ATC / GSX Window stop working

[Urmel81 189]

Has anyone an solution for the ATC / GSX window problem for Prepar3dv5.1 HF1? It's stops working suddently. I think the problem is well known. Maybe anybody has an workaround.

 

Regards Urmel

[G-RFRY 1,705]

Have you tried running the updater.

[Urmel81 189]

11 minutes ago, G-RFRY said:

Have you tried running the updater.

Updater??? P3D has no updater.

[pgde 571]

I think he meant the FSDT GSX Updater.

[G-RFRY 1,705]

1 hour ago, pgde said:

I think he meant the FSDT GSX Updater.

Yes that one an update has been released a couple of days ago.

[Urmel81 189]

Anyone this issue? I'm flying with the default ATC, and it's quite bad when the window stops working.

 

[jfmitch 33]

and then there was silence from the inquiring mind.

 

[virtuali 4,419]

As you surely must have noticed, since the problem doesn't happen with just GSX, but also the default ATC Window, it should have been clear the problem doesn't have anything to do with GSX and won't be fixed by any update we could possibly release, and it's a very known issue which has been discussed so many times on our forum, and it's another simulator bug with the menu, which mislead users it's a "GSX problem", but it's not. 

It's a result of the menu system switching from Scaleform to Html5, which happened in P3D 5.1 for the first time, and it's still not entirely reliable. This has been discussed in a very long thread on LM forum too, and the temporary solution ( until a fix will come from LM ), is to switch back to Scaleform menus, which never gets stuck.

However, switching the Scaleforum menu MIGHT ( I'm not sure of this, because it happened on 5.0, but it might have been fixed in 5.1 ) cause crashes in VCRUNTIME.DLL, which was the "old" menu bug that again users were mislead it was a GSX bug, when it fact was a *different* simulator bug, which was likely the motivation from LM to abandon the Scaleform system ( mostly because it relied on Flash technologies, and Flash is now officially 100% dead ) and move to Html 5.

So, I'm afraid, until a proper fix comes from LM, you will have to choose between to equally disappointing alternatives:

- Using the default Html menu, which might become "stuck" sometimes

- Switching to the old Scaleform menu, which never gets stuck, but *might* crash the sim when used many times in a session

Because of these bugs, and the fact we are obviously working on GSX for MSFS ( which currently doesn't have *any* API for a menu system ), we are likely to implement a custom menu system for GSX which will bypass the simulator menu entirely, using the same UI as the rest of GSX, which is based on wxWidgets, so we'll likely have an option to use it in P3D too, when the default menu system doesn't work well, like in this case.

Edited January 24, 2021 by virtuali

[SolRayz 392]

How exactly do you switch to the old Scaleform menu? I would like to try this option. 

[neilhewitt 493]

From a post by 737SimGuy at the LM P3D forum:

Quote

Here are the instructions to disable the HTML menus:

Modify the missionpanels.cfg in the gauges folder in your
Prepar3D installation directory.
Changing these entries will revert these windows back to the Scaleform version:

[Window10]
change:
html_file = menu;
html_instance_name = MenuPrompt;
to:
scaleform_file = menuwindow;
scaleform_instance_name = MenuPrompt;

[Window11]
change:
html_file = ATC;
html_instance_name = ATC;
to:
scaleform_file = menuwindow;
scaleform_instance_name = ATC;

[Window12] ; for GSX
change:
html_file = Menu;
html_instance_name = SimConnectWindow;
to:
scaleform_file = menuwindow;
scaleform_instance_name = SimConnectWindow;

I've done this on my sim because of a bug with the HTML5 menu implementation (it doesn't see keypresses when P3D is not the foreground application) and the Scaleform menus work fine.

[SolRayz 392]

9 hours ago, neilhewitt said:

From a post by 737SimGuy at the LM P3D forum:

I've done this on my sim because of a bug with the HTML5 menu implementation (it doesn't see keypresses when P3D is not the foreground application) and the Scaleform menus work fine.

Awesome thank you!

[SolRayz 392]

So I tried this, and got g2d.dll error, three times in a row, and for the first time. Reverting back unfortunately. 

Edited January 26, 2021 by SolRayz

[neilhewitt 493]

8 hours ago, SolRayz said:

So I tried this, and got g2d.dll error, three times in a row, and for the first time. Reverting back unfortunately. 

That's odd. It certainly worked for me. It was a while ago now but I don't recall having to do anything beyond what 737SimGuy says. This is my missionpanels.cfg after the change:

; These global panels can be used by any aircraft. 
; XML panels have their size_mm's are based on a 1024x768 screen but sizes are really determined by the window_size parameter. 
; Note that the gauge00 size always matches the size_mm size, which is all that is required for the panels to occupy the correct size on screen.
; Scaleform Panels require the window_size parameter and do not use size_mm

[Window Titles]
Window00=Points of Interest
Window01=Timer Window
Window02=Droppable Objects
Window03=Race Map
Window04=Engine Data
Window05=Race Info
Window06=Next Racing Maneuver
Window07=G meter
Window08=Race Penalty
Window09=Countdown
Window10=MenuWindow
Window11=ATCWindow
Window12=SimConnectWindow
Window13=PanelManager
Window14=AppMenuWindowPanel
Window15=Eye Tracking //Eye Tracking
Window16=VR-Textures
[Window00]
window_size               = 0.1, 0.16                ; as a percentage of the screen; this allows us to ignore the size of the "main" or first panel loaded.
window_pos                = 0.01, 0.03               ; as a percentage of the screen
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5                        ; larger number -> closer to top
ident                     = POI_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.65                     ; 1.0 = opaque  
scaleform_file            = poi
scaleform_instance_name   = poi        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -0.68849992752075195313, 0.75999999046325683594, 1

