• Which the release of FS2020 we see an explosition of activity on the forun and of course we are very happy to see this. But having all questions about FS2020 in one forum becomes a bit messy. So therefore we would like to ask you all to use the following guidelines when posting your questions:

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FSXA Flight Management Computer

B

Boss Of Games

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10
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us-florida
Hey,

I want to learn the complicated way to develop a FMC for use in FSX. A lot of payware addons have these features. Can anyone send me down the right road to program one of these?
 
Understanding Flight Sim's gps variables would be a good place to start. Whether you do your project in C++ or XML, a level of comfort working with those is a 'good to have' considering that even a minimal feature FMC is complex compared to many gauges. If you search in the forums, you will find examples or snippets of FMCs to use as a guide. And, obtain a Pilot Guide of real or simulation FMCs in order to know what features you want to replicate, but I presume you're already past that step.

Tackling an FMC is ambitious and time consuming, but fun to do. In the meantime, some payware addons still might be a great purchase - most all seem to be very reasonably priced, in my opinion.

Bob
 
I fear that many think an FMC means "Flightplan Management Computer" when it actually means "Flight Management Computer". There is so very much more to making an FMC than providing a way to add waypoints to a flight plan. SIDs/STARs/IAPs... all three of those procedure types use rather complex waypoint definitions to dictate how an aircraft's autopilot should fly the aircraft. It also provides input to the autopilot for all phases of flight so that when you tell the autopilot to follow the FMC, it does so. There are FMCs that provide lateral and vertical guidance. Lateral guidance has all kinds of fun things going on, from turn anticipation (something FS does horribly) to correcting course for wind, controlling a flight into a hold, a procedure turn, a DME arc. Vertical guidance varies by either flying a speed or a path.

I've just barely touched on some of the aspects that represent the operation of an FMC. All of this is complex math, whole lotta fun. o_O
 
Yes a FMC is complex. Anyone who wishes to get help easily is only dreaming.

FMC is a commodity in FS, either you figure out the hard way or you never learn. Period.
 
That is a huge endeavor. Like... WAY huge...

What code do you plan to write it in? Do you plan to make it for both P3D 'and' FSX, or just P3D? P3D allows some new forms of code. FSX is C++ and XML.

You need your various lists of command codes. You can find these in the 'docs' of the FS2004 SDK in the 'Panel' folder, lists of commands, conditions, etc, that are in the sim. You will need those to write code.

EDIT: At the site FS2X.com you can find tutorials and lists (lists are the gold nuggets) for making gauges and things for FS. Those lists at this website have more code that is not found in the SDK's that are in FS. http://www.fs2x.com/Tutorials.htm

You will also need the SDK to either FSX or Prepar3D to see how a lot of that is done. The P3D SDK is very nicely written and has some extra tidbits in it. It is a free download and P3D for developers is only $10.00 a month, gives you use to the sim on 2 different computers. P3D is like an advanced version of FSX.



Bill
 
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