Getting Started with Instrumentation Using WideFS

[Richard.Chapman]

Friday, January 21, 2005

Good Day,

I am looking for a little sales support; I am building a small simulator to use in training a group of Canadian Air Cadets, and want to make it as real as possible, I am a licensed pilot and also teach the cadets ground school and take them familiarization flying in Cessna 172 type aircraft.

I am using FS2004 with WideView to spread the views around the cockpit and am finding that I need to get separate instrumentation for the pilot. I plan to use six 21” monitors for the surround view, the first two running from the Server FS as the straight ahead view and then using WideView to wrap the other four monitors to 180 degrees. The configuration is like perhaps a 737 but is not aircraft specific, we fly pretty well anything, I could send you a photo if you like.

For control I use PFC pedals, Yoke and Throttle Quadrant. My problem is that I have WideFS but am not quite sure how to make an entry into using instrumentation on separate pc’s. I have three 14-inch monitors in the dash below the wrap around (quite a nice setup) and need some advise to get me started with WideFS instrumentation on these monitors.

Can I somehow put existing FS2004 panels into the WideClient.ini, or do I need to purchase an application like perhaps Project Magenta or some of the panels or gauges on your site to make my entry into network instrumentation?

Perhaps someone has written a how to guide for beginners like me.

Well thanks for listening to my ramblings, please let me know if you can help.

[Pete Dowson]

My problem is that I have WideFS but am not quite sure how to make an entry into using instrumentation on separate pc’s. I have three 14-inch monitors in the dash below the wrap around (quite a nice setup) and need some advise to get me started with WideFS instrumentation on these monitors.

The only airliner solutions to having separate instrumentation that I am aware of are Project Magenta (payware) and FreeFD (freeware). There are links to both on the right-hand side of the http://www.schiratti.com/dowson page.

Can I somehow put existing FS2004 panels into the WideClient.ini

No, not at all. WideClient merely provides a Networked interface to FS, for programs which use FSUIPC to interface to it. It's an interface extender. There are no FS panels which can run independently of FS, and none of them interface to FS through FSUIPC.

or do I need to purchase an application like perhaps Project Magenta or some of the panels or gauges on your site to make my entry into network instrumentation?

I don't have a "site". The "Dowson" page on Enrico Schiratti's page is all Enrico's, as he makes clear in the text.

Perhaps someone has written a how to guide for beginners like me.

Try reading some of the documentation for Project Magenta. You can download that sort of thing free from their site. I don't know about FreeFD.

All this sort of thing is in the hands of those who implement the instrumentation. My programs, FSUIPC and WideFS are NOT the end user products you seem to be classifying them as, they are just interfaces to be exploited by other programs.

Regards,

Pete