In-Game Scratchpad Mod Available - Works Great In VR!

[greyeagle787]

FYI, works perfectly in the Hornet in VR. Thanks!

[SPAS79]

20 hours ago, Draken35 said:

Are you planning in adding any other module? If not I can add it to my code ( I do have plans for other modules), properly crediting you for it Did you modified the extension only?

Are you that resistant to github? it works wonderfully exactly for stuff like this. Take what I have (I incorporated your new mirage stuff) make a fork and keep going from there? people will have a single place to go get this awesomeness. If you don't want to create a github account, I can publish stuff on mine, maybe...

[Draken35]

3 hours ago, SPAS79 said:

Are you that resistant to github? it works wonderfully exactly for stuff like this. Take what I have (I incorporated your new mirage stuff) make a fork and keep going from there? people will have a single place to go get this awesomeness. If you don't want to create a github account, I can publish stuff on mine, maybe...

Yes I am.... I'm very familiar with source control... Too close to be "work"

 

[SPAS79]

alright.  

 

[Str][ker]

How about this.. I volunteer @SPAS79 to maintain the Git repository for ya @Draken35.. . Seriously though, would it be acceptable to you for someone to drop your updates to the mod to a Git page just to help people find it easier or do you prefer to just leave it here in the forums? Someone (like oh.... I don't know.. SPAS79) can do the grunt work and everyone wins!   I've been updating my YouTube video links to point to the latest in the forum as you post updates to help people find the latest.

Thanks again for the mod! I use it daily!

[jnr4817]

Awesome work by all, as usual. Appreciate the hard work. This is a top mod for DCS for sure.

 

[A.F.]

I have created a new Saved Games folder, but I want to continue using scratchpad.
Which files do I have to copy from the old Saved Games folder to the new folder and where can I find them?

Thank you very much for your help

[Recluse]

Copy over the Scratchpad folder from <yourname>\Saved Games\DCS[OpenBeta]\Scripts

 

Copy over the scratchpad-hook.lua file from <yourname>\Saved Games\DCS[OpenBeta]\Scripts\Hooks

to the respective folders in your new Saved Games hierarchy. Create the Scripts and Hooks folders if they are not already there.

 

There is also a Scratchpad folder one level higher at:  <yourname>\Saved Games\DCS[OpenBeta]\

 

You can copy this over, but it SHOULD be automatically created when Scratchpad first runs.

 

 

Edited January 9, 2024 by Recluse

[A.F.]

Thank you very much for this! I forgot the hook lua...

[mehksauce]

Does anyone know a way to add more keyboard functions in the keypad.lua file?

i want to add a button (similar to the +L/L) that paste's a format for 9 line then i can easily just input the  coords and other information similar to as if i was using a kneeboard with a pencil and flip the page to where the 9line chart/form is. 

[Captain Orso]

3 hours ago, mehksauce said:

Does anyone know a way to add more keyboard functions in the keypad.lua file?

i want to add a button (similar to the +L/L) that paste's a format for 9 line then i can easily just input the  coords and other information similar to as if i was using a kneeboard with a pencil and flip the page to where the 9line chart/form is. 

If you can write LUA, I'd suggest just looking at the provided plugins and copying what they do to function--how they plug themselves into Scratchpad--keep that, throw out the rest and add the functionality you want.

[mehksauce]

58 minutes ago, Captain Orso said:

If you can write LUA, I'd suggest just looking at the provided plugins and copying what they do to function--how they plug themselves into Scratchpad--keep that, throw out the rest and add the functionality you want.

whats a lua? is this task simple for someone who doesnt even know what lua is? lol

Edited January 13, 2024 by mehksauce

[Captain Orso]

6 hours ago, mehksauce said:

whats a lua? is this task simple for someone who doesnt even know what lua is? lol

 

LUA is the Object Oriented programming language in which much of DCS is written; also this mod.

I will be the last person to tell anyone they cannot learn programming. It requires following systematic operations, and using basic logic and sometimes tactic to achieve a goal in a reasonable fashion. Some people can pick it up very quickly, while others have little talent for it.

In layman's terms, think of instructing someone to go to the post office. Depending on the programming language, you might have to describe every last tiny detail, starting with, "breath in, breath out", "shift your body weight to over your feet, extend your leg muscles, maintain balance, stand...", or if the language is more forgiving and understanding, your instructions might simply be, "leave the house and walk to the post office, go inside, pick up the package, which is waiting there for you". LUA is somewhere in the middle, I think, but I don't really know LUA more than a tiny bit.

[plobue]

I have no problems installing scratchpad.... but where does the Qwerty_KB file go?

[Draken35]

40 minutes ago, plobue said:

I have no problems installing scratchpad.... but where does the Qwerty_KB file go?

The zip file has the folder structure you should use...

[plobue]

1 hour ago, Draken35 said:

The zip file has the folder structure you should use...

