Related Links Expanding Your Hobby The Scenery Library Changing Graphic Settings

A variety of tools and processes let you create and modify Flight Simulator aircraft, Missions, panels and gauges, terrain, weather, special effects, air traffic control voicepacks, and scenery. To use these tools and processes (software development kits or SDKs) you must at least understand Flight Simulator file structures and may need some advanced programming skills.

The Flight Simulator X Deluxe version includes the SDKs. You'll learn more about the skills required by reading the documentation and working through the tutorials that form the bulk of the SDK.

Note: SDKs are not supported by Microsoft Product Support.

The Flight Simulator X SDK is divided into four main components:

The Core Utilities Kit

This includes the SimConnect SDK—the programmers interface to Flight Simulator. Using SimConnect, programmers can develop add-ons for the product, including:

• Complex instruments
• Weather systems
• AI-controlled aircraft traffic
• Processing power for a Flight Simulator mission
• Logging and monitoring applications
• Many other possible extensions

However, use of this SDK requires substantial programming skills in C, C++, or a .NET programming language such as C#. This kit also includes information on camera system extensions.

The SimObject Container Kit

The SimObject Container Kit describes the file structure and formats needed to add and modify aircraft and other simulated objects (such as boats and ground vehicles, animals, and hot-air balloons). A major component of this kit explains the tools and procedures required to modify aircraft panels and gauges.

The Environment Kit

The Environment Kit is a large component that includes many tools and descriptions of file formats for extending the terrain and scenery in Flight Simulator.

Fires and smoke are commonly-used special effects. The Environment Kit includes the Special Effects SDK, which makes it possible to add new particle-driven graphics to scenery and aircraft.

This kit also includes tools for creating 3-D models for aircraft and scenery objects. Finally, there are tools to help create AI traffic databases.

The Mission Creation Kit

The Mission Creation Kit explains how to create Flight Simulator Missions. Missions are structured flights, which can be challenges or adventures or simply a fun way to educate the user by providing tasks or training.