FSXA 2D cockpit side views

Joao Muas · 10 Jun 2012

I know the old 2D panel + cockpit side views scheme was abandoned since FSX SP1, or maybe wasn't implemented in FSX at all, I can´t remember exactly...

Nevertheless, I tried a workaround solution using a gauge, like this:

Code:

	<Element>
		<Position X="0" Y="0" />
		<Visible>(L:VIEW_RIGHT, bool)</Visible>
		<Image Name="right_view.bmp" />
	</Element>

	<Keys>
		<On Event="VIEW_RIGHT">1 (>L:VIEW_RIGHT, bool)</On>
	</Keys>

Although the L:VIEW_RIGHT gets the value 1, the image doesn't show... but using a entry like this in the panel file:

Code:

[Window15]
file=right_view.bmp
size_mm=1280
window_size= 1.000
position=0

The side view image actualy shows up, but only if we select it on the drop down menu...
Now if it can be done manualy, it should be possible to code it, right?
Any ideas how we could get this feature back in FSX by means of a gauge?

Thanks.

Dietmar · 12 Jun 2012

Hi,
you can use the VS9VIEW macros (look at the SDK) for such a gauge. It provides you exact the same view functions like the fixed windows in FS9.

Can look like this:

Dietmar

Joao Muas · 13 Jun 2012

Dietmar said:
Hi,
you can use the VS9VIEW macros (look at the SDK) for such a gauge. It provides you exact the same view functions like the fixed windows in FS9.

Can look like this:

Dietmar

I believe you mean the XML custom parameter FS9VIEW.
I never used it before, but I made a simple gauge:

Code:

<Gauge Name="RightView">
  <Element>
    <Position X="0" Y="0"/>
    <CustomDraw Name="fs9view:view" X="1024" Y="768" Zoom="1.0" Pitch="0" Bank="0" Heading="90" OffsetUp="0" OffsetForward="0" OffsetRight="0">
    </CustomDraw>
  </Element>
</Gauge>

...and added this to the panel config:

Code:

[Window15]
file=RightView.bmp 
size_mm=1280
window_size_ratio=1.000  
position=0
visible=0
ident=MAIN_PANEL_ALT1
window_size= 1.000

gauge00=FS9VIEWtest!RightView,  0,0

..and it works, but as in my previous atempts, only using the menu bar.

I'll add a key assignment to the gauge to see if I can make it show on a key press.

What this custom parameter does is to add a new window with the selected direction view (and offsets if we want), so I used the ident MAIN_PANEL_ALT1, so the main 2D panel don't get get drawn behind, but it is still one window on top of another, not a good thing for fps... I don't know if your pic is a window using this technique. Can you post the code you used?

Thanks pointing me the FS9VIEW.

Dietmar · 13 Jun 2012

Hi,

yes, I used the custom draw macros for the wing view pic I posted. I am open/close it with a icon activating the window in the panel.cfg.
This is the code ( FSX XML ):

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>

<SimBase.Document
        Type="AceXML"
        version="1,0"
        id="TEST">
    <Descr>AceXML Document</Descr>
    <Filename>VIEWFS9_RLeft.xml</Filename>
    <SimGauge.Gauge id="Gauge" ArtDirectory=".">
        <FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition>
        <Size>1024,768</Size>
        <Image id="WLB.bmp" Name="WLB.bmp">
            <Transparent>True</Transparent>
            <Bright>True</Bright>
        </Image>
        <Element id="Element">
            <FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition>
            <Visibility>1</Visibility>
            <CustomDraw id="CustomDraw" Name="fs9view:view">
                <Size>1024,768</Size>
                <Bright>True</Bright>
                <CustomDrawParam id="ZOOM" Name="ZOOM">
                    <Value>0.7</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
                <CustomDrawParam id="Pitch" Name="Pitch">
                    <Value>0</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
                <CustomDrawParam id="Bank" Name="Bank">
                    <Value>1</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
                <CustomDrawParam id="Heading" Name="Heading">
                    <Value>220</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
                <CustomDrawParam id="OffsetUp" Name="OffsetUp">
                    <Value>0</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
                <CustomDrawParam id="OffsetForward" Name="OffsetForward">
                    <Value>0</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
                <CustomDrawParam id="OffsetRight" Name="OffsetRight">
                    <Value>0</Value>
                </CustomDrawParam>
            </CustomDraw>
        </Element>
        <MouseArea id="MouseArea">
            <FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition>
            <Size>1024,768</Size>
            <CursorType>Hand</CursorType>
            <MouseClick id="MouseClick">
                <Script>10100  (&gt;K:PANEL_ID_Close)
10101  (&gt;K:PANEL_ID_Close)
Main_Panel (&gt;K:Panel_ID_Open)</Script>
            </MouseClick>
            <Tooltip id="Tooltip">
                <DefaultScript>ViewReset</DefaultScript>
            </Tooltip>
        </MouseArea>
        <Update id="Update">
            <Frequency>5</Frequency>
        </Update>
    </SimGauge.Gauge>
</SimBase.Document>

As a background I used just a simple cabin window bmp.

