vSTARS 1.1 open beta

[Ross Carlson]

Hello all,

 

I just posted a beta build of vSTARS v1.1. This version includes quite a few bug fixes and feature tweaks, but it also three significant new features:

 

1) The ability to start a proxy server for connecting vPilot in order to create a tower view with FSX or P3D.

 

2) The ability to open one or more ASDE-X style displays.

 

3) The ability to open a flight strip bay.

 

You can download the open beta version here:

 

http://vstars.metacraft.com/[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ets/Files/Installers/vSTARS-Setup-1.1.7.exe

 

Some quick docomeentation on the new features:

 

To start the proxy server, type ".startproxy". You can then connect vPilot to the proxy server using the .towerview command in vPilot. You can stop the proxy with the ".stopproxy" command.

 

To open an ASDEX window, your facility file must first have a video map loaded with a short name of "XXXX ASDEX" where XXXX is the airport ICAO code. This video map will be used as the background for the ASDEX window. Open the window with the ".asdex XXXX" command. E.g. ".asdex KBOS". You can rotate the ASDEX view by holding the shift key and rotating the mouse wheel. A few mouse/keyboard commands are supported within the ASDEX windows including F6 and F9 for editing a flight plan and [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igning a beacon code, respectively. You can also adjust the leader line direction by entering a number and clicking on the target, the same as with the regular STARS display.

 

To open the flight strip bay, enter the CTRL-B key combination while the main STARS display is active. You can create flight strip separators by right clicking the background of the strip by and choosing "Add Separator". This will display a window where you can edit the various separator parameters. Those parameters include a label for the separator, and a number of filters. Whenever a new flight plan is received, the flight plan contents will be compared against the filters for all separators, and if the flight plan matches all of the filters for a separator, a strip will be created and added directly below that separator. For example, if you create a separator with the name "KBOS Departures" and enter "KBOS" in the departure filter field, then any flight plan with KBOS as the departure airport will automatically be added below that separator. You can also filter based on arrival airport, scratchpad contents, or flight strip annotation contents.

 

Here is the full Changelog for version 1.1:

 

Version 1.1.0:

 

- 0002530: Ensure vector line is not drawn with invalid/unset ground track on ASDE-X display.

- 0002073: Need to show beacon mismatches and squawking stby in ASDE-X mode.

- 0002267: Implement ability to change audio devices without restart.

- 0002529: Add a way to reposition ASDE-X data blocks.

- 0002531: Implement VP command for ASDEX display.

- 0002532: Implement DA command for ASDEX display.

- 0002527: Add option to auto-show flight strip bay when a strip is added.

- 0002528: Don't auto-add flight strips for arrivals that are on the ground at the airport.

- 0002044: Don't auto-add flight strips for departures that aren't on the ground at the airport.

- 0002043: Don't add a flight strip when a flight plan was manually requested.

- 0002042: Don't play flight strip sound if a flight strip already existed when one is added.

- 0002056: Need to read all types of USB controllers when scanning for PTT.

- 0002032: Add voice type flag to ASDE-X targets.

- 0002010: Use reporting radar for determining > 40 nm distance.

- 0002111: Update heavy list.

- 0002151: GI text toggle buttons in DCB are off by one.

- 0002170: Incoming and outgoing radio text should be different color.

- 0002230: Support numpad for bookmarks.

- 0002293: Show resulting private message in main messages window when using .msg command.

- 0001980: Add ability to create ASDE-X views.

- 0001981: Add ability to start tower view session.

- 0002443: Update handoff protocol to match VRC.

- 0002029: WSA socket error when opening and closing a session multiple times.

- 0002024: Implement Alt-Enter for toggling full screen mode.

- 0001577: DCB map button labels should be all upper case.

- 0001669: If a track that's on the COAST/SUSPEND list pops back up, it should still be tracked.

- 0001832: Implement alias parsing in private chat.

- 0001573: EM tone should sound even if not an owned track.

- 0001516: Add dot commands to clear text radio and chat windows.

- 0001916: Make comms form draggable on Controllers label.

- 0001917: Mimic DialogResult handling from vDSR for settings form and facility edit form.

- 0001918: Update PTT settings to match vPilot.

- 0001921: Disable changes to network configuration items while connected.

- 0001915: Make comms form resizable without F12.

- 0001769: Need to check for stale controllers.

- 0001721: Move NavData into AppData/vSTARS instead of using a subfolder.

 

Version 1.1.1:

 

- 0002553: VP command in ASDEX view with no parameters causes exception.

- 0002551: Error reflecting type in SectorFileToVideoMap.

- 0002557: Maximized window setting doesn't take effect.

- 0002556: Comp[Mod - Happy Thoughts] rose is inverted.

 

Version 1.1.2:

- 0002559: Proxy should listen on all network interfaces.

 

Version 1.1.6:

- 0002642: Need to ignore unreadable devices when scanning for PTT.

- 0002552: Crash in settings window when servers aren't downloaded.

 

Version 1.1.7:

- 0002646: Nested alias functions don't p[Mod - Happy Thoughts] correctly.

[Ross Carlson]

Version 1.1.1 is now available for testing:

 

http://vstars.metacraft.com/[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ets/Files/Installers/vSTARS-Setup-1.1.1.exe

 

This fixes the following issues:

 

- 0002553: VP command in ASDEX view with no parameters causes exception.

- 0002551: Error reflecting type in SectorFileToVideoMap.

- 0002557: Maximized window setting doesn't take effect.

- 0002556: Comp[Mod - Happy Thoughts] rose is inverted.

[Justin Shannon]

When trying to launch the 1.1.1 beta installer, get the following error:

 

[Dhruv Kalra]

When trying to launch the 1.1.1 beta installer, get the following error:

 

Throwing the same error for me on Windows 10.

