Introduction: As I was waiting for the North American release of the 1946 DVD to actually become available in stores, I began downloading important patches and updates in preparation. In my opinion, there are too many links to follow, especially for somebody who doesn't know the history of this sim or where to begin with updates. So, here is my attempt to consolidate information for absolute newcomers to the series.
* Important tip for Windows VISTA users: Do not install IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 to your Program Files folder. (I changed my install path to C:\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946.) VISTA puts additional protection on programs within the Program Files folder and this interferes with the game's ability to update some user preferences. Similarly, don't install utilities like IL2-MAT Manager or Demon's Uber-Quick Mission Generator to the Program Files folder either.

Part I: Official Patch(es). The IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 DVD-ROM ships as version 4.07m of the game. After installation, you will need to update to version 4.08m. There are numerous mirror links provided at UbiSoft's Pacific Fighters homepage, but I'll let you in on a little secret: you can download the 4.08m patch directly from UbiSoft's server.

* A beta version of the 4.09m patch was released on December 27, 2007. This must be installed after the 4.08m patch above. If you choose to use the beta be sure to back up or rename any files that are replaced by the beta first. Also, if you want to use the accompanying new default skins file, it must be installed after the main 4.09 beta patch's files. (Mirrors for download: Mission4Today, Filefront)

* A final version of the 4.09m patch was released in October of 2009. This replaces the beta version linked above. SimHQ is also hosting the download plus the guides, Skins Pack and the Server patch. A SimHQ interview with the patch's developers can be read here.


Part II: Dynamic Campaign Generator (DGen) updates. The DVD ships with an old version of the DGen.exe program. It will run all of the dynamic campaigns on the DVD, but it is outdated and therefore incompatible with numerous 'user made' DGen campaigns. Even the official 4.08m and 4.09b1m patches do not update this program. You will need to download the most current version of DGen.exe, which is periodically updated by the program's author on an unofficial basis. (Back up your current DGen.exe first!)
Option 1: (Link is no longer valid. Go to option 2.)
Option 2: DGen.exe v4.0.8.7 is now included in the Enjoyr patches that are described in further detail later in this post. This version of DGen is the most current and will run all DGen campaigns.


Part III: Getting Up To Speed. At this point, you haven't yet added any new campaigns outside of the official channels. We will soon add some free, user-made dynamic campaigns. I encourage you to first become familiar with the basic game by reading this Community authored FAQ at Airwarfare.com. It answers many common questions, like how to release the planes from carrier decks or raise the landing gear on the Wildcat. The answer to both of these questions is that you have to assign keys yourself to various functions ... you can get some ideas for getting started in this thread about user defined controls. If you don't know how to read the instrument panel gages, a brief tutorial I made based on the Wildcat F4F-4 is now part of Bearcat99's "A Nugget's Guide To Getting Off The Ground." There is lots of good information within the Nugget thread including links to other tutorials.

Here's a great thread that explains what the difficulty options mean. Set the difficulty before you begin each career because once the first mission is generated you can't change any of the options for that campaign.


Part IV: Adding Free DGen Campaigns. For offline, single player mode, DGen provides nearly infinite replayability. However, the stock game does not provide careers for all nationalities or even for all of the maps. The community has filled some of this void with free campaigns; in addition there are commercially available packs like Battle Over Europe, OstFront, and The Last Days. I'll assume that you don't have any of the commercial packs yet and that you'd like to add some free stuff first. Fortunately, Enjoyr has recently made this very, very easy with his series of patches.

First, before you do anything else, I want you to make a backup copy of your DGen folder that is located in your main 1946 folder. We're about to overwrite and alter files, and you may wish to revert to your original files later. Don't say you haven't been warned.

The Enjoyr patch series: I'm going to narrow this down to just the links you should use if you only have the 1946 DVD:

1. EnjoyrPatch_forNoAddons_v4.7. This patch will self-install most of its content but you'll have to decompress and manually install the zip files that are included in the "Other Files" folder if you wish to add them.
To use the optional replacement RAF and Luftwaffe pilot portraits in the raf_dgen_pilots_colours and luftwaffe_dgen_pilots_colours packs, look in the "Forgotten Battles" folder of each one, and then copy only the "Dgen" folder from each pack into your 1946 game's main folder.
* Note: Enjoyr's current patch self-installs DGen 4.0.8.7 for you.

