Missing ace.exe & fsx.cfg FSX:SE

[BuffaloSpeedway]

I just learned on this forum about the SDK.

 

I decided to try the Panels and Gauges SDK.

 

The first step in the help file is

Check the ACE.exe tool is in the root directory of Flight Simulator X (the same directory as FSX.exe).

Check the simpropace.dll is in that directory too.

 

Another step is

In order to receive run-time error messages on gauge scripts add the following line to the [Panels] section of the FSX.cfg file

 

I have fsx.exe & simpropace.dll in ..\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\FSX, but ace.exe is nowhere to be found in on my hard drive.

 

(1) Is this to be expected? If not, where can I get ace.exe?

 

(2) I don't have FSX.cfg either (I double checked ..\Users\\AppData) - where is it supposed to be?

[pvarn]

On FSX-SE, FSX.CFG is in C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX-SE

 

When doing Searches, make sure search subdirectories is enabled.

 

Did you run fsx_sdk_sp1a.exe?

 

BTW: I don't use the Ace tool myself. An XML gauge source code is REALLY XML so can be done by hand and your code can be checked and validated for errors by loading it into a browser. I use a freeware XML/HTML editor to write my gauges, but many people prefer the visual interactive tool ACE provides although the resulting XML looks a lot different. When compiled into a gau or cab file, FSX understands both equally well.

 

-Pv-

[BuffaloSpeedway]

Thanks for taking the time.

 

On FSX-SE, FSX.CFG is in C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX-SE

 

When doing Searches, make sure search subdirectories is enabled.

 

I did use -Recurse on my Get-Childitem, but no discovery. I don't have a \Users\me\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX-SE directory, so that explains that...sort of. The path exists down to \Microsoft, but no \FSX-SE there. I don't appear to have an FSX-SE directory anywhere on my hard drive. Perhaps something went awry with my initial installation?

 

Did you run fsx_sdk_sp1a.exe?

 

Would that create the above directory? When I try to run it, it asks for "Disk 1 of FSX Deluxe Edition". Is there a procedure for Steam users?

 

BTW: I don't use the Ace tool myself. An XML gauge source code is REALLY XML so can be done by hand and your code can be checked and validated for errors by loading it into a browser. I use a freeware XML/HTML editor to write my gauges, but many people prefer the visual interactive tool ACE provides although the resulting XML looks a lot different. When compiled into a gau or cab file, FSX understands both equally well.

 

-Pv-

 

OK. I've got both free and fancy XML editors. I can use those.

[pvarn]

"Would that create the above directory? When I try to run it, it asks for "Disk 1 of FSX Deluxe Edition". Is there a procedure for Steam users?"

 

The SDK installer installs the SDK. The Steam Installer installs FSX and all the required directories and files to run the sim. The user directory files are absolutely required to run FSX.

NOTE: You do not need to install the SDK or anything else to create XML gauges. No FSX file editing at all. All you need is a text editor, a high quality graphics editor (I use a few) and FSX itself. As I mentioned before, I use a browser to validate the code.

 

"I don't appear to have an FSX-SE directory anywhere on my hard drive."

Has to be. FSX won't run without it. Disable hide file extension types and try again searching your whole user directory. Don't match case.

If you give up on the SDK GUI, no need to worry about any of this shlock. You don't need any of it.

 

"Perhaps something went awry with my initial installation?"

If FSX-SE is installed and shows as installed in your Steam App, then the required directory and files exist. You're using FX so that stuff IS there.

 

Try this tutorial for FSX-SE

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/sdk-installation-for-fsx-se-so-tools-are-avaliable-in-game-and-gmax-and-blender2fsx-would-work.436059/

 

Again, I use hand edited XML to create my gauges so I don't install Acer at all. No fancy GUI for me.

If you are willing to do that, all you need is the documentation and examples in the directory: DRIVE:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\FSX\SDK\SimObject Creation Kit

 

Download some XML gauges from the library here so you get a feel for how other authors have solved similar problems.

