FSUIPC vs SimConnect

[Hans Billiet]

I tried to find the answer in this forum, but didn't find one. Can somebody explain me:

• what is the difference between FSUIPC and SimConnect?
• is there a reason to use one or the other?
• will both be supported in the future, or will only 1 "survive"?
• some advice/links to some interesting reading stuff about these 2 interfaces?

(I'm in "study and buying phase" for a good A320 add-on and building my own DIY cockpit - currently using FSX)

[John Dowson]

8 minutes ago, Hans Billiet said:

what is the difference between FSUIPC and SimConnect?

SimConnect is an API which allows communication between 3rd party programs and the flight simulator. FSUIPC is one such 3rd party program which makes use of the SimConnect API.

10 minutes ago, Hans Billiet said:

is there a reason to use one or the other?

SimConnect is an API. i.e. an application programming interface. You need to write a program to use it. FSUIPC is a utility program. If you are writing a program from scratch, you would be better of using the SimConnect API.

11 minutes ago, Hans Billiet said:

will both be supported in the future, or will only 1 "survive"?

SimConnect is provided and supported by the maker of the simulator, and as such is supported by them as is the simulator. FSUIPC is build on top of SimConnect and will survive as long as is needed.

16 minutes ago, Hans Billiet said:

some advice/links to some interesting reading stuff about these 2 interfaces?

Try goggle. There is plenty of information out there on both SimConnect and FSUIPC.

John

[Hans Billiet]

Thanks a lot @John Dowson. Pretty clear.

Summary:

FSUIPC -> SimConnect -> Simulator

Does SimConnect exists for both FSX, P3D, FS2020, ...? Is this the same API, or are they all have their own version?

And final question (so far...). What about MobiFlight? If I understand it correct, it makes use of FSUIPC?

MobiFlight -> FSUIPC -> SimConnect -> Simulator

Although, I do understand that MobiFlight's focus is to provide an interface to the frontend, to make it easier to configure HW via Arduino, but I don't see the benefit of working through FSUIPC, and not directly through SimConnect. But I's sure there is a good reason?

(I probably should ask this in their forum, I know, but would be nice to have the whole thread in one).

[Thomas Richter]

Hi,

Quote

Does SimConnect exists for both FSX, P3D, FS2020, ...? Is this the same API, or are they all have their own version?

They all have their own version of SimConnect, even updates of the different FS versions deliver always/ most new SimConnect versions. FSUIPC is as well in different independent versions available, FSUIPC3 for FS2004/ FS9 / FSUIPC4 for FSX, FSX-SE, P3Dv2 - v3 / FSUIPC5 for P3Dv4.x / (FSUIPC5 for P3Dv5.x) / FSUIPC6 for P3Dv4.x and P3dv5.x

FSUIPC7 will be released for MSFS but is already as a free Beta Version available.

MobiFlight questions should go to their support as they can answer best.

Thomas

[Hans Billiet]

18 minutes ago, Thomas Richter said:

MobiFlight questions should go to their support as they can answer best.

Thanks @Thomas Richter, I just did.

https://www.mobiflight.com/forum/topic/5904.html