I have FSX Acceleration. I am running Win7. I checked the dll.xml file and it looks right. I have the FX Tool showing in FSX Tools. My FSX.cfg has this line:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll.oqnrzlqzkzwqokwachbktnkwbbtibuqnuaulurto=0

 

Here's my dll.xml:

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?>

<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">

<Descr>Launch</Descr>

<Filename>dll.xml</Filename>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>AFXModule</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>E:\Program Files (x86)\AFX\AFXModuleFSX.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Object Placement Tool</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Mission Creation Kit\object_placement.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Traffic Toolbox</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Traffic Toolbox SDK\traffictoolbox.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Visual Effects Tool</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Level-D Simulations</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>Modules\LVLD.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>FSUIPC 4</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<Path>Modules\FSUIPC4.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

</SimBase.Document>

 

I have read the Microsoft ESP SDK. It refers to a path:

 

C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\ESP folder

 

I do not have that folder anywhere on my computer.

 

When I click on the FSX FX Tool in the Tools drop-down I do not get anything.

 

Where does the ESP folder get created? What do I have to do to get the Special Effects Editor working?

 

Thanks. Bob.

I have FSX Acceleration. I am running Win7. I checked the dll.xml file and it looks right. I have the FX Tool showing in FSX Tools. My FSX.cfg has this line:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll.oqnrzlqzkzwqokwachbktnkwbbtibuqnuaulurto=0

 

Here's my dll.xml:

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?>

<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">

<Descr>Launch</Descr>

<Filename>dll.xml</Filename>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>AFXModule</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>E:\Program Files (x86)\AFX\AFXModuleFSX.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Object Placement Tool</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Mission Creation Kit\object_placement.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Traffic Toolbox</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Traffic Toolbox SDK\traffictoolbox.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Visual Effects Tool</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>Level-D Simulations</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>

<Path>Modules\LVLD.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

<Launch.Addon>

<Name>FSUIPC 4</Name>

<Disabled>False</Disabled>

<Path>Modules\FSUIPC4.dll</Path>

</Launch.Addon>

</SimBase.Document>

 

I have read the Microsoft ESP SDK. It refers to a path:

 

C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\ESP folder

 

I do not have that folder anywhere on my computer.

 

When I click on the FSX FX Tool in the Tools drop-down I do not get anything.

 

Where does the ESP folder get created? What do I have to do to get the Special Effects Editor working?

 

Thanks. Bob.

 

bump

I just enabled mine (it works) and checked my FSX.cfg afterwards and found:

 

C:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll.oobcqhzbllbqbaaenzwhaccheeibicolhweuakak=1

 

I'd also guess the C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\ESP folder would be the equivalent of your C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX folder if you were running ESP rather than FSX.

 

Jim

Hi Bob:

 

The FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool utility will allow you to open an existing Effect (*.FX file extension) in the [FSX install path]\Effects sub-folder, and display it / tinker with it. :Idea:

 

 

NOTE: By default the Effect will appear at the center point of your user aircraft's 3-D model, so depending on what the size and type of loaded Effect is, and what aircraft you are in, you may or may not be able to see the Effect until resized or "offset" using the parameters in the FX Tool dialog.

 

FYI: Another option is to use Arno Gerritsen's excellent freeware "FX Editor" utility, which offers a different type of interactive preview, available via FSDeveloper:

 

http://www.fsdevelop...splay.php?f=116

 

 

BTW: You need not pay any heed to the info about the ESP SDK or its path because, IIUC, you have the FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool install path already correctly configured in your DLL.XML file

 

IIUC, you were probably reading the online MSDN documents for "ESP" (since sold off to Lockheed-Martin, who reworked that nearly identical "other" FSX version, and who has now released it as "Prepar3d"). :rolleyes:

 

Although nearly all content posted online at MSDN for ESP SDK is the same as that for FSX (and it is visually much easier to read than the documents we got with FSX Deluxe and/or Acceration), IMHO, what you should properly be referring to is the documentation for FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool utility... which after successful installation, is found at:

 

[FSX SDK install path]\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\Creating Special Effects.html#TheFXToolDialog

 

 

PS: FSX Default, SDK, and 3rd party add-on *.dll and *.exe modules may be easily identified and controlled via use of the excellent freeware FS utility "ModuleToolX 0.4" by Alexander Brand ...available at:

 

http://library.avsim...=root&Go=Search

 

 

Prior to starting FSX, using "ModuleToolX 0.4" to edit your DLL.XML for "visualfxtool.dll", be sure that "Disabled" = False, and "Manual Load" = False.

 

FSX will then automatically write the appropriate entry into the "Trusted" section of your FSX.Cfg to enable the FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool ...without the risks associated with performing manual edits to your DLL.XML and FSX.Cfg files.

