Multi-monitor set-up guide & help (unofficial)

[gmelinite]

Hi guys, problem with my setup after I reinstalled to 1.1.1.1

 

Hmmm....I have a 1920x1080 main monitor, and a second 1366x768 monitor and I had the MFD's set up nicely in my 2nd monitor. After reinstalling to 1.1.1.1 the MFD's show up as tiny little things in the upper left screen of my main monitor, and nothing shows in my 2nd monitor. Can someone help (maybe MadTommy)? Here's my .lua file:

 

_ = function(p) return p; end;

name = _('Cook');

Description = 'Two monitor configuration';

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 1920;

height = 1080;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1.778;

}

}

 

LEFT_MFCD =

{

x = 1920;

y = 128;

width = 400;

height = 400;

}

 

RIGHT_MFCD =

{

x = 2886;

y = 128;

width = 400;

height = 400;

}

 

UIMainView = Viewports.Center

[PeterP]

You are using [WIP] Easy Monitor Configurator and you missed to read the red letters...

 

See here >>> http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1424950#post1424950

 

When you got the problem solved ( to do this -just follow the link/info in the thread above) - than start here again from scratch:

 

>>> Dummies Guide for the “MonitorSetup.lua“ - ED Forums

 

and this time read everything and follow the links.

:)

Edited June 7, 2012 by PeterP

[MadTommy]

Please follow this link for the download:

>>> Dummies Guide for the “MonitorSetup.lua“

 

Wow,

 

Maybe i should post in your guide.. to tell people to follow my guide. That's pretty rude peter.

 

I spent some effort to make this a concise and complete guide, you may think yours is the dogs bollocks, other may prefer my version. All i ask for is some common respect, posting here to say 'follow my guide' lacks that. :(

 

You could have PMed me and i would have happily added your guide to the 1st post on this thread as an alternative version. But no, shame.

Edited June 7, 2012 by MadTommy

[MadTommy]

Hmmm....I have a 1920x1080 main monitor, and a second 1366x768 monitor and I had the MFD's set up nicely in my 2nd monitor. After reinstalling to 1.1.1.1 the MFD's show up as tiny little things in the upper left screen of my main monitor, and nothing shows in my 2nd monitor. Can someone help (maybe MadTommy)?

 

This normally occurs when you forget to select the correct custom setup file under Monitors. Are you sure you are not mistakenly using the default 1 monitor option?

[PeterP]

Wow,

 

Maybe I should post in your guide.. to tell people to follow my guide. That's pretty rude peter.

 

I spent some effort to make this a concise and complete guide, you may think yours is the dogs bollocks, other may prefer my version. All i ask for is some common respect, posting here to say 'follow my guide' lacks that. :(

(EDIT - BTW a newer version of "my" guide already includes a link to this thread - should I really ask first for permission ?! The same goes to you - when you have something to say - just post it in "my "thread. - that's what forums for!

1. 
   
   1. 
      
   2. 4. Link-list for known bugs and the workarounds
       
       
       
      [...]
      

 

Multi-monitor set-up guide & help (unofficial)

 

• Please post your question(s) in this thread above if you having problems that you can't solve by using this guide. Many helping folks visit this thread and will sure help you too!
  

)

 

 

With all due to respect Tommy,...

 

But I thought that this thread is to help -and not a platform for vanity.

 

Sorry if I misunderstood you - but when I'm reading between the lines I understand your response as an wink to hold back other available info.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

...

 

I only wanted to post in the shortest possible way to pass the relevant info without any flourish.

If this is not what you have in mind - I'm sorry.

 

And you really should know better how I think about you - we had a our PM conversation.

 

 

You could have PMed me and i would have happily added your guide to the 1st post on this thread as an alternative version. But no, shame.

 

 

Yes - I could - but I didn't.

 

I really see no need to PM someone first when I post in "someone" thread.

And when you want to edit you first post - fine go on - You don't have to ask me for permission and you never will,

just do it.

 

:)

 

This is how I see it - sorry if this doesn't matches with your view.

Edited June 8, 2012 by PeterP

[MadTommy]

I have no intention of having a pissing contest with you Peter.

 

And my annoyance has nothing to do with 'vanity'. Its a simple thing about politeness. I have no problem with you, i have a lot of admiration for how you bend over backwards to help folk on these forums. However I do find your posts here pretty discourteous, not to mention your assumptions about withholding info & my vanity.

 

If you had simply said, 'I have an alternative guide if you are having issues with the one here...' I would not have found your posts rude. If you don't understand this, fair enough, it seems common courtesy to me.

