Hacking the 14MZ MDL files

[Finless]

Some of you may or may not have seen this on the 14MZ/12MZ forum here so I though I would post it here as well.

I have a 14mz and want to get started on a PC program to allow users to display and edit the model files. I have made some pretty good progress :D

I have a web page here for kind of launching this project and I show how to edit the model time/date stamp.
Here is my web page:
http://www.wavelandps.com/14mz/

Even though I only have the 1 project listed I have already cracked many other portions of the model file and plan to post those soon. Here is what I have so far:
Model type setting
Frequency settings
PPM, PCM, 2048, etc settings
ATV and ATV limits settings
Sub Trim settings
Servo reversing

Soon I should have all of the "linkage" menu decoded and then will start craking the "model menu".

I could sure use someone that programs Windows based software to help on this project! While I would like to start out in the public domain for the program there is always a chance this could become popular and thus launch a commercial program! Just some ideas ;)

Enjoy!
Bob

[marked23]

I'm a windows applications programmer. C#, mostly these days. My specialty is database related work, but I also do some UI stuff as well.

I could make a program to load a collection of MDL files and put them in a particular order, checksum them automatically and spit them back to disk.

Would that be a good start?

-Mark

[marked23]

What I think would be cool is a converter that converts MDL files to XML. XML, being both human readable and machine readable, is an excellent target to head for when reverse engineering a file format.

I imagine that the XML converter part could be the "free" software. Simply making the files editable offline is quite useful itself. Over time, the MDL file format will likely change a bit and thus make this part of the project a moving target forever. There's no joy in commercializing that.

What you could sell is the user friendly UI, with graphics, and charts, and mouse clicks to set curves, etc. The UI edits the XML format and the converter (either manually or automatically behind the scenes) converts the XML back to MDL.

I've seen this model used in other projects where a free piece of software was transitioned into commercial software by merely selling the enhanced UI. The real hard project, the free xml <-> mdl converter, drives demand for the commercial UI.

-Mark

[WillJames]

Sounds GREAT!! I would pay for this software. I would LOVE to be able to tweak my models curves and all on my PC during the week when I can't fly.

That would be KILLER!!

[Finless]

What I think would be cool is a converter that converts MDL files to XML. XML, being both human readable and machine readable, is an excellent target to head for when reverse engineering a file format.

I imagine that the XML converter part could be the "free" software. Simply making the files editable offline is quite useful itself. Over time, the MDL file format will likely change a bit and thus make this part of the project a moving target forever. There's no joy in commercializing that.

What you could sell is the user friendly UI, with graphics, and charts, and mouse clicks to set curves, etc. The UI edits the XML format and the converter (either manually or automatically behind the scenes) converts the XML back to MDL.

I've seen this model used in other projects where a free piece of software was transitioned into commercial software by merely selling the enhanced UI. The real hard project, the free xml <-> mdl converter, drives demand for the commercial UI.

-Mark


Mark, I will PM you about this..... I have one guy helping with reverse engineering the MDL files and another has offered to do the program but he is busy and might like the help! Anyway I will PM you with my Email address to we can all get hooked up!

Bob

[WillJames]

EXCELLENT the wheels are in motion and ALL of us that run the new Futaba radios can benefit from the outcome. That is GREAT!! This hobby is GREAT!!

Thank you guys!!! My wallet is ready and I will help you guys make it happen any way I can.

Thank you in advance!!!

[dr_hfuhuhurr]

Hey all...give me a shout with the info. I'm a C# guy and have done a TON of windows forms development. I'd like to hear what is going on with the development and I'll lend a hand wherever I can.

Blake

[CopterKid]

Hi guys,

I've been working on a Futaba editor for a few months (not currently for the 14MZ though). If I can assist let me know.

You can download the program from:
http://www.garyga.com/Downloads/tabid/56/Download.aspx?DownloadID=3

It still needs a lot of work (not touched it for about 4 weeks due to building by new Freya) but you'll get the idea :idea:
Models can be exported/imported in XML format.
The program will attempt to connect to the Internet, this is the automatic update check which can be disabled from the options page.

Pete.

[thespin]

Sure would be nice if the interface was done in wxwindows and in c so it could be run on OS X and linux. Although, if it was in C#, it could probably be run under Mono. Still, c and wxwindows would be clean and portable.

Let me know if I can help.

[theo2076]

If I could get some code to convert the model files into xml and back again I could whip up a real nice Java UI, which could be run on any platform.

I know something was in the works, I just don't know enough about binary to convert it into xml.

[Finless]

CopterKid, I cant seem to get the link to work? It times out.



Bob

[CopterKid]

Hi,

My SQL server keeps hanging and killing the site :?:

I've put a copy here:
http://www.garyga.com:8080/CampEditZip.exe

If you are asked for a username and password they are both guest

Pete.

