homebuild question

[RitterKreuz]

first an explanation - then the question  ::)

I have decided to pursue a less costly route in constructing my cockpit.

my original plan included the purchase of USB instruments to plug into the computer and then mount on a MDF panel.

After reviewing the considerable cost in doing so i have decided to move into another idea.

and that idea is as follows:

I will construct my simpit to resemble a "future airliner"

three LCD screens will span the main panel. on the far left and far right G1000 style images will take up a 10" by 10" viewable area on the screen

the center screen will be an MFD type image which can cycle through a moving map and engine data etc.

interfacing with the nav/com slect, heading and CRS knobs on the LCD screens will be accomplished though the use of an ambidextrous track ball mouse affixed to the center pedestal aft of the power levers. the user can use the track ball to move a mouse cursor between screens to change nav frequencies, plug in GPS fixes and move the heading bug.

(mouse like this one.) http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Logitech-20302309

because i consider a typical keyboard too bulky and awkward and out of place for the confines of a cockpit i have decided that just aft of the mouse, on the center pedistal, i will mount a wolfking warrior gaming board.

wolfking game board here... http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... &c=us&l=en

typical air traffic control commands will be responded to via this game board through the number strip... i imagine it will be similar to reaching for an FMS keypad on a real aircraft.

for a yoke, i am undecided, but i would very much like to simulate dual controls, with a realistic central power lever for a twin turboprop or turbojet aircraft.

the panel will be made of medium density fiberboard, will be painted grey, and will be mounted over top of the LCD screens with view holes cut in such a way that only the viewable area of the screen is visible.

NOW THE QUESTION

is there a way to make the aircraft panel in the sim so that the only thing showing on the screen in cockpit view is the required image. for example... the only thing on screen 1 is the G1000 attitude and heading reference system with associated switches and knobs?... the only thing on screen two will be the EICAS or moving map and the only thing on screen 3 will be another G1000 style attitude and heading reference system... so there will be nothing else on that screen?

i hope that makes sense.

also... what options do i have for the number of monitors which can be used? i would like to use 3 monitors in the panel and a projector for the foward window. is this possible?

if not i would like to use 3 monitors for the panel, and a 4th large monitor for the external window out the front.

is there a monitor hub? is it realistic to expect to plug in more than 5 or 6 monitors if needed?

thanks!!!

[JSpahn]

I would think that the best solution for your setup would be 2 investments, in theory you could get FS panel studio and build your own panels with the required instrumentation setup for individual views. Second you could implement WideView run the gauge views as the server and the outside world as a client. I'm debating on a similar setup to save money on networked gauges, but I havent tested this yet.

Of course this setup would require at least 2 PC's

Plugging in 5-6 monitors would be a big hit on a single pc, triplehead2go gives you 3 off one siglew VGA port. Personally I wouldn't attempt 5-6 monitors on a single pc.

You should also look into FsXpand, its pretty inexpensive and it will give you most of the gauges you need for your pit.

Im kinda new to the cockpit hobby I hope this helps you out some

[JBaymore]

Ritterkreuz,

What you are describing sounds possible... it is just about HOW you do it that requires the thought.

Masternerd is correct,...... getting that many monitors running on a single PC is likely to need a Cray to drive it all.

[RitterKreuz]

Thanks for the reply guys.

im still on the drawing board as to how i want to go about doing this... i anticipate being in the planning stage for a Loooooong time  ;D

next question.

what exactly does FSUIPC and WideFS do? i have always heard of this, but i have never really looked into it.

is this the program that allows users to create hardware like switches and knobs to interface with FS?

if so, my plan was to purchase the simkits multi controller board which has it's own onboard processor, this controller board can have up to 23 switches hooked up to it. it plugs into the PC via USB and is recognized by windows as a gaming device. the included software lets you program switch position and function. is that basically what FSUIPC does?

thanks in advance.

[JBaymore]

Ritterkreuz,

I have to run out now to teach at the college... not time to respond in detail.  

Short answer... FSUIPC extracts data from the sim and presents it to external stuff to read... wideFS makes a program located on a second or third PC THINK that fs2004 is actually running on that PC.  The pair are payware... at about $35 bucks total...... and are pretty mcuh a MUST HAVE for a cockpit builder.

More later.

best,

...........john

[RitterKreuz]

One, use FSUIPC, WideFS and a stand along gauge package to run the gauges on a single PC with a triple head to go card (or other multiple graphic cards).  The main outside view on a second FAST PC.

So you would network the two PCs? and it would be sort of a multiplayer session only not ?

one PC handles exterior view and the other handles just the instruments?

that way the load is shared between the two machines...

i hadn't thought of that - but it sounds doable.

ill have to search around the forum and find some info, i would like to do a few functional annunciator lights etc.

but obviously i have much to learn  8-)

[JBaymore]

[quote][quote]One, use FSUIPC, WideFS and a stand along gauge package to run the gauges on a single PC with a triple head to go card (or other multiple graphic cards).

[RitterKreuz]

great explanations there.

i feel better now about having tons of sketches, drawings and computer drawings around!  ;D

what you have told me makes perfect sense... and i happen to have a couple of older computers sitting around not doing much of anything.

as im sure you know... the only bad thing is that im a long ways away from turning the first screw.

thanks for your help!  :D