Misty Moorings Forums
Return to Misty Moorings (FSX/P3D/MSFS2020) => Prepar3D-Version 4 => Topic started by: gavinc on February 10, 2019, 10:23:07 AM
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Hi
Has anyone had any issues using the addon.xml method?
I decided to start using this technique with the new updates to RTMM.
I started with CIRP 2.0 and created an RTMM folder in my Documents folder.
In there I created an addon.xml file that pointed to where I had CIRP 2.0 installed. (I should point out that at this point I had all the other RTMM files, except CIRP 1.0, installed using the traditional method).
Restarted P3D and it asked if I wanted to activate RTMM. I said yes but the program just sat and spun. I had to kill the process. I then deleted the addon.xml file and restarted P3D. It started fine and I added CIRP 2.0 using the traditional method with no issues.
Is this an issue that other people have seen?
Gavin
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Hi Gavinc
I added all my rtmm scenery (and others) except one, with the xml method. Everything Works Fine.
But you Must set one scenery oldfashioned because you Need an Insertion Point for Ftx Central in the scenery. cfg! Ftxcentral doesnot read out the xml scenery folder, BTW PlanG neither. ( VFRFlight I don't know)
You don't have to create an xml folder by yourself. iHope you used LorbySI scenery manager, that Makes it much easier and you cán decide to Save the scenery in the scenery.cfg or xml method.
And Vice versa
My Suggestion is to Save the Yukon scenery (Last rtmm scenery) to scenery.cfg and set this in FTX Central as Insertion Point for the Ftx Installation. Then you cán install all other scenery with the xml method.
It might Happen After new Installation or updating P3D v4, that the scenery used as Insertion Point is Kicked out. Then this scenery is no more present in Ftx Central and you have a big disorder !
Simple reinstahl the Yukon ( or whatever you choosed) and set the Insertion Point in Ftx Central again, mostly just done by Ftx Central itself .
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Hi Tomse
Glad to know that you can use the xml technique with RTMM.
I have other packages that I added using xml and created a "Addon Scenery" folder just to act as an insertion point for FTX, as you mentioned.
I will go back and re-try adding RTMM components via xml. I must have messed something up the first time.
Gavin
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Need to reference the scenery folders as well as the effects and sounds - but in doing so your paths have to be perfect so just be careful.
Set up your own folders outside the sim then the xml to reference those folders. FTX insertion points are a bit trickier but it works.
At Thomas mentioned you can also use the cfg files to set up the parameters for which your sim can use. (Found in C:\ProgramData\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4)
IE: Effects.cfg - as default uses Your sim path Effects folder but you can create a entry and put all your RTMM Effects there : IE:
Effects.cfg
[Entry.0]
Title=Default Effects
Path=Effects
Required=True
Active=True
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
[Entry.1]
Title=Addon RTMM Effects
Path=D:\Addons\RTMM\Effects
Required=False
Active=True
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
So all of the RTMM are on D: in Folder Addons\RTMM Effects and when the sim is started it will read not only the default Effects fold but the RTMM Effects as well or you can do it via xml
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>RTMM Effects</Category>
<Path>D:\Addons\RTMM\Effects\</Path>
</AddOn.Component>
Lots of ways to make it work but the full paths used in either the cfg files or xml files have to be dead on.
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Hi
I am using the xml method for RTMM scenery using Lorby's P3DAO. Is this procedure correct?
I'm not sure if I'm handling the Scenery\World\Scenery files correctly.
This is what I do:
1, Create the folders as required for sound, effects, sim objects,etc., and put the appropriate RTMM files in them.
2. I also put files that need to go in Root\Scenery\World\Scenery in a folder structure: scenery\world\scenery.
3. Create, if necessary, the scenery folder, e.g., Tongass Narrows floats, with a 'scenery' sub-folder.
4. Using P3DAO I add 2 entries in scenery: the scenery folder e.g., 'Tongass Narrows floats' and 'scenery\world' [I believe the folder 'scenery' containing files will be read]
5. Then I create 'other add-ons' using Lorby for all the other folders - effects, sim objects, etc.
All folders reside in the same directory.
