New Multiplayer Software [Archive]

VFRVoodoo

10-26-2005, 11:57 AM

Hi all just wanted to enlighten you towards some new software available that creates a more stable and enjoyable system for use in multiplayer games, ill give u run down of good points bad points and a little explanation about the software below

The software was created by some(brilliant)Italian flyers that were sick of some of the multiplayer limitations that FS9 has and set about creating a new software that limited these limitations or lost them completely

The software itself runs on a p2p basis and doesnt use the multiplayer.dll file in the modules folder, this now means that aircraft no longer have a jumpy appearence in the air or a jagged movement in the turn, you now see the full 360 degrees of the roll as smooth as the pilot performs it not an 8 point roll as FS9 wants to show you :),all moving parts are displayed eg. Rotors and props turn to the force the throttle is turning them and with special .INI files created for the aircraft Lights are displayed and even effects are shown eg contrails, afterburner even display smoke.

Now the last point has become interesting to a number of virtual display teams a few to list are the PANV(vFrecce Tricoloure) the vPatrouille de France and the group im part of the vRed Arrows, I aslo now that a few pilots have created a vThunderbirds and vBlue Angels in the US atm

Now this software is still in Beta atm and is been improved all the time but is an interesting concept on how Multiplayer should be flown, a few limitaions that it does have are that atm you cant hear other users aircraft only your own sounds and that because it doesnt use the multiplayer.dll file theres no chat windows(np if u use Teamspeak or Skype) and FSNav doesnt work(or atleast i dont think it does i havent tried it) but u dont need FS9 on your system to create a server which means that old computer in the back room doin nothing can become a server all in its own right or you can even create your own and still play Lag free without any problems

The vid below is a very rough clip i took while watching 2 friends showing me multicolour smoke on the DSB Red Arrow hawk, the camera panning is shocking lol because i was trying to use my mouse and the smoke is fs2002 effects because we made a mistake hence it rises up in the air and looks blotchy

http://www.vanz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk//fs9_2.avi

Thnx for your Time and patience with reading this through and please post replies about more information or pm me and ill gladly give out details,downloads help in setting it up

Matt "Red8" Culkin

Dusty

10-27-2005, 12:47 PM

This looks great! I've uninstalled my FSNAV in favor of FSFlightKeeper running on a seperate system and use teamspeak on the Flightsim.com multi server. I would be interested to know if TCAS would be able to work.

VFRVoodoo

10-27-2005, 06:05 PM

im a bit of a n00b lol when it comes to TCAS m8 not sure what it is, i just fly FS9 for aerobatics n making movies, the only thing i can say is that most addons like FSNAV n TCAS may not work, because it doesnt use normal multiplayer.dll when flying online with friends AI traffic is still there so come to think of it FSNAV will work but unfortunatly it wont show other pilots only AI(again i think)

capn_sonic

10-28-2005, 08:56 AM

AI in Multiplayer Mode. I gotta see that. That would be very neat and I think I would sacrifice FSNav being able to see other pilots for the ability to share our MP skies with AI Aircraft.

Where can we get this to test?

Best
Geoff (capn_sonic@flightsim.com)
http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/76826.jpg

VFRVoodoo

10-28-2005, 09:54 AM

There are 2 versions available 1 for FS9.0 and 1 for FS9.1(updated) you must only download 1 and make sure its fr your version of FS9 or it can create problems

This is the main website
http://www.ibirdsoft.altervista.org/

you need to click downloads on leftside which will bring you to this screen
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/7061/yafss0011ou.jpg

then choose either

IBNETPLAYER Server/Client Version 1.08.202 V9.0 for unpatched FS9

or

IBNETPLAYER Server/Client Version 1.08.202 V9.1 for patched FS9

This is the main Forum
http://www.ibirdsoft.com/forum/

For the AI traffic, all ppl that join the server will have to pick the exact same time, have the same Traffic Files installed and on loading FS9 pause until everyones ready as the AI will carry on like normal on your system

The download just extracts straight into your FS9 main folder

Dusty

10-28-2005, 01:04 PM

So is anyone up for trying this out? Mike? If get it all setup?

