I am looking to contact Pete Dowson

[ahughes3]

Hi,

 

On the Schriatti webpage it says to contact Pete Dowson through this forum but I can't see any way other than a post to contact him. I am looking for some guidance on the development of a similar feature as FSUIPC, but for another simulation game.

 

Thanks

 

Andy

[Pete Dowson]

On the Schriatti webpage it says to contact Pete Dowson through this forum but I can't see any way other than a post to contact him. I am looking for some guidance on the development of a similar feature as FSUIPC, but for another simulation game.

 

Not sure how I can guide you. What do you need to know?

 

Pete

[ahughes3]

Ah hi Pete, thanks for replying.

 

In essence, I also play Euro Truck Simulator along with FSX and your FSUIPC is brilliant so I would like to see if it is possible to create the same thing for Euro Truck Sim. Trouble is, I've never attempted it before. I've only used the output and database stuff. I was hoping you might be able to help me understand how to create a data connection between the game and then extract the data using the API that ETS has available.

 

I hope that makes sense and I appreciate it's a totally different game on a different platform. Just hoping you may be able to impart wisdom where I'm lacking  :???:

 

Thanks, Andy

[Pete Dowson]

In essence, I also play Euro Truck Simulator along with FSX and your FSUIPC is brilliant so I would like to see if it is possible to create the same thing for Euro Truck Sim. Trouble is, I've never attempted it before. I've only used the output and database stuff. I was hoping you might be able to help me understand how to create a data connection between the game and then extract the data using the API that ETS has available.

 

When I first made FSUIPC, back in FS98 days, there was no "API" provided, no interface to work to. It was made by 'hacking' into the code in the simulator itself.  I have been a programmer since 1963, working on the old giant valve and discrete transistor based computers of the time, and working from the bottom up -- machine code, assembly code (after writing an assembler). This gave me a good basis for understanding computers at a very low level and therefore getting into the innards of FS.

 

Since FSX, add-on programmers have been rather spoilt by being supplied with an API (SimConnect) and full documentation on how to program for it.

 

If, as you say, you are actually supplied with an API for ETS, then what is the problem, exactly? You want me to read it and explain it to you? Without knowing anything about ETS there's really no way I can do that. If you know what you want to do, and you are a programmer and have the tools, what else do you need?

 

Pete

[ahughes3]

Thanks for the response Pete. I'm not a programmer of machine code at a low level. My knowledge and experience is web design some PHP/MySQL. I have never used an API, I just know one is available for ETS. I'm not asking you to do it for me and I can appreciate that I am a long way from an ideal programmer. I just want to do the same for the ETS community as you and many others have done with flight sim to make it even more enjoyable.

 

I was hoping for maybe a bit of guidance or coaching is all.

 

I am guessing that I would need to write some form of script that can connect somehow to the game and interact with some sort of data calls or variables within the game. As a first step, I have no idea how I might go about creating an interface between the game and a piece of software/script that can then read and output that data. This is where I was hoping with your extensive knowledge you might be able to help me. As for programmer tools, what kind of thing are you referring too?

 

Thanks

Andy

[Pete Dowson]

I was hoping for maybe a bit of guidance or coaching is all.

 

Well, I really don't know how to help. I can answer specific questions about FS. I know nothing at all about ETS. The first thing you need to do is study the API and see if you understand it. If not you need to study a lot more -- I doubt whether I can help clarify an API which I've never seen and know nothing about.

 

If there is indeed an API for folks to make addons for ETS then there is bound to be a Forum and user group and other folks who've done such things. That's the place you need to be.

 

I am guessing that I would need to write some form of script that can connect somehow to the game and interact with some sort of data calls or variables within the game.

 

Script? Not a program? Without seeing the API I would guess at least it would need a program written in perhaps C/C++ or Visual Basic. A "script" implies they are providing already and interpreter of some kind that any user could deal with, thus pretty much eliminating the need for the 'program' which you are thinking about.  This is why I added the Lua interpreter to FSUIPC -- so that user's can construct their own add-ons by scripting.

 

As a first step, I have no idea how I might go about creating an interface between the game and a piece of software/script that can then read and output that data. This is where I was hoping with your extensive knowledge you might be able to help me.

 

Reading a string of parameters as a 'script' is a matter of doing just that -- a program written to read files, line by line, and interpret them to do something. A program to interface to other programs is totally different. You need to decide how to commnicate with other programs.

 

SimConnect in FSX does it by subscription -- client add-ons providing callback procedures and making calls via a Library (DLL) to request messages each time something changes.

 

Some programs do it using UDP or TCP internet protocols. This requires you to learn about Networks and how to program them.

 

FSUIPC talks to other programs using shared memory. FSUIPC waits for specific pre-defined Windows messages being sent to its Window procedure which identify uniquely the pre-defined memory space already opened by the add-on application, and requests and answers are then arranged by placing data in that memory and making further Windows message calls.

 

All these methods require knowledge of assorted Windows APIs. If you aren't a programmer already you will need to become one.

 

As for programmer tools, what kind of thing are you referring too?

 

A program development system such as Microsoft' Visual Studio, at the very least. That gives you a choice of languages. I use C with some ASM. Most folks these days use C++, Visual Basic or C#.

 

Pete

[ahughes3]

Pete, thanks very much for the comprehensive response. I guess I am muddling terms a bit i.e. program and script. I am away to look into Visual Studio and to understand the API better.

 

Thanks again

Andy