Thanks.
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Hi Tomse
Can I ask you what you did with the files that should go to P3D\Scenery\World\Scenery?
I'm pretty sure I'm adding everything else correctly but have a doubt where these particular files are concerned.
Thanks
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If your using xml only... (I don't use Lorby). This is just notepad/xml and manual folder creation.
The world scenery folder goes by itself under the main RTMM scenery piece: IE: will use RTMM Scenery TWChugach2 as an example of how, even though this scenery doesn't have all the pieces set up below but does show paths and how to set up the xml file:
The world scenery folder should be placed at the bottom (or at layer 3) of the scenery order and the textures in should be a layer WORLD or GLOBAL.
...................................
Easier to see the complete addon.xml: (This is just an example) - as long as your paths/strings are correct it should work.
So in this example the main path to the scenery piece(s) is: D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\
with sub-folder paths:
D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\Effects
D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\scenery
D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\texture
D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\world\scenery
D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\AIShips (These are adding any simobjects-ships to the sim)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<SimBase.Document Type="AddOnXml" version="4,0" id="add-on">
<AddOn.Name>RTMM-TWChugach-2</AddOn.Name>
<AddOn.Description>RTMM-TWChugach-2</AddOn.Description>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>Effects</Category>
<Path>D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\Effects</Path>
</AddOn.Component>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>Scenery</Category>
<Path>D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\scenery</Path>
<Name>RTMM-TWChugach-2 Scenery</Name>
</AddOn.Component>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>Scenery</Category>
<Path>D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\scenery\world</Path>
<Name>RTMM-TWChugach-2-World Scenery</Name>
<Layer>3</Layer>
</AddOn.Component>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>Texture</Category>
<Path>D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\texture</Path>
<Type>WORLD</Type> (Can also be <Type>GLOBAL</Type>)
</AddOn.Component>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>SimObjects</Category>
<Path>D:\Addon Scenery\RTMM\TWChugach-2\AIShips</Path>
</AddOn.Component>
</SimBase.Document>
So all the files under these paths once added will start up when you start your sim.
Hope this example helps?
Norm
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thanks.
I note the world\ scenery goes as layer 3.
surely you can't do that with all other world scenery files. wouldn't they all be trying to go in as layer 3 simultaneously??
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Yes and no... They are all layer 3 but each is stacked within their own scenery layer - within block 3 and they are not all in one folder but to each their own if that makes any sense.
It's like having many folders of simobjects - each is at the same level but each are separate folders that can be turned off or on.
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Norm - yes i think i understand thanks to your sim objects analogy.
thanks for the example, it looks exactly what i wanted.
i think i'm basically correct in my procedure except i don't put world scenery as layer 3 or in the same xml folder. i was creating a separate add-on xml for the world scenery and putting that under the main scenery entry in the library.
you have been a great help.
i'm off to experiment.
cheers.
Garry
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Norm
A quick update..
Had to reinstall P3D et al and after many days of reinstallation I now have everything running ok. I even took the time to organise things so that future reinstalls will be a lot quicker.
I used your example to install Airports of Norway's AI Global Shipping. I created a xml file in a folder "AI Global Shipping' and put it in P3D Add Ons Folder.
Lorby picked it up as an add-on package but told me I had an illegal character in the xml file [it turns out you cannot use an ampersand in a folder name - but I expect you know that]. So after making the necessary corrections everything was fine, the world scenery was added to the scenery library at layer 3 and the sim objects, sound, effects files were added to the Lorby database automatically.
I cannot thank you enough because it means that now I do not have to be forced to install into the root dir if a program has scenery\world\scenery files because now I know how to deal with them and it enables me to make future re-installs less painful.
Cheers!
