How to download and install MSFS SDK, Blender, plugin, tools
Users can create their own content for Microsoft Flight Simulator by using the SDK (Software Development Kit) provided by Microsoft. In the world of MSFS, you can display your favorite buildings such as your home, or create airports that are not built into the product or imaginary airports. You can then distribute it to other users for a fee or for free.Here we will explain how to download and install the MSFS SDK and tools necessary or useful for content development.
このページを日本語で見る
Contents
- Create optional content for MSFS yourself
- Enabling DEVELOPER MODE
- Download and install the MSFS SDK
- How to install LTS version of Blender, past versions of Blender
- How to install exporter/importer plugin between Blender and MSFS
- How to export and import 3D data between Blender and MSFS
- Other importer plugins for Blender
- How to install Google Earth Decoder
- How to install Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT)
- How to install Lily Texture Packer plugin
- Get the Compressonator tool
Create optional content for MSFS yourself
To create content for MSFS yourself, switch MSFS to [DEVELOPER MODE] and use the SDK (Software Development Kit) that can be downloaded from the [HELP] menu. Microsoft has published a site that explains this SDK: Flight Simulator SDK Documentation page.And as for how to use the SDK, YouTube is a waste of time, superspud has published his A Written MSFS SDK Scenery Creation Tutorial on flightsim.to, which is very helpful as it provides detailed explanations for beginners. It includes a wealth of samples and documentation, but start with "MSFS Airport and Scenery Creation.pdf".
Flight Simulator SDK Documentation (Microsoft)
A Written MSFS SDK Scenery Creation Tutorial (Flightsim.to)
Enabling DEVELOPER MODE
MSFS2024
Click on the
(Settings)
icon in the top right corner of the main screen to open settings screen.
On the settings screen, select the [General]-[Advanced Options] menu and check the [DEVELOPER MODE] box.
When you're done, click [Save and Back] at the bottom left of the screen.
A developer menu like this will then appear at the top left of the screen.
MSFS2020
Select [OPTIONS] from the main screen.
Then you will see a screen like this.
Click [GENERAL OPTIONS] on the far left.
Select [DEVELOPERS] from the menu on the left side of the screen,
Set the [DEVELOPER MODE] field to [ON].
Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen.
A developer menu like this will then appear at the top left of the screen.
Download and install the MSFS SDK
First of all, please install the MSFS SDK made by Microsoft.See below for details.
How to install LTS version of Blender, past versions of Blender
Blender is a free tool that can be used to create 3D object data. If you install using the normal procedure, the latest version will be installed. However, the MSFS plug-in only supports the LTS (Long-Term Support) version. You need to install the LTS version of Blender.To use the Blender to MSFS exporter/importer plugin, use version 3.6.x LTS. To use the Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT), use version 3.5.1. It is possible to have different versions of Blender installed on one computer at the same time.
See below for details.
How to install exporter/importer plugin between Blender and MSFS
Many types of exporters and importers from Blender to MSFS have been developed by users, such as the Blender2MSFS toolkit. AsoboStudio, the developer of MSFS, has released the plug-in "glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS" that aims to bring these together. This tool is still under development and is updated several times a year. The latest version only supports Blender 3.3.x LTS and 3.6.x LTS. Additionally, to protect content rights, models that have been built using the SDK cannot be imported.Download glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS plugin
glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS is distributed on Github. This file is also included in the "\Tools\Blender" folder of the MSFS SDK.
Open the
Asobo Studio page
on Github.
A screen like this will appear, so click "glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS".
AsoboStudio (Github)
The
glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS page
will open, so click "Releases" on the right side of the screen.
If you click on the "Latest" button here, you can go directly to the latest version of the page.
You can also scroll this page to read a detailed description about this tool.
glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS (Github)
The
release page for glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS
opens.
From this screen, you can download any version of glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS, including past versions.
The latest version is at the top.
If you scroll this screen...
glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS Releases (Github)
There is a download link in the “Assets” column.
Click “io_scene_gltf2_msfs.zip” to download the plugin.
Save this in any folder.
This file is approximately 70KB in size and downloads in seconds.
