[How to] Multi monitor MFCD display export set-up guide - Nov 2024 (updated)

[jonsky7]

1 hour ago, drizzt1700 said:

Hey folks, I have my MFDs exporting perfectly, but occasionally I will get the effect of all my displays squashed to my primary. This happens randomly, and I'm still figuring out the root cause. The squash doesn't just look bad but because the coordinates are goofed up, it makes cockpit switches effectively unclickable as well. I've tried clicking on my second display, I've tried alt+enter, but neither have worked. When this happens, my only option is to quit to desktop and restart which is non-fun to say the least. Anyone have any workarounds?

Hmmm, I haven't been able to try this yet, but I wonder if putting a displays table in the monitor config file would prevent this.

Example

Quote

displays = 
    {
        [1] = 
        {
        x = 0,           
        y = 0,
        width  = 2560,
        height = 1440
        },
        
        [2] = 
        {
        x = 2560,       
        y = 0,
        width  = 2560,
        height = 1440
        },
    
        [3] = 
        {
        x = 5120,       
        y = 360,         
        width  = 1920,
        height = 1080
        },    
    }

The displays table is a list of all your monitors, the reference point is your windows main display.

My setup above is a fairly straight forward 3 monitor setup, two 1440p monitors, and a 1080p monitor, laid out from left to right.

Let me know if you need assistance writing a displays table.

[MAXsenna]

1 hour ago, jonsky7 said:

I do occasionally get this if my displays go to sleep, and when they wake up it is all squished. I have no idea why my monitors go to sleep when running DCS as I have that switched off in power options. 

Nothing seems to work for me either, other than restarting the game. Sorry to not be able to offer a solution at this time.

Same here.

[BaronVonVaderham]

Hi all, looking for some help with setting up my monitors. 
I’m using 4 monitors at the moment. One for dcs main view, one for windows stuff and two for MFDs. 
I used to set up all monitors in one line in windows settings: main view, windows, LH MFD, RH MFD. 
problem with this setup is that the windows monitor is blank as it’s used by dcs, even though I’m not using it in dcs for any purpose. 
Soo I rearranged the monitors such that the MFDs are below the main view monitor. 
I’ve attached screenshots of the current setup. 

For information, I’m using a 42” monitor for main view, a 32” to the right of that for windows stuff, and two small monitors for MFDs directly below the 42” monitor. 

The monitor setup lua indicates Center view and main view both as the 42” in size and location, and the mfds directly below that. 

Unfortunately I cannot get dcs to recognise this setup. It seems like I can only get a configuration that includes the main view AND the widows monitor together with the mfds, or without the mfds (or only the main view monitor).
I cannot get dcs to recognise only the main view monitor plus mfds below it. 

Any suggestions how to fix this?

[jonsky7]

17 minutes ago, BaronVonVaderham said:

Hi all, looking for some help with setting up my monitors. 
I’m using 4 monitors at the moment. One for dcs main view, one for windows stuff and two for MFDs. 
I used to set up all monitors in one line in windows settings: main view, windows, LH MFD, RH MFD. 
problem with this setup is that the windows monitor is blank as it’s used by dcs, even though I’m not using it in dcs for any purpose. 
Soo I rearranged the monitors such that the MFDs are below the main view monitor. 
I’ve attached screenshots of the current setup. 

For information, I’m using a 42” monitor for main view, a 32” to the right of that for windows stuff, and two small monitors for MFDs directly below the 42” monitor. 

The monitor setup lua indicates Center view and main view both as the 42” in size and location, and the mfds directly below that. 

Unfortunately I cannot get dcs to recognise this setup. It seems like I can only get a configuration that includes the main view AND the widows monitor together with the mfds, or without the mfds (or only the main view monitor).
I cannot get dcs to recognise only the main view monitor plus mfds below it. 

Any suggestions how to fix this?

 

 

 

 

If you launch into the game and go the settings menu, you can manually type a resolution into the box, can't do this in the launcher for some reason.

You will need to enter 3840x (2160+small screen height in pixels), you haven't given the resolution of your smaller displays unfortunately.

You might also have to turn off "full screen" mode for your windows monitor to not turn black.

[BaronVonVaderham]

2 hours ago, jonsky7 said:

If you launch into the game and go the settings menu, you can manually type a resolution into the box, can't do this in the launcher for some reason.

You will need to enter 3840x (2160+small screen height in pixels), you haven't given the resolution of your smaller displays unfortunately.

You might also have to turn off "full screen" mode for your windows monitor to not turn black.

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback

The mfds are 1280x800.

 So you can manually type the space?