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Josh, I also use the xml method and here the Ampersand works (Misty's Place).
Karl
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Karl
Just to be clear - the problem seemed to lie in the fact that the folder name I was referencing in the add-on xml text contained an ampersand. When I removed the ampersand from that folder name and re-referenced in the xml file the problem was solved.
Are you using Lorby?
Btw-what folder in Mistys Place has an ampersand? I've just checked my Mistys Place folders [v4.6] and can't see one.
Josh
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I'm not using Lorby-si.
I named my Misty's Place Folder (the one that contains the "Scenery" folder) "Misty's Place". That folder is referenced in the xml, see attached screenshot.
Karl
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Keep in mind that XML is a data file format that gets parsed by the sim and has a few traditionally reserved characters.
I think they are < & > " '
If you are having trouble getting the sim to pickup your xml input, I would first make sure you don't have those reserved characters in the data you are supplying.
Rod
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That's basically correct. However, Apostrophes only cause errors if they are used within strings that are already single quoted.
Karl
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When your setting up stuff if you can avoid any punctuation markings you eliminate any punctuation corruption in your strings/paths. Even found in the MFC system found that there was an apostrophe anywhere in the body of the routes IE: the apostrophe in Misty's Place or anywhere else in the route field that it would corrupt the flight legs to either disappear or not generate following legs.
(Even in my own scenery folder names, xml etc have removed all punctuation type markings: maybe unnecessary but for me have found it a good practice to eliminate any punctuation which avoids any punctuation type corruption from paths/strings).
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Very good advice, Norm. I had a folder disappear once in W7 and was able to trace it back to the fact that there was an ampersand in the folder name. It all looked good until I went back to it a week later and then it was gone.
Rod
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I'm trying a hybrid with add-on.xml for RTMM scenery. And maybe this was actually being referenced in the thread and I didn't pick up on it. I can easily turn on/off most of the RTMM objects with one switch (add-ons.cfg : ACTIVE=true/false)
a) I edited {appdata}\...\add-ons.cfg and added a reference to the directory where I keep my collection of RTMM objects (thx Norm!!!)
b) manually included the core RTMM libs at the top of Scenery Library
c) created a master add-on.xml with all of the RTMM scenery add-ons and optionally the RTMM sound, textures, etc.
add-ons.cfg -
[Package.0]
PATH=C:\Users\Steve A\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\Orbx ObjectFlow 2
ACTIVE=true
REQUIRED=false
[Package.1]
PATH=D:\common\RTMM Addons
ACTIVE=true
REQUIRED=false
[Package.2]
PATH=D:\common\my P3Dv4 Addons
ACTIVE=false
REQUIRED=false
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Looks good Steve - Now the only thing I don't like about add-on.xml is that you can't move the scenery positions and sometimes it might make a difference?). Prefer to have total control where scenery is placed and what but the dev's want it this way I guess.. lol. but what do they know!
Each has their own way and those doing this sim configuration stuff are not exactly novices!! If your doing on xml for the libs (or looks like scenery.cfg in your pic actually), it works to have the base there and the other RTMM add-on scenery entries via xml get layered on to but locked. That being the case (Locked) might want to do the in alphabetical order so that your list is in sequence to that of the RTMM scenery page.. It will be easier to cross reference. Perhaps?
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""" I don't like about add-on.xml is that you can't move the scenery positions"""
This is possible with Lorby Addon Organizer/P4AO, isn't it?
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Hmmm dunno?, never have used an auto-organizer.. Could try it but auto-things like migrators n similar auto-organizers, well just don't trust them especially when you read the failings. lol. (I guess a bit of old school here and do by manual hands on!).
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This is no auto-organizer!
Go here:
http://www.lorby-si.com/downloads.html
scroll down to:
addonorganizer_1_40_b04.zip
- download/unpack and install, run .exe and let the installer do the work.
