Would PMDG work with Topcat to assist 777 Performance Profile?

[Robert McDonald]

The Topcat developer has publicly stated that putting in the performance profile for any 3rd party airplane is some kind of 'huge' task? Therefore the 777 has NO profile in Topcat (AFAIK) yet... which is annoying considering I purchased PFPX + Topcat as a 'bundle' and can't use Topcat AT ALL without the 777 support.

 

I recognize this hardly is a PMDG responsibility, it really belongs squarely in the corner of the Topcat developer, who is hard at work trying to redo his software to totally AVOID entering new 3PD airplanes into his product. I recognize that Topcat is not "must own" software, I have lived without it until now. OTOH, it would be nice to have it integrate with PFPX and have the 777 speed data correct.

 

Does anyone out there have an idea on how to implement this goal? I can't see PMDG doing it, as they are likely busy supporting their OWN products. But for those of us who are trying to get the hard data on a per-flight basis - it would be great if the products we bought all played well together whenever possible.

 

Tabs, do you have any thoughts on this?

[Swen]

Flightsimsoft is the developer of topcat. Only FSS can do the database for topcat. I don't understand what PMDG have to do with another software?! After PFPX is well, we get an update. But thats the point what i'm not amused, 'cause there is only with tricks to use with 737NGX and nothing happens with other addons planes they released. It seems to be a hard work yes. But we can discuss about that, that this bored many people. Yes and its not the right place here to do that.

[Robert McDonald]

Sorry, Swen. I don't understand. Do you work on Topcat? What is the right place to discuss an add-on that ignores the 777? Since many pilot purchase PFPX BECAUSE it supports the 777, and like me, many pilots purchase the "bundle" of PFPX PLUS Topcat as well, only to discover that 1/2 of the "bundle" is useless - how would you feel if that was YOU doing the buying?

 

I'm willing to bet you'd be unhappy, no?

 

In my case, I purchased PFPX -because- it directly supports the PMDG 777. I bought the Topcat thinking it would support the 777 as well. I have seen the developer of the Topcat say publicly that it is the responsibility of the BUYER to discover the 777 is not supported by Topcat by reading a list of planes that ARE supported. Sounds a bit like tricky marketing, not honest...you think I am right? Of course not.

 

You clearly have some kind of agenda and don't want people talking about a product that DOES NOT WORK with PMDG 777. This is the wrong place? Isn't this the PMDG 777 forum? You think??? Plain language: It's only FAIR that pilots 'realize' that a product being sold is NOT going to work with a specific 3rd party airplane, just fair warning, yeah?

[Swen]

1. The PMDG Support Forum
2. PMDG 777

Thats why a wrong place to discuss about a product what you not buy from PMDG.

[Kerlix]

1. For issues with TOPCAT, issues would best be placed in a TOPCAT forum. Coming to a PMDG forum to request help with issues stemming from a separate program is........illogical?

 

2. As far as TOPCAT not supporting the T7 at this point, well...I always make sure to research 3rd party programs that I purchase. It's my opinion that that responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders. I don't expect, or want, a company to have to hold my hand through the whole purchase process to make sure I understand what I'm getting. They put the information out there, it's my job to read it. If I still have questions, then I contact them through either a support portal or through a support forum. And if I go the forum route, I always make sure to search the forum first to see if my question(s) have already been answered.

 

 

Also, TOPCAT not supporting the T7 does not make it useless. TOPCAT supports a multitude of 3rd party aircraft, with other user-created or tweaked profiles available for discovery and use. But now we're back to my stance on (potential) end-user responsibility and research.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

 

1. The PMDG Support Forum
2. PMDG 777

Thats why a wrong place to discuss about a product what you not buy from PMDG.

 

 

OP is simply asking if PMDG might be able to assist with a product that many of its own customers use. No need to be difficult.

[Kerlix]

I believe they have supplied data in the past to help with TOPCAT and PFPX development so I don't see why they wouldn't again. Once things calm down within PMDG (after bugs have been found and fixed, patches issued, support portal issues winding down) then they may very well have time to work with FSS future product support.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I believe they have supplied data in the past to help with TOPCAT and PFPX development so I don't see why they wouldn't again. Once things calm down within PMDG (after bugs have been found and fixed, patches issued, support portal issues winding down) then they may very well have time to work with FSS future product support.

 

Why didn't you just say that in the first place?

[Kerlix]

Because I was addressing other points the OP made. I was just stating my opinion on the matter as a whole and on specific issues that were stood out the most to me.

 

As far as my 2nd response: I thought it was either A.) fairly common knowledge, or B.) easy to find out through a quick Google search (2nd main result, 1st "sub"-result) that PMDG has worked with FSS for TOPCAT support in the past. From there, it was just my opinion that there's been precedent set in the past that I would imagine will repeat in the future.

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=PMDG+topcat 

[Robert McDonald]

Because I was addressing other points the OP made. I was just stating my opinion on the matter as a whole and on specific issues that were stood out the most to me.

 

As far as my 2nd response: I thought it was either A.) fairly common knowledge, or B.) easy to find out through a quick Google search (2nd main result, 1st "sub"-result) that PMDG has worked with FSS for TOPCAT support in the past. From there, it was just my opinion that there's been precedent set in the past that I would imagine will repeat in the future.