TX_3306

10-28-2005, 01:42 PM

I'll give it a shot.

Dusty

10-28-2005, 03:19 PM

Well, my system's not liking this software. Keeps crashing my sim. The concept is great though. I'll be adding this to my watch list until a more stable version is ready to use. TCAS is a traffic avoidance system that most popular payware and a lot of freeware aircraft have nowadays. The downfall with FSHost is that you can't use it unless you run AIBridge.

VFRVoodoo

10-28-2005, 03:34 PM

>Well, my system's not liking this software. Keeps crashing
>my sim.

Whats the crash error coming up with Dusty m8, if u come out of Full screen mode before you try connection to your server it may show error there

Dusty

10-28-2005, 04:02 PM

I don't even get that far. The sim doesn't get through the loading screen before it crashes and I don't get an error. There doesn't seem to be an error log to look at, at least not one that I found.

VFRVoodoo

10-28-2005, 04:09 PM

Hmmm ive heard of this error before but you may not like it, a few of my friends had the same problem so they deleted the FS9.cfg file and it started fine, now the options are u could back up ur CFG file and delete it to see if that works or if not im afraid you might have to leave it as without an error im stumped

I may have to get back to you on this tomorrow but will try again tonight

Dusty

10-28-2005, 05:17 PM

So the issue continues. I got the server up running fine and Mike was able to connect without a problem. My sim machine however, doesn't seem to like the client. I tried installing the beta as well as the 1.07 versions; deleted the fs9.cfg; no luck. Realized that I hadn't run the client manager yet to "apply" the aircraft. Took care of that with the "apply all" button. No luck, still continue to crash.

To complicate things, I have a ton of payware and freeware, so I'm thinking that there must be some conflicts in here somewhere that I'm probably never going to find. hehe..

jthwalker

10-28-2005, 11:00 PM

ok, I want to set it up on my server, flygafs.net, but all the server manuals are in a language other than English. are there and manuals in English for the server portion?

TX_3306

10-29-2005, 12:05 AM

I couldn't find any in English. I did figure out that the server uses port 2006 while the client uses port 2003.

VFRVoodoo

10-29-2005, 05:13 AM

Ill run through a simple setup to get IBNET up and running

First run the clientManager.exe file,this will ask you to apply or apply all,you can manually apply aircraft 1 by 1 or just apply them all but if you have alot of aircraft with a lot of repaints(like i did) it can seem to take an eternity so you may want to apply just the ones you need

To run a server you have to find out your IP 1st then dbl click the IBMegaserv.exe file and your servers up and running

To join the server start FS9 at any airfield you want and once loaded go into the Views tab in the menu called up by alt and then go into Instrument Panel and there should be a panel called IBNetplayer clcik that and you should see this

http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/4696/yafss0027na.jpg

then it will go to this screen

http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/6555/yafss0038sx.jpg

and use the keypad to input the IP number then click the black button next to the where it says IP in green and the IP should change now fill in the other data as you see it in this picture apart from your name, once it all looks the same as the picture apart from IP and name click connect at the bottom and your connected

TX_3306

11-01-2005, 10:44 AM

Last night, four of us were able to connect and fly. Looks pretty good. Can see most animations, lights, etc. and everything ran fairly smooth. Nice change from the stuttering and such from standard FS Multiplayer. We had a few problems, but overall, my initial reaction is positive. Nice little screenshot attached of us flying together.

A couple of things I would like to know are...

How do you see the smoke trails?

What is the difference between IBMegaserve.exe and IBServ.exe?

Doesn't look like FSNav can connect as it is looking for a "session" to connect to. I experimented with changing ports, etc., but no luck getting it connected. Will try another idea I have from a radar gauge I found that works in "regular" multiplayer, showing where others are and works in single player showing where AI Aircraft are. If that works, it would be great.

Any other comments, tips or suggestions from others that have used this software would be appreciated.

N3306TX

http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/94978.jpg

capn_sonic

11-01-2005, 12:56 PM

Way to go there, our very own guinea pigs.
Pic looks good, was it really a smooth as it looks in the Pic.......
How did you get on with the AI aircraft. Did you see any?
Shall have to join y'all soon for a hands on taster myself.