2. Optional: Add supplemental textures packs that are listed on the same page as the EnjoyrPatch download. These are custom skins for all of the DGen campaigns included in Enjoyr's patch. These patches make life so much easier for you! The self-installing program puts all the skins where they need to go. Normally you would have had to sort out all these skin textures that come with each campaign yourself and then manually put them in the correct subfolders in your game folder. This is, to say the least, a tedious process. BTW, the campaigns will work fine without custom skins but the skins make the campaigns so much more authentic and immersive. You can also use any of these new skins you've added when you play online, in the Quick Mission and Full Mission Builders, or on your personal aircraft in offline single player modes.


Part IVb: Making the Italian Campaigns Included in the Enjoyr Patch Actually Work. (This section was added on 01/10/2009) The Enjoyr patch series has experienced many revisions since the first version. In the early versions all of the items that are required to make the Italian campaigns work properly were included in the "Other Files" folder of the Enjoyr patch download. Either by accident or by design, these necessary files have been ommitted from the Enjoyr patch downloads since sometime after v3.4. Unfortunately, because 1946 does not come with an Italian nationality folder or Italian speech pack by default, the Italian campaigns in the Enjoyr patches won't work if these are not somehow added.

However, there is a handy solution. First, go to CombatACE.com and create an account so you can log on to that site. Next, download DGen Updates by Skycat! It's an old, outdated pack now but there are important items within it that you can extract to complete the Italian campaigns in the Enjoyr patch:
1. Copy the PaintSchemes folder to your 1946 game's main directory.
2. Copy the Missions folder to your 1946 game's main directory. (You may wish to remove the GB subfolder from the "Campaign" subfolder first; otherwise you will get a new menu background for your RAF campaigns).
3. Copy the Samples folder to your 1946 game's main directory. This will add the Italian language speechpack and national music.

If you don't want to use my 'mega pack', here's where some of Italian campaign components originally came from:
1. Italian Campaign Pack -- includes speech files and campaign medals.
2. Italian Pack -- Pilot textures.


Part V: A Better Quick Mission Builder. Many newcomers soon ask, "How can I add more maps to the game's Quick Mission Builder?" Unfortunately, you can't. The good news, though, is that UberDemon has developed the UberQuick Mission Generator, a utility that works a lot like the QMB but it gives you access to almost all of the game's maps. At first glance, the UQMG might appear overwhelming and difficult to use, but actually it is pretty easy to learn. If you've been wanting to set up a simple dogfight scenario over Normandy or Kurland but you don't want to plot everything by hand in the Full Mission Builder, UQMG is definately the way to go. It even has a built-in tutorial.

1) Download, unzip and install UQMG 5.0.32 Full Release for FB+AEP+PF. * Note: If you are using Vista, do not install UQMG to your "Program Files" folder. (I changed my installation's path to C:/UberQuickPF and this allowed UQMG to work correctly.)
2) Launch UQMG from your Start menu and go through the initial set-up.
3) Create a mission and play it in IL-2 1946. Don't skip this step!!!
4) Download, unzip and install Upgrade 0016, version 5.0.44. * Note: If you are using Vista, simply copy the upgrade's "ini" folder over to your UberQuickPF folder.

Note: The original version of UQMG 5.0.44 is available at Mission4Today.


Part VI: Online Multiplay. Earlier versions of IL-2 software included a program that allowed access to UbiSoft's free server at Ubi.com. This feature is noticeably absent from IL-2 1946. However, Hyperlobby, an alternative 'online system' (and also free to use), has long been very popular with the IL-2 community. The 1946 version is supported at Hyperlobby's Forgotten Battles area.
1) Download and install the Hyperlobby client.
2) Launch Hyperlobby. (With Vista, I get several error messages here but then Hyperlobby works fine after that.) Accept the licensing agreement and choose a username and password for yourself.
3) In Hyperlobby, choose Forgotten Battles -- you may have to click on the circle in the upper right corner to bring up CONNECT/SELECT GAME. Direct Hyperlobby to your 1946 game's main folder; by default the location is C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946.
4) There should be a list of active Games In Progress in Hyperlobby's left margin. Find one that you can join; the fraction shows how many players are in that game vs. the maximum allowed. Click on any game's name for information about that game; you'll see the type of combat, the mission's difficulty options, who is playing, and whether a password is required to join. If the options suit you, click on the JOIN THIS GAME button. Hyperlobby will launch IL-2 1946 for you.


