P3D v4 Colours in AIFP

[Geoffb]

Is it possible anywhere to change the colours of the text? I am colour blind on red, green and brown, your classic colour blind guy....

I have been battling to get a AIG flight plan to display the aircraft list in their "correct" colour. I see colour text that could be red/green/brown/orange, the only positive one is black....I think(my wife agrees^^)

Last night my wife saw all red colour entries in the Aircraft List. Today, after me doing "things" apparently, some are now Green!! I have no idea what I did to some of them, as I could not see the colour change happen.

Can this text be made into a more colour blind friendly hue? or attache a code, maybe R, G,LB and B colour notations, or maybe a hover over colour name?

When I have used the Aircraft editor, I now have 2 Black entries of those aircraft I 'added', in the Aircraft List, and I do not see reference to Black. I also see the ### sign, is this telling me to save the list somewhere, so this paint is now on "my" list? Does AIFP store aircraft files?

While on aircraft, I see an, apparently Red, Aircraft List name, e.g.. 200-Jetstar Airways A321-231 Sharklets (451 Kts) Another great confusion I have is in regard to aircraft texture files.

In the fltsim.cfg list, must the "texture=" always be the same name has the downloaded texture name, like above, OR can it be changed to suit the Aircraft List? It looks like I will need to change text to match as my download texture names do not line up with the Aircraft List.

Where are the Red Aircraft List names from? [OK, I just noticed they are as listed in the Flight Plan List] And, what does the number signify before the name?

Sorry for all the questions.
PS, we(I) need an idiots guide to AIFP...right from the beginning...so, load up FSX etc from that level...

 

[gadgets]

I have been battling to get a AIG flight plan to display the aircraft list in their "correct" colour. I see colour text that could be red/green/brown/orange

Last night my wife saw all red colour entries in the Aircraft List. Today, after me doing "things" apparently, some are now Green

Are you referring to the Aircraft List on the Main Panel or to the Missing Aircraft dialog. The latter is the only place where aircraft are displayed other than in black or red.

Can this text be made into a more colour blind friendly hue? or attache a code, maybe R, G,LB and B colour notations, or maybe a hover over colour name?

I'll have to think about that. However, the colour is only one indicator, Which buttons are enabled gives you a strong clue about the state of a given aircraft. For example, if an aircraft is red (in the Missing Aircraft list), only the Assign and Substitute buttons are enabled. If Blue, the Download and assign buttons are enabled. If green, they are ready to install. The buttons not enabled should give you a clue as to what needs to be done for a given aircraft.

When I have used the Aircraft editor, I now have 2 Black entries of those aircraft I 'added', in the Aircraft List, and I do not see reference to Black.

There's not much you can do in the Aircraft Editor to affect the state of an aircraft. As noted in the manual, "black" aircraft in the Aircraft list are "present and accounted for".

I also see the ### sign, is this telling me to save the list somewhere, so this paint is now on "my" list?

As noted in the manual, the "###" indicator is simply telling you that you've made a change to the flight plan data that must be saved.

Does AIFP store aircraft files?

The Aircraft Editor, saves aircraft data (when you tell it to). But, in general, aircraft data is the "property" of FlightSim.

In the fltsim.cfg list, must the "texture=" always be the same name has the downloaded texture name, like above, OR can it be changed to suit the Aircraft List?

The aircraft List has nothing to do with the texture used by an aircraft (specified in the aircraft.cfg file). The texture can be changed at will. For a full explanation have a look at the Aircraft (or SimObjects, depending on Flightsim version) SDK, downloadable for free for all versions except FSX - but the SDK for any other version will answer most of your questions since the basics haven't changed.

Where are the Red Aircraft List names from? [OK, I just noticed they are as listed in the Flight Plan List] And, what does the number signify before the name?

This question suggests you could use a primer on flight plans. As noted in the AIFP manual, a good one is the TTools reference manual. (TTools was the predecessor of AIFP.) You can download it from the AIFP page of my website http://stuff4fs.com. A more thorough read of the AIFP user manual also may be helpful.

we(I) need an idiots guide to AIFP...right from the beginning...so, load up FSX etc from that level

The key to using AIFP is a good understanding of flight plans and how they are used. The TTools and AIFO uswer manuals will provide much of that information - but perhaps not at the level you would like. Where you have questions, it's always helpful to search the forums for others having similar difficulties. There's unlikely to be any situation you encounter that hasn't already be encountered by others, perhaps many others. The forums are a wealth of information.

