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FSX Planner - Connecting to FSX
FSX Planner provides the user with three ways of connecting to FSX: local connection using auto port
discovery; local connection where you specify the port; and remote connections. This guide will discuss
each in turn.
The type of connection used is set up in the FSX Connection dialog, accesible by selecting SimConnect
-> FSX Connection Status. This dialog lets you choose either of the three connection types and then
test the connection.
Virus Software and Firewalls
FSX Planner uses a direct TCP connection to connect to FSX using SimConnect. Certain virus software
packages or firewalls, such Windows Firewall, may silently block this process, causing the connection
to fail. If you are unable to connect the FSX using the methods described below and have a firewall
or virus software running, it is suggested that you try turning them off and then seeing if you can
connect to FSX. If you can connect with them turned off, then the problem lies with the firewall or
virus software. You may be able to fix the problem by specifying within the firewall or virus software
that certain applications or ports should not be blocked.
Local Connections Using Auto Port Discovery
The easiest way to connect to FSX is to use the local connection with auto port discover. This method
is intended for users who are running FSX Planner and FSX on the same computer. You will need to have
both applications running to create a successful connection.
Make sure the Local Connection radio button is selected, and that the Specify port checkbox is not
ticked. Then click the Connect button. FSX Planner will search for the SimConnect port and, if found,
will then connect through that port. The port number will be displayed in the text field to the right
of the Specify port checkbox. Note, however, that the same port is not always used by SimConnect,
meaning that the port used will most likely change each time you run FSX.
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Notes For Vista Users
Due to Vista's security constraints, FSX Planner needs to be run as an administrator in order to determine
which port FSX is using. Failure to do so will prevent FSX Planner from seeing the correct port, and
therefore cause the connection to fail.
If you are using Vista and FSX Planner is unable to determine the port that SimConnect is using, then
you will need to make sure the application is run using administrator rights. To do this right click
on the FSX Planner application icon, or shortcut, and choose Run As Administrator. You will then have
to confirm the running of the application to continue.
Trouble Shooting
If FSX Planner is unable to determine the port to use, first check the above Vista notice. If you are
using XP, or the above doesn't fix the issue, you may try the following.
Having a SimConnect.xml file installed in your FSX data folder (C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application
Data\Microsoft\FSX) may cause problems. It is recommened that you remove this file if possible.
Open a command prompt, by selecting Start -> Run, and then enter 'cmd'. This will display a command
prompt window. Type 'netstat -b' (without the quotes) into the window, and hit enter. A display similar
to the following should be displayed. There should be a line which included '[FSX.EXE]' in it. If this
is not the case, then FSX Planner will be unable to connect using this method, and you will need to use
the Specific Port method, as described below.
Local Connections Using a Specific Port
There is a secondary method for connecting to FSX from FSX Planner when both applications are running
on the same computer. This involved checking off the Specify port checkbox and then entering a
specific port number. This method will force SimConnect to use the same port every time is start,
and is only necessary if FSX Planner is unable to automatically discover the port number being used
by SimConnect.
The following steps should be taken to implement this method:
1) Copy the SimConnect.xml file from the FSX Planner installation directory into the following
directory: C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX.
2) Note the port number being used in the following section of the SimConnect.xml file:
<!-- For local and remote FSX Planner connections -->
<SimConnect.Comm>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Protocol>IPv4</Protocol>
<Scope>local</Scope>
<Address>127.0.0.1</Address>
<MaxClients>64</MaxClients>
<Port>48447</Port>
<MaxRecvSize>4096</MaxRecvSize>
<DisableNagle>False</DisableNagle>
</SimConnect.Comm>
3) You may change this port to suit your needs, or leave it as is.
4) Make sure the specified port is not being blocked by any firewalls or other software.
5) Select Local Connection and tick the Specify port checkbox in the FSX Connection Status dialog.
6) Specify the port used in the SimConnect.xml file above
7) Click the Connect button.
If everything is set up properly, and the port is not being blocked, then FSX Planner should be able
to successfully connect to FSX.
Please note that some people have reported this method block certain other software packages from
connecting to FSX.
The SimConnect.xml file is blocking other applications
On some systems placing the SimConnect.xml file in the FSX data folder can block certain other
applications, such as FSUIPC or Level D, from accessing FSX. If you are experiencing this, then
we suggest using the following fix.
