OpusFSX_Overview  OpusFSX_User_Guide  OpusFSX_Getting_Started_Single_PC  OpusFSX_Getting_Started_Networked_PCs  OpusFSX_Live_Weather  OpusFSX_Live_Camera  OpusFSX_ButtKicker

Contents

System Requirements. 2

Simulator Recommendations

Software Installation. 2

Installing the Demo version of OpusFSX. 2

Purchasing OpusFSX. 2

Upgrading OpusFSX. 3

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 OpusFSX Software Automatically with FSX and P3D.. 9

FSX Computer System Settings. 10  

Recommended Settings and Practice for Dynamic Live Weather  

Ensuring AI Traffic use the Correct Runway

FSUIPC4 Settings. 11

TrackIR Settings. 11

Using FS2Crew with OpusFSX. 13

Uninstalling OpusFSX

FAQ and Troubleshooting. 13

 

System Requirements

·         Microsoft Simulator X with SP2 or Acceleration Pack (which includes SimConnect)

·         Windows 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 OpusFSX 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 not required on the FSXSERVER system unless you intend to run FSX at increased simulation rates or enable the CPFlight MCP737/EFIS device driver. 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 OpusFSX folder.  

 

Simulator Recommendations

Ideally your simulator should be installed on a dedicated SSD or HDD, at the very least try and install your simulator on a different drive to your Addons, this will ensure the simulator runs more smoothly. Avoid installing the simulator in Program Files since this causes permission problems.

 

Software Installation

Ensure Microsoft .NET version 2, SimConnect and FSUIPC4 (if required) are installed on your PC.

 

Installing the Demo version of OpusFSX

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

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

 

Purchasing OpusFSX

1. Click on the Purchase OpusFSX button on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusFSX_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 OpusFSX folder containing your camera and system configuration files.

3. Run the OpusFSX_Flight1_Purchase.exe file.

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

 

Upgrading OpusFSX

Release Upgrade

If you have previously purchased OpusFSX and want to upgrade to the latest Release version then click on the OpusFSX Demo or Upgrade button on our downloads webpage and download (save) the OpusFSX.msi file. Uninstall the existing version prior to upgrading via Control Panel, Uninstall a Program. Do not delete your OpusFSX folder. Double click on the OpusFSX.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 OpusFSX 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).

Beta Upgrade

Click on the OpusFSX Beta link in the beta section and download the OpusFSX.msi file. 

Install as per the Release Upgrade above (by uninstalling first).

 

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 (OpusFSX) and right-click on the FSXSERVER.EXE program. 

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

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

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

Automatically Selecting the Simulator Type

The FSXSERVER program will accept an optional FSX or P3D argument to automatically select the simulator type when it runs. So if you have both FSX and P3D you can create two desktop shortcuts, one running 'c:\OpusFSX\FSXSERVER.EXE FSX' for Microsoft FSX, the other running 'c:\OpusFSX\FSXSERVER.EXE P3D' for Lockheed Martin Prepar3D.  

Specifying the View Mode

FSXSERVER 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. FSXSERVER 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.

Sharing and Security Permissions

Firewall

You may need to allow OpusFSX 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 FSXSERVER (or FSXCLIENT on a client PC) in the OpusFSX installation folder.

Sharing

You may need to set sharing and security permissions on both your OpusFSX and on your FSX (or Prepar3D) folder in order for OpusFSX 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 OpusFSX and FSX\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 OpusFSX 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 FSXSERVER program will create an FSXSERVER.log file in the \OpusFSX installation folder. 

The log file is used to log the 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 \OpusFSX\FSXSERVER.log file ...

OpusFSX Flight Simulator Interface
Log Generated 15 January 2014, 10:14 Hrs
Installed Folder: C:\OPUSFSX
No Errors Detected.
Installed Files:
OPUSFSX.DLL   Version: 3.4.2.0 , 15 January 2014, 10:09 Hrs
FSXSYSTEM.DLL Version: 3.4.2.0 , 15 January 2014, 10:08 Hrs
FSXSERVER.EXE Version: 3.4.2.0 , 15 January 2014, 10:08 Hrs
FSDECODER.EXE Version: 3.4.2.0 , 15 January 2014, 10:09 Hrs

 

Error  Messages

 

OpusFSX 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 OpusFSX 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 FSXSERVER program on your FSX/Prepar3D system.

The FSXSERVER program MUST be started in its local installation folder, in other words it MUST be started in \OpusFSX.

N.B. Do not run the FSXCLIENT 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.

 

 

Figure 1 - FSX Server's Main Form

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

Figure 2 - FSX Server's Configuration Dialog

The number of Live View client computer systems should be configured to zero.

Live Traffic has not been implemented yet.

Enable Live Weather Engine if required and Weather Maps. This option is available in a limited form on the free demonstration software, i.e. the LWE is restricted to 160km (100 miles) in all directions and weather updating only whilst your aircraft is on the ground.

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

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.

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

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 FSXSERVER program. If you fail to do this correctly you will be unable to select and activate any dynamic weather or weather themes.

Close OpusFSX.

Run FSX/P3D.

Run OpusFSX.

 

Weather

Click the Weather button on the main server's form and select either,

• Dynamic Live Weather - 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.

• METAR File Import - if you wish to import METAR data from a text file then tick the Import METAR Data From File checkbox and browse to the required custom file you have created.

• Static Weather Themes - choose your required theme from the list or load one you saved yourself previously (using the Save Current Weather as Static Theme button) by selecting 'User Specified ...' and clicking on Browse. Static Weather Themes will be greyed out if the Live Weather is enabled in the Server Configuration dialog.

Figure 3 - FSX Server's Weather Options Dialog

Click OK, and you are ready to fly.

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

Cameras

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

Spy

If you run the simulator in windowed mode you can click on the OpusFSX 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 Spy window is automatically cleared after ten minutes.

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