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Any Tutorials ?

AndyCYXU

AndyCYXU

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canada
Are there any tutorials on how to use SODE ?
Hi, I'm fairly new to development world of FS, recently I created (well I'm in the process of.. Lol) my home town airport of CYXU, using various tools xbs, scenproc, ADE, mcx all of which have plentiful of tutorials so I was able to google just about anything and found no need to bother on forums when it comes to SODE I found one video showing vindsock move (how did you get it there? Lol and couple others which besically show how to use SODE in sim nothing on how it got there :(
So here are my few questions :
1. most important of all I think. Can I use SODE without using gmax or 3ds? I'm not interested in designing my own jetways I will be very happy to use what others have designed and contributed (btw Thank You).

2 I noticed there is quite a few objects available in one of the SDK download files provided. I even imported one of jetways to ADE and placed it somewhere random on my airport .. But now what do I do with it to make it work ? From reading SODE documentation all I would need to do is create an xml file and I think I would have to give these gates named when I import mdl to ADE .. Just guessing here .. Then where do I put this xml file :o in my scenery folder or somewhere within the SODE folder

3 regarding installation I have 1.2 installed which likely installed with Epwa by DD, reviewing migration documents from SODE I only have SODE IN MY main p3d folder and nothing in any other folders like simobjects/misc Only dzewieckidesign folder with a single (xds I think it was ? ) file which I learnt is an option offer to commercial designers to hide their xml file , well that doesn't concern me ... What I'm getting at is can I simply remove SODE info from my exe.xml and dull.xml files back up originals then go ahead and install 1.3 version for my own experimenting then say I want to fly out of Epwa I could replace the files with my old ones and my guess is P3d will go ahead and load older 1.2 version that works with Epwa of of course it wasn't updated to 1.4 by then.

Ok I stop here it's getting to be a long post lol
I know these are elementary questions but these I need some help understanding to get my feet wet with the whole SODE adventure :)

Thank you for any info.
Andy
 
SODE is a relatively new technology which is more and more used, but not fully established by a wider audience, so there are no tutorials available so far. You'll get the hang of it by studying the examples and the xmls from other designers.

AndyCYXU said:
So here are my few questions :
1. most important of all I think. Can I use SODE without using gmax or 3ds? I'm not interested in designing my own jetways I will be very happy to use what others have designed and contributed (btw Thank You).
Click to expand...

Yes, no gmax or 3ds required if you have the desired model available as mdl file. With modelconverterX, you can extract mdl files out of bgl files, but please check with copyright requirements and such!

AndyCYXU said:
2 I noticed there is quite a few objects available in one of the SDK download files provided. I even imported one of jetways to ADE and placed it somewhere random on my airport .. But now what do I do with it to make it work ? From reading SODE documentation all I would need to do is create an xml file and I think I would have to give these gates named when I import mdl to ADE .. Just guessing here .. Then where do I put this xml file :eek: in my scenery folder or somewhere within the SODE folder
Click to expand...
SODE is using a completely different object placing scheme compared to the "traditional" mdl->xml->bgl placement route (this is what ADE basically does).
SODE uses its own xml format and needs the mdl to be placed within a SimObject container, similar to those used for aircraft and AI objects. The custom xml will be placed in a special place (C:\ProgramData\12bPilot\SODE\xml), the corresponding SimObject containers will be in C:\ProgramData\12bPilot\SODE\SimObjects, or in the SimObjects\Misc subfolder of your sim platform (old method).

AndyCYXU said:
3 regarding installation I have 1.2 installed which likely installed with Epwa by DD, reviewing migration documents from SODE I only have SODE IN MY main p3d folder and nothing in any other folders like simobjects/misc Only dzewieckidesign folder with a single (xds I think it was ? ) file which I learnt is an option offer to commercial designers to hide their xml file , well that doesn't concern me ... What I'm getting at is can I simply remove SODE info from my exe.xml and dull.xml files back up originals then go ahead and install 1.3 version for my own experimenting then say I want to fly out of Epwa I could replace the files with my old ones and my guess is P3d will go ahead and load older 1.2 version that works with Epwa of of course it wasn't updated to 1.4 by then.
Click to expand...

If you follow the steps in the migration guide, you should be good to go with V1.3. Concerning the exe.xml and dll.xml entries, you may remove entries pointing to an old SODE version (<Sim Main Folder>\SODE\SimObjectDisplayEngine.exe and SimObjectAnimationModule.dll). The newly introduced SODEPlatformManager.exe should then make the correct entries for V1.3 automatically.
 
Ok thanks for the response I will give it a shot :)
So to my understanding there is no need to use ADE when I intend to place an object that will be "SODE driven" other then maybe just to test where exactly I want it to be (Lat/long), but do not import it or place it with ADE no need for that.

