On 10/1/2023 at 8:50 PM, Rogen said:

Ok, so that version of the DHC2 installer is also the one that's available for download from the BlackBird "FreeBees" link on their website, noting the freebees installers are the latest installers and are what should be used for installing into P3D v5.

If you don't already have them all I'd recommend downloading and taking note of any DRM keys that may apply, as in actuality they are pretty good overall, not A2A level good, but certainly better than most.

Yes the Popup of the GPS (and I assume you mean the MilViz Garmins) is a bug, where I also assume the thread you've referenced to resolve is this one ?

Looks like the spinner cover is also a bug, it swaps from pointed to rounded, however although MVAMS does update the config ini file with prop_cover=none, the cover always remains.

There is some visibility code in the model for a Nocover option, however it does not appear to function, does it function on your FSX install ?

 

P3D was not running at the time ? or stuck running in the background ?

A running application will typically lock files in use to prevent changes.

Also what is the path P3D is installed to ?

Ideally it should not be the "Program Files" path due to the high level of access permissions P3D needs to run.

You might need to run NotePad (or better yet NotePad++) as an Administrator so NotePad has permissions to write and save.

 

Sounds like the Windows view option of "File Name Extensions" is disabled (which makes for easily confusable file names).

If it is you'll see in \AppData\Local\MVAMS 2 x MVAMS files, one will be named just MVAMS with an orange icon with a shield, the other will be named MVAMS.exe with an icon like a sheet of paper with a ball on it.

With Show "File Name Extensions" enabled you should see the full names of MVAMS.exe and MVAMS.exe.config and thus be able to check the file properties of the correct file.

Enabling showing of "File Name Extensions" is an easy task available in the Windows File Explorer View and Show/Hide section of the Explorer ribbon where it's just a tick box you can tick on or off.

The Show/Hide option can be done just on the MVAMS folder or at the "This PC" level, your choice. I have it enabled at the "This PC" level because I always want to see the file extension a file has.

 

As to an MVAMS folder titled "version_lib-mvams.txt", it's not a folder - it's a text file. It's likely displaying as just "version_lib-mvams" if show "File Name Extensions" is not enabled. When opened in notepad it should contain text, what does the text say ?

 

MVAMS is installed into the following path of my workstation, \AppData\Local\MVAMS\ where there are 21 files and 4 folders, one of which is named "Versions"

Folders:

• Configurations - This folder holds the various aircraft config .ini files that MVAMS changes.
• Modules - Contains .dlls for each installed aircraft.
• Utilities - Contains a charts manager application.
• Versions - contains folders which in turn contains .xml files referencing a version number e.g. the DHC2.xml contains <Version>1.1.0.20</Version>

Given the info above I'm not quite sure by what you mean using a path of "\appadata\local\mvams\versions\", can you clarify ?

Cheers

Yes that is the link for the panel file change.

The uncover option works in FSX.

No P3D files or program was open.

P3Dv5.3 path:    C/Program files/Lockheed Martin/P3Dv5.3

Opened Notepad as admin and was able to save panel file.

Pop up still not working.

Do not know how to paste a copy of the files found in the AppData local MVAMS but Isee MVAMS.exe with orange icon with a white image of a jet outline the same as on the MVAMS . Don't see MVAMS.exe with an icon like a sheet of paper with a ball on it.

File name extensions and Hidden items are checked  ... at PC level.

I  see the full names of MVAMS.exe and MVAMS.exe.config

As for the MVAMS folder with file version_lib-mvams.txt, it is not there at all

MVAMS contains only 3 folders and 19 files. No Utilites Folder 

Note ...  that the Milviz MVAMS window ( MVAMS.exe) when run does not show the opening page showing the image of the DHC-2 Milviz Beaver. I also have the Milviz 310 R which is not showing up. All these things worked fine until I decided to move the Milviz Beaver from P3Dv4.5 to the P3dv5.3 using an older installer. With this new installer the opening page is still not there .

Versions folder contains only a folder named DHC2. In that folder is DHC2.xml.  ... nothing else.

Given the info above I'm not quite sure by what you mean using a path of "\appadata\local\mvams\versions\", can you clarify ?

Same path as above Version folder is one of the three folders I have where as you also have a Ulitilites folder.

Edited October 3, 20232 yr by j35

Hey @j35,

Ok, it sounds like the original installed MVAMS was an older version and not P3D v5 aware, but now that you've confirmed you can see the actual MVAMS.exe its properties can be checked to confirm the version - like in the screen grab below.

MilViz must have included different options with different versions of MVAMS, being why mine had different folders/files.

And if your's is not a P3D v5 aware version you can follow the examples below to install a new version.

