Thank you!