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=PMDG+topcat 

 

 

Well, you certainly let me know YOUR opinion, and thanks for sharing.  I would counter by saying that I got on to the purchase by reading that PFPX "DID" support the 777.  Since Topcat is by NO MEANS a "new" software product (been around far longer than brand-new PFPX), I incorrectly surmised that because it was "BUNDLED", it would be on a par with PFPX.  For 15 Euro, I also presumed that it would add a commensurate value proposition.  Did I spend hours and days wondering about whether or not I should buy the "bundle"?  No.  Should I have made a big project out of a 77 USD add-on purchase?  No.  I am man enough to admit it's my fault I should have read the package closer - but on the other hand - Topcat has taken what I can describe as less-than-consumer-friendly approach to redressing the shortfall.  Of course if Aerosoft is involved, I'm less than totally stunned.

 

I recognize that the PMDG forum isn't the Topcat support forum.  Other PMDG pilots may BENEFIT from this thread - if for no other reason than becoming more aware that if -all-they-fly- is PMDG, then they'd better take note.  I only fly the NGX and the 777.  So it impacts me, big deal, I blew 15 Euros on something that is essentially useless.  I began this thread with the idea that possibly PMDG staff might elect to share performance data with Topcat.  If not, possibly someone in this forum may have a workaround or be able to supply the performance data (say a Boeing employee or a RW pilot) on the 777 to FSS/Topcat.  Since FSS claims this is a HUGE amount of WORK, they are trying to throw it on the user/pilot via a 'beta' workaround whereby the user has to enter aircraft profile data in lieu of adding the plane to their software.  I might be wrong, but it's not as if a HUGE NUMBER of planes are being released each year for FSX, and clearly PMDG is regarded as a top-tier aircraft vendor.  To omit their product from your product support is not smart business.  For one thing the negative PR you generate when people eventually "discover" your deliberate omission will ultimately have an impact on sales.  Shame on me for not making this a huge priority.  On the other hand, shame on FSS for "bundling" and not having the forbearance to put PFPX + TOPCAT (bundle) along with "Note: Topcat does NOT support the PMDG 777, PFPX does".  Then some folks who fly the 777 as their only or main airplane might have a second thought about the idea of buying the 'bundle'.

 

What I don't get is how some people wish to mask the truth of this situation by announcing this isn't the appropriate place to discuss incompatibility of a 3PD product with a PMDG product.  

 

I submit that nothing could be more appropriate, sir.  Thank you, and good day.

[Luke160388]

 

"Judith B.

Administrator

Full Member

 

 

Posts: 230

 

 

Re: PMDG 777

« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2013, 10:28:51 PM »

Hello,

 

It is a very complexe and time consuming work to add new aircraft types into TOPCAT (digitizing of a huge amount of Graphs and tables,...).

 

it would probably take 2-3 months - depending, if Christian gets some vacation (as he flies for an Airline).

 

The next one will be the B777!

 

Brgds,

Judith"

 

http://www.topcatsim.com/forum/index.php?topic=1212.0

 

FSS have said that they will make a TOPCAT 777 profile. Just that it will take time.

 

Now I'm gonna run and hide

[Robert McDonald]

"Judith B.

Administrator

Full Member

 

 

Posts: 230

 

 

Re: PMDG 777

« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2013, 10:28:51 PM »

Hello,

 

It is a very complexe and time consuming work to add new aircraft types into TOPCAT (digitizing of a huge amount of Graphs and tables,...).

 

it would probably take 2-3 months - depending, if Christian gets some vacation (as he flies for an Airline).

 

The next one will be the B777!

 

Brgds,

Judith"

 

http://www.topcatsim.com/forum/index.php?topic=1212.0

 

FSS have said that they will make a TOPCAT 777 profile. Just that it will take time.

 

Now I'm gonna run and hide

 

I have read that comment over on their forum.  I also see their main developer (programmer) suggesting people in the sim community take it upon themselves to write the C++ DLL code needed for that airplane, and then he went one step further, saying they (the person who did that task) could even CHARGE MONEY FOR IT.

 

That's a little different than the post you quoted by Judith.  So the question arises as to 'when' this will happen - and until it does, the product remains useless to those who bought it only to use with the PMDG NGX or 777.  

 

If I'm not wrong, the NGX remains unsupported to this date- that's a plane that has been around for quite a while.

 

My job isn't to bash FSS.  It's simply to try to get their software to work with the 777 (and the NGX as well as long as I'm dreaming).  Those are the ONLY 2 airplanes I fly in FSX.

 

Cheers.

[fakeflyer737]

In other word it WILL NEVER HAPPEN

[red259]

I have read that comment over on their forum.  I also see their main developer (programmer) suggesting people in the sim community take it upon themselves to write the C++ DLL code needed for that airplane, and then he went one step further, saying they (the person who did that task) could even CHARGE MONEY FOR IT.

 

That's a little different than the post you quoted by Judith.  So the question arises as to 'when' this will happen - and until it does, the product remains useless to those who bought it only to use with the PMDG NGX or 777.  

 

If I'm not wrong, the NGX remains unsupported to this date- that's a plane that has been around for quite a while.

 

My job isn't to bash FSS.  It's simply to try to get their software to work with the 777 (and the NGX as well as long as I'm dreaming).  Those are the ONLY 2 airplanes I fly in FSX.

 

Cheers.

You know I had considered getting that same bundle, until I found out the 777 wasn't supported. I'm a bit confused I thought the ngx was supported. Based on their list of featured aircraft it appears to be as it says 737-800 pmdg? 

[Tabs]

We have been in contact with Christian for a long time - you guys are just making stuff up if you're claiming he has no channel to us for questions. I was a PFPX tester and his company has copies of the 777 to use.