pitbldr

Oh, before anyone points it out :D , I know the real rockers have a 'V' shape to them. I choose to go with flat rockers to keep the cost down and making them easier to create.

Here's a rendering and 3D-PDF of my UFC. I know several others are offering a UFC kit and while I'm not trying to compete, I will offer a limited number of these to the community. I would need at least 5 orders to make it cost effective and to keep the price down. For five or more orders, I can sell these for $110 a piece or $120 if you want the "case" too. Here's the pic of the UFC and the PDF is attached where you can see more details. I'll have some actual photos up soon. So, for $110 you get the panel and buttons, painted and engraved. It will be made from clear acrylic, so backlighting is possible. For $120, you'll get the panel and buttons, painted and engraved and also the pieces to make the case. Everything is made from clear acrylic and the "case" is just glued together. You'll need to assemble and paint the case yourself. The case is already pre-cut to allow Leo Bodnar's BU0836X board to be installed. Neither option includes any electronics - that would just add too much cost. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. UFC.pdf

Great work as usual!! :)

First civie sim - Microsoft (SubLogic?) Flight Simulator 2.0. Ran it from a 5.25" floppy on a IBM PCjr. That thing did not even have a hard drive. It ran off a cartridge. :) http://www.mobygames.com/game/pc-booter/microsoft-flight-simulator-v20/screenshots First "combat" sim - Jet also by subLogic http://www.mobygames.com/game/jet/screenshots Man, that was a looong time ago! :D

Thanks! :D Very clever idea on the guage panel. I've not decided yet how'll I being doing mine. I'm using Helios as well, so I'll need a monitor, but I am also hoping to have two smaller monitors for the MFD's. Oh... awesome work on the keyboard drawer too! I did not even notice that the first time!

That looks great Feed! I like the simple design for the side consoles! I like it so much, I may have to re-think my design. :D I tend to overdo my first attempts and while I like my current design, I can already see it being an issue if (when) I need to make adjustments/repairs. Mind if I steal parts of your design?? :music_whistling: What's that you have cut out on the lower monitor... the one with the guages?

Thanks Michelange! That's very helpful!! :thumbup:

I like it! I could see myself using this "service" once I am able to start flying on a regular basis.

Y2kiah and Alex - thank you both very much! That is the information I needed and helps tremendously. I think I have enough now to start playing around with the LUA code. I am sure I'll have more questions, but at least this is starting to make sense. :D

Ok, so is it accurate to say that in my previous example, when a button is pressed and the interface sends out a command, that it's the LUA intepreter that is "reading" that and taking the appropriate action? I've been working through some online LUA tutorials, so some of the code is starting to make sense, but I'm still fuzzy about how the sim receives the commands. I have the impression now that a custom software/interface solution can send out commands to the port specified in export.lua file. I assume that those commands being sent are the "hooks" you're referring to and LUA already knows what to do with it. Thanks for everyone's time in answering! I know this may be basic stuff, but it's all new to me. :)

Thanks Alex! So the DCS executable is "polling" certain files for commands that it needs to execute? For instance, I press a button that is interfaced to the sim and software writes a command to a file where it's then read by DCS? Is that accurate?? In any case, your explanation shed a little more light on the process for me! :thumbup:

Nice move gents! :thumbup:

As I am approaching the stage in my project where I'll need to start interfacing some controls with the sim, I am trying to learn/understand how it all works. I am not a programmer so that is part of the struggle. And I know I can use some of the solutions available for interfacing with the sim, but I am the type of person who likes to know how and why something works. So can anyone break this down and give me a high level overview of how it all works? 1. What's the flow of information? Does DCS:WH spit it out into a LUA file and is that then readable by other software that is (could be) interfaced with hardware? I assume this data can travel over USB, serial, or TCP?? 2. What file(s) are controlling all this information exchange? I know about export.lua, but I don't understand its relationship or role exactly. 3. If I have a hardware interface that can be used to illuminate LED's, how is that done exactly? I assume something needs to be configured in a LUA file, but what? I've read through all the links I could find on LUA and I think I am a little more confused than when I started as it seems that most of what I found was referring to DCS:BS and there have been changes made in the code for DCS:WH that don't match up. I appreciate anyone's time in helping me understand this. :)

Using mine for the wheel brake too. :)

Now that would be a cool addition to the pit! :D

True, but it can be such a fine line! :laugh:

True, but I just wasn't happy with the contrast of the black over the white acrylic. I am trying to do the painting in bulk though to cut down on how much I have to do it! :) It's really not that bad... I can put on both coats of white within 20 minutes of each coat, then let it dry as little as two hours before putting on the black coat. We're definitely of like minds on that! (except maybe on the painting! :D)

For mine, I've been putting two coats of gloss white on first and then a coat of flat black. Works pretty well as long as I keep the black coat even. After a lot of trial and error, I found settings on my laser that will go through the black in one pass and leave the white. This is how I've been doing all my panels and it gives good contrast and backlights well too. It does add more build time though. Great idea on the rockers! Are the halves on the long or short axis? Mind if I borrow your technique?

Flim - that's what I thought when I saw yours! Part of the reason I decided to post it... did not want to appear to have stolen your design. :) Razi - thanks! glad I posted it then!!

UFC Ok, I was going to wait until I had this all painted and engraved, but then thought that some might like to see it in this state, so here's a couple pics. Plus I am pretty excited about it!! I've already had it connected to the sim and it worked great! My wife was even impressed! Everyday she get's a little better picture of what exactly I am doing. :D All the buttons are free floating, they are just resting on top of the push buttons. Even the rockers are this way and after a good 30 minutes of testing, none of the rockers actuated both buttons at the same time. I thought at first I may need to add a part so that the rocker would have something to pivot, but it's looking like I won't need that. The USB cable connects through the right side into Leo's board

Doing the same with my switches. Picked up a couple dozen mini-pushbuttons from Radio Shack and have them mounted in a piece of acrylic at the moment. I thought I may make a switch plate out of some .0625" aluminum, but I won't do that unless the acrylic plate doesn't hold up. So far it's doing great and the less I have to cut aluminum, the better. :D

Very nice!! :thumbup: What's that made of? mdf?? Is the top open for access or another reason? What type of switches you going with? Pardon all the questions.... just very curious how others are building their parts. :D I just finished the assembly of my UFC tonight and I'm also using one of Leo's boards. Right now it looks more like it's intended for Wonder Woman's invisible jet as it's made all from clear acrylic and needs painting.

True, it would be the icing on the cake! :) Crazy?? I think most would call this entire hobby crazy! I recently told friend what I was working on it and I got a blank stare in return. :lol:

Impressive stuff!! Are you going to actually use an amphenol connector?

Thanks Colin!! Glad you like it! :D