[gmelinite]

Hmmmm.....I selected "my" monitor config in the game. Does the .lua file look messed up? Any other possible reasons?

 

2nd question: does the "original" method described in page 1 of this post still work for A-10C version 1.1.1.1? I thought I read somewhere that after patch 1.0.0.9 things were changed by DCS monitor-wise and that people were having difficulties....

 

just asking because I think I am going to start from scratch if my .lua doesn't work, and I am hoping the original method still is valid (confirmation please?)

[PeterP]

I have no intention of having a pissing contest with you Peter.

 

And my annoyance has nothing to do with 'vanity'. Its a simple thing about politeness. I have no problem with you, i have a lot of admiration for how you bend over backwards to help folk on these forums. However I do find your posts here pretty discourteous, not to mention your assumptions about withholding info & my vanity.

 

If you had simply said, 'I have an alternative guide if you are having issues with the one here...' I would not have found your posts rude. If you don't understand this, fair enough, it seems common courtesy to me.

 

 

You are right!

 

 

so -

 

Please:

I have an alternative guide if you are having issues with the one here... - so please read it before posting questions!

>>>Dummies Guide for the “MonitorSetup.lua“ - ED Forums

 

Thanks !

 

This will help us - helping you!

:)

[PeterP]

1.Hmmmm.....I selected "my" monitor config in the game. Does the .lua file look messed up? Any other possible reasons?

 

2.2nd question: does the "original" method described in page 1 of this post still work for A-10C version 1.1.1.1? I thought I read somewhere that after patch 1.0.0.9 things were changed by DCS monitor-wise and that people were having difficulties....

 

3.just asking because I think I am going to start from scratch if my .lua doesn't work, and I am hoping the original method still is valid (confirmation please?)

 

 

1. you have used the ECM -your "MonitorsSetup.lua " looks OK , but other files got messed up , as the EMC doesn't work with 1.1.1.1. as intended.

There is a way to fix it manually but I think it is more complicated to guide you than just do a new install.

 

 

2. Yes it works- but you really have to follow it to the dot.

 

3. Yes- its the better way - than you know what "tweaks" you have already done - and please don't use ECM until you fully aware what this script is doing with your files.

 

 

...

And after you made a reinstall read this:

 

I have an alternative guide if you are having issues with the one here... - so please read it before posting questions!

>>>Dummies Guide for the “MonitorSetup.lua“ - ED Forums

Edited June 8, 2012 by PeterP

[gmelinite]

Thanks to both of you

 

You're right....the emc messed things up....it is working again Peter.

 

You both are/were helpful, and I am grateful you are each here to help.

 

Thanks,

 

Geoff

[deskoilot]

four monitor system?

 

I think that I have tryed everything. I have spent the last three days trying to set-up a three monitor system becuse I have allready built the cockpit dash for a Black Shark (BS-1) I made it to chapter 3 in the "lau for dummies". and I have read "MUCH" info on how to, but it seems that nothing will work. Iam an old retired mimitary fart that loves this game. My pitt is a three year project. Mr Peter P has given me much help and I hope that someone can help me out. My system is win 32 XP. Iam running a GeForce 8400 Graphics card and Iam using a USB 2.0 port apd. for my third monitor and I plan on getting on more for a pillow Monitor which I have allready tested, works well. Iam running Hellios on two of the three monitors for my gauages but I need to have my Abris working with helios on one of my monitors and I would like to use the pillow monitor for the shkval.

I need to rotate monitors 2 and 3 90 degrees as so they will cover the holes in my pitt. I can do that and I have no problems with the hellios working. My left and right monitors are 864x1152 and my primary monitor (cockpit view) is 1024x768. My pillow monitor (shkvak) is 800x600. If someone could get me started with a lau file for this I know that I could twek if I needed to. I have a sketch of what Iam doing

Thanks

deskoilot (the old fart)

[deskoilot]

correction

 

the total resoluation should be 4128x1152. I think that the total resouation in the drop down menu (In game options) should be whatever you are using however I am not abel to just type this in. Should this be changed in the "Options lua file)? According to the Dummies Guide, it should be changed in the "OptionsData.lua file. I don't have a OptionsData .lua File.

[PeterP]

I don't have a OptionsData .lua File.

No- you (must) have a OptionsData.lua...

please read here again and try a little harder:

Fix: adding a custom resolution to in-game options.

 

BTW: You want to attach 4 monitors....

but I can only see three on your desktop-properties .

it seem that the 800x600 is missing ,you want to have the Shkval on it.

Why?

