FsEffects

eodhptop.GIF (108 Byte)
EOD Homepage

Information and download page for the program FsEffects.

"FsEffects" is a little tool for Microsoft FlightSimulator 2002. It can create API files for any FS2002 special effect (e.g. smoke, waterfalls, ...).

The program is rather simple, but you need some scenery design experience. Don't start with special effects if you have never created a scenery before.

Download
FsEffects needs the same DLL files as "Easy Object Designer" (EOD). FsEffects won't work if these DLLs are not on your computer. Just install EOD before using FsEffects.

FsEffects, version 1.1.5: fsfx05.zip

Compatibility
FsEffects is compatible with every scenery design program which can import API files. I tested it with "Airport 2.6".
FsEffects is SCASM and FreeSC compatible.

Legal
FsEffects is freeware and you can only use it for freeware sceneries. You are not allowed to use it for commercial purpose (shareware sceneries, ...). more...

Distribution of sceneries using effects
The API files created by FsEffects contain only link to the fx-file. This is not important if you use standard FS2002 effects, but it's also possible to create your own effects. (Edit an fx-file with Windows Notepad). 
The fx-file must be included in your ZIP file of your scenery and the user must copy it to the FS2002\effects folder of his computer.

Usage
Run FsEffects.exe

Change the "FS2002\Effects folder" path to the correct location. Press the "..." button to do that.
Do the same with the "API file output path" (if you want the created API files in another folder than the program folder of FsEffects.

Click "Next"

A list appears with all installed FS2002 effect files (*.fx).
Not every fx-file is suitable for the usage in sceneries. Some of appear for 5 seconds and disappear after that, because they were made for e.g. touchdown smoke effects. Try the "effect controller" files with "cntrl_" in the beginning.
For example: cntrl_kilaueaeruption.fx

Click "Next"

It's possible to show the effect only at a certain date or in a given time period. 
Don't activate any checkbox if you want to see the effect all the time.

Here's an example for fireworks which will appear every year on the 1st of January from 0:00 to 2:59 AM.

For advanced users: 
FsEffects doesn't allow a higher "from" value than the "to" value. That means you cannot select "Hour from 23 to 2" or "Month from December to January". If you wish to do that, you need to activate the option "Allow all possible time values". This will deactivate the control mechanism and you can choose any "from" and "to" value you wish. I don't know how FS2002 handles this, so you need to test it by yourself.

Click "Next"

FsEffects proposes a file name for the API file. Just change it if you don't like the proposed file name :-)
The text of the "title, description" field will appear in the scenery design program when you insert the API file into your scenery.

Click "Create API file".
FsEffects creates the API file and returns to the beginning (Introduction/Setup).


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Matthias Brückner
Easy Object Designer Website