New project, Saitek Pro Flight Radio Panel + DCS (C#)

[ArturDCS]

I am doing some initial research on how to communicate with DCS over TCP/UDP sockets.

I have found bits and pieces around the forum but nothing comprehensive.

 

The areas then I need documentation for is:

 

• Opening/closing socket communication with DCS
  
• Sending/receiving parameters
  
• What parameters are available?
  

Open & existing code would be really helpful regardless of programming language.

 

If I start this project I will include the radio panel into the existing switch panel software.

 

 

Any help greatly appreciated!

[Reksi-Erkki]

Have you seen this?

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/dev_journal/lua-export/

[ArturDCS]

Have you seen this?

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/dev_journal/lua-export/

 

Excellent, I will have a looksy at that. Looks good. Thanks!

[TigersharkBAS]

Excellent, I will have a looksy at that. Looks good. Thanks!

 

You could also check the wiki in my signature.

[ArturDCS]

You could also check the wiki in my signature.

Great, Wiki bookmarked!

[ArturDCS]

What if a user needs to export data from DCS to multiple softwares?

 

Perhaps the best way is to have a textbox in my application containing the Lua the user needs to copy & paste into their own export.lua for my software to work.

[ArturDCS]

Any help greatly appreciated! Day off (sick) and trying to test the Export.lua with simple file exporting.

 

Non steam installation, where is the Export.lua supposed to be and where should Config.lua be?

I just can't get any (test) exports going? I have seen references to both config.lua and Config.lua.

And the comment inside Export.lua : " -- Please, set EnableExportScript = true in the Config/Export/Config.lua file -- to activate this script!"

Now which Config.lua would that be? I do not have any Config/Export dir structure in my installation and the Export.lua is supposed to be copied to the user directory structure for DCS!? So that means what in regards of "Config/Export/Config.lua"?

 

I tried :

C:\Users\<user>\Saved Games\DCS\Scripts\Export.lua

D:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Config\Export\Config.lua (created that dir per info found on forum)

 

DCS 1.2.8

Testing with the UH-1H module

 

Export.lua:

--- DO NOT EDIT.
--- This file is for reference purposes only
--- All user modifications should go to $HOME\Saved Games\DCS\Scripts\Export.lua

-- Data export script for Lock On version 1.2.
-- Copyright (C) 2006, Eagle Dynamics.
-- See http://www.lua.org for Lua script system info 
-- We recommend to use the LuaSocket addon (http://www.tecgraf.puc-rio.br/luasocket) 
-- to use standard network protocols in Lua scripts.
-- LuaSocket 2.0 files (*.dll and *.lua) are supplied in the Scripts/LuaSocket folder
-- and in the installation folder of the Lock On version 1.2. 

-- Please, set EnableExportScript = true in the Config/Export/Config.lua file
-- to activate this script!

-- Expand the functionality of following functions for your external application needs.
-- Look into ./Temp/Error.log for this script errors, please.

-- Uncomment if using Vector class from the Config/Export/Vector.lua file 
--[[    
LUA_PATH = "?;?.lua;./Config/Export/?.lua"
require 'Vector'
-- See the Config/Export/Vector.lua file for Vector class details, please.
--]]

local default_output_file = nil

function LuaExportStart()
-- Works once just before mission start.
-- Make initializations of your files or connections here.
-- For example:
-- 1) File
  default_output_file = io.open("./Temp/Export.log", "w")
-- 2) Socket
--  package.path  = package.path..";.\\LuaSocket\\?.lua"
--  package.cpath = package.cpath..";.\\LuaSocket\\?.dll"
--  socket = require("socket")
--  host = host or "localhost"
--  port = port or 8080
--  c = socket.try(socket.connect(host, port)) -- connect to the listener socket
--  c:setoption("tcp-nodelay",true) -- set immediate transmission mode
-- 
    local version = LoGetVersionInfo() --request current version info (as it showed by Windows Explorer fo DCS.exe properties)
   if version and default_output_file then
        
        default_output_file:write("ProductName: "..version.ProductName..'\n')
        default_output_file:write(string.format("FileVersion: %d.%d.%d.%d\n",
                                                version.FileVersion[1],
                                                version.FileVersion[2],
                                           version.FileVersion[3],
                                                version.FileVersion[4]))
        default_output_file:write(string.format("ProductVersion: %d.%d.%d.%d\n",
                                                version.ProductVersion[1],
                                                version.ProductVersion[2],
                                                version.ProductVersion[3],  -- head  revision (Continuously growth)
                                               version.ProductVersion[4])) -- build number   (Continuously growth)    
   end

end

function LuaExportBeforeNextFrame()
-- Works just before every simulation frame.

-- Call Lo*() functions to set data to Lock On here
-- For example:
--    LoSetCommand(3, 0.25) -- rudder 0.25 right 
--    LoSetCommand(64) -- increase thrust

end

function LuaExportAfterNextFrame()
-- Works just after every simulation frame.