 

And this also differs highly from the arrangement of your PDF.

before I start writing a Monitorsetup.Lua for you again : I must know how your monitor layout will be in the end (preferable the smallest possible square).

 

 

Edit: (answer to your e-mail)

 

Are you using BS1? ( I de-installed BS1 some time ago - so it will be a little guesswork on my side)

 

If I recall correctly you will find the optionsdata.lua in

 

Ka-50\BlackShark\data\scripts\bs\optionsdata.lua

 

 

But I'm rally unsure if this will work in BS! - have a try!

 

BTW: You can always use windows to search for a specific file on your system !!;)

 

 

Otherwise you can always edit the Options.lua directly like you have done in this thread once before. >>http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1401249#post1401249

 

you find it here:

belongs in Ka-50\BlackShark\data\scripts\Options.lua

 

extract of this file and how it should look for 4128x1152 as example. (follow the red marked letters):

["aspect"] = 3,583333333333333, -- put in here your aspect this is with divided by height.

["textures"] = 1,

["shadows"] = 2,

["display_mode"] =

{

["avi"] =

{

["bpp"] = 32,

["resolution"] = "640x480",

["full_screen"] = false,

["aspect"] = 1.3333333333333,

["height"] = 480,

["width"] = 640,

}, -- end of ["avi"]

}, -- end of ["display_mode"]

["effects"] = 3,

["lights"] = 2,

["haze"] = 1,

["terrPrld"] = "20",

["height"] = 1152,

["resolution"] = " 4128x1152 ",

["civTraffic"] = 1,

["width"] = 4128,

Edited June 15, 2012 by PeterP

[PeterP]

I revisited your system specifications ...

 

are they still the same like in this post:http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1403390&postcount=21 ??

 

I don't want to be the messenger of bad news...

But I really doubt that you will have a lot fun running DCS windowed on this system with these monitors on XP32 ... and also Helios on top...at somewhere around 4128x1152 with a GeForce 8400 (!!).

 

- anyway -

 

Lets have a try before you burn money...

This really sounds like a challenge ! ;)

 

 

But I really need your exact desktop layout and I have to know that all four monitors are running.

Otherwise it makes no-sense to start writing a "MonitorSetup".lua for you.

Because if you change your monitors just slightly- everything has to be rewritten.

 

 

So please provide me with a similar screen-shot of you final desktop like this:

 

click>

 

Preferable with your planned Helios profile - so I can see exactly how to place the exports of the view-ports. and tell me which monitor is your primary.

 

...if this fails... use this tool to tell me how everything fits together:

PixelWindow

Edited June 14, 2012 by PeterP

[deskoilot]

peter p.

my total resulation for all 4 monitors would be 3392x1152 (becuse pillow monitor is working good @ 640x480). My question is: I still need to buy another USB Port Apd. to make all 4 mointior work at the same time. Can the lau's be changed before that hapens? and if we do change them can I still use my primary monitor for common use? The digram shows whear the mointors would be placed.

Thank You

Deskoilot (the old fart)

[deskoilot]

After rereading you reply I see you can't change the lau,s untill all four mointors are working. I will order another USB port adp today. And I wanted to let you know that I found my "Optionsdata.lau file" I will get in touch with you when I get all 4 monitors working

Thank You

"the old fart"

[PeterP]

Before - we go further :

 

Would you please answer one of my previous questions in my last posting - regarding your system and if you are now able to set a custom resolution? - otherwise further guiding will make no sense. :)

 

Thanks.

 

peter p.

my total resulation for all 4 monitors would be 3392x1152 (becuse pillow monitor is working good @ 640x480). My question is: I still need to buy another USB Port Apd. to make all 4 mointior work at the same time. Can the lau's be changed before that hapens? and if we do change them can I still use my primary monitor for common use? The digram shows whear the mointors would be placed.

Thank You

Deskoilot (the old fart)

[PeterP]

I had a look at your pdf.

 

... looks like you got sucked deep into the rabbit hole and you are planing to build a serious pit!:)

 

But...

 

I don't know how you calculated 3392x1152 (= 3.907.584 pixels)...

 

The only reasonable smallest total resolution would be around 1728x1920 (= 3.317.760 pixels) for you.

 

And you have to arrange the monitors like this in you desktop properties:

 

 

There is still the possibility to cut it down to something like 1664 x1600 (= 2.662.400 pixels) but I need the following numbers regrading the ABRIS from you.

 

I need these missing pixel info to write a working "MonitorSetup".lua for you:

a=?

b=?

c=?

d=?

