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wingclip

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Posts posted by wingclip

    Orbx "X" Topic creation/selections not selectable?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Ahhh Yes!! I see now. Thanks Nick!

    I haven't needed any support for anything to do with Orbx for a long time, (which is a GOOD thing), so I haven't submitted any support tickets.

     

    Last night, I wasn't sure how I could move my 90GB Orbx Backup folder to an entirely different drive, so I was going to ask about it by starting a new Topic in the Orbx Central Support. So, I attempted to post a new topic and found that I couldn't.

     

    Then, as I fumbled around in my own way, I tried searching for a possibility that someone else may have had the same question. Of course, I found that someone had and I followed the instruction that was given and resolved my concerns.

     

    Anyway, that's how I came to this point. Then, when I realized the product review topic was also grayed-out, I began to think that there was an error on the administration end that had limited my access. I wasn't planning to post a product review but because I thought a buyer could post, I suspected something was wrong.

     

    Thanks again,

    Rich

    • Thanks 1

    Orbx "X" Topic creation/selections not selectable?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by wingclip

    Hi Folks,

    First, I apologize for not selecting a Forum Support section that's more appropriate for this but then, that's exactly the problem! Earlier today, I had a question regarding the Orbx Central Backup folder, (for which I found the solution, so it's not an issue). However, as I tried to select the "Orbx Central Support Forum", I found that none of the "Orbx Central..." or "Orbx Direct..." selections could be selected.

     

    The text in each of the categories and sub-categories were all grayed-out. I took a number of screenshots to show the various ways that I tried to get to selecting a topic and found that it would have been rather confusing, (if not 'untidy'), to post them with explanations for each. So, I placed them all on a single background with annotations and merged them as a single image.

     

    Please see that picture to clarify the problem I'm having. Also, please note that I was logged-in during each attempt I made at trying to select the "Orbx Central Support Forum" option. Perhaps someone can explain what I need to do to in order to begin a topic in that category?

    Thank you,

    Rich

     

     image.thumb.jpeg.ac8c250a2db0827e59dadde11b5f1a42.jpeg

    Coming Soon - YMLT Launceston for Microsoft Flight Simulator!

    in Orbx Preview Announcements, Screenshots and Videos

    Posted

    @John Burgess: I agree!

    I, for one, must confess that I did terrible in grammar school and high school when it came to History and Geography. However, when I started in the flight sim hobby with FSX around late 2010, I became much more knowledgeable on both subjects. The flight sim hobby would make me ask questions that I would then go and research. 

     

    If I had half the understanding of Geography, (and history) back in my early school years that I have now, I would have passed those courses with a stellar grade, (instead of the poor grades that I did get).

     

    I have no idea how most schools in the US teach those courses these days, (or if they even teach them at all!), but I think the application of a flight simulator-like tool would greatly help to make the subjects more interesting and memorable for the students.

     

    Back in 4th grade to 8th grade grammar school, (for me, that spanned 66' to 70'), we had a class that was called "Social Studies", which study lifestyles and traditions from around the world.

     

    I don't know if they even teach that course anymore but I'm sure if they do, it's probably called something else. Anyway, that class always fascinated me and it was one of the few courses that I did well in. However, the teachers didn’t understand how I could do so well in Social Studies and so poorly in Geography.

     

    Personally, I think it had to do with the way the teachers approached each subject. I remember that the Social Studies teacher had a unique and interesting way of introducing each of the locations she taught about. It made a difference, I’m sure.

    FWIW,

    Rich

    • Like 2

    Coming Soon - YMLT Launceston for Microsoft Flight Simulator!

    in Orbx Preview Announcements, Screenshots and Videos

    Posted

    Ah, yes the monument! I didn't notice that before. I can pull a few tricks with my photo editor and enlarge it so I can read it when I have a few minutes. I'll post what it says here when I get the results but I don't think I'll be able to do it today.