Well I will start by playing with the Demo xml try to manipulate their position and what not :)
 
no luck after install

so i went ahead and installed 1.3 removed old 1.2 basically
1.
If this is the case,
you can copy-paste the 'cfg', 'sdx' and 'xml' folders to the new data folder location
in the old sode foledr there were cfg and sdx
cfg folder contained DrzewieckiDesign.sdx
sdx folder had a subfolder DrzewieckiDesign and one file in it EPWA_X.sdx
xml I did not have an xml folder in old SODE folder

2. deleted SODE folder from my root directory of p3d installation
3.
Step 1: Navigate to the SimObjects/Misc subfolder of your sim platform root.
Step 2: If there is 'SODE_DYN' and 'SODE' folders in it, you can safely remove both folders.
I did not have any folders as such in SimObjects/Misc

4. started p3d and in SODE tab under add-on there was only TEST DLL CONNECTION
,there was no RELOAD ALL and TEXT MENU are not there v1.2 had these just fine
TEST DLL CONNECTION SHOW all is OK

another thing filles exe and dll XML's are found in 2 directories
1st in appdata/roaming/lockeed martinn/..
2nd in programdata/lockeed martin/..

the first one is where most addons seem to make the addition FSUIP or coati etc.. there was originally no entries in exe.xml and dll.xml in second location (programdata/lockheed martin/...)
sode decided to modify these instead of the ones located in (appdata/roaming/...)

1. well anyways so after running first time with no success i move these entries to exe and dll files located in (appdata/roaming..) left the ones in programdata alone with entries (double entry then) NO LUCK only choice is TEST DLL CONNECTION
2nd try deleted SODE entries from exe and dll files in programdata left entries in the ones located in (appdata/roaming) still the same only can choose TEST DLL CONNECTION the other options are not even there..
3. restored my old SODE 1.2 installation all works just fine, but its SODE 1.2 (well I think it is)

then i tried deleting both exe and dll xml files from both locations start p3d let it recreate, install sode 1.3 again, activate it again it added entries in both exe and dll.. start p3d.. NOTHING all i get in menu is TEST DLL CONNECTION and it always says its OK

reverting all to 1.2 always works fine
here is a LOG file from my last attempt with nothing else loading but SODE meaning there is only SODE entries in exe and dll xml files no FSUIPC no coati no nothing

btw after deleting all the exe and dll files only the ones in PROGRAMDATA were recrated not the ones in APPDATA/ROAMING so this part maybe SODE got right to modify these and not the ones in APPDATA/ROAMING

Code: 
[04:47:16.683] INFO  : Targetting Platform 'P3Dv3'
[04:47:16.702] WARN  : VDGS Pack is not found/installed!
[04:47:16.702] DEBUG  : Trying to read Settings from SimObjectsDisplayEngine.ini file...
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG SODE.SETTINGS : All Settings successfully read.
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG SODE.SETTINGS : CurrentSettings -> WatchDog=1; UserJetwaySound=1; SecMenuHotKey=SHIFT+VK_MINUS; AIDetection=1; AIJetwaySound=0
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : Trying to find Custom Configuration files...
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG SODE.XML : Finding SDX CFG Files...
[04:47:16.703] WARN SODE.XML : \cfg\ not found. Code(2) [C:\ProgramData\12bPilot\SODE\cfg\*.sdx]
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : Trying to build SimObject List out of Custom Config files...
[04:47:16.703] WARN SODE.XML : No SDX Files found! Lists are empty.
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : Trying to find XML Definition files...
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG SODE.XML : Finding XML Files...
[04:47:16.703] WARN SODE.XML : \xml\ not found. Code(2) [C:\ProgramData\12bPilot\SODE\xml\*.xml]
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : Trying to build SimObject List out of XML definition files...
[04:47:16.703] WARN SODE.XML : No XML Files found! Lists are still empty.
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : List generated! Trying now to insert into QuadTree...
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : QuadTree populated with SimObject references.
[04:47:16.703] DEBUG  : Trying to generate Aircraft Parameter Map from the INI file...
[04:47:16.708] DEBUG SODE.ACFTPARAMS : Door Parameters read for 20 ICAO Aircraft Types.
[04:47:16.708] DEBUG  : SDX/XML/INI Handling done! Start FS Processing...
[04:47:16.709] DEBUG SODE.FSPROCESS : Trying to connect to FS...
[04:47:16.710] DEBUG SODE.FSPROCESS : Connected to FS!
[04:47:16.710] FATAL SODE.FSLOOP : No SimObjects inside Lists! SODE runs in 'External Jetway Triggering Mode' only...
[04:47:16.710] DEBUG SODE.FSPROCESS : Setting up Connection Watchdog...
[04:47:16.710] DEBUG SODE.FSPROCESS : Entering FS Dispatch Loop.
[04:47:45.982] INFO SODE.FSLOOP : SODE connected to Simulator...
[04:47:45.984] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in C:\ProgramData\12bPilot\SODE\SimObjects\
[04:47:45.984] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in C:\Program Files (x86)\12bPilot\SODE\data\SimObjects\
[04:47:45.984] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Airplanes\
[04:47:45.986] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Avatars\
[04:47:45.986] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Rotorcraft\
[04:47:45.986] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\GroundVehicles\
[04:47:45.996] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Boats\
[04:47:46.003] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Animals\
[04:47:46.004] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Misc\
[04:47:46.018] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Submersible\
[04:47:46.018] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Weapons\
[04:47:46.020] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\P3D3\SimObjects\Countermeasures\
[04:47:46.020] DEBUG SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : Looking for sim.cfg files in D:\MyTraffic Professional\MyTraffic\Aircraft\
[04:47:46.027] INFO SODE.FOLDERMANAGER : SODE SimObjects Map Building completed. Size=75
[04:47:46.027] INFO SODE.FSLOOP : Successfull Registration of Reserved Key -> s Tab+S
[04:49:11.212] DEBUG SODE.FSLOOP : [AI DETECTION] N monitored AIObjects = 0
[04:49:15.206] DEBUG SODE.FSLOOP : [AI DETECTION] N monitored AIObjects = 0
[04:49:19.229] DEBUG SODE.FSLOOP : [AI DETECTION] N monitored AIObjects = 0
[04:49:29.382] INFO SODE.FSLOOP : SODE disconnected from Simulator!
[04:49:29.383] DEBUG SODE.FSPROCESS : Cleaning up Memory...
[04:49:29.383] DEBUG SODE.FSPROCESS : Closing Connection to FS.
[04:49:29.483] INFO  : Terminate SODE.