Dietmar

Joao Muas · 16 Jun 2012

Dietmar said:
Hi,

yes, I used the custom draw macros for the wing view pic I posted. I am open/close it with a icon activating the window in the panel.cfg.
This is the code ( FSX XML ):

As a background I used just a simple cabin window bmp.

Dietmar

Okay, this works, but I find the FS9VIEW not to frame rate friendly... thanks for your help.

Dietmar · 17 Jun 2012

Indeed, it cost some frames. I am not sure why ?

Dietmar

Joao Muas · 17 Jun 2012

Dietmar said:
Indeed, it cost some frames. I am not sure why ?

Dietmar

I believe it's because it is generating a new window, and a big sized one, over the virtual cockpit front view.

The "old" fixed views system just displayed a bitmap over the virtual cockpit view, whatever the view was, forward right, right, etc., of course with no VC.

With FS9VIEW, you are at the virtual cockpit in front view, and it generates a new window displaying a camera view pointing at the selected heading.

It may not be to frame rate consuming on fast up to date systems, but in my old rig, I loose about 10 fps, which its too much...

Joao Muas · 23 Jun 2012

2D Fixed Cockpit View FSX solution

Here is my solution to display 2D fixed cockpit views on FSX, as the usual panel definitions are no more possible, and thanks to Mr. Doug Dawson for the window_status gauge.

Here is my code:

Code:

[COLOR="Blue"]<Gauge Name="FIXEDVIEWS">

  <Update Hidden="Yes">

    (L:WindowInit, number) 0 ==
      if{
        (* here goes all the windows assignments for Doug Dawson's window status gauge *)
        1 (>L:WindowInit, bool)
      }
		
    <!-- persistent code for the fixed panel view to show -->
    (L:FrontLeftView, number) 1 ==
      if{
        (L:window_status_01, bool) 0 == if{ (* code to open desired fixed view and closes all others by panel window ident*) }
        (L:window_status_01, bool) 1 == if{ 0 (>L:FrontLeftView, number) }
      }
    (* repeat same as above for all fixed views panels *)

  </Update>
	
  <Element>
    (* image for the clickable icons if desired *)
  </Element>

  <Mouse>
    <!-- click areas for clickable icons if desired -->
      <Area>
        (M:Event) 'LeftSingle' scmp 0 == if{ (>K:VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT) 1 (>L:FrontLeftView, number) }
      </Area>
      (* repeat for all needed click areas *)
  </Mouse>

  <Keys>
    <!-- event trapping for keyboard keys -->
    <On Event="VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT">1 (>L:FrontLeftView, number)</On>
    (* repeat for all needed events *)
  </Keys>	
	
</Gauge>[/COLOR]

Also, Doug Dawson's window status gauge must be on the main panel, and the fixed views must be added as windows on the panel.cfg, one for each view, like this:

Code:

[COLOR="Blue"][WindowXX]
file=FrontLeftView.bmp 
size_mm=1280
window_size_ratio=1.000  
position=0
visible=0
ident=10001
window_size= 1.000
nomenu=1  // important to prevent these fixed views to appear in the dropdown menu

gauge00=gaugefolder!FIXEDVIEWS,       x,  y,  a,  b // needed if there is are clickable icons[/COLOR]

The fixed views are fully functional by
- clickable icons gauge on main and fixed views panels
- keyboard numpad keys, when normaly assigned to the correspondent views
- joystick hat, when mapped to the assigned keyboard keys

Doug Dawson's Window Status gauge reports the visibility status of panel windows for the fixed views to work properly.

Of course 2D cockpit fixed views only make sense on a no VC aircraft, but it is indeed possible to make them back working on FSX. No FS9VIEW needed.

rpmc · 23 Jun 2012

Hi Joao,

Have you considered creating a FSDeveloper wiki entry for this?

Bob

Dietmar · 23 Jun 2012

That looks brilliant !!! I will re-coding my window view gauges accordingly.
Thanks for your investigation and thanks to Doug for his status gauge.

