News SimTools 2.0 Question and Answer

Here is the SimTools 2.0 Pricing Table.
(All prices are in USD)

And here is the SimTools 2.0 official license. (zipped doc file)
SimTools 2.0 - EULA.zip

Hi All,

The very first SimTools 2.0 post!​

In an effort to be a bit more open with what’s going on with SimTools 2.0, I have decided to make a question and answer thread. I hope this thread can be used to tell you a bit of where we are going and answer any question you guys may have. I will try to post the common question the top of this thread, so everyone can see the answers, without having to scroll thru the entire thread.

What New Features are Planed for SimTools 2.0?​

I am sure I could have gotten away with just adding a bunch of new features to SimTools 2.0. But that would hardly be the future of DIY Simulator building. And I probably would have only been able to achieve half of all the feature requests people have had for SimTools 2.0. On top of that, all the added features would only slow SimTools down, and that my friends, is just not acceptable!

So how do we accommodate everyone’s ideas and requests for new features, and also be able to support new interfaces and enable the building of more complex simulators? (For example, a simulator built out of an industrial robot arm.) Or maybe you just want to drive a device with different math, such as a haptic feedback vest.

The solution is to build a completely modular motion system! Where anyone can not only build a Game Plugin, but also build Interface Plugins and Axis Assignment (math) Plugins. Because of this, anyone can add any feature they need, to any part of the system and not affect any other user. And the new plugins are shareable and usable by anyone. Every time a new interface plugin gets built, we all can now use that interface in future DIY builds!

To me, game plugins are the best part of SimTools, and I saw no reason not to push it as far as I could! (@value1 - special thx for pushing me to implement the game plugin system, and all the time you have put into game plugins! I really can’t thank you enough)

Ok cool, but what New Features are there in SimTools 2.0?​

- Game Manager –Simpler Patching!
- Game Manager –Stop/Go Button!
- Game Manager –Game is patched - Icon indicator now on main screen!
- Game Manager –ButtKicker Output Support!
- Game Manager –Remote Profile Management UDP interface!
- Game Manager –Splash Screen now closes when the System Trays Icon is Double Clicked!
- Game Engine –Memory Mapped Output Interface!
- Game Engine –JRK Output Interface!
- Game Engine –Interface Plugin System!
- Game Engine –Axis Assignment (Math) Plugin System!
- Game Engine –Axis Assignments plugins are now completely multithreaded and way faster!
- Game Engine –Two Axis Assignments pages for up to 12 simultaneous axis calculations!
- Game Engine –DOF Extra1-3 ‘Names’ now properly displayed in the right places!
- Plugin Updater –Now asks to replace a Max/Min file if one is already installed for the game!
- Game Manager –Profile Managers ‘Main Level’ now smoothes the inputs (not the outputs, oh so much better.)

There is a lot more, but it’s what I can think of off the top of my head for now.

New Companion Apps​

Game Vibe - ButtKicker output system (3d if game supports it)
Video Ride Player/Creator - (Ride, Capture and Create 5D style video rides)

SimTools Fixes​

There is also a ton of fixes and improvement is SimTools 2.0, here are just some (that I can remember of hand) I will add more as they come to me or I get asked about them.
Fixed – GUI, no need to set text size to 100%
Fixed – No Need to change the Date Time format for proper output bug (affected countries that use a comma as a decimal point)


I will be adding to this list as I get more done, get asked questions or as I remember anything I have forgotten. (I'm sure there is a lot)

yobuddy

Licensing & SimTools 2.0
​

First, I would like to give a special thanks to @noorbeast, for all the hard work you have put into the licenses drafts! Thanks my friend! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask either @noorbeast or myself and we should have an answer.

------------------------------------------​

There is a whole new licensing framework for SimTools 2.0, so here is a bit of an introduction of how that is being formulated, what the aim of coverage is and how that will take form in actual licensing.

The biggest shift is how to better balance and manage the needs of DIY builders and the increasing corporate interest. There has unfortunately been unauthorized corporate profiting from SimTools, with a flow on consequences for the DIY community. Our response to this is a far more rigorous licensing regime that provides greater protection, control and clarity, while at the same time serving both DIY and commercial interests and offering new types of functionality for both.

The SimTools licensing has been drafted and redrafted many times since mid last year, as SimTools V2.0 has evolved. The first step of the licensing review process just started a couple of days ago and will be widened as the drafts are refined.

There will be three licenses covering SimTools 2.0.

There are fees associated with the 3 license versions, but don't panic as in the case of the DIY license we intend to have a Discount Code that Xsimulator.net DIY simulator builders are eligible for, which effectively makes it free for all those who are actually building a DIY simulator (not from a kit or a commercial product). Having to get a license key provides far more control over unauthorized misuse of SimTools.

The DIY license will have the same basic functionality as the existing SimTools (but with up to 12 axis now possible), and a far more responsive and flexible framework. The DIY license defines and explicitly precludes commercial use. However it does not stop a DIY builder from doing free public demonstrations, as we want members to be able to showcase of their rigs and SimTools! (GameDash will only work with a pro or entertainment license thou)

The Professional license covers DIY builders who want to use the new extended features of SimTools, like transducer support (GameVibe), or for commercial simulator manufacturers, or commercial simulator kit suppliers.

The Entertainment license is for commercial public ride type of businesses, which will need to be renewed annually.

Further details will be provided once the licensing review process is completed, but hopefully you have an idea of what to expect.

yobuddy

I bet you grab everyone's attention with the V2.0 introductions, plus have a ton of questions coming your way.

Exciting times for SimTools, with a whole raft of new functionality and features.

I can say as one of the early testers that SimTools 2.0 is also super responsive, it makes your sim feel like you have got an engine upgrade!

We all owe you a great big thanks @yobuddy for the huge amount of work you have put in to making SimTools 2.0 both modular and super responsive.

I will release SimTools 2.0 when the beta testers believe it is ready for the big show!

Yes, but there is no 'movement' modes. Just raw telemetry data to play with.
If the system just played back pre-recorded actions, IMO it would be really bad, real live telemetry data is where its at!
Here is a old pic of what I mean.


The Pic is a bit old, but it gives you an idea. the plot points are drag and drop-able.
The app also accepts UDP input so you can feed it with telemetry while recording the video (more on this later)

Yes, all apps should be completely region free.

yobuddy

Yes, but the IMU's output needs to be throttled, in order to get the same number of plot points per second.
yobuddy

Bump... added "Licensing & SimTools 2.0" to the second post in the thread.
yobuddy

As a community member you will be able to get a token so you can use the DIY Licensed version of SimTools 2.0 for FREE.

The DIY Licensed version extends and refines motion, as a Beta tester I have found SimTools 2.0 to be far more responsive than the current version, it feels like your sim has had an engine upgrade.

You can use up to 12 Axis with the DIY licensed version of SimTools 2.0, so you could run a 6DOF + a Gseat.

The only thing you can do with the current version and not in 2.0 will be GameDash, as that and all the new extended functionality features like transducer support and motion playback are covered by the Professional Licence.

What @yobuddy means by a token @rattler is a code that when entered gives a 100% discount on the DIY Licensed version of SimTools 2.0.

Yes SimTools 2.0 is more responsive than the current version, which is 1.3.

@yobuddy is the person who decides costs and I expect will discuss them when he is ready to.

There will be a separate website to manage licensing keys, and that is currently under construction.

I don't know if there has been any discussion about the coin system, so can't comment.

Extended functionality like GameDash, GameVibe, VideoRider, Remote Profiler will all be covered under the Professional License.