Thurstmaster MFDs for AH64

[pellelil]

Probably a bit premature, as I don't know what will be possible to map, however I started to layout how I think I will setup my Thrustmaster MFDs for AH64.

The Thrustmaster MFD's only have 5 buttons in each row/column hence I plan to use the 5th key shifted as the 6th button (I use the paddle on the Warthog stick as a shift modifi-er). The other buttons shifted (shown in blue) I think can be used for the special MFD buttons: *, VID, COM, FCR, WPN, TSD, M. I use the top/left 2-way rocker button on the left MFD for TIR freeze/reset, however the other 3 (1 on left MFD and 2 on right MFD) I guess can be use for the VIDEO knobs to control IHADSS, SYM and FLIR (where shifted/unshifted can either be inner/outer knobs):

Most likely I will end up mapping the remaining (blank) shifted buttons, but time will tell which functions to put there :-)

[Sarge55]

Very nice work Pellelil.

I was thinking something similar but put on the outside of the MFD.  This will allow the display in the middle as I mount mine on a second monitor.  Still mulling over how to attach it but a couple of Velcro tabs will probably do it.

[pellelil]

Obviously I don't have displays behind, so I simply use the the "slide-in from the top" of these templates. I've made my own vector-based template with multiple layers that can be enabled/disabled, so once I'm ready to use it, I simply disable the layer with the black frame and buttons, and in stead enable a layer with cut-marks so I know how to cut them after printing them. The simply laminate and use

To make a template outside, you might be able to make a template that only contains the top-part of the slide in (in the top of the MFDs, but naturally not fill out the entire slide-in section (as this would cover up the displays. So only the top-part of the slide-in (to keep it placed), and then have it go outside the the frame !?

Regarding using the the 5th button shifted as the 6th button, I was thinking of using the 2-way rocker buttons. E.g. SYM-up could be used as T6, BRT-up as L6, CON-up as R7 and CON-down as B6. In that case a shift would not be necessary, but on the other hand you would loose the use of the 2-way buttons for other use !?

EDIT: Sarge55 I am a heavy user of Kneeboard Builder, so in stead of a physical printed template, you could make a kneeboard page reminding you how you have setup your MFDs. So until you have the muscle memory you would have a kneeboard page to support you For all my modules I have kneeboard pages describing how I have setup my HOTAS (Warthog). So when I return to a module I have not used for some time I have the kneeboard to refresh my memory.

Edited March 11, 2022 by pellelil

[Devrim]

I use 8" displays for each MFD. The screen will be stretched. So, button and button names will not be aligned.

I don't have a 3D printer but still I'm planning to create a buttons frame and use my old 18" monitor to do something...

Edited March 11, 2022 by Devrim

[Sarge55]

On 3/10/2022 at 10:32 PM, pellelil said:

Obviously I don't have displays behind, so I simply use the the "slide-in from the top" of these templates. I've made my own vector-based template with multiple layers that can be enabled/disabled, so once I'm ready to use it, I simply disable the layer with the black frame and buttons, and in stead enable a layer with cut-marks so I know how to cut them after printing them. The simply laminate and use

To make a template outside, you might be able to make a template that only contains the top-part of the slide in (in the top of the MFDs, but naturally not fill out the entire slide-in section (as this would cover up the displays. So only the top-part of the slide-in (to keep it placed), and then have it go outside the the frame !?

Regarding using the the 5th button shifted as the 6th button, I was thinking of using the 2-way rocker buttons. E.g. SYM-up could be used as T6, BRT-up as L6, CON-up as R7 and CON-down as B6. In that case a shift would not be necessary, but on the other hand you would loose the use of the 2-way buttons for other use !?

EDIT: Sarge55 I am a heavy user of Kneeboard Builder, so in stead of a physical printed template, you could make a kneeboard page reminding you how you have setup your MFDs. So until you have the muscle memory you would have a kneeboard page to support you For all my modules I have kneeboard pages describing how I have setup my HOTAS (Warthog). So when I return to a module I have not used for some time I have the kneeboard to refresh my memory.

 

Some excellent ideas there pellelil.

The tab in the top slot is not something I'd thought of, it will be my first try rather than a couple of velcro tabs.   Great idea.

I was planning on using the rocker buttons just as you mentioned above, saves on modifiers.

I use a template with all the controls as well, each module has a binder with all the print-outs and MFD inserts etc.  I fly the Hornet primarily but trot out some of the others from time to time so the binders are invaluable. 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Sarge55