Good luck,
Don

 

[Geoffb]

Hi Don,
Thanks for the great reply. Colour blindness is a daily issue that lots of guys especially suffer from. Anyway, your AIFP is a fantastic bit of software of amazing depth, and the manual likewise.

I had downloaded the AIFP v3 manual and the TTools manual, and I am re-reading them to try and get it all to sink in. I think, 'I can't see the wood for the trees', because of the myriad of details your great manual provides. And yes, I have been searching the forum.

I think one of my main issues is populating the fltsim.cfg correctly and adequately. I have also created a xml file as per LM SDK. Maybe I am fighting too many fires at once and over complicating it.

No worries, I will keep at it.

 

[gadgets]

Do yourself a favor an forget about the P3D .xml files for the time being. You can use the sane procedures with Pv4 as with earlier versions and FSX.

populating the fltsim.cfg correctly and adequately

Not clear what your concerns here are.

DOn

 

[Geoffb]

Hi Don, Your manual section 7 mentions my questions regarding textures and that of flight plan model texture names in the Aircraft List. This I find the most confusing as to how/best way to substitute or Assign names?

As I have virtually no models and no repaints at all. Before I do any more with AIFP, I will spend some time downloading FSX models. I then need to download textures for the aircraft models.

When I click an aircraft from the Aircraft List, it will take me to a Missing Aircraft box. My entries are all in blue. When I click one of the aircraft in this box, it takes me to a download, in this case, FAIB A320 Jetstar Australia FSX.zip, when I open this, I find 8 textures and one set of mipped textures. Now, these downloaded texture names are nothing like the name in the flight plan. So, is it best to simply rename the download textures with some thing like what the flight plan wants...
Though, how do I pick what texture has Sharklets, Billboard etc..From the list below, only one seems obvious.

The download textures are: texture.Jetstar OC, NC, NNC, NNC2, NNC2 SL, NNCS SL 100Aircraft, NNCC2 SL Uniglo, and 10th Anniversary VH-VGF (What do the letters mean after Jetstar?)

Don, there is no doubt, AIFP is a very powerful bit of software and hopefully, I can learn some of it.

 

[gadgets]

how do I pick what texture has Sharklets, Billboard etc.

No need. The required textures are specified in the aircraft.cfg stub (usually named {fltsimj.x] - or something similar. There is usually little reason to rename textures. All you have to do is guide AIFP when it asks you a question. The only time you have to choose textures is if there is more than one format provided, e.g. DXT-5 and 32-bit. Even then, AIFP will default to the basic one.

Without meaning to demean, you seem a little short on knowledge of aircraft in FlightSim. My user manual assumes you have that knowledge - which I suspect is why you find it confusing. Better to refer to the SDK. Or, perhaps you can find an aircraft tutorial in one of the forums.

Don

 

[robystar]

" Do yourself a favor and forget about the P3D .xml files for the time being. You can use the same procedures with Pv4 as with earlier versions and FSX."
And I agree 110%.
Just put the compiled traffic files in your P3D\scenery\world\scenery and everything will be OK.
And one more thing:
And, yes, it takes a while to get used to Don's way of making and showing things in his AIFP program (that are sometimes a bit different of what we are used to) and you would have to admit that everybody (including Don) makes mistakes (but most of the time because we have not thoroughly read the extensive readme's nor have had the time and the need to explore all of its many options), but you will end up with a freeware program that has many more possibilities than any of the payware versions around!
Maybe it would be an idea to make a freeware version of AIFP that only has the basic options and then make a payware version for those that appreciate all the efforts that you put into this program to make it what it is today in spite of its difficulties as to the ongoing updates of both FSX-SE and P3D?
Just to let you know that one of your worst critics , is still one of your (mostly silent) admirers of the program.

Roby

PS: you may want another house speaker that is better at getting ideas and stuff over to people than the one (you?) you have now !

 

[tgibson]

OC = old colors
NC = new colors
NNC = new new colors
NNC2 SL Uniqlo = new new colors #2 Special Livery for Uniqlo
http://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/uniqlo-pulls-off-stunt-at-30-000-feet
etc.

