Basic Aircraft MOD Install Questions

Basic Aircraft MOD Install Questions - Printable Version

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Basic Aircraft MOD Install Questions - SdS - 27.07.2009

A few questions about installing aircraft mods. I've installed the Unified Installer, and a few maps along with some campaings/missions. All works well.
Now for my questions, most of the aircraft mods say:

"You will need either SOUND_MOD or MOD-Activator first before you download this"
"you will need wrapper.exe" (I think this is part of the Unified Installer)
"Download > AC_INSTALLER_v3_1.exe "

So what or which of these are part of Unified Installer and which ones to I need to install?
I understand you need either the sound mod or mod-activator (without sound mod), but do I need to install one of those? - or- does the Unified Installer include one or the other. I'm a bit confused?
Wrapper.exe is part of the Unified Installer, Right?
What about the AC_Installer? Install that as well?

Please help. Thanks!

- XB-49 - 27.07.2009

Sound Mod was the mod you had to install to allow your game to accept mods before the Unified Installer. There is a wrapper in the Unified Installer but is different to the wrapper for each new plane. I'm not sure whether the latest AC Installer 3.8 buttons file is included in UI. But just to be safe, I suggest downloading it. Here's a link to the AC Installer 3.8 (The link is inoperative) Download 3.8 first, then download your aircraft. Don't download the old version of AC but install the wrapper.

Hope you get your new plane soon! Big Grin

- Boris The Spider - 28.07.2009

For any plane at this point use the 3.8 AC Installer. It has every current mod plane in it.
As XB-49 said, the "wrapper" is in the UI install. I've never installed one since I got the UI1.1 file installed.

Then download the plane of your choice.
Follow the ReadMe/Installation Instructions to the letter.

In general you will take these steps to install a new plane:

1. Unzip/open the .RaR file to a temporary folder on your desktop.
2. Open that folder and examine the contents. Open any ReadMe or Installation files and read them.
3. Place the plane folder in your MODS folder
4. Copy/Paste the appropriate lines into the following files per the instructions of the author;
* "X":\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946\MODS\STD\com\maddox\il2\objects\air.ini,
* "X":\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946\MODS\STD\i18n\plane_ru.properties
* "X":\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946\MODS\STD\i18n\weapons_ru.properties

("X" is the drive you put your mod install on, typically the 'C' drive.)

This process has worked flawlessly for me so far.
For me the key has always been to read any informational/instructional files first.

This may not work for every plane or mod but it seems to be the most common way.

Again; READ THE README/INSTALLATION FILES FIRST!

Hope this helps.

- freedomMH - 28.07.2009

Can I ask you to clarify your answer Boris as I think it is about 99% of the way there

I have not installed any mods yet other that the unified installer, but I am sort of building up my courage to do it!

This is what I am thinking I need to do

I suspect that the wrapper in UI 1.1 is OK? If not I can always download anyway

Download and install the AC Installer - there may be a later one than 3.8? I can easily sort it out. In any case you should always find the most recent one and use that even if you are installing an aircraft that only states it needs an earlier one and the latest installer has all the information on available slots

Download the aircraft and then follow the instauction you said with regards to editing the files

the only question is do you add the details to the files at the end or do you put them in alphabetical sequence? (I believe that there may be a question in the installer that ask you something about alphabetical sequence?)

Having done all this is this when you then execute AC Insaller to get the aircraft to appear in the game slots and when asked state that you use the Unified Installer and not sound mods?

Fly and enjoy!

- Boris The Spider - 28.07.2009

freedomMH,

You asked...
Can I ask you to clarify your answer Boris as I think it is about 99% of the way there
Sure.
I have not installed any mods yet other that the unified installer, but I am sort of building up my courage to do it!
If you read carefully and go through any posts in the mod thread you are considering installing it's really not that hard. Many mods are .exe's which make them simple to install. However I have found that putting everything into a desktop folder as I described above can sometimes save a bit of frustrations. (I can describe this process if you wish) For instance on maps, often the mapmaker will include an all.ini file with the .exe install but it might only have the default maps plus theirs and then you "lose" all the maps you previously installed. In this matter I wish that mapmakers would just include a ReadMe with the line(s) need for the all.ini.
This is what I am thinking I need to do