[Ross Carlson]

Try the download again ... looks like the file didn't get completely uploaded ... it was 2 bytes too small.

[Matthew Campbell 1313538]

Is there a . Command to add Flight Strips as in you log in and it doesn't auto populate the strip.

[Ross Carlson]

1.1.2 is now available, this fixes the proxy server listening only on the local machine.

 

http://vstars.metacraft.com/[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ets/Files/Installers/vSTARS-Setup-1.1.2.exe

[Dhruv Kalra]

Is there a . Command to add Flight Strips as in you log in and it doesn't auto populate the strip.

.strip CALLSIGN

[Matthew Campbell 1313538]

Is there a . Command to add Flight Strips as in you log in and it doesn't auto populate the strip.

.strip CALLSIGN

Thanks!

[Clay Brock]

I completetly uninstalled the old version of vSTARs and installed the new open beta version. Whenever I run the application it pops up with this error: "Unhanded Exception: Object reference not set to an instance of an object." This error shows before it even allows me to select a facility file, and when I click "OK" to close the error, it states that "vSTARS has stopped working" and then closes the application. Any suggestions to fix this issue?

 

Thanks,

Clay Brock

ZFW FE

[Ross Carlson]

Not sure, but my best guess is that there's something about your old vSTARSConfig.xml file that is causing an issue in the new version. When you uninstalled the old version, it leaves your config file behind. I'm [Mod - Happy Thoughts]uming you didn't manually delete it.

[Clay Brock]

Update:

 

I completely deleted both vSTARs folders from my program files and from appdata/roaming. I then installed the new beta version and I now get this new error: "Error loading config. The following error occured while attempting to load configuration object. There is an error in XML docomeent (2, 2)." Anything else?

 

Thanks,

Clay Brock

ZFW FE

[Ross Carlson]

You're getting that error with a completely clean install? Please place your vSTARSConfig.xml file somewhere where I can download it, and send me the link via private message.

[Taylor Broad]

I am getting the same error. Dumped the config file and still getting the error. Is there a log file I am able to view?

[Taylor Broad]

Ok I found the trace for you Ross on my error. Seems to be not in the config but your resizing of windows.

 

DateStamp: 6/2/2017 10:36:35 AM
Details: System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
  at ac.d()
  at ac.h(Object A_0, EventArgs A_1)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnResize(EventArgs e)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnResize(EventArgs e)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnSizeChanged(EventArgs e)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.UpdateBounds(Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 width, Int32 height, Int32 clientWidth, Int32 clientHeight)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.UpdateBounds(Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 width, Int32 height)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.SetBoundsCore(Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 width, Int32 height, BoundsSpecified specified)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetBoundsCore(Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 width, Int32 height, BoundsSpecified specified)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ScaleControl(SizeF factor, BoundsSpecified specified)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.ScaleControl(SizeF factor, BoundsSpecified specified)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.ScaleControl(SizeF factor, BoundsSpecified specified)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ScaleControl(SizeF includedFactor, SizeF excludedFactor, Control requestingControl)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.Scale(SizeF includedFactor, SizeF excludedFactor, Control requestingControl)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.PerformAutoScale(Boolean includedBounds, Boolean excludedBounds)
  at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.PerformNeededAutoScaleOnLayout()
  at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.OnLayoutResuming(Boolean performLayout)
  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ResumeLayout(Boolean performLayout)
  at ac.a()
  at ac..ctor(WindowProperties A_0)
  at cx..ctor(String A_0)
  at cz.c()
============================================================

[Ross Carlson]

This should fix the XML error:

 

http://vstars.metacraft.com/[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ets/Files/Installers/vSTARS-Setup-1.1.4.exe

 

Be sure to delete the existing config file first, or choose the "empty config file" box when installing 1.1.4. That will overwrite your existing config file with a correct one.

[Ross Carlson]

Taylor, this should fix your issue:

 

http://vstars.metacraft.com/[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ets/Files/Installers/vSTARS-Setup-1.1.5.exe

[Clay Brock]

Thanks so much for the help Ross. I did a completely fresh install of the 1.1.5 version, and it worked great

[Taylor Broad]

Looks like it is initially resolving my issue. Now to figure out my ARTCC's non existent vSTARS facility files

[Mark Swan]

I installed vSTARS 1.1.5 (and emptied the config file through the installer), I opened the facility file in vSTARS successfully, but when I press ctrl+s to open settings, it shows an Unhandled Exception error.

 

System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: InvalidArgument=Value of '0' is not valid for 'SelectedIndex'.

Parameter name: SelectedIndex

at System.Windows.Forms.ComboBox.set_SelectedIndex(Int32 value)

at cs.f()

at cs.g()

at cs..ctor()

at cx.a(Object A_0, KeyEventArgs A_1)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnKeyDown(KeyEventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ProcessKeyEventArgs(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Form.ProcessKeyPreview(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ProcessKeyPreview(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ProcessKeyMessage(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmKeyChar(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.UserControl.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

[Ross Carlson]

Do you have any audio devices enabled which have a microphone?

[Mark Swan]

I have a headset which is set as my default recording device in Windows, but I haven't set vSTARS to use that as I can't access the settings.

[Ross Carlson]

Hrm ... looks like it's actually the server list that is empty. Do you see any messages in the comms window about the server list failing to download?

[Mark Swan]

I do see a dialog message which says "Error downloading server list", which seems to appear every time I initially launch vSTARS. When I open the facility file, the only 2 messages in the chat log are "Performing version check" and "Version check complete...".

[Ross Carlson]

Might there be something blocking vSTARS from downloading the server list?