Download this alternate SimConnect.xml file, and place it into your
FSX data folder, located at C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX. Then
follow the steps outlined below for connecting to FSX by a Remote Connection.
Remote Connections
FSX Planner can connect to a copy of FSX that is running on a different machine. To do this use the
following steps:
1) Copy the SimConnect.xml file from the FSX Planner installation directory into the following
directory: C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX on the computer that
is running FSX.
2) Note the address and port number being used in the following section of the SimConnect.xml file:
<!-- For remote FSX Planner connections -->
<SimConnect.Comm>
<Disabled>False</Disabled>
<Protocol>IPv4</Protocol>
<Scope>global</Scope>
<Address>192.168.1.100</Address>
<MaxClients>64</MaxClients>
<Port>48447</Port>
<MaxRecvSize>4096</MaxRecvSize>
<DisableNagle>False</DisableNagle>
</SimConnect.Comm>
3) You may change this port to suit your needs, or leave it as is.
4) Make sure the specified port is not being blocked by any firewalls or other software.
5) The address needs to match the IP address of your computer. If you don't know the IP address of
your computer, open a command prompt, and type 'ipconfig' (without the quotes). Then look for your
IP address within the output from that command.
6) Select Remote Connection in the FSX Connection Status dialog.
7) Specify the IP address and port used in the SimConnect.xml file above
8) Click the Connect button.
If everything is set up properly, and the port is not being blocked, then FSX Planner should be able
to successfully connect to FSX.
Please note that some people have reported this method blocks certain other software packages from
connecting to FSX.
The Plane Display
The location of the plane in FSX Planner is displayed using the plane icon. This icon can be linked to
follow the position of the plane in FSX, or conversely the plane in FSX can be linked to follow the plane
icon in FSX Planner.
The default position of this icon is the airport reference point. You may need to zoom in to see it
originally as it defaults to the size of a Cessna. Clicking on it will display the Plane Data properties.
This properties display lets you choose the type of plane or helicopter to be displayed as well as the
altitude, position and heading of the plane.
To adjust the position of the plane, simply click and drag it to a new location. Alternatively you can
manually enter latitude and longitude coordinates for it.
The type of plane displayed can be selected from the drop down which includes all the default FSX planes.
You can also choose a custom type, for which you can define the size and whether or not it is a plane or
helicopter. Even if you are not connected to FSX, this option is very useful in determining the appropriate
width of taxiways, runways and parking locations for a particular type of plane.
Plane Icon Examples:
Making the plane in FSX automatically follow the plane icon.
Ticking the FSX Plane Auto Follows Cursor checkbox in the Plane Data display will make the plane in FSX
automatically move and follow the current position of the plane icon in FSX Planner. Whenever you move
the plane icon to a new location and release the mouse button, the plane in FSX will be moved to that
new location.
Making the plane icon in FSX Planner automatically follow the plane in FSX.
Ticking the Cursor Auto Follows FSX Plane checkbox in the Plane Data display will make the plane icon
in FSX Planner automatically follow the plane in FSX. This allows you to fly or slew the plane within
FSX and have FSX Planner constantly update the plane icon's location. The location of the plane is
sampled and updated once a second.
The Right Click Menu.
Right clicking anywhere on the airport in FSX Planner will display a drop down menu with several choices
related to the location of the plane in FSX and the plane icon in FSX Planner. Some of these options are
also available under the SimConnect menu.
Move Cursor to FSX Plane: This menu option will move the cursor to the current location of the plane
in FSX. Unlike the checkbox option, explained above, which constantly updated the position of the plane in
FSX Planner, this menu option does not make the plane icon in FSX Planner continually follow the position
of the plane in FSX.
Move FSX Plane to Icon: This menu option will move the plane within FSX to the current location of the
plane icon in FSX Planner. Unlike the checkbox option, explained above, this menu option does not constantly
update the position of the plane in FSX.
Move Plane to Here: This option will move the plane icon in FSX Planner to the current cursor location.
This is very useful is you want to move the plane over large distances in the airport. If the FSX Plane
Auto Follows Cursor checkbox is ticked, then this option will also update the position of the plane in
FSX.
Show Plane: This option displays the plane icon if it is hidden and hides the plane icon if it is
visible.
We hope that this tutorial has explained how to establish and use the connection between FSX Planner
and FSX. FSX Planner contains many more features, and we hope that you are able to explore and benefit
from them.
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