 

If you are willing to use an XML editor, you do not need to install the SDK or Aces. You have everything you need already. You do not need to edit any CFG files or modify your FSX-SE installation at all. There are two styles of gauge XML code. One style is a type of structure the Acer GUI creates. The other style is what was used in FS9 before FSX came out. Generally speaking, these two styles cannot be mixed. Learn one or the other. I find the FS9 style/structure a LOT simpler and all the FSX features can be coded with it.

 

Basic steps:

1) Code a very simple gauge that just displays a few characters of text in a gauge window. This can be done with no graphics editor at all. Pure code.

2) Create a directory in your FSX installation /gauges directory and call it anything you want.

3) Add that directory and gauge name (you only need the prefix part of the name-leave out the XML extension) to any plane panel you want to test with.

4) Create a special saved flight for your test plane PAUSED which is set up to make testing easy so you are not loading windows, trying to take control over a crashing plane, messing with power or lighting or any other nonsense.

4)Test your gauge.

5) Return to your editor, tweak, save.

6) Return to FSX and type control-; Your gauge changes will be seen instantly.

Rinse and repeat.

 

If you decide to try and get the Acer util working, be aware this has been a trying process for every developer since FSX came out. It can seem like luck to get it going. I have three FSX installations and I got most of the SDK to work in one of them and the Acer never worked in weeks of trying but since I got everything I wanted to do hand editing using FS9 XML code, I have not missed the GUI one bit. Essentially the Acer GUI is task oriented. You click on the buttons and text properties that define the gauge function and the GUI creates the required XML. Like all MS code GUIs, it creates a lot of automatic code bloat to cover all the bases.

-Pv-

[il88pp]

Fsx-se does not come with the fsx-SDK.

 

I'm not suprised you can't find bad.exe anywhere. You say: "installed the panel and gauges sdk".

That installer is part of the Fs9 (fs2004) sdk. It won't work with fsx. (And does not contain ace.exe either I believe.

(Fs9 does not run gauges made with ace.exe anyway.)) (Also, some fs9 sdk parts actually cause a problem when installed if you have fsx.).

[PhantomTweak]

Just so you know, FSX:SE doesn't come with an installable SDK. Best substitute is the P3D SDK v1.4.3. That comes with the AC.EXE you're looking for, along with the rest of the SDK functionality. It works fine with FSX:SE as well. you can find it at THIS LOCATION.. I think you need to register to DL the SDK, but it's free, and just as easy as any other site. Remember that it's the V1.4 you need, NOT any of the others.

 

Looking for your FSX.CFG file: It installs to the folder you were shown, UNLESS you don't have a copy of FSX Box on the same HD someplace. Then it installs to C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX. At least win Windows 7. It's a hidden file in a hidden folder though. You have to set your folders to show hidden files and folders, or you'll never see it.

There are a number of thread on how to do that. It's easy as cake :D

 

Good luck!

Pat☺

[il88pp]

I typed 'bad.exe'

should have been: ace.exe

[BuffaloSpeedway]

Thanks for all the help.

 

I found FSX.cfg.

 

It was in ..\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX, that is, not in AppData for the non-admin user that I run under. I don't think there is any option for Get-ChildItem, not even Run As Administrator, that will show those files in a search. If I had a dime for every time I've been bitten by this under Win10, I could probably buy myself a real jet.

 

I've worked with XML for many years, and actually like it. So I will skip the ace.exe, and try XML and Gimp.

[pvarn]

I suggest getting the FS9 SDK but not installing it (It's free and available on Microsoft and elsewhere.) Just use the code examples and fs9 code others have written downloaded from the gauge library here.. When you need to use FSX features, just use the same style of code but enter the FSX feature you want to use. That is how I do it and it's worked well for over 100 gauges so far. There's the easy way and the hard way.

-Pv-