 How to I switch to windowed mode? And how does that affect performance?

[jonsky7]

1 hour ago, BaronVonVaderham said:

Thanks. Appreciate the feedback

The mfds are 1280x800.

 So you can manually type the space?

 How to I switch to windowed mode? And how does that affect performance?

No space, just enter

3840x2960

In the same settings menu, system tab, just uncheck "Fullscreen" at the bottom right, I see very little to no change in performance.

 

Edited December 16, 2024 by jonsky7

[BaronVonVaderham]

On 12/16/2024 at 1:10 AM, jonsky7 said:

No space, just enter

3840x2960

In the same settings menu, system tab, just uncheck "Fullscreen" at the bottom right, I see very little to no change in performance.

 

I meant, am I able to type in the resolution fields. 
 

i tried it and that did the trick!

i can’t just move my mouse pointer to the Windows monitor, but that’s probably because I don’t run dcs in the windowed mode

[johnysed]

Hey! Great tutorial

I have two questions/issues.

1. Is it possible to export MFD based on the seating position? - Example Kiowa - sitting left, exporting left MFD; sitting right, exporting right MFD?
2. I have setup export of two MFDs for harrier, for other planes I use only one MFD export. If I load up in the harrier first and then switch to different plane it still exports two MFDs - until I quit the game to main menu and then return back.

Lua as attachement. Kiowa Left.lua
Thanks!

[jonsky7]

7 hours ago, johnysed said:

Hey! Great tutorial

I have two questions/issues.

1. Is it possible to export MFD based on the seating position? - Example Kiowa - sitting left, exporting left MFD; sitting right, exporting right MFD?
2. I have setup export of two MFDs for harrier, for other planes I use only one MFD export. If I load up in the harrier first and then switch to different plane it still exports two MFDs - until I quit the game to main menu and then return back.

Lua as attachement. Kiowa Left.lua
Thanks!

Hello,

A1, not that I'm aware of, the switching of MFDs per seat needs to be coded into the module.

A2, I've had a look at your file and it seems fine, although the Left and Right MFDs for the harrier seem to be exported to the exact same location in the file you posted.

I haven't come across that issue before, but my config file has an entry for every module I own, even if the export locations are the same for multiple aircraft I still separate them.

Only other thing I noted was a slight difference to the center viewport

You have

Viewports = 
{
  Center = {
    x = 1024;
    y = 0;
    width = 1920;
    height = 1080;
    aspect = 1920/1080;
    dx = 0;
    dy = 0;
  }
}


and I would have it

Viewports = 
{
  Center = {
    x = 1024;
    y = 0;
    width = 1920;
    height = 1080;
    viewDx = 0;
    viewDy = 0;
    aspect = 1920/1080;
  }
}

 

I'm not sure if that make a difference or not.

[PacFlyer23]

Hello. I only fly the F/A-18C and just hooked up three Winwing MIP/DDI displays. Initially had an issue that I worked through with WW help and had to replace one of the original USB to USB-C cables that came with the button frames, and now everything seems to work well. However, I discovered the OP noted Kneeboard opening placement issue - not sized correctly in the main display (3840x3184) and showing up partially in the center DDI.

I believe that I know how to fix using the OP directions for  "Changing the default opening position of the kneeboard." 

However, instead of downloading the zip file and installing the 3 new lua files, I am wondering why I can't just go directly into the existing file "ViewportHandling.lua" and change

Line 33

   dedicated_viewport = {0,0,default_width,default_height}

to my desired position that I think is 

   dedicated_viewport = {3240, 2384, 600, 800}

Edited February 17 by PacFlyer23

[rob10]

3 hours ago, PacFlyer23 said:

Hello. I only fly the F/A-18C and just hooked up three Winwing MIP/DDI displays. Initially had an issue that I worked through with WW help and had to replace one of the original USB to USB-C cables that came with the button frames, and now everything seems to work well. However, I discovered the OP noted Kneeboard opening placement issue - not sized correctly in the main display (3840x3184) and showing up partially in the center DDI.

I believe that I know how to fix using the OP directions for  "Changing the default opening position of the kneeboard." 

However, instead of downloading the zip file and installing the 3 new lua files, I am wondering why I can't just go directly into the existing file "ViewportHandling.lua" and change

Line 33

   dedicated_viewport = {0,0,default_width,default_height}

to my desired position that I think is 

   dedicated_viewport = {3240, 2384, 600, 800}

Yes that will work.  Just note that you'll have to redo that after every update as it will get wrote over.

