Skatezilla's DCS Updater Utility GUI

Freak · August 12, 2018, 9:46am

@SkateZilla made this beautiful program that can be used to do anything you would want to do with DCS, but which is too cumbersome, difficult and/or involves command line wizardry.

Some of the features: (and I’m sure I’m forgetting some)

Update DCS to a specific branch and/or change branches (OpenBeta, Release, etc…)
Copy and manage your config (settings & controls) between different branches (builds)
Manage different settings presets (different resolutions, VR/screen, etc.)
Start DCS in VR or on flat screen (for those of us who have a VR set plugged in but sometimes want to do things on a screen)
Automatically start external applications (TrackIR, Teamspeak, …) when you start DCS
Manage module activations
And more…

Download it HERE!

Reason for making this topic is I was asking Skate how to use the presets in this tool, and he responded with the above video. Now it shows up when somebody does a forum search of it on Mudspike.

Phantom88 · August 12, 2018, 11:14am

Fantastic Utility,I use it a lot switching ON/OFF VR.Very handy when editing/checking a mission.

schurem · August 12, 2018, 12:12pm

It’s been my de-facto DCS launcher ever since I caught wind of it. Switching between VR and 2D, keeping the thing updated, even switching from beta to release a couple times. It’s a sweet, nay, indispensable thing.

SkateZilla · September 11, 2018, 12:29am

New Version of DCS Updater GUI Released:
Changelog and Link Below!

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3622329&postcount=597

SkateZilla · September 11, 2018, 4:51am

Quick Re-Compile:, Had to Remove JSON Parsing:
https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3622412&postcount=603

schurem · September 11, 2018, 6:54am

Nice, thanks @SkateZilla!

SkateZilla · September 13, 2018, 5:32pm

Changelog for 1.1.1010 / 09.13.2018.1:
-Fix Detection of Terrains on 2.5.3.21016 And Above *(ED Updated Protection)
-Completely Removed Some Addon Scripts from Project that were no longer being used.
(JSON Parsing and Library Embedding)

Should Be in Updater, as well as first post.
This is the first full deployment through the Apps New Auto-Update Routine. (for v1.1.1009+ Only)

Prelim. Changelog for Future Version:
-Revamp UI to TabControl for Categories
-Condense/Reformat Maindisplay to “Home” Screen/Tab
-Convert Old Categories to Tabs
-Recode Detection/Naming to Include Version Number in Drop down Build List
-Reduce Size of App Window to 1300x725
Don’t Expect this Version in the next few weeks, a lot of code is being adjusted as a result of the re-vamp, and further condensed.

SkateZilla · December 14, 2018, 12:17am

New Version:
Sorry for the delay, but I’m very busy this time of the year, combined w/ moving and other family obligations.

I will be offline for at least a week while I transfer equipment to it’s new location and get accounts setup and running.

If Auto-Update Fails, the New Version can be downloaded from the first post of the Thread.

Also if you get the Config Error on Launch (which you may, as I have deleted some items):
Delete The Following Folder:

Code:

/<Username>/Appdata/Local/Skate_Zilla_Graphics_Stud/

Changelog for Version: 12.13.2018-1 / 1.1.0.1015 :
-Revamp UI to TabControl for Categories
–Condense/Reformat Main display to “Home” Screen/Tab
–Added Force Close DCS Processes to Home Screen
–Convert Old Categories to Tabs
–Moved DCS Versions to Home Screen
–Moved DCS Servers Status to Home Screen
–Replaced Drop Menu w/ Context Menu and Button, Allowing for Dynamic Re-Naming and Inclusion of Build Number without rebuilding menu after every update/refresh of version numbers.
–Replaced Preset Dropdown Menu w/ Context Menu and Button, Allowing for Dynamic Re-Naming

-Recode for Builds/Modules/Process Scans
–Cleaned Code for resetting build names, clearing folders etc.
–Adjusted startup code, and module detection code.
–Scans for Model Viewer and Model Viewer 2,
–Will Allow Multiple instances of Both ModelViewers, (and will State Multiple when more than one instance is launched).
–Added 10 Second Delay when launching DCS World w/ External Applications.
–Added Exception Catch to DCS_Updater Version Number Process
–Added DCS Updater Version Number to Home Screen Layout

-Main UI Cleaned Up
–Unified Font (some items still had different fonts)
–Reduce Size of App Window to 1300x725
–Added Setting Function to remember App Location when closing and re-opening.
–Revised/New Animated Tray Icon
–Lighter UI Colors, Reduced Custom Graphics

-Added MIG-29 Module Assets
-Added Spitfire IX The Big Show Campaign Module Assets
-Added Frontlines Georgia Campaign Module Assets

-Added Unlicensed Independent Modules Section
–NOTE: Unlicensed Modules will not be part of Scan/Detect.
–Modules Added here must be completely independent and not “Make Flyable” that uses Cockpits, Externals or FM from another module.
–Utility Modules must be integrated via plugin to DCS, and not via mod Manager.

