FSDreamTeam forum
General Category => Unofficial F/A-18 Acceleration Pack board => Topic started by: Orion on December 26, 2014, 01:22:27 am
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AI Carriers .NET
I made a .NET port of Lamont Clark's AI Carriers utility (http://web.archive.org/web/20100802075258/http://lc0277.nerim.net/wiki/index.php?software), eliminating the need for Java. I've also added support for Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition, which didn't seem to be compatible with the original.
Original description:
AICarriers: This is a small software that allows you to place and control single ships or complete naval fleets in Flight Simulator X. Doesn't need complex edit of traffic files or mission files. Just add carriers when you are in free flight, anywhere you want.
This version targets the .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17113) and supports Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Acceleration and SP2, Microsoft ESP, Lockheed Martin Prepar3D and Prepar3D v2, and Dovetail Games Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition.
Usage
This version of AI Carriers has re-implemented all functionality of Lamont Clark's original Java release. All cfg files and entries from the original should work with this version.
Simply launch the executable while Flight Simulator is running in order to connect to the simulator. Access the in-sim menu by either using the keyboard shortcut (Shift+J) or the add-ons menu inside of Flight Simulator.
Here's a sample exe.xml file to launch AI Carriers with Flight Simulator:
<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">
<Descr>Launch</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>
<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>REPLACE WITH PATH TO AICarriers.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>
</SimBase.Document>
Acknowledgements
- Lamont Clark - Creating the original AI Carriers utility and being a proponent of open source software. :)
- Steven Frost - Creating the ini parsing class used in the program.
- Tim Gregson - Creating the BeatlesBlog Managed SimConnect library.
Note
To avoid confusion, please refer to this release as AI Carriers .NET. This is not an update to Lamont Clark's AI Carriers utility; this is an alternative. I am not affiliated with Lamont Clark, whose only participation was placing his original program in the public domain.
Download (http://bit.ly/1AOHM7d)
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Thanks, this is really great!
As I have sometimes stability issues with AI Carriers and Java, I hope the .NET port will work well.
I will give it a try later on.
Peter
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I took AI Carriers .NET for a quick spin this morning. Works great!
Feedback:
- I really like the taskbar icon, so you can easily see if AICarrier opens/closes properly, instead of searching for hung up java processes.
- Some font is missing, displaying the (c) character in the taskbar rollover info not showing properly. See screenshot below...
Peter
Thanks again for this .NET port, much appreciated!
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Glad you like it and good to hear that it's working. :)
I did a quick test and there's no missing font; the BeatlesBlog Managed SimConnect library actually returns � (character 65533). It's likely an encoding problem in the information it receives from Prepar3D. I made a C++ test program which gives what I'd expect to be an invalid character value of -82, which somehow resolves to ®, the registered trademark symbol.
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Thanks, Orion, for another great program. So glad to see Java removed.
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Great Job and THANKS !!!
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You're welcome! Glad to see it being used. :)
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I apologise for the (certainly obvious) question: how to install?
I see files AIcarriers.zip and AIcarriers-1.0.zip. Are both required?
Is it required to uninstall the original AIcarriers program?
Thanks
Edmundo
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Well, the installation is indeed obvious...I just don´t see what to do with files inside the zip AICarriers-1.0.
thanks
Edmundo
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Click the green AICarriers.zip button to download. Follow the instructions in the included Readme.txt to install and use.
The source code is available in zip and tar.gz files through the corresponding buttons to the right of the green download button. The source code has no purpose to end users; it is not required to use AI Carriers .NET. Developers who would like to make changes or improvements are encouraged to fork the repository and send pull requests should they feel inclined.
You may want to disable Lamont Clark's original Java version of AI Carriers before using AI Carriers .NET, as running both simultaneously may result in undefined behavior.
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Great improvement over the Java version. Now I don't have to fear updating Java that AICarrier will stop working. As a request, since this code is still fresh in your mind, could you add a couple of improvements? An additional distance selection of say 20 mile and a selection to turn into the wind would make this a truly perfect enhancement.
Thanks,
Dave
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Thanks Orion!
It works as advertised! Many thanks!
Edmundo
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Thanks Orion, but I'm with the other fella, I read the read me, not sure how to install.
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Dave: Might be able to add some features, but I'm a bit tied up with other things at the moment.
Edmundo: You're welcome!
Jymp: There is no need to install. All you need to do is launch the exe file while Flight Simulator is running. You need to edit the exe.xml file if and only if you want Flight Simulator to automatically start AI Carriers .NET at sim startup.
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hi, it's not work for me:( i have installed and full updated framework, and i think it include client, or i'm worng there? thank you
actually java work ok for me, but i realy interested use this too, it's realy fun have two similar things for found some different
when i start simulator net version is start but not connect, just stay in try and popup messages wrote "not connected"
have a nice day, happy ney year, and good luck
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hi, it's not work for me:( i have installed and full updated framework, and i think it include client, or i'm worng there? thank you
actually java work ok for me, but i realy interested use this too, it's realy fun have two similar things for found some different
when i start simulator net version is start but not connect, just stay in try and popup messages wrote "not connected"
have a nice day, happy ney year, and good luck
While FSX is running, try right clicking the AI Carriers .NET icon, clicking exit, and then launching the AI Carriers .NET executable file. Also make sure that AI Carriers 2 by Lamont Clark is not running at the same time.
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hi, it's not work for me:( i have installed and full updated framework, and i think it include client, or i'm worng there? thank you
actually java work ok for me, but i realy interested use this too, it's realy fun have two similar things for found some different
when i start simulator net version is start but not connect, just stay in try and popup messages wrote "not connected"
have a nice day, happy ney year, and good luck
While FSX is running, try right clicking the AI Carriers .NET icon, clicking exit, and then launching the AI Carriers .NET executable file. Also make sure that AI Carriers 2 by Lamont Clark is not running at the same time.
heh, now connected:) so it's just no time to connect from autostart:(, i use p3d 2.4
thanx, i has to guess start it as manual
now connected ok with auto from xml:) look like firewall some jammed
any way, vlso better start manualy just when sim opened and ready, and without vlso carriers no fan, so i do this:)
@echo off
@start "1" "c:\PROG\AICarriers_NET\AICarriers.exe"
@start "2" "c:\PROG\LSO\vLSO.exe"
and <disabled> true in xml now
thank you, work good, some time p3d crashed when exit, may be it was by java's cause, who know, i doesn't use event log and any other logs lol
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Hi,
The program works with both the disc and Steam FSX versions on my system. I noticed that after exiting either version of FSX I had high CPU usage. After shutting down AI Carriers.NET the CPU load dropped to normal. As a test I flew in a complex scenery area (ORBX PNW KBFI) with AI Carriers both activated and not. There is a noticeable performance decrease with AI Carriers activated.