     

    Whatever this prop was to, I think it was likely a single-engine plane... Oh wait, it could have been a P38 prop! It kind off has that thin profile for the twin-engine P-38 lightning, no?

    Rich

    Freedom Fox 42 asking for installation preference after initial install?!

    in Microsoft Flight Simulator

    Posted

    Thank you Nick! I have since exited the installation process and uninstalled whatever amount of the package had been installed up to that point. I looked into what I could find about the installation for this addon online, but there wasn't anything, (the manual doesn't say anything about installation).

     

    Now that I've got your suggestion to go by, I will reinstall it tomorrow and see what happens. I mean, I probably should have gone ahead with it in the first place because what's the worse that could have happened, right? LOL

    Thanks again, and if for some reason the installation goes all to hell when I try it again tomorrow, I'll post the results. 

    Rich

    • Thanks 1

    Freedom Fox 42 asking for installation preference after initial install?!

    in Microsoft Flight Simulator

    Posted

    Hi Folks,

    I just purchased two addons via Orbx Central. The first was the Juneau airport and as always, I selected install to Microsoft flight simulator directory. That went as expected. Then I went on to install the Freedom Fox 42 and selected the same location; Microsoft flight simulator directory. However, I see that it installed here:

    C:\Users\richp\AppData\Roaming\Orbx\Central\Integrations\Parallel 42

    My MSFS is installed in a custom location/drive. The Community folder is A:\MS Flight 2020 Install\Community

     

    To make things a bit more confusing and before I could understand the path it was showing in Orbx Central, another dialog box opened, (which I think may have opened when I clicked the "Configure" button in the Orbx Central app, perhaps before the first part of the installation was complete?).

     

    The screenshot is below is the dialog box I didn't expect. The install directory shown in that box is different from the initial installation location and again, is not where my MSFS Community folder is located. I've never had this happen and I've purchased quite a few addons via Orbx Central for MSFS. I always selected the MSFS directory for most (with exception of some early purchases).

     

    At this point, the installation is waiting for me to select "NEXT" or select a different location and then Select "NEXT". I'm going to wait a few minutes to see if someone knows what I should do. However, if I don't get any suggestions in the next few minutes, I think I should maybe cancel out of the installation and run the "Uninstall" from the Orbx Central app. Then maybe I should try again No? 

    Thanks,

    Rich

     

    image.thumb.png.1b0eed3a2a0efa873d6f266e0bcd7d2c.png

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    13 hours ago, paulb said:

    I simply used the options within MSFS to assign commands to the switches etc. I did not use anything else

    Yes, thanks for that Paulb. There's a 3-position toggle switch at the end of the left throttle. With that assigned to the "Upper" & "Lower" level calls, the TARGET software is able to expand all the buttons and switches by at least double. In FSX, when I flew fixed wing aircraft, I used the "Upper Level" position, and for choppers, I used the "Lower level". The Center position was then for a mix of operations that could be used for either aircraft.

     

    This permitted me to assign the same buttons for new needs, such as auto-hover, hoist up/down, and/or a variety off other binds. Now I know only too well that I can do the same in the MSFS profiler, but in FSX and ROF, the TARGET was very useful.

     

    That said, I'm NOT convinced that I'll use the TARGET software for MSFS just yet. I'm probably going to try without the TARGET because the less software running in the background, the better. In other words, if I don't find any need to run TARGET (or even FSUIPC), then I won't run them.

     

    But as far as setting up the TM Warthog HOTAS using the TARGET it's as easy, (and at times, just as complicated), as it is with MSFS. There's no real advantage or disadvantage to using one over the other, in that respect.

     

    There is one small advantage to TARGET, and that is the fact that you can transfer the .tmc, or .fcf files from someone who may have offered their configuration in a given TM website, (I've done that). However, it's likely that their configuration wouldn't line up with how I would want my controls to work, so....  Six of one, half dozen of the other:rolleyes:.