Dietmar

Joao Muas · 23 Jun 2012

rpmc said:
Hi Joao,

Have you considered creating a FSDeveloper wiki entry for this?

Bob

No, I didn't thought of that, but if you agree it's worth, I will do it.
FSX relies much on VC's, I think it's a standard on "modern" add-ons, so fixed views may be of interest only for some old projects that didn't have a VC.

Dietmar said:
That looks brilliant !!! I will re-coding my window view gauges accordingly.
Thanks for your investigation and thanks to Doug for his status gauge.

Dietmar

I made a complete fixed views solution for the Digital Aviation Fokker 70/100 for FSX, one that never made it to the VC stage, but still my favourite airliner.

You can take a look at the code if you want:
http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=169529

EduHir · 1 Feb 2016

from thr read me:

The fixed views are fully functional by
- clickable icons gauge on main and fixed views panels
- keyboard numpad keys, when normaly assigned to the correspondent views
- joystick hat, when mapped to the assigned keyboard keys

How can i assign keyboard keys to the hat position??

Do i need FSUPIC??

Edi

rpmc · 1 Feb 2016

Do you mean, type a certain letter on the keyboard and that fires a HAT switch event, such as, (>K:VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT)?

I've never tried it, but would the key trap steps outlined in the Key Traps wiki accomplish that?

Bob

EduHir · 1 Feb 2016

No, Bob!
I downloaded his file - see post 11 - and looked into it.
In my understanding if you move the HAT "rear right" so the HAT should fire a "VIEW_REAR_RIGHT".
This will be trapped by an event and a variable will be set

Code:

    <On Event="VIEW_REAR_RIGHT">
       1 (&gt;L:RearRightView,number)
    </On>

And this varible will be used for opening and closing the right windows.

Code:

        (L:ReaRightView, number) 1 ==
         if{
           (L:window_status_05, bool) 0 == if{ 10005 (>K:PANEL_ID_OPEN) 10004 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) 10003 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) 10002 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) 10001 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) 0 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) }
           (L:window_status_05, bool) 1 == if{ 0 (>L:RearRightView, number) }
           }

The question now is how can i configurate the HAT to send the proper event??

You also have to use Doug's "dsd_window_status2!window_status" ! But that's the next problem.

Edi

taguilo · 1 Feb 2016

EduHir said:
The question now is how can i configurate the HAT to send the proper event??

XMLKeys from XMLTools 2.0 should handle that.

An example for HAT capture (not tested, but should work, or almost) :

Code:

    <Macro Name="k">C:XMLKEYS</Macro>
   
    <Macro Name="KeyDisable">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string) (>@k:KeyCaptureOff,bool)  
    </Macro>

    <Macro Name="KeyEnable">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string) (>@k:KeyCaptureOn,bool)  
    </Macro> 

    <Macro Name="KeyName">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string)
    </Macro> 
    
    <Macro Name="KeyConfig">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string) '@2' (>@k:KeyString,string)
    </Macro>

    <Macro Name="JoyStickHAT">
        (L:HAT_Number,number) s0
        l0 13500 == if{ (>K:VIEW_REAR_RIGHT) }
        ....
        add other views here
        ....
    </Macro>

    <Update Hidden="Yes">
        (L:XMLKeysInit,bool)    ! 
        if{
                <!-- Joystick HAT's custom behavior -->
                @KeyConfig('joystick:0:POV',@JoyStickHAT)
                <!--  Enable joystick HAT's capture  -->               
                @KeyEnable('joystick:0:POV')
                1 (>L:XMLKeysInit,bool)
            }
            <!--  HAT's captured value  -->                
           @KeyName('joystick:0:POV')              
           (@k:KeyValue,number)  (>L:HAT_Number,number)
    </Update>

Check XMLKeys_reference.txt for other HAT values.

Tom

EduHir · 1 Feb 2016

ooohhh Tom,
that becomes hard work

The upper solution sounded so easiely! A few hours, but ...
Okay, i will to my best!
Thanks!!

Edi

EduHir · 2 Feb 2016

Tom,
as expected i am a little bit lost!

Here is my test file

Code:

<Gauge Name="Fixed_Window.xml" Version="1.0">

<Comment>
Check XMLKeys_reference.txt for other HAT values.

