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VisualPSX Suite released

Started by Garry Richards, Thu, 26 Jun 2014 02:24

Garry Richards

Hi all,

With Hardy's agreement I have now released the VisualPSX suite of applications.

Those people intending to use FSX or P3D as a scenery generator for PSX will be able to install the software and other files ahead of time. That will also help me to sort out any problems you may have with the suite.

You can download the package from flightsim.garryric.com

Cheers,
Garry

Website: flightsim.garryric.com

John Golin

#1
Additionally note -  Garry's Visual suite integrates with Squawkbox4 or vPilot and MSFS to enable flying on the VATSIM network.
John Golin.
www.simulatorsolutions.com.au

GodAtum

wow thank you  :D

What software do i need for xplane visuals?

Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers


frumpy

Its funny to already see addons to a software, which is not yet released.

Good job! :)

Mandjare

Maybe thats one reason we all love the PSx family ;-)

Thank you to all and best wishes

400guy

Will this (or a similar suite) be available for use with X-Plane and/or FlightGear?

GodAtum

Quote from: 400guyWill this (or a similar suite) be available for use with X-Plane and/or FlightGear?

Xview will be released for Xplane but i am not sure if that includes traffic and vatsim support.

KALYMNOS

GARRY/ CAN YOU PLEASE EMAIL AT THIS ADDRESS / HAVE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED AT jkaporis@gmail.com

Kurt

Hi Garry

Thank you for you effort, - I am looking forward to see the results on my setup in August.

BS

Kurt
Best regards
Kurt

Zapp

Hi, first of all it is so wonderful to see the genuine passion that is behind the hard work needed to enable a community to enjoy their hobby at its best. Not commonplace at all, so very precious.

I'd also like to have some advice about my configuration: I have a 2600K with 16 GB RAM and an Nvidia 770 GTX; Prepar3d runs satisfactorily on it and so does X-Plane 10.

Now I would like to add one or two small monitors to visualize the PSX panel and keep the external scenery on my 24" main monitor. I do not have the room for more than that.

Do you think that my pc is powerful enough to run both PSX and P3D? Otherways I could buy a MAC Mini for PSX.

Do you know a good mini monitor that I could use? I have about 60x25 cm to use for the instrument panel.

Thank'you very much and keep up the great job!

Andrea

Blake H

Thank you very much!


Great work Gary!

Blake  ;)

Garry Richards

Quote from: KALYMNOSGARRY/ CAN YOU PLEASE EMAIL AT THIS ADDRESS / HAVE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED AT jkaporis@gmail.com
No need to shout. :D Check your email.
Garry

Website: flightsim.garryric.com

Garry Richards

Hi Andrea,

Quote from: Zapp...I'd also like to have some advice about my configuration...
Sorry, I can't answer your questions as all my computers are old. Perhaps others from the beta team with current equipment can help.

Cheers,
Garry

Website: flightsim.garryric.com

Garry Richards

Thanks guys for your kind words.

Cheers,
Garry

Website: flightsim.garryric.com

JRBarrett

Garry,

Thank you very much for creating VisualPSX, and for making it available to the community for initial testing.

I have installed it, and it connects perfectly to FSX. Now we just need the main ingredient - PSX itself!

There is one part of the installation routine which I wanted to address however, as I can see the potential for causing issues on existing FSX installations.

On page 3 of the manual, you give instructions for editing the sample SimConnect.xml file provided in the downloaded .zip archive, in order to enter the static IP of the FSX computer. On page 4, the instructions then say to move or copy the edited file to the standard OS-specific "home" folder for SimConnect.xml.

This would work fine for opening port 29764 in SimConnect for the use of VisualPSX. However, many (if not most) long-time FSX users will already have an existing SimConnect.xml file in this folder, especially if they have previously installed other SimConnect-enabled programs. For instance, my existing xml file contains entries for ports 500 and 6811, which are used by Squawkbox, ASN and Aivlasoft EFB.

My concern is that if VisualPSX users simply copy the SimConnect.xml file from the VisualPSX install package, (and overwrite their existing xml file in the process), that it might render other already-installed FSX add-ons inoperative (that also require specific SimConnect ports).

I was aware of this possibility going in, so I simply appended the new port 29764 entries to my existing SimConnect.xml file using Notepad's cut and paste feature.

My suggestion would be to revise your installation document, advising users to check for an existing SimConnect.xml file, and to append the VisualPSX section using Notepad, (if the file is already present) - OR - perhaps create a small installer program that will do this automatically.

My second question concerns the SimConnect.dll file that you provide in the installation package. In the documentation, it refers to the file as "SimConnect.dll", and advises that it be manually moved or copied to the chosen VisualPSX installation folder. When I unzipped the installation archive, the DLL filename is actually: "Microsoft.Flight.Simulator.SimConnect.dll" rather than just "SimConnect.dll"

I don't know if this matters or not - i.e. whether the Windows file name is significant to the ability of VisualPSX to find and reference the DLL. Checking the properties of your provided DLL, I see that it is version 10.0.61637 of SimConnect. As it happens, I already have this version installed in my computer's WinSxS folder, and VisualPSX connects just fine to FSX, whether your provided DLL is present in the VisualPSX installation folder or not.

Best regards,

Jim Barrett

Garry Richards

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your testing and comprehensive report and suggestions. That is exactly what I need to ensure the best outcomes for users.

Quote from: JRBarrettMy suggestion would be to revise your installation document, advising users to check for an existing SimConnect.xml file, and to append the VisualPSX section using Notepad, (if the file is already present) - OR - perhaps create a small installer program that will do this automatically.
I will amend the manual.

Quote from: JRBarrettMy second question concerns the SimConnect.dll file that you provide in the installation package. In the documentation, it refers to the file as "SimConnect.dll", and advises that it be manually moved or copied to the chosen VisualPSX installation folder. When I unzipped the installation archive, the DLL filename is actually: "Microsoft.Flight.Simulator.SimConnect.dll" rather than just "SimConnect.dll". I don't know if this matters or not - i.e. whether the Windows file name is significant to the ability of VisualPSX to find and reference the DLL.
I will amend the manual here too.

Quote from: JRBarrettChecking the properties of your provided DLL, I see that it is version 10.0.61637 of SimConnect. As it happens, I already have this version installed in my computer's WinSxS folder,
The WinSXS folder is designed to accept multiple versions of support files so that older applications are not clobbered by another application that loads a more recent version. Running SimConnect.msi ensures that the version required by VisualPSX and/or TrafficPSX is installed. No damage is done if the same version is already there so I will leave the instruction unchanged.

Quote from: JRBarrettand VisualPSX connects just fine to FSX, whether your provided DLL is present in the VisualPSX installation folder or not.
I have not been able to determine under what circumstances the DLL needs to be in the VisualPSX/TrafficPSX folder and when it doesn't. On my test rig they run on a separate PC to FSX and under WinXP and they do need the DLL in their folders, otherwise the apps crash at startup. I tested this today just to be sure so I will leave this part of the manual unchanged.

Thanks again. :)

Cheers,
Garry

Website: flightsim.garryric.com

Garry Richards

#17
An update to the manual is now available for download from my site.
Garry

Website: flightsim.garryric.com

Frans Spruit

Garry, thank you very much indeed.

Frans Spruit EHAM

GodAtum

With Xview there is a special X-plane 747 to use. Do you recommend a FSX/P3D model to use?