Hobby-Lobby Support
Radio Control RC Model Airplanes, Helicopters, Boats |
|
Hobby-Lobby Support |
|
| Home | Knowledgebase | ||
|
||
General questions I would like to find out more about the features of Aerofly Pro Deluxe (AFPD). Where can I download the manual? I have a question not answered here. What should I do? Installation issues I've tried installing AFPD a few times now and I get this error message: Data error (cyclic redundancy check)? Try cleaning any dirt on the disk with a soft cloth. If there are any scratches, you may try polishing it off with soft car wax. I installed AFPD on my system and have been trying to change the graphics mode under the "Options" button in the main screen of AFPD. Every time I try to select a new screen size and click OK, the program immediately crashes (couldn't write to memory location error). What do I need to do? Try the following: 1.
Go to the config directory of AFPD, by default this is at c:\program
files\ipacs\aerofly professional deluxe\config Update issues Which patch do I need to install? If you do not have any Addon, then use patch 1.8.0.25 If you have Addon 1 and/or Addon 2 (Starflight), then use patch 1.9.7.11 If you have Addon 3 (True Scale) and/or Addon 4 (Team Edition), then use patch 1.11.7.9. Do not use this patch on 3D graphics cards older than a NVIDIA GeForce 7000 series or on ATI cards older or slower than the X800 series. We also recommend a minimum of 128 MB of 3D graphics card memory. All patches are available for download here. I tried loading the
patch on
This is due to UAC (User Account Control). Try right clicking on the executable patch file and select "Run as administrator". Startup issues Why does my program freeze or suddenly stop without an error message? There could be a few possibilities that contribute to this problem: 1. You have not installed the correct AFPD patch. Please download and install the correct patch in the download section. 2. It may be a problem with the graphic card driver. Update your driver and see if the problem goes away. You also need to ensure that your graphics card hardware acceleration is at maximum. 3. It could also be an overheating problem in the computer or card incompatibilities. Ensure your computer is properly vented. 4. The problem may also be the sound card driver. Update your driver and see if the problem goes away. 5.
If you're using an on-board sound card, you may want to try disabling the
directsound hardware acceleration.To change the audio hardware
acceleration setting: Why does the screen suddenly becomes black and nothing
happens until I move the mouse or press a key? Graphics issues AFPD
runs extremely slow, what can I do? You also need to ensure that your graphics card hardware acceleration is at maximum. There could also be programs running in the background - disable power management, antiviral programs, and scan for viruses and spywares. You could also try disabling smoke, clouds, etc, and vertical sync. When I look at the frames per second meter it reads 60 all time and never goes above or below. Why is this so, even when I have a powerful graphics card? Check under the Graphics Options and see if you Vertical Sync is on. This will keep the frames per second at 60. If you turn it off you should get a lot more. On my laptop, I can not get over 30fps unless I plug it into AC, even when my batteries are 100%. When plugged in I can fly at 115fps. Why? This is due to the power management settings for the video card. The card could be operating at a lower speed when the laptop is running on battery. You can set the video card speed/performance when you're running on a/c, high battery, and low battery. Sound issues Why I can’t play my mp3 music files? Ensure that the MP3 format of the file is at the same bitrate and quality as the stock mp3 music files. Playback sometimes fails when the quality setting of the mp3 is set too high. Also check that the mp3 files are copied correctly to the music directory of AFPD. Controller issues Why
my Multiplex MPX3030 (or similar) doesn’t work and the channels are flickering
wildly? Why
