How to Install AI Traffic

[NWADC9]

Ok, folks. Don't know how to install custom AI? Well, class is in session, and I even have a freebie for you!

Today's airline is Midwest Connect. Why? Because it's easy, and should help start you off on the right track.

1. Get the flightplans and textures You gotta gather up your textures, models if you don't have them, and of course, the flightplans. So, we'll search for "Midwest Connect" in Avsim, and get our stuff. Let's find the flightplans first. I suggest searching by Date to guarantee up-to-date stuff.

midwest_connect_summer_2007.zip

Because I'm nice, I've already found them. If you're reading this at a later date, go search for them on your own, as these will be old news. Let's open up ZipDive! and find the aircraft.txt.

Code: Select all

AC#1,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines B1900D"
AC#2,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines CRJ-200"
AC#3,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines Do328Jet"

Here they be! Our "shopping list" of sorts. So we know we need a Skyway B1900D and Do328JET, as well as a SkyWest CRJ-200 (the author doesn't know his airlines; it's SkyWest), all in Midwest Connect colors. However, for all three model types, there are several choices. The CRJ is made by PAI, CDAI, and FSP. The B1900D is made by HTAI, CDAI, and PAI. The Do328JET is made by SFD/PAI; there's only one choice. PAI-made models are generally crap in both performance and looks, so we want to steer clear away from them as much as possible. The FSP CRJ is rare, so that leaves the CDAI model. The B1900D is made by both HTAI and CDAI, as well as PAI, which we just scratched off. CDAI's model is, quite frankly, not right, so let's go for HTAI's model.

cdai_crj200_mep.zip
syxpack.zip

And lo and behold, we found them all! If you're not so lucky, just ask a painter for some help.

2. Install the textures It's the same as any other FS plane. No need to bloviate on that topic. Next.

3. Install the flightplans You need TTools, which can be found in any AI installer or on a FS download site near you.

In the aircraft.cfg, notice the title line. This is key in AI installing, as this tells FS which plane to send up. Back to our aircraft.txt:

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AC#1,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines B1900D"
AC#2,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines CRJ-200"
AC#3,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines Do328Jet"

Basically, you just copy the title line in the aircraft.cfg entry for the texture, and overwrite whatever's in the aircraft.txt. It's rather easy. For example, the CRJ's fltsim entry is:

Code: Select all

[fltsim.x]
title=CDAI CRJ200v3.0 Midwest Connect
sim=CDAI CRJ200v2.0
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=Midwest Connect
atc_id=N698BR
atc_airline=SKYWEST
atc_flight_number=1123
ui_manufacturer=CDAI
ui_type=Canadair CRJ200
ui_variation=Midwest Connect
description=CDAI Canadair CRJ200 for AI Traffic. Model by Charles Dayhuff.paintkit by Holger Bachert.Repaint by Andrew Langille
atc_id_color=0x00000000
visual_damage=0
atc_parking_types=GATE
atc_parking_codes=MEPX
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0

(This is not how it is in the download. This one's correct. Use this one when installing the texture. Another reason why I'm using this plane as an example.)
Copy the title line, "CDAI CRJ200v3.0 Midwest Connect", and place it in the aircraft.txt file so it looks like this:

Code: Select all

AC#1,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines B1900D"
AC#2,420,"CDAI CRJ200v3.0 Midwest Connect"
AC#3,420,"Midwest Connect - Skyway Airlines Do328Jet"

When you're done, save it, and compile it! It's that easy! And now you'll have Midwest Connect flying around! What a deal! Now pay up.

[CaseyD]

Excellent, and needed post Chris, thank you! Stickified it for ya too.

[NWADC9]

Thanks, and I fixed those hyperlinks since I forgot not to add "'s

[Northwestdc9]

Ah, very nice !

Great idea Chris !

[sanins192]

Ah thanks for that Chris. I may just have a go with the airlnes that QOAI misses.

[caps1237]

Awesome Chris! Thanks for the tips, going to go try them out now.

Edit: Just tried it out an it works perfectly! Finding the models at first is a bit tedious, but once I have them all it should relatively easy. Thanks again!

[CaseyD]

Yep, the "shopping" is the most difficult part, after that, it's not really any more difficult than adding PAI or WOAI.

[Martin the Warrior]

Hey, thanks for writing this. MUCH easier than explaining it to people one-by-one.

I'm still available for questions if you get stuck, people who are trying custom AI, but try to follow this first.

[FJ flyer]

Thanks Chris I really needed someone to help me.

Finally I can fight the war against Traffic 2005 !!!!

[airborne]

Thanks, I am going to try to install some soon.

[caps1237]

Casey...I know you want to do it, but don't!

[Samuel Arnold]

Uh... oh dear... *ziiip*

[CaseyD]

Ahh, I've found the definitive one...

[NWADC9]

I hope the noobies reading this don't install those flightplans...they're old.

[sanins192]

Ahh, I've found the definitive one...

Perfect!

[jeremyjasper]

thanks it sort of works