10 replies to this topic

[Mihelich]

Hey everyone,

Well, I have decided to give the gliders a go in the FS2004 environment and I just love it!
I was able to get the SOAR training module to work prefect. Very cool guys.
I then decided to give the CCS2004 program a go.
After 6 or so hours of messing with it, I cannot get any thermals to work.
I added the FSUIPC .dll file that came with it to the modules folder. Does it need to be registared to work?
I am just using the CCS2004 on the Unscriped mode with the weather set to 2/8 on the Cumulas clouds in FS9. I even tried to bump the thermal coverage to 2000 pre 100 sq. miles. I cannot find one single thermal. I also notice when I toggle back to FS9 that I am not getting any confirmation that the CCS2004 is initializing. What the heck am I doing wrong here.
Help???

Tom

[Norby]

Hi Tom,

It must be something simple that you missed.

When you launch CCS2004, there should be a green line at the top of your FS screen displaying CCS2004 status for a few seconds. If FS is paused when you launch CCS2004, the green line should stay indicating that you need to unpause FS for CCS2004 to complete initialisation.

Then, what happens when you use the Tab+W or Tab+E keys?

From your response we can proceed further.

Cheers,

[David_merged]

You could also try installing on of the current new zealand race packages from the virtualsoaring front page. Just follow the instructions and take the included flight. You should get lift on the W / NW facing ridges.

You will also need to install the CCS slop files from the race page (under pilots corner->soaring events->southen alps NZ), they are in the preperatiory package with instructions.

Dont forget to start CCS after FS is running.

It is well worth the effort to get CCS running, it is a great program.

Dave.

PS I have tried race 2 with the default MS mesh, there is lift on the hill that runs SW from the starting flight (you will need to head W for a couple of mins then turn left)

[Mihelich]

Hi Tom,

It must be something simple that you missed.

When you launch CCS2004, there should be a green line at the top of your FS screen displaying CCS2004 status for a few seconds. If FS is paused when you launch CCS2004, the green line should stay indicating that you need to unpause FS for CCS2004 to complete initialisation.

Then, what happens when you use the Tab+W or Tab+E keys?

From your response we can proceed further.

Cheers,

Norby,

Thanks for the reply.
I am not getting any green line displaying at all when I return to FS9.
Also, the TAB+W just toggles through the different gauge views while the TAB+E does nothing at all.

I have registared the FSUIPC but that still makes no difference.
I also have uninstalled the CCS2004 and re-installed it. Nothing.
Anymore suggestions?
Thanks,
Tom

[Norby]

Tom,

When you launch CCS2004, please check in your task manager that there is a process CS2004.exe running.

If this is the case, then it is possible that CCS is busy importing slope files. This might be a long process when first running CCS2004.

Also make sure that there are two Import and Slope folders under the CCS2004 folder where you installed CCS2004.

If you can, please attach your CCS.ini file (in your CCS2004 folder) in this board (or copy and paste the content here). I'll have a look at it.

Bt the main issue seems to be that you are not launching CCS2004, or it is busy doing something.

Other idea, launch CCS2004 without FS2004 running. You should receive a message indicating that FS is not running. If this does not happen and CCS2004 is running in your task manager, then it's busy with importing slope files, you just have to wait.

Let us know, and dont give up! We'll solve it.

[David_merged]

Just to check, after launching the CCS control panel you need to press the "Exit and Launch CCS" button bottom right before CCS will start.

Dave

[Chris Gordan]

The point about slope file imports is a very good one. Everything may be fine after all-

It can often take several minutes to import some of the larger files, and we often dump several in the import folder at once.

One thing that threw me at first, was that the confirmation of a successfully imported file comes in the form of a small window that DOES NOT come to the foreground if FS is in full screen mode.

Try opening FS in a window if you know that you are to be importing slope files upon running CCS. Then you will see the confirmation as each file is imported. Remember that with several large areas being imported, you may be able to start it all up, go make a pot of coffee, and return to find it either done or still working.

