LWMDRAW

Quick Start Guide

version 3  By: Ken Nelson

This Quick Start Guide is intended to give the full details on the usage of LWMDraw for any single LOD 13 sized area without having to open, edit or alter the source file(s), (other than renaming them).  LWMDraw sets the default LWMSource.asm file to place a water area such as a lake and the VTPSource.asm file to place optional and selectable Road/Lines/Shorelines around the water area.  If you follow the steps below you'll have completed the process in about 3 to 5 minutes most likely.  Please read the Help Tutorial menu for those larger areas where you'll learn to merge (edit) multiple LOD 13 areas together along with more detailed information about LWM's and VTP's.  (lots of options available)   " Please Enjoy "

Alrighty then, Let's get rolling!!

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Files and Tools Needed

LWMDraw:  Got it

BGL_Compiler_SDK:  From the FS2002 web site: BGL Compiler
From within this download extract the assembler (compiler) BGLC.exe and place it into the LWMDraw directory folder.

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Follow Numbered Steps (see below steps)

      "I am assuming you have recoded your FS Coordinates and Altitude prior to starting LWMDraw3"

 1. Start LWMDraw and type in your FS coordinates location. (use minus sign (-) for South Latitudes and West Longitudes)
 
2. Adjust Altitude (Whole numbers and meters only).
 
3. Press Calculate button.
 
4. Select the type of Road/Line/Shoreline you wish.
 
5. Adjust the Width of your Road/Line/Shoreline.
 
6. Adjust the Layer of your Road/Line/Shoreline.
 
7. Press Load 256x256 Image button and load your hand drawn or photo image. (256x256 pixel sizes only!)
 
8. Click all around the parameter (water) area within your image. (you MUST MOVE in a CLOCKWISE direction for non-reversed VTP's)
 
9. Press Create LWMSource.asm button.
10. Press Create VTPSource.asm button.
11. Exit LWMDraw then rename both source file(s) to whatever you wish.
12. Drag and Drop your renamed source file(s) onto BGLC.exe.
13. Place the BGLC.exe's output .BGL's into your active FS scenery directory. (remove old Scenery.DAT file)
14. Start FS and GO FLYING!!!!!

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A Few Comments

You'll no doubt notice a difference between the design shape of the image you load into LWMDraw, weather it be hand drawn or photoreal, and that of the finished shape that's output onto the FS ground surface using this Quick Start Guide method shown above.  You'll get a detailed explanation for this within the Help Tutorial menu and you'll also read details on how to make your results just as accurate appearing as your image using the Help tutorial method.  The method above shows you how quick and easy the process is and with that you can experiment with your own design shapes.   " Happy Flying and Fly Happy"

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Richard Ludowise
I have to give a BIG thanks to Richard (Rumba or Rumbaflappy) for sharing his knowledge as he does at the Avsim scenery designers forum and providing me with his personal comments of help and encouragement. I'd like to recommend that you visit the forum and read the message threads by Richard and others as you'll gain valuable knowledge about TDF scenery designing.

Christian Stock
Also, I want to thank Christian for all his earlier experiments and sharing his knowledge with Richard and others as well.  Again, you'll find Christian's message posts at the Avsim scenery designers forum. Those message threads go back a long way so you may wish to search earlier dates.

Chris Wright
Thanks goes to Chris for helping me with some of the mathematical elements placed into LWMDraw. I hope you'll also read his message comments and try his AutoASM program found at Avsim. Thanks Chris!!

VBCity Forums
I visit the VBCity.com forums to help me learn to develop applications such as LWMDraw and more. Being fairly new to VB (visual basic) I have allot to learn still and I'll no doubt visit VBCity allot more and I want to thank all the experienced and helpful programmers there for all their BIG help to me.

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Disclaimer

This Author (ME), or any other names listed on this file, are not responsible for any problems or damage resulting from the installation or use of these files.  They seem to work fine on my Windows XP.  Because LWMDraw is written in visual basic 6 you will need to download and install the VB6 runtime library files if your using Windows 98 and earlier Windows versions.

Copyright and Distribution Notice

This package, (archive), is released as Freeware. Copyright (C) Ken Nelson.  As freeware you are permitted to distribute this archive subject to the following conditions,
* The archive must be distributed without modification to the contents of the archive. Redistributing this archive with any files added, removed or modified is prohibited.  ONLY AS IS !
* The inclusion of this package, (archive), or any individual file from this package onto any removable disk drive, (Example: cd-rom or floppy disks), or into another archive for the purpose of distribution for profits, gains, or money is STRICKLY prohibited.
* No charge may be made for this package, (archive), or any part of this package.  THIS IS FREEWARE ONLY !
* The authors' rights and wishes concerning this archive must be respected.

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I hope you find LWMDraw helpful

Ken Nelson
Bushlake@aol.com