INSTALLING YS ADDONS

[Luckybeargod]

This is a repost of Turbofan's excellent tutorial from YSP1.0. I've edited it slightly, replacing obsolete software with the open source compression and extraction utility 7-Zip.
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This is for all people who are new to installing addons in the YSFS folder. Please read this carefully before asking any questions.

When you’re downloading and installing user downloads or addons from a Japanese or other site, you will come across these kinds of files: .zip, .cab, or .rar, which can all be unpacked using the 7-Zip application (or one that comes with the OS you have). If you haven’t yet: download and install 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org).

Installing contents of a .zip, .cab, or .rar file:

Download the file and open it using 7-Zip or the default application you have. Once you have opened it and seen all the files, drag and drop them into the sub-folders in the main YSFS folder. What I do is I always check the .lst files first to see how the pathways go. What’s a pathway?

aircraft/B747/B747-400.dnm

This is a pathway. It basically specifies how the order of the files should be. So you put the B747 folder into the default aircraft folder in YSFS, and that’s it. Let's take another look:

user/classic/737classic/733.dnm
user/classic/737classic/733.coll

Here, you need to put the "classic" folder (which contains the 737 classic sub-folder) into the "user" folder, which is described below in Extension 1. The pathway tells the computer where your files and folders are. If you don’t have the files and folders in this order, you get errors. Same goes for the ground and scenery folders. Some creators like including their own aircraft, ground and scenery folders, so always always always, check the readme.txt, or the other folders (usually the .doc folder) for the .lst files where the pathways are.

Always start YSFS after installation to check if you’re getting errors.

If you do get errors, go back and check again to make sure you put the folders in the right order. If you have everything in the correct order and you still get errors, the person who made the .lst file probably didn’t type a pathway correctly, in which case the hunting game begins. In such a case I usually look at what errors I’m getting. So if I’m getting errors that say “Can’t load .DNM” or something of that nature, I look for a pathway which is missing a .dnm file. Most of the times it is fairly easy to spot the missing link (the errors you get will also point you to the folder in which they're coming from). Sometimes though you have to look around a little more. So far, I haven’t had to delete something I’ve just installed because of errors and have been able to fix any errors I’ve gotten upon starting YSFS.

That’s all there is to it. Also, if you still have questions, always make sure to use the search feature of the site, it works and it works well. If you don’t get the answer you’re looking for after searching, then you can make a post.
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Extension 1: The "user" folder.

This extension to the tutorial above covers the user folder, which can be a bit confusing sometimes.

The user folder is just like any sub folder in YSFS (such as scenery, aircraft, ground etc.). Usually, creators/modders who release planes/sceneries/packs include the User folder within the pack, and the appropriate pathways as well. But if the pack you downloaded comes with pathways that begin with "user" and there's no "user" folder, here are two things you might do:

1. You need to create a new "user" folder-just open the YSFLIGHT folder, go to "file", "New" and click on "folder." Name that folder "user", and now you can just transfer the pack to that folder. Then just put the pathways into the default aircraft.lst file.

2. You already have a user folder-in this case, what I do is I extract the pack I've downloaded to the desktop and only transfer the part that comes after the "user" folder into the one I already have.

Also, if the release comes with a "user" folder, you would do the same as in #2.

[Phila11]

This was really helpful when I started playing YS!

[Taskforce 58]

Thx for reposting this. I added a link on the bookmarks to the left of the site.

[larriet888]

ermmm... i think the st maartens map i installed worked, but my YSflight system crashed..suddenly stopped working.. =.="

[USE]

i've seen quite a few new people on servers asking how to install addons, and im sure this topic will clear up their confusion

[Timmayx]

It should do. It helped me loads when I first used it when this was still known as YSTK.

[Thor]

Hi guys! I didn't want to create a new topic so here I'm asking for your help. I'm running YSF on Linux. Here things are stricter in the matter of file names. The capitalization matters not like on Windows... So, here I'm asking politely the addon creators to be more careful on naming their files because for a Linux user it's a little bit of hell when installing a new pack (errors, renaming files, etc.). I have managed to pass this inconvenience but I've found recently another problem and I don't know what is the cause of that problem. I've installed the 171st pack and even if the name of all the files are correct, the paths are correct also i have some errors:

LOAD ERROR (VISUAL): user/171st_g3/*.dnm

This error happens only with a few files, not with all files from the pack.

Here are some of the files which got that error:

f18c_vfa171.dnm
a6e_va171.dnm
a4e_171st.dnm
su25ubp_171.dnm
f35c_d1.dnm
f18f_d1.dnm
f8_2.dnm
f18f_d3.dnm
f18f_d2.dnm
rm01_d3.dnm
f18f_ad1.dnm
f18f_ad2.dnm
su25ubp_171d3.dnm

I've tested if this happens on a Windows machine and it's not happening. I just don't know what could be the problem... Can anyone help me?

Thank you in advance!

[Turbofan]

^I'm guessing this has to do with the .srf files associated with each .dnm file there since it's a visual error you are getting, but I maybe completely off on that. You might try checking the pathways and see if there's something missing, like a word or letter, or as you said capitalization matters in Linux, so if you haven't already, check for missing capitalization. I get visual errors for some aircraft also but I haven't quite figured out how to resolve those yet.

[Thor]

I've checked and double/triple-checked the paths and file names for those files! It's something else...

