Making a USB UFC for A-10 C`

[shu77]

So with the UFC now having key strokes, and working so well on the keyboard, I was debating the idea of building one with a USB controller. It looks to be 31 Buttons, theres a number of USB Keyboard controllers out there, and its a relatively simple project. Has anyone else given any thought to this? It seems to me something that would have a half decent commercial market, so I'm kinda surprised that Saitek or TM arent doing one already but I havent seen anything so I was wondering if anyone else had before I went and dropped a bunch of money into the project.

[Dimebag1]

I say if you don't have a wife to stop you then go for it. As far as producing them commercially, I guess just see how your project goes on here, use plenty of pictures detailing it's construction and wait and see if you get any offers.

[hassata]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=59541&highlight=ufc (programming with the latest build is now simply assigning a command in options)

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=61693&highlight=ufc

[WarriorX]

Shu did you ever think of a CH Products Multi Function Panel? I set mine up as a UFC and it works rather well. I just used a fraps screenshot of the UFC and made 2 prints, one as a background, and the second I cut out the buttons and used a Scotch Glue Stick to stick them to the individual buttons.

 

To maintain a workable scale I had to split the UFC in half and put the right half of the UFC on the bottom of the left half.

 

 

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[ACUTech]

That is clever WarriorX, I was going to propose the same thing! (easy to say afterwards ain't it? :D)

[WarriorX]

Thanks ACU Tech, the CH MFP's have been a great investment in my humble opinion. They have served me in some capacity with almost every simulator that I have. The CH programming software works great, and the panels have lasted a long time.

 

I can post the pic's I used as the background and the printing specifics if any other MFP users would like. (This is the only drawback to these MFP's. Printing a background can use up a lot of very expensive ink, would be nice if CH made a LCD screen that the buttons could be placed on.)

 

I use a cheap Office Depot book stand to hold the MFP at a useable angle for me. http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/324396/Office-Depot-Book-And-Copy-Holder/

Edited December 5, 2010 by WarriorX

[blaster454]

Nice, WarriorX. Is it necessary to run the CH software to use the MFP? In other words, is the MFP recognized in the simulator as a controller so that buttons can be assigned in the sim or game?

[WarriorX]

It IS necessary to run the CH software prior to running DCS A-10C. The "map" needs to be loaded by CH software each time you restart your PC.

 

The buttons can be assigned as a Direct X button, but I did not go that route. I assigned them a keystroke. Note: I had to assign the UFC key assignments in the options menu to a set of blank keys, then I programmed those key assignments to the MFP keys via the CH software.

 

I am still a bit "ham fisted" when it comes to the CH software and I fully realize that I am not using the program to it's full potential. I dont know if the MFP's can be programmed to be "seen" as a controller by the game, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will let us know.

[Boot910]

The CH panel is pretty ingenious. I too am in the process of building my own UFC. I'm going for making it as realistic looking as possible.

 

Found a company called Front Panel Express (http://www.frontpanelexpress) that will make custom enclosures including custom panels for a reasonable price considering my project is a 1-off. They have a free panel design program that gives you the price as you build.

I think I'm going with the U-HID board as the interface and encoding the buttons as gamepad buttons. Looks like there are 29 active inputs on the UFC and since you can have 32 buttons on a game controller in Windows I can throw in an extra 3 for misc functions.

Hard part was finding the right buttons and rocker switches to use.

I'm going with Omron B3F-4050 tactile buttons and 7105 series rockers from C&K Components. Haven't been able to find a cap for the ENT button. May have to try fabricating one, and I don't have a good idea yet for the Master Caution button. FYI the size I'm using for the UFC front panel is 225mm x 50mm

[chokko]

is that CH thing the same as the ergodex DX1? they look identical.

 

i was recently looking at the latter to make a UFC but the latter product isnt supported in windows7 (seem to be a few ppl whining about that on forums).

 

the front panel express thing is intriguing. is 225x50mm the real size?

 

these guys had some grey square and round switch caps which would look good for a UFC. not sure how much they charge to have custom labelled

http://www.mec.dk/

[RogueRunner]

How many buttons do you get with the CH MFC? $190 is pricey! :( but prob a good quickfix for a cockpit builder.

[shu77]

Ok still waiting on pricing for custom buttons with the printing, but a quick mock up on that front panel app and looking at a 32 button keyboard controller I'm up to about $100 USD, so by the time you add the buttons and the cost of wiring, bread board and an enclosure its probably going to get a bit unrealistic.

[Boot910]

 

the front panel express thing is intriguing. is 225x50mm the real size?

 

these guys had some grey square and round switch caps which would look good for a UFC. not sure how much they charge to have custom labelled

http://www.mec.dk/

 

I don't know the exact size, but it looks pretty close. Certainly close enough for what I'm looking to do. Thanks for the link on the push buttons. For labeling I was going to use my p-touch labeler and some white on clear tape and make my own labels for the keys.

The route I'm taking isn't cheap. Probably be just over $300 when I'm done, but hey... already spent $400 on a Warthog!

[reilar]

is that CH thing the same as the ergodex DX1? they look identical.

 

http://www.ergodex.com/faqs/Buyer_Selection_Guide.htm

[Succellus]

How many buttons do you get with the CH MFC? $190 is pricey! :( but prob a good quickfix for a cockpit builder.

 

i counted 22, don t know if you can buy others in spearate, there s sure a lot of wasted places on that board.

 

Would br cool if someone released wifi switches... no cable "easy" individual placement.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chokko

is that CH thing the same as the ergodex DX1? they look identical.

