FSUIPC 4.237 - Wind smoothing feedback

[MELKOR]

+Pete,

So, 4.237 didn't seem to make any difference as compared to 4.236.

I increased the frequency of my weather sampling from 1hz to "per frame when there is a change", as such:

        hr = SimConnect_RequestDataOnSimObject (hSimConnect, 
                                                REQUEST_LLA, 
                                                DEFINTION_LLA, 
                                                SIMCONNECT_OBJECT_ID_USER, 
                                                SIMCONNECT_PERIOD_SIM_FRAME, 
                                                SIMCONNECT_DATA_REQUEST_FLAG_CHANGED, 
                                                0, 0, 0);

My testing routine was:

1) Started at KLAS

2) Entered slew mode

3) Moved quickly up to about 44000', paused, moved quickly down to ground level.

I've zipped up the output of two test runs from my weather sampling tool for each of 4.236 and 4.237, along with my fsuipc.ini and fsuipc.log files. Available here:

http://ca.geocities.com/wcruppel@rogers.com/FSUIPC_4235_4237_smoothing.zip

You will see that, as I moved up, there are multiple radical wind shifts, but none on the way down... odd indeed.

- Bill

[Pete Dowson]

So, 4.237 didn't seem to make any difference as compared to 4.236.

No, I've almost reached the give-up-and-do-something-useful point.

I've zipped up the output of two test runs from my weather sampling tool for each of 4.236 and 4.237, along with my fsuipc.ini and fsuipc.log files. Available here:

Unfortunately you have none of my smoothing logging on, using the INI settings listed in the FSX Downloads announcement, so although you can clearly reproduce the problem (which I've not managed to yet), I still have no information telling me why my code is doing wrong which is allowing it.

Do you think you can repro the problem with the logging enabled as requested?

Best now wait for 4.238 which I shall have ready later today. I'm doing some tidying up, nothing radical, but I'm also attempting to make the code more protective, to stop the crashes one tester is experiencing.

Regards

Pete

[MELKOR]

No, I've almost reached the give-up-and-do-something-useful point.

Ha, yes, I've had to hack 3rd party code in the past, and I know the feeling. :wink:

Do you think you can repro the problem with the logging enabled as requested?

Best now wait for 4.238 which I shall have ready later today. I'm doing some tidying up, nothing radical, but I'm also attempting to make the code more protective, to stop the crashes one tester is experiencing.

Yes, I'll do this with 4.238 and post my results later today.

Thanks!

- Bill

[Pete Dowson]

Yes, I'll do this with 4.238 and post my results later today.

4.239 nowwell, in about 30 minutes. Please see my other "IMPORTANT" message. ;-)

Regards

Pete

[MELKOR]

Yes, I'll do this with 4.238 and post my results later today.

4.239 nowwell, in about 30 minutes. Please see my other "IMPORTANT" message. ;-)

Regards

Pete

Righty-o, 4.239 it is. And, I've read the "IMPORTANT" posting: interesting find!

Oh, a question. I see the following line in my fsuipc.log:

Wind smoothing fix is only partially installed

Anything to be concerned about?

- Bill

[Pete Dowson]

Oh, a question. I see the following line in my fsuipc.log:

Wind smoothing fix is only partially installed

Anything to be concerned about?

That's what you get if you aren't using FSX SP2 or Acceleration. FSUIPC cannot patch the places it needs to in SIM1.DLL. The wind smoothing doesn't then work so well -- you get a nasty ratcheting on the ASI, and possilby with the altimeter too if you use QNH smoothing.

If the patch can be fully applied (because the SIM1.DL is the SP2/Acceleration version) then the message would say "fully installed".

OuchI just noticed that in the Log you sent me. no wonder you are seeing all those odd Ambient Wind changes --- FSUIPC4 isn't dong full wind smoothing on your system. It apparently cannot patch your SIM1.DLL in memory, even though the Lg does show

Running inside FSX (SimConnect Acc/SP2 Oct07)

That is worrying. Can you check the version nmuber of the SIM1.DLL in your main FSX folder, please? Right click on it and check 'version'.

Regards

Pete

[MELKOR]

OuchI just noticed that in the Log you sent me. no wonder you are seeing all those odd Ambient Wind changes --- FSUIPC4 isn't dong full wind smoothing on your system. It apparently cannot patch your SIM1.DLL in memory, even though the Lg does show

Running inside FSX (SimConnect Acc/SP2 Oct07)

Ah-ha, very interesting!

That is worrying. Can you check the version nmuber of the SIM1.DLL in your main FSX folder, please? Right click on it and check 'version'.

Yes, I will do this as soon as I get to my home machine this evening. I will also .zip up the SIM1.DLL and make it available to you for download.

- BIll

[Pete Dowson]

I will do this as soon as I get to my home machine this evening. I will also .zip up the SIM1.DLL and make it available to you for download.

No need. I've just installed SP2 on another PC, and seen that its SIM1.DLL is nothing like the Acceleration version! Aaaarrrggghhh!

It is more like SP1. I'll have a look, but I don't feel good about this -- I failed miserably to find the routines I need to hook on SP1.

Meanwhile I'm afraid that most of the work I've been doing for smoothing only applies to Acceleration users. Have a break from testing, but keep an eye out on the FSX downloads announcement in case I crack it.

Regards

Pete

[Bill Casey]

Meanwhile I'm afraid that most of the work I've been doing for smoothing only applies to Acceleration users.

That's strange, Peter, because it seems to be working wonders on my beastie and I'm not using Acceleration!

[Pete Dowson]

Meanwhile I'm afraid that most of the work I've been doing for smoothing only applies to Acceleration users.

That's strange, Peter, because it seems to be working wonders on my beastie and I'm not using Acceleration!

Without the extra "hack" in place, which prior to version 4.241 was only in place on Acceleration's SIM1.DLL, the smoothing is still operating but when the wind is changing the simulation engine is fighting my smoothing control. The main symptom of this is a "ratcheting" or little annoying jumping effect on the ASI. The same can occur, though much less often, on the altimeter when the QNH is changing with QNH smoothing enabled, and engine spooling effects have been reported too from the exact same symptom in the temperature smoothing.

Worse, is very special rather peculiar wind layer circumstances, the smoothing was not actually managing to stop 50-90 degree wind swings.

All that was because it couldn't actually trap the values at the point of change, only later, after they've been actively used elsewhere.

In 4.241 I've managed to apply the same "hack" to all possible (non-Beta) versions of the SIM1.DLL -- RTM, SP1, SP2 and Acceleration.

Regards

Pete