- Run the software - this will not "disturb or ruin" your P3D installation - have a look what this software is able to do - the manual will help
- highly recommended!
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Ok Dieter will give it a try.. heading there now..
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for addon.xml I'm mostly just using it for Addon Scenery. RTMM's 250 addon folders to be precise.... they all appear at the top together which is where you want them anyway. If I wanted them after ORBX or something I would have a problem but so far its a good way to organize RTMM objects and easily turn them off with an ACTIVE=false if I want to do something else. I know there are lots of options. Just throwing this out there.
Also, if I want to move the sceneries to another drive. It's a one line change in the addons.cfg.
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...If I wanted them after ORBX or something I would have a problem...
Well, you can do that. It's the <Layer> entry in the <AddOn.Component> section. The problem, and that's probably what you mean, is that if something is added below ORBX that shifts ORBX up the layer number is not correct anymore.
I put a <Layer> number for the libraries. All sceneries I left with no layer what puts them on top. The P3D Learning Center has all information about the xml method documented.
Karl
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Right one Karl.. which places the RTMM Libs under the add-on scenery pieces and the FTX below the RTMM Libs. Lots of ways to skin this cat!
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"Every man is the architect of his own fortue"
This implies:
- Using Lorby Addon Organizer was just a suggestion.
- There are many ways to organize the own scenery library.
I don't use the .xml method until FTXCentral will be able to recognize and to handle these coded inputs.
At the moment you need at least one cfg coded file to set your insertion points correctly.
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- Using Lorby Addon Organizer was just a suggestion.
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But a good one. It seems to me that software is the only one that can change order of the combined scenery.cfg/xml addons.
I do not add 3rd party scenery every day so I'm ok by servicing the .xml file manually if needed.
Karl
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Hi
Objects display and scenery placement in Lorby P3DAO
I'm hoping someone can shed some light as to why some scenery objects show intermittently - specifically the misty cruise ship and fishing boats, coastguard vessel and the project 144 ferry. Sometimes when I visit
PAKT [ORBX v115] they are there and sometimes they are not. I can see vehicles and passengers at PAKT dock.
Also I installed ai floats traffic and ai floats for tongass narrows and see nothing. I tried Rod's install tips that I found in a post from 2016, i.e., copying the adex files from float traffic to the tongass narrows scenery folder but no joy.
I use Lorby P3DAO and place the RTMM 'scenery' folders at the top of the scenery library above all else and the scenery\world\scenery files always at layer 3. Lorby added the first files at layer 3 then subsequent files beginning at layer 4 despite me specifying layer 3.
The end result is that all my installed scenery\world\scenery files are 'sandwiched' between 'Default Scenery' [layer 2] and 'ORBX Vector AEC' [layer 22] and each is referenced at a layer number between 3 and 21. Is this correct placement?
Thanks
Josh
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Hi Josh,
On the subject of AI objects showing intermittently, are you aware that all AI runs according to the scenery developer's pre-programmed departure and arrival times?
So if you read the readme.txt for the Project_R-144 Ferry you will see this line:
"It offers a ferry from Misty Moorings that leaves the PAKT ferry dock on the hour and arrives at the shopping center in Ketchikan".
If you want to make sure you see the Ferry depart you would need to be there just before the top of the hour adn wait a minute or two. If you arrive at some other time it may or may not be there...it may be enroute etc..... All AI runs on its own scheduled clock settings located in related traffic files.
As far as scenery placement, I don't use the addon.xml method for adding RTMM scenery manually because it can be confusing as you may be finding out.
Rod
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....I don't use the addon.xml method for adding RTMM scenery manually because it can be confusing as you may be finding out.
Rod
Yes, it's confusing. And it's a mess. LM have not invented something good here. Of course, the intention was to keep LMs core installation clean, and that works. However, it can mess up proper functionality.
There is a possibility to set a layer number for scenery in the addon.xml file. That's ok, but as different vendors who don't know about each others installation use this, that can cause confusion.