Best
Geoff (capn_sonic@flightsim.com)
http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/Attachments/up1/76826.jpg

VFRVoodoo

11-01-2005, 01:37 PM

Hi TX

im glad you got the software working, in response to your smoke, you have to create smoke files in txt for them to see. if you post here what it says under the [SMOKESYSTEM] ie smoke1. bla bla bla i can form and send the file back so that u can share with ur fellow pilots and all can see smoke

Regards Matt

drnnr163

11-01-2005, 03:51 PM

>Pic looks good, was it really a smooth as it looks in the
>Pic.......
>How did you get on with the AI aircraft. Did you see any?
>Shall have to join y'all soon for a hands on taster myself.

Once we got it all sorted out, it was smooth as silk. Smoother, even. None of the usual stuttering or jumpiness. It's more like real time. It seems to add to some realism to the experience also, the smoothness and real time effect I mean.

AI was still there, doing it's usual thing. We all saw our own AI, I think, so everybody was watching different traffic. I imagine if we set the same time and date all around, we'd see more or less the same AI traffic.

When you get time, you have to try it. I'd say this is a must try, if nothing more than for the novelty of watching us fly and crash in real time.

Dave

VFRVoodoo

11-01-2005, 05:16 PM

I hope to have a video soon of the group i fly with atm, were trying to get a VRed Arrows going, i have a rough video showing smoke and some real bad camera panning by me but i dont know how to host movies for ppl to see

andyjohnston

11-01-2005, 07:21 PM

One downside is that if you want to change aircraft, you have to disconnect, change, then reconnect.

VFRVoodoo

11-02-2005, 11:19 AM

Yep thats correct andy m8 but im all for the smoke so the 4 secs it takes to change doesnt bother me lol, sry i forgot to put it in :(

Dusty

11-02-2005, 12:40 PM

I did figure out what was wrong with mine. Turns out my 9.1 update for FS did not install correctly. I installed the 9.0 version of the software and it worked well.

One other issue that this software brought to light was the dependancy of FSNAV...hahaha!! Suddenly we were having to call out position reports in order to find each other. I personnally thought it was great. I think that if you could get TCAS to work, it would help. It may already, just need to test it out.

VFRVoodoo

11-02-2005, 01:39 PM

Glad you got it working dusty, your in the same boat(or should that be aircraft :)) as me when it comes to getting things working as im still finding new things out myself, hopefully once i get my TrackIR so i can pan better when filming ill be able to show you some vid of some aerobatics with the vRed Arrows :D

Dusty

11-02-2005, 03:26 PM

Server up! For those of you wanting to give this a go, I'm going to have my server up and running.

IP: 68.104.169.29

make sure the following ports are open on your own routers.

2003 udp
2004 udp
2006 tcp

I'll be flying in and around KSEA, running real time and weather and default traffic.

Teamspeak setup at the same IP.

VFRVoodoo

11-02-2005, 03:49 PM

If you have the DSB Design(IRIS design :)) hawk installed with the Red Arrows, if you make a copy of that and then ill give you some files to install and hopefully if the BOSS(RED1) lets me ill give IP for our server so that you can come and watch us trying to get some formation aerobatics working :)

you can contact me on msn at mattculkin[at]btopenworld.com for the files as im not sure how to post them here :(

Dusty

11-02-2005, 05:36 PM

So it seems that my router isn't cooperating with the IBNet ports. Can't seem to get a downstream rate no matter what I try. I'll leave it up and keep trying but doesn't look like it's going to happen.

Bummer...linksys...

~Dusty

TX_3306

11-03-2005, 02:30 PM

Here is the contents of the Smoke section on the default Extra.

[SMOKESYSTEM]
smoke.0=0.00, -0.70, 1.40, fx_smoke_w

N3306TX

TX_3306

11-03-2005, 02:32 PM

N122DN had a similar problem and we believe we traced it down to opening ports as UDP. Open all ports as TCP.