Ahhhh.... I see now.  Thanks!

 

[minimi66]

On 12/18/2023 at 5:46 PM, Draken35 said:

Update: December 18th. 2023.

Support for Mirage F1EE added.
WSS and WDes currently have no function and the load sequence will start (and override) the currently selected waypoint. 

If you have a prior version of my scratchpad, you can update the extension only (02-QWERTY_KB and Load Coordinates.lua). If not do a full install. Both files attached

02-QWERTY_KB and Load Coordinates.lua 39.02 kB · 122 downloads dcs-scratchpad (Draken35)-0.7.0.231218a.zip 27.02 kB · 276 downloads

 

Hi,

I just installed Scratchpad and the QWERTY keyboard mod but when i open Scratchpad in VR or 2D it doesn't have the "+L/L" button to enable clicking on F10 Map to create new waypoints in the Scratchpad for upload to UFC etc?  I've re-started DCs but still same problem.

What am i missing or doing wrong?

Thanks, this really is a GREAT couple of mods!!  Much appreciated.

[Recluse]

10 minutes ago, minimi66 said:

Hi,

I just installed Scratchpad and the QWERTY keyboard mod but when i open Scratchpad in VR or 2D it doesn't have the "+L/L" button to enable clicking on F10 Map to create new waypoints in the Scratchpad for upload to UFC etc?  I've re-started DCs but still same problem.

What am i missing or doing wrong?

Thanks, this really is a GREAT couple of mods!!  Much appreciated.

You need to first click the little box to enable the white Dot.  Once the box is checked, the +L/L will appear to insert the coords. Note: In my example below I already had some coordinates in from a previous session.

 

Edited March 21, 2024 by Recluse

[minimi66]

5 hours ago, Recluse said:

You need to first click the little box to enable the white Dot.  Once the box is checked, the +L/L will appear to insert the coords. Note: In my example below I already had some coordinates in from a previous session.

 

 

Thanks very much for the help, i got it all working perfectly after reading your message.

The one problem i do have though, and i'm sure its my own doing is that after i created a route with the app with about 7 steerpoints and a target at the end.  I loaded the route into the UFC with no issues and took off to follow it and try out. 

The issue was that the route i created showed up fine on the TSD in the F-15E but it wasn't selected by default and the steerpoints didn't show up on the HUD.  Also the only route i was able to select on Menu 1 on UFC was route 2A, which seemed to have no waypoints in it? 

There was no other route selectable and i had to follow the new route i created purely by following it on the TSD not the usual waypoint circles you see in the HUD as you progress along your chosen route.

I doubt this is anything to do with the app, its just something i'm not doing in the UFC or elsewhere prior to taking off etc. 

Any advice welcome.

Thanks.

Edited March 21, 2024 by minimi66

[Recluse]

The Strike Eagle has some complicated Navigation logic compared to other aircraft.

For the TSD PB 9 (Bottom row, 4th from the Left is used to select ROUTE A, B, or C for Display. In your screenshot, you see the A there which means ROUTE A is displayed.

The route in the F-15E are A B C  the 2 represents the Steerpoint, so 2A is steerpoint 2 on Route A.

 

"B" alone is always "STEERPOINT 0" and gets you back where you started. You will not get a route to follow if "B" is selected.  IF you are following ROUTE A, you should select "1A" in the UFC. You will then see the circles in the HUD starting with Sequence Point 1 and it will auto switch to the next Sequence point (if this option is selected).

 

To select a Steerpoint on the UFC, type in the number and Route, e.g.  3A will get you to Steerpoint 3 on ROUTE A.  Be careful, because if you have TARGET POINTS you need to put a . after it.

Once you have a Route in a selected Steerpoint in the UFC, it assumes you want to stay on that route

So if Steerpoint 1A is selected,  entering 2 will get you Steerpoint 2A. 2. will get you Target Point 2.A  It may be good to uniquely specify it...  3C will get you to STP 3 Route C.

IF a steerpoint doesn't exist you can create it. Scratchpad basically automates the button pushes.

See the Manual: (or find any one of a number of good YOUTUBE videos.

Quote

8.18.6 CREATING NEW SEQUENCE POINTS IN THE COCKPIT
It is also possible to create new Steer Points, Target Points, Offset Points and Aim
Points from the cockpit using the UFC.
To do so, the pilot or WSO should enter the Steer Point Submenu pressing PB 10 in
Menu 1 or Data 1 page.

