Welcome to this comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial on setting up custom routes in Aerosimulations. Whether you are just starting out or have extensive experience with simulation software, mastering the route editor will unlock new levels of control and realism in your projects. This guide walks you through every stage—from initial planning to advanced configuration—so you can build precise, repeatable custom routes that enhance training, testing, and research scenarios.

What Are Custom Routes and Why Use Them?

Custom routes let you define exact paths for vehicles, aircraft, or other simulated agents. Instead of relying on pre‑set patterns, you can create bespoke trajectories that match specific operational requirements. This capability is essential for:

  • Training simulations – replicating real‑world routes for pilot or driver practice.
  • Systems testing – evaluating behavior under controlled, repeatable conditions.
  • Research and analysis – studying performance along tailored corridors.
  • Entertainment – building dynamic, engaging scenarios for end users.

By taking the time to build your own routes, you gain finer control over waypoint timing, speed profiles, altitude constraints, and environmental interactions. The result is a simulation that behaves exactly as your project demands.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the route editor, make sure you have the following ready:

  • An active Aerosimulations account (standard or pro tier).
  • Access to the Aerosimulations dashboard with project editing permissions.
  • A basic understanding of simulation concepts (waypoints, speed, altitude).
  • An existing simulation project or a new blank project to practice on.
  • A stable internet connection – the route editor works online and communicates with cloud‑based mapping services.

If you haven’t created a simulation project yet, start by clicking New Project from the dashboard. Choose your simulation type (e.g., aerial, ground, maritime) and define a default environment. You can always adjust these later.

Step 1: Access the Route Editor

Log in to your Aerosimulations account and navigate to the project dashboard. Locate the simulation you want to customize – either from your project list or the main library. Click on the project to open its overview page. From the left‑hand menu, select the Route Editor tab. The interface will load a map view centered on your project’s default region.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple simulations within the same project, ensure you have selected the correct one from the drop‑down at the top of the editor.

Step 2: Create a New Route

Once inside the Route Editor, locate the Create New Route button, usually positioned in the top toolbar or the sidebar. Click it. A dialog may appear asking for a route name and optional description – fill these in to keep your project organized. After confirming, the map becomes active for point placement.

Understanding the Editor Interface

The editor consists of three main areas:

  • Map canvas – where you add and manipulate waypoints. You can pan, zoom, and switch between satellite and terrain views.
  • Toolbar – provides icons for adding, deleting, and snapping points, as well as undo/redo commands.
  • Properties panel – appears when you select a waypoint or the route as a whole, letting you adjust coordinates, altitude, speed, and behavior flags.

Step 3: Add and Arrange Waypoints

Waypoints are the building blocks of your custom route. To add one:

  1. Click anywhere on the map. A marker appears, and a small dialog lets you set initial altitude and speed.
  2. Continue clicking to add subsequent waypoints. The route automatically connects them in the order you click.
  3. To adjust a waypoint’s position, simply drag the marker to its new location. Fine adjustments can be made using the arrow keys on your keyboard while the point is selected.
  4. Delete a waypoint by selecting it and pressing the Delete key or clicking the trash icon in the toolbar.
  5. Insert a waypoint between two existing ones: select the route segment (the line between two markers) and choose Insert Point from the context menu.

Tip for precise placement: Use the zoom slider to get a closer view of terrain, buildings, or runways. For extremely accurate coordinates, you can manually enter latitude, longitude, and altitude in the properties panel.

Using the Snap to Features Option

Aerosimulations offers a Snap function that automatically aligns waypoints to roads, runways, or predefined air corridors. Enable snapping via the toolbar icon (looks like a magnet). This is particularly useful for ground vehicle simulations where you want the route to follow actual road networks.

Step 4: Configure Route Settings

With your basic path set, it’s time to define behavior. Click on the route (away from any waypoint) to open the Route Properties panel. Here you can set:

  • Default speed – the speed the simulated agent will travel between waypoints unless overridden at individual points.
  • Altitude mode – choose between absolute altitude (feet/meters above sea level) or relative altitude (above ground level).
  • Waypoint behavior – decide whether the agent should fly over (fly‑by) or precisely pass over (fly‑over) each waypoint. For ground vehicles, you may set “arrive” or “stop” behaviors.
  • Timing constraints – you can impose a minimum or maximum time between waypoints, useful for simulations that must match real‑world schedules.
  • Looping – enable the route to repeat from the first waypoint once the last is reached.

Each individual waypoint can still override these global settings. For example, you might want a slower speed near a landing strip or a higher altitude over a mountain pass. Simply select the waypoint and adjust its local properties.

