Testing your macros

I really like to use some shortcuts to perform routine tasks, in this case, to compile the bgl file for testing purposes. So the only purpose of this page is to show you a fast way to do it. If you have another way that's better, please let me know about it.

Of course you can still test your macros using your scenery design package. However you will see that it is easier for you to test the macros you've made within Nova itself and then, once it is completely finished, test in your scenery design program.

I used to make my own tests in a different place from where my scenery was located. A few years ago I chose Easter Island to make all my tests. Since there is not too much scenery in that part of the world I could make fast loads and reloads of the scenery for testing purposes. Of course you can use any other part of the world and the following instructions will be the same.

Some small knowledge of Windows 95 or 98 or later is needed for this setup.

The following steps are required for fast and precise testing of your macros:

  1. Start making your macro and save a first test. Let's say the name is GATE01
  2. From the file Menu, choose New scenery
  3. Add to the scenery the macro GATE01 using the MACRO tool.
  4. Save the scenery file with any name - for example TEST
  1. In Windows 95/98 or later click your right mouse button on your desktop screen in an empty place.
  2. From the Menu, choose NEW, and then choose ShortCut
  3. Using the Browse option look for the batch file TEST.BAT which is located in your NOVA folder and select it.
  4. You may also select an Icon for it.
  5. End of procedure - your shortcut is already made.
  6. To compile your scenery at any time just click on the icon on your Screen panel, or much better....add a short key function to it.
  1. Click the right mouse button over the test icon to compile the file and choose Preferences from the menu.
  2. You will get a screen panel like the one on the left.
  3. As shown I have chosen the Ctrl+Alt+C shortkey to compile the scenery. You can use any other combination.
  4. Note also the other variables used.
  5. Press the Apply buttom and exit.
  6. From now on ANY TIME you want to compile your test scenery file, all you need to do is to press the CTRL+ALT+C keys at the same time and test it.

 

 

  1. Compile the TEST file using any method.
  2. From the FS2K WORLD menu choose Scenery Library.
  3. In the panel just click on the green checked button to accept it. This allows Flight Simulator to reload the scenery again with the new changes you have made.

Once your GATE01 macro is finished and completed you can create another macro, load the TEST.NOV file, change your macro name, save the file and then start the whole macro testing procedure once more.

For some unknown reason you might get this error message sometimes when trying to compile the files as described above. I don't have any clues actually why this happens but, after doing some work on other applications, it will work... Don't ask me why or what I did to make it work 5 minutes later, I just don't know.