-- Call Lo*() functions to get data from Lock On here.
-- For example:
--    local t = LoGetModelTime()
--    local name = LoGetPilotName()
--    local altBar = LoGetAltitudeAboveSeaLevel()
--    local altRad = LoGetAltitudeAboveGroundLevel()
--    local pitch, bank, yaw = LoGetADIPitchBankYaw()
--    local engine = LoGetEngineInfo()
--    local HSI    = LoGetControlPanel_HSI()
-- Then send data to your file or to your receiving program:
-- 1) File
-- if default_output_file then
--      default_output_file:write(string.format("t = %.2f, name = %s, altBar = %.2f, altRad = %.2f, pitch = %.2f, bank = %.2f, yaw = %.2f\n", t, name, altBar, altRad, 57.3*pitch, 57.3*bank, 57.3*yaw))
--      default_output_file:write(string.format("t = %.2f ,RPM left = %f  fuel_internal = %f \n",t,engine.RPM.left,engine.fuel_internal))
--      default_output_file:write(string.format("ADF = %f  RMI = %f\n ",57.3*HSI.ADF,57.3*HSI.RMI))
--    end
-- 2) Socket
--    socket.try(c:send(string.format("t = %.2f, name = %s, altBar = %.2f, alrRad = %.2f, pitch = %.2f, bank = %.2f, yaw = %.2f\n", t, name, altRad, altBar, pitch, bank, yaw)))

end

function LuaExportStop()
-- Works once just after mission stop.
-- Close files and/or connections here.
-- 1) File
  if default_output_file then
     default_output_file:close()
     default_output_file = nil
  end
-- 2) Socket
--    socket.try(c:send("quit")) -- to close the listener socket
--    c:close()
end

....

[G00dnight]

I don't think the enable bit is needed anymore as each aircraft has its own config.lua in your user files.

your path for export is correct.

[algerad3]

ArturDcs.

Give me a minute and I will get you set up.

[ArturDCS]

Got it.

 

"EnableExportScript = true" to the file:

"D:\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircrafts\Uh-1H\Cockpit\Scripts\config.lua"

 

Export commands in this file:

"C:\Users\<user>\Saved Games\DCS\Scripts\Export.lua"

 

The directory above was named Script instead of Scripts. Silly. :music_whistling:

[ArturDCS]

Status update 12 Oct 2014.

 

I have been able to communicate with DCS via UDP using [FSF Ian]'s DCS BIOS both getting and setting instrument values. I have received 27€ in donations for a radio panel.

[Oesau]

How's this going ArturDCS - not enough interest in terms of donations to make it worth while?

[ArturDCS]

How's this going ArturDCS - not enough interest in terms of donations to make it worth while?

My previous whine & cheese removed.

 

Things are moving forward, slowly but forward.

Edited January 7, 2015 by ArturDCS

[JaBoG32_Prinzartus]

What a pitty. I donated some bucks because I already enjoy the flight panel Interface and would love to use the Saitek Radio Panel to work with DCS. So guys, come on, donate some bucks to get Arthur's DevKit. I appreciate his initiative! Some more guys with some euros could make this project start.

[ArturDCS]

Donated sum is now 47€. Thanks!

[Akki]

Donated sum is now 47€. Thanks!

 

Hi Artur,

Merry christmasts!!!

How are donations flowing? You're right about Saitek, more documentation can only benefit them and then us, everyone wins here.

 

I'm planning to buy the Pro flight panel soon because of your kind work, I will donate in euros for sure. BTW, in the meantime, would be cool if you can do something about the landing gear lights in that panel using the export.lua events. Could be possible?

 

Thank you in advance!

[ArturDCS]

Hi Artur,

Merry christmasts!!!

How are donations flowing? You're right about Saitek, more documentation can only benefit them and then us, everyone wins here.

 

I'm planning to buy the Pro flight panel soon because of your kind work, I will donate in euros for sure. BTW, in the meantime, would be cool if you can do something about the landing gear lights in that panel using the export.lua events. Could be possible?

 

Thank you in advance!

Thank you, same same. Yes it is possible to have something going there. I will look into it later.

[531-Ghost]

Not holding my breath for Saitek...

[ArturDCS]

Looking into DCS BIOS.

[skunk160]

donation sent!

 

Thanks ArturDCS

[ArturDCS]

Received. Thanks!

[skunk160]

:thumbup: Just added Saitek Pro Flight Radio Panel to my Amazon basket in eager anticipation because of this thread

[JaBoG32_Prinzartus]

Hi Artur!

 

Will you be supporting two(!) radio panels at once, if someone has two units cconnected to the computer?

[ArturDCS]

Hi Artur!

 

Will you be supporting two(!) radio panels at once, if someone has two units cconnected to the computer?

Unfortunately it seems the Radio Panel doesn't have a serial number so I don't know how I would separate them. I will look into it further.

[ArturDCS]

Do not use this thread anymore.

 

Please post questions and comments in the thread Flightpanels program thread. Saitek Pro Flight Panels & DCS.