Using .off!

[xxd09 68]

How effective is renaming a flle with an .off ending in P3D 4.5

Can it be used to systematically search for an malfunctioning Scenery or Airport?

(I have used it successfully for a targeted .dll file and the Carenado Meteo files)

xxd09

[Reader 2,021]

Hello,

if you rename any file by adding an extension that Windows does not recognise, you have disabled that file completely.

 

 

[Luke 782]

4 hours ago, Reader said:

Hello,

if you rename any file by adding an extension that Windows P3D does not recognise, you have disabled that file completely prevented P3D from loading that file.

Cheers!

 

Edited June 14, 2019 by Luke

[Reader 2,021]

That's what I like about these forums, there is always someone ready to pick holes in any advice given.

It would be interesting to see how many chosen file extensions that Windows does not recognise that P3D

would recognise but thanks for correcting me in any case.

[DaveCT2003 1,820]

13 minutes ago, Reader said:

That's what I like about these forums, there is always someone ready to pick holes in any advice given.

It would be interesting to see how many chosen file extensions that Windows does not recognise that P3D

would recognise but thanks for correcting me in any case.

Luke did not poke a hole in the advice, he merely (and correctly) clarified it, which is perhaps more important for anyone who reads this thread in the future.  His clarification made the advice more technically correct, and I strain to see how in the world that could upset anyone.

I read hundreds of posts each day, and the amount of inaccurate, incomplete advice is overwhelming when taken as a whole.  We all realize that people are just trying to help, but sometimes a little correction or more complete advice is warranted to help the community especially since many posts are accessed during future forum searches. Our hobby is a constant learning experience for everyone involved!

Best wishes!

 

 

[Bob Scott 7,718]

I prefer to sequester disabled scenery file(s) to another subfolder, e.g. "...\removed" so that the disabled files don't remain interspersed with the functioning bgl files.

Another potential "gotcha" with disabling/removing files is that some of the scenery manager utilities (ORBX FTX Central is notorious for this) will detect a missing bgl and reinstall it without telling you.  In those cases I have a batch file that I run after using the scenery manager that checks the scenery folders for any files also listed in the subordinate "removed" folder and it re-disables them.  Sometime it feels like that old "Spy-Counterspy" cartoon series from Mad magazine.

Regards

[F737MAX 5,579]

26 minutes ago, w6kd said:

I prefer to sequester disabled scenery file(s) to another subfolder, e.g. "...\removed" so that the disabled files don't remain interspersed with the functioning bgl files.

Another potential "gotcha" with disabling/removing files is that some of the scenery manager utilities (ORBX FTX Central is notorious for this) will detect a missing bgl and reinstall it without telling you.  In those cases I have a batch file that I run after using the scenery manager that checks the scenery folders for any files also listed in the subordinate "removed" folder and it re-disables them.  Sometime it feels like that old "Spy-Counterspy" cartoon series from Mad magazine.

Ain't that the truth?
I used to move all of the Orbx files I wanted to disable to another folder, but then I couldn't quickly see which files had been re-installed by Central. By looking at my .OFF files I can see which have been added once again as they appear right next to them.

However, that's a slower and more fallible method. 
Would you mind sharing your batch file / 'code' within the batch file, please?

I'd be able to understand how to do a batch file in future by having the actual end result presented rather than follow a set of instructions on a tangential point.

[Reader 2,021]

1 hour ago, DaveCT2003 said:

 His clarification made the advice more technically correct, and I strain to see how in the world that could upset anyone.I read hundreds of posts each day, and the amount of inaccurate, incomplete advice is overwhelming when taken as a whole.  We all realize that people are just trying to help, but sometimes a little correction or more complete advice is warranted to help the community especially since many posts are accessed during future forum searches. Our hobby is a constant learning experience for everyone involved!Best wishes!

I'm not upset, just weary.

 

As to the problem of files being written back, another and perhaps better method is to create a folder inside the scenery folder and move the unwanted files into that, so that P3D cannot see them.

In the event of a reinstallation or file verification, those files can be copied back into the installation.

This has the effect of highlighting them all, so they can then all be removed again in one step.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Reader

[DaveCT2003 1,820]

Just now, Reader said:

I'm not upset, just weary.

I can relate to that from time to time my friend!

My very best wishes!

 

[xxd09 68]

Thanks chaps

xxd09

[Mace 1,904]

I have a question, related to this.

If I rename something.bgl to something.off, will the sim still scan for it on its lookup meanderings?  I have used a util called Filemon to look at these things but never noticed...

[ha5mvo 250]

It won't, why should it?

[Luke 782]

19 hours ago, Reader said:

I'm not upset, just weary.

My goal was not to "pick holes", but to be precise. There may be situations where someone with an unrelated issue will see a post and think "if explorer doesn't recognize the file extension, Windows will not load it" which is not the case.

Cheers!

[Mace 1,904]

6 hours ago, ha5mvo said:

It won't, why should it?

The thought was, that the sim or OS (or both) are still doing a file operation on the .off file.  That's a waste of resources, although it may be so inconsequential it doesn't matter.  That's why, a Reader notes earlier in this thread, maybe it is a better idea to move the file to another location (outside of /scenery)?   Or maybe it doesn't really matter. 

Hence the question.

[ha5mvo 250]

20 minutes ago, Mace said:

The thought was, that the sim or OS (or both) are still doing a file operation on the .off file.  That's a waste of resources, although it may be so inconsequential it doesn't matter.  That's why, a Reader notes earlier in this thread, maybe it is a better idea to move the file to another location (outside of /scenery)?   Or maybe it doesn't really matter. 

Hence the question.

It shouldn't really matter. The sim will ignore unfamiliar files. I use this method a lot, and never have I noticed any degraded performance as a consequence or calls being made to files that were switched off.