A-10 Warthog CDU with Ipad have a try

[Ghost_unit13]

OK here is my first version of an Ipad CDU for A-10. I used the Ipad app Keypadpro.

 

Get the files here, and follow the instructions in the readme.

 

A10CDU.Zip

 

Let me know if it works for you.

[chief]

Thanks for that bud. I have tried it but having probs. First, when I install autohotkey it asks me 3 options. 1)32 bit 2) 64 bit 3)ANSI 32 bit. Which one do I use?

I put you A10xxx.AHK in the MY Documents folder and renamed it to AutoHotkey. I can edit it when I run AHK so I assume this is the script AHK is running.

I put you keyboard.lua in the folder you specifies and renamed it to default.lua since that is the name of the file that was in there already.

 

I connect the KeyPAdPro. I run A10 and start a mission. My ipad screen is blank. Should I be seeing the CDU or something on my Ipad? Thanks!

[Ghost_unit13]

Thanks for that bud. I have tried it but having probs. First, when I install autohotkey it asks me 3 options. 1)32 bit 2) 64 bit 3)ANSI 32 bit. Which one do I use?

I put you A10xxx.AHK in the MY Documents folder and renamed it to AutoHotkey. I can edit it when I run AHK so I assume this is the script AHK is running.

I put you keyboard.lua in the folder you specifies and renamed it to default.lua since that is the name of the file that was in there already.

 

I connect the KeyPAdPro. I run A10 and start a mission. My ipad screen is blank. Should I be seeing the CDU or something on my Ipad? Thanks!

 

 

-Get the default autohotkey.. 32/64 what ever you OS is.

 

-The name of the autohotkey script is not important as long the extension is .AHK

 

-You run the script by double click on it. there will not happen a lot, just that you will see an autohotkey icon right next to you system clock on you desktop. ( should only be one. exit the others if you started more.)

Autohotkey is now getting al the keyinput's (you could check it by editing the script with lets say A::B .. ( you have to double click the script after you edit it and give a "yes" if he ask you tot replace an old instant) an A press would than be B result if you try it in note pad.

 

- I have two lue files in my keyboard lue location.. one default.lua en one keyboard.lua. the last one if for me the active one.. not sure how this is for you. you should use the active one. you can check it in A10 at the keyconfig menu.. cdu keys should be configured..shif/ctrl..xxx

 

The pad screen seems to be empty because the forum profile download in keypadpro does not get my images(background and keys) didn't know that just found that out. .. I added the images to the zip file. download it again an place the images on you Ipad so keypadpro can find them. (synch with I-tunes to default image location.) mu A10cdu.zip

 

before going into the sim you could check the cdu by going into you joystick config tools "keymarco checker" if you got one and see if you can register the key inputs ( I use my CH PRO controle software.. it is ankeypress tool that show what key is pressed at the moment.\

 

If all is up and running first got to the key setting menu.. press the ipad cdu keys and it should go to the corresponding cdu key command.

 

Let me know.

Edited December 28, 2010 by Ghost_unit13

[Jorgensen]

Hi Ghost

 

I'm trying go get this to work and I have a question:

Does one have to manual add images to all the keys ?

 

Thanks

Jorgensen

[Ghost_unit13]

Hi Ghost

 

I'm trying go get this to work and I have a question:

Does one have to manual add images to all the keys ?

 

Thanks

Jorgensen

 

 

I don't know how keypadpro managed it. Not sure if the template holds the the links of the images when I uploaded it. I've got the images ( you can find in the new a10cdu.zip file) in the default photo map on my I pad in a submap called "ipad"

[Jorgensen]

Hi Ghost

 

I simply get an empty layout, no background and no text on the buttons.

 

How does one add images to the buttons ?

 

Thanks

[Ghost_unit13]

Hi Ghost

 

I simply get an empty layout, no background and no text on the buttons.

 

How does one add images to the buttons ?

 

Thanks

 

Get the a10cdu.zip file (I made a new version with the images)

place this in a map named "ipad"on your i pad foto location with the I-tune synch option.

check is the images, restart your Ipad?...check keypad if images are now added. If not it looks like you have to add them manually :(

double click on button in edit mode, for back ground tap on icon next to the ADD button..

[metalnwood]

Ghost, in case you aren't wathing my thread have a look at the cdu exported to the ipad.

 

[DayGlow]

I'm using keypad pro to create my own custom control panel for DCS combining parts of the UFC and CDU. How does autohotkey work? Will it only intercept the command inputs from keypad pro and put the proper inputs into DCS?

 

Or does it not differentiate between the iPad keyboard and pc keyboard?

 

Edit.... Reading its documentation my understanding it takes either shift key press and you define it as a right or left key press correct?

Edited December 29, 2010 by DayGlow

[Ghost_unit13]

I'm using keypad pro to create my own custom control panel for DCS combining parts of the UFC and CDU. How does autohotkey work? Will it only intercept the command inputs from keypad pro and put the proper inputs into DCS?

