MSFS24 GSX, LVARS & Some basic questions

[EpicPrimus]

Hello everyone,

I’m currently working on integrating GSX into one of my projects.
After some research and prototyping, I’ve come across a few questions and issues that I’d like to clarify.

As far as I know, it wasn’t possible to read or write LVARS from a SimConnect executable prior to SU2-2020. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Reading GSX LVARS isn’t a problem, for example, I’m able to retrieve the Boarding State without any issues using my SimConnect executable.

Now, my first question is:
Can LVARS only be written to from within WASM modules, or is it also possible to set them from external SimConnect executables?
The reason I ask is that while debugging a prototype, I attempted to set the following:

SimConnect_AddToDataDefinition(hSimConnect, DEFINITION_1, "L:FSDT_GSX_DEBOARDING_CARGO", "Number");

Since I’m relatively new to more complex SimConnect programming and C++ in general, I’m not entirely sure if I approached this correctly. For other use cases, such as writing to SimObjects, I’ve used SimConnect_SetDataOnSimObject, and that worked flawlessly.

I tried to set the GSX LVAR to 1 using SimConnect_SetDataOnSimObject, hoping it would trigger GSX to start deboarding cargo, based on my interpretation of the GSX documentation.
However, nothing happened.

I’ve spent quite some time researching this online, but couldn’t find a clear answer. I’d really appreciate any advice or clarification on whether it’s even possible to interact with LVARS using an external .exe that relies on SimConnect.

Thanks a lot!

 

[MaxPaperno]

Hi, yes, it's possible to set L vars with SetDataOnSimObject(). Basically L vars work the same as Sim Vars with SimConnect, just using the "L:" prefix in the name when adding to definition. You can also create/set/read your own L vars just by creating a definition for one (with some unique name).

I don't know about GSX, so not much help there. If you're not getting errors or any other obvious issues with SetDataOnSimObject then the simplest answer is that setting the FSDT_GSX_DEBOARDING_CARGO variable just doesn't work as you expect it to, or maybe even at all... don't assume it's your code. Try setting a test L var to verify your process, and if that works then setting any other L or Sim var will also work (whether that produces a desired reaction from the sim is another matter).

HTH,
-Max

PS. You can see all current Local vars and their values, including any you add yourself, in the Dev Mode Behaviors Inspector window.

 

[EpicPrimus]

Hi, yes, it's possible to set L vars with SetDataOnSimObject(). Basically L vars work the same as Sim Vars with SimConnect, just using the "L:" prefix in the name when adding to definition. You can also create/set/read your own L vars just by creating a definition for one (with some unique name).

I don't know about GSX, so not much help there. If you're not getting errors or any other obvious issues with SetDataOnSimObject then the simplest answer is that setting the FSDT_GSX_DEBOARDING_CARGO variable just doesn't work as you expect it to, or maybe even at all... don't assume it's your code. Try setting a test L var to verify your process, and if that works then setting any other L or Sim var will also work (weather that produces a desired reaction from the sim is another matter).

HTH,
-Max

PS. You can see all current Local vars and their values, including any you add yourself, in the Dev Mode Behaviors Inspector window.

Hey Max,

thanks a lot!
SimConnect inspector didn´t showed any exception during runtime while setting the LVAR, so I guess my implementation works after reading your answer.
I will try to see what happens in the Behaviors Inspector, this is a great adive!

Thanks and enjoy your weekend