FA-18C SignalRGB canvas integration

[Alaybozan1]

A custom bridge and canvas effect for SignalRGB.
I appreciate getting your feedback.

Node.js Bridge: Collects exported cockpit data from DCS (gear, AoA, console lights, taxi, strobe, warning test, afterburner) and streams simplified JSON via WebSocket.

HTML Canvas: Receives the data and turns it into real-time RGB lighting effects:
• Gear → Red bar (up/down/transit)
• AoA → Red / Yellow / Green indexer
• Console → Green glow
• Taxi → White top bar
• Warning Test → Color grid
• Strobe → Red blink
• Afterburner → Orange flame

[Dos]

Hello,

How is this done?

TY/J

[Alaybozan1]

57 minutes ago, Dos said:

Hello,

How is this done?

TY/J

I set this up by using DCS’s export data (Export.lua) to read cockpit light ID's. 
ID's (gear, AoA, strobe, afterburner etc.) are sent out to a small Node.js bridge. (working on powershell atm.)
The bridge converts them into simple WebSocket messages.
On the SignalRGB, I wrote a custom HTML canvas effect.
That effect listens to the data and lights up my RGB. (Each lights position can be arranged right inside the SignalRGB canvas)
So when gear moves, AoA blinks, or burners fire, my desk lights do the same.
Still tweaking, i managed to get less latency today (50-100 ms)

[Dos]

Hopefully you release the step by step soon

[Alaybozan1]

3 hours ago, Dos said:

Hopefully you release the step by step soon

If you'd like to use it, I can share my code and explain how to use it. I haven't created a standalone setup file yet. I assume you're already using SignalRGB.

[Dos]

Heck yeah!

I just thought it was still work in progress. I have not used any of this. I asked Chatpgpt I kinda got an understanding but not complete. It gave me a script for Node.js but I do not know whether it should be on notepad++ and where is it saved. Then it gave me a script for SignalRGB which I used and put in the folder whirlwindFX/effects I created. FInally chatgpt gave me a script for my export lua. That is as far as I got the values of the script are not confirmed and probably wrong. So yes please. Especially how you got the a lamp integrated into DCS. You see the lamp hanging over the visor in pic I would like to have it turn on and off like the map light in the Hornet. It seems like what you put together here can make that work.

J

[Alaybozan1]

On 8/29/2025 at 6:40 AM, Dos said:

Heck yeah!

I just thought it was still work in progress. I have not used any of this. I asked Chatpgpt I kinda got an understanding but not complete. It gave me a script for Node.js but I do not know whether it should be on notepad++ and where is it saved. Then it gave me a script for SignalRGB which I used and put in the folder whirlwindFX/effects I created. FInally chatgpt gave me a script for my export lua. That is as far as I got the values of the script are not confirmed and probably wrong. So yes please. Especially how you got the a lamp integrated into DCS. You see the lamp hanging over the visor in pic I would like to have it turn on and off like the map light in the Hornet. It seems like what you put together here can make that work.

J

Hey, no worries — I was totally lost at the start too 

If you give me your email address, I can send you my files. You’ll need to do quite a bit of tweaking to add your own lights, but at least you’ll have a working base to start from. Upload the files to ChatGPT and it will reply and even modify for you.
if ChatGPT wants some more Lamp ID's, upload "\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Cockpit\Scripts\lamps.lua". file to GPT, it can find everything. Also there is more lua files like clickabledata.lua e.t.c.

DCS can send cockpit value out through Export.lua. i had already have a export.lua because of a mod or something. So i add a simple code inside.
a Node.js bridge just reads those values and pushes over a Websocket. Runs via powershell but you can build an exe file after you feel satisfied.
Then a custom SignlRGB HTML effect listens to and lights the RGB lights.
If you're not familiar with SignalRGB, basically, effects are simple canvas. You place your RGB lights on that canvas, and each lights shows the color of the spot it's positioned on.
So first things first, your device needs to be recognized by SignalRGB. (almost all my RGB lights, my keyboard and mouse, philipsh hue, case lights, logitech hotas e.t.c positioned on the canvas)
 

Great cockpit btw, have fun.

Edited 4 hours ago by Alaybozan1