Advanced Options: Conditional Logic and Events

For more complex scenarios, the Route Editor supports conditional branching. You can set triggers that alter the route mid‑simulation – for instance, diverting to an alternate landing site if weather conditions change. To use this, you’ll need to define a condition in the Events tab (accessible from the main route properties). Refer to the official documentation on advanced route logic for detailed syntax and examples.

Step 5: Save and Test Your Route

After configuring your route, click the Save Route button (floppy disk icon or “Save” in the file menu). Give your route a descriptive name – especially if you plan to create multiple variations. A short description will help you recall its purpose weeks later.

Now it’s time to test. Close the Route Editor and return to the simulation’s main control panel. Start a test run with your newly saved route selected. Observe the behavior:

  • Does the agent follow the expected path?
  • Are speeds and altitudes respected?
  • Do conditional events trigger correctly?

If something appears off, go back to the Route Editor and adjust the affected waypoints or settings. Use the Simulation Preview feature (a miniature playback) to validate changes without running the full simulation – this saves time during iterative refinement.

Tips for Effective Route Setup

  • Plan offline first. Sketch your route on a physical map or use a tool like Google Earth to identify key turning points, altitude restrictions, and speed zones. This reduces trial‑and‑error inside the editor.
  • Leverage the zoom and measurement tools. The editor includes a ruler tool to measure distances between waypoints. Use it to ensure your route matches real‑world separations (e.g., distances between airports).
  • Use descriptive waypoint names. Rename waypoints (e.g., “Takeoff”, “CruiseStart”, “DescentPoint”) to make the route easier to debug and share with colleagues.
  • Document your routes. Keep a log of route parameters, especially if you use conditional events. This helps when you need to replicate successes or troubleshoot failures later.
  • Experiment with the preview. Before committing to a full simulation run, use the built‑in preview to check for glitches like sudden direction changes or altitude spikes.
  • Join the community. The Aerosimulations user forum is a great place to find example routes, ask questions, and share your own creations.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users occasionally run into issues. Here are the most frequent problems and their solutions:

  • Route not appearing in simulation – Ensure you have saved the route and that the simulation project is using the updated version. Sometimes you need to click “Refresh” on the simulation control panel.
  • Agent sticking or erratic movement – Check for duplicate or overlapping waypoints. Also verify that speed and altitude values are within the agent’s performance envelope.
  • Conditional events not firing – Double‑check the event syntax and ensure that the condition (e.g., wind speed > 20 knots) is actually met during the test. Use the debug log (available in the simulation settings) to see whether the event was evaluated.
  • Poor precision on terrain – For ground routes, make sure snapping is enabled and that the path follows actual road geometry. If the agent jumps or sinks into the terrain, the altitude mode may need to be set to “relative” with a small offset.

Integrating Custom Routes with External Data Sources

Advanced users can import waypoint data from CSV, GPX, or KML files. This is useful when your route originates from a flight planner, GPS track, or GIS system. To import:

  1. In the Route Editor, click Import from the toolbar.
  2. Select your file format. The editor will parse coordinates, altitudes, and any embedded speed/name fields.
  3. Review the imported waypoints on the map. You can then edit, reorder, or delete points as needed.
  4. Save the imported route under a new name.

For more details on supported formats and field mappings, consult the Import/Export documentation page.

Collaborative Route Development

If you work in a team, Aerosimulations allows sharing routes within a project. Each team member can create, edit, and comment on routes. Use the Route Versions feature to track changes and revert if needed. This is especially valuable for large training exercises where multiple stakeholders contribute segments of the overall scenario.

Performance Optimization for Complex Routes

When your route contains hundreds of waypoints or intricate conditional branches, consider these optimizations:

  • Reduce the number of waypoints by using straight‑line segments between major turns, rather than packing points every few meters.
  • Use “smooth turns” in the route properties to avoid abrupt direction changes that can confuse the simulation engine.
  • For very long routes, break them into multiple connected sub‑routes that load sequentially. This is done via the Route Group feature (found in the project settings).

Conclusion

Setting up custom routes in Aerosimulations transforms a generic simulation into a focused, realistic experience. By following the steps outlined above—accessing the editor, placing waypoints with care, configuring parameters, and rigorously testing—you can create routes that meet the highest standards of precision and reliability. Whether you are preparing for a pilot exam, testing autonomous vehicle algorithms, or building a thrilling flight sim for enthusiasts, the ability to craft your own paths is a skill that pays dividends.

Remember to revisit your routes periodically. As your simulation objectives evolve, your routes should too. Keep experimenting, share your findings with the community, and always validate with real‑world data when possible. Happy simulating!

For additional assistance, explore the official Aerosimulations documentation or visit the community forum where experts and fellow users discuss best practices.