AICarriers in Prepar3D V4

[tgycgijoes]

After spending hours of searching online and then with no answers that worked just more questions, I tried to get AICarriers installed. I have been able to add the sample in the exe.xml and also to add it to the addon.cfg in multiple places and it DOES appear in the Addons Menu on the selection screen but it does NOT show in the Addons when the aircraft is at the airport to select it. I have used it successfully in FSX for years but P3D is much more steps to it. Does anyone have a working version is V4.5 that can give me how, what and where. I would like to do some carrier ops NOT with their default stuff but WWII Enterprise and the AH F3F Fighter.

 

[Manschy]

Okay:

I have AICarriers installed some years ago and it works fine. So I only can help you by showing the paths and places where I have the appropriate files stored. That means, maybe I have some files at places where they don't belong to, but in my case, it works...

First of all: In P3Dv4, AICarriers needs the modified aicarriers.exe file instead of the obsolete jar files which need java. So do you use the modified aicarriers.exe?
If not, please do a search inside the net to install the correct file.

Here like aicarriers works at my place:

1. C:\aicarriers

Folder includes

- conf.d

(here you can add all your new carrier model cfg's, for example cvn_68_69.cfg for the Eisenhower/Nimitz models) - afaik this folder needs to be there, but I don't need it because all the new ship packages I install into C:\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3Dv4\SimObjects\Boats

Normally, the new packages all come with the needed lines you have to add into

- aicarriers.cfg

For example:

[formation.13]
title=USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 "Crowded Deck" (Group)
unit.0=VEH_CV63, 0, 0
unit.1=VEH_CV63_Crowded, 0, 0
unit.2=VEH_cruiser01, -1500, -500
unit.3=VEH_destroyer01, 1500, -900
unit.4=VEH_destroyer01, 200, -8000
unit.5=VEH_destroyer01, 900, 7000

These lines should always come with the new ship packages. P3D knows that he can find the appropriate informations about the models here.

Furthermore:

- aicarriers.exe
- licence txt
- readme.txt
- uninstall.exe

2. C:\user\documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons

- AICarriers

Folder includes an add-on.xml with following content:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<SimBase.Document id="add-on" version="4,0" Type="AddOnXml">
<Addon.Name>AICarriers</Addon.Name>
<Addon.Description>AICarriers</Addon.Description>
<Addon.Component>
<Category>EXE</Category>
<Path>C:\AICarriers\aicarriers.exe</Path>
</Addon.Component>
</SimBase.Document>

3. C:\user\your name\AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3Dv4\

add-ons.cfg

Here you have to add following lines:
[Package.XX] (XX means the ongoing number of added addons...)
PATH=C:\Users\Anwender\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\AICarriers
ACTIVE=false
REQUIRED=false

4. In this same Prepar3Dv4 folder:

exe.xml

Here you have to add following lines:

<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>C:\AICarriers\AICarriers.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>

This enables P3D to find the aicarriers.exe and to launch it.

Please have a careful look at your paths in this exe.xml file, that this refers correctly to your AICarriers.exe file...

Hopefully, these information are complete and can help you to use your AICarriers correctly

 

[tgycgijoes]

Thank You

Okay:

I have AICarriers installed some years ago and it works fine. So I only can help you by showing the paths and places where I have the appropriate files stored. That means, maybe I have some files at places where they don't belong to, but in my case, it works...

First of all: In P3Dv4, AICarriers needs the modified aicarriers.exe file instead of the obsolete jar files which need java. So do you use the modified aicarriers.exe?
If not, please do a search inside the net to install the correct file.

Here like aicarriers works at my place:

1. C:\aicarriers

Folder includes

- conf.d

(here you can add all your new carrier model cfg's, for example cvn_68_69.cfg for the Eisenhower/Nimitz models) - afaik this folder needs to be there, but I don't need it because all the new ship packages I install into C:\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3Dv4\SimObjects\Boats

Normally, the new packages all come with the needed lines you have to add into

- aicarriers.cfg

For example:

[formation.13]
title=USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 "Crowded Deck" (Group)
unit.0=VEH_CV63, 0, 0
unit.1=VEH_CV63_Crowded, 0, 0
unit.2=VEH_cruiser01, -1500, -500
unit.3=VEH_destroyer01, 1500, -900
unit.4=VEH_destroyer01, 200, -8000
unit.5=VEH_destroyer01, 900, 7000

These lines should always come with the new ship packages. P3D knows that he can find the appropriate informations about the models here.

