Help Getting Started

[AurelTristen]

Hello!

 

I really want to start building a pit (A10C most likely, but possibly a generic one), but I'm having some trouble getting started. I know the first thing I should do is build the support structure for my panels, but I've hit a road block.

 

Currently I'm looking at Dimebug's plans, but I can't figure out a solid way to turn those plans into something I can build. They're in milometers (Yes, I know the imperial system is stupid, but it is built into all my tools, and is what the hardware store understands) and they don't have any sort of reference key I can use to make sure they are printed to scale. I don't want to screw this step up, because all the other panel scales and things I find online will be expecting this standardized size.

 

Those of you who have done this, can you give me a little nudge here? How do I make the leap from ready and willing, to doing. I've got a garage to build in, shitloads of time (I work from home) and just enough budget to chew through things over time.

 

Other related questions:

 

1. What things have you learned the hard way that I could avoid, such as tips and tricks for wiring, back lighting, whatever?
   
2. I have ZERO training in electronics, but I grew up with woodworking and disassembling things to see how they worked. How much of a learning curve am I going to run into, and what can I do to take that on?
   
3. Are there other plans out there like Dimebug's? Do any of them include a design for a seat?
   
4. Have any of you built a 'generic' cockpit that might be able to accommodate future aircraft, and what have you learned?
   

There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum. I'm just hoping to take advantage of it to enable me to build something I otherwise couldn't.

 

Thanks!

[Mike Powell]

There is a huge range of possibilities. I suggest you decide where on the "reality scale" you want you project to sit. Do you want an exact copy of a real cockpit, or are you looking for something a step above a joy stick, mouse, and keyboard, or something in between? Another way to look at the same question is to decide if you primarily enjoy the building and look at the flying as testing and validation of that building, OR do you just want to fly with a bit more realism? And of course, yet another way of looking at this is to check your bank balance. In this hobby "DIY" does not mean inexpensive.

 

Much of what you need to know about electronics can come from the Arduino site (arduino.cc). Yes, there is a great deal you can do if you know lots about electronics, but the Arduino is increasingly a central component for interfacing everything from switches to instruments. Buy an Arduino and work through a few of the samples on arduino.cc, and take a look on this site at the fantastic things people are doing with the Arduino.

 

Equally (or more) important is looking through the projects here. See what people have done and decide how close their projects are to what you want.

 

People have posted here not only to ask for help on their own projects, but also to share their problems and solutions with others. So, let me emphasize again the importance of reading the material on this site. Many, if not all, of your questions are answered here somewhere. Yes, there is a lot to sift through. Regard it as a necessary part of your project research.

[AurelTristen]

Hi again. First, thanks for the response Mike. I didn't want to respond empty handed, but it ended up taking a while before I could start.

 

It might sound strange, but I plan by executing, IE make a small plan, try it, screw up, start over. It kinda snowballs into a complete project (sometimes).

 

I decided to work with wood since I find it for free around town (Craigslist) and had a few woodworking tools. Here are some of the things I've learned:

 

1. Wood sucks. At least, using free wood isn't great, as I don't get to chose the quality or quantity, but also because it tends to chip, fragment, crack and warp, making precision very difficult.

2. Don't buy the cheapest Chinese made hole-saws you can find. Get the next step up. These things went dull after cutting one or two holes in very thin wood.

3. Here is how I solved my issue of getting measurements:

 

-First, I discovered a great rendering of the A-10 cockpit which is orthographic. You can download it here (Official DCS website).

 

-Next I measured my TM Warthog throttle.

 

-Then, I created a new document in Photoshop, set it to 300dpi and set the dimensions to that of the throttle. I copied and pasted this square onto the above image and scaled the image up until it matched the throttle.

 

-Now I had an image of the A10 cockpit that was true-to-life sized, at least to match the throttle. From this I was able to take measurements since photoshop can work in inches (or mm/cm, whatever you need).

 

-Whenever I needed to lay out a panel, I could print it out at 300DPI and I'd have a to-size template.

 

4. Re-size all components to match your screen (if you are using one screen to display all indicators and MFDs).

 

I won't clutter up this page with a bunch of pictures, but here is where I'm at right now:

 

For anyone who might be where I was at a few weeks ago, I have pictures of nearly every step (with descriptions) in my photobucket album here.

 

I understand it is a bit annoying when someone sees a bunch of people doing something awesome, and suddenly they want a shortcut to do the same thing, but it would also be really cool if there was a sticky thread at the top filled with information about how to get started, and it could link to threads right here which have taken on various problems new builders will encounter.

 

I'm already unhappy with what I've got so far, so I'm planning on starting over again once I complete this front panel. I just figured I'd update this thread for anyone who searches 'help getting started.'

[Hansolo]

Hi AurelTristen,

 

Looking really good so far :thumbup: A small comment is that you may just want to cut a hole above you ADI for SMSC. Looks like you will be running Helios thus you can have Helios generate CMSC and then have DCS generate the figures for the panels.

 

When you get further with your build and wan to make panels just remember that some of the texts are wrong on that cockpit. Depends on how accurate you want it to be of cause. We all takes short cuts somewhere :smilewink:

 

If you want to then it is possible to turn your MFD's 180 degree so that the cord faces upwards.

 

Anyway looking good and will be watching for more progress

 

Cheers

Hans

[AurelTristen]

Hello HMA, thanks for the helpful reply!

 

About the SMSC, I had it in the plans, but at three layers thick, I decided it would be dificult to actually see the readouts. I figured I'd go back in and add it if I ended up keeping this setup, but I'll probably be starting over soon.

 

About that picture layout, yeah I noticed some oddities. It also looks like it has some upgrades the A10C in DCS doesn't (like a new radio?). Do you know of a better layout which shows all the panels to scale with oneanother?

 

Rotating the MFDs would solve that huge problem for me, but I wasn't sure how much of a pain it was going to be to get them all setup in software. At this point, it is worth it. Those wires are unsightly!

[Hansolo]

Correct panel layout is tricky. Currently these available from Lars looks to be the best bid; http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=140867. Deadman has panels in the works measured off his real panel but they are not available at this time.

 

Let me see if I can get a little time tonight and prepare the .lua file that will invert your MFD's. Shouldn't be too bad as mine are inverted and swapped.... just need to remove the swapping part :-)

 

 

*Edit* this should work for you . I recommend you install it with JSGME (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=98607)

 

Cheers

Hans

Inverted MFD mod.rar

Edited September 16, 2015 by Hansolo
File attached