SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:51 pm Post subject: FSX SDK

Dear Forum Members,

I purchased Microsoft Flight Simulator X last December and I am having trouble setting up the Software Developers Kit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

SU37Berkut

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:20 am Post subject:

Dear SU37Berkut,

Could you be a little more specific in the problems that you are facing in setting up your Software Developers Kit. What exactly are the problems that you are facing? I am sure that with this information, a quick and timely solution by one of our outstanding moderators, or other developers can be reached.

Thank you and Welcome to the Surclaro Family

Chris
Capt. Propwash Kchs

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:27 am Post subject:

Dear Chris,

I am having trouble integrating FSX SDK with my Flight Simulator, and I do not have a tools menu in my Simulator. In the getting started tutorial it says something about getting to SDK through the tools menu. I can get to the ACE editor because that does not need to have FSX running to get to it.

Thank you very much.

SU37Berkut

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:45 am Post subject: did you

Did you say you bought FSX or FSX_Deluxe? It matters.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:56 am Post subject:

As GS said, it matters on which you have. Only the deluxe came with the SDK's. There is also a service pack for the SDK's.

So if you have the deluxe, you can get the SP here: http://www.fsinsider.com/downloads/Pages/FSXSoftwareDevelopmentKitUpdate.aspx

RD

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:50 am Post subject:

Dear groundsquirrel,

I have FSX Deluxe.

Thank you RD. I'll try that and then let everyone know if it is working. Smile

SU37Berkut

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:40 am Post subject:

Dear Forum Members,

I downloaded and installed the SDK SP1A and it still does not work.
Any further help will be appreciated.

Thank you all for all your help so far.

SU37Berkut

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

Dear Forum Members,

Am I maybe putting my SDK in the wrong place? I have two FSX folders on my machine! One has SDK in it, the other has my Flight Simulator X.

If someone could please tell me where I am supposed to put it I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

SU37Berkut

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject:

You can put it anywhere you like, it does not need to be in the main FSX folder.

What exactly are you having a problem with???

RD

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:15 pm Post subject:

Dear RD,

The SDK will install, it just won't show up in FSX Deluxe.
It says in the overview document that you are supposed to get to it through the tools menu. I have no tools menu in my flight simulator so I can not get to the SDK. I need to know how to get the SDK integrated with the simulator.

Thank you,

SU37Berkut

Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:38 pm Post subject:

O.k., just hold on a sec here. I don't have FSX yet but I do have some experience with the SDK's for FS2002 and FS2004. I will impart what knowledge and impressions I do have regarding Microsoft Flight Simulator SDK's in general at the risk of being ignorant due to not having the FSX sim or kits.

As far as I have seen, and I have not yet opened up every SDK for FS8 or 9, but have poured over the SDK's that apply to my areas of aircraft and scenery design...the 'MakeMDL' SDK, the 'material' SDK, etc, - The SDK's are just lists of information. There are all sorts of protocols and naming conventions and parameters listed, explaining technically and in decent detail, the way FS works, how developers are to create, alter, or otherwise program the simulator for add-ons and stuff that you make. It gets pretty silly to dive into aircraft development from scratch without downloading the SDK's. (I tried, but if you ask questions on a developer forum folks will often reply with 'Have you read the SDK's?', as most info needed to properly develop add-on flightsim stuff is in there.) I think there are actual software programs themselves included in many of the specific SDK's, as well as install instructions and stuff. For instance, in order to get FS's main 3D modelling program (gmax) exporting proper models for your particular sim version, you need the 'Makemdl' SDk in order to get that makemdl utility to compile your FS-ready model. In order to get scenery done right for FS9, you need the 'BGLCOMP' SDK for BGLCOMP to compile your BGL's for installation into the sim. Again, some SDK's are just lists of info....how to name an aircraft part in gmax in order for it to move like a flap in FS using 'stock' animation techniques. How to name a 'material' in gmax in order for it to show up as a 'bright', self illuminated object in the sim, etc, etc, etc.

That's all they are, these SDK's, lists of developer information and a few actual utilities that educate and enable you to make, install and utilize your own, aircraft, scenery, sounds, panels, effects, etc. in the simulator.

As far as the tools thing goes...do you think they mean the toolbar that appears at the top of the screen when you press 'alt' while simming? (in FS8 and 9 anyway.) I better shut up now, not having FSX....I just wanted to impress on you that the SDK's for FS8 and FS9 are just lists of specific developer info and the related little utilities that enable you to make stuff and get it into the sim. Best of luck, and have fun discovering and learning a whole new world of possibilities within FS...your own creations realized in the simulator you enjoy so much.

EDIT: Hmmm...are you having trouble installing them on your PC so that you can access and read and use them? I remember the FS2002 SDK's downloading themselves to their own area of 'my programs' to be further opened , used and executed from wherever they needed to go from there. I think the FS2004 SDk's went into their own folder where I specified, and I then put the info wherever I wanted it to read at will, and had to put little programs like 'BGLCOMP' into the best place for me to use it, it's own folder, if I liked, to use by bringing in .XML files along with adjacent .mdl files...which are 'cut and pasted', (or was that 'drag and dropped) right onto the 'BGLCOMP' icon........point is it didn't matter where I put it, as RD said.....it's learning how to use it. Wink

I really do hope this helps a bit, and apologize for any bad info or shady details....my memory for this stuff sucks sometimes.

'nother EDIT: ...Some good links here for those interested in developing stuff for FS.....especially the first two links provided. At 'Freeflight Design Shop' and 'FS Developer' you'll find another whole world of info regarding developing your own stuff, or altering other folks' stuff for Flightsim...and you can further delve into all the FSX developer stuff in the forums....they're starting to get flooded with FSX specific questions and answers. http://forums.surclaro.com/ftopic10769.html

Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject:

Hey, cool..... http://www.scenery.org/tutorials_fs2k6_SDK.htm Wink

...and http://flyawaysimulation.com/postt23009.html

...and http://flyawaysimulation.com/postp190482.html

....and http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=256&topic_id=71&mesg_id=79&page=

...and....(you get the idea)...

http://www.google.ca/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=fsx+sdk+installation&meta=&btnG=Google+Search

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:38 am Post subject:

Thank you very much Harkonnen.

I think I had the wrong idea about how this thing was supposed to work. Embarassed

In answer to your question about the tools menu, I think that is the menu they are talking about but I am not sure since I never saw the SDK in action.

Thank you very much for all your help.
SU37Berkut

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject:

Here's a neat place with a few video tutorials explaining how to use the SDK's in order to create missions, and alter all kinds of stuff and save them as missions. The 'tweak guide' and 'keyboard layout' section of this site is still empty but the two mission creation videos listed are there and working. I love video tutorials...talk about hand-holding, eh? The home site from the page I linked looks like a promising place to go to download all kinds of new missions for FSX, or to learn how to create your own.

The first video listed immediately answers a bunch of questions related to this thread...I'm bookmarking this thread for when I do get FSX and a decent PC...well informed means I'll get the most out of any simming experience. Wink

http://fsxmission.com/live/modules.php?name=LearningCenter

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject:

Thank you Harkonnen.

I'll take a look at that link. Hopefully it will answer all my questions about configuring everything. Smile

Regards,

SU37Berkut