dburne Posted September 10, 2019 Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) Hey gang, One thing that has annoyed me is not being able to use guides/manuals whilst in VR. I use a lot of Chuck's awesome guides as I am learning and using the aircraft. It was always a hassle to move my headset out of the way, check out the PDF file I had displayed on my monitor, then try and remember the steps after putting headset back on and back in the cockpit. Well luckily this no longer has to be the case! First I happened to run across a fantastic program - Kneeboard Builder, by AlaskanGrizzly. http://www.dcskneeboardbuilder.com/ Check it out here in this thread: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=129341 A great program that he keeps updated for creating custom kneeboards. I am sure many are already familiar with it. One can insert PDF files and/or image files easily into the kneeboard - can even create custom kneeboards for individual aircraft. So I tried it out first, and found it way too small in my HMD and could not read any text. Then I started playing around with the settings. By creating custom settings, one can change the size of the kneeboard, and move the kneeboard to any space in the display ( depending on monitor). One note I found out the hard way, any changes made will not reflect until you restart the Kneeboard Builder. It works great! I now have a large kneeboard in my Rift S display, that I can easily read all the text on. Also in the settings menu, one can change resolution of the kneeboard. I increased it from default of 150 DPI to 220 DPI which helped the clarity of the text. You can check out the settings I ended up with for my Rift S in this post here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=4030192&postcount=1311 I have resumed to trying to learn the Hornet. I am now creating custom kneeboards as I go for each individual section of Chuck's Guide for the Hornet. So far I am using it for Cold Start, Carrier Take Off, and Case I landing on the Stennnis. Learning that cold start procedure all without taking the headset off or moving out of the way is awesomeness. I have the Kneeboard toggle on and off, page forward and backward, assigned to buttons on my throttle which is handy also. Any way I hope this helps others that may not be familiar with this and get frustrated trying to learn whilst in VR as I did for the longest. Now I am determined to finally learn how to properly fly, navigate, and engage in combat with the Hornet. Having a blast ! Many thanks to AlaskanGrizzly for the program and Chuck for his awesome guides! Edited September 10, 2019 by dburne Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
Svsmokey Posted September 10, 2019 Posted September 10, 2019 Thanks Don . I have had the software downloaded for a while now , but have yet to install . Do the kneeboard builder pages reflect in the new pilot's kneeboard for the hornet ? The one on the leg ? Would love to build pages that can enhance the utility of the new kneeboard , and avoid the pop-up as much as possible . 9700k @ stock , Aorus Pro Z390 wifi , 32gb 3200 mhz CL16 , 1tb EVO 970 , MSI RX 6800XT Gaming X TRIO , Seasonic Prime 850w Gold , Coolermaster H500m , Noctua NH-D15S , CH Pro throttle and T50CM2/WarBrD base on Foxxmounts , CH pedals , Reverb G2v2
Eaglewings Posted September 10, 2019 Posted September 10, 2019 Hey gang, One thing that has annoyed me is not being able to use guides/manuals whilst in VR. I use a lot of Chuck's awesome guides as I am learning and using the aircraft. It was always a hassle to move my headset out of the way, check out the PDF file I had displayed on my monitor, then try and remember the steps after putting headset back on and back in the cockpit. Well luckily this no longer has to be the case! First I happened to run across a fantastic program - Kneeboard Builder, by AlaskanGrizzly. http://www.dcskneeboardbuilder.com/ Check it out here in this thread: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=129341 A great program that he keeps updated for creating custom kneeboards. I am sure many are already familiar with it. One can insert PDF files and/or image files easily into the kneeboard - can even create custom kneeboards for individual aircraft. So I tried it out first, and found it way too small in my HMD and could not read any text. Then I started playing around with the settings. By creating custom settings, one can change the size of the kneeboard, and move the kneeboard to any space in the display ( depending on monitor). One note I found out the hard way, any changes made will not reflect until you restart the Kneeboard Builder. It works great! I now have a large kneeboard in my Rift S display, that I can easily read all the text on. Also in the settings menu, one can change resolution of the kneeboard. I increased it from default of 150 DPI to 220 DPI which helped the clarity of the text. You can check out the settings I ended up with for my Rift S in this post here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=4030192&postcount=1311 I have resumed to trying to learn the Hornet. I am now creating custom kneeboards as I go for