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Converting FSX *.pln to P3D *.pln format?

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I have bunch of *.PLN flight plans that were created ages ago for FSX.

the PLN files for FSX are plain text format.

e.g.

[flightplan]
AppVersion=9.1.40901
title=OJAI Queen Alia Intl to LLBG Ben Gurion
description=OJAI, LLBG
type=IFR
routetype=2
cruising_altitude=11000
departure_id=OJAI, N31* 43.35', E35* 59.59', +002395.00
departure_position=1
destination_id=LLBG, N32* 0.57', E34* 52.97', +000135.00
departure_name=Queen Alia Intl
destination_name=Ben Gurion
waypoint.0=, OJAI, , OJAI, A, N31* 43.35', E35* 59.59', +002395.00,
waypoint.1=LLLL, SALAM, , SALAM, I, N31* 56.00', E35* 31.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.2=, LLBG, , LLBG, A, N32* 0.57', E34* 52.97', +000135.00,

the Prepar3D however on the other hand are XML format *.PLN flight plan

e.g.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<SimBase.Document Type="AceXML" version="1,0">
<Descr>AceXML Document</Descr>
<FlightPlan.FlightPlan>
	<Title>LLBG Ben Gurion to OJAI Queen Alia Intl</Title>
	<FPType>IFR</FPType>
	<RouteType>HighAlt</RouteType>
	<CruisingAlt>7000</CruisingAlt>
	<DepartureID>LLBG</DepartureID>
	<DepartureLLA>N32° 0' 34.13",E34° 52' 58.20",+000135.00</DepartureLLA>
	<DestinationID>OJAI</DestinationID>
	<DestinationLLA>N31° 43' 21.00",E35° 59' 35.40",+002395.00</DestinationLLA>
	<Descr>LLBG, OJAI</Descr>
	<DeparturePosition>1</DeparturePosition>
	<DepartureName>Ben Gurion</DepartureName>
	<DestinationName>Queen Alia Intl</DestinationName>
	<AppVersion>
		<AppVersionMajor>10</AppVersionMajor>
		<AppVersionBuild>3708</AppVersionBuild>
	</AppVersion>
	<ATCWaypoint id="LLBG">
		<ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
		<WorldPosition>N32° 0' 34.15",E34° 52' 58.20",+000135.00</WorldPosition>
		<ICAO>
			<ICAOIdent>LLBG</ICAOIdent>
		</ICAO>
	</ATCWaypoint>
	<ATCWaypoint id="SALAM">
		<ATCWaypointType>Intersection</ATCWaypointType>
		<WorldPosition>N31° 56' 0.03",E35° 31' 0.00",+000000.00</WorldPosition>
		<ICAO>
			<ICAORegion>LL</ICAORegion>
			<ICAOIdent>SALAM</ICAOIdent>
		</ICAO>
	</ATCWaypoint>
	<ATCWaypoint id="OJAI">
		<ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
		<WorldPosition>N31° 43' 21.03",E35° 59' 35.40",+002395.00</WorldPosition>
		<ICAO>
			<ICAOIdent>OJAI</ICAOIdent>
		</ICAO>
	</ATCWaypoint>
</FlightPlan.FlightPlan>
</SimBase.Document>

What I have noticed is that FSX could read both Plain text PLN files and XML PLN format files, but Prepar3D can't read the plain text FSX PLN file, but only the XML PLN format.

I don't want to recreate all my Flight plans again.

does any one knows of a tool that know how to convert the FSX PLN file to a P3D PLN file?


Joel Strikovsky
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Seeing the format of the data, I could probably whip one up for ya pretty quick once I get time. All the data is the same type, just laid out in different places.

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Isn't the first one an FS9 flight plan file? FSX .PLN files are already in XML format. I began to write a program, but then realized that FSX files are already in XML format.


Brandon Filer

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Well, if he has flgihtplans he kept around from FS9, that would be why he has plans in .txt format.

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it could be that it is the original FS9 PLN (i thought that myself) , but that is what vroute.premium tool exports it too.

they do have P3D export format as well, but that means I need to route everything again

 

Seeing the format of the data, I could probably whip one up for ya pretty quick once I get time. All the data is the same type, just laid out in different places.

that would be great.


Joel Strikovsky
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leave them in their present format, and when you want to use one, just browse from the P3 flightplanner UI to Documents\FSX files and select the one you want.

 

I am sure there may be a more sophisticated way of doing things, but it enables me to make use of the excellent FSBuild 2 simply by exporting the plans to FSX as usual, then by browsing from the in-game planner I Load the plan. I have no FS9 stuff, gave that away when I grew up!

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leave them in their present format, and when you want to use one, just browse from the P3 flightplanner UI to Documents\FSX files and select the one you want.

I tried it before I posted that Question.

P3D doesn't recognize those files. i.e. it doesn't even list them for you to pick.

that is how I realized this problem in the 1st place.

I saw it shows me only 3 FP even though I had about 20 of them.

I open those FP with notepad and an one example/random FP of those who did not show on the list and I saw the difference that I mention at my original post.


Joel Strikovsky
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FSX/P3D must be trying to load the XML document and when it fails, it doesn't display it as a choice. If FSX fails to load the XML, it reverted to the FS9 loading method of INI configuration data.

 

As an update, it's half done now, just making sure it imports/exports everything as expected and has failsafes for ensuring no overwriting of originals and backing them up (don't wanna lose that work).

 

Hopefully, I'll have it done tonight after work or in the next 3 days I have off (best Memorial Day plans ever - sit at home, drink some liqour, eat some hot dogs with my wife and roommates/extended family and program a program for the hell of it)

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My god, you are amazing!!!!!!


Joel Strikovsky
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It is done. Take a look at the readme as it will detail a lot, but for starters, unzip the PlanConverter.exe into the flight plan directory you want to convert and run the program. There is no GUI or anything, just a black CommandLine box will appear, the disappear. It will move the converted files to a new directory called BACKUPS and the new converted plans will be in a CONVERTED directory. It is quick and dirty, but should get the job done.

 

You're looking for a file in the FSX Utilities called Flight Plan Converter by Aaron Parsons (me). I got the upload confirmation, but the file still hasn't been processed by the file admins. Hopefully, it will be downloadable tomorrow for you and anyone else who needs the utility.

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thank a million , will give it a shot.


Joel Strikovsky
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they denied my upload as I am unwilling to put my email address for technical support questions about the upload and am not a publisher with an active support forum.

 

I don't normally upload files to share with others, so this will have to do for now..

 

 

 

Its free and easy for me, but takes you a few clicks to get the file.

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that is more then perfect.


Joel Strikovsky
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they denied my upload as I am unwilling to put my email address for technical support questions about the upload and am not a publisher with an active support forum.

 

I don't normally upload files to share with others, so this will have to do for now..

 

 

 

Its free and easy for me, but takes you a few clicks to get the file.

 

Ok , Finally I got the time to test the tool.

it converted the planes as expected to XML format however unfortunately Prepar3D still can't read them.

maybe there is a different format for P3D.


Joel Strikovsky
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Ok , Finally I got the time to test the tool.

it converted the planes as expected to XML format however unfortunately Prepar3D still can't read them.

maybe there is a different format for P3D.

 

Can you read the converted files with FSX? Could be a bug in the software.

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