Need help - 3 screen setup

[hreich]

Hi all - i need help

I have 3 screen setup - 2 monitors and 1 tablet - all are 1920*1080

Monitor 2 is only used for reading pdf files, monitor 1 is main DCS, monitor 3 is tablet (added as 3rd screen via SpaceDesk application)

I also use Helios and In helios my setup is below - via helios i marked that my main and export mfd scrfeens are vertically setup

Now after each restart of my pc,and after starting DCS i have main dcs screen squashed and/or moved to my tablet like in pic 3. Only thing that works as of now is to once disable SpaceDesk external monitor (which is tablet) and enable it once again..After that everything works

Attached is my new monitor lua test file 

 

My testing config.lua

Edited March 1 by hreich

[hreich]

I have this in appsettings.lua...Still don't know why my main screen is squished

null

[hreich]

C'mon people....this is a second week that i can't fix this problem, it drives me crazy....and my wife also...

 

[Leg2ion]

@hreich - check this post out by @jonsky7 - quite possibly the best (and easiest) set of instructions to follow:

I am running 4 screens - 2 x 27" as my main viewport (screens 1 and 2), a small 10.6" for my TM MFDs (screen 4), and a 15" touchscreen for Helios (screen 3)- physically in this configuration:

but as far as the computer thinks they are arranged like this:

Might be worth looking at going back to basics - set up one monitor, then add the others back in - if you're having problems. Probably need to look at editing your monitor configuration file as well - I have never changed the file you refer to.

Edited March 1 by Leg2ion
Revised up to date link provided.

[rob10]

I could be completely wrong on this, but since you haven't had other feedback, is DCS not picky about displaying on monitor #1 and it being LEFTMOST monitor in Windows?  But that other thread is likely a good spot to start because I'm sure it will be more accurate than I am.  I know in Windows I have my main screen on the left and my 3 WW MFD's stacked off the right side (which obviously is not how they physically are IRL on my desk).

[Leg2ion]

Hi @rob10 - I believe it is - yes, but if you're referring to the graphic in the link I posted it is misleading as it shows 2 to the left of 1 - but if you follow Jonskys tutorial all is well (I have just updated the link as there is a newer one updated in Nov'24). 

My physical setup is different to how the PC sees it - which is 1,2,3,4 all aligned - I have just set my viewports to display where I want them to based on the aligned screens - then where I place those screens doesn't matter.

That said I have created an offset in my set up where my 'x' co-ordinate is to the left of the left hand edge of Screen 1 and is set at -960 - and my main viewport then displays across the entirety of screens 1 and 2.

In essence once you embark on a voyage of 'tinkering', adding additional screens etc a 'MonitorSetup' folder in Saved Games/DCS/Config along with a custom monitor lua (and selected in Options/Monitors) is a must. I evolved from a single curved screen, to that plus a small 10.6 for TM MFD displays, then added a second curved screen then started dabbling in 'the dark arts' of helios so added a final 15.6 touch screen.

[hreich]

Still need help....i changed setup so my windows setting is

Helios is setup like in pic 2

 

End resullt look like this:

Edited March 2 by hreich

[Leg2ion]

Hi @hreich. Am assuming the screenshot is just on one screen and squashed across 1/2 the display? Can you attach your monitor setup lua? 

I'll try to assist...as initially it might be worth going back to basics. All the below assuming your monitor resolutions are 1920 x 1080? 

Step 1 - Create a 'MonitorSetup' folder in Saved Games/DCS/Config. Drop the attached into MonitorSetup.

Step 2 - set your Resolution in DCS Options to 1920/1080. Let it restart, and then select 'hreich' from DCS Options, Monitors.

Step 3 - DCS will restart again - and hopefully now your viewport in game will be just on that monitor - and monitor 2 and 3 will be ignored by DCS. Leave Helios out the equation for now. 

If that is correct, you can now move onto sorting out the MFDs and touchscreen. 

Looking at your various posts, which screens are you using, and what is where/doing what? As I said above - it doesn't matter physically where the screens are, what does matter for ease is how the computer sees them. If you are using all 3 screens in that config - you need to set the resolution in DCS/Options to 3840x2160 - as that will double the height so you can display onto screen 2 and double the width so you can display onto screen 3. If only using 1 and 3 - 3840x1080. You are basically creating a window frame that will cover all displays. (In this case mine is 7680 x 1080 - so 4 x 1920 wide) - my 3rd screen is touch for helios and the 4th holding my TM MFDs. Fairly certain you may want to leave Monitor Layout mode as 'From top left corner of desktop'.