Has anyone else noticed this?
I haven't done an equivalent check with the Steam version but due to the high load after exiting either version I'm assuming a similar performance hit. If I double click AICarriers.exe outside of FSX I get the security warning but after clicking Run nothing seems to happen (No CPU hit, no taskbar icon).
Jim F.
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I noticed that after exiting either version of FSX I had high CPU usage. After shutting down AI Carriers.NET the CPU load dropped to normal.
AI Carriers .NET will automatically exit when it receives the SIMCONNECT_RECV_ID_QUIT structure from the simulator. If AI Carriers .NET does not automatically exit, the simulator may have not exited properly.
As a test I flew in a complex scenery area (ORBX PNW KBFI) with AI Carriers both activated and not. There is a noticeable performance decrease with AI Carriers activated.
All the SimConnect logic in AI Carriers .NET is identical (or as close to identical as I could make it) to Lamont Clark's original AICarriers2r2. There are no changes in the logic beyond what was required to rewrite things in C# rather than Java. The user interface and logging system were completely new, but differences in performance should be negligible (if not better). Have you profiled the performance of Lamont Clark's Java AICarriers2r2?
If I double click AICarriers.exe outside of FSX I get the security warning but after clicking Run nothing seems to happen (No CPU hit, no taskbar icon).
AI Carriers .NET is designed to only run when a SimConnect server (i.e. FSX, ESP, P3D, P3D v2, or FSX Steam Edition) is running. If the user attempts to launch AI Carriers .NET when SimConnect is unavailable (e.g. if the simulator is closed or if SimConnect hasn't initialized), the program will exit on its own. Similarly, AI Carriers .NET only permits a single instance and will not run if you attempt to launch AI Carriers .NET with another instance already running.
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Hi,
I don't believe I have anything much to offer but I did reinstall the Java version to FSX disc and did not notice a similar performance impact. I edited exe.xml accordingly. However, when I brought up the menu screen and attempted to deploy any vessels nothing appeared; haven't checked further. Incidentally, I always restart the computer before doing checks.
I always exit either FSX version by Ctrl+Break.
After, exiting the Java version AI Carriers is no longer running.
As the Java version always ran without any problems on FSX disc I intend to pursue why that's not the case now. It may point to other problems. I don't know enough to proceed any differently.
Jim F.
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I'm not familiar with using Lamont Clark's original Java AICarriers2r2, but its implementation is near identical to what I wrote for AI Carriers .NET. There should be virtually no difference between AICarriers2r2 and AI Carriers .NET as far as the simulator is concerned -- just make sure you aren't running both simultaneously.
There isn't anything I can think of that should cause AI Carriers .NET to be any less performant than AICarriers2r2; however, if for whatever reason you find you get better performance using AICarriers2r2, I'd advise continuing to use that rather than AI Carriers .NET, as there is currently no difference in functionality.
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If I end a flight by using ESC and X out of FSX, AI Carriers NET shuts down properly. It does not shut down by using Ctrl+Break. Problem solved.
I'm using the Java version with my disc FSX and the NET version with FSX:SE. I haven't run any tests on FSX:SE to determine any performance impact with AI Carriers NET.
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Steam performance seems normal with AI Carriers NET. During my previous checks I had uninstalled the Java version so I'm certain it was not running concurrently with the NET version. The only thing that occurs to me is that by not exiting FSX in a way that shuts down AI Carriers NET, I may have had multiple instances of NET running. In any event all seems well now. And, Orion, thank you very much for your great work! My biggest disappointment with FSX:SE was the inability to run AI Carriers. No longer an issue!
Jim F.
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A question, if I may:
In the EXE.xml file, if I want to start AICarriers.NET and, as an example, vLSO.exe both, should each portion started by <Launch.Addon> be ended with </Launch.Addon>, or would there just be one <Launch.Addon> section that includes the 4 entries for all the addons before the </Launch.Addon> occurs? In other words, do I have a <Launch.Addon>, followed by the 4 lines for ONE addon, like AICarriers, then a </Launch.Addon>, or a <Launch.Addon>, followed by the 4 lines for all the addons, then a </Launch.Addon>? Or do I just need the path command for each addon, and the other 3 lines are common to all of them, so there is the <Launch.Addon>, the next three lines, 2 or 3, or however many, <path>.........</path> lines (one for AICarriers, one for vLSO, for example) then the </Launch.Addon> line?
Can you tell I'm not super familiar with xml encoding? :-\
Thanks for any help you provide to this tyro, I sure appreciate it!
Pat☺
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The former. Each addon requires its own opening <Launch.Addon> and its own closing </Launch.Addon>. For example:
<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">
<Descr>Launch</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>
<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>REPLACE WITH PATH TO AICarriers.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>
<Launch.Addon>
<Name>vLSO</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>REPLACE WITH PATH TO vLSO.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>
</SimBase.Document>
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Thanks for the quick reply, Orion! I appreciate the help :D
Pat☺
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You're welcome! Glad I could help. :)
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Orion,
While working on a new vLSO version I came to an idea of adding a new vLSO add-ons menu option, allowing to spawn a carrier near the user's aircraft. I wanted this part of the program to count carrier's heading and speed so that the ship would sail into the wind with the resulting WOD blowing straight down the angled deck, with the desired speed. But very soon I found myself re-inventing the already existing wheel. It's AI Carriers' business, right? ;D And then I thought wouldn't it be easier to add this feature to the existing AI Carriers .NET program rather than having two different add-ons, which side-by-side implement almost the same functionality?
The first thing that came to mind is a menu option, something like 'Turn into wind', which could be followed by another submenu to choose the desired WOD...
What do you think? Is it difficult?
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Possible? Sure. Difficult? Depends.
To avoid a crosswind the deck angle offset would need to be known. Maintaining an internal lookup seems troublesome; instead, I could read a new entry from the configuration files, but that would require users to define the deck angle for each boat. I suppose if the entry is missing I could assume no angled deck and put the boat straight into the wind, but that seems like bad user experience if users fail to make the modifications when there is an angled deck.
Also, since AI Carriers .NET is almost identical to AICarriers2r2, the main menus aren't very extensible. It probably wouldn't be too troublesome in this situation since there's room for one more option (since SimConnect text menus only have space for 10 options and only 9 are currently used), but additional changes beyond that may present a challenge.
