OpusFSI_Overview  OpusFSI_User_Guide  OpusFSI_Getting_Started_Single_PC  OpusFSI_Getting_Started_Networked_PCs  OpusFSI_Live_Weather  OpusFSI_Live_Camera  OpusFSI_ButtKicker

 

Contents

System Requirements. 2

Software Installation. 2

Create Desktop Shortcuts. 3

Sharing and Permissions. 4  

Installation Log File.  

Error  Messages. 4

Initial Set Up and Configuration. 5

Weather. 6

Cameras. 7

Spy. 7

General Operation. 9

Starting the OpusFSI Software Automatically with FSX and P3D.. 9

Operating System Recommendations 

Simulator Recommendations  

FSX Steam Edition Recommendations 

Prepar3D Recommendations 

FSX Computer System Settings. 10  

Recommended Settings and Practice for Dynamic Live Weather  

SimObject Path Additions

Ensuring AI Traffic use the Correct Runway

FSUIPC4 Settings. 11

TrackIR Settings. 11  

Using FS2Crew with OpusFSI. 13

Uninstalling OpusFSI

FAQ and Troubleshooting. 13

 

System Requirements

·         Microsoft Simulator X (with SP2 or Acceleration Pack), or FSX Steam Edition, or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D simulator.

·         Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista (32 or 64-bit version) operating systems.

·         Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.

·         FSUIPC4 (see note below).

·         90 MB hard disk space.

You need FSX/P3D, Microsoft .NET version 2 and SimConnect to be installed on your server (and optional client) systems for OpusFSI to work.

Microsoft.NET

You can check what versions of .NET you have installed by checking your c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework or Framework64 folders. You should see a v2.0.xxxxx folder in addition to the v4.0.xxxxx folder.

FSUIPC4

FSUIPC4 is required on the FSISERVER system. FSUIPC4 is required on Live View clients that are used to display camera views.

You can download a free copy from http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

SimConnect

In the case of SimConnect, first make sure you have installed FSX or P3D along with its SP2 or installed the FSX Acceleration version, SimConnect is usually installed automatically with it. If you have mislaid or corrupted your SimConnect then you can try re-installing it using the SimConnect.msi file within your OpusFSI folder.  

Windows problem running msi files fix ...

To run a msi that doesn’t have a valid Digital signature follow one of the methods mentioned below.

Method 1:
1. Right click on the file or program that you are not able to access.
2. Go to properties and click “Unblock”.
3. Try to run the application again.

Method 2:
1. Click on start button.
2. Type “Internet Explorer” in the “Start Search Box” and select it from the menu.
3. Click on “Tools” in the menu bar and select “Internet Options”.
4. Click on “Advanced tab” and locate “Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid” under the “Security” category and check the box.
5. Click Apply and then Ok.
6. Close the Internet Explorer and restart Internet Explorer.

Method 3:
1. Turn UAC OFF. Just type UAC into the start menu or Control Panel search box. Drag the slider to the bottom, never notify.
2. Run the Command Prompt in Admin Mode (not the same as you being an Admin user). 
3. Type: bcdedit /set testsigning off 
4. Reboot. Windows will power up in a test mode and will allow you to run any msi file. 
5. Install the msi file. After installing the software ... 
6. Run the Command Prompt in Admin Mode (not the same as you being an Admin user). 
7. Type: bcdedit /set testsigning on 
8. Reboot 
After rebooting you should still be able to run msi files but may need to answer 'More Info' and 'Yes' to a Windows 10 user query. 

 

Software Installation

Ensure Microsoft .NET version 2, SimConnect and FSUIPC4 are installed on your PC.  

 

Installing the Demo version of OpusFSI

1. Click on the OpusFSI Demo or Upgrade button on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusFSI.msi file.

2. Double click on the downloaded OpusFSI.msi file and follow the instructions to install the software into the standard OpusFSI directory. You may install the software onto any drive provided its folder name is OpusFSI with the exception that you must not install OpusFSI in the Opus Software, FSX, Prepar3D or Program Files folders, and don't install in more than one folder on your PC.

Note that in Demo mode the Live Weather Engine is restricted to 160km (100 miles) in all directions and weather updating only whilst your aircraft is on the ground. Also World Weather Themes are not accessible in demo mode. Demonstration mode will run for 15 minutes with a minimum 2 minute interval required between runs.  

Purchasing OpusFSI

1. Click on the Purchase OpusFSI button on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusFSI_Flight1_Purchase.exe file. You may get some warning messages from your virus checker at this point which is quite normal for this file type and as a result the installation window may be hidden behind your browser window.

2. If you have previously installed the Demo then uninstall it via Control Panel, Uninstall a program. Do not delete your OpusFSI folder containing your camera and system configuration files.

3. Run the OpusFSI_Flight1_Purchase.exe file.

4. You will now find the OpusFSI.msi installation file in your 'unwrapped' C:\Opus Software folder. N.B. You need to keep your Flight1 key and licence files on drive C in the C:\Opus Software folder but can move the msi file to another drive.