Part VII: Improved Aircraft Markings. The national markings, fuselage codes, and squadron insignias that appear on the aircraft are rendered by decals called MATs. The stock MATs are less than perfect however; for starters, they are too opaque and the aircraft's panel lines are obscured beneath them. More importantly to many players, the stock MATs are often historically inaccurate. Even at best, they are just too 'clean' for typical front line combat aircraft. Aces Artwork tackled this problem by creating the IL-2 MAT Manager utility and including hundreds of replacement MATs to choose from.

Installation into Windows XP should be pretty straightforward; just follow the procedure below. If you are using Windows VISTA, both IL2-MAT Manager and IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 must be installed outside of your Program Files folder to work ... I learned this the hard way.

1) Copy your 1946 game's "il2fb.exe" and rename the copy to "il2.exe." (You should now have both versions in your game's main folder. Don't simply rename il2fb.exe or else Hyperlobby and other utilities won't work.) Note: the .exe part of the name is a file extension and may not be visible in your game directory.
2) Edit the [Game] section of your game's conf.ini file so that ClearCache=0.
3) Go to your PaintSchemes folder and make sure that Cache and NetCache are not 'Read Only.'
4) Download IL-2MAT_and_IL-2_MAT_Manager_V2.33_PLUS_Installers. Extract the contents. You won't need il2mat_setup or the hook file.
5) Install the il2-MAT Managerv2_33_PLUS_Full_Installer.
6) Run IL2-MAT Manager and target the program to your game's main folder. The default target location is C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\IL-2 Sturmovik 1946. Installation will take several dozen minutes to complete, so go make a sandwich or something.
7) Customize some MATs and save your changes. Click on the Load tab at the top left corner. Exit IL2-MAT Manager and let the files transfer. Start 1946 and see if the changes appear in the game. For testing purposes, changing the default Japanese insignia to any custom MAT will give very obvious results.
8) If your customization was successful, download il2-MAT Managerv2.34. You should uninstall v2.33 through the Windows Control Panel before installing the update.
9) Download il2-MAT Managerv2.35. You should uninstall v2.34 through the Windows Control Panel before installing the update.
10) Download il2-MAT Managerv2.36. You should uninstall v2.35 through the Windows Control Panel before installing the update.

Update: There is now an unofficial 'all-in-one' installer that will save you a few steps. It is located at Mission4Today. More details on this patch can be found here.

Well done Skycat!

Yes well done Skycat....thanks


Best Regards

Thanks for making this simple and painless!

Even for older hands like me this was long overdue. I have shied away from DGen cos I just didn't get it. Hopefully now I can. Thanks very much.

"Option 2: Download DGen.exe v4.0.6.12 and put it in your main game folder. This is the preferred version because it will run all of the DGen campaigns in EnJoyr's patches (see below). However, it downloads as a .7z file and you will need WinRAR to extract the file."

Hello,
A quick correction.

For .7z file you need : http://www.7-zip.org/
It is free and very performant.

Nice summary

WinRar worked fine for me. Thanks for adding that link, it's nice to have choices.

Top post Skycat (thank you mods for sticking this, otherwise I wouldn't have seen it)...

June 17, 2007: Originally this post included further instructions for using my DGen 4043+BOE Updates Pack from early 2006 to supplement Enjoyr's patches. Enjoyr has updated his patches several times in the last few months, and I now feel there is very little benefit to using my pack also.

IL2-MAT Manager instructions moved to opening post.

Hello Skycat,


I have some files for you to test, regarding the Coral Sea escort bug. I send you a PM.

Cheers,

Vince

Is there a no CD crack for IL-2 1946

The U.S. version of Il2-1946 does not have any sort of copy protection, so you don't need a no-CD crack.

