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The biggest issue with on screen problems is not understanding the relationship between the files Custom Scenery and scenery_packs.ini

Custom Scenery - This is a file where all added scenery and scenery libraries are stored.  The files are stored in Alphabetical Order. and added file must be in the folder at root level.  Do not create extra folder levels or the simulator driver will not find the necessary airport identifiers.

The folder names in custom scenery can be edited for Airport files.  The airport ID is found within the folders.  For instance - if you put an A- before each airport folder name, the folders will appear at the top of the alphabetical order and they will still work as normal.

You must not alter the Global Airports folder or the Aerosoft default airports folders.  Demo airports are also default airports.  X-Plane updates these folders and if it cannot find them, they will be re-installed "as duplicates".


scenery_packs.ini - this file is a text file so it can be edited.  If you delete this file, X-Plane will recreate it.

The scenery_packs.ini file instructs X-Plane how to load the scenery files.  The default scenery mesh and landscape will be automatically loaded first.  Then the scenery_packs.ini list will be loaded in order from bottom to top. Global Airports are the X-Plane default airports from the Gateway, so they need to be loaded before any other airports - this file needs to be below all other airports.

Where an airport higher in the list has an airport ICAO code which is the same as a default (or lower priority) airport, the highest such airport in the list will be loaded and lower airports with the same code will be suppressed.

This file order is:

   All add on airports at the top of the list (Important)
        Aerosoft default airports (Do Not rename)
        Demo Airports (Do Not rename)
        Global airports (Do Not rename - Keep below ALL airports)
             Library files (Can be anywhere, but I put them below airports)
             Landscape scenery files (Keep below the airports they may affect)
                   Ortho (Below all airports)
                    Mesh (Below ortho)

If the file order is not correct, then airports may be lost of corrupted, with missing elements of scenery.

Log.txt - Another useful file (argh! it is a complex beast to understand) is the Log.txt file in the X-Plane folder.

This file is written each time you start X-Plane.  It records the load sequence and the functions of the simulator during the flight.  If there is a problem, it is often shown on this file.  Log.txt is a very good diagnostic tool.  If it is not well understood - posting a problem on one of the X-Plane forums will give a better result if you attach your Log.txt  (it is too big to cut and paste).

Missing Library files

X-Organizer - Automates the setup and analysis of your X-Plane files.