My First Panel - A Journey

[JelalTrueshot]

So, I decided a couple days ago after reading up on the GroovyGamer GP-Wiz40 USB controller card that I would attempt to create my first panel. Honestly, I have no prior woodworking experience. I knew going in that my first time out would be very rough. So, I look at this as a work in progress and the first step to better things down the line. :pilotfly:

 

The panel I would start building would bring together two forward MFDs, using 7-inch iMo monitors, two Thrustmaster Cougar MFDs, and a plethora of switches inspired by another post I found on these forums.

 

Again, I know this is a rough first start, but I am adding the images to the post as a record of my journey. Any advice or feedback would be appreciated.

[hassata]

Nice job, man. You're a braver man than I. If you still haven't purchased, go for 8" monitors.

[JelalTrueshot]

Thanks! So, what do the 8-inch ones offer over the 7s? Is it a size only issue or maybe the resolution?

[hassata]

With 7, you will end up with a little under an inch of non-screen border. With 8, you can have the entire space inside the TM MFDs filled with LCD.

[JelalTrueshot]

Thanks, Hassata, I didn't know that. I will have to save up for the 8's but that definitely sounds like the way to go. I had a couple 7s already for non-sim uses. Now I am just waiting for the Wiz40 board and collection of toggle switches to arrive from the suppliers.

[hassata]

7" are usable (I use 7" VGA). Practically, it means that the output won't scale such that the vertical (or horizontal depending on how you orient) buttons line up. There is no problem with resolution or clarity.

[CAT_101st]

Nice start.

[JelalTrueshot]

I think the size and integration of the MFDs has been the most challenging part of the build so far. Well, that and obtaining/learning to use all the tools, etc. For my next build, I think I will go with a smaller, 'lay-down' style panel found on the left and right sides of the cockpit.

[JelalTrueshot]

Okay, for all the would-be panel-builders out there. Now hear this: When you buy SPDT three position switches from an online source, watch for parenthesis! (on)-off-(on) signifies a 'momentary' switch, not a 'maintained'. Basically, what this means is that when you release the switch it will re-center itself to the off position.

 

I did not know this and have had to order some of the correct ones. In any event, the GP-WIZ40 board arrives as did the on-off switches. The three way ones will have to wait. More pics included.

[JelalTrueshot]

Got the thing all up and running tonight save for a bad switch. Looks like it is all lining up all right as well. I think this just about wraps up my first panel. Now to start coming up with better plans for a newer version!:pilotfly:

 

[TigersharkBAS]

Would be nice if you could give a little more info Jelal. Are you using small monitors under the cougar MFD? Which models did you get. How did you set them up?

 

Would love to get more insight on this.

[JelalTrueshot]

Hey TigersharkBAS, sure thing! I am using two iMo 7'' USB LCDs from Mimo. The monitors are hidden behind small, MFD-sized cutouts in a 24''x6'' plywood panel. In order to configure the MFDs for use in DCS, you have to edit one of the game's LUA files. TM3MON.lua, I believe. I am using Nvidia's screen-spanning solution, so that the sim believes my three large LCDs are one monitor. As far as precisely configuring the MFDs for in game use, there are a few threads for that already just search them out.

 

For reference, here is my T3MON.lua file:

 

_ = function(p) return p; end;

name = _('GSMFD');

Description = '3 Span monitor array and 2 additional MFDs below on USB monitors.'

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 5760;

height = 1080;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 5.4;

}

}

 

LEFT_MFCD =

{

x = 100;

y = 1080;

width = 580;

height = 480;

}

 

RIGHT_MFCD =

{

x = 5140;

y = 1080;

width = 580;

height = 480;

}

[pitbldr]

Great work!! :thumbup:

[slowhand]

thats cool, well done..:pilotfly:

[TigersharkBAS]

Hi again,

Thanks for the details but I am a little confused.

 

I understand how you are using your Nvidia to drive 3 screens (I think you can see the three screens in the background) but how exactly are you driving the 2 screens for the MFD. They plugged into another GFX card?

[TigersharkBAS]

Oh wait...I think I got it...they are USB monitors. They work perfectly? No problems?

[JelalTrueshot]

Oh wait...I think I got it...they are USB monitors. They work perfectly? No problems?

Yup!

 

The three main are the 23'' Acer 120Hz displays tied together with Nvidia's spanning option to make DCS believe it is one really wide monitor (running at 5760x1080 I think). The two USB monitors are viewed as separate displays by both Nvidia and DCS.

 

The trick to using the MFD monitors in this fashion is that when you setup the monitors in Nvidia's 'screen resolution utility, you must move the smaller USB monitors to be slightly offset from the main display - don't line them up with the edges. For some reason, when you do line them up with the edges of the bigger display, they don't work right in the sim.

[JelalTrueshot]

Also, I had no idea there were places that just sold electronics enclosures - no idea! So, I have bought a large enclosure from PolyCase.

 

http://www.polycase.com/dc-96f#

 

Looks enough like the Warthog throttle base to kind of fit in with the setup, I think. Only question is, what to do with it? I don't have enough room to make two side cockpit panels but maybe just take the most important controls from both sides and stick them onto it?

 

p.s. If anyone has any other sources for enclosures, I would love to hear them. Thanks!

[GregP]

Aw man, wish I'd known about polycase -- thanks for the link. I could've used that before buying my now too-small 7.5x5x2 case from Mouser Electronics to build an AHCP.