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Version 0.8.7679.19448
January 09, 2021
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.59 MB in total.
hello, just a little update, a few more requests were added but this time it's more of a 'technical' update.
- NEW : possibility to have a seperate folder to manage addons that will create links in the 'official' folder (for advanced users you enable this in the option screen, advanced tab.) This was developed for people wanting for example to move their 'store bought addons' outside of the official folder and manage them with the tool.
- NEW : added a basic 'export to excel' function (right click menu)
- IMPROVED : you can now select the Text Editor you want to use in the options screen
- IMPROVED : new checkbox in the launch program options to temporarly enable/disable entries without having to remove them
- IMPROVED : new technology for the creation of links ('junctions' instead of 'symlinks'). These types or links should give more compatibility and can help avoid certain difficulties some users were having (thanks 'Voyager' for the hint)
- IMPROVED : the tool now uses .NET framework 4.7.2 to prevent some possible problems with long path names (previously was using v4.6.1).
- FIXED : several little general and bug fixes
To update, just remove your existing files and replace them with the new ones. Even if there are not many new visible features, there have been some important changes 'under the hood' so hopefully all we be fine, let me know please if you encounter problems.
Thank you.
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Version 0.7.7644.40234
December 05, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.58 MB in total.
HOTFIX : the new 'open manifest.json file' option was always disabled (thanks Alvega for reporting). Sorry for that.
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Version 0.7.7644.25007
December 05, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.58 MB in total.
hello, another little version with some fixes and a few more requests filled.
- NEW : ability to set custom #tags to your addons for better categorizing. The tags can be created in the option screen, you can then assign them with the 'right click menu' on the addons list. A new 'quick filter' has also been added so you can quickly select all addons matchings with one or more tags (multi-selection and multi-tags are supported). Tags can be whatever you want (for example : #freeware, #payware, #airports, #liveries, ...). Reminder : you can put your 'Tags' column where you want and save the layout for future use.
- NEW : you can set custom colors for folders and addons (options screen).
- NEW : dark mode to save your eyes on night sessions ;) (options screen -> enable dark mode)
- NEW : open manifest.json file (menu -> manage addons -> open manifest.json file)
- NEW : option to disable all addons in the currently selected folder (right click menu). If a folder was partially selected it was previously not possible to disable all addons without enabling them all first
- IMPROVED : you can now reorder the program launching sequence + option to set a delay between each program launch (might be useful if one program need another one to be launched first)
- IMPROVED : program launched by the tool can now be automatically closed when the simulator stops running (this works only if the tool is still open when you close the simulator)
- FIXED : removed the old 'update preset' option in the right click menu as it was creating conflict with the new presets options at the bottom of the list (this could lead to updating to wrong preset).
- FIXED : the update preset button was saving the preset even if you replied 'no' to the confirmation message (woooops)
- FIXED : little general fixes
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Version 0.6.7632.36817
November 23, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.56 MB in total.
hello, another little pack of requests with this little update :
- NEW : new option to move addons -> will move the selected addons into another folder (multi-selection is possible and the link will be automatically maintained if it the addon was enabled)
- NEW : new option to delete addons -> will delete the selected addons (multi-selection is possible and the link will be automatically deleted if the addon was enabled)
- NEW : new install/update addon -> available only when you right click on a folder, this will let you select a zip and will then add the addon in the selected folder (or update it if it's already in the folder)
- NEW : in the options you can now specifiy other programs to be automatically launched when the simulator is started from the tool (EXE or BAT files). This might be improved with the possibilty to set delayed start for some of the programs, this would be useful if a program needs to be started after another one.
- IMPROVED : if you have 2 addons with the same folder name, they will show up in red indicating a possible duplicate.
- IMPROVED : the options screen now contains an 'enable log' feature. When that option is enabled a log.txt file will be created if the manifest files can not be read or if the links ca not be created. This might help with some debugging in case of problems.
- FIX : the advanced feature (hidden in the INI file for advanced users, see previous changelog) lets you now specify the base folder for automatic deletion of contents.xml and sceneryindexes.
next requests in line ... configurable colors / tags .. i will see what i can do about that.
as always big thanks to everyone who helped with inputs and feedback !
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Version 0.5.7624.24716
November 15, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.28 MB in total.
a very little maintenance release with a few more small requests filled (the easier ones for now ;)) and a few fixes. Some other requests are still in the pipeline but require a bit more time.
- NEW : gallery mode will show all thumbnails included in a particular folder (or in all folders at the same time). This might be useful, for example, to quickly enable/disable a specific livery. You can access the new 'gallery mode' via a new button in the menu or toolbar at the top (will show all thumbnails for all your addons in a single screen), or via the right click menu on a specific folder and it will show only the thumbnails included in that folder. The gallery screen will also let you enable/disable single addons by right clicking on their thumbnail.