Furthermore:

- aicarriers.exe
- licence txt
- readme.txt
- uninstall.exe

2. C:\user\documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons

- AICarriers

Folder includes an add-on.xml with following content:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<SimBase.Document id="add-on" version="4,0" Type="AddOnXml">
<Addon.Name>AICarriers</Addon.Name>
<Addon.Description>AICarriers</Addon.Description>
<Addon.Component>
<Category>EXE</Category>
<Path>C:\AICarriers\aicarriers.exe</Path>
</Addon.Component>
</SimBase.Document>

3. C:\user\your name\AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3Dv4\

add-ons.cfg

Here you have to add following lines:
[Package.XX] (XX means the ongoing number of added addons...)
PATH=C:\Users\Anwender\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\AICarriers
ACTIVE=false
REQUIRED=false

4. In this same Prepar3Dv4 folder:

exe.xml

Here you have to add following lines:

<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>C:\AICarriers\AICarriers.exe</Path>
</Launch.Addon>

This enables P3D to find the aicarriers.exe and to launch it.

Please have a careful look at your paths in this exe.xml file, that this refers correctly to your AICarriers.exe file...

Hopefully, these information are complete and can help you to use your AICarriers correctly

thank you for taking the time to do all this. I hope it works too. I will post here later.

 

[tgycgijoes]

Unfortunately

I am using the aicarriers.net the modified not to use Java version which I downloaded yesterday.

I followed all the instructions and also corrected the information that I had in Program Data under Lockheed Martin from yesterday when I was trying to fix it. No luck. Do you have info in C:\ProgramData\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\add-ons.cfg

[Package.0]
PATH=C:\Users\HBCA\OneDrive\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\FSUIPC6
ACTIVE=true
REQUIRED=false
[Package.1]
PATH=C:\Users\HBCA\OneDrive\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\Seattle X DEMO
ACTIVE=true
REQUIRED=false
[Package.2]
PATH=C:\Users\HBCA\OneDrive\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\AICarriers
ACTIVE=false //true
REQUIRED=false

or the same location exe.xml?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>


<SimBase.Document Type="AceXML" version="3,0" id="exe">
<Descr>AceXML Document</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
</SimBase.Document>


<SimBase.Document Type="Launch" version="1,0">
<Descr>Launch</Descr>
<Filename>exe.xml</Filename>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Launch.ManualLoad>False</Launch.ManualLoad>
<Launch.Addon>
<Name>AICarriers</Name>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<ManualLoad>False</ManualLoad>
<Path>C:\AICarriers</Path>
</Launch.Addon>
</SimBase.Document>

or what do YOU have in these locations. I found online different people trying to help yesterday before I posted here that said to do this or do that and that is how I got SO confused.

I looked one more time online and in AVSIM P3D Forum the same question from someone else and the reply was:

Start the Sim and then pause; minimize it; go to AICarriers and execute the program. Guess what? That works. Now I just have to fill in the conf'd with the ships I want and I will be ready to go. Please answer this anyway if you will about that ProgramData location so that I don't have to go through these steps to get it to work if you don't mind. Thanks again for taking the time.

 

[Daube]

The <Path> line, you need to include the "AICarrier.exe", not only the folder name as you did above

 

[tgycgijoes]

That's All It Took

Thank you Daube for that pointer and that did the trick. I added the correct path to both the Appdata Roaming and also the ProgramData areas and as soon as I opened up P3D I was asked if I wanted to use AICarriers. Here is the result. I have to add my CV6 Enterprise and escort into the aicarriers.cfg and maybe a fleet with the USS Texas and a couple of pre-war cruisers for fun. It took two days and a lot of help from both of you so thank you both very much. Teamwork pays off!

 

[Manschy]

So glad it is working now! Have fun!

 

[tgycgijoes]

Well, It Is...and it isn't

I want to have the USS Enterprise pre-WWII carrier. I have tried SBD, KLNowak and Yanco's FSX updated versions and NONE of them will generate the carrier I just get the error:
Error Creating Object VEH_CV6_yanco Object Failed. Are none of these models compatible with P3D V4.5 is that the problem? I can use the default models that come with it. I am currently downloading the SDK for V4 so that I can fill in Model Converter X and update the model since it's just for my use. I have used all three of these a year or two ago in FSX Acceleration in Windows 7 64bit successfully.