• I'd rename the \AppData\Local\MVAMS\ folder to something like MVAMS.Orig.
• Then install a MilViz aircraft where the v5 installer has been confirmed.
• Like the DHC3 Turbo Otter, which has a full P3D v5 option including RealLight, RealGlass, as well as the correct P3Dv5 version of XML tools.
• The DHC3 Turbo Otter installer should find no \AppData\Local\MVAMS\ folder (because you've renamed it) and install a P3D v5 aware version.
• You've then only to copy the original MVAMS folder items into the new MVAMS folder, and by folder items I mean those items in the original Configurations, Modules and Versions folders.

 

2 hours ago, j35 said:

P3Dv5.3 path:    C/Program files/Lockheed Martin/P3Dv5.3

Installing P3D to the default Windows "Program Files" path will require admin permissions for practially all operations due to Windows managing the path as a System Folder, means you'll need to "RunAs" administrator for various actions.

"C:\Lockheed Martin\P3Dv5.3" would have been a better option (as an example), as typically by default the windows "Authenticated Users" security group (which contains all users/entities who are authenticated), would have default modify rights to the folder.

 

2 hours ago, j35 said:

Opened Notepad as admin and was able to save panel file.

Pop up still not working.

So what changes were made and to which panel file ?

You can copy the Panel file contents into a spoiler if you like.

Spoiler

Just like this...

Is a list of lines

 

2 hours ago, j35 said:

I also have the Milviz 310 R which is not showing up. All these things worked fine until I decided to move the Milviz Beaver from P3Dv4.5 to the P3dv5.3 using an older installer. With this new installer the opening page is still not there .

Versions folder contains only a folder named DHC2. In that folder is DHC2.xml.  ... nothing else.

Sounds like a re-install of the 310R is going to be needed (using the latest installer from the freebees link) as would any other missing Milviz planes.

 

3 hours ago, j35 said:

The uncover option works in FSX.

Likely an example of migration from 32 to 64 bit, where they appear to have missed that particular option in testing... i.e. it's a bug (and never going to be fixed by MilViz).

 

 

Version 1.010

Well I tried the changes as described but no change. I have several times now deleted and reinstalled the Milviz Beaver after trying different things so I wonder if my original was no longer looking as it should.

Maybe an uninstall and reinstall to c drive.

[Window Titles]
Window00=Main Panel
Window02=Autopilot

I added Window03=GPS to the above to get

[Window Titles]
Window00=Main Panel
Window02=Autopilot

Window03=GPS

 

[Window03]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=320,285
window_size_ratio=1.000  
position=2
visible=0
ident=GPS_PANEL
type=SPECIAL
//window_size= 0.710, 0.552
//window_pos= 0.290, 0.480

gauge00=B55_XMLGauges!FBS_GNS530_1d,  0,0,320,285//234

On 10/7/2023 at 10:35 AM, j35 said:

Version 1.010

I assume the version number is that of MVAMS and it is aware of a v5 P3D install.

On 10/7/2023 at 10:35 AM, j35 said:

Well I tried the changes as described but no change. I have several times now deleted and reinstalled the Milviz Beaver after trying different things so I wonder if my original was no longer looking as it should.

Yeah... deleting and re-installing over and over expecting something different is a definition of insanity 🤪

In actuallity, as long as the correct choices are made during the install and that the install is "RunAs" an administrator, you'd be doing everything right.

 

Sooo... it's just the GPS popup that's giving you grief atm ?

This is given we've determined the prop spinner cover can be changed but not removed, and MVAMS is otherwise working as it should ?

 

Assuming so, the way the MilViz Beaver references the different GPS options is via configuration in the aircraft.cfg using panel.cfg aliases.

And for the main aircraft you'll need to confirm  /  add the following line to the panel.cfg under [Window Titles]

e.g.  for the panel config of ~\DHC-2 Beaver Milviz\panel.mv530_430\panel.cfg add Window01=GPS to the [Window Titles] section.

 

For aircraft using the mv530_430 the aircraft.cfg will be defined with the panel alias of mv530_430 like in the example extract below.

[fltsim.1]
title=MilViz DHC2 Beaver N904AK
sim=MilvizDHC2_Base
model=1
sound=1
panel=mv530_430
texture=N904AK
atc_id=N904AK
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=123
ui_manufacturer="De Havilland Canada"
ui_type="Beaver DHC2"
ui_variation=N904AK"
ui_typerole="Single Engine Prop"
ui_createdby="MilViz"
description="This aircraft was construction number 1266, originally built as an L-20A for the US Army, serial 57-6163.  Later, it was registered as N9262Z and used by the state of Alaska until July 18, 2001, when it suffered damage in a forced landing.  It was repaired and re-registered again as N904AK, based at Palmer, AK."

 

At the moment I'm reviewing and editing the DHC2 for potential bug fixes and config changes as I noticed a new flight model provided in the MilViz forum but like most MilViz releases... it's a bit on the haphazard side of things, I'm about half way through my review at present, should end up being a pretty great DHC2 overall.

