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PRE-Flight Multiplayer - Single PC
PRE-Flight allows 2 or more players on one single PC, all players flying in one
single scenery, each flying with his/her own transmitter, all players interacting with
each other with collisions enabled. In addition, the PRE-Flight USB Interface allows
each player his/her own personal 3D sound thru the Interface's speaker/earphone output.
Shown above is one PC screen with 3 player windows and the Server Window.
The number of players possible on a single PC is limited only by the PC's speed and
memory and the number of USB sockets available.
Quickstart.
Starting the Server
The Server must be started to allow more than one player to fly in a single session.
The Server manages communication between players and also manages security/passwords
and communication between PC's across the Internet or LAN in the case of Multiplyer
across multiple PC's. See this link for Multiplayer over Internet or LAN.
Click on Start, Programs, then select the PRE-Flight folder. Run the program
"Configure Airshow".
Browse and select the desired Scenery.
List the desired aircraft that will be allowed for the session. Use the Add and
Delete buttons to edit the list. Do not include aircraft that will not be used as this
will increase the memory requirements.
Set the Update Frequency. This is the number of milliseconds (1/1000 of a second)
between screen updates. The lower the number, the smoother the play but the higher
the CPU speed requirements. Set from about 50 to 200.
Set the number of players allowed. This parameter is important in LAN or Internet
sessions (multiple PC sessions).
Set passwords(if required) for Flyers and Spectator Levels. Leave blank to allow all
Players unrestricted access. These parameters are important in LAN or Internet
sessions (multiple PC sessions). See this link for Multiplayer over Internet or LAN.
Click Save.
Run the program "Airshow Server" in the PRE-Flight folder.
The Server will pick up the Parameters that you set for the session and will allow
players to join the Session until the number of players is reached.
Joining the Session
Once the Server is running, players can join the session until the number
of players allowed is reached. Note that if the PC running the Server is attached
to the Internet or LAN, then players running PRE-Flight can also join the session.
See this link for Multiplayer over Internet or LAN.
To allow players their own Transmitter/Controller and their own 3D Sound Output,
run PRE-Flight as normal (single player), then Go Menu Control, Advanced Settings, then
put a tick on the Box to allow control selection. Then Go Menu Sounds, Advanced
Settings, then put a tick on the Box to allow Output Sound Selection. Exit PRE-Flight.
Individual sound can then be heard thru earphones plugged into the Speaker output of the
PRE-Flight USB Interface.
Plug in the PRE-Flight USB Interface and the desired transmitter/controller thru the
transmitter cable.
Optionally, connect earphones to the Speaker output of the USB Interface.
Run PRE-Flight Multiplayer by clicking on the Multiplayer or Airshow icon on
the Desktop.
Enter a Player Name and password (if required by server).
Put a Tick on LAN or Local Airshow. If attaching to a server in another PC thru
the Internet or LAN, untick this box and enter the desired IP address.
See this link for Multiplayer over Internet or LAN.
Click Join.
Select the desired Control and Sound Output devices when propmpted.
The window will connect to the server in a few seconds.
Other Players may now Join by following the above procedure. Make sure the USB
Interface and transmitter/controller is plugged in before starting PRE-Flight Multiplayer.
Note that if the PC running the Server is attached to the Internet or LAN, then
players running PRE-Flight in another PC in the LAN (or another PC anywhere in the world
thru the Internet) can also join the session. See this link for Multiplayer over Internet or LAN.
Flying Aircraft
Flying aircraft is not required - you can simply join then watch the other players
and their control stick positions (full version of PRE-Flight), and chat. If you wish
not to fly, skip to the next section.
Important Note: to operate your flying window, click on the window with the mouse
to give it main focus. This will allow you to operate the Function keys, Menu, etc.
Go Menu Models, then select the model aircraft you want to fly. The selected model
will appear as in the single player mode on the start position. Start positions for
each player will be slightly offset to avoid collisions on start.
Press F12 to reset in the case of collisions or crashes.
You can select any aircraft at any time.
You can change controls by going Menu Controls.
Other Operations
To look at another player, Go Menu Airshow, then select the desired player.
To look at another player's Controls, select the desired player (as above). Then go Menu
File, Show Controls. The other player must also select Show Controls AND must be looking at his/her own model (go Menu AirShow, Look at My Model).
To Chat, Go Menu Airshow, Chat to open the Chat box. Type in your message and click
Send to broadcast your message to all players. Players must have their Chat box open to
receive messages. The Chat box will also announce players as they join and when they
leave.
Exiting the Player Session
Simply quit the PRE-Flight Multiplayer program.
Operating the Server
Type 'Stats' to display server statistics. Note: do not include quotes.
Type 'Help' to display a list of other server commands.
Type 'Stop' to exit the server.
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