For this reason, when I use ScratchPad to enter Targets for JDAMS, I usually do it for ROUTE C, so I can use Route A for pure Navigation. Several ways to do this with ScratchPad. In the DRAKEN 35 README file there are instructions for entering a starting point (WSS) or a specific WP on the # for each Coordinate (WDES)

 

Examples from the README:

Set WSS to point 2 of route A:  @<2A>
Set WSS to point 1 of route  C : @<1C>

@|#|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will load in the next point of the sequence/route

@|#.|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will load in the next TARGET point of the sequence/route

@|5B|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will attempt to load the point in 5B

@|3.A|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will attempt to load a target point

For example, what I do when I create TARGET POINTS in route C is to enter:

@<1.C> at the top

and use the @|#.| for each coordinate.  If I wanted a pure NAV point vs. Target, I would just leave out the .

 

 

 

 

Edited March 22, 2024 by Recluse

[minimi66]

On 3/22/2024 at 1:32 AM, Recluse said:

The Strike Eagle has some complicated Navigation logic compared to other aircraft.

For the TSD PB 9 (Bottom row, 4th from the Left is used to select ROUTE A, B, or C for Display. In your screenshot, you see the A there which means ROUTE A is displayed.

The route in the F-15E are A B C  the 2 represents the Steerpoint, so 2A is steerpoint 2 on Route A.

 

"B" alone is always "STEERPOINT 0" and gets you back where you started. You will not get a route to follow if "B" is selected.  IF you are following ROUTE A, you should select "1A" in the UFC. You will then see the circles in the HUD starting with Sequence Point 1 and it will auto switch to the next Sequence point (if this option is selected).

 

To select a Steerpoint on the UFC, type in the number and Route, e.g.  3A will get you to Steerpoint 3 on ROUTE A.  Be careful, because if you have TARGET POINTS you need to put a . after it.

Once you have a Route in a selected Steerpoint in the UFC, it assumes you want to stay on that route

So if Steerpoint 1A is selected,  entering 2 will get you Steerpoint 2A. 2. will get you Target Point 2.A  It may be good to uniquely specify it...  3C will get you to STP 3 Route C.

IF a steerpoint doesn't exist you can create it. Scratchpad basically automates the button pushes.

See the Manual: (or find any one of a number of good YOUTUBE videos.

For this reason, when I use ScratchPad to enter Targets for JDAMS, I usually do it for ROUTE C, so I can use Route A for pure Navigation. Several ways to do this with ScratchPad. In the DRAKEN 35 README file there are instructions for entering a starting point (WSS) or a specific WP on the # for each Coordinate (WDES)

 

Examples from the README:

Set WSS to point 2 of route A:  @<2A>
Set WSS to point 1 of route  C : @<1C>

@|#|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will load in the next point of the sequence/route

@|#.|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will load in the next TARGET point of the sequence/route

@|5B|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will attempt to load the point in 5B

@|3.A|N 41°39.650'|E 041°50.063'|2462| -> will attempt to load a target point

For example, what I do when I create TARGET POINTS in route C is to enter:

@<1.C> at the top

and use the @|#.| for each coordinate.  If I wanted a pure NAV point vs. Target, I would just leave out the .

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there,

Thanks very much indeed for the very detailed response above.  I've only just had a chance to check back and you answered my query perfectly.

Thanks for taking the time and yeah the Strike Eagle's Nav logic is pretty complex to say the least.

[AussieSnag]

Any plans to update it to work with Kiowa? Using scratchpad for entering waypoints is the best thing ever, not sure if I could live without it in DCS now, I appreciate it!

[Draken35]

9 hours ago, AussieSnag said:

Any plans to update it to work with Kiowa? Using scratchpad for entering waypoints is the best thing ever, not sure if I could live without it in DCS now, I appreciate it!

It will happen.... Eventually.... As the Phantom allows...

[greyeagle787]

On 6/9/2024 at 6:53 AM, Draken35 said:

It will happen.... Eventually.... As the Phantom allows...

So that interface is on the way??

[Draken35]

New version available. This one is a full replacement (of the scripts, at least).

Changes:

-fixes a bug with MGRS coordinates present in the Apache.

- added support for the Kiowa Warrior.

- support for the F-15E discontinued (the script will continue to work until it doesn't).

 

From the readme:

- OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
IMPORTANT: Aircraft needs to be set to work with MGRS coordinates.
NOTE: In MP, the script should use the MFD corresponding to the seat of the crew member loading the waypoints. This is untested at the moment.
Waypoint Sequence Start: has no effect in this module

Waypoint Designation (WDes). This is used to indicate the type of the point.
Examples:
@|#| ...  will add the next Waypoint in the aircraft sequence 
@|W| ...  will add the next Waypoint in the aircraft sequence 
@|C| ...  will add the next Control point in the aircraft sequence 
@|T| ...  will add the next Target point in the aircraft sequence 
@|3| ...  will add or edit  Waypoint 3 
@|3W| ...  will add or edit  Waypoint 3 
@|3C| ...  will add or edit  Control point 3 
@|3T| ...  will add or edit  Target point 3 

 

dcs-scratchpad (Draken35)-0.7.0.240617a.zip