Additionally, AICarriers2r2 (and thus, AI Carriers .NET) uses throttle to set the boat movement. To be able to have the secondary menu to select wind over deck would likely require implementing a PID controller (or similar), which may need to be configured per boat (as the acceleration/deceleration constants may differ). It might be possible to set the AI DESIRED SPEED variable and let the AI system control the boat, but from what I recall, using that resulted in small variations in speed, and there were some instances where the boat would yield to the user (i.e. stop each time the user taxied forward of the center of the model).
Like AICarriers2r2, AI Carriers .NET remains open source software. However, while AICarriers2r2 is public domain, AI Carriers .NET is available under The MIT License. Anyone is free to modify and submit pull requests with improvements should they desire. :)
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The first thing that came to mind is a menu option, something like 'Turn into wind', which could be followed by another submenu to choose the desired WOD...
What do you think? Is it difficult?
Have a look at this
http://z13.invisionfree.com/Flying_Stations/index.php?showtopic=367
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Woofta!
THAT is a program. I will try it out as soon as the RTWR is over...
Pat☺
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Here I go again! :P
Does anyone know what the line
<NewConsole>True</NewConsole>
Means in the EXE.xml file? The example exe.xml file (sample_exe.xml) provided with the latest AICarriers .NET release I just downloaded contains that line in the AICarriers section. I just want to be certain I have the right setting in it, or if I should delete the line, comment it out, whatever.
My thanks in advance for any advice on this.
Pat☺
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Hi folks,
I know this wonderful add-on is only shown as being for FSX, FSX/SE and P3D v1 & v2, but is there any known workround to get it working under P3Dv3? I had it working fine under P3D 2.5, but with 3.1 it seems to actually load into memory ok, but doesn't appear to function (doesn't show up in the Add-ons menu and won't pop-up via keyboard). Plus, it remains in memory and sits humming at around 10-15% CPU even after P3D shuts down.
Some folks on the P3D forums seem to be implying it works but I can't get it to do so. I know it's being recognised in the exe.xml as I set that to request manual loading and it did issue the request to load. As it is also quite apparently running on the machine, I assume there's a connection issue with P3D v3 but I don't know enough about simconnect (I assume) to know where to look.
Any advice gratefully received
Andy
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I can confirm it is working with P3DV3.2. I havent installed Javiers Nimitz just yet but the default carrier is working just fine but there is hiccup using the P3D menu with my mouse. That could be an issue on my end so for now I just select items on the menu via keyboard.
Different versions of SimConnect can be found in your P3d install folder. For example, D:\P3D_V3\redist\Interface\FSX-SP2-XPACK\retail\lib\SimConnect.msi to install
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Hi Ctec1,
thanks for the pointer, but I think I'm still a bit in the dark here. Found those simconnect installs, tried the FSX-SP2 one as shown, didn't make any difference. Can't see any reference to simconnect in the AI Carriers readme - would it assume it's available anyway?
Sorry to be a bit dense, but am a bit puzzled by this.
Andy
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P3Dv3 and Win10 - I've edited the exe.xml and the AI Ships option appears in P3D header, but only item on the header menu is <Press Shift + J for menu>. I've installed the SimConnect for FSX SP2 but still no ship pop-up menu appears. Tried running AICarriers.exe manually, but still no ships menu.
Any ideas?
Gary
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Sorry guys not sure whats going on with your setups. I never went the exe.xml route on my system , always load it manually. This discussion got me looking into my install and I got something that may be the culprit. When I first installed the AICarriers2 (net version) I had to make an exclusion in my antivirus program (BitDefender). After that was done it worked fine. Ive been using the same install of AICarriers2 (net version) since release even through multiple upgrades of P3D and it always worked. Only had to reinstall Javiers Nimitz with each upgrade.
Sorry I didnt mention this fact earlier but I cant remember what I did yesterday not alone things I did over a year ago. Hope it helps.
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Hi again,
still not loading (post av exclusion). If I load it manually after P3D is started everything is fine, so I guess there's got to be something weird about my exe.xml. Can't see it but will continue to experiment. Probably a typo that I'm having a blind spot about.
cheers,
Andy
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Can you post your EXE.XML so maybe we can see the typo or whatever it is that you are missing?
Are you using the included example exe.xml entry in the AICarriers.NET download, with only the path to YOUR installation of AICarriers.NET changed? Are you certain your path is correct in the exe.xml entry? All the backslashes, dots, commas, and so on correct? No doubles or missing ones? All the folder names correct? Is AICarriers.NET executable correctly specified? IE: Aicarriers.exe. Is the path to a shortcut, or to the actual executable?
Just a couple possible ideas...
Pat☺
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Hi Pat (and everybody else),
Ok, got a resolution now. My AICarriers directory had been sitting outside of the P3D main directory (i.e. I had "G:\P3DV3" with all its subdirs like ORBX etc, but also "G:\000 Utils\AICarriers" as I had set up all my utilities in this subdir as they were shared with FSX). My exe.xml was set to point to this "G:\000 Utils\AICarriers" for the AICarriers.exe - <Path>G:\000 Utils\AICarriers\AICarriers.exe</Path>.
I moved the AICarriers directory to be under P3D (G:\P3DV3\AICarriers) and amended the exe.xml to <Path>AICarriers\AICarriers.exe</Path> and all is now ok.
Pretty sure it was working fine the original way with my P3D 2.5 system, but can't check now as all deleted and replaced with 3.1. AICarriers was one of the last things I was setting up after the upgrade. So not sure I'm any the wiser, but I guess there may be something in the way an "external" path is handled via xml. Good to have it working again though, I'd forgotten how much fun it is!
cheers,
Andy
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Congrats! Glad you got it going!
Having AICarriers under the P3D folder may be a quirk of P3D3.1, since I have my AICarriers no where near my FSX-SE folder, and it works fine in the EXE.XML file. From what I can tell, your pathing was correct, at least from what you showed as to where it was located, but again, maybe a quirk peculiar to P3DV3.
A way to test it is to put vLSO (presuming you have it) outside of the P3D folder someplace, like maybe your Utils folder or on your C:\ drive or whatever, and see if the EXE.XML will load it up. If it won't, but does if you move it the P3D folder, you will have a certainty about it. You will know for sure it just a P3dv3 quirk.
Make certain you have admin rights to the folder it's in too, like your Utils or wherever. That may have, in some odd way, have been you problem.
I'm just grasping at straws, though.
Glad you got it going, anyway :D
Pat☺
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I'm unable to get AICarriers to start with P3Dv3.2. It (AICarriers) will start and operate/function correctly by clicking on it's .exe after minimizing P3D. It will then shutdown correctly after exiting P3D. The following is my line within the exe.xml. Anyone got any idea/s?
