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MODC24
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README.DOC
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1989-11-05
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ModClone Flight Simulator 3.0/4.0 (IBM Version) Mode Maintenance Utility
Copyright (C) 1989 Robert E. Fields III All Rights Reserved Vers.2.40
Usage: ModClone [-h] [-d] [-t template] [-s source] [-v version] [modes...]
Options are:
-h = Help screen
-d = Disable configuration menu (for batch file use)
-t = Specify template filename (defaults to modclone.mct)
-s = Specify source mode file (defaults to mode1.mod)
-v = Set FS version (e.g. 3 or 4 -- default is 4)
modes... = A list of modes that you want to modify separated
by spaces. Wildcards are allowed and you don't need
to give the .mod extension.
PLEASE see NEW FOR VERSION 2.40 (below) if you already use ModClone or
are using Flight Simulator 4.0.
ModClone is a program that provides an easy way for Microsoft Flight
Simulator "pilots" to customize their flight modes by altering one or more
mode parameters in one or more flight mode (.MOD) files. The ability to
create custom modes in Flight Simulator creates a need to maintain and edit
these modes on a wholesale basis. ModClone is a mode-editing utility
designed for "pilots" who trade modes and want new modes configured to
their likings (a great example of where to use batch files) or just change
their minds on what kind of window setup, axis indicator, ground texture,
crash detect, weather, etc., that they want.
ModClone uses a template (.MCT) file to know which parameters to change
and a user-specified mode file as the source of new flight mode parameter
values. The template files are like stencils where only the open areas are
colored when painting. Source mode files provide the colors to be applied.
With ModClone, the FS pilot can configure and save multiple template files
if desired. You can specify a different source by using the [-s source]
command line switch or pick any mode as the source from inside the program.
Templates and target modes (the ones to change) can also be specified from
inside the program. You don't have to use the command line switches if you
don't want to. They are really for batch file use so don't let them bother
you if you are not comfortable with them. The command line switches may be
entered in any order but need a space between each one (see the examples).
As a precaution, make backups of your .MOD files and check template
configuration before calling ModClone for the first time with any mode
filename arguments. Also, be warned that using wildcards in the [modes...]
field might change modes that you didn't want changed (e.g. accidentally
changing the weather in the "Crosswind Takeoff" lesson mode or expanding
the view windows over the radar in WW1.mod). (These modes can't be changed
in the FS 4.0 library right now -- see NEW FOR VERSION 2.40 below)
For example, to manually copy the windows, spot plane positions, and
joystick enabling and sensitivities from mode1.mod to the rest of your
modes, you would call the program while in the directory with your flight
modes. Select menu option 1) and then set "Windows, Spot Planes, Quality"
and "Joystick Sensitivities" to "CLONE" and all of the rest to "NOCLONE"
if they were not already set that way (They would be in a new template
file). You may also want to clone the "Auto Coordination" parameter. Exit
back to the menu and pick the target modes with option 7). Set all modes
as targets using the "a" key or select up to 200 targets by toggling with
the space bar, exit back to the menu, and clone the parameters with
option 8). ModClone will do the copying, naming each file that it finds.
Please note that there are three pages of parameters in the Select
Template Windows to Clone menu. Keep down arrowing and the pages will
switch (up in the other direction). Page Up, Down, Home and End will flip
you between pages too, placing you where their names imply. The space bar
toggles On/Off and limited choice parameters and the +/- keys increment/
decrement numeric values. [Shift]ing the +/- keys make the adjustments
faster.
Once a template has been configured and saved, ModClone can be called
with the switches from the command line or in a batch file. It will go
ahead and start the copying automatically. Be sure of your templates when
using the program in this way. The best protection is to BACK UP YOUR MODES
before things get out of hand. This way of cloning can be used to switch
parameters back and forth between different values (stormy, calm,
turbulent, Lear and Cessna sensitivities, etc.). It takes longer than
having duplicate modes but saves space and you don't have to page through
so many modes to find the ones you want to fly.
>>> --- <<<
Some hints and examples to make life easier:
modclone -v 3 (Sets ModCLone to save modes for FS 3.0. Saving as
FS 4.0 modes is the default. This can also be set
in the program.)
modclone * (Calls ModClone with the target set to ALL modes.)
modclone -s cessna -t plane * (Calls ModCLone with the source mode
set to cessna.mod and the template set
to plane.mct to clone your favorite
Cessna settings (the ones specified in
plane) to all other modes. You can do
the same with a lear.mod. (Obviously,
you will need to create cessna.mod and
lear.mod from within FS and configure
plane.mct in ModClone.))
modclone -s cessna -t plane * -d (Same as above but ModClone will
do the cloning automatically.)
>>> --- <<<
NEW FOR VERSION 2.40:
Flight Simulator 4.0 has the lesson and formation modes (including
mode1.mod) stored in a mode library and is not supplied with a regular
mode1.mod. Flight Simulator 4.0 users will need to save a mode to this
name or specify an existing mode's name in the command line (for now).
ModClone doesn't yet clone parameters in the new library -- look for this
in ModClone version 3.00.
There is a toggle in the configuration menu to set ModClone to write
modes that are compatible with FS 3.0 (518 bytes) or FS 4.0 (526 bytes).
Writing FS 4.0 modes is the default. The version may also be set on the
command line.
