Global fix for all FC3 Dependent Mods

[SkateZilla]

Good Day Everyone,

In order to restore FC3 Dependent mods that utilize the Old = x System,

You have to force load them on startup, In the \Mods\Aircraft\ Folders for:
A-10A
F-15C
MIG-29
Su-25A
Su-27
Su-33

There are entry.lua files
You will need to open these files, and add a line below the binaries block

Add:
 

load_immediately = true,

And save the LUA File,

This will tell DCS to load the Binaries at DCS Startup,

Allowing mods that used Old = x to run as they did before 2.9.6.
 

Edited August 3, 2024 by SkateZilla

[Avimimus]

Thank you! This is much appreciated! It would be great if it could be included in a future patch.

[Fab8ball]

Thanks

 

Edited August 3, 2024 by Fab8ball

[flavnet]

Hello everyone. I would be grateful if the procedure was explained better.
Let's see if I understood.
Is the directory where the .lua are located the same as the game's installation directory? So if "E" is the game location and I want to use Su-33 based mods, it should be:
E\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\Aircraft\Su33\Comm\Su-33.lua
The file content is as follows:

"local parameters = {
fighter = true,
radar = true,
______________
ECM = true,
refueling = true
}
return utils.verifyChunk(utils.loadfileIn('Scripts/UI/RadioCommandDialogPanel/Config/LockOnAirplane.lua', getfenv()))(parameters)"

So, for example, where I drew the line, I should add:

"load_immediately = true,"

Is this the correct procedure?

[Rudel_chw]

4 minutes ago, flavnet said:

I would be grateful if the procedure was explained better.

 

Here it is explained a bit clearer:

 

 

please note that this breaks the Multiplayer IC

[SkateZilla]

8 minutes ago, flavnet said:

Hello everyone. I would be grateful if the procedure was explained better.
Let's see if I understood.
Is the directory where the .lua are located the same as the game's installation directory? So if "E" is the game location and I want to use Su-33 based mods, it should be:
E\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\Aircraft\Su33\Comm\Su-33.lua
The file content is as follows:

"local parameters = {
fighter = true,
radar = true,
______________
ECM = true,
refueling = true
}
return utils.verifyChunk(utils.loadfileIn('Scripts/UI/RadioCommandDialogPanel/Config/LockOnAirplane.lua', getfenv()))(parameters)"

So, for example, where I drew the line, I should add:

"load_immediately = true,"

Is this the correct procedure?

Apologies, it goes in the Entry.lua for the modules, not the A-10A.lua etc, was typing fast and lost my train of thought.

Edited August 3, 2024 by SkateZilla

[AAAAA]

Can you elaborate a little bit, I didn't understand these things, such as the exact location of the file and where the code should be added, because I couldn't find the location of the code

[SkateZilla]

20 hours ago, AAAAA said:

Can you elaborate a little bit, I didn't understand these things, such as the exact location of the file and where the code should be added, because I couldn't find the location of the code

\Mods\Aircraft\ is the folder, with the aircraft (A-10A, F-15C, Su-27, Su-33, Mig-29, Su-25A), being the sub folders,

Open the entry.lua, 
Scroll cursor to the line below binaries, and add the line, for Example: A-10A's entry.lua would look like:
 

binaries 	 =
{
'A10ACWS',
'A10A',
},
load_immediately = true

 

[AAAAA]

2024/8/16 PM9点03分，SkateZilla说：

\Mods\Aircraft\ 是文件夹，飞机（A-10A、F-15C、Su-27、Su-33、Mig-29、Su-25A）是子文件夹，

打开 entry.lua，
将光标滚动到二进制文件下方的行，然后添加该行，例如：A-10A 的 entry.lua 如下所示：
 

binaries 	 =
{
'A10ACWS',
'A10A',
},
load_immediately = true

 

我这样改了，但他的襟翼、空气制动器和起落架都不能正常工作，我该怎么办？

[abitar]

On 8/16/2024 at 10:03 AM, SkateZilla said:

\Mods\Aircraft\ is the folder, with the aircraft (A-10A, F-15C, Su-27, Su-33, Mig-29, Su-25A), being the sub folders,

Open the entry.lua, 
Scroll cursor to the line below binaries, and add the line, for Example: A-10A's entry.lua would look like:
 

binaries 	 =
{
'A10ACWS',
'A10A',
},
load_immediately = true

 

This procedure worked to start the Gripen BVR, I think only the airbrake is still not working. Thanks, SkateZilla!

[chenliyu0410]

12小时前，AAAAA说：

我这样改了，但他的襟翼、空气制动器和起落架都不能正常工作，我该怎么办？

正常，還沒修好全部的模組。
目前能正常運作的只有獨立版模組(ex. A4E、C130、A29...) 、使用SU-25T的模組、以及F22，其餘的目前都還是這個狀況。

[PeeJott17]

Big thanks @SkateZillafor finding that solution.