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?>
<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">
<Descr>Launch</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>
<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>D:\Prepar3D v3\AICarriers\AICarriers.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>
</SimBase.Document>
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All *I* can see as a possibility is that maybe the path to the AICarriers.exe file is mistyped/typo'd somehow?
Everything else looks right to me, for whatevre good that is. IE: it looks the same as mine (other than the path, obviously), and mine works correctly. In FSX-SE, but I believe the exe.xml is pretty much the same...
I would double check the path, if it were me. I always take and cut-n-paste the path right off the screen, rather than try to type it in, given my...ahem...capabilities as a typist.
Pat☺
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I don't have Prepar3D v3 and thus haven't been able to test it myself. You shouldn't need to install any legacy SimConnect libraries as AI Carriers .NET makes use of Tim Gregson's managed SimConnect library. As long as Prepar3D v3 sets the registry key for the SimConnect ports for previous versions of the simulator (and previous versions of P3D have done this), I don't see why it shouldn't work. I've heard reports of FS Active Fires (another utility I've made) working with Prepar3D v3, so I suspect AI Carriers .NET should work as well.
Here I go again! :P
Does anyone know what the line
<NewConsole>True</NewConsole>
Means in the EXE.xml file? The example exe.xml file (sample_exe.xml) provided with the latest AICarriers .NET release I just downloaded contains that line in the AICarriers section. I just want to be certain I have the right setting in it, or if I should delete the line, comment it out, whatever.
My thanks in advance for any advice on this.
Pat☺
I'm not sure where you downloaded, as AI Carriers .NET hasn't been changed since the initial release on December 25, 2014, and the initial release doesn't contain that line in the sample exe.xml file. The only place I've uploaded it to is GitHub (https://github.com/ollyau/AICarriers/releases). Any other download should be at your own discretion; I can't vouch for the validity or integrity of the package if you've obtained it from other sources.
That said, I suspect that entry in the exe.xml file would create a new console (i.e. command line) window for whatever entry you add it to, provided it's set to true.
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72Westy,
I may be telling you what you already know but I am in the process of moving to P3D v3.3 on a Win 10 PC. One of the programs I am moving from FSX is AICarriers.
After much trial and many errors I have used the following approach.
1. Create a folder AICarriers In the P3D v3 directory.
2. Copy Conf.d , AICarriers.CFG and AiCarriers.EXE into it.
3. Copy the file Sample_EXE.XML into the AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3d v3 folder
4. Open the XML file (I use Notepad++, it is very easy to use)
5. Click on the Sample_EXE.XML file; in the address bar this will show the file's path as C>ProgramFiles(x86)>.....>AICarriers>AICarriers.exe
6. Click on the address, you will see the file's a address change to C:\Program Files(x86)\.....\AICarriers\AICarriers.exe
7. You can copy this and paste it into the .XML file (after removing the existing text)
8. Save
The advantage of is method is that the path and file name is created by the PC so all the ":" and spaces etc. are correct and there is no confusion over "l" and "1" etc.
Good luck,
Tregarth
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Tregarth
That's exactly the same method, and software, that I use for that sort of thing. You just went into a lot more detail on "How To" than I did. Thank you for the help. I guess my laziness overcame me on this one. Sorry about that.
But, you are obviously a man of high intellegence and deep perception, since you and I use the same methodology (big word for the week!), and software.
Kidding :D ;D
That is a very versatile program, the Notepad++. I use it for all kinds of files, and it works great. Best thing is, it doesn't add any extraneous symbols to the file like word processors tend to do, which messes with whatever uses them, usually, in my case, the sim.
Have fun, and I hope Mr. 72westy gets his AICarriers going. It's a great add-on to the sim experience.
Pat☺
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Thank you.
I might have a deep perception but I can't modify the aicarriers.cfg file and save it.
I want to add a new carrier to AIC and have modified the .CFG file but every time I try to save it I am told I can't as I don't have administrator rights. I am the sole user of the PC so I thought I did.
I am using P3D v3.3 in Win 10 with AIC.NET. I have set the UAC to never notify, closed and re-started the PC but still can't save.
I have tried dragging the .CFG file into Notepad, modifying it and trying to save it but still can't. I have tried using both the .TXT format and aicarriers.cfg then using "Save as type" - All Files, but no luck.
Could you please use your deep perception and extreme talent to tell me where I am going wrong?
Thank you,
Tregarth
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For info the answer is to open the file by right clicking and opening as Administrator. But if you have Notepad++ the .CFG file can be opened using it.
When you try to save you will be asked if you want to save as Administrator "Yes"; the file saves and works perfectly.
Tregarth
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To make life easier you can do one of two things:
1) copy the file to the desktop, open it there, make your mods, save and close it, then move it back where it came from, overwriting the old one. If you want, a good idea is tto make a backup first in case something goes wrong with the mods.
I suspect your AIC is in C:\Program Files or \Program Files(X86). Bad place to put stuff, as this problem arises. Same for modifying aircraft.cfg, panel.cfg and so on. Much better to place it in C:\, or even a folder on D:\ or E:\ or wherever, just NOT one of those two folders.
2) Make a shortcut to your Notepad or Notepad++ on the desktop, and go to it's Properties>Advanced and click the box for Run As Administrator. That way, it will always open, using that shortcut, as Admin, and you don't have to click the Run As Admin every time you open it. I do this with just about every program I use often.
IMHO, your best bet, though, is to never install any program you use often, or have to edit parts of, into the Program Files or Program Files(X86). It's fine for Windows "stuff" but not at all good for programs users may want to modify in any way. And if you open it from a shortcut, always always always make sure that Run As Admin is checked so it always opens as Admin. It really helps, and I do it out of habit any-more.
Hope that helps a little. I know, I tend to go on sometimes. Sorry if I over-explain sometimes...
Pat☺
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You are right about file location. I made a mistake during the install and let the program decide where to go. But I am not that worried since I am practising on my I5 chipped PC before installing P3D on my I7 machine.
Thank you for your valuable advice which I will print and file for future use.
Regards,
Tregarth
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I am using P3D v3.3 with Win 10. I have installed AI Carriers.NET which does all that it should do but none of the carriers which I use have a wake.
I have turned most of the Scenery settings to their max value, I have tried altering the wake file names in [Effects], all of which have no effects.
One question I have is: Does the command "Forward" in the AICarriers menu work? I can make the carrier turn through 90 etc but even when it does this (it spins round like a spinning top) it shows no wake effects. In FSX the wake is clearly visible.
Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how have you solved it? I have checked in
Very odd,
Thank you,
Tregarth
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I have FSX, but to the best of my knowledge, yes the Forward command works. Should anyway.