my Slave Interface Cable or Slave Game Commander doesn’t work? Make sure you have the patch version 1.8.0.25 (or later version) installed from our download. When starting AFPD check for this version in the upper left corner of the main menu screen (the screen with the rotating model in the middle). 1. Start AFPD with only the original USB Interface Cable or USB Game Commander connected. If the USB Interface Cable is connected without a transmitter you will get a message saying that no Tx was detected - Click OK 2. Connect the USB Slave Cable or Slave Game Commander to a free USB port, wait a few seconds and then click on “Calibrate”. Ensure that your transmitter is in PPM mode. 3. In the “Input Device” window click on “Refresh”. You will then see “USB Dummy Intf #0" or “USB Dummy GC #0” - highlight this and click on “Properties”. 4. Calibrate as you would with any controller (see instruction manual). 5. Click on “Controls”. At the bottom of the window click on “New”. 6. On the left lower section of the window click on the circle displayed at the “USB Interface/Game Commander #2”. 1. Proceed with the “Channel Assignment” - Click OK when finished. 2. At the “Aircraft Control Settings” window you will see “New USB/Interface/GC #2” - Assign to Aircraft 1 or 2 and click OK 3. You are now ready to fly. My
JR radio doesn’t work. The USB Interface Cable is found but I do not get any
signal from the radio? What do I need to use a newer Futaba radio with AFPD? You will need the Futaba square adapter to work with newer Futaba radios. Please refer to the requirements page. You must set the radio to PPM mode as well. Most Futaba radios will switch on automatically when you plug in the adapter into the trainer port, and the radio will not transmit any signal. If the radio does not turn on automatically e.g. in the case of FF6 (6C) and FF7 (7C), switch on the radio manually but remove the xtal or module. I am using dual rates & expos for ailerons, rudder & elevator from my computer radio, but the plane does not fly smoothly at high rates. Why is this happening? If you're using dual rates, calibrate your radio at high rates and disable all program mixes in the beginning. Are the DX6 and DX7 spektrum radios compatible with AFPD? Yes they are. Although the DX6/DX7 radio is DSM (not PCM or PPM), the signal from the trainer port is tapped before any modulation is applied and is PPM compatible, and therefore works with AFPD. There is nothing to set in the radio, but an AFPD JR stereo-to-mono adapter cable is required. Leave the DX6/DX7 switched off before plugging in the adapter cable. The radio will automatically switch on when the adapter cable is plugged into the radio. The radio will not work with AFPD if it is manually switched on before inserting the adapter cable. Will AFPD work with Futaba 2.4GHz FASST series radios? Yes it will. The Tx should turn on automatically when you plug in the Futaba square adapter. The radio transmission will also be disabled automatically, but for peace of mind, you might want to remove the module. Is it possible to use my Eflight Blade CP controller with AFPD? The Blade CP controller has the PPM signal already CCPM-mixed and this mix can't be disabled. AFPD cannot work with the mixed signal because a single channel input results in multiple servo movements. My AFPD usb interface cable works with my JR Quattro TX, but not with my JR 6102 TX. Shouldn’t it? JR uses a 3.5mm mono socket for the trainer/DSC port. The connector at the end of the AFPD usb interface is a 3.5mm stereo plug. You will not get the correct electrical connections between the two type of connectors, but due to the socket dimensional/pitch tolerance (which varies from one JR radio to another, and from one socket production batch to another), in very rare cases they "work" but may be intermittent. Therefore, it is recommended to get the stereo-to-mono adapter for JR radios. I have a Futaba/JR radio and I'm wondering if I can use this with my AFPD Game Commander? Yes you can. Plug in the Game Commander into a usb port, and plug in a slave interface cable into a free usb port. You will need the appropriate adapter for the Futaba or JR radio. When using AFPD with my transmitter, will the transmitter be powered from the USB port or does it use the batteries? The Tx will be powered by the battery. To minimize the power consumption, and to prevent damage to the radio transmission circuit, you will need to pull out the xtal or module. Certain Tx models, when used with the appropriate adapter cable, will be powered on automatically, and the transmission disabled, without removing the xtal or module. Compatibility issues Is
AFPD compatible with Windows
Yes it is. For AFPD CD version below 1.11.x.x. there are two ways to install: 1)
Click here to download a PDF document that outlines on what has to be done to get AFPD
working under Windows Vista if you choose to enable UAC. For AFPD CD version 1.11.x.x and above: AFPD detect Windows Vista and automatically choose the right installation directory. There
