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== Getting started == | == Getting started == | ||
=== Hardware requirements === | === Hardware requirements === | ||
For FlightGear to run smoothly, it requires a video card with OpenGL drivers. OpenGL 2.0 or higher is required for FlightGear 2.0 and later. Most modern PCs support OpenGL, but if you are having trouble with slow frame-rates, see [[Hardware Recommendations]] for more information. | For FlightGear to run smoothly, it requires a video card with OpenGL drivers. OpenGL 2.0 or higher is required for FlightGear 2.0 and later. Most modern PCs support OpenGL, but if you are having trouble with slow frame-rates, see [[Hardware Recommendations]] for more information. | ||
FlightGear is known to have graphics problems and slow framerates with some laptops. Since laptops are smaller, the graphics card(s) on them are usually lower-end. See [[ | FlightGear is known to have graphics problems and slow framerates with some laptops. Since laptops are smaller, the graphics card(s) on them are usually lower-end. See [[notebooks known to run FlightGear]] for reviews of several laptop systems. | ||
=== Getting FlightGear === | === Getting FlightGear === | ||
You may download the latest files from [http://www.flightgear.org/ | You may download the latest files from [http://www.flightgear.org/download/ FlightGear Downloads] page. Choose the source or binary files appropriate for your particular system. Or, depending on level technical expertise you may choose the [[Git]] version if you wish to work with a development version of FlightGear. The Git version typically has more features and can be required by some of the latest developmental aircraft, but can be unstable and is more complicated to acquire and install. In general, the development version is not advised to the average user. You may also order Flightgear on a set of DVDs, availible on [http://www.flightgear.org/dvd/] | ||
=== Installing on Windows === | === Installing on Windows === | ||
After installing FlightGear on Windows a dialog box appears to define file locations. | After installing FlightGear on Windows a dialog box appears to define file locations. | ||
The first line asks for FlightGear Executable. Use the browse button to navigate to the location of fgfs.exe (in the default setup that is <tt>C:\Program Files\FlightGear\bin\win32\fgfs.exe</tt>). | The first line asks for FlightGear Executable. Use the browse button to navigate to the location of fgfs.exe (in the default setup that is usually <tt>C:\Program Files\FlightGear\bin\win32\fgfs.exe</tt>). | ||
The second line asks for [[$FG ROOT|FlightGear Root]]. Use the browse button to navigate to the <tt>data/</tt> directory or enter the location of the 'data' directory (in the | The second line asks for [[$FG ROOT|FlightGear Root]]. Use the browse button to navigate to the <tt>data/</tt> directory or enter the location of the 'data' directory (in the default setup that is <tt>C:\Program Files\FlightGear\data</tt>). This will populate the scenery box as well. | ||
Once you have defined these default settings, continue the installation as explained below. | Once you have defined these default settings, continue the installation as explained below. | ||
=== Installing on Mac OS X === | === Installing on Mac OS X === | ||
Installing [[FlightGear Mac OS X|FlightGear on Mac OS X]] is very simple. Just drag and drop the FlightGear icon to the <tt>/Applications</tt> folder. That's it | Installing [[FlightGear Mac OS X|FlightGear on Mac OS X]] is very simple. Just drag and drop the FlightGear icon to the <tt>/Applications</tt> folder. That's it. | ||
If you | The first time you launch FlightGear, its icon on the Dock bounces for several seconds while loading aircraft and airport info. When the GUI launcher appears, select an aircraft and and airport by clicking the "Gear" buttons at the right of the names. Pressing "Start flight" will launch the simulator. You can configure more options using the GUI launcher. see the [http://macflightgear.sourceforge.net/home/documents/users-guide/ Users Guide] for more details. | ||
If you'd like to launch FlightGear using command-line, launch <tt>/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app</tt> and type the following. | |||
cd /Applications/FlightGear.app/Contents/Resources | cd /Applications/FlightGear.app/Contents/Resources | ||
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FG_SCENERY=$FG_ROOT/Scenery | FG_SCENERY=$FG_ROOT/Scenery | ||
After launching the GUI launcher, you will have the alias to [[$FG ROOT]] at $HOME/Documents/Flightgear/<version> so you can browse the data folder using Finder. | After launching the GUI launcher, you will have the alias to [[$FG ROOT]] at <tt>$HOME/Documents/Flightgear/<version></tt> so you can browse the data folder using Finder. | ||
Note: Once you have installed FlightGear, mac users can locate their $FG_ROOT folder by opening their applications folder in Finder, right clicking on FlightGear, and clicking "Show Package Contents". This will take you inside the FlightGear folder. You are now able to access all files including Data/Aircraft for installing new aircraft. | Note: Once you have installed FlightGear, mac users can locate their $FG_ROOT folder by opening their applications folder in Finder, right clicking on FlightGear, and clicking "Show Package Contents". This will take you inside the FlightGear folder. You are now able to access all files including Data/Aircraft for [[Howto: Install aircraft#Macintosh OS X|installing new aircraft]]. | ||
=== Configuring OpenGL === | === Configuring OpenGL === | ||
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A limited set of [[scenery]] comes installed with FlightGear, which consists of the area surrounding [[San Francisco International Airport]] (KSFO). | A limited set of [[scenery]] comes installed with FlightGear, which consists of the area surrounding [[San Francisco International Airport]] (KSFO). | ||
In FlightGear, scenery is divided into | In FlightGear, scenery is divided into three kinds of data: | ||
* '''Airports''' holds airport data, like runway usage and parking spots. | |||
* '''Objects''' are the buildings, bridges and radio towers, etc. that represent three-dimensional structures. | * '''Objects''' are the buildings, bridges and radio towers, etc. that represent three-dimensional structures. | ||
* '''Terrain''' represents the contours, elevations and type of ground you fly/taxi over. | * '''Terrain''' represents the contours, elevations and type of ground you fly/taxi over. | ||
All object data goes in an Objects/ directory and all terrain data goes in a Terrain/ directory. The location of the scenery and its sub-directories depends on your particular installation | All object data goes in an <tt>Objects/</tt> directory and all terrain data goes in a <tt>Terrain/</tt> directory. The location of the scenery and its sub-directories depends on your particular installation. | ||
To download objects and terrain for FlightGear, go to [http://www.flightgear.org/download/scenery/ the scenery section] of the FlightGear website. Follow the link to download scenery from the map. Choose a block from the map where you will by flying. Once the package has downloaded, extract into your FlightGear scenery directory. | |||
You may obtain additional and more up to date scenery | The scenery packages available from the FlightGear website contain all needed data for the locations. You may obtain additional and more up to date scenery objects as they become available through the [http://scenemodels.flightgear.org/ FlightGear Scenery Database]. | ||
Information beyond this brief overview is available in [[ | Information beyond this brief overview is available in [[Howto: Install scenery]] and [[Downloading New Flightgear Scenery for Windows XP]]. | ||
=== Getting aircraft === | === Getting aircraft === | ||