Older versions of ModClone would only manually select up to 50 target
modes, and the FIRST fifty, at that. If you wanted to clone to the 51st and
later, it wouldn't work without selecting (a)ll in the target modes
selection menu (target mode = *.mod). I've upped the figure to 200 (does
anyone really need more modes than that?).
Template files (.MCT) have grown again and ModClone will adjust them
as it uses them. For what it is worth, they are now 626 bytes long. The
first 526 bytes are the ones used as a mask when banging the source mode
against the targets.
NEW FOR VERSION 2.10:
The Specify Template Name option had a bug in it. It is now fixed.
THE GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF HOW TO CALL THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN CHANGED. It
used to be that you had to specifically call the configuration menu. Now
it comes up as the default and you must explicitly disable [-d] it for
batch file use. (Thanks to Joe Lincoln for this suggestion!) The program
now allows saving templates under new names from within (menu selection
4)). ModClone now uses mode1.mod as the default (another suggestion from
Joe) instead of ModClone.mod. Now, you don't have to copy any modes to
ModClone.mod to get it up and running. If you weren't already aware,
mode1.mod is the original default mode supplied with FS 3.0 (Chicago
Meigs Takeoff 36).
NEW FOR VERSION 2.00:
The values of most parameters are now displayed in the "Set Template
Windows to Clone" routine. Digital values like the com radios, etc., can
be incremented with the [+] and [-] keys. [SHIFT][+] and [SHIFT][-] will
increment and decrement in larger steps. Off/On or limited range
parameters can be toggled through possible values with the [SPACE] bar.
This feature allows for configuring a particular mode (the source mode)
outside of Flight Simulator. The modifications can be used in subsequent
clonings or can be made permanent with the "Save Source" option of the
Configuration Menu. Whether the values shown are new or old, they won't
be copied into target modes when cloning unless the CLONE/NOCLONE switch
is set to CLONE.
The "Specify Template Name", "Specify Source Mode Name", and "Specify
Target Mode Name(s)" routines allow easy selection of files as sources,
templates, and targets. The displays are fairly self-explanatory and all
that is done to select the single files (source, template) is to hit the
[SPACE] bar. New source and template parameters may be viewed in the "Set
Template Windows to Clone" routine as mentioned before. The "Set Target
Mode Name(s)" option can select up to 50 mode files as clone targets.
Using the [a]ll option will set the target mode name to *.mod so any
number of modes may be modified if you want a global change. These
routines allocate memory and if you don't have much available, you
might not see a complete list of files to select from (if you have biiig
mode lists).
Template files have changed in size from 568 to 618 bytes long to
accommodate the new parameters that may be cloned in ModClone 2.00.
ModClone 2.00 will recognize the version 1.0x templates and adjust them
up to the new size. The new parameters will be set to NOCLONE.
>>> --- <<<
ModClone version 1.03 didn't copy the Joystick 2, Rudder/Brake option.
ModClone version 2.00 fixes this bug. .....Thanks, Jeff.
>>> --- <<<
This software may be distributed by any means, by any individual,
provided that no modifications are made to the software or any files and
that no fee or charges are made other than cost of duplication charges.
>>> --- <<<
One further note: No warranties are expressed or implied. The user must
decide the fitness of this program for his or her own application. In no
event will I be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, and without
limitation to damages for loss of business profits, business interruption,
loss of business information, or other loss) arising from the use of or
the inability to use this program, even if I have been notified or advised
of the possibility of such damages. (This is just to cover the ole' seat
of the pants that might otherwise be hanging out in the financial breeze.
I have tried to make this program as safe as I know how, but you never
REALLY know.....)
>>> --- <<<
Since you probably obtained this program by modem, you might want to
check out the Computer Pilots Association of America (CPAA) and their
bulletin board at (703) 548-7849. Also, look for the CPAA FidoNet echo
on a bulletin board near you; they are growing all the time. The echo
and the CPAA are great sources of flight simulation information.
Another !excellent! board devoted to flight simulation is Joe Lincoln's
LINX BBS (713)440-7364. He has some great programs for FS 3.0/4.0 -- his
FSPro series and others!
Also, S.W. Enterprises has RuDDer Pedals for FS 3.0/4.0 and any other
programs that support a second joystick input for yaw (you know, left
and right) control. The pedals cost $49.95 as of this writing but you
should call and check availability, pricing, and get some info. The
address is:
S.W. Enterprises
P.O. Box 5432
Norman, Oklahoma 73070
(405) 527-7368
>>> --- <<<
If you use this program and find it of value, a license fee of $5.00
is requested and would be appreciated! Money will encourage me to
distribute new versions with new features. Any comments are also very
welcome. We're about due for a complete software overhaul now that FS 4.0
is out and the next version will work with FS 4.0's mode library and alter
more parameters in a more user-friendly way.
Inquiries, comments, and funding should be sent to:
Robert Fields
2029 Cherokee Lane
Norman, Oklahoma 73071-4644
CompuServe # 73357,1511
By the way, Microsoft is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation,
Flight Simulator is a trademark of SubLogic Corporation, IBM is a
trademark of IBM Corporation, CompuServe is a trademark of CompuServe,
Inc., and Robert, well, that's what my mother and father decided to name
me. Now, how do I turn on those damn magnetos? '-) Tally Ho...