what about X-Plane updates?

[zzap_v]

Hi there

 

Can you please tell me what will happen when a new x-plane update comes out?

 

Which directories are affected?

 

thank you

[JohnMAXX]

Um.........

[Liner45]

It is usually to fixbugs or improve on something

[Ben Russell]

John.

 

Please provide a list of files and folders inside the X-Plane folder are modified during the SkyMAXX installation.

 

This list is required so that users like the Original Poster are able to correctly upgrade X-Plane in future by using the supplied list to guide the X-Plane installer in its decisions about which files to modify, upgrade, restore, etc..

 

 

 

(That's my interpretation of the OP request...)

[Daikan]

+1

 

Unfortunately, this is not the only addon / extension that messes with the X-Plane core file system directly (e.g. not over an extension mechanism like Custom Scenery and plugins), adding to the potential chaos... Hence, an X-Plane update might cause some unwanted surprises (or at least raise some questions about which files are safe to be overwritten).

[JohnMAXX]

+1

 

Unfortunately, this is not the only addon / extension that messes with the X-Plane core file system directly (e.g. not over an extension mechanism like Custom Scenery and plugins), adding to the potential chaos... Hence, an X-Plane update might cause some unwanted surprises (or at least raise some questions about which files are safe to be overwritten).

To negate your fears we do have Ben Supnik's support on this product. I don't think we will have any major issues with updates and if one were to pop up a fix will be available quickly

[sundog]

Short answer: it is always safe to let the X-Plane updater overwrite core files with SkyMaxx Pro installed.

 

Longer answer:

 

When the SkyMAXX Pro plugin is activated when you launch X-Plane, it copies the sky_color_*.png files inside \\Resources\\bitmaps\\skycolors\\ into \\Resources\\plugins\\SilverLining\\skyColors\\Default Sky Colors\\, and will copy any custom sky colors you've specified in their place. If you've left SkyMaxx's sky color setting at its default, it just copies the default sky colors back in, and nothing actually changes in your X-Plane core files other than their creation dates. However, that can trigger a warning when upgrading, and it is safe to let the updater overwrite them.

 

So,  \\Resources\\bitmaps\\skycolors\\  is the only directory we mess with in normal circumstances. There is also a rare case (in fact I'm not sure it ever happens at all in practice) where if our attempt to disable X-Plane's built in clouds fail, we will temporarily back up the contents of Resources\\bitmaps\\world\\clouds\\ into \\Resources\\plugins\\SilverLining\\savedClouds\\, replace them with 100% transparent textures, and then restore the original contents when the plugin shuts down.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited November 26, 2013 by sundog

[Daikan]

To negate your fears we do have Ben Supnik's support on this product. I don't think we will have any major issues with updates and if one were to pop up a fix will be available quickly

 

That might be true but I'm sure there are also other user created "core-level modifications" that probably nobody here has even heard of yet. And sooner or later people will want to use those along with SkyMaxx and that's where the potential fun begins...

 

Therefore, as long as there is no proper (read: built-in) extension mechanism for these resources it is quite important to know what exactly is being touched and used by the plugin.

 

Anyways, now that it has been explained (thanks SunDog) it would be nice if this info was included in the official manual, too.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Daikan

[Cameron]

Anyways, now that it has been explained (thanks SunDog) it would be nice if this info was included in the official manual, too.

 

Agreed, and we'll add it in!

[michelpia]

Hi,

 

I would try and buy skymaxxpro. Actually I try and install different freeware , the latest is product of Sabach who modify also reflections, moon etc

If I understand, if I install skymaxxpro , the "default" clouds etc will be Sabach and for the next update I have the choice to overwrite (for obtain the original defaut xplane) If I don't overwrite, I can keep Clouds of Sabach like "defaut clouds in Skymaxxpro.

May be it's better to re-update xplane to obtain a "fresh" install before try and install skymaxxpro but I am not sure is the best way in my case.

Could you confirm?

Thanks

[Cameron]

Hi,

 

I would try and buy skymaxxpro. Actually I try and install different freeware , the latest is product of Sabach who modify also reflections, moon etc

If I understand, if I install skymaxxpro , the "default" clouds etc will be Sabach and for the next update I have the choice to overwrite (for obtain the original defaut xplane) If I don't overwrite, I can keep Clouds of Sabach like "defaut clouds in Skymaxxpro.

May be it's better to re-update xplane to obtain a "fresh" install before try and install skymaxxpro but I am not sure is the best way in my case.

Could you confirm?

Thanks

 

First off, the Sabach software uses intellectual property ripped off from the developers of REX for MSFS. 

 

Anyways, Sabach's add-on alters shaders within X-Plane. If you have this, you will need to fully uninstall this add-on, or re-install X-Plane fresh before using SkyMaxx Pro.

[michelpia]

Ok it's clear. I prefer to ask it before any bad install of skymaxxpro.

[MercuryMat]

Hi,

I would try and buy skymaxxpro. Actually I try and install different freeware , the latest is product of Sabach who modify also reflections, moon etc

If I understand, if I install skymaxxpro , the "default" clouds etc will be Sabach and for the next update I have the choice to overwrite (for obtain the original defaut xplane) If I don't overwrite, I can keep Clouds of Sabach like "defaut clouds in Skymaxxpro.

May be it's better to re-update xplane to obtain a "fresh" install before try and install skymaxxpro but I am not sure is the best way in my case.

Could you confirm?

Thanks

First off, the Sabach software uses intellectual property ripped off from the developers of REX for MSFS.

Anyways, Sabach's add-on alters shaders within X-Plane. If you have this, you will need to fully uninstall this add-on, or re-install X-Plane fresh before using SkyMaxx Pro.

Really? I had sabach shaders when first installed SMP...i have to try with original ones...

[michelpia]

Hi,

Many thanks for your answers. I install yesterday SMP . It offers many possibilities of adjustements and I like certainly the "grey screen of death" of XP disabled with SMP. it's a certainly very good addon.