I will look and see, but someplace I found an updated wake set of file for many different ships. Including the carriers used for AICarriers. I will try to dig up the source and post it for you. It really made my wakes work great, carriers and AI ships both.
Pat☺
EDIT: I found this info about the VooDoo wake fix. It's for FSX but I think it's worth a try for your situation, maybe? Anyway, it's in this thread:http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php/topic,13221.0.html (http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php/topic,13221.0.html)
Maybe that will give you some help?
Pat☺
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Thank you for your thoughts, much appreciated.
When I use FSX AIC behaves perfectly. I have removed AIC from P3D to see if that will make a difference. But, using the default carrier in P3D is not easy; it appears I need to master SimDirector which is supplied in P3D but needs the use of the SDK.
I understand your thoughts on using the VooDoo wake but it seems to me to be wrong that 3rd party software is needed to make LM's default boats work properly. (But if you look at LM's promotional video neither the carrier nor coast guard boat seems to have a wake.)
I am beginning to think it is wiser to stay with FSX.
Thanks,
Tregarth
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AICarriers appears in the P3D add-on menu when I start P3D but lists only the default ships (see screenshot (http://E:\P3D Reference\Add-on Ships\AI Carriers.net\AICarriers opening screen.PNG)). If I select 'single carrier' the default carrier shows up on the water and travels just fine. But I can't get a list of installed AI ships for selection, such as one of the Nimitz variants.
I've installed AICarriers.net and the Nimitz & Eisenhower V2 AI ships, and modified the exe.xml (using the sample file) in P3D v3.3.5's AppData.Roaming>Lockheed Martin>Prepar3D v3 folder to point to the AICarriers.exe file in the P3D main folder. I've placed both the cvn_68_69.cfg and CVN65_Enterprise.cfg files in the conf.d folder.
Checking aicarriers.cfg only the default ships appear there--How can I cause that to include the Nimitz/Eisenhower (and after that the Enterprise)? Or is this problem caused by something else? (I've checked the gauge, effects, and simobject/boats folders; all the expected files are there. And I've confirmed that the contents of both aicarriers.cfg and cvn_68_69.cfg are correct.
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<Solved> This is embarrassing . . . AICarriers was working all along! It never occurred to me to drag the bottom edge of the AI Ships screen down (below item 7). Guess what, more ships and "Next page" is there.
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Can someone please help me with adding aicarriers to AICarriers.NET?
I have the file aicarriers.cfg to which I have added the carriers I want i.e. SBD's USS Enterprise and Flying Stations' HMS Ark Royal.
As you can see I have removed the Nimitz from the aicarriers.cfg file. I have the carriers I want in the .cfg file list but if you look at the Shift + J screen grabs (L1 - L3) I still have a fleet of Nimitzes but no Enterprises. I thought I had a handle on AIC but clearly I do not. Once I have modified the .cfg file I have closed the PC and re-started it and FSX but this makes no difference.
I cannot understand why I am plagued with Nimitzes but don't have any Enterprises, how can I add them, please?
Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Tregarth
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I am far from being an expert at this bit of software, but when I looked at the file aicarriers_cfg.txt you provided, under the L2 picture, I noticed you didn't have a [formation.0] entry. Yours started with [formation.1]. I may well be wrong, but I think that you need to start it out with [formation.0] for the program to read the entries subsequent to that. This may be your problem.
Also, you don't need to replace the entries in the aicarriers.cfg . Just create a totally new .cfg file with then entries you want, and place in the conf.d folder, contained within the AICarriers folder, thus: ...\Aicarriers\conf.d\newconfig.cfg
It will read those ALSO. If you DL a new carrier or carrier set, like the Ark Royal, just for example, put it's .cfg file into the conf.d folder and it will read fine. Nimitz, Ark Royal, Enterprise, whatever. IIRC, most of them come with a AICarriers config file.
If you want to use it, add it to the conf.d folder. If you want to have it available, but not in use at that time, just make a new folder under the conf.d folder and place them there. Like ...\Aicarriers\conf.d\NEWCONFIGS .That way, if you decide that this time you want them included, just move a copy into the conf.d folder, if not, take it out of the conf.d folder.
I have found that if I'm not careful, I wind up with 100 different formations available. Can get to be a long process when I hit SHFT+J looking for the one I want to use :)
Hope this helps a little bit.
Pat☺
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Thank you very much for your help.
What I had not realised was that AIC reads the files (carrier formations) in conf.d no matter what the file is called. Thus I had a file in conf.d labelled XX_CVN_68_69 which was being read, hence all the "unwanted" carriers showed when I pressed Shift + J. I thought the XX_ would hide it, it doesn't. Your comment about making a new file named newconfig.cfg and storing it in the conf.d folder was the clue.
Previously I had thought that the AICarriers.cfg file in the main AICarriers folder (AICarriers/AIcarriers.cfg) was the "controlling" file which is wrong, not sure what the AICarriers.cfg file does, maybe a "hangover" from the Java days? But what is odd is that if you remove Aicarriers.cfg the program won't work.
Formation.0 does seem to be necessary. In case anyone else is struggling I attach some images which shows the file and the result which may help.
Thanks again,
Tregarth
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Glad I could help out, and that you got what you wanted/needed to get done.:D
I've found that the easiest way to "get rid" of unwanted carrier formation sets is to just move them someplace. ANYplace, other than the conf.d folder. I made a folder inside the conf.d folder, I named mine BAXX. Then, any sets, or .cfg files, I don't want to show up when I hit SHFT+J I just move into my BAXX folder. But you can do it any way, as long as they are NOT in the root folder or the conf.d folder. You can even delete them if you like. I do like to make sure I have a copy someplace, so I can use them later if I so choose.
Yes, you DO need the AICarriers.cfg file for the program to work, but as far as I know, and I may well be wrong on this, the only entry you absolutely need in it is the [base] section. After that, you can only have .cfg files in the conf.d folder, and they will be read, whatever their name, as long as they are .cfg files. I think if you rename them to get rid of the .cfg suffix they won't be read either. Like Newcarriers.gfc, or Newcarriers.BAK, vs Newcarriers.cfg. I just move them though. Quicker and easier for me.
Anyway, I'm glad you're up and running :) Have fun with it!
Pat☺
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Thank you for the advice.
I was slowly working out how to add/delete formations as required and you have given me some good help. I had not thought of playing tunes with the extensions; instead, like you I will have a second folder which I will use to store unwanted formations.
Best regards,
Tregarth
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In some of the cfg files above there seem to be blanks (whitespace). I don't have it installed right now, but I would assume that if there's a whitespace in a path then the path needs to be enclosed in double quotes.