Installing the glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS plugin
The installation method is also explained in detail with images on the glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS page on Github.
Start Blender and select [Edit]-[Preferences] from the menu.
Then a window like this will open.
Select [Add-ons] from the menu on the left, and click [Install an add-on] at the top right of the screen.
The file selection screen will then appear.
Find and click the downloaded “io_scene_gltf2_msfs.zip” and click [Install Add-on] at the bottom right of the screen.
The screen will then switch to [Preferences] - [Add-ons] and the installed plug-ins will be displayed.
Activate this plugin by clicking the checkbox to the left of the plugin's name.
It takes several tens of seconds for it to take effect after you click it.
The installation is now complete.
If you cannot find the plug-in on this screen, try typing "Microsoft Flight Simulator glTF Extension" in the search box at the top right of the screen.
Click [>] to the left of the plug-in name on the screen above to display the plug-in details.
You can remove the plugin by clicking [Remove] on this screen.
When replacing with the latest version, please delete the old version from here.
How to export and import 3D data between Blender and MSFS
Please see below for information on how to load MSFS 3D models (glTF) into Blender, and how to export 3D models edited in Blender in the glTF format for MSFS (how to use glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS).Other importer plugins for Blender
In addition to "glTF-Blender-IO-MSFS" shown above, there are other importer plug-ins that can import MSFS 3D models (glTF) into Blender, such as the following.msfs2blend
This is a plug-in developed by Daniel that is mainly used to paint aircraft models. For Blender version 3.0 and above.
msfs2blend (Github)
msfs2blender2msfs
This is a plugin developed by flybywire group. Maintenance has been completed for both.
msfs2blender2msfs (Github)
msfs-blender-tools (Github)
This will also be helpful.
Fly By Wire addon for Blender 3.x (FSDeveloper.com)
The installation method is the same as How to install exporter/importer plugin between Blender and MSFS shown above.
In other words, start Blender, select [Edit]-[Preferences] from the menu, open the [Add-ons] screen, and click [Install an add-on].
How to install Google Earth Decoder
Using the free software "Google Earth Decoder" developed by Jonahex111, you can read Google Earth's 3D map data from Google's server and convert it to 3D data (modelLib) for the MSFS SDK.Downloading Google Earth Decoder
Google Earth Decoder is distributed in a reddit article.
Open the
Google Earth Decoder post
on reddit.
A screen like this will appear, so click "Read more".
Google Earth Decoder. Now user-friendly (reddit)
Google Earth Decoder (reddit)
The entire article will be displayed, so scroll down and click on the "here" part where it says "Download it here."
Google Drive will then open and a list of files will be displayed.
Click the download icon at the top right of the screen.
You will have to wait here for about around ten seconds.
Then, a folder selection screen like this will be displayed, so select any folder.
Then you can download a file called "Release.zip".
This file is approximately 3MB in size and can be downloaded instantly.
Please note that a warning screen may appear indicating that virus scanning is not possible. Select "Download" regardless.
When you unzip "Release.zip", a file like this will appear.
"Earth2MsfsWPF.exe" in this is the executable file.
Download Google Earth Decoder update
Google Earth Decoder has not been maintained since 2020 and is not compatible with the latest Google Earth. A module to update this has been published by Thalixte on flightsim.to .
Open the
Google Earth Decoder update page
on flightsim.to.
A screen like this will appear, so click "Download now".
Then you can download a file such as "Google Earth Decoder_xxxxx.zip". This file is approximately 25KB in size and can be downloaded instantly.
For information on how to log in and use flightsim.to, please see Add free add-ons (planes-airports-scenery) to MSFS How to use flightsim.to .
Google Earth Decoder update (flightsim.to)
Add free add-ons (planes-airports-scenery) to MSFS How to use flightsim.to
When you unzip "Google Earth Decoder_xxxxx.zip", two files like this will appear.
Move (overwrite) these to the "Google Earth Decoder" folder.
The installation of Google Earth Decoder is now complete.
This update module is updated frequently. Please check back from time to time and download the latest version again when it is released.
