Airgroup 51
General Forums (Public) => DCS World General Discussion (Public) => Topic started by: Apache600 on December 06, 2017, 11:09:17 PM
-
Hey guys,
As some of you may know, I'm a bit of an airplane geek. So much so that I can't stand having to memorize keyboard binds (especially for the FC3 aircraft) To combat that issue, I've built some control panels in the past, and still use them to this day. Here's one such example of the latest build I have for the FC3 control panel stuff. https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=165291 (https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=165291)
Here's a picture of the prototype version of the FC3 builds (that prior link was v2 of this prototype)
(https://i.imgur.com/UleFXeg.jpg?2)
That control panel has served, and is still serving, me quite well; though it's now time for something else. With the advent of all these fantastic aircraft on their way, and those study sims that are already out, these FC3 boards don't really cut it for the wide variety of platforms out there. They work well for FC3, but that's about it. So on to the purpose of this post ... showing off the new build.
The new control panel will be universal for ALL the platforms in DCS. The biggest obstacle that I need to overcome is the labeling of keys. I'll be cutting back considerably on the physical keys on the control panel, and relaying more on the 2 MFD's I purchased, and a Logitech G13. Of the toggle switches that I'll have on the new board, they will all be momentary 3 way toggles. As opposed to a bunch of On/Off switches on the FC3 board. This will lose some of that "realism" feel. But it will make things SO MUCH easier in way's of binding them. No additional software will have to run in the background to designate how those keys operate. And also, I won't have the issue of spawning a new aircraft and then finding out that a toggle switch is out of position. So for the labeling issue, each aircraft will have it's own overlay that will fit over the keys (just like what some of you do with the different background cards for the MFD's ... which I'll be doing too) The surfaces of the panels on my board will be recessed back a bit, so that a sheet of custom made card stock can fit in, and not wobble about. Here's a google sketchup of the prospected design.
(https://i.imgur.com/E6UEIu8.jpg)
Those little "wing" thingys on the top left and right will be holders for sheets of paper that give the key commands for the HOTAS and G13 functions.
The planning of the control panel is basically done, though some measurements (the top half of the panel in particular ... with those wing looking things) are going to have to come after most of the base of the project is built. The button placement planning is already done, and those boards are mostly prepped already. The base is complete, and I've started building up the two flanking control panels. Here's a picture of the progress so far.
(https://i.imgur.com/iUvEXJ5.jpg?1)
More pictures to come as work continues.
I'm pretty excited for this control panel and the potential it has to make my flying more enjoyable!
- Apache600
-
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4550/25014518528_42f7953809.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/E7rWSd)20171206_205927 (https://flic.kr/p/E7rWSd) by ag51 kaydo (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158721483@N02/), on Flickr
Nerd, also working on my 2nd prototype, already started my box. Think I am moving my MFD's in the middle and making side panels switches. Also adding 5 more dials.
-
Wow! Nice :thumbsup:
-
....but Santa needs to bring you a bigger monitor.
-
Don't you worry Thud, that's a really old picture. I've got a 32" 2k now.
-
Here's today's progress, though now it's off to work tomorrow, so nothing in the near future.
Button panels are set, and sized. And the mouse surface is done. Next is to finish the side walls, and then build the large angled piece that will have the 2 MFD's and G13 mount to.
(https://i.imgur.com/GOK73iL.jpg?1)
-
Here's mine.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4633/27132089729_900f8d212a.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hkz41v)wood box (https://flic.kr/p/Hkz41v) by ag51 kaydo (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158721483@N02/), on Flickr
-
Apache and Kaydo, both of those look very nice!
-
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
-
you guys have some skills... looking good!!!
-
Apache- looking at the Leo Bodner boards and have a question. Looks they they show up as a game controller when you plug them in is that correct? What about the Desktop aviator boards same thing?
-
Leo shows up as a controller under the model name of the board. I have a BU0836A and that is what it shows up as. I believe the BU0836X does not require a matrix like the A and is in stock aparently. I would recommend that one over the A, not sure if it needs diodes if you use non-momentary switches. Don't know about the other board but my Derek Speare's board shows up as a controller also.
-
Looks awesome guys.... :thumbsup:
-
Hey Glider, sorry about the late response. You're correct, when hooking up the Leo Bodnar, it basically looks like just another joystick or game controller, and I believe the Desktopaviator products are the same way.
