XML - where is it?

BLACKCAT · Post by **BLACKCAT** » 15 Oct 2007, 09:28

I'm taking my first steps with FSDS and whislt I'm still a long way from having to get to grips with XML for the bells and whistles on models I would like to know where this XML coding is? Is it in the model; if so how is it accessed and then written back into it? How is that achieved? The FSDS tutorials, even the advanced, doesn't appear to take the novice anywhere near the levels of expertise you guys have achieved and there is no mention of XML so where do the secrets lie?

GrahamS · Post by **GrahamS** » 15 Oct 2007, 09:50

In FSDS when you create an mdl file the XML file is also created and saved. This can then be modified and put through the compiler again to create a modified model.

BLACKCAT · Post by **BLACKCAT** » 15 Oct 2007, 10:39

OK - thanks for that. How is that XML extracted from the MDL file for modification and then reintegrated?

Dark Morelia · Post by **Dark Morelia** » 15 Oct 2007, 11:06

I'm sure there are several ways to go about it, but I'm currently using FSDS 3.0 and MakeMDL.
The xml is added into the "MakeMDL.parts.xml" file in the MakeMDL directory, then any models compiled with it will use the xml in that file.
To change it you'll need to open the xml file, change the code, save it, and recompile the model.

GrahamS · Post by **GrahamS** » 15 Oct 2007, 11:27

If I can address your query about reintegrating the XML into the model. You have a basic misconception of what is happening.

In FSDS you make a model and cause an XML file to be constructed and also the mdl file. It is the XML file which is applied to the compiler to make the mdl file which you then use within FS.

So if you manually adjust/add to/alter the XML code then the altered XML file can be applied to the compiler to make a modifed mdl file.

I hope that makes sense.

edited as a result of a brain ****

BLACKCAT · Post by **BLACKCAT** » 16 Oct 2007, 18:07

'In FSDS you make a model and cause an XML file to be constructed and also the mdl file. It is the XML file which is applied to the compiler to make the mdl file which you then use within FS. '

OK - with it so far but now 'compiler' raises its head. Is not the 'compiler' integral in FSDS or are you using an alternative 'compiler' to compile the model file?

I have completed the FSDS tutorial for the basic aircraft and exported it to FS; sure enough, it appeared OK but I don't see any XML file.

I did note there is an option in FSDS to 'Export at XML' which I did. How then do you import an edited XML back into FSDS?

GrahamS · Post by **GrahamS** » 16 Oct 2007, 18:15

The compiler is provided specifically for FS by Microsoft. It is to be found in the SDK which is available online for FS9 and is supplied with FSK Deluxe. FSDS is setup to use whichever compiler you choose, it is not integral with FSDS.

You can export an XML file from FSDS for modifying and then compiling but you cannot import an XML file back into FSDS. So you have to complete your model as far as possible before exporting and modifying. Once complete you can then compile the model using the MS compiler.

BLACKCAT · Post by **BLACKCAT** » 16 Oct 2007, 21:27

That explains all - thanks very much.