 

 

 

... I still doubt that your NVidia 8400/AMD 2.2 CPU will be up to the task to render DCS in 1664 x1600 windowed with Helios on XP32 on a 1728x1920 desktop anywhere near"enjoyable" frame-rate....

 

 

... when we got this working ... I hope to be able to visit you some time to get my well earned free beer and steak from you :D !

Edited June 18, 2012 by PeterP

[deskoilot]

four monitor set-uo

 

Peter p.

I received my USB port Apd. and installed it. The attachments are what I think you will need to write the lua's. With the monitors aranged this way Iam no sure what my total resulation would be. Would I beable tpo play BS-1 With only one screen after this change would be made?. (becuse sometimes I just like to practice whil Iam working on the computer.) All my system is like it was before when you helped me with two monitors. except now I am using two USB port Apd's.

[deskoilot]

Iam not able to set custom resoluation

a=390

b=580

c=410

d-85

[deskoilot]

I have the beer and steak on hand,

 

"the Old Fart"

[PeterP]

With the monitors aranged this way Iam no sure what my total resulation would be. Would I beable tpo play BS-1 With only one screen after this change would be made?. (becuse sometimes I just like to practice whil Iam working on the computer.) All my system is like it was before when you helped me with two monitors.

 

Yes - you will be able to play with one screen only.

When you switch to 1024x768 fullscreen/windowed and use the "1 Screen" monitor setup.

 

But to have all four monitors enabled for DCS while you use the smallest possible windowed resolution you will have to rearrange them exactly like this to the dot:

 

 

 

I have also attached edited files you also have to use - so you have now 1499x1248 in your resolution drop down menu.

 

And you will have to copy the "Peterp_Cockpit+Shkval+Abris.lua" into the

\Config\MonitorSetup of your BS1 install.

and select this setting in-game.

 

 

 

Description = 'Peterp Cockpit+Shkval+Abris'

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 1024;

height = 768;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 1024 / 768;

}

}

 

ABRIS =

{

x = 1109;

y = 410;

width = 390;

height = 580;

}

 

Shkval =

{

x = 0;

y = 768;

width = 640;

height = 480;

}

 

 

Here is a graphical illustration how I calculated this windowed smallest possible resolution for your new settings.

 

 

I think You still need to apply the Phantom Monitor fix.

 

 

I'm sorry that the Monitor 3 has to be moved to the far right , but it's otherwise not possible to manage this on a XP-System with BS1.

To prevent this I would have to use the whole desktop as in-game reselution, but your GPU is defenitive not capable to handel such a big reselution.

So this is the best compromise I have found for you to run DCS in 1499x1248. <a Res that your weak 8400 should be able to handle in low/medium settings.

 

 

It would be a whole different thing with BS2 on win7-64bit. You would be able to use SoftTH and run DCS it in full-screen while Helios is still active....

So upgrade asap !!

 

 

Please report back - try to do it in only one reply - makes communication a lot easier ;)

Edited June 19, 2012 by PeterP

[deskoilot]

Peter P. Iam deeper in the rabit hole! When I try to set the monitor configuration like you told me to everything goes to poop. My primary mointor goes to a different screen, the resualation changes and the idenity of each screen differs. This all happens when I turn on the port apd,s. I copyed and pasted the files into my dcs system and when I went to open the game I got a Error message and the game would not open at all. I reinstalled my orginiall file and it worked well. I then tryed to just install one of your files and the Error message was there. (this happened with all three) This may not work Like I need it to becuse I need all of the 1152 pixles on monitors 2 and 3 to cover my pit pannel. Any ideas beside win-7 and BS-2? How did you come up with 1499X1248?:(

[deskoilot]

:thumbup:Peter p: Iam sorry for having to send you two threads but I took some time and cleared my mind a little bit and after some tweaking I was able to copy and paste the Optionsdata and the monitor config into my game. However the Options.lua will not work (see attachment.)

Thank you very much for all your hard work and help that you are giving me.

[PeterP]

You get the error massages simply because the reselution settings I made to the options lua are not available on your system.

 

And DCS needs a available screen-space of at least 1499x1248 to start - something that isn't available when looking at your desktop.

You don't even have the two screens in portrait - and I also can't see the small one.

Seriously...I'm running out of ideas how to communicate it to you an better.

 

You where already so close in this image you have posted:

Attached Thumbnails

I can't warp my head around what's going wrong now again at your end.

The left screen has to go to the right...

 

 

Honest :The simplest solution for a fresh start would be that you upgrade to win7-64 and BS2.

 

Sorry - I'm can't help you further now - I would only repeating myself with the advises I have already posted the last two pages.

Edited June 20, 2012 by PeterP