TerraSync: Difference between revisions

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The master repository for terrasync, i.e. the online resource from which TerraSync downloads its files, is synchronized with the [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Scenery Database] once a day. So when using TerraSync, you will always have 1) the latest [[File_Formats#.2A.stg|.stg-files]], which tell FlightGear where to place an object and 2) the latest '''static''' scenery objects. Static scenery objects are such objects that exist in one place only.  
The master repository for terrasync, i.e. the online resource from which TerraSync downloads its files, is synchronized with the [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Scenery Database] once a day. So when using TerraSync, you will always have 1) the latest [[File_Formats#.2A.stg|.stg-files]], which tell FlightGear where to place an object and 2) the latest '''static''' scenery objects. Static scenery objects are such objects that exist in one place only.  


: Important note: TerraSync does not download the newest '''shared''' scenery objects. Shared objects are such objects that are used more than once in the scenery, like generic houses or ships etc. If the set of shared scenery objects has changed since your version of FlightGear was released (usually that is the case), you need to install the newest [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/download/SharedModels.tgz '''shared''' models archive] from the [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Scenery Database] to see all objects. Unpack it to <code>[FG_ROOT]\data\Models</code>.
: <s>Important note: TerraSync does not download the newest '''shared''' scenery objects.</s> Shared objects are such objects that are used more than once in the scenery, like generic houses or ships etc. <s>If the set of shared scenery objects has changed since your version of FlightGear was released (usually that is the case), you need to install the newest [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/download/SharedModels.tgz '''shared''' models archive] from the [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Scenery Database] to see all objects. Unpack it to <code>[FG_ROOT]\data\Models</code>.</s>
: See also: [[Howto:_Animated_jetways#Usage]]


It is recommended to use a separate scenery directory for TerraSync (i.e. do not run it on your main scenery directory) as network interruptions may upset the synchronization protocol - if/when that happens the easiest solution is to delete the affected subdirectory and let terrasync download it again.
It is recommended to use a separate scenery directory for TerraSync (i.e. do not run it on your main scenery directory) as network interruptions may upset the synchronization protocol - if/when that happens the easiest solution is to delete the affected subdirectory and let terrasync download it again.

Revision as of 10:36, 18 October 2010

To see the terrain below your aircraft, you have to install the respective scenery. This can happen by downloading certain bits of scenery before flying as described in the article Installing Scenery.

Alternatively you can use TerraSync. It is a utility that automatically downloads the newest version of the needed FlightGear scenery while the simulator is running. TerraSync runs in the background in a separate process, monitors your position, and downloads (or updates) the latest greatest scenery from the master scenery server "just in time".

The master repository for terrasync, i.e. the online resource from which TerraSync downloads its files, is synchronized with the FlightGear Scenery Database once a day. So when using TerraSync, you will always have 1) the latest .stg-files, which tell FlightGear where to place an object and 2) the latest static scenery objects. Static scenery objects are such objects that exist in one place only.

Important note: TerraSync does not download the newest shared scenery objects. Shared objects are such objects that are used more than once in the scenery, like generic houses or ships etc. If the set of shared scenery objects has changed since your version of FlightGear was released (usually that is the case), you need to install the newest shared models archive from the FlightGear Scenery Database to see all objects. Unpack it to [FG_ROOT]\data\Models.
See also: Howto:_Animated_jetways#Usage

It is recommended to use a separate scenery directory for TerraSync (i.e. do not run it on your main scenery directory) as network interruptions may upset the synchronization protocol - if/when that happens the easiest solution is to delete the affected subdirectory and let terrasync download it again.

Usage example (for POSIX compliant command line shell)

Start terrasync:

% nice terrasync -p 5500 -S -d "$HOME/fgfsScenery"

The -S option tells terrasync to use the SVN protocol to fetch data. If you omit it terrasync will use the rsync program instead (which has to be installed on your system).

Start FlightGear:

% fgfs --atlas=socket,out,1,localhost,5500,udp --fg-scenery="$FG_ROOT/Scenery/:$HOME/fgfsScenery"

The full documentation and source for TerraSync is located in the FlightGear source distribution (in utils/TerraSync/).

Start TerraSync from fgrun.exe (Wizard in Windows) in FlightGear 1.9.1

1. Make sure you are in the first screen where you can set up directories. To get there, start fgrun.exe. You'll first be in the Aircraft selection screen, then hit "Back". You are now here:

TerraSync 1.png

2. Select the destination folder for all files downloaded by terrasync. Usually the folder [FG_ROOT]\terrasync already exists and you only have to add it to the list (as in the above example). Insure that it is positioned above your standard scenery folder (here that is FlightGear191\scenery) and all other directories over which the terrasync folder is supposed to have priority. When two directories contain information for the same region, FlightGear will take the information from the directory higher in the list.

3. For TerraSync to know where to deposit the downloaded files, you have to tell the program which folder is the destination folder. In the above example, it is the 3rd in the list.

4. Finally, go to the last screen. There you have to activate TerraSync as in the following screenshot. Now TerraSync should work.

TerraSync 2.png

Note: Expect your firewall to block in first place, since you request a new port (5505) in ud-protocol (UDP) .



See Installing Scenery