DCS World Folder/File Structure - Missing Aircraft

[Igor4U]

To Start with - All my Aircraft Modules are Flyable - that's not the Issue.

Here's the Issue(s):

- 9 of my Installed Aircraft Modules (in Mods Folder) are missing from the Core Mods Folder - Why would that be ?

- I purchased the Upgraded F-5E (single F-5E 2024, not in FC-2024) on top of my stand alone previous F-5E Module; but only the F-5E Shows in the Core Mods Folder, the F-5E 2024 Module is not showing (Note - Both F-5E and F-5E 2024 show up in Mods Folder - two separate entries).  Same with Instant Action and Mission Tabs - Only the F-5E is Showing - so how do I know I'm flying the 'F-5E 2024' Upgraded Version ?  And in Create Fast Mission - the Aircraft is referred to as the F-5E-3.

And in the Last few Updates - several of my Favorite (custom) Liveries have disappeared from where they're usually saved in Backup Folders (after an update).    I can re-download the Liveries - but Please - Tell me the Definitive Folder Location in which they go - Seems there are 3 or 4 different locations where you can find Liveries - and the don't all correspond to the Livery List shown in Mission Editor.   Where does Mission Editor pull its available Liveries From Folder Location-wise.

TANKs in Advance for any Help here !

[razo+r]

Old Modules like the Su-25T and FC3 aircraft had most of their files in the Bazar directory, before the "CoreMods" folder was even a thing. That's why some modules may missing in the "CoreMods" folder.

Well, you need to check the ingame Module Manager. If it has the F-5E upgrade enabled, you will be using the upgraded F-5E. The upgrade basically overrides the old F-5E. If you have the upgrade enabled, you cannot fly the old F-5E unless you manually disable the upgrade.

There are two ways you can install liveries. One is in the saved games directory (which I don't know the correct pathing) and the other one is in the CoreMods/Aircraft/your_aircraft/liveries (or Bazar/liveries for older models). Just note though that some skins may be only available to certain countries. You can check the entry.lua of a skin to find out if that is the case. You can either delete the country definition in the entry.lua or just select the appropriate country in the Mission Editor.

[Igor4U]

Hey there 'razo+r'.

Thank you for the quick reply and good information.

Here's the Livery that I can't Seem to re-Install after last several DCSW Updates:

MiG-21bis - Croatian Air Force - special scheme Kockica (DCSW 2.5 Download)
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3311109/

I'll try to check for restrictions that might prevent me using this Coll Skin.

 

And in some Folder Locations the Livery Folder remains in .zip Format - while in other locations they're Un-Zipped ?

[silverdevil]

23 hours ago, Igor4U said:

And in some Folder Locations the Livery Folder remains in .zip Format - while in other locations they're Un-Zipped ?

find the naming structure for that AC in the ED install folder. then replicate it in saved games. i do not have the mig so i cannot fully test.

but i can coach you.

C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\CoreMods\aircraft\MiG-21bis\Liveries on my system.

open this folder on your system C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\liveries\

create a folder called MiG-21bis. then paste the livery files. each livery will have its own folder.

\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\Liveries\F-16C_50 as an example

null

[Art-J]

In theory there are four locations where one can try to install custom skins in, but "Saved Games" is preferred one just to avoid creating an unnecessary mess in your game folders.

I've just downloaded and tried the Croatian MiG-21 skin above and can confirm it still works correctly in latest DCS version. If you don't have MiG-21 folder created in Saved Games, see the guide Silverdevil posted above.

For example, the path on my PC is: C:\Users\[my user name]\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta (yours can be named different)\Liveries\MiG-21Bis\Croatia - kockica (note: the last folder is unzipped).

 

 

 

[Igor4U]

Many TANKs you Guys (Silverdevil & Art-J)

I'll use your Advice and give it a Try.   I always thought the Saved Games Folder (under 'USERS\Account-Name') was for the Customized Settings for your Keyboard and Flight Control Configuration - and DCSW automatically saved those settings there.    I probably have 20+ Modules and the only Aircraft that was auto-installed (by Module Manager) there (to Saved Games\DCS) was the F-4.   I never realized that you should duplicate the DCS 'Mods' Folder under Saved Games\DCS.

And While I'm at it - I'll the the Mods MiG-21Bis Folder to the Core Mods Folder - Guess that won't hurt anything and we'll see about slapping that Cool Red & White Checkerboard Paint Job on me Fishbed.

[Art-J]

No no no, you don't duplicate the whole Mods folder with its contents. You do have to create a correctly named folder tree / path, however, if you want to place custom skins there.