Double click on the OpusFSI.msi file and follow the instructions to install the software into the OpusFSI directory. You may install the software onto any drive provided its folder name is OpusFSI with the exception that you must not install OpusFSI in the Opus Software, FSX or Program Files folders, and don't install in more than one folder on your PC.

Upgrading OpusFSI

1. Click on the OpusFSI Demo or Upgrade link on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusFSI.msi file.

2. Uninstall the existing version prior to upgrading via Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. Do not delete your OpusFSI folder. Double click on the OpusFSI.msi file and follow the instructions to install the software. All your original configuration (DAT and CMD) and camera definition (CAM, LIM and CDF) files will remain intact (in the OpusFSI folder) but it is a good idea to take a backup of your camera files anyway in case they get corrupted (this may happen when you revert to a previous version with a different CAM format).  

Installing the Beta version of OpusFSI

1. Click on the OpusFSI Beta link on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusFSI.msi file.

2. Double click on the downloaded OpusFSI.msi file and follow the instructions to install the software into the standard OpusFSI directory. You may install the software onto any drive provided its folder name is OpusFSI with the exception that you must not install OpusFSI in the Opus Software, FSX, Prepar3D or Program Files folders, and don't install in more than one folder on your PC.

 

 

Create Desktop Shortcuts

After installing the software we recommend you create a shortcut on your desktop for the server program. This shortcut will allow you to manually start your FSX system without too much fuss.

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your installation folder (OpusFSI) and right-click on the FSISERVER.EXE program. 

2. Select the Send to - Desktop (create shortcut) option.

3. Right-click on the new desktop icon, select Properties, rename to OpusFSI SERVER and check the program is configured to Start In: your installation folder (OpusFSI). Select the compatibility tab (if available) and "Run as Administrator".

You will find alternative program icons in the OpusFSI installation folder should you wish to change the existing icon.

Automatically Selecting the Simulator Type

The FSISERVER program will accept an optional FSX, STEAM, P3D or NONE argument to automatically select the simulator type when it runs. NONE selects No Connection To Simulator type for the FSICLIENT only. So if you have FSX, FSX Steam Edition and/or P3D you can create desktop shortcuts, one running 'c:\OpusFSI\FSISERVER.EXE FSX' for Microsoft FSX, one running 'c:\OpusFSI\FSISERVER.EXE STEAM' for FSX Steam Edition, and the other running 'c:\OpusFSI\FSISERVER.EXE P3D' for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D.

Automatically Specifying the View Mode

FSISERVER program arguments allow you to specify the number of available view modes in the simulator (default 5). Running the program with a VM3, VM4, or a VM6 argument (e.g. FSISERVER VM4) will set the number of available view modes available within the simulator to 3, 4, or 6 respectively. The default number is 5. The number of available view modes can be determined simply by pressing the 'S' key and counting the total number of view modes that can be cycled. The normal sequence in the simulator is,

            VC - Spot - Tower - Aircraft - External

Giving a total of five (5) different view modes. If you for example have the Tower view disabled, the VM4 argument can be used to reduce the available view modes and allow the correct selection of the external aircraft cameras.

The view mode may be configured manually in the Configuration dialog.

Sharing and Security Permissions

Firewall

You may need to allow OpusFSI through your firewall. In Control Panel select System and Security, Windows Firewall, Allow a Program or feature through Windows Firewall. Click on Allow another program and browse to FSISERVER (or FSICLIENT on a client PC) in the OpusFSI installation folder.

Sharing

You may need to set sharing and security permissions on both your OpusFSI and on your FSX (or Prepar3D) folder in order for OpusFSI to write the necessary weather files into the FSX\Weather\themes (or Prepar3D\Weather\themes) folder. This is usually necessary if you have installed the simulator in the Program Files folder, for this reason it is advisable to install FSX in a folder outside Program Files. If this does not work then set sharing and security permissions on your whole drive. Be aware that if you set permissions and sharing on the whole drive then you may have different permissions and sharing on subfolders so make sure you check the OpusFSI and FSX\Weather\themes (or Prepar3D\Weather\themes) folders.

Absolute worst case, just install FSX or Prepar3D in its own folder (e.g. d:\Prepar3D), moving outside the secured Program Files folder. If OpusFSI still doesn't work correctly after setting sharing and permissions a re-install may be necessary.

 

To set up Sharing on a folder/drive run Windows Explorer, right click on the folder/drive you wish to share, select Properties, select the Sharing tab, select Advanced Sharing, tick the checkbox to share the drive and enter a share name, make sure you use the single letter code, e.g. C, not 'Drive C' for instance. Click on Permissions, enter Everyone in the Group or user names box and tick the checkboxes to allow Full Control for Everyone.  

 

 

Security

To set up Security Permissions run Windows Explorer, right click on the folder/drive you wish to set Security settings for, select Properties, select the Security tab, select Everyone in the Group or user names box and ensure the Permissions are Full Control, if not click on the Edit button and tick the Permissions checkboxes to allow Full Control for Everyone. If Everyone does not exist click Advanced, click Change Permissions, click Add, type in the name Everyone and click OK. Then specify Full Control for your newly created Everyone group. Click OK.