N3306TX

VFRVoodoo

11-04-2005, 12:29 PM

TX go into ur FS9 modules folder and find a file called IBEffects.ini, make a copy of this file and then edit the file inside so it reads

2
fx_smoke_w
end smoke

then take your copied IBeffects file and paste it into the Extra 300s folder, rename it to smoke1(making sure it stays an INI file) then inside the smoke1 file make sure it reads

fx_smoke_w,0.00, -0.70, 1.40,

then pass the 2 files to your friends and u should see the smoke :) any probs just get back to me

TX_3306

11-05-2005, 03:02 AM

Ok, we got the smoke to work in the Extra. Have some questions though.

Is there anyway to see more than one color of smoke? For example many of us have a Christian Eagle that has red, white, and blue smoke trails. We messed around with the ini.files but could not get it to work. Here is the contents of the smokesystem section of the Christian Eagle.

smoke.0=-8.00, 0.00, 0.00, fx_smoke_ce_white
smoke.1=-8.00, 0.00, -6.00, fx_smoke_ce_red
smoke.2=-8.00, 0.00, 6.00, fx_smoke_ce_blue

Can you explain how these .ini files are structured? For example, what is the first line of the ibeffects.ini file referencing as it is a number (2).

Can you provide an explanation as to why a separate smoke.x.ini file needs to be in each aircraft folder? Would it always contain the same info as in the smokesystem section of the aircraft.cfg file.?

Is there anyway (key shortcut) to toggle off and on the labels or would that have to be done through the menu? In regular multiplayer, this can be done with CTRL-SHIFT-L.

Sorry for all the questions, but the software has peaked our interest. We've discovered some bugs (undocumented features??), but I suppose that's expected in beta software.

Thanks,

N3306TX

VFRVoodoo

11-05-2005, 06:20 AM

Hi TX

Im a bit confused if u mean 3 smokes on same aircraft or if 1 has red, 1 blue,1 white

if you mean 3 smoke on same aircraft

then smoke1.ini should read

fx_smoke_ce_white,8.00, 0.00, 0.00,
fx_smoke_ce_red,-8.00, 0.00, -6.00,
fx_smoke_ce_blue,-8.00, 0.00, 6.00,

In the IBEffects.ini file when you 1st look it says

1
end smoke

now the 1 is the amount of smoke fx IBNET looks for from the smoke.ini files(end smoke is counted as a smoke)

when you add a smoke fx the number at the top changes eg if you added your Christian Eagle smokes the file would read

4 <--this changes to 4 not 3 because of the end smoke
fx_smoke_ce_white
fx_smoke_ce_red
fx_smoke_ce_blue
end smoke

likewise if your ibeffects file read

2
fx_smoke_w
end smoke

and you added your 3 smokes it would read

5
fx_smoke_ce_white
fx_smoke_ce_red
fx_smoke_ce_blue
fx_smoke_w
end smoke

hope this helps

The seperate smoke.ini files in each aircraft are because IBNET doesnt use the conventional multiplayer files for FS9 so everything has to be detected differently which is why a smoke file has to be created for every aircraft that has smoke effects :( its a bit long winded but this has been created with no help from Microsoft so they had to try everything till something worked

The aircraft labels can only be turned on/off in the IBNET console and you can only turned on/off before you connect im afraid

heres how

bring up your IBNET console in game and press disconnect at the bottom now when u get the screen below(minus the black backgroung) press button next to options(highlighted in yellow)
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8030/yafss0033xc.jpg

then press the button below Rot Factor
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/9969/yafss0044ka.jpg

and now you will see this screen,follow what ive wrote
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6581/yafss0052fy.jpg

and labels are turned on/off

Hope you all enjoyed my PSP9 skills lol and keep any questions you have coming and ill do my best to answer

Voodoo

navav2004

11-05-2005, 06:49 AM

Hey I'd like to fly with some folks...Expierenced FS Pilot...New to Online Flying...I some of you wouldn't mind letting me join in...I'd appreciate it!! Thanks..

Oh Yeah...This software looks fantastic!!

andyjohnston

11-05-2005, 09:45 AM

It would be nice if you could join and see which other pilots were on the server, and get an idea where they were, like with FSHost. Also, it would be nice if you could communicate with others somehow, say if you wanted to ask the address of a teamspeak server or some such. With FSHost this is easily done using the chat box.