PM me if you're interested.

Cheers

 

Hi @j35,

Getting there...

I installed an xml variable monitoring gauge to review the xml variable values while live.

And in fact the prop spinner cover can be removed provided the following are true.

• The prop is set to the two bladed variety.
• The Propeller Spinner is set to "No Spinner".

With the above set as true, the menu item of "Add-ons/DHC2/Toggle Prop Cover" will be inoperative until the Propeller Spinner is set something other than "No Spinner" in MVAMS, noting the "Toggle Prop Cover" toggles between pointed and round spinners.

Cheers

 

Not a big deal but not sure what is meant by  "You can copy the Panel file contents into a spoiler if you like. "    Inside of the Reveal hidden contents sections shows only

Just like this...

Is a list of lines

You said "I assume the version number is that of MVAMS and it is aware of a v5 P3D install."

As for the MVAMS the version number was for it. A couple of the options are not changing in the MVAMS. Always a cold /dark start, no spinner not available.

How to tell if it is aware of the P3dv5.3 install?

 

Just to clarify... the changes were made  in Sim Objects/  Airplanes/  DHC-2 Beaver Milviz/   panel.mv530_430/ Panel.cfg  ...  not the panel.cfg file in the panel folder found under NightLighting.

I added the Window01=GPS to the DHC-2 Beaver Milviz\panel.mv530_430\panel.cfg and saved. The popup now works. Thanks a lot for the help. The two garmins display and the ADF display is below them, with the AP below the ADF. The AP has a display window that is see through and I can see the front dash through it. lol.. no big deal.

Before going further, should I uninstall P3d and reinstall on the C drive using Run as Admin for the install?

I will PM you sometime for the new aircraft.

I got the no spinner option working using your suggestions.

Just can't get the Ready to fly/ready to start option to work but I prefer to use the cold and dark startup method anyway.

 

Thanks again.

7 hours ago, j35 said:

Not a big deal but not sure what is meant by  "You can copy the Panel file contents into a spoiler if you like. "    Inside of the Reveal hidden contents sections shows only

Just like this...

Is a list of lines

Yep exactly, it was an example of copy/paste into a spoiler, where you (as in yourself) can open a panel.cfg in a text editor, copy the contents and paste into a spoiler within a forum post, thus having a compact method for others to review whatever is pasted into the spoiler.

 

7 hours ago, j35 said:

You said "I assume the version number is that of MVAMS and it is aware of a v5 P3D install."

As for the MVAMS the version number was for it. A couple of the options are not changing in the MVAMS. Always a cold /dark start, no spinner not available.

The post line was a number, it didn't actually say anything along the lines of "Installed MVAMS version = 1.010", therefore I could only assume the version number was that of MVAMS and not some other version number taken from some other location. It's better to avoid any ambiguous data by quailifying what the data is. A further example is the selective quoting in these responses rather than no quoting or single quoting. 

 

7 hours ago, j35 said:

How to tell if it is aware of the P3dv5.3 install?

If MVAMS is updating the aircraft.cfg in P3D v5 then it is aware, remember how MVAMS will create the backup of the aircraft.cfg (as discussed previously in this thread) ?

 

7 hours ago, j35 said:

I added the Window01=GPS to the DHC-2 Beaver Milviz\panel.mv530_430\panel.cfg and saved. The popup now works. Thanks a lot for the help. The two garmins display and the ADF display is below them, with the AP below the ADF. The AP has a display window that is see through and I can see the front dash through it. lol.. no big deal.

Great 🙂 I notice many MilViz aircraft use the same type of intruments, it might be an option to swap out the dodgy stuff with something more complete, we'll see what comes of it.

 

7 hours ago, j35 said:

I got the no spinner option working using your suggestions.

Also great 🙂

 

7 hours ago, j35 said:

Before going further, should I uninstall P3d and reinstall on the C drive using Run as Admin for the install?

That sir, is an item you'll need to decide upon yourself, given I have no idea what you've got installed, other than a couple of MilViz freebees that is, could be a lot of work involved.

Installing P3D itself will request elevation of permissions anyway given it is a collection of Microsoft .msi files.

If it doesn't request elevation of permissions, it is possible your Windows login account is the first account created on the workstation, which by default will have very high administrator rights.

I never login as the first account, hence I must approve elevation of rights when they are required.

Just be aware the "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" directories are system folders with restricted permissions and not ideal for the sort of functions and operations many P3D addons require.

In anycase I'd recommend the Lorby P3D Addon Organiser as it has the capability to backup all the P3D config files to a zip archive.

I like to use it before I make any changes, so I can easily reverse should such be necessary.

Cheers

Edited October 10, 20232 yr by Rogen
spelling

Cheers