I didn't even think to try, but you're right. After the North American version is installed, the DVD can stay in its case.

My il2fb.exe is dated 2003. Even more interesting, I don't see an rts.dll in the folder.

Skycat,
Want to thank you for the extra help.
Your right about working directly out of DGen.I've tried both ways.
Better late than never.I'm really enjoying the change.
Cheers,
Christopher

just picked up this today, Im a total noob but looking forward to catching up in what I've missed.

I was totaly lost till I saw this forum, thanks!

GoGamer must distribute the European version. My disk has a SecureRom Error when I try to run it without the DVD installed, anyone have a no CD crack?

I second that...

I want to keep this weird DVD away from my computer as long as I can.

It failed to install the game properly at first and now it misfires every second time I try to run the exe.

I ever usually bother with them, but a "no cd" would be very welcome.

Tony

LOL! I have the EU 1946 DVD. The install was all good but after that the game crashed every time when browsing menus after a mission I run every update I could - then the game entirely stoped working!!! Well, now I'm using the 'crack' which works terrific & makes me happy Get it at usual places & blame Ubi one more time

Sorry for my ignorance, but is this a free update if you allready have il-2/FB/AE/PF, or is it a seperate purchase?

CHeers

separate purchase.

Ugggg. Thanks.

Hello Skycat,


Following the most recent update by EnjoyR (patch for no add-ons version 1.92), do you think one can update 1946 and get all free DGen campaigns without the need to install your BOE update first, but just using EnjoyR's patch?

Cheers,

Vince

Hi . . . great resource. I just started a new USN campaign out of Tulagi with the new Enjoyr patch. After having tried DCG for some time (a great program), I still find I prefer DGEN so this patch is a great thing for me.

For some reason though, I can't get that skins link to work for me. It takes me to this page:

http://nahraj.cz/down/498209598/EnjoyrPatchAskins.zip.html

. . . but I don't get a download link. Any ideas?

Nice job Skycat

Now that I'm home I'm having a bit of trouble here.
I can't seem to find this file at said page, and its a language I can't read or translate with google.

Thanks Gamekeeper . . . . getting the skins now!

Thanks Gamekeeper,

Thanks for keeping this guide updated . its quite intimidating for returnees like me. Its given me a new lease of life with the RAF in Africa. Thanks so much to all involved.

Happy Happy, Joy Joy!

Last night I was finally able to get IL2-MAT Manager to work in Windows VISTA. Unfortunately, to make this happen I had to completely uninstall IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 and then reinstall it outside of VISTA's "Program Files" folder. After that, I reinstalled IL2-MAT Manager outside of the Program Files folder as well. Doing this now allows both programs to update their various configuration files when changes are made. It seems that VISTA is naturally overprotective of anything located in the Program Files folder.

Similarly, a few nights ago I achieved success with installing Uber-Quick Mission Generator by installing it outside of the Program Files folder. Unlike with IL2-MAT Manager, UQMG worked for me even though 1946 was (at that time) still in the default location in the Program Files folder. This threw me off the the trail for finding a solution to getting IL2-MAT Manager to operate, and I wasted a lot of time installing and reinstalling IL2-MAT Manager components.

Lesson learned: if using Windows VISTA, don't install anything IL-2 related into the Program Files folder. I've updated the opening post with this advice.

Just installed "46". With landscape set to "perfect" (1200x1600 32)I get A/C, runway, clouds but rest is black!
ATI Radeon X800(256),XP,2 gigs Ram??
Aslo it never asked for the second disk??

The second disk is a bonus DVD, not necessary for the game.

Did you run il2setup.exe before launching the game, a program contained in the game's root folder?

Maybe you should run it again.

That did it! Thanks. What "slab" will work with 46?

Hello everyone,

Is there a no-cd patch for the UK version? Securerom is having trouble reading the disk and it takes me five or so tries before the sim will actually load.

Just a note on MultiPlayer.
If you're not a HyperLobbie person, and want to host, obviously you need to open port 21000 to your Router/Firewall/PC if you want to be a server.