VFRVoodoo

11-05-2005, 11:09 AM

Yes but i did warn about the shortfalls and warned about needing Teamspeak or Skype,microsoft have in no way tried to help in the making of this software so add on programs that are tied to the multiplayer.dll file do not work, this is for people that wanted to see smoke, moving parts and formation flying where ppl warping about and jumping because of lag do not happen,

I can understand your maybe annoyed about your add on programs or FShost dont work Andy but that isnt the softwares fault,this has been built for a specific reason to correct errors that some ppl had with the FS9 multiplayer

Sry your not happy Andy but im afraid i can only help the people that understand the shortfalls and are still willing to enjoy it

Voodoo

TX_3306

11-05-2005, 12:38 PM

Man, thanks alot for the explanation(s). This is now starting to make some sense :>). Yes, there are 3 smokes on one aircraft so I think your examples of the files are perfect.

Now, let's say 1 aircraft had white smoke, one had blue, and one had red and I added to the modified ibeffects.ini to have four smoke files. All aircraft would have the smoke emanating from the "center" of the aircraft. Below is how I think it's supposed to be set up, but please let me know if I'm not correct.

All pilots must have an ibeffects.ini file that reads as follows:

5
fx_smoke_ce_white
fx_smoke_ce_red
fx_smoke_ce_blue
fx_smoke_w
end smoke

The "red" aircraft would have a smoke1.ini file that reads:
fx_smoke_ce_red,8.00, 0.00, 0.00,

The "white" aircraft would have a smoke1.ini file that reads:
fx_smoke_ce_white,8.00, 0.00, 0.00,

and the "blue" aircraft smoke1.ini file would read:
fx_smoke_ce_blue,8.00, 0.00, 0.00,

If my assumption is correct, then I can make an ibeffects.ini file that contains every smoke effect I would want to see. The ibeffects.ini file would then be structured as such below:

X (Where X is the total number of effects files + 1)
file1 (name of effect file #1)
file2 (name of effect file #2)
file3 (name of effect file #3)
etc. (continue adding effect filenames as above)
END SMOKE

Then the smoke1.ini file for the aircraft basically is a copy of the smokesystem section from the aircraft.cfg file of the plane and is place in the root aircraft folder.

Question - Would each pilot have to have the same ibeffects.ini file or say if they only had one smoke effect in the ibeffects.ini file, they would only see that one effect? Or do we all have to have the same ibeffects.ini file so others can see the one effect? In other words, is the ibeffects.ini file there so only I can receive others effects or is it used to send the effects info to others?

Sorry for all the questions, but you have probably guessed by now that this software has really drawn our interest.

Thanks again for your help.

N3306TX

VFRVoodoo

11-05-2005, 01:03 PM

Ok i think the easiest way to explain this is

Your aircraft file

smoke1.ini <------this would be for red smoke
smoke2.ini <------this is for your friends white smoke
smoke3.ini <------this is for your friends blue smoke

your 1st friend with blue smoke

smoke1.ini <------this would be for blue smoke
smoke2.ini <------this is for your friends white smoke
smoke3.ini <------this is for your friends red smoke

your 2nd friend with white smoke

smoke1.ini <------this would be for white smoke
smoke2.ini <------this is for your friends blue smoke
smoke3.ini <------this is for your friends red smoke

and all 3 of you should have the same IBEffects folder with all 3 smokes in it

andyjohnston

11-05-2005, 02:10 PM

I never said I wasn't happy. I was offering suggestions on what would make the experience better.

TX_3306

11-05-2005, 05:17 PM

Hi Chuck,

Why don't you join on the regular FS Multiplayer Server at 82.152.234.89. If someone is online, ask if Teamspeak is running. Teamspeak is a voice communication program. Connect teamspeak and then we can discuss connecting with this new mp software.

N3306TX
(Mike)

TX_3306

11-06-2005, 12:47 PM

Well, we're getting a better understanding of this new software, but still confused about using more than one color of smoke on an aircraft.