each individual section of Chuck's Guide for the Hornet. So far I am using it for Cold Start, Carrier Take Off, and Case I landing on the Stennnis. Learning that cold start procedure all without taking the headset off or moving out of the way is awesomeness. I have the Kneeboard toggle on and off, page forward and backward, assigned to buttons on my throttle which is handy also. Any way I hope this helps others that may not be familiar with this and get frustrated trying to learn whilst in VR as I did for the longest. Now I am determined to finally learn how to properly fly, navigate, and engage in combat with the Hornet. Having a blast ! Many thanks to AlaskanGrizzly for the program and Chuck for his awesome guides!Hey dburne, I have got the kneeboard builder. Great tool. I have tried using it with Chuck guide but my problem is that I am unable to get a good resolution and size displayed in the kneeboard. Calling the pages up with Lshift+k and I get illegible letters and images are squeezed up I cannot make out anything. Could you kindly share how you are getting to convert the pdf file to a proper sized and readable png files? I have played with resolution and thumbnail size and no joy. Thanks Windows 10 Pro 64bit|Ryzen 5600 @3.8Ghz|EVGA RTX 3070 XC3 Ultra|Corair vengence 32G DDR4 @3200mhz|MSI B550|Thrustmaster Flightstick| Virpil CM3 Throttle| Thrustmaster TFRP Rudder Pedal /Samsung Odyssey Plus Headset
dburne Posted September 10, 2019 Author Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) Thanks Don . I have had the software downloaded for a while now , but have yet to install . Do the kneeboard builder pages reflect in the new pilot's kneeboard for the hornet ? The one on the leg ? Would love to build pages that can enhance the utility of the new kneeboard , and avoid the pop-up as much as possible . Yes they do display on the pilot's Kneeboard on the leg - however likely won't be able to read them there - at least I can not with the settings I have for the large kneeboard display. So I just toggle it off and on when needed. Edited September 10, 2019 by dburne Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
dburne Posted September 10, 2019 Author Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) Hey dburne, I have got the kneeboard builder. Great tool. I have tried using it with Chuck guide but my problem is that I am unable to get a good resolution and size displayed in the kneeboard. Calling the pages up with Lshift+k and I get illegible letters and images are squeezed up I cannot make out anything. Could you kindly share how you are getting to convert the pdf file to a proper sized and readable png files? I have played with resolution and thumbnail size and no joy. Thanks Before importing your images/ PDF files into the kneeboard, do the following: In Options - Preferences, increase your PDF Import resolution. I increased mine from default of 150 to 220. Then click on Save. Then click on Options - Kneeboard Profiles. Click on Modify to create a new Profile for the Kneeboard. Then click on the aircraft dropdown, and select the aircraft you want this profile to apply to. Alternatively you could select All here to have the same kneeboard profile apply to all your aircraft. Once in the Profile Menu - your DCS resolution should already be set to your monitor resolution. Leave this alone. Click on the kneeboard and drag it close to the middle of the image displayed. I have mine set pretty much dead center. On Kneeboard Size - drag the sliders to the right to increase the kneeboard size. I have mine set to 1000 pixels Height, and 1200 pixels Width. Probably good starting point. Depending on resolution of your VR headset you may need to increase, or able to decrease a little. Key is to get it to where text is easily readable. Note if creating for a specific aircraft, you can also put a check in " Default Profile for Selected Aircraft". Be sure and save your changes ( it will prompt you when you click on close). Also be sure and load the kneeboard you from the Create Custom Kneeboard tab. Then you will click on the Build Custom Kneeboard button. Very important - Kneeboard Builder has to be restarted before any of these changes will take effect. After restarting, insure your kneeboard is still loaded up in the right hand column. You can load it again from there to be safe. Then you can just shut down Kneeboard Builder and go check it out in the game. Hope this helps, good luck. Edit: Also be sure and read up on the Kneeboard Builder manual. Edited September 10, 2019 by dburne Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
BlimpyBoy Posted September 20, 2019 Posted September 20, 2019 Then click on Options - Kneeboard Profiles. Click on Modify to create a new Profile for the Kneeboard. Then click on the aircraft dropdown, and select the aircraft you want this profile to apply to. Alternatively you could select All here to have the same kneeboard profile apply to all your aircraft. I'm having trouble with this part...the Modify button is greyed out so I am unable to resize the kneeboard. Am I missing a step? I followed your write up and read the manual (which is a bit outdated).