still exist a lot of problem with Windows Vista and driver support. The
Microsoft graphics driver that is supplied with a new
Does
AFPD work with Windows 2000 or XP? Will AFPD work on the new Intel based Macs under Windows? AFPD
should run in Windows in Intel Macs under BootCamp or Parallels 3.0, but you
will need to choose a computer model that comes with one of the recommended
3D-graphics cards. It is mandatory that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. The Intel GMA
graphics card that comes with lower end Mac models is not compatible. Please
visit the website of your 3D-graphics card manufacturer and download the latest
3D accelerated OpenGL driver. Using BootCamp requires you to log out of OS X and reboot into Windows whenever you want to use your sim, which is inconvenient. Using something like Parallels 3.0 would allow you to run AFPD without having to log out of OS X, provided you have sufficient RAM in your computer to run both OS's side by side. It is recommended to have at least 1.5 GB in your computer for this to work well. Can AFPD work in Linux? There is an experimental procedure and patch available here. Please note that IPACS does not offer support for the Linux version. Does
AFPD work on laptops? Model setup issues How do I set up flaps and spoilerons? Check the servo function on your Tx to check your Ch1 and Ch6 servos move as expected with the spoileron and flaperon mixes on and off. In AFPD advanced control panel set Left Aileron and Left Flap to Ch6 and Right Aileron and Right Flap to Ch1. How do I enable PPS-4D mode? In order to enable the PPS-4D mode, please go to the control panel in AFPD. In the advanced mode, find channel 20 (this is the throttle setting associated with helis, but don't worry about that). Assign this to 0% (not assigned). This will give you max rpm but you can vary the prop pitch from -ve to +ve with the throttle stick, middle stick position for zero pitch. If you would like to vary the prop rpm, you can assign channel 20 to a slider or knob on your radio. After you have done the assigment in the advanced control panel, you will have to calibrate your radio (including the slider). How do I set up my heli for autorotation? In easy setup, you can assign "autorotation" to numerical keypad 1, 3, 7 or 9 (Numlock must be on), or you can assign to any switch on your radio. The throttle will go to the predefined speed (defined by "RotationSpeedIdle" in tmd file) when you hit the autorotation switch or keypad. When you have done the control assignment, remember to perform calibration on the radio switches. You can use the advanced setup if you want to use throttle hold mix in your computer radio. Please go to the control panel in AFPD. In the advanced mode, find channel 20 and assign this to your radio's throttle hold switch. In your radio, you can set the throttle to a idle speed of your choice when the throttle hold is activated. Don't forget to perform a calibration for all channels and switches. How do I use the number pad on my keyboard? If your remote control unit has only 4 channels, some functions can also be controlled using the number-pad on your keyboard. For this Numlock must be activated. You have a total of 4 digital channels (operating like on/off switches) and 2 analog channels. You control the analog channels using the 2 and 8 keys, and the 4 and 6 keys. You can set up the digital channels with the functions retractable gear, smoke, tow hook, wheel brake and autorotation and the 2 analog channels for the flaps and wing sweep How do I tow a sailplane? You need two controllers (one gamebird and one radio). Then select an aircraft with a hook as aircraft 1. Select a sailplane as aircraft 2. Press “Fly”. Select “Glider tow” in the menu. How do I tow a banner? To tow a banner you have to download the banner first and unzip it to your aircraft folder. There are 2 planes that can tow the banner the pt40 tow and the yellow bi-plane with the red cross on it. You set the plane as the first plane and the banner as the 2nd plane and start the sim. You then press f to hook the banner to the plane and then press s to get the screen to a one player view. If it does not work, you will need to have the banner tow hook servo closed so it will hold the banner. Go to controls and see what key will close the tow hook and then load the plane and banner and hit that key to close your tow hook and then hit f to hook the banner and then s to change to one player view. How
do I get out of Advanced mode? How
