Double DCS release install

[chromium]

Hi,

 

I need to duplicate the release DCS install to have a "clean" one and a "modded" one. I can't find the instruction to make DCS.exe to point at a different, customized Saved Games folder such as:

 

DCS.cleanRelease and DCS.moddedRelease.

 

Could anyone help me?

[Askerov24]

Why don't you try Open Beta?

[Fri13]

Hi,

 

I need to duplicate the release DCS install to have a "clean" one and a "modded" one. I can't find the instruction to make DCS.exe to point at a different, customized Saved Games folder such as:

 

DCS.cleanRelease and DCS.moddedRelease.

 

Could anyone help me?

 

You mean "modded" as your own mod installations instead the "Stable" and "Open Beta" branches of the DCS?

 

If you mean the "modded", then there is best possible option already available for you, it is the JSGME

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=98607

 

It is safe and very easy to use after you just get the starting point (You put that to game directory, create a own "here_are_my_mods" kind directory that you configure to that application to use. And then you just drop all the mod files there and they will appear to that mod manager and you can enable/disable all or individual ones without touching the original files of the game!)

[Rudel_chw]

I need to duplicate the release DCS install to have a "clean" one and a "modded" one. I can't find the instruction to make DCS.exe to point at a different, customized Saved Games folder such as:

 

DCS.cleanRelease and DCS.moddedRelease.

 

 

In the DCS root folder, create a text file called "dcs_variant.txt" with the one word suffix you want to use for your save folder i.e.

 

If "dcs_variant.txt" is

 

openbeta

[/Quote] the save folder will be called "DCS.openbeta"

 

If "dcs_variant.txt" is

 

test

[/Quote] the save folder will be called "DCS.test"

 

If the save folder with the .suffix doesn't exist, it is created when DCS is run. To return to using the default "DCS" save folder, simply delete the "dcs_variant.txt" file.

 

 

However, for modding purposes its best to use a Mod Manager, since you need to disable your Mods before every DCS update ... the tip above is best used to just have a custom named save folder.

Edited August 16, 2017 by Rudel_chw

[Buzzles]

However, for modding purposes its best to use a Mod Manager, since you need to disable your Mods before every DCS update ... the tip above is best used to just have a custom named save folder.

 

Nah, if you install your mods under SavedGames as you're supposed too, you don't need to disable them before updates.

[Ironhand]

Nah, if you install your mods under SavedGames as you're supposed too, you don't need to disable them before updates.

I own FC3 and want to install some Su-27 custom skins into 1.5x. I've placed them in the Mods folder using the folder structure that used to work, when placed in the sim itself. But now they don't show up structured that way in the Mods folder. If you know, what should the folder structure look like?

[Buzzles]

I own FC3 and want to install some Su-27 custom skins into 1.5x. I've placed them in the Mods folder using the folder structure that used to work, when placed in the sim itself. But now they don't show up structured that way in the Mods folder. If you know, what should the folder structure look like?

 

I don't know about the FC3 aircraft, I don't own it, so they might not work the same.

 

For liveries, it *should* be :

C:\Users\[username]\Saved Games\DCS\Liveries\su-27

Basically, the same as the old \Bazar\Liveries folder names.

[Hawkeye60]

You can also copy the entire DCS folder to a new location, Rename it, run Skates utility and convert the new DCS install to what branch you would like.

When run for the first time, DCS will create the saved game folder for you.

 

Hope this helps.

[Ironhand]

I don't know about the FC3 aircraft, I don't own it, so they might not work the same.

 

For liveries, it *should* be :

C:\Users\[username]\Saved Games\DCS\Liveries\su-27

Basically, the same as the old \Bazar\Liveries folder names.

Ahhh...so Liveries would not be nested in the Mods folder?

 

Correct:

Saved Games\DCS\Liveries\su-27

Incorrect:

Saved Games\DCS\Mods\Liveries\su-27

 

If that's the case, there's my error. I was under the impression that the Mods folder was the starting point for everything.

[gospadin]

Ahhh...so Liveries would not be nested in the Mods folder?

 

It depends on the module. The "ideal" layout has evolved over time, and while newer modules align to the newer structure, older modules do not. The WW2 planes also have their own rules.

[chromium]

In the DCS root folder, create a text file called "dcs_variant.txt" with the one word suffix you want to use for your save folder i.e.

 

If "dcs_variant.txt" is

 

the save folder will be called "DCS.openbeta"

 

If "dcs_variant.txt" is

 

the save folder will be called "DCS.test"

 

If the save folder with the .suffix doesn't exist, it is created when DCS is run. To return to using the default "DCS" save folder, simply delete the "dcs_variant.txt" file.

 

 

However, for modding purposes its best to use a Mod Manager, since you need to disable your Mods before every DCS update ... the tip above is best used to just have a custom named save folder.

 

This was the answer I was looking for. Straighforward, 0.5 sec to perform w/o any other app or program.

Thanks all.

[Ironhand]

It depends on the module. The "ideal" layout has evolved over time, and while newer modules align to the newer structure, older modules do not. The WW2 planes also have their own rules.

:) So no rule to rule them all.... I'll keep trying, then. Something will work someday...

[SkateZilla]

can also drop a mini module in the /Saved Games/Mods/ Folder w/ a line to import your custom liveries folders.

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=174462&highlight=Liveries

[Buzzles]

Ahhh...so Liveries would not be nested in the Mods folder?

 

Correct:

Saved Games\DCS\Liveries\su-27

Incorrect:

Saved Games\DCS\Mods\Liveries\su-27

If that's the case, there's my error. I was under the impression that the Mods folder was the starting point for everything.

 

:thumbup:

 

There are other variations too, I think SavedGames\Mods\aircraft\[modulename]\Liveries will also work now, but I've not tested it.

 

In general, liveries are best placed in "SavedGames\DCS\Liveries\[modulename]" though.

Edited August 16, 2017 by Buzzles

[Ironhand]

...

 

 

 

In general, liveries are best placed in "SavedGames\DCS\Liveries\[modulename]" though.

I'll give that a try. Thanks. Though SkateZilla's solution is sweet. It won't do me any good, though, until I figure out where things should go in the first place.

[Rudel_chw]

can also drop a mini module in the /Saved Games/Mods/ Folder w/ a line to import your custom liveries folders.

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=174462&highlight=Liveries

 

 

 

+1 ... this is by far the best way to manage big Liveries collections, I use the same Liveries folder for all three DCS versions that I have, thus saving 2/3 the space ... and locate them on a different Drive, saving space on my C: drive. Thanks for this Skatezilla :)