Kaydo, you're correct in that the BU0836X does not require a matrix. The X is certainly much more "beginner friendly" than the A. They will both do the same things, but the A will take a little more work on the back end to get all the keys functional. That being said, the A is also less than 1/2 the cost. Diodes are certainly required if you want to use toggle ON/OFF switches on the A model. If you don't use them, you'll get a lot of problems. Ex, if you have switch 4 as an on/off switch, and then you flip in on, and then press switch 12, there's a potential that you'd inadvertently also press switch 8 because that ON/OFF switch is on. They are not required for the X model, but you will need additional software to run in the background (SVmapper or Xpadder) to tell the computer how the toggle switches should work.
-
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4519/27207028229_687a6e5d97_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hsc8BB)20171210_230501 (https://flic.kr/p/Hsc8BB) by ag51 kaydo (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158721483@N02/), on Flickr
Just waiting on my rotary encoders that are arriving tommorrow and I'll be all done until my screens for the MFD's show up.
-
I'll be all done until my screens for the MFD's show up.
What screen are you getting Kaydo?
-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/HDMI-input-LCD-controller-board-8inch-800x600-EJ080NA-05B-lcd-panel-Remote/1829412131.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.8.q5mbJ1&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_5000016_10130_10345_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_51102_10546_10340_5060016_10341_10548_10545_5130016_10541_10084_10083_10307_5690016_10539_10312_10059_10313_5080016_10314_10534_100031_10604_10603_10103_10605_10594_10596_10142_10107,searchweb201603_2,ppcSwitch_2&algo_expid=2c941c1d-6cb2-4cd3-b7ac-d6d393806030-1&algo_pvid=2c941c1d-6cb2-4cd3-b7ac-d6d393806030&rmStoreLevelAB=0
I bought two of these. They were half the price of monitors already assembled and these ones use their own power cord and HDMI port. The lilliputs that most people buy have 2 usb cords which need to be directly tied to your tower. I don't have those slots to spare so making my own was better. My bevels will be made from acrylic sheets i cut and meld together.
-
Your link takes me to a login page.
So, what will you be seeing on these screens? Is it what the game shows in the cockpit?
-
I fixed the link. The screens will show what is in the cockpit on the harriers mfd's. So when i push the corresponding button, my screen wil change. This video is a short demo of what I will be able to do. It also makes it so I don't have to print my mfd cards. I can make a pdf file and just move them to the corrsponding screen for aircraft such as the P-51.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ4muY0YvlA&t=45s
-
That is awesome!! I believe that what you described for a/c without MFD's like the P-51, is exactly what Animal is doing now. Can't wait for you to post a video taken by your wife with you in the "pit" flying the Harrier! You'll probably have to mute it though to supress he giggles :Rofl
Serriously though, take good notes on this project as I may be asking for some advice later on down the road. :thumbsup:
-
I could also see this eventually happening..
-
A little more progress here. The button boxes are completely enclosed on the bottom half of the panel. Now it's time to start construction the main angled board that will house the MFD's and G13.
(https://i.imgur.com/K2fDp8w.jpg?1)
-
Nice Apache! :thumbsup:
-
If your like me you will be going through several iterations and be working on this for a long time :)
-
I've built quite a few control panels (over 10 different designs, for 6 different sims) This one actually has the fewest buttons (that I am putting on it), but should have the most versatility because of the "interchangeability" it'll have. Thanks to the MFD's and G13. After doing the math, this will have a total of approximately 225 buttons/switches. I'm really striving to not have to make another version of this ... but I'm sure that, in time, I will. haha.
-
I found that in most cases I end up using very few of the buttons on my cockpit and tend to use the hotas and mfd buttons most of the time.
(https://i.imgur.com/G9YmBWu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CDTSrsa.jpg)
-
Damn Hawg, why are you not flying that thing with us??? That's boarder line criminal to have that and not be using it.
Anyway, here's some progress from today. I mounted the back panel that will hold the MFD's and G13 (you might even be able to see the trace marks of them I drew on there) I set the X-55 Hotas on it just to see how it looked. Don't worry, the cables will be tucked away
(https://i.imgur.com/rpYbIql.jpg?1)
-
Alright. Another big update. Box is complete, now just have to make the stands for the quick reference button sheets to sit on. After that, it's on to painting and wiring
(https://i.imgur.com/D1JqsLL.jpg?1)
-
Question for Kaydo- So how are you connecting the displays to your video card? Are you using Display Port to HDMI cables?
-
Sorry, I was out of town. I am using two display ports. The cables I purchased are DisplayPort to HDMI. So one end connects to the video card at the DisplayPort, the other end into the screen board is HDMI. I should have my tutorial done next weekend and posted.