[Window01]
window_size               = 0.15, 0.07
position                  = 1
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = TIMER_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.65
scaleform_file            = timer        ; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = timer        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -0.016499878838658332825, 1.01399993896484375, 1

[Window02]
window_size               = 0.125, 0.0313
window_pos                = 0.80, 0.04
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = DROPPABLE_OBJ_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.65
scaleform_file            = droppable_objects        ; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = droppable_objects        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -0.021000020205974578857, 0.85000014305114746094, 1

[Window03]
window_size               = 0.17,0.3                
window_pos                = 0,0.0                       
background_color          = 0,0,0                     
visible                   = 0                                  
zorder                    = 5                                   
ident                     = RACEMAP_WINDOW                       
alpha_blend               = 0.5    
scaleform_file            = racing_aids_map        ; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = racing_aids_map        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -1.0035003423690795898, 0.78399986028671264648, 1

[Window04]
size_mm                   = 154, 59
window_size               = 0.150, 0.077
window_pos                = 0.03, 0.295
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = RACEMAP_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.75
gauge00                   = Missions!racing_aids_icons,    0,0,154,59
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = 0.40799996256828308105, 0.99200004339218139648, 1

[Window05]
window_size               = 0.38, 0.085
window_pos                = 0.60, 0.04
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = RACEINFO_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.85
scaleform_file            = racing_aids_race_info
scaleform_instance_name   = racing_aids_race_info        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = 0.68849998712539672852, 1.0659999847412109375, 1

[Window06]
window_size               = 0.19,0.260
window_pos                = 0.4,0.04
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = RACEMAP_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.75
scaleform_file            = racing_aids_maneuvers
scaleform_instance_name   = racing_aids_maneuvers    ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -0.13350000977516174316, -0.89200013875961303711, 1

[Window07]
window_size               = 0.19,0.260
position                  = 2
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
visible                   = 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = G_METER_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.75
scaleform_file            = g_meter
scaleform_instance_name   = g_meter    ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -1.0170001983642578125, -0.30800008773803710938, 1

[Window08]
window_size               = 0.65, 0.30
window_pos                = 0.0, 0.5
visible                   = 0
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = RACEPENALTY_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.75
scaleform_file            = race_penalty
scaleform_instance_name   = race_penalty        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = 1.088999629020690918, 1.0159997940063476563, 1

[Window09]
window_size               = 0.5, 0.5
window_pos                  = 0.32, 0.18
visible                      = 0
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
zorder                    = 5
ident                     = COUNTDOWN_WINDOW
alpha_blend               = 0.75
scaleform_file            = race_countdown        ; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = race_countdown        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -0.90450000762939453125, 0.3540000617504119873, 1

[Window10]
window_size               = 0.25, 0.25
position                  = 4                ; Middle Of Screen
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
alpha_blend               = 0.00
visible                      = 0
ident                     = MENU_WINDOW
scaleform_file            = menuwindow; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = MenuPrompt; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -1.0515002012252807617, -0.65400016307830810547, 1

[Window11]
window_size               = 0.2, 0.53
position                  = 5                     ;Right Middle
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
alpha_blend               = 0.00
visible                      = 0
zorder                    = 100
ident                     = ATC_WINDOW
scaleform_file            = menuwindow        ; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = ATC        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = 0.8279997706413269043, 0.44800004363059997559, 1

[Window12]
window_size               = 0.25, 0.25
position                  = 4                     ; Middle Of Screen
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
alpha_blend               = 0.00
visible                   = 0
ident                     = SIMCONNECT_WINDOW
scaleform_file            = menuwindow        ; Use the generic menu window scaleform content 
scaleform_instance_name   = SimConnectWindow        ; Provide a unique instance name
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -1.0200003385543823242, -0.85000008344650268555, 1

[Window13]
window_size               = 0.2, 0.75
position                  = 3                 ; Left Middle
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
alpha_blend               = 0.00
visible                      = 0
zorder                    = 99
ident                     = PANEL_MANAGER
scaleform_file            = PanelManager
scaleform_instance_name   = PanelManager
3dp_worldspace_pos_offset = -1.0440000295639038086, 0.1620000302791595459, 1

[Window14]
pixel_size                = 1024, 1024
position                  = 0                 ; Top Left
background_color          = 0, 0, 0
alpha_blend               = 0.00
visible                   = 0
nomenu                    = 1
zorder                    = 99
type                      = UI
ident                     = APP_MENU_WINDOW
3DP_SIZE                  = 2, 2
3DP_WORLDSPACE_POS_OFFSET = 0, -1, 1.5
scaleform_file            = ApplicationMenuVR
scaleform_instance_name   = ApplicationMenuVR

[Window15]
window_size             = 1.0, 1.0
position                = 2
background_color        = 0, 0, 0
visible                 = 0
zorder                  = 5
ident                   = EYE_TRACKING_WINDOW
type                      = UI
nomenu                    = 1
alpha_blend             = 0.75
scaleform_file          = EyeTracking
scaleform_instance_name = EyeTracking    ; Provide a unique instance name
3DP_CAMERA_TRANSFORM_REFERENCE = NONE

[Window16]
size_mm                   = 98, 102
window_size             = 1.0, 1.0
position                = 2
background_color        = 0, 0, 0
visible                 = 0
zorder                  = 5
type                      = UI
nomenu                    = 1
3DP_CAMERA_TRANSFORM_REFERENCE = NONE
Texture00 = RightEye, 0,0,100,100
Texture01 = FocusRightEye, 31,43,32,16

You might want to check yours against this to see if there are any obvious errors?