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MSFS24 bglindex.bout - Is the file redundant?

Christian Bahr

Christian Bahr

Resource contributor
Messages
1,136
Country
germany
Hello, the question is quite simple.

I noticed that two of my current projects each contain a file named "bglindex.bout".
Can I delete it, and what is it used for?

bglindex.bout.jpg
Post thread
 
The layout.json lists the file as part of the package, so I would say it's needed. 2024 uses it, but 2020 does not. Maybe it helps with the streaming of the package or it's insertion into the running sim? I would leave it alone.
 
Reading a bit further, this thread is found:

https://flightsim.to/addon/25271/9s7-winifred-airport-montana

"
Tinh1000000
Author
over 1 year ago

I've noticed that new file too, it seems to be that MSFS 2024's SDK is generating that bglIndex.bout on building the package since it is also listed on layout.json. Unfortunately I couldn't find any mention of it in the SDK documentation as of writing (it might be a debugging leftover), but based on a quick glance in Notepad it looks like metadata for the package in compiled binary."


One might wonder why it may be used in MSFS 2024 for any purpose other than one related to streaming ?

It certainly merits testing "bglIndex.bout" to see if it is a new version of FS' Index.Dat for fast loading.

Perhaps if it is deleted, it is also re-created every time MSFS 2020 is re-started ?

[EDITED]

On my system it is created only in the Packages sub-folder chain at the same time as Manifest and Layout .json files.

A ContentHistory.json file created at the time the Package itself is initialized does not seem to be updated with later compiles.


I should think this merits testing for comparison with updates of Manifest and Layout .json files created by this 3rd party utility:

MSFSLayoutGenerator.exe

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/t...a-drag-and-drop-layout-json-generator.448941/

https://github.com/HughesMDflyer4/MSFSLayoutGenerator

https://github.com/HughesMDflyer4/MSFSLayoutGenerator/releases/latest


FYI: I use MSFSLayoutGenerator.exe to create / update Manifest and Layout .json files for display of legacy FSX scenery in 2020.

Note that my display of FSX BGL types does not require a MSFS package structure or compilation with FSPackageTool. :wizard:


I do not have any "bglindex.bout" files in any of the folder chains of legacy FSX scenery I display in MSFS 2020.

I wonder if I add a "bglindex.bout" file, whether I can also display my legacy FSX scenery in MSFS 2024 ? :scratchch



This is Google AI's latest update on the subject:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bgl...uAeOA8IHBTAuNS4xyAcLgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp


What with Asobo being a French company, one might also wonder if this may have been part of the decision making ? ;)

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/french-english/bout

[END_EDIT]

GaryGB
 
Last edited:
rhumbaflappy said:
The layout.json lists the file as part of the package, so I would say it's needed. 2024 uses it, but 2020 does not. Maybe it helps with the streaming of the package or it's insertion into the running sim? I would leave it alone.
Click to expand...
I completely forgot to attach the file here. But I also believe it's needed if it's already listed in the JSON.
 

Attachments

Hi Christian:

You may wish to look at the blgindex.bout file you attached above in a HexViewer; you will see it correlates with your .json files.

Your .json files can be viewed in NotePad++.

The blgindex.bout file does seems to primarily serve the purpose of listing only BGL files in the local project Packages folder chain.

Whether they are special adjuncts to the FS Index.Dat files, or are database index "Key" files, AFAIK, has yet to be deciphered.

GaryGB
 
Last edited:
So the file is indeed listed:

bglindex.jpg


Perhaps it will become clear later what the file is actually for. It's no big deal though, Garry :)
I'll just leave it in the package.
 
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