Have you created symbolic links in d3d9 config window? And there is already R12 of d3d9 with a lot of improvements.
I wasn't aware of a newer d3d9, I'll get that asap thanks
As for creating symbolic links, no, I wasn't aware that was needed or just how to do so (windows 7 64bit) and for which things it needs to be done.
Edit: OK, I did some more reading and found the mention of the 'create symbolic links' button in the advanced video options in Orbiter. With the config and sound symbolic links in C:\Orbiter2010\Modules\Server the ships now work properly.
perhaps an obvious mistake but I've learned from it so that's cool.