Fingers crossed ED findsvthe time to add that one line of code to the FC3 planes in the next patch

[TKhaos]

5 hours ago, PeeJott17 said:

Big thanks @SkateZillafor finding that solution.

Fingers crossed ED findsvthe time to add that one line of code to the FC3 planes in the next patch

Doesn't need anything adding really most of the creators have updated their own mods, some have moved away from reliance on FC aircraft.

Probably 75% of the VSN aircraft have been reworked and now function without altering anything, they have done it to the mod itself. Here's the VSN aircraft done so far.

https://e.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZgx6gZWe5YWYUN63mIhQOYf9iAi8TzeMPX

The F-22A Raptor by GrinnelliDesigns has been updated, need to scroll to the bottom and download V3.0 on the left.

https://grinnellidesigns.com/f22/

The F-15EX Eagle II by Spino has been updated to 1.8.7 and can be downloaded here:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3340119/

The Su-57 Felon by CubanAce now has it's own cockpit, latest update and can be downloaded via Discord.

https://discord.com/invite/kVUEak6b66

Edited August 26, 2024 by TKhaos

[Gogi12]

3 hours ago, TKhaos said:

Doesn't need anything adding really most of the creators have updated their own mods, some have moved away from reliance on FC aircraft.

Probably 75% of the VSN aircraft have been reworked and now function without altering anything, they have done it to the mod itself. Here's the VSN aircraft done so far.

https://e.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZgx6gZWe5YWYUN63mIhQOYf9iAi8TzeMPX

The F-22A Raptor by GrinnelliDesigns has been updated, need to scroll to the bottom and download V3.0 on the left.

https://grinnellidesigns.com/f22/

The F-15EX Eagle II by Spino has been updated to 1.8.7 and can be downloaded here:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3340119/

The Su-57 Felon by CubanAce now has it's own cockpit, plus drone in the latest update and can be downloaded via Discord.

https://discord.com/invite/kVUEak6b66

 

@TKhaos Su-47 Felon 4.2 is not yet released?

[TKhaos]

45 minutes ago, Gogi12 said:

@TKhaos Su-47 Felon 4.2 is not yet released?

Just removed the drone part, latest version still works fine in DCS though with it's standalone cockpit.

Installed it before going out and only read the post briefly. The download says Build v4.1, when it is unzipped to install it says Build v4.5 so that's where the confusion came in.

Edited August 26, 2024 by TKhaos

[PeeJott17]

Well, the only thing working without altering the FC3 entry luas is the change to PFM. When changing to PFM you more or less fly a A10A, SU27 or F15C etc. in a dress.

The other road is a complete standalone version of the mod. There, you will have the limitations of avSimpleSystems (no guided AtoG weaponry, no TWS AtoA) AND it is a heck of a lot of coding work needed to code all the systems.

FC3 was the only possibility to have a systems suite usable with your 3d external and cockpit model and an EFM, so it was a very good toolbox for mod-aircrafts that did not have to be that spot on regarding systems...

That is why I really thank SkateZilla for his "Sherlock Homes"-Work and hope ED will just add that one line of code to 5 entry luas...should not be too hard or too much to ask

Edited August 27, 2024 by PeeJott17

[Gogi12]

 @PeeJott17 Is this Skatezilla solution return mods like they were before?

[TKhaos]

34 minutes ago, PeeJott17 said:

Well, the only thing working without altering the FC3 entry luas is the change to PFM. When changing to PFM you more or less fly a A10A, SU27 or F15C etc. in a dress.

To be fair, even before all this many of the mods where just using default cockpit's so they were wearing dresses long before this.

The mod creators have gone to a lot of trouble to sort this out, I can't see them changing it back again. Also the code you are referencing, people were still having problems with it and non functioning things other issues.

If it was as simple as just adding a few lines of code I doubt very much if half the modding community would have spent a considerable amount of time fixing their mods or coming away from FC aircraft all together. As ED staff have pointed out before, it's not their job to fix everyone elses mods and if it was just a cut and paste job of a few lines of code for five aircraft why didn't they bother in all the updates since the initial problem. 

34 minutes ago, PeeJott17 said:

The other road is a complete standalone version of the mod. There, you will have the limitations of avSimpleSystems (no guided AtoG weaponry, no TWS AtoA) AND it is a heck of a lot of coding work needed to code all the systems.

Some creators are already moving towards complete standalone so they don't have this issue in the future, that's their choice and people can either use the mod or not.

Edited August 26, 2024 by TKhaos

[PeeJott17]

10 hours ago, Gogi12 said:

 @PeeJott17 Is this Skatezilla solution return mods like they were before?

Partly, because the external animations are gone. They need to be added by the mod-maker,but that is a doable task. Systems and flightmodel work the same as before.

[PeeJott17]

@TKhaos

Don't get me wrong, standalone mods are definitely better than FC3 based. The time to make them is a lot longer. A decent EFM standalone mod will take aprox. 2 years if you work on it with 2 people on the weekends or in the evening and you already own the external and cockpit model.