–Added A-4E
–Added MB-339A
–Added Tacview
–Tacview added to Launch Options w/ Other External Applications.
–Tacview added to the External Application Launch/Browse
–Tacview AutoScan on Startup of Default Folder Added

SkateZilla · December 27, 2018, 3:06pm

Update 12-26-2018 / v1.1.0.1016:
-The Presets resetting to default resovled
-The Minimizing Code has been adjusted
-Added Option to Enable AutoCheck for New Version on startup, new default setting is that it wont.
-Added Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney Campaign Assets

In AutoUpdate and 1st Post on ED thread.

Another build planned in a week or so to fix some tool tips and stuff.

unpilot · December 27, 2018, 4:29pm

l downloaded this utility but man I am lost It did not find the build I was using even though it is in my C folder
I think I got that sorted but the command for VR on or off is not active.

Help?

Freak · December 27, 2018, 4:48pm

@SkateZilla thanks for the update! I was about to ask you about the app staying minimized on my machine, but you fixed it already! Auto-updater works great now, so nice to have: no effort at all, compared to what we typically have to do for mods and utilities.

@unpilot (Is that username from the DCS UH-1H campaign?)
Have you watched the video in the first post of this topic and followed the instructions?
I do not really understand what you are describing, but it sounds like you either have not added your DCS folder (build) to the utility or you do not have it selected.

If you have followed the instructions of the video in the first post, and it still does not work: please post screenshots of all relevant pages of the app. Builds specifically.

unpilot · December 27, 2018, 5:22pm

So I tried to add the file location and this is what I am getting now.

Freak · December 27, 2018, 5:35pm

There is a combination of backslashes and forward slashes in that file path. Maybe that is causing the error?
I don’t know, maybe @SkateZilla himself can help.

SkateZilla · December 27, 2018, 5:47pm

Copy Paste the debug code

unpilot · December 27, 2018, 8:38pm

I installed in default location. Stand by for debug

unpilot · December 27, 2018, 8:41pm

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 'C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta/Config/Options.lua'.
File name: 'C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta/Config/Options.lua'
   at Microsoft.VisualBasic.FileSystem.FileCopy(String Source, String Destination)
   at DCSUpdaterUtility.Form_Main.FolderScanAndVerify()
   at DCSUpdaterUtility.Form_Main.Form1_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.EventHandler.Invoke(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(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.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.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)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3260.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
DCS Updater Utility
    Assembly Version: 1.1.0.1016
    Win32 Version: 12.26.2018
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Users/kstas/OneDrive/Desktop/DCS%20Updater%20Utility.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
    Assembly Version: 10.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 14.7.3056.0 built by: NET472REL1
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/v4.0_10.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3221.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3190.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3056.0 built by: NET472REL1
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3056.0 built by: NET472REL1
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3221.0 built by: NET472REL1LAST_C
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3056.0 built by: NET472REL1
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
Accessibility
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3056.0 built by: NET472REL1
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.7.3056.0 built by: NET472REL1
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

SkateZilla · December 27, 2018, 8:50pm

because you are putting the DCS Install Folder Path in the Saved Games Path.

unpilot · December 27, 2018, 8:57pm

Thanks but how to fix…I cant get utility to run I deleted then ran it again with same result

Freak · December 27, 2018, 9:33pm

@unpilot

Skate probably means to say that you put the wrong folder location into this field, circled in red here.

What you should put there is probably C:\Users[your name]\Saved Games\DCS
or C:\Users[your name]\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta

in my case, it is D:\Doc\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta but that is because I moved the Saved Games folder to a different drive.

EDIT: some explanation

DCS has an install or program files folder, typically in C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS and a Saved Games folder, which is the one I mentioned above.

In the install folder, all files are kept that are the same for everybody: maps, simulation, default skins and missions, and the modules themselves. Everything that you get when you download DCS, or a module.

In the Saved Games folder, DCS puts everything that is different for every player: graphics and sound settings, keybinds, snapviews, custom user-made missions, custom skins.
As a bonus, most mods that add a new aircraft/boat/vehicle to the game (such as the awesome, free, fully clickable, A-4 Skyhawk) can also be put in Saved Games.

The advantage of this is that the DCS Updater can update the entire install folder without a risk of deleting any of the custom skins/missions/keybinds you made.

unpilot · December 27, 2018, 10:00pm

Thanks but I am truly stuck now as I have deleted the utility tried cleaning the registry of any traces and downloaded and ran utility again and get same result. So I cant get to the filed were I will be able to change that.