 

When you next start FSX, you should have FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool (aka "FX Tool") working OK. :Praying:

 

 

Hope this helps ! :smile:

 

GaryGB

I just enabled mine (it works) and checked my FSX.cfg afterwards and found:

 

C:\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll.oobcqhzbllbqbaaenzwhaccheeibicolhweuakak=1

 

I'd also guess the C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\ESP folder would be the equivalent of your C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX folder if you were running ESP rather than FSX.

 

Jim

 

Hi Jim. Thanks. All my paths are correct as shown above in my post (..\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll).

 

I have the same exact beginning path for my Traffic Toolbox and Object Placement and they both work fine.

 

When I click on Tools and FX Tool in FSX nothing happens. I see nothing. I don't understand what is wrong. Regards, Bob.

Thanks. I just re-read my fsx.cfg and found two lines for the visualfxtool.dll as shown below:

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll.oqnrzlqzkzwqokwachbktnkwbbtibuqnuaulurto=0

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Mission Creation Kit\object_placement.dll.rnqheoablzuunubhcckcnlzkehieqzwhwqcltlhz=1

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Traffic Toolbox SDK\traffictoolbox.dll.uthtbkelbewonuwooaikrzheaczhozwbrqwlzthe=1

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\visualfxtool.dll.botbunekrhtizthwkonblwlluzuzrwkqeznnorcc=1

 

The first one has =0 and the second one has =1 at the end. I don't know how these entries work. Maybe FSX thinks it is =0 when it reads the first line and disregards the second line. I don't know why there are two lines and they are not the same. I wonder if I delete the one that says =0 or edit the line that says=0 to say=1 FX Tool might work. Regards, Bob.

Hi Bob:

 

The FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool utility will allow you to open an existing Effect (*.FX file extension) in the [FSX install path]\Effects sub-folder, and display it / tinker with it. :Idea:

 

 

NOTE: By default the Effect will appear at the center point of your user aircraft's 3-D model, so depending on what the size and type of loaded Effect is, and what aircraft you are in, you may or may not be able to see the Effect until resized or "offset" using the parameters in the FX Tool dialog.

 

FYI: Another option is to use Arno Gerritsen's excellent freeware "FX Editor" utility, which offers a different type of interactive preview, available via FSDeveloper:

 

http://www.fsdevelop...splay.php?f=116

 

 

BTW: You need not pay any heed to the info about the ESP SDK or its path because, IIUC, you have the FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool install path already correctly configured in your DLL.XML file

 

IIUC, you were probably reading the online MSDN documents for "ESP" (since sold off to Lockheed-Martin, who reworked that nearly identical "other" FSX version, and who has now released it as "Prepar3d"). :rolleyes:

 

Although nearly all content posted online at MSDN for ESP SDK is the same as that for FSX (and it is visually much easier to read than the documents we got with FSX Deluxe and/or Acceration), IMHO, what you should properly be referring to is the documentation for FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool utility... which after successful installation, is found at:

 

[FSX SDK install path]\Environment Kit\Special Effects SDK\Creating Special Effects.html#TheFXToolDialog

 

 

PS: FSX Default, SDK, and 3rd party add-on *.dll and *.exe modules may be easily identified and controlled via use of the excellent freeware FS utility "ModuleToolX 0.4" by Alexander Brand ...available at:

 

http://library.avsim...=root&Go=Search

 

 

Prior to starting FSX, using "ModuleToolX 0.4" to edit your DLL.XML for "visualfxtool.dll", be sure that "Disabled" = False, and "Manual Load" = False.

 

FSX will then automatically write the appropriate entry into the "Trusted" section of your FSX.Cfg to enable the FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool ...without the risks associated with performing manual edits to your DLL.XML and FSX.Cfg files.

 

When you next start FSX, you should have FSX SDK Visual Effects Tool (aka "FX Tool") working OK. :Praying:

 

 

Hope this helps ! :smile:

 

GaryGB

 

Hi Gary. Thanks for the help. I believe my dll paths are OK and they are both set to False. I did download the Module Tool. I also tried FX Editor but I get a lot of Unhandled Exception errors. All I get when I set my path correctly and read any effect all I get is a grid with a red center grid. As I posted above to Jim I found two entries in my fsx.cfg referring to the visual tool. The first says =0 and the second says=1. That might be my problem. Do you think so? Regards to you and Jim, Bob.

Hi all. Thanks for your help guys. I set both lines in my fsx.cfg =1 and now it works. I just have to read up on how it works. I get the Editor screen and get all the individual effect info. I clicked on Do Effect but nothing happened. It locks me up in Pause and if I click P nothing happens. It does not un-pause FSX. I hit P many times and it finally un-paused me. Best regards, Bob.

I'd try Arno's FX Editor tool that Gary mentioned Bob. I've never had much luck getting the MS supplied one to do anything useful :smile: . Probably operator error but...

 

Jim

Hi Jim. OK. Thanks. I have installed it but there sure is a learning curve for both of them. Best regards, Bob.