Fish Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Then click on Options - Kneeboard Profiles. Click on Modify to create a new Profile for the Kneeboard. Then click on the aircraft dropdown, and select the aircraft you want this profile to apply to. Alternatively you could select All here to have the same kneeboard profile apply to all your aircraft. I'm having trouble with this part...the Modify button is greyed out so I am unable to resize the kneeboard. Am I missing a step? I followed your write up and read the manual (which is a bit outdated). +1 ?? Fish's Flight Sim Videos [sIGPIC]I13700k, RTX4090, 64gb ram @ 3600, superUltraWide 5120x1440, 2560x1440, 1920x1080, Warthog, Tusba TQS, Reverb VR1000, Pico 4, Wifi6 router, 360/36 internet[/sIGPIC]
Baldrick33 Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Thanks for this, all working here! AMD 5800X3D · MSI 4080 · Asus ROG Strix B550 Gaming · HP Reverb Pro · 1Tb M.2 NVMe, 32Gb Corsair Vengence 3600MHz DDR4 · Windows 11 · Thrustmaster TPR Pedals · VIRPIL T-50CM3 Base, Alpha Prime R. VIRPIL VPC Rotor TCS Base. JetSeat
Gruman Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Nice work. But this will block the view a bit much. But probably a good solution to learn new aircrafts. Another great way to enjoy a Kneeboard within VR: Virtual Reality Kneeboard. Really a great tool to handle Kneeboards in VR. Enables the use of multiple Checklists, bookmarks and yep... Taking Notes with your Pen. Intel I9 10900k @5.1GHz | MSI MEG Z490 Unify | Corsair Vengeance 64GB - 3600MHz | EVGA RTX 3090 FTW3 VPC T-50 Base /w Viper & Hornet Grip | VPC Rotor TCS Pro w/ Hawk-60 Grip | TM TPR LG C2 42" | Reverb G2 | TIR 5 | PointCtrl | OpenKneeboard
dburne Posted October 16, 2019 Author Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) Nice work. But this will block the view a bit much. But probably a good solution to learn new aircrafts. Another great way to enjoy a Kneeboard within VR: Virtual Reality Kneeboard. Really a great tool to handle Kneeboards in VR. Enables the use of multiple Checklists, bookmarks and yep... Taking Notes with your Pen. Thanks, yes it is a great way when learning - still using mine for learning the Hornet without needing to take the headset off for anything which is nice. And the size of the kneeboard in the view can be adjusted to about any size one would want, just needs to be big enough for text to be easily read. In mine, I have the DCS Kneeboard, Vaicom Pro command lists, then Chuck's guide for the Hornet broken down into individual sections. I did adjust my size somewhat to where it is not blocking as much as I had it originally. In my learning sessions on the Hornet I just use active pause and toggle kneeboard on and off for reference. Edited October 16, 2019 by dburne Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
cercata Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 I find the default size for the Kneeboard in VR big enouth, I prefer adapting the content so it doesn't need that much resolution, and then pass it to kneeboard builder
Rudel_chw Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 I find the default size for the Kneeboard in VR big enouth, I prefer adapting the content so it doesn't need that much resolution, and then pass it to kneeboard builder +1, I do the same, I write my kneeboards on MS Word using half-letter paper size and Arial 12 point font size and they end up very legible, even on VR. For work: iMac mid-2010 of 27" - Core i7 870 - 6 GB DDR3 1333 MHz - ATI HD5670 - SSD 256 GB - HDD 2 TB - macOS High Sierra For Gaming: 34" Monitor - Ryzen 3600 - 32 GB DDR4 2400 - nVidia RTX2080 - SSD 1.25 TB - HDD 10 TB - Win10 Pro - TM HOTAS Cougar Mobile: iPad Pro 12.9" of 256 GB
Fish Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 ......….Am I missing a step? ………….. thinks so...….. Fish's Flight Sim Videos [sIGPIC]I13700k, RTX4090, 64gb ram @ 3600, superUltraWide 5120x1440, 2560x1440, 1920x1080, Warthog, Tusba TQS, Reverb VR1000, Pico 4, Wifi6 router, 360/36 internet[/sIGPIC]
raymin Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 Profiles Hi Guys, not sure if it is something i am doing wrong, but i can't modify profiles in the kneeboard set up. Options - kneeboard profiles - modify the modify element is always grayed out, so i can't resize the kneeboard docs for my aircraft. Any guidance would be much appreciated. :thumbup: CPU: Intel Core i9-10850K 3.6GHz, Motherboard: MSIZ490, RAM: 64GB DDR4, Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10GB, SSD: 3 x Samsung 2TB and 1 x Samsung 500GB, Monitor: 34" IIyama LCD, Joystick: Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog + F-18C Flight stick, Thrustmaster TCA Captains Pack Airbus Edition, Pedals: CH Products Pro, VR: Meta Guest 2 , Oculus Rift S, MFD: Thrustmaster Cougar, Head gear: Track IR4 and tobii, Chair: NLR FS Boeing Military Editiion Chair.
dburne Posted October 20, 2019 Author Posted October 20, 2019 Hi Guys, not sure if it is something i am doing wrong, but i can't modify profiles in the kneeboard set up. Options - kneeboard profiles - modify the modify element is always grayed out, so i can't resize the kneeboard docs for my aircraft. Any guidance would be much appreciated. :thumbup: Not real sure, your saying you can not select modify from the drop down box? I select modify and then select the aircraft I want to create or modify a profile for. Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
raymin Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 Hi dburne, thats correct i am unable to select modify from the drop down menu under kneeboard profiles as it is grayed out, therefore i am unable to modify the picture sizes i am going to use in VR.... Ray CPU: Intel Core i9-10850K 3.6GHz, Motherboard: MSIZ490, RAM: 64GB DDR4, Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 10GB, SSD: 3 x Samsung 2TB and 1 x Samsung 500GB, Monitor: 34" IIyama LCD, Joystick: Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog + F-18C Flight stick, Thrustmaster TCA Captains Pack Airbus Edition, Pedals: CH Products Pro, VR: Meta Guest 2 , Oculus Rift S, MFD: Thrustmaster Cougar, Head gear: Track IR4 and tobii, Chair: NLR FS Boeing Military Editiion Chair.