 

 

Also select Authenticated Users in the Group or user names box and tick the checkboxes to allow Full Control.  

 

Installation Log File

The FSISERVER program will create a FSISERVER.log file in the OpusFSI installation folder which will be automatically displayed if any installation errors are detected.

The log file includes installation details along with any installation errors that are detected when the program is activated. Refer to this file and send it to Opus Software if there are any problems encountered when running the software.

Example content of the \OpusFSI\FSISERVER.log file ...

OpusFSI Flight Simulator Interface

Log Generated 24 May 2014, 11:07 Hrs 

Installed Folder: C:\OpusFSI

No Errors Detected.

Installed Files:

OPUSFSI.DLL   Version: 4.0.0.7  , 24 May 2014, 07:30 Hrs

FSISYSTEM.DLL Version: 4.0.0.7  , 24 May 2014, 07:30 Hrs

FSISERVER.EXE Version: 4.0.0.7  , 24 May 2014, 07:30 Hrs

FSDECODER.EXE Version: 4.0.0.7  , 24 May 2014, 07:31 Hrs

 

Error  Messages

 

OpusFSI tries to copy the OpusWeather.WT weather file into the FSX\Weather\themes (or Prepar3D\Weather\themes) folder and will display this error message if it cannot do this.

If you see the above error message then it is essential that you check your installation folder is specified correctly in the Configuration dialog. Try reconfiguring the sim location again. If the dialog to enter the sim location does not appear then check it is not hidden behind another window and also ensure OpusFSI is set to Run as Administrator.

Also check your sharing and permissions, it is important to set permissions as well as sharing as described in the section above.  

Initial Set Up and Configuration

Run the FSISERVER program on your FSX/Prepar3D system.

The FSISERVER program MUST be started in its local installation folder, in other words it MUST be started in OpusFSI.

N.B. Do not run the FSICLIENT program on your server PC since it will cause FSX to freeze, it is only used on networked client PCs.

You do not need to run the flight simulator at this time since we are just going to configure the system.  

Click on the Configure button to display the 'Opus FSX Server - Configuration' dialog.

 

 

Figure 1 - FSI Server's Main Form

Figure 2 - FSI Server's Configuration Dialog

The number of (Live View) client computers should be configured to zero.

Live Traffic displays local traffic on the LWA Map and may be configured within 32km (20 miles) to 192km (120 miles) of your aircraft. Live Traffic has not yet been implemented for Live View.

Enable Live Weather Engine if required.

Enable Live Camera unless you want to control the views manually manually using Live Camera Control and use General DHM Options.  

Enable the CPFlight driver if you have a CPFlight MCP737/EFIS panel and specify a COM port.

If you enable TrackIR please refer to the TrackIR section of this document for important initial set up and configuration details.

The Live View Scan Rate (0 to 60ms) adjustment is for networked systems and controls the position update rate communicated to the server enabling you to match the preferred rate found using the Live View Test.

Click on the appropriate radio button to select a flight simulator type, and click on the Browse button and locate your simulator installation folder. N.B. Any time you change this folder location you must restart the FSISERVER program. If you fail to do this correctly you will be unable to select and activate any dynamic weather or weather themes.  

If you are using Prepar3D then select the P3D Version from the dropdown box and enable the Prepar3D PDK Interface to provide a more efficient Live Camera, Live Camera Control, and DHM eye point control. Refer to the OPUSPDK_SETUP text file to set up the Prepar3D OpusPDK interface. If you encounter problems (errors in the Spy window) then you can disable the PDK.

Close OpusFSI.

Run FSX/P3D.

Run OpusFSI.

 

Weather

Click the Weather button on the main server's form and enable Adjust Options Automatically and set your Destination and Max Cruise Altitude if  known, no need to set anything else unless you wish to tweak the settings.

Figure 3 - FSI Server's Weather Options Dialog

Click OK, and you are ready to fly.

For further details please refer to the OpusFSI_Live_Weather pdf guide which can be found in the OpusFSI installation folder, also available from our download page.

Cameras

Please refer to the OpusFSI_Live_Camera pdf guide which can be found in the OpusFSI installation folder, also available from our download page.

Spy

If you run the simulator in windowed mode you can click on the OpusFSI server program's Spy button and monitor its progress. If you have enabled Dynamic Weather then you should witness the server programming initiating the live weather METAR download culminating in creating and updating the Dynamic Weather. 

The Options button provides the means to specify the form's topmost, opacity, and font settings. The window can be resized.The Spy window is automatically cleared after ten minutes.  

Spy indicates what joystick numbers have been mapped to each controller device. The button events within the Spy window will also indicate what physical device is currently mapped to the simulator's joystick number. The joystick order should match the controller order within the simulator's Controls Settings. If they don't then you can change the order via the Joysticks button in either the Camera Management, Panning Management, or Shortcut Commands forms.

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