    Rich

    • Like 1

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    52 minutes ago, John Heaton said:

    I suggest that you take a look at a UTUBE regular -

    Simhangar - and search his series on Honeycomb setup advice

    Thanks John, way ahead of you there! I've been following his stuff since day 1. However, the most recent posts he's done, (or that I could find), are from 2021 and several versions off MSFS back. The latest MSFS store edition has had some changes that eliminated some of the button assignment names and/orr selections shown in his videos. That said, I was able to find the compatible assignment names.

     

    Still, it's not the assignments or button binds with the Honeycomb controls that bother me, it's the camera view control selections in MSFS that I don't like, but I'm getting through that and I'll have it all together. As for the TM Warthog HOTAS, I'm confident that I'll get it going. It's just the time that it takes to configure the system.

     

    Before the latest version of MSFS, some people were having trouble with the TARGET programming and MSFS compatibility. But upon rereading some o those posts, it seems that the problem is their lack of familiarity with the TARGET software. I have a lot off experience with that system so I don't anticipate any problems, (it's just time consuming).

    1 hour ago, John Heaton said:

    and learn how to with a chopper

    I don't know why, but I've always seemed to have a kind of 'natural understanding' with helicopters. I've never had any formal training, but when I was in Taos, NM back in 2015, I took a helicopter tour flight. The only other person that was supposed to take the same tour, (a stranger), asked the pilot to drop her off back at the landing pad just two minutes after he took off, (she was very uncomfortable and way too nervous for it).

     

    That left just me in the chopper, (a Bell 206B, if I remember correctly). By that time, I had been flying FSX for about 6 years and logged a lot of sim hours in helicopters. The pilot was very familiar with FSX and eventually asked if I'd like to "take the stick?". We were about 4000 or 5000 feet AGL and about 12000 MSL. We were coming down from atop the Taos Ski Area mountain, (summer time).

     

    In just a short few minutes, he gave me full control of the 206 and even let me attempt a hover, (though we were at least 2500 AGL nowhere near the ground). I came to find that his other job was as an instructor for helicopters. I started to reason out that he was probably trying to get me signed up for my license. I don't know about now, but back then, a private license for helicopters costs a lot more than a private license for fixed-wing aircraft.

     

    Anyway, I don't know if he was just giving me a 'sales pitch' but he said that he was convinced I could've landed the helicopter on my own. He said, had it not been for the various violations with the tour company's policies, he would have let me try! LOL, Other than that time in 2016, I had about 10 or 15 minutes flight time in a Cessna 172 when I was about 15 years old. My father had a license and took me up one day, but all I did was hold the plane level as he went through a few charts.

     

    So, yes, I certainly want to get some helicopters in MSFS very soon!

    Rich

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 10/28/2022 at 7:14 PM, pmb said:

    FSRealistic has a 1st person mode in development. You can find a preview on YouTube.

    Hey PMB, thanks for that info on FSRealistic! I just got the opportunity to check out their present software and I think I'm going to give it a try.

    9 hours ago, paulb said:

    +1 for Mount Cook. It does include two nice airports and a helipad in the price 

    As a matter of fact, I did buy Mt Cook, and I forgot about it! (My thanks to Paulb & John Heaton) LOL, I bought Mt. Cook when I bought PADU! In fact, I haven't had a chance to fly any of the new stuff that I bought & installed anytime after 10-23-20! I just realized that!

     

    I've been prepping my Thrustmaster Warthog control system for use in MSFFS and it appears that it'll take a lot longer than I expected. As a result, I've used all my free time researching the best way to setup the TM Warthog using the TARGET software. I had a great deal of success using the TARGET software when I flew FSX, but I'm still in the beginning stages of setting it up for MSFS...

     

    I can understand why the MSFS Control Profiling UI is like it is. There are so many different Flight Sim control systems out there that MSFS must accommodate.

