Simviation Forums

An example, downloaded the Eurofighter Typhoon

Most freeware downloads should come with a readme, see if there's one in there.

yeah there is a readme like most downloads, but all it says is unzip and use the default folders.

Hah, that sounds really helpful.

In fs9, unlike previous versions, you actually don't have to manually put the contents of the gauges folder into the fs9/gauges folder, it should transfer automatically. Create a folder for the aircraft in the fs9/aircraft folder and transfer all the files from the aircraft into this folder. All the subfolders should automatically be updated when the new aircraft is put in. If it doesn't, then you can do it manually. NOTE-sounds and effects I believe are not transfered automatically, sounds might be but effects definitely no.

"Instructions say to unzip and use default folders, but i'm always cautious about that."
I agree with this statement
there's a good article here at SimV HELP and one at another site which is a good refresher . both sites show the aircraft folder structures.
it seems you already know the basics so it's really (usually) just a matter of copying the new aircraft folder (containing the texture/model/panel/sound/ subfolders) into FS9/Aircraft

bill
p.s. the same site has Howto's on adding just textures, panels and models

but all it says is unzip and use the default folders.

I haven't tried this aircraft. I suspect this means that the files have been configured in a dummy FS9 directory with subfolders named Aircraft, Gauges etc. In this case, unzip the file & find these folders. Open them in turn & paste the complete contents into the appropriately named folder in the FS9 directory. If all downloads were configured like this there would be no need for installation instructions.

[quote]unzipped it and saw some folders like

Usually you can just put the main aircraft folder (in this case it might be "Typhoon" or whatever") into the Fs9 "Aircraft" folder with any subfolders inside that. Anything inside a "Guages" folder go intact including subfolders and .cab files into the "Guages" folder of Fs9. Anything in the "Effects" folder goes into the "Effects" in Fs9. In 99% of aircraft installs this is the way it's done.

I'm pretty sure the "Images" folder you found is just screen shots of the airplane that you can either keep or discard as you desire. I usually unzip into a C:Temp folder first and copy from there unless it's a complex paware aircraft that needs to do more than just be copied into the sim.

Almost all downloaded aircraft have a main aircraft folder but I've seen one or two downloads that just have the "model", "panel", "Sound" and "textures" folders inside the .zip along with the aircraft.cfg and .air file. In those you have to create a folder inside your "Aircraft" directory but that's rare.

There are numerous .xml files, so where do they go?
I figured I had the general idea of the structure until I ran across these unusual folders.

Good info.

There are numerous .xml files, so where do they go?
I figured I had the general idea of the structure until I ran across these unusual folders.

Good info.

.xml files go into the "Guages" folder along with any folders with them. Don't take the files out of the folders that accompany the .xml files. Just copy them all into your "Guages" folder.

There are numerous .xml files, so where do they go?
I figured I had the general idea of the structure until I ran across these unusual folders.

Good info.

Both the folder & the CAB file in my shot above contain one or more XML files & BMP images. Paste any folders or CAB files like this direct to FS9\Gauges. These are examples of the 2 different types of "XML gauges" which will not work if you paste the XML files themelves into the Gauges folder.

PS.

Gauges\dsbxml  (has .xml files in it)

Gauges\efa_gauges

I suspect the folders named dsbxml & efa_gauges are XML gauges. Paste both folders complete with contents into FS9\Gauges. Do NOT change the folder names.

Thanks guys, this is exactly what i need to know.