Fufunka

Well, it's not an issue of stockbrokers at all. You can get refurb computers for such a setup quite cheap, the only problem is the enabling software which is currently available only for the FS family platform..

running the risk of repeating myself, why ED or some moder can not implement something like the Wideview in the FS series?! It should not be that much complicated given for instance the good multiplayer synchro code.. Well, good point about their military projects. It is possible that some of these functions are prohibited for the "game version" release of their software. It reminds some time ago someone reverse engineered g-suit from the big military fighter simulators and offered it like diy. Shortly that guy found himself in a lot of legal and other problems.. Basically the most important advantage the western pilots have is that they can log long hours, while there enemies have low resources to fly regularly. Now imagine that you are for instance Syrian pilot with high tech simulator for relatively small buck and could fly many hours daily - well the Isreali/US guys surely won't be amused by prospect of this even if they flying hardware is better..

Guys are you ok? We have the start up procedure and then the second one ABRIS/attack high quality videos which is a true BS porn and I'm watching it every day.. So chill out.. Lot of details can be digested from these flics if you watch them daily with a finger on the pause button :D videos: http://www.lockonskins.co.uk/index.php?page=downloads&cat=116

Guys what you need is either the -functionality of the Wideview software for FlightSimulator series. Basically a network of computers works on separate protion of your FOV be it 90°, 130°, 180° or more. This is not supported by the Lockon engine at the moment. Perhaps some ED devs can say more about its prospects for Lockon.. (If possible we can collect some money to 3rd party developer to code it for us) - Another option is to have software-addon which would compute cubic or cylindrical projection. This works by simply exporting simultaneously several views and merging them into either cubical or cylindrical projection for only one DLP or diy projector and cheap mylar mirror (no special lense needed). This works with many OpenGL games like UT and probably could be implemented in DirectX as well.. That gives you fantastic immersion for small buck but again not supported by the ED engine at the moment.. you can dig deep in Bourke's site he has got all the formulas and code ready: http://local.wasp.uwa.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/uprightdome/ - the easiest way is to project a cylindrical projection for instance from diy 16:10 projector and warp the image either in software or by the mylar mirror itself it can be all relatively easily calculated. http://planetjeff.net/ut/CaveUT_Images/FlatworldProjectCaveUT_BIG.gif http://local.wasp.uwa.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/cylinder/

Since Black Shark project is focusing so much on realism which is great would it be also possible to have export of ABRIS panel as standalone output either directly to external monitor or via another networked computer as it is possible in Falcon4, FlightSimulator series (glass cockpit) etc.? For instance Sim meters are able now to connect glass cockpit gauges and HUD to Lockon series. So it seems to be possible and having helicopter sim pit without ABRIS makes no sense.. Thank you very much for giving it a thought..

MFD export via LUA or screen dump? Dear ED devs, would it be possible to somehow export MFD instrument panel as well? HUD and other instruments are easily exportable now from Lomac but without MFD export there is no way how to build Ka-50 cockpit properly.. There is another method used for instance in Falcon4, EECH, and FS9 mods where they just copy the screenshot of the MFD panel from the video memmory and send it via lan to another computer, which will display it.. thanks

GGTharos> Thanks.. And what about the "easy" solution like already used in Falcon4 or EECH you make a screen dump of the MFD panel from video memmory and export it as image over LAN to another computer which will display it..? This is obviously a bit more fps intensive but it works too..

BS - LUA exports/inputs? olgerd & shepski & GGTharos> thanks for your last comments.. However, there is a community of fanatics waiting for release of BS where some individuals are already in the first stages of building pits for this bird so we are eager to hear something more about the LUA in BS and the amount of exports/inputs that could be linked to the sim.. I gather you are aware of these nice glass instrument cockpits for Lockon, would it be possible to have support for MFD as well (is it techically possible)? http://www.simmeters.com/index.html Could you share some thoughts about the possible outcomes in this area? :helpsmilie:

FrexGP cockpits are selling like hotcakes now, the guy hangs out at the car sim forum in his own lobby, he mentioned it about the flighsims in one of the threads or ask him again: FREX SimCon Motion: http://forum.rscnet.org/forumdisplay.php?f=809 Btw. the pricing is very good, less than two grands for a serious car motion platform is nothing in comparsion to available competition.. I don't know if these guys are for real but they promise Frex pricing for flightsims so let's hope someone will finally deliver: http://simcraft.com/home.php I'd rather now focus on cost effective immersive projection solutions for flight sims, which are now finally availalable, the motion platform will come one day.. Too bad that the innitially diy swedish g-force simulating suit is banned from disclosure..