- NEW : a new options has been added (options screen) to colorize in green the folders that contain enabled addons. The ones containing only disabled addons will show in italic and not in bold. If you don't like that just let this option disabled and it will be the same as the previous version.
- NEW : a new button in the toolbar and in the right click menu will let you expand all folders that contain enabled addons (all the others will be collapsed). In the toolbar it's the fifth button
- NEW : new option in the 'options screen' that will allow you to remove the information message when launching the simulator, the sim will be launched with no message at all
- NEW : new option in the 'options screen' that will close the tool automatically when launching the simulator from the tool.
- IMPROVED : the right click menu was getting a bit too big, some options have been regrouped in sub-menus for more clarity (all options are still there).
- ADVANCED : some users requested that the tool automatically deletes the content.xml file and the content of the sceneryindexes folder when launching the simulator (the sim will recreate those files automatically). These features have been implemented but are not visible in the program, you can enable them by editing manually the INI file available in the 'programdata\MSFS Addons Linker' folder (for advanced users only who want that feature).
** edit ** woops this advanced option was a bit too advanced for me ;), it will work only with the steam version, i wasnt aware that in the MSStore version the location is different so it will not work, i will fix that in the next realease **
- FIX : 'empty presets' can now be applied
- FIX : several little tweaks and fixes
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Version 0.5.7612.33732
November 03, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.27 MB in total.
Hello, a little update that focus primarly on the several requests i had to try to improve the presets functionality. Hopefully it will be a bit more user-friendly with this version.
- NEW : there is a new 'bar' below the 'addons list' for quick access to all presets options without having to go into the menu (apply preset / apply preset (cumulative) / create new preset / edit current preset / update current preset)
- NEW : a new screen allows you to edit saved presets without applying them (available in the new bar and in the classical preset management screen when clicking on the new 'edit blue button')
- NEW : at the start of the application, if all selected addons match with a saved preset, it will be automatically selected and shown in the new 'bar'
- IMPROVED : the addons checker has now a new little option if you want to scan only a particular folder and fixed an inconsistency in the colors that were shown for 'active/inactive' addons after the check is done
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Version 0.5.7609.24600
October 31, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.26 MB in total.
hello, another little update for those interested with a few more requests filled :
- NEW : you can now specify a custom 'symbolic link' name that will be used in the community folder (right click menu -> set custom symbolic link). With this, you can, for example, move up/down a specific addon in your community folder (order may be important for some mods) without touching the original folder name. The symbolic link name can be changed only when the addon is not active.
- NEW : new option to localize addons before an update (menu -> tools) : this new option will let you select a ZIP file and it will tell you where the addon is located on your system (if already installed on your system). This should make the updating progress a bit easier, you won't have to look for the addon location manually yourself. In a future version, if needed, i might just do the update directly (delete the existing folder / unzip the new version). Note : some addons authors change the name of the folder with each version, the tool will not be able to recognize that a new version is about to be installed if the name of the folder is different, you would need to do it by hand.
- NEW : new option (menu -> tools) to check if some addons can create some conflicts between each others (see here more info https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/scenery-creators-please-move-or-rename-your-modellib-bgl/307563)
- NEW : A new option has been added in the preset screen. 'Automatically select new addons if its containing folder was fully selected when the preset was saved' . When enabled, this option automatically select any new addons included in a folder in which all addons where previously selected.
Example : you have a folder with all addons for Germany, you select them all and save a preset --> if the option is enabled, when you restore the preset, any new addons added in that folder will be checked automatically without the need to check them by hand. Note : presets saved with earlier versions of the tool will need to be resaved at least once for this new option to work with the preset.
- FIXED : several little general fixes here and there
i could not include other requests for now because they all require some more important changes that are a bit harder to implement, will take a bit more time. Hopefully i'll find some solutions for most of them.
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Version 0.4.7602.39778
October 24, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.24 MB in total.
a very small update to fix a little bug (thanks LostPilot for reporting)
- FIXED : crash could occur in the addons list when 'right clicking' if no folders were shown (after a filter/search for example)
- IMPROVED : it's now also possible to save the columns order and size for the 'community list' (right click menu)
- IMPROVED : little tweaks to the filter panel of the 'addons list' so that it looks the same as the filter panel in the 'community list'.
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Version 0.4.7601.29749
October 23, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.23 MB in total.
a little hotfix... one day, maybe, i'll be good enough do it right the first time around ;=) .. sorry
- FIXED : missing refresh of the community folder after applying a preset
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Version 0.4.7601.26519
October 23, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.23 MB in total.
hello, another little version with some fixes and requests filled. The 2 most important changes are 'multiple source folders' and the ability to apply 'multiple presets' at once.