so idk LOL its all broke :(
 
If SODE 1.3 does not find any xml/sdx files, it won't offer those additional menu entries anymore, showing only "Test DLL Connection". Once the xml folder is filled with useful xml data. SODE will show the options again. Your installation was running properly from the beginning.

About exe.xml and dll.xml in Prepar3D v3: I was just following the official guidelines from Lockheed Martin, quoting from the SDK:
Libraries and Executables
The priority for how add-on library and executable configuration files differs from content and is initialized as follows:
  • ProgramData: Configuration files named dll.xml or exe.xml found at: %PROGRAMDATA%\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3
  • Roaming: Configuration files named dll.xml or exe.xml found at: %APPDATA%\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v3
If multiple configuration files are found, then the list of paths are merged together when processed according to the above priority.
Click to expand...

That's why I have put the entries into the ProgramData folder, which I think is the correct way.
 
ok here 1st picture is what i get after clean install of sode1.3 shows the file structure

afterinstall.png


2nd image is after installing (extracting) the 1.3 demo version
I didn't bother expanding SODE_DEMO folder its basically full of what is included in zip textures/models etc..
NOTE Now i have XML folder with there is SODE_Samples.xml file in it.

withdemo.png


3rd is after I moved some relevant things from old SODE just the two new folders both from Drzewiecki all though I don't expect them to work (Drzewiecki files) I put them there anyways as per migration document info.

withdrzewiecki.png


I started sim after every change so initially after first install then adding demo and last after adding Drzewiecki files every time the only thing i have in the Sim menu is CHECK THE DLL thing.

SO I do have valid XML folder in I believe correct location with valid (from demo) SODE_samples.xml file and still nothing new in the menu.

compering to SODE_FileSystem_Overview.pdf everything seems to be in order I do not have however the two INI files and the LOG folder

... :(
 
The FileSystem overview document and the readme.txt in the Demo files clearly state to put the cfg, sdx, xml stuff in to "C:\ProgramData\12bPilot\SODE" and not into "C:\Program Files (x86)\12bPilot\SODE". The names are nearly the same, I know, but that's Microsoft's convention. The Program Files x86 folder should never be modified as stated in the overview document.

So, move all those cfg, sdx and xml folders to the ProgramData folder and it should work.
 
ROFLMAO

I give up just before you replied I found my mistake. OMG

yes I put them there and it works.. 4 hours sitting inventing stuff :banghead: ... gotta read slower :banghead:

well thank you for your help

one last question some of the objects in demo are like .. kinda without textures well they just cartoon like green red with big letters etc.. is that normal or did I put something in the wrong place again?

NVM yup they look like that :)
 
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