Reading real time in-game data

[Whargod]

Hello,

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I am trying to find information on how to read real time data from the game. By that I mean can I read things like gauge position, CDU output, etc. from some kind of network interface, or shared memory access? Is there documentation available for this?

 

I have been using the Googles and while I get close to what I want, a lot of solutions seem to rely on software that is already available but doesn't necessarily work the way I want. I was hoping to extract the data for my own nefarious purposes.If anyone can tell me where to look it would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[FSFIan]

You want to look up Export.lua.

Archive.org still has a copy of the original blog post by ED that documents the basics of Export.lua.

Since that was written, the location of Export.lua has changed to %USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\DCS\Scripts\Export.lua.

 

There is currently a project underway to come up with an Export.lua file that implements a protocol that everyone can agree on, please take a look at this thread.

If you decide to do your own thing, please make sure you get the basics that are mentioned in that thread right to play well with other Export.lua files.

Edited October 21, 2015 by [FSF]Ian

[Whargod]

Great, thank you!

[spaceraver]

You have DCS Bios or Ultra MFCD, I have no idea on if the two are compatible with each other.

[Whargod]

I have only just discovered those, not sure if I can or will use them.

 

Ultimately I am hoping to create a service which will act as a data server to various other applications. If that means I have to do it all manually then so be it. I am not adverse to digging into the guts of the system.

[algerad3]

Whargod,

Take a look at this: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2485884&postcount=343

 

If you peruse the scripts you should be able to get the real time data with a lua script and display on lua console.

ANy questions , let me know.

[FSFIan]

Take a look at this: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2485884&postcount=343

 

It's a good example that is just as complex as it needs to be to get something working.

 

However, be aware that it will break other software like Helios, TacView, or DCS-BIOS unless it is the very first thing that is loaded, because it does not save and call previous callback functions. It also won't work in multiplayer mode because it assumes there is an active aircraft in LuaExportStart(). When you are in spectator mode, LoGetSelfData() will return nil, which it does not handle (and you can also change the aircraft later, in recent DCS versions that's possible even in single player mode).