Announcements

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.37.1 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v337_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The volumetric fog effect will now create appropriate visibilities to differentiate between areas of reduced vertical visibility, fog banks, mist banks, and likely low level inversion layers. You can test these effects using the new Enable Volumetric Fog Effect option within the OpusFSX Weather User Preferences dialog.

Regards
Stephen

We experimented with a new procedure for weather injection in Beta 3.36.1 which may actually be causing more wind shifts so we will revert back to the previous weather injection method, continue testing and produce a new release very soon.

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.37.4 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v337_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Improved the anti wind shift measures, new measures introduced to assist the climb up to FL200 and the specified Max Cruise Altitude.

Injected theme size is now not adjustable and fixed at the default size.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.38.0 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v338_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Introduced new Cloud Smoothing software to preserve all local cloud coverage during weather updates and hence prevent or minimise any cloud popping during the weather updates. The Opus on-screen weather reports will append an (S) label to all cloud descriptions to warn the user that Cloud Smoothing is in force at that location and the listed cloud layers may therefore differ from what is reported in the METARs. Cloud Smoothing is inhibited at all specified Destination and Alternate sites.

Improved the accuracy of reported cloud layering, the injected visibility layering, and the weather at the specified Destination.

We now recommend setting a Cloud Draw Distance of between 70 and 110 miles in the simulator. The lower settings of 70 or 80 miles will be adequate for low level VFR, and anything from 80 to 110 miles for high level flying. The clouds at the range of the Cloud Draw Distance will either condense into view or dissipate out of view as you fly toward or away from them.

Please note, OpusFSX has ALWAYS provided this effect which is a natural and direct consequence of using the Opus pioneered Dynamic Weather Themes.

A new 'Weather Refresh Period' has been added to the Weather Downloads dialog for a trial. This period is used to ensure the weather in the simulator is refreshed at regular intervals, intended for use with the Cloud Smoothing option. Set to 60 minutes to effectively disable the refresh checks. The default settings for the weather update options are now set at 10 minutes for Refreshes, 20 minutes for Updates (download of new METARs), and the usual 160km for the maximum update distance.

Added delays to the SimConnect initialisation just in case the new P3D v2 software is having problems with its SimConnect handling in dialog mode. At the moment there are problems in the LM code that will result in the P3D program crashing if the FSXSERVER program tries to connect before P3D v2 has loaded its actual flight. As a result users should only run the FSXSERVER program manually after the flight has loaded. These problems in the P3D code also occur when the P3D Start up screen is displayed.

The 'Include Wing Flex Data' option is no longer adjusted if you have Adjust Options Automatically enabled.

Regards
Stephen

N.B.

These Cloud Smoothing changes cannot eliminate all cloud popping within the simulator since the FSX/P3D code will always reposition and redraw clouds when a weather theme is loaded.

The only times the cloud popping should be a real problem is when you either have mostly clear skies with a few small patches of cloud, or vice versa, when you have mostly solid cloud cover with a few small clear patches. Under these circumstances the simulator seems to just randomly decide whether to draw any cloud at all or fill in the bare patches.

No one (apart from Lockheed Martin perhaps) can stop the simulator repositioning the cloud when a weather theme is loaded. All I can say is that the new Cloud Smoothing software completely preserves the cloud coverage at each point in space surrounding your aircraft. The extent of the smoothing area is increased with altitude but can be restricted when approaching your destination.

We now know how to completely eliminate cloud popping within the simulator. We have included what we can in OpusFSX and the rest will have to wait for OpusFSI in 2014. We will also need some time to way up the consequences of the cure, certainly at the moment the solution would cause problems with Prepar3D v2.

Anyway we hope you enjoy the new Cloud Smoothing option we have added to the existing code. The cloud condensing and evaporation effects have always been available, these effects are created simply as a result of your Cloud Draw Distance, more noticeable when the weather is injected using the Opus Dynamic Weather Theme method.

Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.38.2 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v338_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Greatly improved the coordination of all weather layering (i.e. winds, temperatures, visibilities, and cloud) within the Live Weather Engine including cloud smoothing layers.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.38.4 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v338_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected a problem that could result in fixing the precipitation base above ground at certain locations, hence, rain/snow would not fall all the way to the ground.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.38.5 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v338_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Extended the area covered by Cloud Smoothing at higher altitudes which should greatly improve the cloud smoothing when flying above FL200.

Eliminated the occasional flashing when VC and 2D view modes are changed, especially noticeable in P3D.

Regards
Stephen

Using The OpusFSX GPS Output Option

Step One:

Download and install the HW Group Virtual Serial Port - HW VSP3 software from the HW Group website www.HW-group.com.

Create a desktop icon for the HW Virtual Serial Port.

Run the VSP3 program, open the Settings tab and turn OFF all options except for,

TCP Server Mode
Connect to Device even if Virtual COM is closed

Save your settings to the INI file using the button.

Open the [v]Virtual Serial Port tab and specify your general parameters for the VSP. I have mine set up as follows,

Port Name:   COM7
IP Address: 127.1.1.0
Port:        23

Click on the Create COM button.

The VSP Status will change to Creating.. then finally Created. The LAN Status will then go to Listen.

Step Two:

In the Opus FSXSERVER program's form click on the View Device Driver Links button to display the Device Driver Links on the form.

Now Open the FSXSERVER program's Configure dialog, tick the Enable GPS Output option and specify the above IP address (127.1.1.0) and Port number (23) in the fields provided.

Click OK to close the Configure dialog.

A Device Driver Link should become coloured showing the GPS Simulation Networked TCP/IP Socket link, this link will turn green when it connects to the VSP.

The VSP LAN Status should now change to Connected.

Step Three:

After running and loading the flight in FSX or Prepar3D you are now ready to run the SkyDemon package.

You will now have to set up your SkyDemon package.

Setup - > Device Connectivity Options ...

I have a Garmin handheld device
Port: COM7
OK

Setup -> GPS Navigation Options ...

General tab,

GPS Harware,

Port: COM7
Baud: 9600 (I have my COM7 mode set to 9600,N,8,1)
OK

You are now ready to click on the Start GPS option in the top RH corner of the SkyDemon screen.

Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.39.0 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v339_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

A Reverse Axis option has been added to the LCC Shortcuts Left/Right, Up/Down, Forward/Backward, Pitch Up/Down, Bank Left/Right, and Yaw Left/Right controller axes. When ticked, the Gamepad Controller axes will be reversed for the associated control movement.

A Use High Res Targets option has been added to the Weather Dialog. When set this option will double the resolution of all wind targets, similar to flying with the Sim Friendly option disabled. This will result in a tighter control over the wind targets at the expense of requiring a greater number of weather updates and refreshes during the climb and descent phases of the flight. This option has been included on a trial basis to see if these higher res targets are better or worse on user's systems.

An Enable at Destination Cloud Smoothing option has been added to the Weather Smoothing dialog. When set this option will allow cloud smoothing to occur at the specified Destination and Alternate sites. This may affect the accuracy of the cloud layering and coverage at your Destination and Alternate sites.

The DHM Bump Aircraft Delay Factor can now range from 0 to 10.

The ButtKicker audio output is now seamless and does not restart each time a camera view is changed or the weather is updated.

The decoding of imported METARs will now accept METAR and SPECI prefix codes.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.39.1 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v339_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected a P3D v2 volumetric fog anomaly introduced in the previous beta.

Implemented some of the planned OpusFSI 2014 Dynamic Wind Targeting software, the new dynamic wind targeting mechanism is intended to hold the ambient wind speed and direction within a few knots and a few degrees of the current targeted values.

Regards
Stephen

P.S.

I should have mentioned, you will need FSUIPC4 enabled in order to benefit from the new wind targeting and control.

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.39.3 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v339_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The specified Destination and Alternate sites are now added to the download METAR list even if they are not on the current weather map. Their downloaded METARs and TAFs are also appended to the OpusWeather.txt report file and they will appear in the Opus on-screen Flight Plan En Route Weather Reports.

The Weather Update Distance can now range from 64km to 400km with a default of the usual 160km. Any distance above 175km will result in increasing the injected Dynamic Weather Theme size.

