# Microsoft Flight Simulator and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D Tacview has been tested and validated with the following editions of Flight Simulator: * [Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537590/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_2024/) (both retail & Steam editions) * [Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250410/) (both retail & Steam editions) * [Microsoft Flight Simulator X](https://store.steampowered.com/app/314160/) (both retail & Steam editions) * [Lockheed Martin Prepar3D](https://www.prepar3d.com/) (v1 to v4) * [VRS TacPack & Superbug](https://www.vrsimulations.com/) To use Tacview with the above simulators, first, make sure you have downloaded and installed the [latest version](https://tacview.net/download/) of Tacview. This will install `MSFS2ACMI.exe` and `FSX2ACMI.exe` on your computer. * Use `MSFS2ACMI.exe` for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, and `FSX2ACMI.exe` for all other versions, including Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D. * Launch `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe` from the Windows Start menu or search box. As long as it is running, all Flight Simulator flights will be recorded automatically. ![MSFS - Launch MSFS2ACMI.exe or FSX2ACMI.exe](/files/PU5tUkYpNMdi0GhncXG8) To stop recording, close `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe`, or the simulator. `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe` will automatically start a new recording when a major change is detected (such as a time or mission change). All flight recordings are stored in: `%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Tacview` You can click the corresponding hyperlink in `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe` to open this folder: ![MSFS - ACMI Files Hyperlink](/files/PKdp8ttsbTQD0ST46q2h) The recording folder can be changed by going to `Options` → `ACMI Files Recording Folder..` ![MSFS - Recording Folder](/files/PJ9tciS6SsIscDiq7pWc) ### Real-Time Telemetry Real-time telemetry is available with Tacview Advanced when using any version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, including FSX, Prepar3D, and MSFS. See the [Real-Time Telemetry documentation](https://github.com/RaiaSoftwareInc/tacview.documentation/blob/main/standard-and-advanced-features/real-time-telemetry.md#with-dcs-world-x-plane-or-microsoft-flight-simulator). Make sure you have launched `C:\Program Files (x86)\Tacview\MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `C:\Program Files (x86)\Tacview\FSX2ACMI.exe` before attempting real-time telemetry (or any flight recording) ### SimConnect Like many universal add-ons, `FSX2ACMI.exe` requires Microsoft Flight Simulator `SimConnect` to be properly installed in order to access telemetry data. If `SimConnect` is not installed, you will receive the following pop-up: ![SimConnect not installed](/files/yIqT8OLio5EXl2jtUS3j) If you are using Prepar3D, you must manually install SimConnect by running: `C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\redist\Interface\FSX-SP2-XPACK\retail\lib\SimConnect.msi` If for some reason SimConnect is not installed with FSX, you should find its installer `SimConnect.msi` in a subfolder of FSX such as: `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FSX\SDK\Core UtilitiesKit\SimConnect SDK\LegacyInterfaces\FSX-XPACK\` ### Network Flights `MSFS2ACMI.exe` and `FSX2ACMI.exe` do not differentiate between local and remote objects. Tacview displays everything exported by MSFS or FSX at a given time, which may or may not include other pilots. ### Add-Ons (i.e. TacPack) You can use `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe` with any add-on. When used with [TacPack](https://www.vrsimulations.com/), two recordings will be created: one from TacPack and one from `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe`. The Tacview recorder usually provides better results, as it always supports the latest Tacview features such as advanced telemetry. ### Terrain Elevation & Textures To add terrain elevation files and textures, see \[Customization].(../../customization/customization.md) ### Can `MSFS2ACMI.exe` or `FSX2ACMI.exe` slow down my computer? No. On modern systems, CPU usage is typically around 1% while recording. This was tested on a 2012 PC running FSX at maximum quality with 100% AI air and ground traffic (400–800 moving objects). ### Running `MSFS2ACMI.exe` on a Remote Machine Follow these steps to run `MSFS2ACMI.exe` on a different computer. **1. On the computer running Microsoft Flight Simulator** Ensure Flight Simulator is authorized in the firewall. Locate the MSFS configuration directory, for example: `%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache` Add the configuration file [SimConnect.xml](https://ln5.sync.com/dl/6b7cdbce0#ek2ej7x2-zkemh6xj-g5gg2bcc-ry9na5sb) Customize the file to use your preferred port and protocol, and set `Scope = Global` where applicable. To verify connectivity, start a flight and run: `netstat -an -p tcp | findstr "0.0.0.0"` Confirm that your chosen port appears. **2. On the remote computer running Tacview and MSFS2ACMI.exe** Place the configuration file [SimConnect.cfg](https://ln5.sync.com/dl/4e2fe6cc0#d9xqhkgd-ieatbktc-bkrbkk53-zgugnsat) next to `MSFS2ACMI.exe`: Edit the file to use the host computer’s IP address and selected port. **3. Debugging** On the MSFS machine, add [SimConnect.ini](https://ln5.sync.com/dl/e0ae8a830#vdmngyim-ffgc4iy8-magfmuki-ym94g4hp) to: `%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\` A debug console will appear whenever SimConnect starts. You can also enable `Developer Mode`, then open `Tools` → `SimConnect Inspector` to view active connections. ### More resources [SimConnect SDK documentation](https://docs.flightsimulator.com/html/Programming_Tools/SimConnect/SimConnect_SDK.htm) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://raia-software-inc.gitbook.io/tacview/flight-simulator/msfs-p3d.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. 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