Edited February 17 by rob10

[jonsky7]

17 hours ago, PacFlyer23 said:

Hello. I only fly the F/A-18C and just hooked up three Winwing MIP/DDI displays. Initially had an issue that I worked through with WW help and had to replace one of the original USB to USB-C cables that came with the button frames, and now everything seems to work well. However, I discovered the OP noted Kneeboard opening placement issue - not sized correctly in the main display (3840x3184) and showing up partially in the center DDI.

I believe that I know how to fix using the OP directions for  "Changing the default opening position of the kneeboard." 

However, instead of downloading the zip file and installing the 3 new lua files, I am wondering why I can't just go directly into the existing file "ViewportHandling.lua" and change

Line 33

   dedicated_viewport = {0,0,default_width,default_height}

to my desired position that I think is 

   dedicated_viewport = {3240, 2384, 600, 800}

Adjusting the original file will break all of the Integrity checks I believe, meaning you won't be able to join any multiplayer server.

Doing it with the modified files at least let's you play on servers that DO NOT require pure scripts.

It's been a while since I tried doing it the way you suggested so that might have changed.

There is an alternative solution. You could place your ddi displays to the left of your main display in windows display settings. You would have to alter your monitor config file for the new positions. There's also the possibility of needing to add a "Displays table" to the config file. Info on that can be found on page 1 of this thread.

Edited February 17 by jonsky7

[hreich]

sometimes after everything works for a couple of days, i get my main game screen move to wrong screen, ie it ends on my tablet which is my second screen...How to fix this?

 

[jonsky7]

49 minutes ago, hreich said:

sometimes after everything works for a couple of days, i get my main game screen move to wrong screen, ie it ends on my tablet which is my second screen...How to fix this?

 

Seems strange. Is the tablet always plugged in and acting as a display, or do you plug it in to play DCS?

If you plug it in to play DCS, does it ever take over "Main screen" in windows display settings?

[hreich]

No i checked all the files and everything looks good (monitor.lua, screen res. in game, helios monitor setup)...

[jonsky7]

20 hours ago, hreich said:

No i checked all the files and everything looks good (monitor.lua, screen res. in game, helios monitor setup)...

Is this when you start the game? Or after the monitors have gone to sleep (switch off).

My screens go all weird if I let them "sleep" when the game is running, only a restart will fix it.

If it is when you start the game, you could try adding a "Displays Table" to your monitor config file. How to do that is explained on the first page of this thread.

[zika1234]

My setup gets messed after reatarting pc..i use helios and spacedesk software to extend exported screens to my tablet

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

[Darkdiz]

Does anyone know what the export name is for the F-15E engine monitor display (lower right on the front cockpit main panel)? Does it have an assigned viewport and can it be exported to an external monitor?

TIA

Dizzy

[jonsky7]

6 hours ago, Darkdiz said:

Does anyone know what the export name is for the F-15E engine monitor display (lower right on the front cockpit main panel)? Does it have an assigned viewport and can it be exported to an external monitor?

TIA

Dizzy

I don't think it is exportable by default.

You could probably do the display export mod, it will break IC on pure scripts required servers though.

https://forum.dcs.world/topic/258735-how-to-export-displays-like-rwr-and-cmsp-set-up-guide-jan-2021/

[Darkdiz]

I didn't think so. I'll check it out though

 

[Bigity]

I've gotten my controls indicator window where I want it - but is there a way to shrink it?

[hreich]

Why can't i see this monitor lua in my DCS selection list of monitor files?

 

 My testing config.lua

[TheBiggerBass]

Is there any (updated) list of MFCD export names per (aircraft) unit type?

Edited February 27 by TheBiggerBass

[jonsky7]

10 hours ago, hreich said:

Why can't i see this monitor lua in my DCS selection list of monitor files?

 

  My testing config.lua 533 B · 2 downloads

GU MAIN VIEWPORT

should be

GU_MAIN_VIEWPORT

9 hours ago, TheBiggerBass said:

Is there any (updated) list of MFCD export names per (aircraft) unit type?

Is there a specific aircraft you are looking that is not listed on page 1, in the part with the title 

Advanced editing by aircraft type.

?

[hreich]

55 minutes ago, jonsky7 said:

GU MAIN VIEWPORT

should be

GU_MAIN_VIEWPORT

Is there a specific aircraft you are looking that is not listed on page 1, in the part with the title 

Advanced editing by aircraft type.

?

Thanks, you fixed it for me....i will bookmark this first page, and try Advanced editing by aircraft type at a later date... For now i am trying to export just 2 mfd screens, and for f-18 only..Also would like to stop using helios for mfd export for now..and fix my problem described here: