World Builder ONE

Airport Creation & Laminar Scenery Gateway Guide

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World Builder ONE Team

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The Laminar Scenery Gateway is the lifeblood of X-Plane’s worldwide airport ecosystem. World Builder Basic provides a seamless, integrated environment to build, audit, and submit 3D airports to the Gateway—completely free of charge.

Step 1: Discover and Download a Gateway Airport

To start improving an airport, navigate to File > Import from Gateway. Search by ICAO code or airport name. World Builder fetches the latest approved Gateway revision, downloads its layout and default asset placements, and opens it directly in the 3D viewport.

Step 2: Runway & Taxiway Layout

In the left toolbar under the Airports section, select the Runway or Taxiway tool:

  • Runway Setup: Click to place the start and end thresholds. In the properties panel, choose surface type (asphalt, concrete, grass), set runway width, enable centerline lighting, and configure approach light systems (ALS).
  • Bezier Taxiway Curves: Click to draw polygon boundary vertices. Hold Alt while clicking to create smooth bezier curves. Adjust handle tangents directly in 3D to match satellite imagery.
  • Pavement Markings & Signs: Use the Line primitive to draw yellow centerlines, taxiway edges, and hold-short lines. Place taxiway guidance signs with exact codes (e.g., {@L}B{@@}).

Step 3: Populating Ramps with Default Assets

Gateway submissions strictly require using default X-Plane library assets (no custom external models). Open the Asset Browser (Cmd+Shift+A) and filter by X-Plane Default. Drag and drop baggage carts, fuel trucks, pushback tugs, wind socks, and terminal building facade kits directly into the scene.

Step 4: Running the Gateway Validation Audit

Before submitting, navigate to Airports > Audit Gateway Rules. World Builder runs an automated diagnostic check across your entire layout:

  • Verifies all taxiway lines connect cleanly without orphaned nodes.
  • Ensures ramp starts are assigned valid ATC sizes and airline codes.
  • Checks that no unauthorized third-party custom assets are referenced.
  • Validates boundary perimeters against exclusion zones.

Step 5: Direct Submission

Once all validation checks pass with green badges, click Submit to Gateway. Enter your Scenery Gateway credentials, provide a changelog summary for the moderators, and transmit your verified submission with one click.

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