 

[Geoffb]

Don, Thanks for the reply. Still remember buying my first ever computer, XT and as a young pilot, purchased Bruce Artwicks Flight Sim..I was hooked ever since then. So, familiar with fltsim files, because in those days, few add-ons, and this was the only way we created many wonderful aircraft and liveries. As a kid 60+ years ago, always remember being told, "there is no such thing as a stupid question". Guess all my years in uni wasted.

Roby, Yes, as Don also suggested, I probably will have to surrender the xml file process and revert back to the "tried and proven methods". I have this new machine with my first ever P3D and only some FSDT sceneries so far, and a Twin Otter. So I thought...ok, new machine, new flight sim platform, lets start off everything new, including the xml file.(I still have my FSX machine as well) I have tried to get to grips with AIFP since 2013, gave up, purchased Mt5.4c. Great program,if you just want to fill the skys with aircraft on no schedules, but a shocker to install. Then in 2015, had another go at AIFP, still could not work out the Aircraft List relationships. So, again succumbed, and updated MT5.4c to MT6. Now 2017, I will not give up with getting the Freeware AI traffic working. Been retired some 12 years now, so have the time, and surprisingly, being an old sod, the patience. Roby, agree AIFP is obviously a fantastic program, sort of like giving a learner driver a Porsche, when I only need a mini.

Tom, Thank you ....I googled this question, scoured the forums for hours...

Despite all these setbacks, I will continue. I will get some of the fantastic AIG flightplans compiled using AIFP, turn off the native P3D traffic and see who is out there in what livery. Maybe all this time, my compiling did work and I never actually tested it because I did not know what I was doing. The engineer in me still lives.

In a past life, I was a SAP (materials management) installer, and one of our main tasks when the modules were installed and before training the workforce, was to create user scripts. We had people rotating through the team who had no idea of any processes, but had to follow the script to achieve an outcome. That was an eye opener for us so called experts. We soon realised we carried out actions and short cuts, created background paths to tables, and computer permissions while carrying out transactions and we did not realise it until some one said, "It does not work"...yeah, ok, well just do this(in other words we failed), etc until the script worked. It was amazing what we left out and just did on autopilot.

Anyway, thanks for all your help, these forums is what makes this hobby so good, by being able to talk to different people with similar and of course differing views and share a knowledge that to some comes easily, and to others, not so.

 

[Geoffb]

PS...I think I am a long way to solving my problem of the magical way AIFP seems to knows which flight plan texture fits what download name.....It is controlled via aifp.cfg. This marvelous little script is in action when I use the Select FP txt/zip button. The resultant matrix match-up seems to be derived from a set of pre-determined texture names from the download and the flight plan required texture names.

Now I know what I am looking for, I understand better the reference to aifp.cfg in the manual. You know...'one picture is worth a thousand words'. Sorry Don, I could not see this picture until I saw it in the aifp.cfg matrix.

 

[gadgets]

Geoff, part of the confusion (now clear) was your use of the term "texture" to refer to:

• what is commonly called a "repaint" - i.e., the collection of files - including one or more arbitrarily named texture (.bmp and/or .dds) files used to "paint" the aircraft, and
• the "aircraft title" - which is assigned in the repaint "archive".

I interpreted your use of the term in the strict sense, hence my responses referring to the texture files. - which probably didn't eliminate much of your confusion.

AIFP has been developed and updated over a ten-year period in close cooperation with "professional" flight planners at AIG and others. AIFP's source code comprises almost 50,000 lines, it has hundreds of features and dozens of associated dialogs - several used for multiple purposes. Therefore, when reporting an issue or seeking information, it's important to be precise in your references to AIFP features/menus/dialogs/buttons/data fields by using their exact name(s). (You have seen how misleading it can be otherwise.)

Despite the gratuitous comments above from another user, AIFP generally makes things quite simple. If all you want to do is the simple editing and compiling of flight plans and you understand the TTools structure of flight plans, then its operation should be intuitive. The underlying complexity/additional features is hidden behind menus and is not apparent unless you want to use it.

Beyond that, the user manual does assume a certain amount of knowledge about the basic structure of flight plans and Flightsim's file structure, particularly for the storage and handling of aircraft - and handles such matters rather tersely. (There's other readily-available sources of information on those topics.) But, there is an entire chapter on missing aircraft and installation of repaints in the user manual. As for the aifp.cfg file, it is mentioned more than 15 times. As well, there is a 4-page appendix detailing its format/content.

Bottom line, if you have to look for a "hard way" to do things, you've probably missed a fundamental feature of AIFP or you don't need to do it at all.