The Christian Eagle we fly has 3 smoke colors, red, white, and blue, which emanate from each wingtip and the center of the plane. We tried your suggestion with the smoke1.ini file that had all three smokes listed in the file. Each of us had the same IBEffect.ini file and smoke1.ini file. Although we could see our own plane with all three smokes, we only saw white smoke on each other plane. The smoke1.ini file looked like this as suggested in an earlier post:

fx_smoke_ce_white,8.00, 0.00, 0.00,
fx_smoke_ce_red,-8.00, 0.00, -6.00,
fx_smoke_ce_blue,-8.00, 0.00, 6.00,

We then tried creating three different smokex.ini files...one for each color and position and then were unable to see any smoke from the other plane, although my IBNetPlayer screen indicated smoke was being sent (smoke s:=3). The separate smoke files were white (smoke1.ini), red (smoke2.ini) and blue (smoke3.ini).

In the first scenario, looking at the IBNetPlayer screen, it indicated the smoke file was the white smoke file and Smoke S: = 1. In the second scenario, it showed the blue smoke file and Smoke S:=3

Any suggestions as to how to see multiple colors on the same plane? Thanks

N3306TX

VFRVoodoo

11-06-2005, 03:49 PM

hmmm sry im a little stuck here as if u have a smoke1.ini for white,smoke2.ini for red and smoke3.ini for blue and all 3 effects in IBEffects.ini file then all 3 smokes should be showing, :( sry i cant help you more :(

TX_3306

11-06-2005, 08:13 PM

Thanks for all you help. I'll post over on the IBNet forum and see if anybody can figure it out.

N3306TX

UK_RON

11-12-2005, 11:10 AM

Just as a matter of interest and I have found similar problems myself and think I understand why this software fails for some members:

When you installed FS9 (FS2004 ACOF) did you also change the exe file to a patched "NO CD" version because I have and I believe that may be the cause of the IBNET software failure.

If that is the case and without being able to find any conflicting or indeed helpful I guess this might be the cause.

Be interested to find out as the home web site for the software suggests that a voice package is in the offing.

TX_3306

11-12-2005, 02:25 PM

I run a patched version also and never thought about that. Although I haven't had too much problem connecting, I have had some issues occasionally getting my effects to send and also seeing other pilots effects. But, when it works, it is nice. I wish there was more documentation available on just exactly how this software works.

N3306TX

VFRVoodoo

11-15-2005, 12:55 PM

Gonna try and create a PDF file for English users soon explaining install, do's n dont's, problem solving and how to set up aircraft with lights and smoke. Ill post here when 1st ready

Wish me luck lol

p.s any problems you came across and solved or are still having problems post here and ill try to address them or include them in PDF

TX_3306

11-15-2005, 04:22 PM

Hey Matt,

I already got a good start on one. I'll email you what I have done so far.

N3306TX (Mike)

VFRVoodoo

11-15-2005, 04:44 PM

Did u manage to get the Hawk link last night Mike

*Edit*

Ive put the link below for a IBNET ready DSB Hawk T.1/A so all 3 smokes will be visible after you change txt in your FS9/Modules/IBEffects.ini file

If its default it will read

1
end_smoke

edit it so it reads

4
fx_smoke_w
fx_smoke_r
fx_smoke_b
end_smoke

Save and everything is ready to go :)

http://s61.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1V6DQYGZHY82J25Y60NLDLE137

TX_3306

11-17-2005, 10:04 PM

Thank you. Yes, I got it, but have been busy the last few days with a bunch of "honey-do" jobs. Hopefully can get it up and running this weekend.

N3306TX

bgenesis

11-19-2005, 08:36 AM

Ah, excellent. I know how to get the thing working. Do you think there's any call for a 'Control Panel' utility that merges all this into one? I could try programming one up! :P

VFRVoodoo

11-20-2005, 07:01 AM

Well the authors of the software have said they dont plan to keep updating or working on any updates for it, with it still been a BETA production as well I cant see there been any objection to tweaking the software. Im trying to build a website atm for IBNET for a more simplistic explanation of how things work and as a meeting place for other users to create a larger following, a bit like IBNET vAirlines lol, except my website building skills are more worse than a 150mph crosswind :) :)