- FIXED : reinstated the check at the start to make sure the tool is not launched more than once (it was removed in the last hotfix because it was causing problem if the 'run as admin' screen was shown)
- FIXED : folders states (expanded / collapsed) were not restored at the start if the 'run as admin screen' was shown
- FIXED : some images (thumbnails) could not be loaded and were generating errors (could not reproduce that problem myself but i think the new code should fix it)
- IMPROVED : the options to launch the simulator can now be easily specified in the options screen, just select the version you are using (Steam / Store / DVD / custom lets you set your own path for example if you use a third party exe like FSJumpStarter to launch the sim)
- NEW : the new launching options let you now also launch the application with the -fastlaunch parameter (skips first part of 'adverts' for a slightly quicker loading)
- NEW : you can now apply multiple presets at the same time, all the selected addons specified in those presets will be applied
- NEW : you can now specify multiple source folders
- NEW : added option to open the current folder with the right click menu
- NEW : you can now create a new folder directly in the tool (the folder will open automatically after creation)
- NEW : you can now set links also on 'folder level'
- NEW : quick filters can be applied via 'right click menu' to show only all enabled (or disabled) addons
- IMPROVED : added several new buttons in the toolbar / reorganised menu (preset has now it's own menu and shortcuts for better visibility) / new options to 'collapse/expand all' within a single folder.
- IMPROVED : several other little changes, tweaks and fixes
some other requests in the pipeline not yet implemented
- find some way to rename links differently than the source folder / aliases / ....
- let rename folders inside the tools (for now, if you rename/move folder in windows explorer, the existing links will be broken, for now just recreate them by reselecting them in the tool).
- some kind of warning if two addons with the same name are in 2 different source folders (this would not work very well since the community folder doesn't have subfolders)
- show currently selected preset (if all selected addons match with the full content of a preset)
- eventual duplicate finder
- show the list of available presets when you create a new one
- probably a few more not stored in my memory right now :)
please let me know if i broke something, thank you.
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Version 0.3.7595.28608
October 17, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.20 MB in total.
- HOTFIX : fixed a little conflict with some checks at the start at the application that could prevent the application from starting in some cases (for now the check for limiting only one instance of the application has been removed) .. sorry for that little bug.
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Version 0.3.7595.25572
October 17, 2020
bad2000 just launched a new version. The new file is 23.20 MB in total.
Hello, a little update with some requests filled (some other are in progress and will hopefully be released soon)
- FIXED : The 'save columns order/size' option was not working in the previous version, this is now fixed and you can save your own preferred layout, you can move columns around, hide them and resize them as you wish and it will restored next time you start the application. Use the right click menu 'Save columns order/size' to save you current layout.
- IMPROVED : tried to improve some 'refresh situations' where the node would reset to all collapsed or all expanded, it should be more user friendly now hopefully (+ some performance enhancements by eliminating some unneeded refresh)
- NEW : it's now possible the see the thumbnail of the addon by placing the mouse over the little icon available in the new 'image' column (note the little icon will always be shown even if there are no images available for the addon, i'll check to improve that in future versions)
- NEW : added summary of size and number of files also on the the folders level
- NEW : added possibility to select multiple addons at once (shift+up/down or ctrl+click), you can then activate them with the mouse or keyboard (space bar)
- NEW : added count of total mods and activated mods on folder level
- NEW : added an option to send the application to the system tray when minimised
- NEW : you can rename now rename the 'Description' column if you wish (in case you want to fill it with some specific info)
- NEW : you can now also specify a link that will be attached to the addon, the link will then appear in the list and, by clicking it, you will be able to reach the homepage of the addon directly
- NEW : there is now a little check that will tell you if the application is already running to avoid running it twice
- NEW : there is now a little check that will warn you if the simulator is already running and you are trying to enable/disable some addons (can be disabled in options screen)
- NEW : there is now a new toolbar at the top for quick actions without using the right click menu (open then preset screen, expand/collapse folder, open the selected addon folder, start simulator). The start simulator requires you to set you starting parameter in the option screen (for steam it's 'steam://rungameid/1250410', for MS Store i don't know but you should check your shortcut and put the same info the options screen)
- NEW : added options to delete invalid links in the community list (right click menu)
- NEW : the options screen now let's you decide how your folder will show up when you start the application (all expanded / all collapsed / try to restore the same state as when you closed the application for the last time)
- NEW : you can now use the 'left' and 'right' key to expand/collapse folders
- NEW : there is now an option to fix the first column (this can be useful so you can scroll to the right and still see the addons name)
- IMPROVED : several other little tweaks / fixes / UI enhancements
GENERAL NOTE : It's very important to understand the the custom descriptions and links are tied to the folder's name. If you change folder's name using Windows Explorer, then there is no way for the tool to know that that new folder is the same as the old one so the custom data will be lost. For 'addons folder', there is an option inside the tool to rename the folder, this will ensure that everything is kept (not available yet for folders that are not 'addons folders')
i have not forgotten other requests, i will try to add them soon. In no particular order :
- let you specify multiple 'addons source folder'
- let you apply multiple presets at the same time
- renaming links in the community folder (could maybe help with characters limits for some users)
- eventual duplicate finder
- show the list of available presets when you create a new one
- a few more, if your request is not here no worry, it's all been written down somewhere :)
let me know if i broke something ;) and i'll try to fix ASAP. Thank you
Karma
I guess thats nothing a third-party could make, since its some core-sim functionality.