I'm certain we can get this sorted, just might take a bit of time with the back and forth. Basically the attached is the start, we can then look to add in the co-ordinates of the other viewports you want.

hreich.lua

Edited March 2 by Leg2ion

[hreich]

Thanks Leg2ion - Look at the first post - all 3 monitors are 1920*1080 - number 1 is main dcs screen ,  2 is only for reading pdf files and should not be included in enythig related to helios or dcs export), and 3 is for exporting Land R mfd...Lua file is: 

H_0-HR_F18v2.lua

 

Problem is it doesn't work 5 out of 6 times---and when it works, i cant replicate the steps (ie. which programs i launch in which order so i get it to work)..I am using helios, and space desk to simulate tablet as my third screen...

 

 

Edited March 2 by hreich

[Leg2ion]

Yes - but it doesn't align with your last graphic - as your lua indicates your MFDs are below your main screen with a y of 1085 - but your resolution in helios is showing a height of 1080?

What I would do is add this line above 'UI mainview' - it will ensure the main view pre mission screen stays there:

UI = { x = 0, y = 0, width = 1920, height = 1080 }

Make sure your resolution is correct in DCS, (3840x1080) - if trying to display onto screen 3 as per the above, the lua you attached is pushing the screen down and out of sight and not to the right, so believe your MFDs should be positioned as below.

LEFT_MFCD = { x = 1925, y = 5, width = 800, height = 800 }
RIGHT_MFCD = { x = 3035, y = 5, width = 800, height = 800 }

[hreich]

Sorry, that's because i tried different setups...But main thing, out of 3 setups that i tried, i get everyone of them working once - but only after i completely change monitor setup, and start of DCS  first time only. Affter reseting my pc i get squished monitor again..Then i re--order monitor setup again, fix my lua.monitor file through helios,  then it works first time, after reset of PC again squished DCS window again..I even tried the version where i have lefmost monitor empty but included in helios export 

Can you please help me with creating 2 lua files with config like in pic below...so i would like to test it...also please write mi what config to setup in dcs for each (what resolution to use for both configs)..All three monitors are 1920*1080 each

Empty monitor is only for reading pdf files..

Edited March 3 by hreich

[hreich]

Ok, main problem i was having - is that i need to physically have main monitor in front of me, and extended monitor for reading PDF needed to be on the left side (because my table limitations).. So maybe problem is that DCS starts counting export screens from x 0  and y 0 - which is top leftmost  monitor, and in my case there was second monitor for reading pdfs..Now i found a mouse wrap function in display fusion which i use for monitor configurations - so i can position my PDF monitor on the right side in my windows setup, but leave it physically to the left of the main monitor, and with mouse wrap if i move my mouse naturally to the left of main screen (although physically monitor is to the right) mouse will wrap to the left monitor...maybe in this setup, dcs export will work as intended..   

null

Edited March 3 by hreich

[Leg2ion]

Hi @hreich. Not sure what display fusion is, nor space desk, and is there any possibility of not using them for now in case it is messing with the helios/dcs output? In terms of your monitor positioning in windows - is there any reason why you have them stacked on top of each other?

14 hours ago, hreich said:

Can you please help me with creating 2 lua files with config like in pic below...so i would like to test it...also please write mi what config to setup in dcs for each (what resolution to use for both configs)..All three monitors are 1920*1080 each

With all that said and asked - with regards to the above - the Resolution you need to set in DCS Options needs to be 3840 x 2160 for either scenario - to take into account 2 screens wide and 2 screens high.

Based on your 'windows' setup - DCS main will display as x in 0 to 1920, and y in 0 to 1080. The MFDs will be in display area x is 0 to 1920; y is 1080 to 2160. Can you just confirm when you hit identify you get 1 in upper left, 2 in lower left and 3 in upper right?

I have attached 4 luas - though not quite sure of your current config? Test 1 is for Helios and Test2 you should be able to run without helios - both should display the MFCDs in the bottom screen and basically replicates what you sent, and then Test 3 and Test 4 - which is what you asked for. 

If you are getting screen squash - have you tried this (as posted in the link I attached in a post above - really worth a read as I think this will give you some easy instructions to follow also)?

Fullscreen Squash 

If you wish, you can still run DCS in fullscreen mode.

However, you may find that when you start DCS, it is all squashed onto your Main monitor.

To get round this, simply left click anywhere on your secondary monitor and DCS will resize correctly.
Pressing LeftALT+Enter is reported to also work.

 

Test4.lua Test3.lua Test2.lua Test1.lua

Edited March 3 by Leg2ion

[hreich]

 Ok will try later today...They dont need to be on top of each other...My setup has only two requirements...Physically - main monitor in front of me. and second monitor for reading pdf is on  the left side from main (i can't put it anywhere else on my table)...But for DCS as i understand main monitor needs to be first (top left most one), which is opposite of my configuration on the table, For exporting mfd i use tablet, and it can be positioned anywhere..