Generally - Saved Games location is a place where all your customized changes and addons go or should go: controls, edited kneeboards, missions created in the editor, screenshots, shapviews etc etc. It's also recommended (sometimes even mandatory) location for custom skins, planes, units, any unofficial content really. It's better and safer NOT to put it in Coremods folder, as it can result either in cutom content not showing up in game, or even official modules not working correctly.

Official modules are by default never installed in Saved Games, although some of them create small sub-folders for some extra data they write on a disc when they're used. That's probably the F-4E sub-folder you noticed there, but make no mistake - most of your F-4E files are stored in main DCS folder.

To sum it up, don't put the Croatian skin in coremods. It may or may not work there, but if you put it in Saved Games / DCS, it will work for sure, as long as you unzip .dds and .lua files to properly named sub folder ie. : Liveries/MiG-21Bis/Croatia - kockica

Edited April 7 by Art-J

[razo+r]

4 hours ago, Art-J said:

[...] It's better and safer NOT to put it in Coremods folder, as it can result either in cutom content not showing up in game, or even official modules not working correctly.

[...]

In all my years I had a lot of skins installed in the Coremods directory and never have I had any issue. Just my two cents.

[Art-J]

^ Got it. I should have rephrased - was thinking more about aircraft and units mods. Skins are not that harmful indeed (for many years I used to throw all of them into Bazar folder myself), but I think the sooner OP starts getting used to idea of placing all custom content in one dedicated location, the better. Just to minimize bugs troubleshooting problems in the future.

[Igor4U]

On 4/3/2025 at 5:45 PM, razo+r said:

Well, you need to check the ingame Module Manager. If it has the F-5E upgrade enabled, you will be using the upgraded F-5E. The upgrade basically overrides the old F-5E. If you have the upgrade enabled, you cannot fly the old F-5E unless you manually disable the upgrade.

When I used Module Master to Install my Upgraded F-5E 2024 (Re-Mastered by ED), it did not appear to Disable my original F-5E (Belsimtek).    Both F-5Es look Active as shown in current Module Manager.  Both F-5E Versions (Original & Remastered 2024) show in the Mods Folder.  But in Quick-Start Instant-Action, Missions, and Mission Editor, only the F-5E Shows Up (doesn't tag it with 'Remastered' or '2024').    That's why I was wondering how to know which F-5E I'm flying.

I guess I'll try manually disabling the Older F-5E Installation and hope the Newer Version works OK.

[razo+r]

9 minutes ago, Igor4U said:

When I used Module Master to Install my Upgraded F-5E 2024 (Re-Mastered by ED), it did not appear to Disable my original F-5E (Belsimtek).    Both F-5Es look Active as shown in current Module Manager.  Both F-5E Versions (Original & Remastered 2024) show in the Mods Folder.  But in Quick-Start Instant-Action, Missions, and Mission Editor, only the F-5E Shows Up (doesn't tag it with 'Remastered' or '2024').    That's why I was wondering how to know which F-5E I'm flying.

It doesn't add any "remastered" to the Tag. It stays "F-5E" regardless if you have it installed or not. It will also not remove any folders. You will have both installed at the same time, but it will use the remastered one regardless.

You will automatically use the remastered F-5E if you have it installed. If you have the old F-5E and the remastered installed, it will use the remastered one, but it will not add any tag like "2024" or similar. 

Edited April 7 by razo+r

[Igor4U]

Just now, razo+r said:

It doesn't add any "remastered" to the Tag. It stays "F-5E" regardless if you have it installed or not.

You will automatically use the remastered F-5E if you have it installed. If you have the old F-5E and the remastered installed, it will use the remastered one, but it will not add any tag like "2024" or similar. 

Thank You 'razo+r' !    Got it.

But to tell you the Truth - I don't notice much difference with the Upgraded F-5E as far as Flight Dynamics, and exterior Looks.  Maybe more Cockpit Controls Work Now -but I'm not a Big Switchology Guy.    I'll have to spend some time in the Cockpit today and check things oiut

Wondering if anyone can fill me in briefly on what exactly changed with the Remastered F-5E.    TANKS !

 

On 4/5/2025 at 9:40 AM, silverdevil said:

find the naming structure for that AC in the ED install folder. then replicate it in saved games. i do not have the mig so i cannot fully test.

but i can coach you.

C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\CoreMods\aircraft\MiG-21bis\Liveries on my system.

open this folder on your system C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\liveries\

create a folder called MiG-21bis. then paste the livery files. each livery will have its own folder.

\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\Liveries\F-16C_50 as an example

null

Worked like a Charm.   

Got me Red & White Checker-Board Skin-Paint back on my MiG-21.  TANKS !

[razo+r]

33 minutes ago, Igor4U said:

Wondering if anyone can fill me in briefly on what exactly changed with the Remastered F-5E.    TANKS !

Mainly new cockpit and exterior 3D model and some bugfixes. That's been it.