Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
Avcomware

Easy Mission Tutorial / Kit.

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone.During the last couple of weeks I started playing with the Missions and found a number of issues that were very confusing. During the learning stage I decided to write a small Tutorial, and compile a Kit /.zip, that may help others to get started. Post here if you have any problems / feed back. Below you will find the text included in the ".zip" as "Easy Mission Tutorial.doc". TVPS I get an "Upload failed. You are not permitted to upload this type of file" error when I try to upload the .zips. I will just post the text, and the .jpg with the Commands, in case it may be of help to someone. TVEasy Mission, Tutorial.This Tutorial does not go into the Installation of the SDK. This is intended to get you started, and past the initial point where most of the people seem to be having problems with.This Tutorial does go through the steps that are difficult to understand / accomplish due to some Errors / difficult things to set up, like Mission Category, see more info below, where the information is, how the files are linked, in the Mission SDK Meta file, Look closer to the ground etc., Error, and the confusing instructions from MS.System requirements:FSX Deluxe, basic release, no SPs, with the SDK installed.With Flight Simulator up and running, in Window mode, First click in the Menu bar, Options, Settings, then General, then select the Show Captioning check box. This will ensure that you can both see the dialog text as well as hear the sound file. By default, the Show Captioning check box is left unchecked.Minimum elements needed to get a complete Mission Started, the easy way, are include in the ".zip" file.Quick start:1-Unzip this file "SampleMission.zip", and Move it to your …\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Missions\ 2-Start FSX in Windows mode.3-In the Menu bar LeftClick Tools4- LeftClick Object Placement tool5- LeftClick Load Mission button6- Point to the Missions folder where the SampleMission (.zip) file is, see above.7- LeftClick on "AnyFileName.xml" file8- LeftClick on Open9- LeftClick on Objects, You are now able to use the Tool to modify the exiting mission. In the Folder SampleMission is a startup Mission that is recognized in the Missions start up Menu, called MyFirstMission (the same as the .flt file name) that displays "Welcome to missions." when started.The file only has one MissionObject(ScenarioMetadata1) that creates the ".xml" code Meta file, and a TimerTrigger, one Action Object( DialogAction1) that displays the Welcome message, with the C172 on Runway 19R at KSNA created by the MyFirstMission.flt".Now you can modify, add, and it's time to start reading the SDK, but you do not have to spend hours trying to guess what someone is trying to describe in a very confusing way, and have to search for all the files you need.Detailed Instructions:Create a folder in your …\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Missions\ by AnyNameYou want, and copy all the files from this.zip into it."Overview_Tab.htm", "Overview.htm" and Folder "Overview_files""Details_Tab.htm", "Details.htm" and Folder "Details_files" "Charts_Tab.htm", "Charts.htm", and "Sound" Folder where you can keep your sounds that Have to be ".Wav" and must meet the specifications described in the SDK, and the Folder "Images" where you place Charts, Diagrams etc., you can put .jpg pics any size here, but keep them around 400x400.You will also need the "AnyFileName.xml" file that is used to hold the .xml code of the Mission and you use that name when you LeftClick the LoadMission button.You will also need a .flt and a .Wx file generated in the Flight Simulator in Free flight mode. These files have to be copied from where FS originally places them that ca be in different locations depending on your OS. In vista you should find them in ….\user\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files.Note: The Name of this Flight is what will show up as the Name / Title of your Mission, and the Description will be in your Mission initial screen, lower right, when you start the Mission.Note the .flt file also has to be modified in Note pad to link it to the mission "AnyFileName.xml" file by adding these lines at the end of the .flt file. You can also have more than one Flight (.flt) + aircraft, Wx etc. linked to the same Mission code "AnyFileName.xml" by adding the same lines to the .flt.[ObjectFile]File= AnyFileName //Note this name must match the name of the "AnyFileName.xml" file without the .XML extension.Note that the xml file extension is not added to the filename, and that there are no spaces around the equals signs. This links the mission to the flight file. You can Edit all the .htm files with MSWord, or other Html Editors, Mozilla, IE etc.Note: If you Edit any .xml files make sure you use Notepad, or other Editors that will not introduce any special, invisible characters in you file. XML is very particular when it comes to Case, Spaces etc.You will find all these files included in this .zipFolder "Details_files"Folder "Overview_files"Folder "Images"Folder "Sound"Files:"Easy Mission Tutorial.doc", this file."AnyFileName.xml" >in here is where the Code resides, with the Mission Name and the CategoryRef is added."Charts.htm""Charts_Tab.htm""Details.htm""Details_Tab.htm""Overview.htm""Overview_Tab.htm""cessna_incomplete.bmp""Cessna_Complete.bmp""MyFirstMission.FLT""MyFirstMission.WX"Here you will also need the ".flt" and the ".wx" files.I also included the "FSCategories.xml" file that you will need / want to Move somewhere else, for convenience only, it can be difficult to find and it is used to get, Copy / Paste the Category into the .xml file .CategoryRef property of the metadata, list you can choose from:TutorialJust for FunThe Good LifeBackcountryPilot for HireEmergencyAirline PilotChallengesFile "FSCategories.xml", below, contains info. Where you can copy the CtegoryRef into your Mission / Meta file. You should Copy and Paste just the line with the long ID numbers in it, to your "AnyFileName.xml" found in your root mission folder, which can be different than your Mission Name, of .flt name. This id\s whatever you decide to name a file that is stored on your disk.Example for Category Tutorial you only Copy one of these lines that relates to the Category you want.Example for Tutorial Category: <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{FEE3B6EC-0606-42de-BC57-93583735B3ED}">just about anywhere in the "AnyFileName.xml" after <SimMissionUI.ScenarioMetadata InstanceId="{.."line."FSCategories.xml"<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?