Yesterday i tried - removing my tablet from windows setup, uninstalled space desk application, disabled use of helios, and only used two monitors - one for dcs and other for exported mfds and modified monitor.lua file. ...The result was the same - squished  monitor picture?!  Now i  am thinking maybe i need to reinstall DCS and clean savedgames DCS folder completely

Edited March 4 by hreich

[hreich]

Latest update....i removed everything from dcs Saved games, removed spacedesk (which was used to export mfd to tablet as additional screen), disabled helios...and setup monitor inside windows to be DCS on the left side, extended on the right side..:Fixed monitor.lua, started dcs - dcs main screen squished again...Cant figure what is wrong

Edited March 4 by hreich

[hreich]

Lates update no 2: i enabled fullscreen for testing - this what i got now: --watch video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BpLo_SOFCU3HTMrHsAs89r7CFpfZyCi4?usp=sharing

[hreich]

Update no 3: it looks like some trigger in display fusion made a mess, and was squishing my dcs world main monitor...Will keep testing and report

[hreich]

Nope problem still there...this is what i found out today - link to video:  
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BpLo_SOFCU3HTMrHsAs89r7CFpfZyCi4?usp=drive_link

I also disabled display fusion, but problem still persist...Something is squishing my screen,but don't know what...and also DCS goes to background..

Edited March 4 by hreich

[Leg2ion]

Really odd. What is your resolution set to in DCS Options? Unfortunately I cannot open your videos. You haven't got any screens set to display at anything other than 100%?

For now try moving the monitor lua in the saved games (or renaming the MonitorSetup folder so it isn't recognised) into a folder where DCS cannot get to it - as DCS should default to displaying onto your main screen (I think) - just to discount any other stuff that may interfere with things? If it doesn't select 1 monitor under monitors in the options panel.  Ideally we need to get the main screen displaying on one screen correctly - then look to expand out a step at a time to include the other monitors.

Have you tried following the link I posted step by step?

Edited March 4 by Leg2ion

[hreich]

Leg2ion --i converted files to avi, so please try and wotch the short video about my problem..https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BpLo_SOFCU3HTMrHsAs89r7CFpfZyCi4?usp=drive_link

Edited March 5 by hreich

[hreich]

leg2ion  - i checked step-by-step instructions form the link you posted, but this stuff was working for me for years...only recently i decided to change setup everything so i use only 2 mfd screens to export as i purchased TM COUGAR MFD pack, and i decided not to use HELIOS to imitate MFD screens and buttons on my tablet...Now i need only to have 2 MFD screens exported to my TABLET without any buttons from he

Edited March 5 by hreich

[Leg2ion]

Hi @hreich. So whatever it was you did when transferring away from helios has somehow messed things. Can you retrace your steps. Either way - if it was working it isn't now - so need to try to fix it. If no longer using helios, like I said - for now discount the tablet - and just concentrate on getting 1 screen working correctly - so we can use that as a basis to expand things. Note though your monitor lua still has helios settings in it? Can you run helios editor, uninstall patches, close helios editor, move your saved game monitor setup and then just run DCS without running it through smartdesk? 

Understand it is frustrating but you aren't really confirming anything - just saying it isn't working. 

You seem to be using spacedesk - can you temporarily disable it or uninstall it for now and see how things go - as looking at the videos it starts full screen and then flicks over to a different resolution - so something is messing with things. Just seeing you are 'bringing DCS to front'. 

In addition - for now can you just align the screens (the two main screens and not use the tablet - so no software pulling the tablet into windows) horizontally in windows and see if that makes any difference - making sure you select the correct display resolution in Options and just switch to a single screen in monitors?

[hreich]

16 hours ago, Leg2ion said:

Hi @hreich. So whatever it was you did when transferring away from helios has somehow messed things. Can you retrace your steps. Either way - if it was working it isn't now - so need to try to fix it. If no longer using helios, like I said - for now discount the tablet - and just concentrate on getting 1 screen working correctly - so we can use that as a basis to expand things. Note though your monitor lua still has helios settings in it? Can you run helios editor, uninstall patches, close helios editor, move your saved game monitor setup and then just run DCS without running it through smartdesk? 

Understand it is frustrating but you aren't really confirming anything - just saying it isn't working. 

You seem to be using spacedesk - can you temporarily disable it or uninstall it for now and see how things go - as looking at the videos it starts full screen and then flicks over to a different resolution - so something is messing with things. Just seeing you are 'bringing DCS to front'. 

In addition - for now can you just align the screens (the two main screens and not use the tablet - so no software pulling the tablet into windows) horizontally in windows and see if that makes any difference - making sure you select the correct display resolution in Options and just switch to a single screen in monitors?

Hi thanks to all your guidance - finally decided to restore my windows image file (couple of weeks ago when everything worked fine)...And problem is finally gone...It looks like somethiing was wrong with my display fusion program for setting up windows displays...It was stuck on some lower version and i couldn't get to latest one...Today after i reimaged my win11 installation, and display manager updated itself everything works fine....

[Leg2ion]

@hreich That is really good to hear - glad you sorted it!