Even worse, some vendors use the xml method and some don't (like ORBX).
I use the xml method for RTMM but maintain the .xml file manually. I set the libraries to a layer number high enough to stay on top of ORBX FTX. All other scenery I leave with no layer number what puts them on top.
Karl
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Yes xml is a bit complex to get it the first few times but once figured out it's just a way to too the sim to look for auxiliary folders-wherever they are for the sim to fire up when it's started.
Same as adding references to the SIM's cfg files that are located in the sims C:\ProgramData folder. They work the exact same way. Simply they just point to additional paths for the sim to load.
I use xml for some stuff as well as use the sim cfg files to set up all the paths for my add-on pieces from scenery to simobjects to effects, gauges, sound, world alt/afcads/adex files, ai traffic files which are normally steered to scenery-world-scenery, but they don't have to go there at all but all reside outside the sim.
It's easy to run one or more add-ons drives and simply add these path locations via add-on.xml files for each or by using the sim cfg files.. and easy to build as many paths as you want, and it will load every time.. or turn them off and they won't.. And the sim root files aren't touched at all.
"They" made a big deal out of the xml "doing it the correct way" they say, but it's really not necessary at all and the xml are way more complex than they ever needed to be.. just my opinion.. and I use both xml for some stuff as well as cfg files for other stuff.
So true- no add-ons have to be in the sim root at all except the Default SIM files: except for a few exceptions.. IE: ORBX but they are trying/starting to go outside the sim too.
Yup many Devs/vendors are on completely different methods on how to setup stuff and their installs.. ORBX has done just one airport scenery that can use xml to set it up. But the rest of the Orbx stuff still goes into the root sim and overwrites everything like a few other devs do IE: REX, Aerosoft, etc. etc etc etc
One day all might be on the same plain! (In the mean time, I custom install each add-on piece to where I want it and just set the locations via xml or by sim cfg). (I find there is actually more control of scenery order and layering via the Scenery.cfg and FTX Central insertion points than via xml files but both do work).
Long winded - but still to stay- there is lots of way to skin this cat - none are wrong and if done correctly all work perfect!
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Rod - no I didn't know ALL AI has preset timings. I did know about the ferry so that was my bad.
So does that mean the cruise liner and fishing boats enter and leave the harbor at preset times? Any idea what they are? It would have been helpful if the developer gave us an indication...I can't be doing with sitting around waiting in vain.
On the plus side it seems that your advice from 2016 re the install of AI floatplane traffic is still good. I am now seeing regular departures and arrivals in the harbor. Lovely.
Right now I am testing the ferry by disabling all unnecessary scenery because I am still not seeing it. I have set the time to 1 min to the hour [local time] and sitting in the harbor in my beaver for 10 mins or so with no sight of it. I've done this twice now.
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UPDATE
The ferry and fishing vessels work. I am assuming they activate on my arrival/spawn. in the harbor?
Love the gulls following the boats.
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UPDATE
And the ferry is there!! Woohoo.
I have to say the harbor looks utterly amazing. I've even got 2 coastguard vessels.
Now I suppose I'll have to add the dsiabled scenery one by one to see which one is causing the problem??
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Well it's all kicking off in Ketchikan Harbor - the ferry left PAKT at about 10 mins past the hour, 4 floatplanes departed nearby the 3 cruise liners at the harbor entrance and the icing on the cake was when the Tilda Kosan commercial vessel beached itself near the Eagle Air office building.
Fantastic!
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...
So does that mean the cruise liner and fishing boats enter and leave the harbor at preset times? Any idea what they are? It would have been helpful if the developer gave us an indication...I can't be doing with sitting around waiting in vain.
Hi Josh,
Each developer makes their own decision on what to say about the AI traffic departure times. The Tongass Fjords X documentation talks about their AI Traffic and gives some departure information. All of my sceneries that have AI Traffic have a table in the user guide that is very specific about departures. The AI Shipping Project (which Dex created and I packaged) is expected to provide a general Ai Ship traffic presence and does not specify departure times or locations for the 350+ shipping tracks.
