Basic gauges, remote with FSUIPC4 ?

[rmorein]

I can't fly with pedals unless I have a turn coordinator constantly visible to me. I have been trying to understand how I can run a basic panel on a separate PC, so as not to slow down the frame rate. I took some guesses, probably wrong:

1. Installed Peter Dowson's suite on a server and client.

2. Installed SimFlyer GNS-SX.

It appears I hopefully deceived myself into thinking that GNS-SX was a remote application. This is obviously not the case. So my question is, can I use FSUIPC4 to run panel on a networked PC ?

I am not ready for the fancy stuff. I took 4 hours of lessons years ago, and I would like to learn the mechanics, but I find I need basic gauges within eyesight.

The server is actually a quite competent machine, a 3.0 gHz quad-core Phenom II, with two video cards: an ATI 4870 X2 that runs a 3200x1200 dual display, and an ATI 4670 with 512MB of DDR3. The first thing I tried was a panel view on the 4670. However, when I activate the displays on the 4670, add them to the desktop, and run a panel view on one of them, the frame rate drops from 24 to about 15. Perhaps I could get it back up by moving the sliders left, but I enjoy the detail. This is why I would like to run a panel on a separate machine.

[Pete Dowson]

I can't fly with pedals unless I have a turn coordinator constantly visible to me. I have been trying to understand how I can run a basic panel on a separate PC

There are some packages around which do implement external cockpit gauges.

1. Installed Peter Dowson's suite on a server and client.

Do you mean WideFS?

It appears I hopefully deceived myself into thinking that GNS-SX was a remote application. This is obviously not the case. So my question is, can I use FSUIPC4 to run panel on a networked PC ?

No, FSUIPC is not a networking program. It is WideFs you might need, plus a package which implements the cockpit gauges you are interested in. But you should find and check the package first, as some of them don't use WideFS but implement their own networking instead.

The server is actually a quite competent machine, a 3.0 gHz quad-core Phenom II, with two video cards: an ATI 4870 X2 that runs a 3200x1200 dual display, and an ATI 4670 with 512MB of DDR3. The first thing I tried was a panel view on the 4670. However, when I activate the displays on the 4670, add them to the desktop, and run a panel view on one of them, the frame rate drops from 24 to about 15.

Two video cards don't help. You have two drivers working hard, slowing things down. I don't know ATI cards very well, but they should be capable of supporting two monitors on their own in any case. You then run FS in Windowed mode and undock the panel and drag it over to the other monitor. Providing you use 2D panels, not the virtual cockpit, and also don't open more than one 3D window (the outside view), the frame rate should hold up quite well. At least it does with nVidia cards.

As for external cockpit implementations, the ones I recall are FreeFDS (if that's still going), Sim-Avionics, FlightDeck Software, and of course Project Magenta. Check them out first -- the FDS suite does not use WideFS (only FSUIPC), but I think FreeFDS does, and I know PM does. Not sure about Sim-Avionics.

[LATER]

I've also just found this site:

http://www.flightdecksoft.com/software/index.php

Regards

Pete

[rmorein]

Peter, that last link hit the spot! I was so impressed with the FlightDeckSoft offering, I made an immediate donation. The gauge set is perfect for someone who simply wants to learn how to fly. It will easily fit on a 15.6" WS panel I'll squeeze under the two CRTs.

It was not an option to place the panel on a 2nd CRT attached to the 4870x2, because both monitors are part of a spanned wide-screen display. I have now disabled the 2nd video card, which is intended for an entirely different purpose -- as a monitor when the 4870x2 is used for AMD's Stream computing initiative.

Thanks so much,

Bob Morein

[Pete Dowson]

Peter, that last link hit the spot! I was so impressed with the FlightDeckSoft offering, I made an immediate donation. The gauge set is perfect for someone who simply wants to learn how to fly. It will easily fit on a 15.6" WS panel I'll squeeze under the two CRTs.

Okay, good. You are all set, then?

Regards

Pete

[rmorein]

These gauges, http://www.flightdecksoft.com/software/index.php , unfortunately have a problem: they cease to refresh if moved to another screen of a multiple monitor setup. I therefore purchased the PEIX products: http://www.peixsoft.com/ . If opened on the main display, and moved to another, they remember the position.

The display is a 15.6" AOC, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aAOC%2015.6 . The stand was removed. On one of the bracket mounting holes on the back of the panel, I attached a shelf hanger as used in Ikea type prefab shelving. This hooked into the top of the stand, supporting the monitor at the proper angle.

The result is a highly satisfying "glass cockpit" for general aviation. However, it is a little small for more sophisticated cockpits.

[Pete Dowson]

These gauges, http://www.flightdecksoft.com/software/index.php , unfortunately have a problem: they cease to refresh if moved to another screen of a multiple monitor setup. I therefore purchased the PEIX products: http://www.peixsoft.com/ . If opened on the main display, and moved to another, they remember the position.

Looks good!

Pete