 

Or does it not differentiate between the iPad keyboard and pc keyboard?

 

Edit.... Reading its documentation my understanding it takes either shift key press and you define it as a right or left key press correct?

 

Yes, it takes the key you configer in the script file and send it's replacement.. Check my script how I did it. a::a b::b. Shift::Lshift etc.

[DayGlow]

Did you have to create a separate script for each command or just one to make shift=Lshift, control=Lcontrol, etc and have this cover all commands as they come in ( sorry away from pc so I can't experiment)

[Jorgensen]

Hi ghost and others :-)

 

I'm trying to create a very simple interface in keypadpro where I adjust flaps.

 

So I need to fetch F and F+Lshift, but I can't figure out how to fetch the Lshift key, as keypadpro only use 'shift'. I know that I have to use autohotkey, but how does one setup the use of Lshift ?

 

If one could show a small guide I would be very happy :-)

[Ghost_unit13]

Did you have to create a separate script for each command or just one to make shift=Lshift, control=Lcontrol, etc and have this cover all commands as they come in ( sorry away from pc so I can't experiment)

 

DayGlow:

 

It just use one script.. I added 1 ..0 a..z f1..f8 and the Lshift,Lctrl and Lalt.. mot sure if I need them all but somewere in the process it looked like it did so I left it like it is. The result from the alt is a bit strange.. it shows me a LAlt and Lctrl... dont know why so I don't use it in my CDU keycommand list.

 

just have a look and try with my script.

http://www.lx200gps.nl/a10cdu.zip

 

Jorgensen: there is a readme in this file that explains how I did it.

Edited December 30, 2010 by Ghost_unit13

[DayGlow]

I've been playing around with it last night, all you need is the shift, cntrl, and alt. Ran into an issue with multiple modifiers in DCS itself. shft+ctrl with a key throws an error in the game itself. I've setup the right keys as my modifiers so I'll see if alt is causing problems.

 

Just did a test, Ralt seems to work fine in DCS

Edited December 30, 2010 by DayGlow

[DayGlow]

I've been playing around with Keypad Pro and like it a lot, but there are limitations. As mentioned it doesn't always send the modifier keystroke with the keypress so having scripts to run shft,alt,cntrl, etc isn't really needed as it doesn't work reliably enough.

 

I had all the OSB's mapped to a profile with cntl modifiers and it didn't always take, so other keypresses were being sent to the sim. At one point when I tried to access the DSMS the cockpit lights turned on. As there are 40 OSB's and limited number of direct keys on the keyboard especially since this program doesn't differentiate between the num-pad and main keyboard, it isn't possible to map all of them.

 

It will be a useful program to store a select number of useful commands that can be mapped to straight key presses. I have the UFC and part of the CDU mapped no problem and will run with that.

 

I will probably pick up some cougar MFD's as well and the rest can be covered by the clickable cockpit as any combat needed command can be mapped to the iPad, the rest aren't time sensitive and I can hunt it down with the mouse.

[Jorgensen]

I have setup keypadpro to use for speedbreakes, and it works ok. But i have to tap the Keys several times to Open / close the breakes. Does anyone know If its possible to setup keypadpro to be able hold down the key ?

[Ghost_unit13]

I have setup keypadpro to use for speedbreakes, and it works ok. But i have to tap the Keys several times to Open / close the breakes. Does anyone know If its possible to setup keypadpro to be able hold down the key ?

 

For what I know you can give the keys repeat options. Just go in edit options of the key.

There is a tutorial on youtube.

[DayGlow]

I have setup keypadpro to use for speedbreakes, and it works ok. But i have to tap the Keys several times to Open / close the breakes. Does anyone know If its possible to setup keypadpro to be able hold down the key ?

 

Also when you tap on the button in edit mode at the bottom you can see a bunch of button type options. You can choose slider you can then give the button an increase and decrease value. When you then press and hold the button a slider appears on screen and you can drag your finger up and down on it

 

The button types are cool. You can have a dial and spin younfinger around the button for +\- values, menus, etc. I have the 2 dials on the AAP panel put on menus. I click the button and the options for the dial pop up around it. I drag my finger to the setting I want and bingo :thumbup:

[Botch]

Finally had a bit of time to play around with it. Made my own layout in a horizontal format instead of the vertical one that Ghost kindly made (Cheers for all the work :thumbup: - really appreciate it).

 

Used his in-game keymappings also but changed several around as I'm using a Swiss German keyboard so just want to use standard keys and avoid special & control characters. But I do have to clean all this up as I also want to create a UFC profile. Think I will unmap all the standard hotas commands as I'm using a warthog and don't need keys for this. Did try with ASCII codes but think that is not functioning correctly.

 

Mapping is not always 100%. Most keys are working with the exception of the +, -, PG Up, PG, Down & Steer. Is possible to setup in the options-control menus but do not work in-game. Could be a beta 4 issue.

