Exporting Files to add-on Aircraft folder locations

[Steve Waite]

Exporting Files to add-on Aircraft folder locations

Exporting Files to add-on Aircraft folder locations is complex and confusing, with IF10 file Exporting. Once the export items are set-up, IF10 continues to send the files every time a flight is built.

We need to know quite a bit about FSX, and how our add-on aircraft load and save files. We need to know the types of files and formats add-on aircraft use, and the names to call the files. Finally we need to know about system security, since sometimes the system disallows files to be copied anywhere we like.

1) So let's bring up the Exports window, and look at the File Types drop down list. The top item selected shows all file types available, and in this mode we cannot edit the file name. We can delete any items we already set-up, and we can try the export process right away with the Export button. We can bring up Explorer (.\) at that location and look to see if the file exported properly.

2) We want to make an export item, let’s say for a PMDG 737. We can use the PMDG .rte v3 for that (and the 777, check in the Help for more types). So we choose the PMDG .rte v3 type in the drop down list and press "Add Location", to add an export item to our export set-up. We have to choose the path we want the file to be sent to, in this case “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\PMDG\FLIGHTPLANS”.

3) The program adds a suitable filename on the right hand end, which can be edited in the Edit Box just below the Export Types drop-down list. In the window we now see “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\PMDG\FLIGHTPLANS\IF10.rte”, PMDG .rte v3”. We can edit the file name “IF10”, but we would generally leave the file extension (in this case .rte) alone.

4) We can try the Export system right now, with the Export Button. The Explorer button shows us the folder and its contents. If the file does not appear, the system security may be preventing it copy.

5) We can exit IF10 and run the Ideal Flight setup program to perform an Update, this leaves our settings intact, checks to see we have the proper files, but also checks and sets the file permissions on the export folder locations we selected for the export items. We must close all other programs before doing this as the folder contents and permissions will be locked when the files are in use by another process. IF10 reports this from [sg02] older versions report an error and close.

[Mike Cameron]

The export feature also works great for sending the default FSX plan to the app folder in my Dropbox account. I like to use the FSWidgets iPad moving map app (iGMap HD) and now when I generate a flight, the flight plan automatically is sent to FSX and Dropbox. Very nice!

Mike

[Steve Waite]

Thanks for that Mike.

The list of Exported file types will grow to suit our needs. Any suggestions welcome!

[alpha117]

Totally agree, once the exports are setup it just works automatically everytime



Clive