 

[Manschy]

Not sure, but may this line be wrong:

[Package.0]
PATH=C:\Users\HBCA\OneDrive\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\FSUIPC6
ACTIVE=true
REQUIRED=false
[Package.1]
PATH=C:\Users\HBCA\OneDrive\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\Seattle X DEMO
ACTIVE=true
REQUIRED=false
[Package.2]
PATH=C:\Users\HBCA\OneDrive\Documents\Prepar3D v4 Add-ons\AICarriers
ACTIVE=false //true
REQUIRED=false

There, I have only

ACTIVE=false

 

[tgycgijoes]

Its Working

I was able to install a USS Enterprise CV6 that I downloaded from Flightsim.com that is recognized after I created a new sim.cfg instead of an aircraft.cfg for it. I was also able to put the aircraft on deck after slewing it out into the Atlantic offshore. I did this all the time in FSX and its coming back to me like adjusting altitude in MAP to match the flightdeck height. Once you get it exact its a matter of remembering to do it. I then got the carrier underway and the aircraft stayed on deck and the bow wave and wake were beautiful. Even changed course 10 degrees all with the menu. Tomorrow I will fly off since with all the problems today I never hooked up controls to the sim. Now I have to get CCP to work properly. I was able tonight to get the SDB Enterprise CVN65 which I own installed and put a default LM Seahawk SH-60 and it together. Position 1 was off the port side though not on the deck. I have to figure out how to get that to work with the AH F3F and the VEH_cv6 and I will be a "happy camper". It's all trial error as you know. You can read all the manuals and watch all the videos but that worked for THAT guy on HIS system. I shall now say good night and thank you for all your help today to get this where it is now which is pretty much working and just needing tweaking.

 

[Daube]

Thank you Daube for that pointer and that did the trick. I added the correct path to both the Appdata Roaming and also the ProgramData areas and as soon as I opened up P3D I was asked if I wanted to use AICarriers. Here is the result. I have to add my CV6 Enterprise and escort into the aicarriers.cfg and maybe a fleet with the USS Texas and a couple of pre-war cruisers for fun. It took two days and a lot of help from both of you so thank you both very much. Teamwork pays off!

Glad to see you could get it working !
As a side note, since you are using P3Dv4, I would advise you to activate the shadows in the graphics options. The shadows and general lighting in P3D are a big step forward compared to FSX, so you should enjoy them as much as you can
Here how shadows looked like on my P3D (was still v3 at that time)

You can see, the shadows help seeing that the plane is actually in contact with the carrier surface.

 

[Manschy]

Fine that it is now working successfully

 

[tgycgijoes]

Improving

I saw a thread about P3DV4 about the best graphics besides the shadows which I will do. What settings do you use for the best presentation?

 

[keithb77]

did you get AICarriers from?
I've D/Ld from Kelkooo...but they sometimes package extra stuff so not installed yet...

 

[tgycgijoes]

Google

did you get AICarriers from?
I've D/Ld from Kelkooo...but they sometimes package extra stuff so not installed yet...

https://github.com/ollyau/AICarriers/releases This is the version that does NOT require JAVA which the original version did. This is ONLY the program NOT any surplus junk. Forget Kelkooo or anyone else like that because of what they want to add. Not that they are bad but that is how they get YOU to pay for their bandwidth. I'm glad that I can help someone here after all the help from the guys above I got yesterday. That is what SOH is all about. We help each other.

 

[keithb77]

Thanks
Keith

 

[udidwht]

https://www.rikoooo.com/downloads/viewdownload/8/203

 

[tgycgijoes]

Nice However

https://www.rikoooo.com/downloads/viewdownload/8/203

I had those when they first came out and they are really nice especially for free but I personally am not interested in modern carriers but pre-WWII at the present time. I had all of them including the complete Air Group 6 from Enterprise CV-6 on FSX a couple years ago and a VA using FSX At War and Carrier Convoy Planner. It is possible to put the aircraft on deck in AICarriers knowing how like CCP which is a bit more involved.

 

[gavinc]

I had those when they first came out and they are really nice especially for free but I personally am not interested in modern carriers but pre-WWII at the present time. I had all of them including the complete Air Group 6 from Enterprise CV-6 on FSX a couple years ago and a VA using FSX At War and Carrier Convoy Planner. It is possible to put the aircraft on deck in AICarriers knowing how like CCP which is a bit more involved.

Over on the CFS2 side there are a lot of very nice early carriers. With a bit of work in MCX you can convert them to P3D usable ships.

Have fun.

 

[tgycgijoes]

Thank You

Over on the CFS2 side there are a lot of very nice early carriers. With a bit of work in MCX you can convert them to P3D usable ships.

Have fun.

I have a nice cv6 download with a hard deck, hard deck in hanger bay and arrestor cables. Can't get it to work in CCP but it does work nicely in AI Carriers. I also have downloads of both the Coral Sea and Midway from Yanco saved from my old WWII Carrier days.