dburne Posted October 20, 2019 Author Posted October 20, 2019 Hi dburne, thats correct i am unable to select modify from the drop down menu under kneeboard profiles as it is grayed out, therefore i am unable to modify the picture sizes i am going to use in VR.... Ray That is odd, really not sure why that would be. Might try posting in the dedicated thread for that kneeboard builder. Not sure if it would have anything to do with it, but have you created your first custom kneeboard with the builder yet? Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
VirusAM Posted April 27, 2020 Posted April 27, 2020 That is odd, really not sure why that would be. Might try posting in the dedicated thread for that kneeboard builder. Not sure if it would have anything to do with it, but have you created your first custom kneeboard with the builder yet? I am the same issue, i came to this thread looking for solutions, but i see that others have the same. I was going mad because reading the manual, about creating a new profile it tells to go options --> kneeboard settings while i have only options ---> kneeboard profiles. There i have restore default and modify which is darked. But there is nothing like + button as reported in the manual R7-5800X3D 64GB RTX-4090 LG-38GN950 N/A Realsimulator FFSB MKII Ultra+F-16 grip+F/A-18 grip, VKB Stecs Max, VKB T-Rudder MKV, Razer Tartarus V2 Secrets Lab Tytan, Monstertech ChairMounts
dburne Posted April 27, 2020 Author Posted April 27, 2020 I am the same issue, i came to this thread looking for solutions, but i see that others have the same. I was going mad because reading the manual, about creating a new profile it tells to go options --> kneeboard settings while i have only options ---> kneeboard profiles. There i have restore default and modify which is darked. But there is nothing like + button as reported in the manual There is once you have clicked on the modify button. Not sure why yours would be darkened and unable to select though. Clicking on modify should bring up the Create a Profile window. Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
Manilva Posted April 27, 2020 Posted April 27, 2020 Hi I am trying to build a kneeboard from a Chucks guide a nothing more. I am facing two issues: I can’t remove the by default pages (C101CC)... I can’t see how in the manual I want the kneeboard landscape but after setting in Profiles the kneeboard position... nothing happens... any idea what I am doing wrong? Any help will be much appreciated... Regards Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk
dburne Posted April 27, 2020 Author Posted April 27, 2020 Hi I am trying to build a kneeboard from a Chucks guide a nothing more. I am facing two issues: I can’t remove the by default pages (C101CC)... I can’t see how in the manual I want the kneeboard landscape but after setting in Profiles the kneeboard position... nothing happens... any idea what I am doing wrong? Any help will be much appreciated... Regards Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk First thing to do is set your position and size of the custom kneeboard. Then close and restart the Kneeboard Builder. Then build your custom kneeboard. Don B EVGA Z390 Dark MB | i9 9900k CPU @ 5.1 GHz | Gigabyte 4090 OC | 64 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 MHz CL16 | Corsair H150i Pro Cooler |Virpil CM3 Stick w/ Alpha Prime Grip 200mm ext| Virpil CM3 Throttle | VPC Rotor TCS Base w/ Alpha-L Grip| Point Control V2|Varjo Aero|
Rudel_chw Posted April 29, 2020 Posted April 29, 2020 First thing to do is set your position and size of the custom kneeboard. Then close and restart the Kneeboard Builder. Then build your custom kneeboard. It doesn't work for me .. maybe this technique doesn't work on the Openbeta version of DCS? .. I don't have the 2.5.5 version installed, so I can't be sure if this is the cause or not For work: iMac mid-2010 of 27" - Core i7 870 - 6 GB DDR3 1333 MHz - ATI HD5670 - SSD 256 GB - HDD 2 TB - macOS High Sierra For Gaming: 34" Monitor - Ryzen 3600 - 32 GB DDR4 2400 - nVidia RTX2080 - SSD 1.25 TB - HDD 10 TB - Win10 Pro - TM HOTAS Cougar Mobile: iPad Pro 12.9" of 256 GB
terrytuckins Posted September 22, 2020 Posted September 22, 2020 Hi guys, for those having issues with the greed out Modify button. Please ensure that your file path is directing it to the right place. I was having this issue and someone helped me out on the FB page. Someone a few pages back there has put a screen shot of the right path. Cheers chaps. Happy flying.
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