FrexGP is fantastic for car simulation but according to its japanese inventor, he doesn't recommend it for flightsim it's just not covering the right motion..

SIM REVEOLUTION IS HERE! Alarm, Cpt. Bongo Bongo is proud to announce that 120° FOV on curved screen with only one ordinary projector setup Bourke style BUT without any software modification is possible! Check this out: This is basically the above posted Bourke method but instead of warping the image in software and mirror they do it manually by flexing only the cheap plastic mylar mirror. The quality won't be as good as with the precise software method but hey IT'S CHEAP and it FUNCTIONS NOW with any sim or application.. Advantages: -CHEAP IMMERSIVE PROJECTION -no dedicated software support needed -scalable you can have 2x or 3x 1024x768 native or more res capable projectors and one mirror to cover 180° FOV in high fidelity (mirror's top/bottom curvature compensation and curved screen alignment provided) Disadvantages: -some innitial tweaking with the curvature of mylar mirror is necessary but by proper adjustment technique manageble and straightforward - basically adjusting or stretching the wires which hold the mirror as shown -quality won't be as good as with the precise software method (but still fine) -need higher res projector for bigger FOV (pixels per mm) in the best quality arrangement (but this applies to all projecting methods in general) Links: Description and where to get the mylar mirror in EU/US http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1251&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= Details on similar concept builds http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1917 Using cheap short throw wide lense from old videocamera http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2105 Using 3xprojectors for cubic immersive flight sim almost 180° FOV utilizing only one and not curved mirror http://users.telenet.be/dreamflightcockpitonline/news2006.html 2048x765 resolution FOV 2x60 = 120° from one videocard on Lockon, F4 and IL2 (perhaps it will work with EECH, Condor as well) http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=82286 2048x765 resolution FOV 2x60 = 120° - 2x projector setup - screenshots here (pls. note this is graphic card setup demonstration no curved mirror or projection screen is applied here) http://community.webshots.com/album/407428799aUxLEI smart & clever idea for easy diy curved screen (note there is no curved mirror on this setup, disregard the upper part): http://planetjeff.net/ut/CaveUT_Images/FlatworldProjectCaveUT_BIG.gif :lol:

rocketeer> The F4Glass utility is only frontend showing the instruments and you can feed it with data from Lomac as well by using that Lomac2F4glass program, which is described in the link I provided. I hope it will work for you.. The author (bnebnepethomas) has a website so in case of problem you can contact him directly or invite him here he is active on the frugalsworld.com forum.. picture of his instalation of F4glass at work here:

Brit> Well, your points are exactly following mine, high tech/performance helicopters are unfortunately dead concept. The training costs was just a tip of the iceberg and irony..

Big one-seater helo is a very complex system, perhaps to train a pilot costs the same money as the aircraft itself, lol.. That's additional reason behind why the US cancled Comanche program and russians went rather with conventional two seater heli instead of the beauty of coaxial one seater Ka-50.. It's much cheaper to send an compact UAV for recon work these days which costs a few bucks or few thousands more with arms equipment. And for the serious work you already have the fleet of big planes so the category of high tech helicopters is dying out and will probably vanish in a few years. It's too costly to operate and main them.. That being said just look at the BS promo video that's a pure dance! There has not been good helicopter sim for ages with the notable exception of EECH mod which is now the best combat helo sim you could have.. So, BS is about rare birds and we should be glad to have it in the pipeline. I hope the device link via LUA will enable full control incl. MFD and infra video link so people could build Ka-50 pits like crazy :) Also, distributed computing like in Flight Gear, MS Flight Simulator or military sims would be great for that matrox 3display setup..

