This is a collection of SimObjects designed to respond to both wind speed and direction. The original objects were created for my Pistol Creek Ranch scenery. But rather than include them in that scenery, I decided to package them up as a separate library in case anyone else might want to use them in their scenery. All I ask is acknowledgement of where you got the object. Even better, I would love it if you would take a few minutes to post a screen shot to the User Gallery of how you used the object in your scene.
This library has three basic objects, but with lots of variations:
- 6' (2m) windsock on a 15' (5m) pole, fairly typical of small bush strips. This now comes in five color schemes (white, orange, red, orange/white striped, and red/white striped), and three configurations (with lighting, without lighting, and without a pole).
- 3' (1m) tall flag on a 25' (8m) flag pole. You can now choose from 306 different flags, covering nations of the world and US states, either with or without a flag pole!
- Decorative 6' tall windmill that you might put in a garden or park.
To assist you in locating a particular flag, the download file includes a full list of the object names by location.
The download file also includes a tool that you can use to generate a library of flag repaints from a set of flag images of your own (in case 306 flags is still not enough to choose from). The files generated by this tool rely on the models in this library, but you can distribute your custom flag library and the custom flags in your scenery will work as long as the Windy Things library is also installed. Along with the repainter script are instructions on its use.
Finally, the download file includes instructions on how I created the animated flag in Blender and a link to a great discussion of this topic on fsdeveloper.com.
Important Notes
Unlike the default Asobo windsock, all of the objects in this library have been designed so that they will remain properly oriented to the wind, regardless of how you rotate them in your scene.
I am still interested in creating internal windsock lighting in addition to the external windsock lighting included in this library, but the lighting system in MSFS 2020 does not seem to work well for that application. If anyone has had success in creating a working lighting effect INSIDE an object in MSFS, please PM me here with your ideas.
Credits
Flag images are public domain from commons.wikimedia.org. Custom PBR textures were created using materials released under the CC0 license on cc0textures.com.
7 days ago
rickyp85
I only have one suggestion regarding the models. Is it possible for the flag to react on the amount of light projected onto it? It is especially important because in many countries there is a law, that if the banner to stay up all night long it should be illuminated. It just does not feel realistic at all to see the totally dark flag even if its surroundings are illuminated.
25 days ago
Maxest
2 months ago
Grossenboll
Or are these objects only for makers of scenery addons to include in their work?
3 months ago
Ed1
3 months ago
CenzoMac42
4 months ago
Tarassboulba
Amazing work, just wish there was a "half pole" option for the windsocks and a bigger bounding box, so they don't disappear so fast when you are not that far away.
BTW, you can scale SimObjects now, so that part of the FAQ is outdated.
5 months ago
Thanks for reminding me that SimObjects are now scalable. I have deleted the FAQ.
5 months ago
trfsto
PuenteDeHierro
Windsock and flag 180 degrees out from actual wind direction. I'm sending you a screen capture of a flag and windsock from windy things, a windsock from Asobo and the current weather observation. Your objects should be blowing from 230 degrees, but they are blowing towards the 230 direction. The wind direction on weather observations and forecasts are done in the from direction. I hope you can fix this because I like having all those flags. The runway orientation is 18/36.
Disregard - it's the Asobo windsock that is 180 degrees out
6 months ago
Glad to hear that my objects still fly in the correct direction. The Asobo objects have always been 180 degrees off.
5 months ago
trfsto
danielsjam
Seems to be having a problem with SU12? I can't see the flags any more under SimObjects. I do see the windsocks and a Windmill. And I don't see the lib in Scenery (which I don't think I should?). I thought maybe flags are added as objects instead of simobjects.
8 months ago
I figured it out... Weird though. If I select your library, I only get a listing of the windsocks and a windmill. If I select "All" libraries, however, and I search for tsr under "Objects", then all the items in the library show up. But I can't find any library on the right that would allow me to select them. Anyway,... All good... Thanks again for this awesome library.
8 months ago
FlyingsCool
FlyingsCool
why is the folder tsr-windy-things showing up red in my addonlinker?
10 months ago
If you are using MSFS Addons Linker, the red color usually means that you have two copies of the same addon somewhere in the files available to be loaded by the linker.
10 months ago
trfsto
hawaiianstyle78
Been using this library for a long time. Works great. And now the SDK supports scaling and turning off ground snap of simobjects, so you can change the size and elevate these flags.
10 months ago
FreakyD
Everything works great.
It is SU11 compatible.
thanks for that
11 months ago
Quassel89
Thanks so much, it is very useful to my developements. The windmill can be resized and it fit as a real device. I whish to donate, but it isn't the option.
1 years ago
RoloBach
Wonderfull job! The package is so complete *-* even a ADE guide 4n00bs, real thanks! Loved the flagmaker tool
1 years ago
say I want to make some real big flags (the pole can be bigger or the same size), since ADE doesn't scale SimObjects, what should I do?
1 years ago
vlam94
vlam94
Could you please include the "AZORES" flag..
Thank you
2 years ago
I will put it on the list, but I am unlikely to have free time to add more flags in the near future. If you want to, you can add your own Azores flag by "repainting" the standard 2:3 flag in the library. Instructions on how to do this are included in the download, and you should be able to get high-quality artwork for the Azores flag at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Azores.
2 years ago
trfsto
Xpress690