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 Here's a picture of the prototype version of the FC3 builds (that prior link was v2 of this prototype)
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.
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.
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
