pitbldr

Gus - off the topic of this thread, but what are you using for your fuel disable switches on the fuel panel? I see what looks like a knob on your panel. I've been looking for a push on/push off switch, but have not found anything suitable yet.

Thanks! Not quite there, but close. :)

Well, just finished engraving the first panel (Electrical panel). As expected, engraving text at .005" is going to be tricky. Tested on two scrap panels prior to engraving this panel and thought I had it dialed in. However, when I started on this panel, it was obvious it was not perfectly level (or that the paint thickness varied in places). In any case, I had to run over a couple portions of the panel more than once. Also, the double sided tape I was using came loose on one side and resulted in some some letters being skewed (see the right side of the panel). Despite the problems, I learned a lot that I think will help me improve the process. I was also able to test my backlighting method. While the light is not evenly distributed, I think the concept is sound. I have 180 degree LED's on the way and expect those will provide more even lighting. I may just need more LED's in this panel too. Attached is a pic of the panel and links to two videos showing the lighting. The second video is just the switchplate show the LED's embedded in it. Decided that this was a better approach to lighting the panels. The other thing I've learned in creating this panel is that spray painting may not be the best method. I want to try submerging the panel in paint. My hope/thought is that this will provide better coverage and a more consistent thickness. Not to mention, shorten prep time as I ended putting 5 coats on this panel. All in all, I am encouraged by the results, just need some refinements! :) Sorry for the quality of the video, it was shot on my phone.

Regardless of what the BETA manual states, I just loaded up the sim and was able to raise the landing gear lever while holding in the downlock override. I could not raise the lever without holding that switch in. Isn't that the purpose of this switch - to overide the conditions that prevent the lever from being raised?

Unless I imagined it, it is functional in the sim. At work now, so can't verify, but I am fairly certain I held that button in and then cycled the gear lever which resulted in alarms sounding. If I didn't do this, then I've started dreaming about the sim! :D

Glad to help! I imagine paper is a good way to do a mockup. May be easier in some ways than the electronic methods that I am using. I think I've redone my panels now at least 3 times!:D My drawing/drafting skills are nonexistent though, so I am more comfortable working on the PC.

Looking good! I can appreciate the route you're taking. My pit will be a compromise too in that I don't plan on having exact measurements, real life Hog parts, and all the bells and whistles. I am trying to have fairly accurate panels with backlighting though... we'll see if I can pull it off. :) In the end, it's all about making the simming experience a more immersive one. :thumbup:

Oh, you can tell by some of the measurements (not being evenly spaced and all) that I just drew over the image from the manual for the switch cutouts. Hopefully it will still be useful to you! :)

I was able to get this into a program that could generate dimensions. I've not really done this before, so it's not pretty, but see if it helps. I tried to export it to a PDF, but that did not work, it's just a JPG. :)

@ Keizer - sure, I don't mind sharing. I don't have my panels done in CAD though like some of the others on board. I am designing them in the program that I use to create the code for my CNC. However, I've been designing all my panels from the images in the A10A Flight Manual OCR2.pdf. I don't have the link at the moment, but I believe I got it from one of the other posts on this forum. I just copy the panel image into an image editing program and then proportionally size the image until the width is 5.75". So far, that's worked perfectly. The program I have my designs in does not generate dimensions like you can do in sketchup, but I can *possibly* export them into another program and see if I can do that. I'll follow up with you. @ rocketeer - I have not tried that, but I've heard the same thing. Right now I am welding a .25" piece of clear acrylic to a .0625 piece of white acrylic. With any luck, I'll be testing out lighting a panel tonight. I'll post back with results.

@ y2kiah - Thanks! :) @ sweinhart3 - I have something in mind, but need to test it first. I should know if it will work in a couple of days and I'll post back with results.

First panel hot off the CNC! :D It's not actually the first panel, but it's the first that has potential to be a final version. Next step is painting and engraving, although I test engrave a few other "draft panels" before engraving this one. Need to determine the optimal depth and also develop a repeatable process for ensuring the CNC bed or fixture is perfectly flat and perpendicular to the bit. After that comes lighting this bad boy. The pic of the backside still has the paper on it.

Cool - keep us posted on your progress! :)

You planning on having a fully interactive pit (working guages, LED's, etc.) or are you thinking about just having switches to reduce mouse and keyboard use? I say get some cardboard and start with it. Cheaper (free?) than MDF and easier to work with to during the early design phase. :)

No problem. Glad they helped! :)

Hey Kiezer, I know that the keyboard command list is not complete in the beta, so I'll bet good money that those switches will be added. If not, you can always use LUA with your hardware to control those switches. I know squat about LUA right now though, so someone else will need to step up. I don't think that's a bad panel to start with though... it's the first one I'll be making once I have my process finalized. :D

Here's the UFC. If these aren't exactly what you needed, let me know and I'll try again. :)

Does this help? Might need to rotate it just a hair.

Hey, just enter the numbers. so 45 degrees 55.612 minutes would be entered as 4555612, then just press the LSK for the appropriate coordninate field. Hope that helps! :)

Nice! Thanks!!

Personally, I've never liked satellite imagery as scenery. I feel like I am flying over a picture (as in FSX). I much prefer scenery that may not be completely realistic, but is believable. Even if the satellite images were put together seamlessly, you'd still have flattened structures and forests. They'd have to add 3D objects over top of all that to create a realistic environment. It could be done, but wouldn't the work involved end up being more than if they had not used satellite imagery in the first place? Just my thoguhts/opinion. :)

Kuky - how did you get the MFCD's exported? I didn't think that was possible yet.

What's your selling price?

I've been wondering myself how/if we'd be able to do this. I hope one of devs spots this post and responds.

I have something very similar to that now, but it's only a 5" screen. The set that I bought included the AV card and power supply - it was "plug and play" basically. :D IF, repeat IF these operate like the one I have (and it appears it does from the specs and screenshots), it connects to any standard video card using a VGA connection. The little yellow jack is a standard RCA type connection and the separate little "controller" is probably the power and other controls (contrast, etc.). Those look promising, I just hate ordering this type of stuff from overseas.