How to install Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT)
Thalixte, who developed Google Earth Decoder update, has released a useful plug-in : Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT) for Blender (2.83 or later / 3.5.1 recommended). You can use this to generate a scenery project folder for the MSFS SDK, and to optimize the textures, Lods, and CTDs of 3D model data saved in that project. You can also combine textures in your project to reduce the number of files, Also adds Asobo extension tags to manage collisions, road traffic, and lightning generation. Furthermore, it has many correction and update functions for 3D model data generated with Google Earth Decoder.You can read the explanation by the tool's developer in the article below.
Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT) (github)
New optimisation tool for Google Earth Decoder MSFS sceneries (reddit)
About the versions of each tool
For GEDOT to work properly, you must select the appropriate version of each tool when installing it. Even if you have the latest version of the tools, they will not work properly. The recommended versions of each tool as of spring 2024 are as follows.
| TOOL | Version | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GEDOT | Ver.1.1.3 | Lily Texture Packer does not work on Ver.2.0.x |
| Blender | Ver.3.5.1 or Ver.2.83 | Does not work with Ver.3.6 or later |
| Lily Texture Packer | Ver.1.2.3 or later for Blender Ver.3.5.1 Ver.1.1.x for Blender Ver.2.83 |
Download the Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT) plugin
There are two types of Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT), Ver.1 and Ver.2, which have different functions and are distributed in different places. However, despite various attempts, I was unable to get Ver.2 series to work in my environment.
Ver.1 series is distributed on
flightsim.to
, a website that collects mods, liveries and add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
You can get it in a file called "Google-Earth-Decoder-optimisation-tools_thGTq.zip". As of spring 2024, the latest version is Ver.1.1.3.
For information on how to log in and use flightsim.to, please see Add free add-ons (planes-airports-scenery) to MSFS How to use flightsim.to .
Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (flightsim.to)
Add free add-ons (planes-airports-scenery) to MSFS How to use flightsim.to
Ver.2 series is distributed on
Thalixte page
on Github.
You will see a screen like this, so click on “Google-Earth-Decoder-optimisation-tools”.
Thalixte (Github)
The
Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools page
will open, so click "Releases" on the right side of the screen.
If you click on the "Latest" button here, you can go directly to the latest version of the page.
You can also scroll this page to read a detailed description about this tool.
Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (Github)
The
Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools release page
opens.
From this screen, you can download any version of Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools, including past versions.
The latest version is at the top.
There is a download link in the “Assets” column. Click “Google-Earth-Decoder-Optimization-Tools.zip” to download the plugin. Save this in any folder. The size of this file is approximately 250MB, and the download will be completed in a few tens of seconds to a few minutes.
Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools Releases (Github)
Installing the Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools (GEDOT) plugin
The installation method is the same as
How to install exporter/importer plugin between Blender and MSFS
shown above.
That is, start Blender, select [Edit]-[Preferences] from the menu, open the [Add-ons] screen and click [Install an add-on]. This will take you to a file selection screen. Locate and click the downloaded “.zip” file, then click [Install Add-on] at the bottom right of the screen.
The name of the plugin will then be displayed on the right side of the screen.
Click the check box to the left of the plugin name.
An error will occur when installing Ver.2 or when clicking the checkbox.
If this happens, restart Blender and try again.
If the installation is successful, "Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools" like this will be added to the Blender menu.
Call each function from here.
For more information, please see the GEDOT Installation (github) page.
GEDOT Installation (github)
If you want to uninstall a plugin because of a version mismatch with Blender,
open the details screen for the plugin in the [Edit]-[Preferences]-[Add-ons] screen and click the "Remove" button (see right).
If an error message appears at this time, try restarting Blender.
If you then open the [Edit]-[Preferences]-[Add-ons] screen again, the plugin should have disappeared from the list.
How to install Lily Texture Packer plugin
The Blender plug-in "Lily Texture Packer" developed by Élie Michel is a tool that combines textures pasted to polygons into a single file. Simply select all the polygons that make up the object, and then click [Objects] - [Lily Texture Packer] from the Blender menu.Also, by installing this plug-in and using the "Optimize an existing Msfs scenery project" menu in Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools, you can combine a large number of texture files into a single file. Textures are combined into one texture for each LOD of each tile that makes up the ground surface. Since the number of file accesses is drastically reduced, the performance (FPS value) when flying in 3D space generated from Google Earth with MSFS can be improved.