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I may be wrong, and/or looking at the wrong files, but I didn't see any "paths" in the .cfg files AIC uses to set ship formations.
Could you post an example file or screenshot, please? I do better with pictures... :D
Pat☺
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A question for Mr. Orion, if I may: Is it possible to have multiple instances of AIC running at the same time?
If so, is there anything special needs be done?
I ask because a gentleman (I presume, anyway :D ) over at Sim Outhouse was asking. He said he used to have multiple instances of the JAVA based version running to hoist sling loads from shore to sea, but he can't get multiple instances of the ,NET version to run. Second version etc just won't start at all. You said the functionality is identical, so I was just wondering...?
Thanks in advance for the help I'm sure you'll provide.
Pat☺
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Hey Orion, just wanted to say "THANK YOU" for providing ALL OF US access to aicarriers.net.....its amazing to have aicarriers available for the platforms provided....
now for the selfish question, and i apologise in advance...I know there is not a public SDK YET, but have you considered plans to apply the port of aicarriers.net to include DTG FSW....I am hoping and praying this is the case....it is still in early alpha, so who knows how long the SDK will take to be made available...
at any rate, thanks for all you have already done, regardless of your answer to my question'
mike
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Greetings all,
I am totally new here, but also totally lost. I just transitioned to P3Dv4 from FSX and can't seem to figure out how to make the AI Carriers.net work. I've got AI Carrier Tracks 1 & 2 working (without wake for some reason), but keep getting the attached error message with AI Carriers. Could someone assist me please?
I could not do a standard install, so had to install manually.
1. Do I need to have the file AI Carriers 2r2 or AI Carriers 1.0 from this forum installed? I have both in my P3Dv4 folder (C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\AI Carriers\
2. How do I make the "EXE" file work and the program work.
Any help appreciated.
Reggie
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Greetings all,
I am totally new here, but also totally lost. I just transitioned to P3Dv4 from FSX and can't seem to figure out how to make the AI Carriers.net work. I've got AI Carrier Tracks 1 & 2 working (without wake for some reason), but keep getting the attached error message with AI Carriers. Could someone assist me please?
I could not do a standard install, so had to install manually.
1. Do I need to have the file AI Carriers 2r2 or AI Carriers 1.0 from this forum installed? I have both in my P3Dv4 folder (C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\AI Carriers\
2. How do I make the "EXE" file work and the program work.
Any help appreciated.
Reggie
looks to me like you are using the old version with JAVA....
I know for a fact it works well with FSX boxed and Steam version if using the .NET version
install is pretty much the same as the java version.
place Aicarriers anywhere and copy cvn_68_69 to the conf.d directory in aicarriers directory
and edit the exe.xml
<?xml version="1.0"?>
-<SimBase.Document version="1,0" Type="Launch">
<Descr>Launch</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>
-<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>REPLACE WITH PATH TO AICarriers.exe</Path> {like C:\FSX UTILITIES\AICarriers} where mine is located
</Launch.Addon>
</SimBase.Document>
hope this helps
also should download and install javiers nimitz package as well(thats where the cvn_68_69 comes from)
https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/2618/fsx-aircraft-carrier-uss-nimitz/
INSTALLATION
copy cvn_68_69.cfg into 'conf.d' folder inside your 'Aicarriers' installation folder.
Copy all three folders (Simobjects, Effects and Sound) into you main FSX folder.
Run Aicarriers2 program and select any of the multiple carrier variations provided in this package
within the sim, while flying, you should be able to access aicarriers using Shift J i believe(if memory serves)
mike
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If you decide to install the Nimitz take a look here first http://www.rikoooo.com/downloads/viewdownload/8/203 (http://www.rikoooo.com/downloads/viewdownload/8/203)
Theres an automated installer available. No need to do the manual copy routine. ;)
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Mike seems to have covered most of what needs to be done. If I may add a few notes, however:
There seems to be a quirk with P3Dv3 and later. It requires AICarriers to be placed IN the main P3D folder to function properly. So, when you install, as you did, make sure it's under your P3D root folder. Like: C:\LM\P3D\AICarriers\, for example. Almost always, a failure of AICarriers to load when the sim starts is a fault in the EXE.xml file's path entry. It only takes what we would hardly consider an error. A capitol letter vs a lower case, a comma in the wrong place, anything.
Second, did you install the .NET version of AICarriers, from this forum, or the older, .exe version? I personally will only use the .NET version. It works perfectly on my Windows-7, FSX:SE.
Not only that, but did you install the .NET Framework 4.0 Client, as specified in the Readme file? Very important!
Do you have the latest FSUIPC from Doug Dowson? Another very important file.
Your memory serves you correctly, Mike, Shift+J will call the menu, presuming you have AIC in the EXE.xml correctly. Mike showed the proper way of adding an entry for AICarriers to the EXE.xml. If you do not have the EXE.xml file in the correct location, you need to create it. Remember to only ever use Notepad, which comes with Windows, or Notepad++, a freeware, easy to find and install. I utilize it extensively. Never ever, EVER use a word processor to edit any form of .cfg or .xml file, as they add symbols to the file, making it useless to the sim. Always make a backup before editing any file, as well. Critical step in the process.
Bear in mind, when you install a carrier's .cfg file to AICarriers, frequently, the length of the file will make the menu have multiple pages, rather than just the single you get when you first install AICarriers. The last entry on a menu's page will be a 0-Next Page entry. Sometimes, people don't notice them, or scroll far enough down to see it.
Finally, and then I'll shut up, when you start adding .cfg files to the ...\AICarriers\conf.d\ folder, don't just do so indiscriminately. In other words, there are a ton of boats, destroyers, cruisers, various carriers, and so on, and they all seem to come with an AICarriers.cfg file. If you keep adding more and more .cfg files to the conf.d folder, the menu in the sim will become unwieldly and very difficult to use to locate the ship or formation you desire. I've solved this by making a sub-folder under the conf.d folder, thus: ...\AICarriers\conf.d\BACK\ . I place all the .cfg files I've collected, and there are many, in the \BACK folder, and swap them in and out of the conf.d folder as I desire. I want the Forrestal, but not Javier's Nimitz? Just swap their .cfg folders before AICarriers starts. Or swap them, shut down AICarriers, and restart it with a desktop icon I created. This keeps the menu you get when you hit SHFT+J from winding up with 10 pages I need to search through to find the carriers and formations I desire.
It also keeps the conf.d folder from getting over-crowded, making it difficult to trouble-shoot troubles with a particular .cfg file.
