Propper assignment to FSX "Generator/Alternator"

[mszeemann]

Hi Peter

Due to the fact that we use a FlightIllusion I/O Module to interface a bunch of switches and LED's we have to use the virtual joystink offsets for some functions. We've been able to configure nearly all switches but there are some missing. One of them is the following:

In FSX there is a function which is called "Generator/Alternator". I can't find an appropriate assignment within FSUIPC. We tried different offsets but nothing solved this.

Can you help me out with that one?

Best Regards

Marc

[Andydigital]

See the "list of FSX Controls" document located in the Modules/FSUIPC Documents/ folder.

All the controls with Alternator in the name have Toggle prefixed to them, its probably why you missed them in the drop down lists. More often than not if you are struggling to find a command it is probably prefixed with Toggle as that is the only way FS lets the control be actioned i.e. there is no specific on and off command unfortunately.

TOGGLE_MASTER_BATTERY_ALTERNATOR 66374

TOGGLE_MASTER_ALTERNATOR 66242

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR1 66363

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR2 66364

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR3 66365

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR4 66366

[Pete Dowson]

In FSX there is a function which is called "Generator/Alternator". I can't find an appropriate assignment within FSUIPC. We tried different offsets but nothing solved this.

By "function" do you mean on/off switch? To find FS controls equating to switches in FS cockpits, try using the Event logging in FSUIPC. Switch that logging on, then operate the control. If there is an FS control associated with the switch it will be logged, by name and number.

Another way is to refer to the list of FSX controls installed for you in the FSUIPC documents folder. Searching for "Alternator", for example, brings up these controls:

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR1 66363

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR2 66364

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR3 66365

TOGGLE_ALTERNATOR4 66366

TOGGLE_MASTER_ALTERNATOR 66242

TOGGLE_MASTER_BATTERY_ALTERNATOR 66374

Or, if you want to use offsets, why not simply search the FSUIPC4 Offsets Status document (in the SDK). Searching for generator soon reveals the switch controls for the generator associated with each engine.

[LATER]

Oops, I see Andy beat me to it, again! ;-)

Regards

Pete

[mszeemann]

All the controls with Alternator in the name have Toggle prefixed to them, its probably why you missed them in the drop down lists.

This brings up the main problem with FSUIPC. I know that you have to search the documents and then hope that you got the right function.

From my point of view it would be much easier if the functions (which are listed in the "List of FSX Controls") would have the same names according the functions in FSX. Information like "Toggle" could be added after the name of the function (i.e. Master Alternator "Toggle"). Sometimes it is quite hard and time consuming.

Don't get me wrong: FSUIPC is a really really great tool and opens up so many functions and possibilities!!! I really like working with it and I'm doing it for business since nearly two years. But sometimes I thing that it would be good to do a complete cleanup and overhaul. ;-)

[Andydigital]

I dare say if Pete was a young whipper snapper he would think about doing a complete overhaul of the GUI system used in FSUIPC, but he isn't and I am eternally grateful that he spends what should be his retirement years helping advance my flight sim hobby.

[Pete Dowson]

This brings up the main problem with FSUIPC. I know that you have to search the documents and then hope that you got the right function.

From my point of view it would be much easier if the functions (which are listed in the "List of FSX Controls") would have the same names according the functions in FSX. Information like "Toggle" could be added after the name of the function (i.e. Master Alternator "Toggle"). Sometimes it is quite hard and time consuming.

The names are not mine, they are FS's! The list is automatically generated from the tables in FS's "CONTROLS.DLL", and that contains the same names it uses for assignments in its own CFG and Controls.xml files. The "names" you see in its own assignments dialogues are not names but translations for different languages, and only cover a minority of those actually accessible..

I think you misunderstand FSUIPC's function in life. All FSUIPC is doing is providing you with a link between a button or key and an FS-defined control. Neither FSUIPC nor myself have necessarily any knowledge about what those controls do. I wouldn't dare try including a translation table to my own interpretation. Who says I'd be right?

I could have made it directly understandable by just listing the numbers, then you would always need to look them up or do some logging to find them. I thought it might be a little easier using the names Microsoft chose instead. It's one or the other.

Please just use the Event logging. It is quicker and more reliable than searching lists in any case, even though in the case you are moaning about the controls would have easily been found by a quick search.

Pete