Another tip, Magnum and I tested a Dynamic DNS client today, and you can type in DNS names instead of IP addresses in the join screen. So instead of typing an IP and port;

200.100.50.25:21000

You can type;

mypc.dyndns.org:21000

The host just starts a free dynamic DNS client beforehand or have a Firewall/Router that supports Dynamic DNS directly. You can read up on Dynamic DNS here; http://www.dyndns.com/services/dns/dyndns/

Again, the link to EnJoyrPatchA_skins is not working. What is the problem.....??

Working now....Thanks again for the pointers....

Hi What are the ports needed for 1946?? I reaqd here that Port 21000 TCP/UDP is needed what other Ports are used, It should be put in the Front Page Under Part VI:Online Multiplay.

Please Dont reccomend I look in the Manual I Don't have this sim I just need to know the Ports Used for Online Multiplay.

THNX
The_Nephilim

Thanks! This is just what I was wondering today. I just bought IL2 1946 after about a 2 year break from flight sims in general and I am looking forward to flying again soon.

If you are a total newcomer you can also hit The Nugget's Guide in my sig. Great stuff Skycat

The link to the latest DGen version seems dead, just thought you should know.

I'll check it and remove the link if necessary. The most recent DGen.exe is now also included in Enjoyr's patch, BTW.

Ok I did it.

Why do I feel like I just bought Pandora's Box?

After sitting on the sidelines for for the better part of 6 years watching this sim develop, I figured it was high time to see what all the hype has been about. What better opportunity than now with Il-2 '46 as the culmination of all at $10/pop?

Skycat,

Thanks for using your editorial skills to spell this out. There's a lot of material here. I plan on taking small sips with this one.. like a fine cognac..

BP (Okland)

Do you mean IL-2 Shturmovik Stab? Then version 6.3 is what you want. You can download from Mission4Today.com

You only need to open port 21000 UDP to host, if you want to join a game you don't need to open any port.

Skycat
Some info on setting up Mat Manager in Vista 64bit in this thread. You might want to add it to the Mat Manager section of your guide

http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2338891&page=1#Post2338891

Unstickied, but merged with the "Essentials" thread. And a bump to the top.

The links to the 4.09 beta have been added.

Hi Skycat,

I just installed 1946 and the 4.08 patch. I want to try the 4.09 beta, but I have two questions.

How can I run this at 1680x1050? I see that IL-2 Shturmovik Stab Version 6.3 will do that for me, but should I use that mod, another mod, or should I do it myself in config.ini (haven't even looked there yet). Also should I do it now or after 4.09.

Second Question; should I use the skins that were released with 4.09 or EnJoyrPatchA_skins (190 Mb), or both?

Thanks for this fantastic guide.

1. I've never used IL-2 Stab so I don't know how it works. I assume that it makes changes to your conf.ini. If this is correct, it wouldn't matter if you use Stab or if you edit your conf.ini manually. The other part of the question is that it doesn't matter if you make the change before or after the 4.09b1m patch because the 4.09 beta doesn't touch (overwrite/replace) your conf.ini.

2. The new default skins that can be added with the 4.09b1m are just that--default skins. They are hardcoded into to game so that if no custom skins are selected for a particular aircraft the default skin shows instead. The skins in Enjoyr's patches are custom skins and are used in the campaigns. They can also be used in online dogfights or in QMB or selected by the player in offline missions...but they are not new default skins. You can install all of Enjoyr's skin packs if you wish along with the new default skins pack.

Great!

I'll edit the conf.ini - did so to 1680x1050 and I get black bars on the sides. It also shows the resolution as 640x480x16 in the Menu/hardware setup/video mode selections box - I guess this is normal.

Now I'll install the 4.09 patch and then new default skins and then follow the rest of your guide - getting enjoyr skins at the right time.

The EnjoyR skin patches are essential to install together with the EnjoyR DGen patches. Without the EnjoyR skin patches, the campaigns added by EnjoyR patches for no add-ons or others, will launch but will not show the intended/correct skins.

The skin patch from 4.09mb is a default skin patch, so as Skycat said, all these are complementary and do not overlap with each other.

One thing to be careful of. Set all video / sound options in game first before editing the CONF.INI manually, to change screen resolution say. If you do not, the game will reset values to values it knows about thus undoing your changes if you go back into that section of the GUI.