     

    My control systems are barely in the 'mid-grade' category. The really high-end control systems for planes like the commercial Boeings, Airbus, etc. can cost well over $3000 USD. MSFS had to take those systems in consideration or risk bad reviews.

     

    There's FSUIPC, (and I do have a payware version for FSX), which I'm beginning to think I may need to seriously consider buying for MSFS.

     

    If I go with FSUIPC, it may mean having to pitch all the info I've read and learned for the Honeycomb system (and whatever I've managed to assemble for the TM Warthog system), but if I'm going to do it, I need to do it now rather than continuing to use a lot of time to set it up.

     

    Another issue I've been struggling with is the MSFS Camera view system and their applied nomenclature, which makes it hard for me to select what I want from any particular camera view. I try to keep as many of my 'most often used' camera operations assigned to my control system, but I'm not sure I can get the results I want...

     

    PMB has mentioned "FSRealistic" and if it's anything of an improvement over the present MSFS system, I think I need to investigate it. Maybe what I need to do at this point is simply use the rest of my free time that I've got tonight to check out the airfields and mesh I purchased, rather than continuing my task of setting up the Thrustmaster controls.

     

    The Honeycomb flight control system I have is basically doing a good job, though there's still a lot off room for improvement. I think I'll hook it up and go fly Mt Cook.

    MY Thanks to all!

    Rich

    • Like 1

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    There's no doubt about it for me. I don't have that much time left but if I ever get the chance, the Top of my list is Milford Sound. It's the one place that I'd like to spend at least one week. That may never happen, so the next best thing is to have it installed in MSFS. (Actually, I always liked the FSX version. I never found anything wrong with the textures and I ran FSX at 2048 resolution and with a 6.50000 terrain LOD.)

    But that's just me.

    Rich

    PS @ tuisong: Nice cockpit, but may I suggest a 32" curved center monitor straddled by two 22" monitors so that you don't have that break in the forward view.

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    LOL! Thank you, Perk!

    I've been trying to understand MSFS's use of the terms like, "Drone" and "Translate" for a while now! I tried the "Drone" camera but by the time I got to that point, I was so frustrated with the "Translate" option, that I doubt I gave the "Drone" option any kind of patients. Part off the problem was the way the Alpha Yoke's Hat switch behaved with FS.

     

    The "Translate" term bothered me because I can't understand if they meant "Pan", or "Shift", or even "Glide" to the left or Right, etc. I have TrackIR and recently tried it but MSFS wasn't responding to the TrackIR program. I'll be reinstalling the TrackIR software and trying again soon and I'm sure I can get it working, but even then, I only used TrackIR for internal, cockpit views, not any external ones. 

     

    Anyway, the views I often used in FSX (as I was landing, for example), was the 2-D cockpit, but with just a few gauges showing. However, I always enjoyed the FSX effect in the external view, where the plane fly's past at speed, and then snaps back as if pulled back by a rubber band.

     

    It leaves the user in a position behind the plane. Or what about if I wanted to see the plane from a point on the ground as it approached for a landing? Again, these are questions meant for the support forum, so I'm using them here as examples of what I intend to post in that section, (but I won't complain if you happen to answer them, ;)).

     

    I never did like those "attached to the plane" type of views, (like on a wing tip or at the top of the vertical stabilizer). And don't even get me started on the instant replay, like watching the last 45 seconds of a flight just after landing. Again, I'll post it in the support section.

    Rich

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    "...a lot has changed, developers move on." You said it all when you said that! I keep forgetting that this is a very real fact and I should know better.

     

    "...good freeware version of Milford Sound over on Flight Sim.TO" Thank you for that Andrew, I'll check it out!

     

    Like I said, I haven't flown the MSFS version of NZMF yet. I was busy trying to setup the basic flight controls for the sim, which took some time, (but I've finally got it figured out. My only other issue is with the FS camera views. I'll be posting a few questions about that in the support forum soon.