The time it takes to import (relatively speaking) is extremely short- doing the actual scan of only a 1x1deg square can take a fast comp nearly 24 hrs to do, and will get corrupted if you try to use the comp for anything else as this is being accomplished.

So enjoy the coffee, and the incredible lift/sink effects thereafter

[Mihelich]

Norby,

It appears that it is not even starting up.
I see CCS2004 start up in the task manager when I click the icon but, when I
hit the launch and exit button, it disapears from the task manager.
I do have Import and Slope folders with data in them under the CSS2004 directory.
As you requested, here is a copy of the CSS.INI file.

[House Thermals]
Enable1=0
Name1=Thermal 1
Latitude1= 48.1224
Longitude1=-86.9317
Elevation1=500
Enable2=0
Name2=Thermal 2
Latitude2= 48.005
Longitude2= 11.6157
Elevation2=500
Enable3=0
Name3=Thermal 3
Latitude3= 47.8406
Longitude3= 11.3147
Elevation3=500

[Lift/Sink Settings]
CeilingMin=0
CeilingMax=6000
WeakSurfaceLayer=250
ThermalStrengthMin=3
ThermalStrengthMax=250
ThermalDiameterMin=0
ThermalDiameterMax=300
ThermalDurationMin=15
ThermalDurationMax=25
ThermalCoverage= 20000
ThermalLeanFactor= .7
WidespreadSink=1
AirTexture=0
EnableBGL=1
SlopeStrength= 1
SlopeHeight= 1
ThermalSink= 1

[Inversion Layer Settings]
Likelihood=0
ThicknessMin=1000
ThicknessMax=1000
Strength=50
BelowMin=1000
BelowMax=1000

[General Settings]
CheatKeysOption=2
Mode=0

Thank you everyone for your assistance.
I really want to make this work.

Tom

[Norby]

Tom,

Your settings are not correct. If CCS2004 was running you would get very weak and small diameter thermals.

Try the following:

Launch the CCS2004 Control Panel and set it for an Unscripted flight

Change your settings as follows:

CeilingMin=14000
CeilingMax=14000
WeakSurfaceLayer=250
ThermalStrengthMin=600
ThermalStrengthMax=900
ThermalDiameterMin=3500
ThermalDiameterMax=4500
ThermalDurationMin=15
ThermalDurationMax=25
ThermalCoverage= 25
ThermalLeanFactor= .7
WidespreadSink=1
AirTexture=40
EnableBGL=1
SlopeStrength= 1
SlopeHeight= 1
ThermalSink= 1

Then Exit CCS2004 Control Panel (instead of Launch CCS2004 and exit)
Launch FS and set your flight with a clear skies weather theme.
Then double click on the CCS2004.exe file located in your CCS2004 folder.

As you report that you have files in the Import folder, you'll have to wait until CCS2004 will have completed the Import of the slope files. Then, after this is complete, it should start working with FS2004.

Did you confirm you are using FS2004 (CCS2004 does not work with FS2002)?

Let us know.

[Mihelich]

Norby,

Thanks for the .INI suggested settings.
I tried uninstalling it one more time. This time I deleted
all the stored files. I then reloaded and setup as you said.
Well,
Works perfect of course. As usual, user error somewhere along the way.
The TAB+E is also showing me the way to the lift. Not very challanging with that is it.
Thanks again for the help.
TIme to start practicing.

Tom

[Norby]

Hi Tom,

That's great to read

The TAB+E is also showing me the way to the lift. Not very challanging with that is it.

Not only I use the Tab+E cheat key, but I also use Tab+W to double my chances to stay airborne.

CCS2004 has this realism that when all parameters are set to what we think we can handle, it can be hard to simply get back to the airfield after release.

Therefore starting with wide, numerous, powerful thermals makes the experience more enjoyable. Then , step by step, playing with more tricky parameters is real fun.

Then comes wind... which blows our optimism...

What we though about Virtual Soaring level of difficulty might well need reconsideration with CCS2004. . Enjoy it !