Simmeter glasspanel for Lockon? I share your concern why are people not interested in such great game enhancements we have today! It seems to me people are focusing on not so important marginal stuff instead of revolutionary things that can greatly further the sim experience such as physical or glass instrument panels, diy HUDs, affordable motion platforms or tactile G-forces feedback (Ivibe), spherical/panorama projection etc.. This product is apparently brand new so no reviews at the moment. You can download a functional demo from their site. Also get the .pdf manual where they describe the technology - it works over network so no significant fps drop on the main machine.. You can try the other application which is freeware glass panel from F4 which is hacked to work with Lockon as well.. Btw. if you want some extra instruments just write them an email. I hope that TVD monitors for infra cameras or MFD panels would be possible in future on Lockon too. But this is much more complicated stuff to resolve than a mere instrument - it usually needs serious tinkering with the game engine, maybe ED devs could help a make export of these panels normal feature..

ED or moders, please provide fisheye function for immersive projection! ED or Lockon moders, please provide fisheye or multiscreen view function! Cubic environment/mapping is supported in directx as well.. It will obviously eat some fps but the results are stunning see posts above.. Examples what has been done in other games: 170, 200 and 360° FOV fisheye - ready for sphere/dome projection: Fisheye Quake and source code for this mod: http://wouter.fov120.com/gfxengine/fisheyequake/ http://idea.hosting.lv/a/gfx/ 360° Panorama Quake/II: http://wouter.fov120.com/gfxengine/panquake/ Unreal Tournament 04/CUT - multiscreen view and source code http://planetjeff.net/ut/CUT4Intro3.html http://www.planetjeff.net/ UT Fisheye - can't find link at the moment Alien v. Predator2 Fisheye http://aliensvspredator2.filefront.com/file/FISHEYE_VISION;47136 FisheyeQuake thread

If you look closely on the promo video that Ka-50 heli pilot is mainly working with that huge lefthand window view - that's why it's a much bigger window than on the righthand side.. This has the following implications, in case we want to have similar physical fidelity like with simulated cockpit by TrackIR there must be huge FOV in the pit instalation as well, especially for the left side. So if we go down the matroxt2go option with 3x lcd/monitors the FOV should be enhanced by fresnels (seamless joints) but that's too small. In case of using matrox and 3x diy projectors it might be necessary to have some sort of rear projection screen. I've noticed that rear projection is used when you need the image as close to viewer as possible, on the other hand, front projection needs at least 2m of distance. Now, rear projection screen is not particularly expensive but it's definately not free and in the desired quantity for such a huge 1:1 scale pit. I've seen many heli semi/profi sims and they almost all were rear projection based in order to get the above mentioned 180° FOV or more.. Another option is that spherical, cylindrical or half/sphere projection Bourke style. The spherical could be fed from one or two projectors to get good res for 2x180 = full dome 360° FOV. Again the hardware is cheap in Bourke's method but will ED support such a warped mesh/fisheye output? If not supported by the ED engine is there any plan to get multiview support by distributed network computation like other sims already have Flight Gear, MS Flight Sim and others? 180 or even 360° FOV would be complete blast, you can use even those two mirrors on the roof of the heli etc. One drawback would be to get some makeshift half/sphere dome screen for the projection but that's solvable.. If ED or some moders are interested in the concept the basic workflow goes like this in realtime, warped mash is applied on the raw image then projected on the sphere. What is also possible is to turn the whole thing upside down so the projector is above your head and in such an arrangement you can sit directly in the center of the sphere - you can see it designed like this in some new video game machines.. Just imagine this construction upside down, so you can sit between the center and the outer range of the sphere and the image which won't be obstructed by the pit canopy will reach "beneath you" so quite similarly as in the video.. Obviously balance between the diameter of the sphere, projector res and pit dimension will determine how big FOV and in which quality you can get.. Intro to workflow here: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/domemirror/ Intro to warp coding in C here: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/imagewarp/ Intro to creating fisheye image from cubic maps: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/cube2dome/ Workflow steps:

They have a nice heli colective as well:

