Release 1.20 Major Update

[cgtrout]

Release Notes (1.20)

Download Notes

Two separate versions are now provided:

• MSFS-PyScriptManager_1.20.zip (WinPython version)

  • Standard release. Contains everything required to run MSFS-PyScriptLauncher
  • No system Python installation required
  • Simply extract to run this.

• MSFS-PyScriptManager_1.20_byop.zip (Bring-Your-Own-Python)

  • Doesn't include WinPython: will use whatever is on system path
  • Runs automated pip to install any missing dependencies . (Will ask for permission first)
  • NOTE: Python 3.15 currently doesn't work due to module incompatabilities with 3.15

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New Features & Improvements

Launcher & Interface

Script Picker

• Better file browser interface (switched to tkfilebrowser)
• Shows per-script descriptions using metadata

Console

• Added help command
• Shortcut always opens same instance (no duplicates)
• Fixed Control-Tab behavior
• Cleaner output and improved startup guidance

Input Handling

• Complete rewrite to fix interactive scripts
  • User input now properly buffered
  • Backspace and editing work correctly
  • Mouse selection works properly

Other Improvements

• Markdown viewer: Switched to tkinterweb for better performance and reliability
• Testing: Added test command to run pytest suite from console

Script Changes

plot_joystick

• Added rudder indicator with configurable bindings (drawn horizontally at top)
• Added optional value display toggle (via right-click menu)
• Added support for rotorcraft trim indicator (ROTOR_LATERAL_TRIM_PCT)

virtual_pos_printer

• Configure printer name and port directly in settings
• Added scrolling support for large print jobs

fbw_a380

• Added input debounce to prevent multiple activations from single press

Core Improvements

• All scripts: Improved sim state detection (knows when in menu vs. in-flight)
• All scripts: Better reliability when connecting to flight simulator
• Included resources: GitHub users now get chrisaut-toolbar-printouts built-in (as linked submodule)

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Bug Fixes

virtual_pos_printer

• Fixed Windows firewall prompt being triggered

metar_load

• Fixed loading weather data from NOAA service
• METAR window now reliably comes to focus when opened

custom_status_bar

• Improved simulator detection using new shared library

Launcher

• Error handling: Window no longer closes when errors occur (keeps error message visible)
• Process management: Fixed output corruption under heavy load; more reliable shutdown
• Process startup: Fixed libraries loading before dependencies were ready
• Logging: Fixed NUL characters appearing in shutdown logs

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Behind the Scenes

Launcher Architecture

• Refactored launcher.py into modular app package
• Added type hints throughout launcher code
• Simplified process tracking and stdout/stderr handling
• Added script arguments support

Process Management & Robustness

• Fixed EOF handling in pipe readers
• Added incremental UTF-8 decoder for robust text handling
• Implemented back-pressure handling to prevent dropped output under heavy load
• Fixed stdin-writer thread cleanup on shutdown
• Added termination polling for reliable process monitoring
• Improved AutoRestart behavior
• Added deterministic pipe stress tests

Shared Libraries & Infrastructure

• sim_state.py: New library to detect simulator state (menu vs. in-flight)
  • Uses CAMERA STATE via raw SimConnect DLL
  • Distinguishes between cockpit, external, drone, loading, and menu states
• connection_helpers.py: Standardized connection interface for all scripts
  • SimConnectConnectionHelper: For direct SimConnect access
  • MobiFlightConnectionHelper: For MobiFlight WASM access
  • Both support automatic sim state detection and connection timing
• mobiflight_connection.py: Updated to use helper pattern
  • Fixed None handling in set_and_verify_lvar
• window_focus.py: Low-level Windows API to reliably force window focus

Python Compatibility

• Python 3.14 support now supported
• Requirements.txt file added to automate loading of required modules (if not present)
• Added BYO-Python fallback when WinPython not found
  • Searches PATH for python.exe/pythonw.exe
  • Clearer error messages and instructions
• Improved WinPython selection prompts (Y/N when only one found)
• Added command-line argument to select specific WinPython instance

Testing & Quality Assurance

• Centralized all testing on pytest
• Created pyproject.toml for test configuration
• Added console test command to run full suite
• Added import_checker.py tool to validate package requirements
• Added pipe reliability stress tests

Quality of Life

• Logs moved to dedicated Logs/ directory
• Autostart groups file auto-created if missing
• New version detection / recommendation.

Packaging & Resources

• Linked chrisaut-toolbar-printouts as git submodule
• More files included for GitHub users

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This discussion was created from the release Release 1.20 Major Update.