FC3 SFM is about 3 Weeks with FC3 cockpit. About 2-4 months with custom cockpit, depending on how far you want to go.

So only standalone will just lead to fewer mods and more abandoned projects.

FC3 was also a stepping stone. If a mod found an audiance it made sense to develope it further and invest that time. 

There is not that much sense in developing a plane for two years to find out that nobody wants to fly it ;-)

[SkateZilla]

12 hours ago, PeeJott17 said:

Partly, because the external animations are gone. They need to be added by the mod-maker,but that is a doable task. Systems and flightmodel work the same as before.

if the Entry is properly coded, the ASM Systems and SFM Arguments are loaded w/o issue.

The only thing that DCS has changed, is FC3 Aircraft binaries do not load automatically w/ old = x variable in the flyable declaration, which causes the module to not load and if you try to force control it says it cannot.

adding that line loads the binaries at launch of DCS, allowing users to continue to load into aircraft as it was before 2.9.6.

If you're getting the cockpit and no FM, then the entry.lua flyable declaration is wrong, and it's pointing to a null SFM/PFM. Likely from ill-advised edits done after the patch to try and restore the mod.

Who do you think helped most of these teams find solutions?

Edited August 27, 2024 by SkateZilla

[cj43g3r]

I've created a commandline tool with the same name as this thread, GlobalFixForAllFC3DependentMods, at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3340679/

Special thanks to SkateZilla and countless others involved in debugging/testing to find a solution after many months.

The utility does exactly as described in this thread for backwards compatibility with FC3 dependent mods and can also unset the entry.lua's for IC .

It's very extensible via an iniFile configuration in case of changes to the FC3 modules or additional plane mods built upon FC2024 

 

[Gogi12]

Hi @cj43g3r so we can play old pre FC2024 of the mods with this fix? Or is this solution for not needing to enter F-15 cockpit pefore using mods?

[TKhaos]

1 hour ago, Gogi12 said:

Hi @cj43g3r so we can play old pre FC2024 of the mods with this fix? Or is this solution for not needing to enter F-15 cockpit pefore using mods?

About 75% of the VSN aircraft have been updated by the mod creators themselves, not that long after the issue arose. Can download them off the test server.

https://e.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZgx6gZWe5YWYUN63mIhQOYf9iAi8TzeMPX

Spino did an update to the F-15EX Strike Eagle that works fine, just a minor problem with HUD size being fractionally too large.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3340119/

CubanAce has released an updated version of the Su-57 Felon with a standalone cockpit that requires no external FC3 files. His latest version includes and drone and few extras.

On 9/13/2024 at 6:04 AM, cubanace said:

SU-57 Standalone Phase 1 : Out Now.

Grab the SU-57 and its AI Asset pack here   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KY823xFt9nj9I_1iEmJqO8KA-1iwxn8S/view?usp=sharing

Controls are as follows: D to change weapon, P Fires weapon picked, Spacebar fires gun.

Thrust Vectoring are as follow, F Triggers TVC stage1 and B triggers Stage2

Radar is on by default while in Ramp Hot Start and While spawn in Air but off in cold ramp start. 

Avionics page need to be turn on and off thru the Avionics and battery dial Knobs while Spawning in Air, Radar is controlled similar to fc3 radars aside from hitting the key U to lock. 

The CubanAce discussion and updates are on

There's only really a handful of VSN that still need to be updated and the odd couple of mods like the MQ-9 Predator drone that would need the fix as that's not been updated since 2021. If you plan on using the old versions of the mods it's handy to use the fix but will likely break all the updated ones, although if you got the latest you wouldn't need the fix

Edited September 14, 2024 by TKhaos

[Gogi12]

1 hour ago, cj43g3r said:

I've created a commandline tool with the same name as this thread, GlobalFixForAllFC3DependentMods, at:

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3340679/

Special thanks to SkateZilla and countless others involved in debugging/testing to find a solution after many months.

The utility does exactly as described in this thread for backwards compatibility with FC3 dependent mods and can also unset the entry.lua's for IC .

It's very extensible via an iniFile configuration in case of changes to the FC3 modules or additional plane mods built upon FC2024 

 

 

6 minutes ago, TKhaos said:

About 75% of the VSN aircraft have been updated by the mod creators themselves, not that long after the issue arose. Can download them off the test server.

https://e.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZgx6gZWe5YWYUN63mIhQOYf9iAi8TzeMPX

Spino did an update to the F-15EX Strike Eagle that works fine, just a minor problem with HUD size being fractionally too large.

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3340119/

CubanAce has released an updated version of the Su-57 Felon with a standalone cockpit that requires no external FC3 files. His latest version includes and drone and few extras.

The CubanAce discussion and updates are on

There's only really a handful of VSN that still need to be updated and the odd couple of mods like the MQ-9 Predator drone that would need the fix as that's not been updated since 2021. If you plan on using the old versions of the mods it's handy to use the fix but will likely break all the updated ones, although if you got the latest you wouldn't need the fix

 

Hi yes, but older F-22 and Eurofighter were better then now.