Don

 

[robystar]

gratuitous

Was not the idea. A compliment it was supposed to be!
Hence my referral to the WH. They seem to have the same problem as I have?

Cheers,

 

[gadgets]

Roby, how do the following statements:

it takes a while to get used to Don's way of making and showing things in his AIFP program

you would have to admit that everybody (including Don) makes mistakes

address the issue at hand or add any value to the discussion?

(that are sometimes a bit different of what we are used to)

Since AIFP has been around for about 10 years and is the most comprehensive such utility available, most serious flight planners have had time "to get used to it". Perhaps you are a new-comer? If there is another flight-planning utility that satisfies your needs, feel free to use it.

Don

 

[Geoffb]

Don. Let me say, using AIFP, for me, is not intuitive, despite having read the TTools and AIFP manual. Your manual is chock full of very pertinent information. For users who have grown up with it for the last 10 years, or a brighter than me, then it is a fantastic set of tools. For some of us not so bright individuals, and with colour vision issues thrown in, we have to slog at it more.

Anyway, no worries, I will not bother you again.

No reply needed.

 

[gadgets]

Geoff, my comments were addressed to the other contributor (with whom there is some history). They were not meant to discourage you. Once you become a little more familiar with the TTools FP structure and Flightsim's aircraft handling, things will get better.

Don

 

[robystar]

Don,

As much as I appreciate your strong points of yourself and your program, this history of mine with you only made you make your programs worth more for the FS community.
I am rather straight forward in the European way of saying things of what is wrong or does not work as it should for your program users.
It does NOT belittle the things you have achieved, on the contrary, but you have to admit that what I said (and others that would want to but starting to be afraid of) is due to the fact that you ,for instance, have so often have to update things to the point that users of your program hardly dare to update the program fearing there maybe be another bug in it that will hamper the outcome of whatever they are doing at the moment.
Once more, that is NOT a reproach because that is the way to do things were it not for the fact that you rebuke people in such a way that I am soon going to be the only one left to show you what are the shortcomings.
Your programs are top notch, your way of responding to people that struggle or find fault with it, is not!
Sorry to get finally mad at you!

 

[Geoffb]

Thanks Don. I actually got a flight plan to work...in a fashion. I need to sort out my issues with my first flight plan, prior to compounding my problems with further aircraft.
At the risk of being told to RTFM's, I may need to ask more questions if I can't solve them. I can assure you I will only ask here after searching this forum and asking in the AIG forum.

 

[gadgets]

Glad it's working for you, Geoff.

I'm always happy to help those that help themselves - but I do reserve the right to suggest other sources where they exist. ;-)

Don

 

[gadgets]

Geoff, I have just posted Development Release 3.2.09(i) to http://stuff4fs.com. As you suggested, I have added tooltips to the MissingACs dialog. These tooltips are enabled (as other tooltips are) from the Options menu on the Main Panel. When active, they will prompt the current state and, in some instances, the next required action.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Don

 

[Geoffb]

Hi Don,
Thankyou for the mod.

Looking in the manual(I do read it) page 6, On the main panel Aircraft List, it refers to there being Red for missing aircraft and Black for installed aircraft. These being the only two colours I will see here. Great as Red and Black, as a comparable pair, I can see ok.

If the name is in Black, it is ready to compile and will align with the flight plan aircraft model and repaint requirement. If I click this, then it takes me to an Aircraft Editor, showing the model of A/C and the repaint details, where I can also edit any changes.

When I click a Red aircraft name, it takes me to the Missing Aircraft List. Now, this list has a few colours, Blue, Light Blue, Orange, and Red. I see that when I mouse over a blue name, the tool tip says, double click to download. When I eventually found a name in red, I saw where the tool tip says, 'No repaint information available'. I click it, and it takes me to the Select Substitute AI Title page. So the tooltips explain the item.

On the Missing Aircraft List, you might like to consider inserting the colour text in the explanation of colours, eg. Repaints may be auto-downloaded for blue titles (already done if light blue) Repaints exist for orange(my guess at colour^^) etc..

The highlighted note on this table confused me(yes I know, easily done) as it says, The following required aircraft are not installed for the selected FS version. I thought this was literally saying I did not have the aircraft model, but the text below refers to aircraft repaints. I guess it is my responsibility to find suitable models.

Anyway Don, thank you for the update. My learning continues