Hi guys,
why no one is making a replay mode
Would it be a lot of trouble putting the version number in the My Uploads page?
Hello
Jak a kam stáhnout České památky. Prosím odkaz na nápovědu. Děkuji
FlyTweety
Great work, one of the best tools for MSFS ever!
What it would make it simply perfect would be to team up with the author of the modellibchanger ( https://flightsim.to/file/5972/modellibchanger)
Integrating the check of the bgl and maybe rename it before ore while creating the symlinks would round it up as long several devs not pay attention on this.
VMarino
Great tool!
Question: Can you say a bit more about the red text for some addons? Is it a problem that I should try to address before enabling such addons at the same time? Are these duplicate file names embedded within the addons?
Thanks for your work.
"community_hold" folder.
Blabling3321
Is there a possibility to add map feature (pins of owned scenery addons)? It would be great.
TenPatrol
The best addon ever.
Thank you mate.
TmScw
Hi, I ran into a problem. When I put my addons in subfolders to keep them organized (which was the main reason for downloading this linker), I´m not able to select the addons anymore as linker states, it could not read the mainfest.json files. They worked before I put them into their respective subfolders. Am I doing something wrong? Any help appreciated!
Edit: I checked out the (many) comments here and solved the problem. Just copying not moving the files out of community folder did the job.
So everything all right and definetely 5 stars! (6 are not available)
avioboy
The program is great! But I'm missing a possibility to save the settings.
AvGeekXWB
Can we get a feature for seeing if we've named something the same as in another subfolder?
Thank you SO much for this...
I have OCD looking at my Community file and seeing the mess
FieselWiesel
First of all - great job, thanks!
IDEA:
Possibility to add a "Map tool".
I had such a Mod tool for xplane and that has integrated a map where you could see which airports you have installed.
Even it´s not possible to make this automatically (grabbing the information from the mod and put a marker on the map) it would be awesome if this would be possible by our own (implement a map and let us set markers).
Why?
Because I install a lot of airports and at the end I forget which cool locations I have installed :(
Yes, a map tool would be awesome and would make your addon even more neccesary.
Actually you could read out the coordinates from the .BGL-files (longitude and lattitude, check here: https://www.fsdeveloper.com/wiki/index.php/BGL_File_Format#AIRPORT_.28FS2020.29)
But even a "manual map", where users themself have to place pins would just be great.
Thanks for all the work you already provided!
Daveslow
I can hardly reccomend this little tool enough! I used ModMan FX until today and this here uses a third of the space due to it just pasting shortcuts to the community folder! Before, I'd have the original in my addons folder, the unzipped version in the community folder and ModMan FX also put a backup in a seperate folder... additionally this is EXTREMLY fast :) Awesome!
srock
I had a suggestion for an upgrade. As I get more mods, loading order becomes more important to get mods to work. Some mods depend on others to be loaded first to work at all
If the user could move a mod up or down in a list to indicate a preferred load order and internally the link name might attach a number which would then cause the mod to load alphabetically in order.
Similarly, a folder (ie aircraft, or airports or scenery) could be loaded in a user specified order.
Would be very helpful
Love your app
Steve
Steve
Pontiac51
Great work, could not imagine MSFS without it. I just wanted to ask to add a feature for official addons, but you were quicker. I especially use this during development of new airports adding folders from my DEV/Packages folders. That way I can develop a bit faster. Thx!
babulu73
Plain amazing. Works like a charm, easy to set up and it gives you so much freedom in organizing. With the "one click" presets you're ready to go in seconds and i brought my loading times from almos half an hour down to 3-5 minutes... THANK YOU!!! That should be part of the simulator itself, together with a way how to layer your scenery so you can decide the order and "exclude" part of scenery by layering it with another one.