Post by Admin on Jul 3, 2022 20:08:31 GMT
A completely revised set of pilots panels - Main MIP, Glareshield, Pedestal (excluding the throttle quadrant area) and Overhead, are being developed. These comprise totally reworked graphics and a comprehensive re-write of code as compared to the freeware versions. The new overhead for example is driven by over 3000 lines of lua script, and has been combined into a single instrument, offering more flexibility to users with different monitor resolutions through Air Manager's powerful panel scripting.
This gives a user the ability to build what is effectively a flat-screen trainer for the 747-200 across a network, although of course it is perfectly possible and feasible to just run one or two of these panels on additional monitors connected to your X-Plane computer. These panels work with mouse or touch-screen control and are Knobster compatible. It is possible for a user familiar with Air Manager's extensive lua scripting capabilities to edit instruments and panels so that external hardware switches, LEDs and knobs may be interfaced via Arduino (currently that is entirely for the user to code and implement, I do not provide such support in the gauge coding, though it is something I plan to work on in future).
Freeware X-Plane 11 compatible instruments for the 742 continue to be available here, but these new versions will offer a significant upgrade, including night-time visuals and lighting. Additional features, such as the options to use a single-cue (V-bar) Flight Director, LTN-92 navigation units or tape-style engine instruments provide yet more choices for cockpit configuration, to more closely match the aircraft operated by various airlines. Different instrument options such as VOR/DME/ADF indicators and metric altimeters can be changed "on-the-fly" as the simulator is running.
These panels are tested with X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12. The only major compatibility issue with X Plane 12 has been related to the new simulator's lighting engine. I have a fix for gauge night-lighting and annunciator lights and that is being rolled out across gauges and panels.
For more on the journey making these panels please check out my short blog here.
This is my test rig showing the 747-200 panels in use. The overhead and pedestal units are touchscreens. A single Knobster (available from Siminnovations.com) provides rotary control across all screens. I intend to set up a programmable keypad working with Key2Mouse software to allow quick and easy manipulation of controls, and pointing for Knobster activation on the main MIP. I will report further once I have that set up.
This gives a user the ability to build what is effectively a flat-screen trainer for the 747-200 across a network, although of course it is perfectly possible and feasible to just run one or two of these panels on additional monitors connected to your X-Plane computer. These panels work with mouse or touch-screen control and are Knobster compatible. It is possible for a user familiar with Air Manager's extensive lua scripting capabilities to edit instruments and panels so that external hardware switches, LEDs and knobs may be interfaced via Arduino (currently that is entirely for the user to code and implement, I do not provide such support in the gauge coding, though it is something I plan to work on in future).
Freeware X-Plane 11 compatible instruments for the 742 continue to be available here, but these new versions will offer a significant upgrade, including night-time visuals and lighting. Additional features, such as the options to use a single-cue (V-bar) Flight Director, LTN-92 navigation units or tape-style engine instruments provide yet more choices for cockpit configuration, to more closely match the aircraft operated by various airlines. Different instrument options such as VOR/DME/ADF indicators and metric altimeters can be changed "on-the-fly" as the simulator is running.
These panels are tested with X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12. The only major compatibility issue with X Plane 12 has been related to the new simulator's lighting engine. I have a fix for gauge night-lighting and annunciator lights and that is being rolled out across gauges and panels.
For more on the journey making these panels please check out my short blog here.
This is my test rig showing the 747-200 panels in use. The overhead and pedestal units are touchscreens. A single Knobster (available from Siminnovations.com) provides rotary control across all screens. I intend to set up a programmable keypad working with Key2Mouse software to allow quick and easy manipulation of controls, and pointing for Knobster activation on the main MIP. I will report further once I have that set up.