Cheap 360, 180, cylindrial, spherical, or cubic environment from one projector! In terms of multimonitor-widescreen functionality I think the best approach would be to use warped projection on curved surface - that's how you get most immersion. This technology can be done on the cheap with ordinary projector and without expensive optics! This guy is using only a reflecting half/sphere and one projector and has stunning results. Nowadays you can get diy HD res projector under one grand for higher fidelity.. The problem is that you need support for this in the sim software. Basically you have to warp the image or every frame from the game according to your desired projection screen mesh (cylindrical, sphere, halfsphere). Additional step is to adjust brightness again according to the form of screen you are projecting on. This entire workflow can be easily done in OpenGL - you can get the code and formulas on the page as well. They even worked it out for the Unreal tournament game couple of years ago! Whether is it also possible in the DirectX and within ED game engine I don't know, but I guess it could be done.. http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/uprightdome2/ http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/ Upright spherical projection method: Cylindrical method: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/cylinder/ For other metods, workflow detail, code examples dig here: http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/projection/

Well, glass cockpit for Lockon is finally here! As of now they sell 11 gauges for Lockon (russian airplanes) plus one HUD export, US birds gauges available as well. Not sure if MFD or infra cam video link is in the pipeline though. The system works over network so your main rig can spare enough power for this triple Matrox box thingy :@ ) Arrange gauges as in the real thing and just put over flightdeck cutout panels and heli is born! Don't forget to paint it over with "russian light blue" - it's much better than the black cockpit as in the early ka-50 prototypes.. http://www.simmeters.com/simmeters_rus.html http://www.simmeters.com/ How to build yourself real(physical) HUD diy style for $25 is here: http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=93328 http://forum.lockon.ru/showthread.php?t=15615&page=5 How to connect Lockon and freeware F4Glass utility (also link to nice IL2 glass cockpit via progie UDPspeed): http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=78906 http://forums.ubi.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/4001089673

double post..

Ka-50 cockpit panel plans? Just to give you the idea how it could work in principle.. Glass cockpit with instrumentation in the foreground and projection or multidisplay further away.. http://www.mapide.de/deepblue/eech/test-2.jpg http://www.simhq.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=30;t=004623

Ka-50 cockpit panel plans? I'm wondering are there any Ka-50 cockpit panel plans with basic dimensions available? Is it going to be included in some rudimentary form in the manual from ED? F-15 and such are obviously documented all over the web, but this is a rare bird.. The idea is that nowadays you can get, glass instrument panels for Lockon (perhaps in future incl. MFD)!, HUD data output and "easily" fabricated diy HUD, Tuchbuddy/7" LCD for additional overall sim keyboard control, so to have a decent cockpit with the main functions covered is possible and could be done in reasonable time not in years.. So far, I have found only two smaller pictures and one high res of the cockpit here: http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/vvs/helicopters/ka50_002.jpg http://wmilitary.neurok.ru/ka50/hud-1.jpg http://forum.lockon.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=4475&d=1139936610 Highres pic incl. prototype version rusting in the Kamov's hangar http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=Kamov%20Ka-50%20Black%20Shark&distinct_entry=true http://www.sealauncher.ch/neue_datei23.html http://www.sealauncher.ch/neue_datei1.html !!!rartities!!!: !real world Ka-52 cockpits photos: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://avia.russian.ee/cockpits/ka-50mod.jpg&imgrefurl=http://avia.russian.ee/cockpits/index.html&h=361&w=563&sz=64&hl=en&start=24&tbnid=-Ao8F9-eNFcs1M:&tbnh=85&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dka-50%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_cs%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:cs:official_s%26sa%3DN http://www.myaviation.net/search/search.php?&view=&where=MSA9IDEgQU5EIGFpcmNyYWZ0X2dlbmVyaWM9J0thbW92JyA=&nr_of_results=45&first_this_page=40&page_limit=10&order=id&sort_order=DESC&thumbnails=&engine_version=&nr_pages=5&page=0&lastcheck=1 !k-37 helicopter extraction system: http://www.ejectionsite.com/k37seat.htm -- Glass 3D instruments and HUD data output for Lockon here: (is there going to be Black Shark version too?) http://www.simmeters.com/index.html How to make DIY fighterjet HUD tutorial here: http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=93328 Touchbuddy for Lockon keyboard command centralization here: http://forum.lockon.ru/showthread.php?t=13472&page=15 There are many sites dealing with cockpit building so just to name a few: http://www.xflight.de/f16/pg_sim_pnl.htm http://www.simkits.com/product.php?prodid=326# http://www.opencockpits.com/modules.php?name=Content plus various motion or feedback platforms/gadgets.. cheap diy projectors with big FOV on curved screen etc.. Thanks for any suggestions..