do I delete edited aircraft from the aircraft selection window? I’m flying gliders in AFPD and I've tried turning up the wind and thermal, but still get little lift to stay aloft awhile. What do I need to do? The thermals normally get much larger the higher you go (>100 feet). You will have to look for them as they do not stay in one place. The thermals also do not go straight up, sort of leaning with the wind. The variometer helps during flight to tell you in realtime if you have lift. I can’t get the smoke to come on although I turned it on in the menu? To
enable your smoke: How can I make the smoke hang longer in AFPD? If you need more smoke, you can set the smoke level under graphics How do I set the expos for my model? You can set it either in the control panel of AFPD, or in your programmable Tx. It is better to set expos in the Tx as its easier to make changes and customize settings for each model (saved in the Tx memory as separate models). Why is it I need to apply a lot of down elevator to fly my model level, and the roll rate is faster one way than the other? Before you do a calibration of your Tx, ensure that all programmed mixes in your radio are disabled, and all trims set to neutral. If you are using dual rates, calibrate at high rates. How do you add engine up thrust. The aircraft editor only allows down thrust? You
can set an engine up thrust by simply using a negative value for the In the CG editor there are 3 boxes with values when you access the fuse area. What are they for and how are they used? The three values in the cg editor are the cg position with respect to an arbitary reference point. The first value moves the cg forward (positive values) and backwards (negative values), the second to the left (+) and right (-) and the third value up(+) and down (-). Every time I up throttle to move the PT40 tow plane, it crashes within a foot or two of movement, and it only seems to happen with this plane. Why? This may happen with a scenery with tall grass. Reduce the prop size of PT40 tow from 12-7 to 11-8. You can edit the prop size with the "Edit aircraft" function in the main AFPD menu, and save it. That should give you adequate prop clearance. How can I drop bombs and fire missiles on AFPD? You
will have to select a model which has been designed to drop bombs or shoot
missiles. Some models may have "static" bombs or missiles and these
cannot be activated. You will have to read the description of the model to
determine this, and how to assign the controls. How I can set up my 3D heli throttle curve and throttle hold in AFPD? It will be more convenient to do a new setup if you disable all program mixes in your computer radio and do a recalibration first. Your throttle stick needs to be at mid position during calibration. Please go to the control panel in AFPD. In the advanced mode, find channel 20 and assign it to your throttle (channel 20 is for heli throttle while channels 1-4 are for plane throttle). Then you can program a "v" curve for your throttle/collective pitch, and throttle hold in your computer radio. I have a problem with helis in backward flight for both inverted or upright in that when you start inputting a bit of rudder either left or right the heli swings around into forward flight. I've tried different gyro settings but no luck. How I can correct this? The default setting for the tail rotor power could be a little on the low side, as soon as you fly with a sufficiently high speed the tail rotor cannot keep the nose perpendicular to the flight direction (if you fly faster the region where the tail rotor can hold the heli in backward flight get smaller). you can change that by increasing the pitch angles and/or gear ratio for the tail rotor to get a setup where the tail rotor can hold the heli in any direction at any speed. The described autorotation behavior should also be cured by more tail rotor power. For example, in the stock Raptor model, changing the pitch angles on the tail rotor is sufficient for this model: try -12 / +12 deg (instead of -6/6) on the tail rotor, this gives perfect control for all speeds. How do I play back my flight recording such that the aircraft is panned into view as in the original recording? Under View 1, you can select "recorded flight" in the fixed, follow or cockpit mode depending on whether you used a 3D scenery or panoramic scenery. This will give you the original recording view Downloaded model/scenery issues Where can I download free AFPD models and sceneries? You
can download a huge selection of free models and sceneries from the websites below.