For example: in the .lst file from aircraft folder there is this line
...
user/171st_g3/su25ubp_171.dat user/171st_g3/su25ubp_171.dnm user/171st_g3/su25ubp_coll.srf user/171st_g3/blank.srf user/171st_g3/su25_crs.dnm
...

so, let's check for those files if they have correct names and location ($ cd /usr/share/games/ysflight/user/171st_g3 && ls | grep su25 && ls | grep blank):

su252_crs.dnm
su25_crs.dnm
su25ubp_171d3.dat
su25ubp_171d3.dnm
su25ubp_171.dat
su25ubp_171.dnm
su25ubp_coll.srf
blank.srf

So, the file names are right, the paths are correct.... what else could be the problem?

[RocketDog]

I downloaded the OCP pack and have installed a few aircraft successfully. But every plane I've tried to install from it lately crashes my YSflight. It works fine until the flight starts, whereupon it says "fsmaindx has encountered an error and needs to close." I've checked and re-checked the .lst files and the folders and everything but it still keeps happening. Like, I installed the B-2A and opened the game. It showed up fine on the selection screen but as soon as I clicked "fly now" it gave me the error message and shut down.

[Halberdier25]

You're installing each plane individually?

[RocketDog]

Yes. I know it includes multiple .lst files for different bunches of planes, but i find it easier to find the plane i want and install it alone. I just enter a new line into the aircraft.lst file and it usually works.

[Turbofan]

^You're sure it isn't your card having problems with only those planes? I had a problem with an extremely detailed map before where it would crash everytime I started in an area with too many buildings for my computer to handle. Or it might be only the directX version having problems, try flying those in OGL or non-OGL.

[Griffon]

Is it my map you are talking about? I understand that it is a bit laggy...

*Rocketdog, try using the opengl or non-opengl version like Turbofan suggested, or if that doesn't work, trying updating your DX drivers.

[RocketDog]

OpenGL didn't work. How do I update my DX drivers?

[Halberdier25]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/directx/aa937788.aspx

You people need to start googling things.

[RocketDog]

Sorry bout that, Halberdier. Never crossed my mind to google it.

[Wedge]

Whenever you have a question, google it... That's what I always do. Always worked for me.

Where do I download teamspeak?
Google"Teamspeak's website"
How do I start a fire?
Google= "Use a firesteel and magnesium"
How do I ask a girl out?
Google="gather all the courage you can muster, and go for it!"
What do I want to eat for lunch?
Google="Sushi.."
I want to try base jumping, what suit should I get?
Google="A suit that says "I don't belong here"..."
What should I do on Yspilots?
Google="Stop making stupid posts?"

[RocketDog]

What should I do on Yspilots?
Google="Stop making stupid posts?"

Haha, we've got TF and Skyline for that.

[Wedge]

True...
But my point still stands, "googlism" is a good thing.

[Kurosaki]

And if Google doesn't know what you're asking...it probably doesn't exist. Just kidding.

[ricm96]

I think that installing add-ons should simply entail unzipping a file and dumping the contents to the YS folder. If you have to copy and paste an LST file, or jump through any other hoops, then the developer did not do their homework.

I think YS would benefit from lowering the barriers to entry. Addons should be simple to install, and the program, upon installation, should have a big "FLY" button that automatically takes you to the cockpit of an aircraft at the end of the runway.

Having to create or load a flight first is a bit counter intuitive to a newbie.

Oh, and while I am on the soapbox, I think it would be great if there was a "Lite" version of YS (the current one), and a "Gold" version that had only the best aircraft and maps.

[Wedge]

Hehe, I really hate it when I google something a little rare, and google doesn't know what I'm talking about, so he gives me about a hundred random results that vaguely contain my query.

@ricm96: I believe that, while it may be unintuitive at first, it really isn't hard to understand. It's a pain sometimes when there is no .lst, but overall, once you got it, it's really easy.
About the FLY idea, that means you don't get to choose aircraft, map, time, and weather, so I'm unconvinced. Perhaps you were thinking about a "random flight" generator?

[ricm96]

You agree that it is unintuitive at first. That is the classic definition of not a good design from a human factors viewpoint. Since you agree it is unintuitive, then I hope you will agree that there is room for improvement. Mentioning that, given some time, it can be figured out, does not change this.

The FLY idea is akin to what Microsoft used to call "Instant Flight". Let a newbie jump into the cockpit. Later on they will create their own flights. All YS really needs is a "default" flight that is loaded already.

@ricm96: I believe that, while it may be unintuitive at first, it really isn't hard to understand. It's a pain sometimes when there is no .lst, but overall, once you got it, it's really easy.
About the FLY idea, that means you don't get to choose aircraft, map, time, and weather, so I'm unconvinced. Perhaps you were thinking about a "random flight" generator?

[Wedge]

You agree that it is unintuitive at first. That is the classic definition of not a good design from a human factors viewpoint. Since you agree it is unintuitive, then I hope you will agree that there is room for improvement. Mentioning that, given some time, it can be figured out, does not change this.

You're probably right about the "not a good design from a human factors viewpoint". However, I wouldn't say that intuitive means room for improvement ( sorry to go against your hopes). Very simple example: Orbiter. Orbiter's physics and MFDs are really really un-intuitive. But you have two options:
-Run on automatic pilot, don't touch the joystick, and let the spacecraft fly to ISS by itself.(And learn nothing)
-Crash many many times because of MFD-related non-knowledge, learn how to use MFDs and enjoy Orbiter much better.
The same goes for YSaddons, you could do self-extracting addons, but would that really be an improvement? What if I don't want to put 001.dnl in the user file? Intuitiveness is easy, but it limits our options... Hence unintuitivenes does not necessarily mean room for improvement( in general)
I'm not really against self-installing addons, but I do want to know where my addon files go.