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.
| 
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 15 hour(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 month(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 month(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 3 month(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 3 month(s) ago
I followed the "Using the flag repainter.pdf" file
trfsto 3 month(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 3 month(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 8 day(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 7 day(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 3 month(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 3 month(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 3 month(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 3 month(s) ago
This is a library of objects that people can place in their custom sceneries. It does nothing for existing sceneries.
CapKirk88 3 month(s) ago
Thank you!
Voyager
Hey there Windy !
I want to confirm the version available for upload is in fact 0.1.8 - because the latest change in even the single byte on both the manifest and layout date back to he 12th of July - and the manifest states it's the version 0.1.6.
It is not unusual when sometimes latest version just doesn't appear, or appears as the old one, I see it seldom happen to the others.
So I always ask if I notice that.
Thanks for some cool and seriously windy libraries ! 😉
trfsto 4 month(s) ago
Apologies for the confusion. I forget sometimes to update the version number that gets written to the manifest file. The file currently available for download here is version 1.08 (or 0.1.8; I need to clean up my version numbering). The objects are unchanged from version 1.07. This new version includes some extra files for folks wanting to use the objects in ADE. Otherwise, the main purpose of the "new" version was to confirm compatibility with SU5.
I just uploaded a replacement file that has the correct version number and has been recompiled with SU5. There are no changes to the models, so not a new version.
Voyager 4 month(s) ago
Appreciate, thank you!
jgplarnold
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.
trfsto 4 month(s) ago
I am glad you worked things out in ADE. Hopefully ADE will provide official support for SimObjects in a later version so that you don't have to hack its config files to add them to the object library in that program. As you note, the lack of scalability of SimObjects is a known (and quite frustrating) limitation of MSFS.
Mr_LiamT
Used this in my scenery, thanks!
caniky
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!
trfsto 4 month(s) ago
Thanks for your kind comments. As you have noted, there are significant limitations in MSFS on positioning and scaling all SimObjects, including those included in this library. As far as I know, this is just built into MSFS and is not something I can change.
caniky 4 month(s) ago
Thank you so much! Here's our scenery using your flag and the windsock. We updated our text description with your credit as well as the link to the amazing Windy Things page: https://flightsim.to/file/18237/lyle-sportski-aerodrom-mira-leskovac-serbia
trfsto 4 month(s) ago
Feel free to post one or more screenshots to the User Gallery here showing how you put the flags and windsocks to good use in your scenery.
caniky 4 month(s) ago
Done! And one more scenery with your windsock and flag is here: https://flightsim.to/file/17204/lybv-banjicki-vis-vma-helidrom-belgrade-serbia
Amadeo_Cutini
That's a very useful mod. Thanks!
FS2020Newbie
Thank you! Excellent work
BlackCloud455
Thank you very much for sharing your creations with us!
tenbears
Very cool and generous on your part for your time in sharing. Many thx
DC6Pilot
Drag and drop into community folder?
trfsto 5 month(s) ago
Yep. Drag and drop the tsr-windy-things folder into your Community folder. The other files in the Zip are documentation, tutorials, and related tools that do not go in your Community folder.
Demant
Thank you so much!