 

Just have to make sure all components are running with Admin permission (Win7). I did add a couple extra settings to AutoHotKey to map right Ctrl, Shift to right Ctrl & Shift. Right Alt mapping does not seem to work. Otherwise keyboard mappings using the right command keys did not work (I think that was happening - it was late a night).

 

Layout is like this (sorry for the average picture but you get the idea). Want to update the background with some borders and headings.:

 

 

 

Works well with MFD's but I have to get use to some of the key inputs. Creating a new flightplan etc is much faster now and switching between CDU screens works great.

 

Overall setup:

 

 

Still a work in progress. Thanks for all the work everyone has done on this.

 

Botch...

Edited January 4, 2011 by Botch

[Ghost_unit13]

Looks great Botch! Thanks for the review. That's what's great about keypad you can customize it as you like. Two questions, did you get the images with keypad pro or from my latest zip if any.

And how is the stability in flight for you.

Edited January 4, 2011 by Ghost_unit13

[Botch]

I just used the default icons in KeyPadPro (numbers and arrows). I added the text for each button as a caption. One note, if you have a single character it is not shown so you have to enter "A" as "space A space" for it to be displayed in the button. They are a bit small. I did try with large characters on the background but the button hides them (are displayed when you press them though). A button with no colour fill would be a great enhancement.

 

The background is just a black 1024x768 jpg with a green rectangle where the screen should be. There is a photoshop file that I found with the grid for the buttons.

 

This is the current one I'm working on, the UFC:

 

 

A bit blurry but I have used a black background and white text in photoshop to mark it up. Need to move a couple buttons and now just have to think about all the key mappings.

 

Think I will add other functions on the bottom of this page. Need to look through the control list to see what uses the left ctrl/alt/shift modifiers.

 

I have only played a couple of missions for basic testing and apart from several buttons not working as mentioned above, it seems stable. I did get some crazies last night when I was doing right ctrl/shift commands - keyboard was in a strange state. Think modifying the AutoHotKeys fixed it.

 

Need to keep working on them and doing some in-game testing.

 

Botch...

Edited January 4, 2011 by Botch

[Ghost_unit13]

ok,

 

Check my zip file.. I added a CDU background and all the keys you need for the CDU. Looks like you have to add them manually. http://www.lx200gps.nl/a10cdu.zip

 

This my first setup:

(check the CDU)

 

Yes, I noticed that about some keysnot being correct.. I forgot "M" and mixed up some others.. have to take a look at that.

 

What file did you use for a matrix..

 

BTW. got a Email from the developer from keypadpro. They release a version 2 in two weeks. They say they added some functionally I asked for to get it to work a bit better for use A10 simmers. Let's see :)

Edited January 5, 2011 by Ghost_unit13

[Botch]

I've attached the psd file that I found for the grid. Is useful for making background images.

 

This is what I have done so far on the main page I use. I also have a CDU page but do not use it that often, only for creating flight plans usually. I have a copy of your buttons/icons and do plan do try to do a more "as installed" layout and backgounds in the future.

 

 

It was a sort of proof of concept to see if I could do a ramp start without touching the mouse (what? in a game with a fully clickable cockpit :music_whistling:). The only main thing I couldn't do was the Standby Altitude Indicator. For some reason when you map a dial function in DCS, one click results in a big jump. Found this out when I mapped the HSI course and heading dials and just clicking once sends them spinning.

 

Otherwise everything is functioning ok. I did notice that any mapping using the "Alt" key also can result in a "Ctrl" being sent after for some strange reason. I think its the KPServer. So I'm very careful now about what I map with this. I made a spreadsheet with most of the mappings to keep track of everything.

 

The "Train" settings for the laser/master weapon and PAC do not work but that is a Beta thing. Same with IFFCC Off.

 

Using Menu style buttons for the AAP works very well. I'm going to do some more mods and put in several menu buttons for commands that are only occasionally required.

 

I've been testing a bit in-game and have not had any major issues. I know that using KPServer + AutoHotKey are a bit of a workaround until something better shows up, but it's ok for now. It is still a work in progress, hence the funky colours but I have other ideas on how to neaten it up.

 

 

Botch...

keyprobackgroundgrid.zip

Edited January 5, 2011 by Botch

[Ghost_unit13]

Looking great! Same for me, lots of ideas :)

 

The new version of keypad pro seems to have some neat new functions. Like trasparant buttons and fast switching between templates. (He actually listen to my request!) next thing on his agenda is to have a looks at the kpserver.exe. Let's support this guy, it Looks like we can have a lot of fun with this tool..

[Jorgensen]

ok,

 

BTW. got a Email from the developer from keypadpro. They release a version 2 in two weeks. They say they added some functionally I asked for to get it to work a bit better for use A10 simmers. Let's see :)

 

oh - I read on his homepage that it was released to the app store, but waited for apples approval. Hmm I better stop checking app store for updates every hour :-)

 

Are any of you using win 7 x64 ?