[AlanMcSwain]

I really wish Futaba would realize that there is a high degree of convergence between Helis and computer hobbyists and produce a system with an embedded Linux OS so the community could constantly drive the software and utility of these systems forward at a faster rate.

[bkervaski]

I know x86 assembly, C, C++, Perl and PHP if that helps. I also know C# and am pretty proficient in MSIL. I know mysql and ms-sql and a few others. If I can help let me know.

My company developes embedded systems: http://heavylogic.com

Anyone want to send a donor 14mz? If CE will run on it, I bet we can get linux, freebsd or vxworks to run on it. Oh, we'll need some donor helis as well as I'm not flying mine with it.. heh

[Finless]

I know x86 assembly, C, C++, Perl and PHP if that helps. I also know C# and am pretty proficient in MSIL. I know mysql and ms-sql and a few others. If I can help let me know.

My company developes embedded systems: http://heavylogic.com

Anyone want to send a donor 14mz? If CE will run on it, I bet we can get linux, freebsd or vxworks to run on it. Oh, we'll need some donor helis as well as I'm not flying mine with it.. heh

Join the group hacking. On my web page you will find a link to RCFan's hacking group.
http://www.wavelandps.com/14mz/

Bob

[Fall2Fast]

That radio is just sooo much $$$$ is it really worth it with helicopters? I can see with planes and ganging servos, but what about for us?
and I did see that video using the protractor, BUT I did not see a comparison, and that is OK too, what about the servos? would the servos actually point to a number that the 1024 will not? :dontknow

I may be out of line, but I seen this and just thought I would ask. Myself... I am not at the level that I would notice :lol:

[Finless]

Withg a G3 RX trust me you FEEL the difference. I am not hot 3D pilot and I feel the difference. I know I will have this radio a LONG time and it will be worth the investment.

Bob

[Dan MacKay]

I have only had mine for a week now having stepped up from a 7CHP and the difference even for a relative newbie is absolutely tremendous. I would put this on my christmas list if I were you. You have to feel it to believe it.

Dan

[COOKIEULT70]

Is there a similar site for the Futaba 9ZAP? I want to move the three position switch from the right side to the left. I can move the switch itself easy enough but will the radio recognize it in the new position?

[Finless]

No there is not BUT.... It can be done!
See my site here for as mouch info as I could show without being chased by Futaba :)

This info here should allow you to do what you want!

http://home.socal.rr.com/hotweb/futabaserv/

ENJOY ;)
Bob

[O. Zarcugi]

Hello

Look at
http://ozarcugi.cwsurf.de/mdlviewer.jnlp
i need help
ozarcugi@googlemail.com

thanks
Orelmaar

[mstram]

No there is not BUT.... It can be done!
See my site here for as mouch info as I could show without being chased by Futaba :)

This info here should allow you to do what you want!

http://home.socal.rr.com/hotweb/futabaserv/

ENJOY ;)
Bob
http://web.quick.cz/zd/ServMenu.htm
(http://web.quick.cz/zd/ServMenu.htm)I could not read this page and actually have no idea what language it is even in!]

Google "cz domains" ..... = Czech

Google translated :

http://tinyurl.com/54gyup

[mstram]

I don't have a 14z, but I downloaded the manual out of curiousity.

Hacking is fun but ..

Since the objective was just to resort the models, did you try changing the radio time-date before copying / creating a model ? :) Maybe that's all that is required ?

And you mentioned not knowing what might happen if the date was set to the "future" The radio might get confused if you load a hacked file with a future date in it, but I can't see why you shouldn't be able to set the date to the future in the radio (using the menus), for sorting purposes.

Mike

[RBeaubien]

Bob,

Are you still interested in getting a windows app written to make changes to .mdl files? If so, let me know. rbeaubien<at>koolsoft<dot>com

Robert Beaubien

[RBeaubien]

I'm not sure if this is of any interest to you heli flyers or not, but
I want to see if there is interest in a model file editor that will open model files from Futaba (http://www.rcuniverse.com/buynow/keywordclick.cfm?bid_id=6405) 14MZ/12Z/12FG and/or JR 9303/10x/12x and allow editing and/or converting between any of those radios. If anyone is interested in such a utility, please let me know here. I would also need to know if anyone would be interested in helping test such a utility during development.

The utility would be able to do the following

1. Read .mdl files from Futaba 14MZ/12Z directly from memory card
2. Read .mdl files from Futaba 12FG after user moved file from memory card to harddrive using other available utilities.
3. Read model files from JR 9303/10x/12x after user moved files from radio using the PC link.
4. Allow editing all model files (to the extend I can decypher)
5. Convert model files from/to any of the above radio formats
6. Maintain database of model files and history of specific model files.
7. Generate XML file detailing model file definitions.

+ any other good features you guys can come up with.

Thanx to Finless, I already have a good headstart on the Futaba file format and can already make changes to that format. Its simply a matter of mapping the location of all the radio features.

Let me know....

Rob