Many of them require registration. Read the instructions for downloading and
installation carefully. You are welcomed to post and discuss your favourite
models or sceneries in this thread. How do I install downloaded models? Here's a guide on how to install downloaded AFPD aircraft models from the various free websites. How do I install downloaded sceneries? Here's a guide on how to install downloaded AFPD sceneries from the various free websites. Why my downloaded model does not show up in the aircraft selection list? The aircraft file could have been written for version 1.9.x.x of AFPD. Go to the aircraft directory C:\Program Files\IPACS\AeroFly Professional Deluxe\aircraft and open the aircraft file. Look for the .tmd file and open it with a text editor like notepad or word. Now you need to alter this line in the .tmd file: // aerofly professional -------------------------------------------------------- // // file: xxxxxxx.tmd // version: 1.9.0 <<<<<<<<Alter this line to: // version 1.8.0 // // type: 20 // lock: 0 // // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then click save. Why my downloaded plane act and sound like a glider? Go
to the aircraft directory C:\Program Files\IPACS\AeroFly Professional
Deluxe\aircraft and open the aircraft file. Look for the .tmd file and open it
with a text editor like notepad or word. Now you need to alter this line in the
.tmd file: Then click save. Further information on model type numbers can be found here Is there a way to change engine sounds? The .tmd file is where all of the sound files are called. 1. Open the .tmd file with notepad and use the find option to find “sound”. There it gives you the file names that are used. For example Extra 330-xxxx. 2. Look in your Sound folder for the names of files to use. For the big ones, there's g10-xxxx and g15-xxxx. 3. Replace the Extra 330-xxxx information (there are typically three entries) with the name of a file you have in the sound folder. 4. The click save Why photo sceneries do not work with my AFP? AFP does not work with photo sceneries. Only AFPD does. You could upgrade your AFP to AFPD. How do I make a panoramic scenery of my flying field in AFPD? If you click here then download the "Panorama sceneries for Aerofly Professional Deluxe" workshop it will guide you through making panoramic sceneries and how to install them and enhance them. How can I convert 3D sceneries for AFP to AFPD? If
you copy an AFP scenery to AFPD, it will show up very dark. The reason is Ipacs
changed the lighting section in the GEO files. I have a Windows
You have to start Notepad first (locate it in the Start menu, right-click, run as admin), then you can open the file, edit it, and save it. Add-on problems What should be the installation sequence for AFPD add-ons? The sequence should be main disk, add-on 1, add-on 2 (starflight), then finally the latest patch. If this sequence is not followed, then you may have a corrupted installation. Please do a complete uninstall followed by reinstallation as shown here. I get an error (Error Code: -5009 : 0x8002802b) when I try to install my addon disk. What do I need to do? This is a rare problem caused by a bug in the installation software. To resolve this, please do the following: 1)
uninstall AFPD completely using the instructions here. How to How do I make a video of my AFPD flight? You could use Fraps. Fraps works good with a high performance video card. The best way to use it with a lower performance card, is to first record your flight using the AFPD built in record feature (.rec format). Then, set replay speed to 50% and record the playback with Fraps. Then using video editing software such as Windows Movie Maker, speed the video back up 2x, and save as .wmv You could also record a video with a camcorder off the monitor but the quality will be lower. How can I maximize the display screen so it fills out the whole monitor? From the main menu when AFPD first starts up click the "Options" button. In there is where you can take it out of windows mode and set it to any size (resolution) you want. Whenever I fly a plane/heli it always goes way too far to the right/left/top. Is there a way to keep it centered in the monitor at all times? Under View 1, go into Viewing Options. You can set the model closer to the center of your screen by setting the vertical camera to 0% (full range is 0% to 100%), and by setting the horizontal camera to 0% (full range is -100 to +100%). When I start my AFPD there are several lines of writing that appears on the upper left part of the screen and its on all pages even when flying. How do I remove this? It is the log you see on your screen. Just press “Shift + F1” and it should disappear. How can I make my own models for AFP and AFPD? There is a workshop by Rodeo and Arthur Schoenknecht where you can find instructions and useful tips for making your own models.
Updated 2/27/08 |
Home | Low Price Guarantee | Knowledgebase
Copyright © 1996-2008 Hobby Lobby International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