    Rich

    • Like 2

    Finally, PADU! But what about Milford Sound?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi folks,

    So in the last few days, I've increased my Orbx Library content by at least 60%. Today, I added PADU, NZMC, and Antarctica. A few days ago, I bought all the Mesh products available on Orbx Direct, as well as airfield like Bella Coola, Ketchikan, and Darrington. In FSX, for me, the absolute top 3 airfields were PADU, (Unalaska), 3w5, (Concrete), and the number one on my list: NZMF, Milford Sound (on the South Island, just west of Queenstown for those who had never been there).

     

    In FSX, I had NZMF draped with jumping dolphins & killer whales. I had the animated waterfalls and tour boats. I flew it in choppers and for some reason, I favored the A10 Warthog the most when I flew fixed-wing aircraft. I think I liked flying the A10 in that area because it could fly low & slow and then quickly generate enough thrust to clear nearby cliffs.

     

    I confess, I have NOT been to Milford Sound in MSFS yet! However, I fully intend to go there on the very next flight session. At this point, (and because Orbx hasn't released any ads for an upcoming NZMF), I must assume that MSFS has a very well developed version of Milford Sound and probably of Queenstown as well.

     

    That would be the only explanation I could think of for why Orbx hasn't already released it. They did a fantastic job with so many FSX airfields and NZMF was just a beautiful rendition. So, I'm going to check out MSFS's version and I'll try not to be too critical in my comparison to the FSX NZMF, (but it won't be easy).

    Rich 

    • Like 1

    DC-3 Radial & Turbo Prop versions for FS 2020? (And what about A2A Lights?!)

    in Microsoft Flight Simulator

    Posted

    Wow! Thanks to all! I'm going to look into that conversion for sure. I saw a DC-3 when my wife and I took a vacation to Taos, New Mexico back in 2016. It was all White and in a Hangar at an air museum just outside of town, (I think!). Anyway, I went to the "Milviz" website and was surprised to see Colin changed the name to Blackbird Sims (as was mentioned by paulb). It's not so much the "Prop Planes" that I like so much as it is the specific DC-3 plane.

     

    The DC-3 was a plane I could really understand. It had style and there's just something about it that I really liked but I can't explain why. The DC-6 was a very close second in my favorite line up. On the other side of the coin, one of my favorite jets was the F-86F. As I said earlier, I wrote the user guide for the Milviz version back in 2012. It was the first project I did for Milviz. Colin wanted it to be written with a humorous undertone to set it apart from the usual, very serious, sim manuals.

     

    Prior to writing guides for Milviz, I used to be a machine shop supervisor, (I was a 1st class machinist for 20+ years before I changed to another career). As a shop supervisor, whenever a new CNC machine was brought in, or when I hired new people with limited-experience to run those machines, I found the 300 to 400 page CNC machine manuals to be far to much to use as a quick-reference, hanging off the control panel.

     

    So I started abbreviating the 'official manuals' and watered them down to 25-30 page, step by step, operating guides. I didn't know much about writing let alone writing humor but I applied for the job at Milviz and got it. The F86-F30 Sabre was my favorite favorite jet fighter. The guide was also my favorite project of all the ones I wrote, (though not necessarily as 'technical'' as some people would've liked, I suppose).

     

    I used this 'little bit nuts' undertone and wrapping up with a "One flew over the Cuckoo's nest" theme, (though I don't think it was what Colin had in mind when he said "Humorous", LOL).

     

    The F86 was challenging to fly and with no AP or advanced electronics, it could keep you pretty busy. I have to hand it to those pilots back in the Korean war. Two or three hours in that plane could be a real workout!

     

    I took the liberty of attaching the F86-F30 User guide to this post but if it violates any thread rules, please feel free to remove it. Not in any particular order, I also wrote the guides for the MV F4E, F4S&J, B737-200, T-50 Bobcat, UH-1, B407, & the Red Bull P-38

    Milviz F86 User Guide.pdf

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