POV         Point of view switch (often called the         0 facing ahead
        hat switch).                      4500 forward right                   
                                9000 right
                                13500 rear right
                                18000 rear
                                22500 rear left
                                27000 left
                                31500 forward left
</Comment>

<Update Frequency="18"/>

    <Macro Name="k">C:XMLKEYS</Macro>

    <Macro Name="KeyDisable">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string) (>@k:KeyCaptureOff,bool)
    </Macro>

    <Macro Name="KeyEnable">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string) (>@k:KeyCaptureOn,bool)
    </Macro>

    <Macro Name="KeyName">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string)
    </Macro>

    <Macro Name="KeyConfig">
        @1 (>@k:KeyName,string) '@2' (>@k:KeyString,string)
    </Macro>

    <Macro Name="JoyStickHAT">
      (L:HAT_Number,number) s0

      l0 0 ==     if{ (>K:VIEW_FORWARD) }
      l0 4500 ==  if{ (>K:VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT) }
      l0 9000 ==  if{ (>K:VIEW_RIGHT) }
      l0 13500 == if{ (>K:VIEW_REAR_RIGHT) }
      l0 18000 == if{ (>K:VIEW_REAR) }
      l0 22500 == if{ (>K:VIEW_REAR_LEFT) }
      l0 27000 == if{ (>K:VIEW_LEFT) }
      l0 31500 == if{ (>K:VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT) }
    </Macro>

    <Update Hidden="Yes">
      (L:XMLKeysInit,bool) !
      if{
        <!-- Joystick HAT's custom behavior -->
        @KeyConfig('joystick:0:POV',@JoyStickHAT)

        <!--  Enable joystick HAT's capture  -->
        @KeyEnable('joystick:0:POV')
        1 (>L:XMLKeysInit,bool)
        }

     <!--  HAT's captured value  -->
      @KeyName('joystick:0:POV')
      (@k:KeyValue,number) (>L:HAT_Number,number)

      @JoyStickHAT   <!-- added -->
    </Update>

  <Keys>
    <On Event="VIEW_RESET">
      (L:FrontView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:FrontView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_FORWARD">
      (L:FrontView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:FrontView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_WINDOW_TO_FRONT">
      (L:FrontView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:FrontView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT">
      (L:FrontLeftView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:FrontLeftView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT">
      (L:FrontRightView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:FrontRightView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_LEFT">
      (L:LeftView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:LeftView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_RIGHT">
      (L:RightView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:RightView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_REAR_LEFT">
      (L:RearLeftView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:RearLeftView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_REAR_RIGHT">
      (L:RearRightView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:RearRightView,number)
    </On>
    <On Event="VIEW_REAR">
      (L:RearView,number) 1 + (&gt;L:RearView,number)
    </On>
  </Keys>

</Gauge>

I added > @JoyStickHAT 

I my debug file i added this lines

Code:

      %L:HAT_Number,num\t%((L:HAT_Number,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:FrontView,num\t%((L:FrontView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:FrontLeftView,num\t%((L:FrontLeftView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:LeftView,num\t%((L:LeftView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:RearLeftView,num\t%((L:RearLeftView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %\n
      %L:FrontRightView,num\t%((L:FrontRightView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:RightView,num\t%((L:RightView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:RearRightView,num\t%((L:RearRightView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %L:RearView,num\t%((L:RearView,number))%!8.4f!\n
      %\n

So my frontview - counter is going up but if i move the HAT no one of the other counters is counting.

Edi

EduHir · 2 Feb 2016

I understand very less!!

Code:

     <!--  HAT's captured value  -->
      @KeyName('joystick:0:POV')
      (@k:KeyValue,number) (>L:HAT_Number,number)

----------------------------------------------------------
@Keyname calls itself?????? My question

  <Macro Name="KeyName">
  @1 (>@k:KeyName,string)
  </Macro>

Where do you write into (@k:KeyValue,number) ??

Look into your code again..

Code:

  @KeyName('joystick:0:pOV')  ....                            you select a varible with this name????
  (@k:KeyValue,number) (>L:HAT_Number,number)      and here to you read the value of the selected variable???

Sorry, i installed FSX a week ago! And i want to make my 727 work.
And i had to less time to read xmltools description!
So a lot of questions!!

Edi

taguilo · 2 Feb 2016

Edi,

I can't test that code now. Give me a few hours and I'll be back to this thread.

Tom

EduHir · 2 Feb 2016

Tom,
sorry, i didn't update dll.xml !!! Sorry!!

Now i would need a value if the HAT is in central position!!
So the view would automaticallx change back to front_view.

Played around with paylaod. So i recogniced that xmltool does not work!

Code:

      15000 (>C:SIMVARS:PAYLOAD STATION WEIGHT:1,Pounds)
     (A:PAYLOAD STATION WEIGHT:1,Pounds)

Very nice!!!

Edi

FSXA 2D cockpit side views

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