><SimBase.Document Type="AceXML" version="1,0" id="FSCategories"> <Descr>AceXML Document</Descr> <Filename>FSCategories.xml</Filename> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{89A043AF-EB9E-4248-8A3E-D645309542B9}"> <Descr>Beginner and advanced tutorial missions intended to inform the user about how to use the sim and help them succeed in missions</Descr> <Title>Tutorial</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{FEE3B6EC-0606-42de-BC57-93583735B3ED}"> <Descr>Used to be sport pilot and incorporates ultralight, piper cub, sailplane and aerobatics missions</Descr> <Title>Just for Fun</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{A9584A5D-F635-4fe0-BACF-B5113EBBE95B}"> <Descr>Private Pilot missions such as A-B flights, navigation, IFR, sightseeing, twins, beginning helicopters, etc.)</Descr> <Title>The Good Life</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{0E29A18F-FA0F-4b26-A238-DF1B6257F372}"> <Descr>All the bush pilot stuff</Descr> <Title>Backcountry</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{3FC5DE7B-25FA-457c-B206-BB01758E305D}"> <Descr>Corporate pilot missions (helicopter, kingair, lear, etc.)</Descr> <Title>Pilot for Hire</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{538251D0-0B64-400c-BB47-F6BEF8F8A26C}"> <Descr>Mostly search and rescue, medivac, etc.</Descr> <Title>Emergency</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{B16A4E95-5836-479a-82CD-6CCC8656F390}"> <Descr>Regional and major airline missions</Descr> <Title>Airline Pilot</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory> <SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory id="{51C845D7-D5BB-469a-90F9-BF8A4DE72600}"> <Descr>Missions from each of the previous mission types (except tutorial) which offer a special challenge</Descr> <Title>Challenges</Title> </SimMissionUI.ScenarioCategory></SimBase.Document>Tips:If you get the error message "You need to be looking at or closer to the ground" - use the hat switch on the joystick to lower the green cross hairs so that they point at the ground. This can be necessary even though the object being entered is not relevant to any particular ground location.Images have to be of specific type, color and size, i.e. you may not use .jpg in the CompletedImage / Uncompleted Meta, convert the .jpg to 8 bit, 256 colors .bmp if you want to save space.You must link an Action to a Trigger.If the Action is used multiple instances, you have to Disable it after use, and re enable it.For more details read "Mission Creation.html" located in …..Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Mission Creation Kit, and "sdk overview.html" located in …..Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDKFor an quick view of all / most the Commands / Functions available view the "Mission-cmds.jpg".Step by Step.Note: Use the Hat switch on the joystick to lower the green cross hairs so that they point at the ground. Example:Adding an Action, DialogAction.:Press the Add oval button, another two buttons show up under Type and Name, select Action in Top box, then DialogAction in the Second box, and press the Add oval button, and then enter the Text and SoundFileName in the Property (Not in the Property Sets) column as desired. Basically all the instructions follow the same basic steps. For this Action to take place you need a Trigger, TimerTrigger.Press the Add oval button, another two buttons show up under Type and Name, select Trigger in Top box, then TimerTrigger in the Second box, and press the Add oval button, and then enter the Start / Stop Time in the Property (Not in the Property Sets) column as desired.Link the Dialog to the Trigger.Double LeftClick, Actions in the Property (Not in the Property Sets) column, and you should get DialogActionX, and other elements to show up in the Elements column. Double LeftClick on the element you want to link to, in this case DialogActionX, a + sign should appear in the front of your Element that confirms the link. Setting up a more complex situation where you want to test for other conditions, like Altitude, Heading etc., can be done using PropertyTrigger checking "Altitude AGL > 600", and communicating a Dialog or other Action.Follow the "Adding an Action, DialogAction" above to add the Dialog.Add a PropertyTrigger.Press the Add oval button, another two buttons show up under Type and Name, select Trigger in Top box, then PropertyTrigger in the Second box, and press the Add oval button.In the Property column, Double LeftClick the Conditions, the Conditional Editor should show up, LeftClick on Add term, more choices show up, LeftClick on the 3rd / empty button and you should get other conditions like Simvar .AltitudeAGL, etc., LeftClick on your choice and Operator, then enter the Value in the Right side under the Double, button (in this case 600). You can add more terms here if you like. When done click OK. In the Property column Double LeftClick Actions, and in the Element column Double LeftClick on the element you want to link it to.Use one Trigger per each direction / altitude that someone may be approaching from, to stop them from bypassing sections of the Mission, on each Trigger you may want (should) to have a DialogAction, and another Trigger to disable other actions / directions etc. Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

  • Tom Allensworth,
    Founder of AVSIM Online


  • Flight Simulation's Premier Resource!

    AVSIM is a free service to the flight simulation community. AVSIM is staffed completely by volunteers and all funds donated to AVSIM go directly back to supporting the community. Your donation here helps to pay our bandwidth costs, emergency funding, and other general costs that crop up from time to time. Thank you for your support!

    Click here for more information and to see all donations year to date.
×
×
  • Create New...