Make certain that if/when you add a .cfg file, you start it's numbering with [Formation.0] not [formation.1], or AICarriers can not read the file.
Many add-on ai boats that come with an AICarrier's .cfg file, recommend to add their file to the main AICarriers .cfg file. I strongly recommend against doing this, as again, it makes the Menu unwieldly very quickly. Make them their own .cfg file with a unique name, and place it in the .conf.d folder, or your \BACK folder for later use. Leave the main AICarriers.cfg file alone.
Lots or words, but I hope some of them will help a bit. Thank you very much. Mike, for the assistance. Very good information, and well presented.
Enjoy! I sure do :D
Pat☺
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Thanks for the replies. Here is my "EXE" file:
<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">
<Descr>Launch</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>
<Launch.Addon>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Path>C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\AICarriers\aicarriers.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>
</SimBase.Document>
I have the AI Carriers folder in the P3Dv4 subdirectory as described, and 68 & 69 placed in the config.d folder inside AI Carriers. I get nothing in the "Addons" tab, nor anything happens when I hit Shift+J.
Do I need to make the path to AI Carriers/aicarriers.exe, or do I need to point it towards the AI Carriers 1.0 file folder?
I've also downloaded the file ctek1 advised.
Thanks,
Reggie
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I've done everything exactly as required. I have the .NET Framework, I have FSUIPC (unregistered), I have SODE 1.5.2. I've tried to direct the "EXE" file to both AI Carriers and AI Carriers1.0. When I try to manually start the program from AI Carriers, I get the attached code. I don't know which file in 1.0 is the EXE file, so I can't start it manually to see if it works.
At least I have the carriers in AI Carriers Tracks 1 & 2. They work fine except there is no wake from the carriers.
Sigh,
Reggie
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<Path>C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\AICarriers\aicarriers.exe</Path>
Well, there's one big problem, right off the bat. You have everything stuck in ...\Program Files . Especially in WIN10, windows has severe personal problems with allowing you to do anything. But we'll presume for the moment that everything works OK for you.
Is the indicated path, inside the P3d folder where it should be, the AICarriers.NET, downloaded from the first post in this thread, or the original, AICarriers.exe? Note: The .NET and .exe suffixes are simply used to indicate the difference between the two versions. Orion likes to use this when making posts in this thread to make sure everyone knows which version is being discussed. In the actual AICarriers folder, the file used to run AICarriers is aicarriers.exe .
If it's the .NET from this thread, is the path you show exactly, precisely the exact path? Spaces, lack of spaces, capitol letters, everything? I've found an easy way to make sure, is to go to the folder in question, then in the bar across the top of the page that shows the path, left click behind the path shown, then rightclick on the highlighted path, select COPY, then paste it into your EXE.xml file, adding "aicarriers.exe" (no quotes) on the end. This makes certain there are no mistakes in your typing.
If you want to start AIC as a test or whatever, just go to the AICarriers folder, right click on Aicarriers.exe file, and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR.
The one you showed, with the error message, I suspect is the older, original AICarrers.exe. But anyway, it looks like you're missing the Simconnect file it's looking for. I don't know where that's hidden in P3D, so I hope someone with P3D will give me a hand on this. I did find this for the P3D SDK: http://prepar3d.com/support/sdk/ (http://prepar3d.com/support/sdk/) . It has the SDK documentation in one link, and the actual SDK in another. I strongly recommend getting both downloaded, and following the instructions to installing Simconnect.dll . From what I read there, the older AICarriers.exe may not work with P3D v4 at all, since the Simconnect included is 64 bit, and the older AIC is 32 bit. I can't even say the newer AICarriers.NET will work, either. I hope Orion will ring in on this to lend a hand. He wrote the AICrriers.NET version, so he's the chief brain on this stuff. But in any event, the error message indicates that the program needs the Simconnect.dll and isn't finding it.
The lack of wakes is because they didn't include an effect file for them in P3D. Try going to Avsim library and seeking out this file: fix_ship_wakes_p3dv25_version2.zip . Try downloading and installing it, and see what happens...
Good fortune, and keep us appraised (big word of the day :D ) of how things are going!
Pat☺
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I can confirm AICarriers2 (NET version) is working with P3DV4. I installed the NET version back when it was first released and havent touched it since. Actually its sitting on a completely different drive from my P3DV4 install and in a different Folder from my P3DV3 install (on same drive in this instance). It runs fine in P3DV3 or V4. In fact i used to use it in the FSX Steam Edition but thats now history. That one install of AIC2 has got me through P3DV2 thru V4 without changing a thing. I dont mess around with the EXE.xml file to sart it on launch of the sim. I start manually from a shortcut on my desktop when I want the carriers.
Reggie, looks to me as if your using the original Java version of AIC. If it was me I'd get rid of all the AIC files/folders and start with the NET version on page 1 of this thread. Like Pat said that Java version may not work. Unzip the NET version to a new folder you create anywhere but not in Program Files then start the sim . After its loaded start AIC2 via the AICarriers.exe. If you put your mouse cursor over the AIC2 icon in you tray it should pop up a message about being connected to the sim (any version your trying).
If you need to install Simconnect there is a \redist folder in your \Prepar3d folder that has different versions of simconnect . Try the FSX SP2 version first . The installer file is called simconnect.msi.
Good Luck
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Glory be - I got it working. I had the wrong folder with the wrong contents. No wonder I couldn't find anything.
Thanks to all for the assist.
Regards,
Reggie
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Actually its sitting on a completely different drive from my P3DV4 install and in a different Folder from my P3DV3 install (on same drive in this instance). It runs fine in P3DV3 or V4
Thanks for the help, ctec1. I've heard it both ways, that it has to be in the P3D folder, or that it works fine outside. I figure, if it works both ways, recommending it be under the P3D main folder won't hurt. I appreciate the heck out of the input from someone with P3D, though. Nice to have help.
After its loaded start AIC2 via the AICarriers.exe.
I like using the EXE.xml file to start AIC, mainly because I'm lazy. Just one less program to fire up when I want to use it. And the .NET version uses so few computer resources, I just let it run, even if I'm not going to use it.
Just so you know, at the moment, I am using AIC to load up helicopter sling loads, testing the new MV-22 Osprey from Sim Outhouse. Just goes to show how versatile it can be. I've got .cfg files for modern and WWII carriers, destroyers, cruisers, used for VTOL ops, sling loads, all kinds of "stuff". I just swap the .cfg files in and out as I desire.
Glory be - I got it working. I had the wrong folder with the wrong contents. No wonder I couldn't find anything.
Thanks to all for the assist.