Corrected a problem with the new '(Actual)' destination weather check which could wrongly indicate the weather at the destination had failed its internal check. The 'Actual' check and indication can now be set after a weather update whilst still sat on the ground before take off.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.39.4 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v339_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected a problem with the LCC shortcuts assignment when no controller had been allocated. Modified the new '(Actual)' destination checks.

Restored previous additional wind smoothing measures and removed the 20 degree ambient wind control limit.

Regards
Stephen

There is a problem with Beta 3.39.5 which generates wrong lower wind targets in certain conditions. This will be fixed shortly and a new Beta posted.

Many thanks to all the Beta testers.

Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.39.7 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v339_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The lower wind target gradients have now been coordinated across the weather map to prevent sudden wind changes.

The ambient wind monitoring and control at all levels has been smoothed.

The Weather Refresh option has now been removed from the Weather Downloads dialog and the recommended weather update frequency and distance is now set to 30 minutes and 160km respectfully.

The FSXSERVER and FSXCLIENT programs will now accept an optional FSX or P3D argument to automatically select the simulator type when they are run. The FSXCLIENT program will also accept a NONE argument to select 'No Connection To The Simulator' mode. For example,

FSXSERVER FSX ... will select the Microsoft FSX simulator type.
FSXSERVER P3D ... will select the Lockheed Martin Prepar3D simulator type.
FSXCLIENT NONE ... will select the 'No Connection To The Simulator' mode of operation.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Release Version 3.40.0 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder).

After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

The Volumetric Fog Effect option is ignored whenever the Microsoft FSX simulator type has been selected.

All Dynamic Wind Targeting and Control is suspended whenever the simulator is paused and disabled whenever the aircraft is below 1000ft elevation and 4000ft altitude.

An Enable Dynamic Wind Control option has been included in the Weather Smoothing and Stabilisation dialog. This option is enabled by default but can be disabled on systems that do not cope too well with the direct ambient wind controls.

To minimise updates the Weather Downloads dialog and the recommended weather update frequency and distance is now set to 60 minutes and 160km respectfully.

Corrected a problem with the East/West longitude positioning for the GPS Output feature. The simulated outputs are now transmitted every two seconds to allow packages like SkyDemon to hold GPS lock even when stationary.

Stephen

OpusFSX Release Version 3.41.0 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder). After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Above beta improvements released and improved the GRIB Decoding.

Stephen

OpusFSX Release Version 3.42.0 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder). After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected problem with GPS output relating to cultural number formats.

Improved METAR download procedures and modified the NOAA site access. Included further improvements to the GRIB data processing.

The Spy window is no longer closed when opening the Configure dialog.

Regards
Stephen

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.42.0 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v342_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder). After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Corrected a problem with the simulated GPS output relating to cultural number formats. The FSXSERVER form will also correctly indicate when the GPS Simulation software is Connected to the Device and to the Simulator.

Improved the METAR download procedures and modified the NOAA site access to take account of recent problems and changes with the NOAA METAR server. This includes further improvements to the GRIB data decoding.

The Spy window is no longer closed when opening the Configure dialog.

The FSXSERVER program will now create an FSXSERVER.log file in the user's \OpusFSX installation folder. The log file is used to log the user's installation details along with any installation errors that are detected when the program is activated. Users should refer to this file and send it to Opus Software if there are any problems encountered when running the software.

Regards
Stephen

Typical content of the new \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

If you have any problems with the program reverting to Demo mode or shutting down then you must send me your \OpusFSX\FSXSERVER.log file.

OpusFSX Beta Version 3.42.2 is now available for download on our website.

Remember when installing the OpusFSX_v342_Beta.msi file you must uninstall your current version before installing the new version (do not delete your previous \OpusFSX installation folder). After installing please check all the settings in your Configure and Weather dialogues. You can download from http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/downloads.htm

Changed the FSXSERVER licence checks to check for either the 'c:\Opus Software' licence file or the backup Flight1 licence file.

Regards
Stephen

Preparing Beta Version 3.42.4 ...

We are busy preparing the next beta and hope to make it available soon. In the meantime please use the latest Release Version 3.41.0.

Stephen