If using Stab, that is why I recommend after installing game patches:

1. Install patch.

2. Run game IL2SETUP.EXE

3. Change settings in game (like high detail, excellent detail etc etc).

4. Then run Stab and go into Options and select OK to reset CONF.INI (screen resolutions etc)

Just a quick DGEN question...
I have IL2-1946 patched to 4.08. If I add Enjoyr's DGEN update to it, then will I have many more campaigns AND single missions to fly? Or does that just improve the campaign part of the game with alot of new campaign options to fly? I am a little confused on what you get with the updated DGEN download. I am trying to get some more single missions to fly as that is what I am using to get practice time in with the different aircraft.

Thanks, Tracy

The Enjoyr patches are exclusively to add more (many more!) DGen dynamic campaign options. And by that I mean you'll see new theaters and time periods that are not included with the stock install of 1946. You'll see dozens of new career options added to your game and that really becomes hundreds of new campaign possibilities.

However, the Enjoyr patches do not add single missions.

Try browsing Netwings, Mission4Today and CombatACE for single mission downloads.

Generally speaking, if you have 4.08m installed you can play almost any single mission ever made. The obvious exceptions to this are missions created for the new maps in the 4.09m beta; new maps added by community mods; and sometimes the oldest missions that were written for the first version of IL-2 Sturmovik, curca 2002.

Thanks Skycat...one last question
I have an older 24 inch monitor I bought used back when 24" monitors retailed for $500 to $600 new. I have enjoyed the hell out of it, but now after 12 years it is showing its age.
The IL2-1946 sim runs kind of dark on it. Is there anywhere in the Config ini where you can boost the brightness ?? There isn't anything in the game options unfortunately. Unfortunately I am probably the ONLY person with this problem but I am hoping there is somewhere where you can increase the brightness level.

Thanks again,
Tracy

I don't think there is such an option available through the game. I think the closest you can come to controling the gamma and contrast via the game is to play with the objects and landscape lighting under the Video Options in the Hardware Setup area.

There may be a utility you can download for your brand of graphics card though. For example, Riva Tuner will allow you to adjust brightness output if you have a Nvidia card.

Skycat, question, I have 4.08, Ostfront, and BOE...So in looking at M4T, I found the B patch, but can't seem to locate the A patch, except for the one for No add ons? Do I need the A patch, if using add-ons? Thanks

Cloud

Oops, after checking the archives, found PatchA was already on the B download. Thanks.

Does the Steam version of 1946 auto-update? Can you mod the Steam version?

+1. Several people I know looking at grabbing it, and I don't know what to tell them. Well, I told them get the DVD if they can find it, but I'm a crotchety old disc hoarder.

so is the beta the last patch? i didnt install i t then waiting for the final version...

Bummer, the uberdemon site seems to be down (for quite a while already now) . So its virtually impossible to get a hold of the UQMG + update (even M4T link their download to the original files on Uberdemon's site).

SkyCat, would it be possible for you (or anyone else) to temporarily upload the needed files ('UQMG 5.0.32 Full Release for FB+AEP+PF' and 'Upgrade 0016, version 5.0.44') somewhere? Like RapidShare or something like that, whatever suits you best.

Cheers!

http://aces_artwork.airwarfare.com/IL-2MAT_and_IL-2_MAT_Manager_V2.33_PLUS_Installers.zip

This link is dead. Anyone have an updated link?

Edit: NM, found it. Updated links come later.

thanks for this posting. have to confess that i am not sure which specific enjoyr patches to install (i have 4.08 of 1946).

there are numerous versions of il here and not sure which to pick:

http://www.enjoyr-page.cz/PanelPatche_eng.html

Most of the options are for if you own one or more of these third-party dynamic campaign products:
- OstFront
- Battle Over Europe
- The Last Days

Select the patch option that best matches the add-on packs you have already installed.

If you use Lowengrin's Dynamic Campaign Generator (DCG) you might want the DCG patch. It works independantly of the OstFront/BOE/TLD options so you can use this patch even if you do not have any of the other three packs. Install Lowengrin's DCG first.

If you do not own any of these products, just choose the 'no add-ons' option. It only contains user-made campaigns that were made for the stock 1946 install.