Glad it's working for you :)
Now, use the F-18 v16.1 from here (phenominal plane!), AICarriers, and vLSO, and go out and have a ton of fun! Bear in mind, those AI LSO's can be downright mean. They sure are to me! :D :D
Just a head's up: the F-18 requires 35kts WOD, so you may want to add about 10kts of wind down the angle, presuming you have the boat in motion, with the sim's weather settings. Along with any other fun weather you might want, of course :D
Enjoy!
Pat☺
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Have any one used this with Oculus Rift in Prepar3D V4? I am using FlyInside.
It loads, but I am having trouble with the menu selection. I have a joystick button assigned to Shift-J to call the menu, and most of the time it works. But the menu items are difficult to select in VR, and the "Forward" command seldom triggers by mouse input. Perhaps some "Window" focus issues, when loaded as a virtual window in FlyInside. The AI Carriers menu UI also have a "timer", and sometimes it closes before you have managed to select anything. Any others with this experience?
It wold be cool to have this as a gauge in the VC for VR sessions :-).
Rotorhub66
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Sorry, but VR is useless to me. You need TWO working eyeballs for VR to function. Kinda leaves me out, since a horse got mine back in '92. Ran smack-dab into him at 60MPH on my motorcycle. Scraped me off the bike, and I bounced down the road for ways. Glad I was wearing a helmet, but the impact, well, anyway.
Egad, how long ago was that!
Anywho, since VR doesn't work for me, I have no idea if it works with P3d, of any version.
Sorry I can't be of more help...
Pat☺
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Thanks for your reply and sorry to hear about the crash Pat. Most people with two eyeballs don't like VR anyways :-). There are issues with VR, but I like the experience of dimension. Looking at the Carrier bridge and deck in real size is awsome.
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After a long absence I have decided to install AICarriersNet into P3Dv3. I have downloaded AICarriersNET2r2 from this site and unzipped it into a new folder /Lockheed Martin/Prepar3D v3/AICarriers. I have then run Setup.exe which initially wanted to use Java but I browsed to the LM main folder but it stopped at "Can't write\SimObjects\Boats\Veh_Carrier01\TexturePack\Sim.cfg
I supect this is because it is going into a clean P3D install which does not have any of the old FSX carriers already present.
I have looked at the Manual install but can't see where to put the apprpriate files. There are also some .jar files present but am not sure if they should be used.
Could someone please help me install AIC into P3D v3?
Thank you,
Tregarth
Been having a think, I may have downloaded the JAVA version of AIC from (Page 1) by mistake. I should have used the web link on page 3 post 43 which is Orion's NET version. Thank you, Orion.
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Hello, Tregarth,
I am certain the link in Orion's signature on his posts will take you to his blog, or at least send you to where the .NET version download is. You can tell for certain you got the .NET version by checking the Readme file in the .zip file you download. It has Orion's name at the top, in the title area.
If you want to manually install it, BTW, just unzip the .zip file the download is in to a Temp folder of some kind. Make a folder, AICarriers, where ever you like, although I've read that some folks needed to install it under the P3D root folder, as you did originally. Make certain you download and install the .NET Framework specified in the Readme file. Copy all the files in the temp folder into the AICarriers folder, where-ever you placed it. Now update the EXE.XML, if you want AICarriers to start when P3D does, using the example included. If it doesn't exist, you need to make it yourself, using NotePad or NotePad++. It is critical to get the path correct.
If you don't want AIC to start automatically, just make a shortcut to the AICarriers.exe file on your desktop, or wherever you like, and when you want AIC to run, click it. Make sure you start AIC as Administrator.
Sometimes you need to do a cold reboot after installing the .NET Framework to get everything to work properly.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Pat☺
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PhantomTweak,
Thank you for the advice, I had managed to download the Java version. Now have the NET version and all is well. I am not clear as to the difference between AICarriers.cfg and the conf.d folder. I have added SBD's USS Enterprise (and installed it into P3D v3/Ecosystem).
It seems I can copy the carrier formations into the .cfg file (and can add/delete formations in this file to taste) or copy the CVN65_Enterprise.cfg into the conf.d folder. Do you know why there are 2 routes to add the formations to AIC - is one better than the other?
Thank you.
Tregarth
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Hi Tre!
I'm lazy, so if I shorten words, I'm sorry.
The main reason, I think, that there is the .cfg file, and the conf.d folder is so that you can swap formations in and out more easily.
I leave the AICarriers.cfg file alone. If I want to add formations, or hoist loads, etc, I just drop a .cfg file into the conf.d folder. All done, or want something different, remove the one you were using, drop in the new one. I personally make a BACK folder under the conf.d folder, and keep all my .cfg files there. I only have what seems like a few hundred :D If I want to use one, drop a copy into the conf.d folder. New one in, delete the old. Saves a ton of time.
Remember the fewer formations, boats, hoist loads, etc you have to sort through in the SHFT+J menu, the quicker and easier it is to find what you want. I would rather have 2 menu pages than 10 to search through. And, as I mentioned, I'm lazy. If you keep adding things to the AICarriers.cfg file, you wind up with a long, unwieldy SHFT+J menu.
It is also more dangerous. What happens if you corrupt the AICarriers.cfg file somehow? It can mess up the entire program, or stop it from opening entirely. Safer to drop .cfg files into the conf.d folder, and delete them when adding something else. Just make sure you keep an original stashed away someplace so you can re-use it any time you like.
Long-winded, I know, but that's me :D
Pat☺
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Hi I click the link on Page 1 to Github and download Aicarriers but there is no download for the .net?
-Ollie
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If it's the one authored by Orion Lyau, THAT's the .net version. Do you see in the Readme that you need to DL and install the .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile? Other than the author, that's another way to check you have AICarriers.NET. You need thee 32 bit version (X86).
It's virtually identical to the .EXE version. The file names are all the same. It's referred to as AICarriers.NET at Orion's request, to make it easier to differentiate his version from the original, JAVA based version. Notice the extension .NET is always capitalized, again, at Orion's behest, to ensure everyone knows which version is being discussed.
It's functionality is identical as well. The biggest difference I've seen is that the .NET version uses much less in the way of computer resources. Memory, CPU cycles, the whole nine.
Some have said, also, that it's the only one that works in FSX:SE and P3D, but I only have SE, so I can't speak to it one way or the other.
Over-all, and this is just an opinion, I believe the .NET version just to be better.
But that's just me.
Does that help, Ollie?
Pat☺
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Sorry to be slow in replying. The reason Orion produced the .NET version is that it does not use Java code which apparently is not very secure.
I have used the orian version, it works exactly the same as the original with the advantage it is more safe.
Good luck,
Tregarth