 

http://www.ergodex.com/faqs/Buyer_Selection_Guide.htm

 

Looks like the same to me, cheaper with more buttons out of the box. Wouldn t be surprised if CH use this product and but 20 bucks more for some printed cardboard.

Edited December 6, 2010 by Succellus

[WarriorX]

I think the Ergodex is a "cousin" of the CH MFP. The MFP works with Win7.

I use it as a simple keystroke generator that mimics a keyboard input in the eyes of the game/sim you are using it with.

 

It comes with 25 keys that have an reusable adhesive backing that can be placed on the Plexiglas front screen. The keys can be moved around, stuck, restuck as many times as you wish. There is probably a limit as to how long the adhesive on the individual keys will last, but 3+ yrs later the keys are still going strong for me. You can purchase 25 more keys(26-50) to add to your options. Once the keys are placed, you can use the CH Controller program to assign the keys to a keystroke macro as you wish.

 

The cool thing in my opinion is that the MFP is completely reconfigurable. If you like, they even sell the plexiglass screens so that you can one set of keys set up for your fav game, and then switch the plexiglass out with another set of predesignated keys as you wish. The only thing limiting you is the size of your bank account.

 

The downside is that the MFP has only one style/size of key. There was some talk at CH of adding more key designs but that never materialized. This detracts to some degree from the immersion, but the advantage of it's reconfiguration more than makes up for it.

 

Just my .02

Check it out for yourself:http://www.chproducts.com/retail/mfp.html

Edited December 7, 2010 by WarriorX

[braden]

Hmmm MFP looks like way to go over DX1, having win7 support. But CH wont ship out of US it seems and oz prices for it are obscene :( Will need to look for US retailer...

[talon90]

Shu did you ever think of a CH Products Multi Function Panel? I set mine up as a UFC and it works rather well. I just used a fraps screenshot of the UFC and made 2 prints, one as a background, and the second I cut out the buttons and used a Scotch Glue Stick to stick them to the individual buttons.

 

To maintain a workable scale I had to split the UFC in half and put the right half of the UFC on the bottom of the left half.

 

 

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Really great idea! That looks great. I'm using a xKeys USB58 controller for my UFC. Super easy to program but they seem to be hard to come by these days. I've had mine for years and it has served me through several sims.

 

 

[Succellus]

This look really as a cool solution, configurable, probably indefinite expansion allowed as they can be configured as keyboard (just a doubt if they accept CTRL+SHIFT+ALT or any combinations)

NOW, as i sayd before, if someone could work the same system with switches and "wheel switches" (gradual and positioned) this would be the dream world for non hardcore pit builder.

[Jinja]

Found a company called Front Panel Express (http://www.frontpanelexpress.com) that will make custom enclosures including custom panels for a reasonable price considering my project is a 1-off.

 

Cool, that's a pretty nice internet-based service there, nice and simple... looking at around 130 dollars for a 1-off perspex UFC panel (I slapped roughly 30 buttons and some text to give me a rough idea of the cost.

 

I wonder is there the potential for a group-buy on something like this? 130 dollars is pushing it, but if there were >20 buyers, that'd be a 30% discount, and it says to contact them if needing 30> for more discount...... that starts looking like a bargain!

 

I'd recycle an old Leo-board for this... I'd love a UFC to tie-in with my new monitor-overlaid MFDs... :thumbup:

[Succellus]

Cool, that's a pretty nice internet-based service there, nice and simple... looking at around 130 dollars for a 1-off perspex UFC panel (I slapped roughly 30 buttons and some text to give me a rough idea of the cost.

 

I wonder is there the potential for a group-buy on something like this? 130 dollars is pushing it, but if there were >20 buyers, that'd be a 30% discount, and it says to contact them if needing 30> for more discount...... that starts looking like a bargain!

 

I'd recycle an old Leo-board for this... I'd love a UFC to tie-in with my new monitor-overlaid MFDs... :thumbup:

 

This is awesome to make the "plates" with buttons names (function) and screwing it over a wood frame ... Still need an easy way to have switches, and the like without cable harass. Enought cabling with a "normal computer".

Edited December 7, 2010 by Succellus

[WarriorX]

Really great idea! That looks great. I'm using a xKeys USB58 controller for my UFC. Super easy to program but they seem to be hard to come by these days. I've had mine for years and it has served me through several sims.

 

Nice setup Talon.

 

(just a doubt if they accept CTRL+SHIFT+ALT or any combinations)

NOW, as i sayd before, if someone could work the same system with switches and "wheel switches" (gradual and positioned) this would be the dream world for non hardcore pit builder.

 

The CH Control Manager software does a great job of capturing those key combo's, even the windows key, and left and right variants of all the CTL SHIFT ALT WIN

[Boot910]

Here's an image of the UFC panel I setup in Front Panel Designer program along with the parts I'm looking to use. Couldn't find anything closer for the Master Caution button. Also, it looks like I'll have to modify one of the square buttons to make the rectangular Enter button. Maybe build up the sides with epoxy or something. The price for this panel as drawn is about $63 USD. Not sure how much it'd cost for a complete enclosure which they can also make.

 

[Jinja]

Nice, Boot! I have found it hard finding suitable buttons for this via my usual online haunts in the UK (flea-bay / RS online / Maplin).

 

only 63 USD for 1-off? I must not have paid much attention when I did some cursory designing to get me the ball-park figure that I quoted. What size is the panel you designed? And was that 4mm perspex?

 

How about attaching the design file? ;-)

[Succellus]

Nice but you have to link this buttons to a special card dont you ?