I suspect that the wrapper in UI 1.1 is OK? If not I can always download anyway
I have had no issues or problems with the wrapper file in the UI 1.1
Download and install the AC Installer - there may be a later one than 3.8? I can easily sort it out. In any case you should always find the most recent one and use that even if you are installing an aircraft that only states it needs an earlier one and the latest installer has all the information on available slots
3.8 is the most current AC Installer. once installed it contains every aircraft so far released. I would recommend that one otherwise you will be installing a ne AC Installer with every A/C. Future releases may have an updated installer. Check the thread.
Download the aircraft and then follow the instauction you said with regards to editing the files

the only question is do you add the details to the files at the end or do you put them in alphabetical sequence? (I believe that there may be a question in the installer that ask you something about alphabetical sequence?)
It really doesn't matter, the plane will work wherever you place it. Personally I place the air.ini and plane_ru.properties entries alphabetically so they show up that way on my QMB list. weapons_ru.properties I just place at the end of the file. I've heard of folks who place their aircraft my country or year in the air.ini and planes_ru.properties. That choice is up to you.
Having done all this is this when you then execute AC Insaller to get the aircraft to appear in the game slots and when asked state that you use the Unified Installer and not sound mods?
I have always chosen option 3 in that DOS box, Sound version 9.3 as that is the default sound mod for the UI1.1.

I hope this clarifies things a bit more. If you have more questions just ask and I (or someone smarter than me) will answer them.

- freedomMH - 28.07.2009

Thanks - I feel a Fairey Battle fast approaching!

- P/O W. 'Moggy' Cattermole - 28.07.2009

freedomMH Wrote:Thanks - I feel a Fairey Battle fast approaching!

Ranwers released a Battle ages ago, check the download new aircraft section,

- freedomMH - 28.07.2009

Indeed he did, and it is now installed and working fine.

The only extra thing I did was to create a blank skins folder and I did choose the Unified Installer option from the DOS menu. Now to try some more!

Cheers

Dave
Now have the wondefull PZL P24 working as well - now for the Cant Z1007

- freedomMH - 28.07.2009

OK - am getting the hang of this now and have installed a variety of aircraft - starting to find my way around things

Now, the new P26 - where does that fit in? As far as I can see all you have to do everything for a "normal" mod but not run the AC Installer. Why then does this work? I thought the latter was crucial?

- SdS - 28.07.2009

Thanks guys.
I installed the spitfire mk1 (anyway I think i did?!) I'll try another tomorrow with a mission just to be sure - ME410 looks good! Glad to see all the discussion. Again -- thanks.

- Boris The Spider - 29.07.2009

freedomMH Wrote:OK - am getting the hang of this now and have installed a variety of aircraft - starting to find my way around things

Excellent news! Now the fun really begins getting all those mods you've always wanted installed. Soon you will forget what the "old" IL-2 was like.

freedomMH Wrote:Now, the new P26 - where does that fit in? As far as I can see all you have to do everything for a "normal" mod but not run the AC Installer. Why then does this work? I thought the latter was crucial?

The current Peashooter uses the Ki-27 FM which is already in the game and therefore already in the AC Installer. As I understand it there will be a completely new Peashooter eventually, then you will need a new AC Installer, perhaps 3.9. When that happens just d/l the new installer and copy/paste the new Buttons file into the folder the current one is in and when asked to replace or overwrite just say yes.

- freedomMH - 29.07.2009

Boris

Guess I will wait the as it means that the P26 will be flying much better than it should.

Any ideas on how the official release of 4.09 will affect the mods when it comes out? I assume that I will need to go back to a clean 4.08 install and upgrade to 4.09. The UI install at this point would not be much use as it would install the version switcher which would not be meaningful and the various bete 4.09 patches. (Can't wait to get my hands on the B534 - need a Fiat CR32 to reconstruct the Slovakia vs Hungary clashes on 1939!) there are rumours of a UI1.2 that will have in it such gems as the Whirlwind - is this going to be tied into the release of 4.09?

Anyway the future looks really good fun!!!

Dave

- Boris The Spider - 30.07.2009

Quote:Any ideas on how the official release of 4.09 will affect the mods when it comes out?

According to the interview, although Oleg/1C could have messed around with a mod install, they will not. 4.09 Final should install right over your current install, mods and all.

From the Russian interview...

Quote:-Will the 4.09 have a new protection from un-official mod-makers?

-We are not going to like or restrict access to Modding, or introduce a protection against it. We have the opportunity to do so, but this problem does not fall within the scope of our main interests.