Please note that Lily Texture Packer is shareware that requires a minimum donation of USD5.00.
Open Gumroad's
Lily Texture Packer page
.
A screen like this will appear, so enter the amount you want to donate in the "Please set a fair price" field on the right side of the screen, and click the green "I want this!" button below.
Lily Texture Packer (Gumroad)
You will then be redirected to the payment screen.
You can pay by credit card or PayPal.
After completing the payment procedure, you will see a screen like this.
Click the "Download" button to download a file with a file name such as "LilyTexturePacker-v1.3.0-64bit.zip".
This file is 815KB in size and downloads instantly.
You can also download past versions all at once by clicking the "Download All" button above. You can download the file "Old_Releases.zip".
The installation method is the same as
How to install exporter/importer plugin between Blender and MSFS
shown above.
In other words, start Blender, select [Edit]-[Preferences] from the menu, open the [Add-ons] screen, and click [Install an add-on]. Activate this plugin by clicking the checkbox to the left of the plugin's name.
If an error appears when you click this checkbox, the version of Blender and Lily Texture Packer plugin do not match. Try a different version from "Old_Releases.zip". In my testing, Lily Texture Packer v1.2.3 or v1.3.0 are compatible with Blender 3.5.1. If you are using Blender Ver.2.83, you will need to use Lily Texture Packer v1.1.x.
If you want to uninstall a plugin because of a version mismatch with Blender,
open the details screen for the plugin in the [Edit]-[Preferences]-[Add-ons] screen and click the "Remove" button (see right).
If an error message appears at this time, try restarting Blender.
If you then open the [Edit]-[Preferences]-[Add-ons] screen again, the plugin should have disappeared from the list.
Get the Compressonator tool
Compressonator is one of the graphics-related tools in GPUOpen, which is openly developed under the auspices of AMD. It can reduce the file size of textures and data.You can also use the Compressonator CLI included in this tool to further reduce the package size by using the "Optimize the built package by compressing the texture files" menu in the Google Earth Decoder Optimization Tools.
AMD GPUOpen Official site (GPUOpen)
Compressonator Official site (GPUOpen)
GPUOpen-Tools (github)
Compressonator is distributed on Github.
Open the
GPUOpen-Tools page
on Github.
You will see a screen like this, so click on "Compressonator".
GPUOpen-Tools (github)
The
Compressonator page
will open, so click "Releases" on the right side of the screen.
You can also click the "Latest" button here to go directly to the latest version page.
You can find a more detailed description of this tool by scrolling down this page or visiting the Compressonator documentation page .
Compressonator has no version dependencies on other GEDOT tools. You can use the latest version.
Compressonator (Github)
The
Compressonator release page
opens.
On this screen, you can download any version of Compressonator, including older versions.
The latest version is at the top.
If you scroll down this screen...
Compressonator Releases (Github)
There is a download link in the “Assets” column.
Click “CompressonatorCLI_x64_x.x.xxxx.exe” to download the tool.
Save this to a folder of your choice.
The file is about 50MB in size, and downloading will take place in a few to tens of seconds.
When you double-click the downloaded exe file, you will see the following screen.
Click "More Info".
Attention : Never run untrusted exe files. Please do not run programs other than those downloaded directly from the Compressonator release page . Otherwise, it may be contaminated with viruses etc.
You will then see a screen like this.
Click "Run".
Next, a warning screen like this will appear.
Click "Yes".
The Compressonator installer will start.
Click "Next".
Confirm the end user license agreement.
Select "I accept the terms in the License Agreement"
and click "Next".
Next, check the modules to be installed.
There is no need to make any changes.
Click "Next".
Click "Install" to begin the installation.
The installation takes just a few seconds.
When you see this screen, the installation is complete.
Click "Finish" to exit the installer.
When you open the [Windows]-[All Apps] screen, you will see that "Compressonator CUI" has been added.
Clicking this will open the installation folder.
Compressonator will be installed in
"C: \Compressonator_[Version] \bin \CLI \compressonatorcli.exe"