So as you can see, the AI departure information provided by developers can vary depending on their intent. Many developer want you to encounter AI as you fly in a natural way and don't expect the user to want to go to a location at a certain time so they can see the AI. Most AI is thought of as eye candy that you encounter somewhat randomly.
Glad you did get the AI working.
Rod
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Hi Rod
Understood.
But how do you know if you've installed correctly unless you 'stage manage'?
I have to admit it seems sometimes I'm fiddling around trying to get things to work more than I'm actually flying.
I got a little excited because after 7 yrs of flying RTMM I finally see Ketchikan harbor in all its glory.
When you live on a little Caribbean Island where nothing much happens these things light up your day!
May I also thank you [and the rest of the RTMM crew] for all you do both in terms of support and these excellent scenery add ons.
Josh
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Rod - I wonder if you can help me yet again, please.
I'm in the midst of compiling an install log for the RTMM add-ons in MS Word that comprises a hyperlink to the folders and a brief note of pertinent info lifted from the appropriate 'readme' file [e.g., departure times for AI traffic, what scenery is required, etc.] for easy reference and I noticed that in addition to the Misty Cruise Ship folder I have a folder entitled 'Misty Cruise Ship World' containing a 'scenery' folder with this file in it: 'Traffic_MMC1.bgl'. I cannot remember where I got it from. I don't suppose you'd know, would you?
Thanks
Josh
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Sir Josh...
Traffic_MMC1.bgl is the AI traffic file from:
Misty Cruise Ship (and Fishing Boats) Added 02.01.2012
By Dexter Thomas
NOTAM: This is only comparable with PAKT SP1 which you must already have installed.
This AI Traffic enhancement gives you a great cruise ship at a new docking area and small fishing boats in the area of Ketchikan Harbor.
Page LINK: http://www.return.mistymoorings.com/enhancements/#ai
File Direct Link: http://www.return.mistymoorings.com/enhancements/zipfiles/Misty_Cruise.zip
Norm
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Sir Norm....
You are correct of course.
I confused myself in respect of these files, I forgot I created that extra 'world' folder in order to add to P3DAO - a senior moment for sure!! How embarassing.... :-[ :-[ :-[
Thanks for your help.
Sir Josh
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No problem Josh.. (I had to find it too as I have done the same with my sim. None of either the ALT/ADEX files or traffic files reside in the sim scenery-world-scenery folder. \
(I have created a separate ALT scenery folder (World Elevation ALT Add-ons) and another World AI Traffic Add-on scenery folder for AI Traffic files - (which has many sub folders to keep the AI traffic files for each DEV separate - so easy to turn ON or/OFF). (These sit down low in the order- equivalent to layer 3 where they are supposed to be).
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Hello
How are people handling the 'season switcher' and associated scenery folders if they are using the xml add-on method?
If I understand correctly, for the season switcher to work it must reside in a folder with the related RTMM scenery folders and is run prior to activating P3D.
Atm I have all my RTMM scenery in 3 separate folders outside of P3D, i.e., Flight Plan Scenery, RTMM Scenery and RTMM Traffic.
Does this mean that in order for season switcher to work I would have to create a new folder solely for scenery switcher associated scenery, add the scenery switcher to this folder and in P3DAO re-reference the season switcher scenery from this dedicated folder plus run season switcher prior to running P3D?
Regards
Josh
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The season switcher works on all files residing at OR below its folder. So just place it in the root of your scenery drive. It will search all sub-folders below its own. ;)
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Jeff - thanks.
I've just realised all I needed to do was put the season switcher.exe file in my Flight Plans Scenery folder [that contains season switcher and non season switcher scenery folders] and run it.
I've checked using Aiken and it seems to work.
This sounds like more or less what you advised.
Thanks again
Josh