Introducing Pilot's Deck, a StreamDeck Plugin

[Fragtality]

Well don't know anything about that StreamDeck Feature.

The Profile Switching Feature of PilotsDeck uses Sub-String Matching.
So if you map "C414" to one of the StreamDeck Profiles (that is entering that Term in the Profile Switcher Action to any Textbox there), a match is considered found for any active FSUIPC Profile that contains "C414".

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Versions 0.7.11:

• Installer: added Argument to disable MSFS Checks
• Installer: "Pump" Check improved ( #33 )
• Installer: Updated Dependencies to the latest available Versions
• Fix for Calculator L-Var Template not working with L-Vars ending on L
• Improved Calculator L-Var Template and Value Manipulator: An additional Reset Value can be configured. When the Variable is equal to the defined Limit it will be set to the Value of Reset
• Updated to StreamDeck SDK 6.1 (now the new Minimum)
• Updated Libraries

[ark1320]

20 hours ago, Fragtality said:

Versions 0.7.11:

I am a bit confused on how the setup for the Default Profile works.

My understanding is in the picture below, I would type in my preferred default profile in the box labeled Default Name. Currently this box has a profile you provided called PilotsDeck-DefaultPlus. Do I have to use that name or can I use a name I make up myself? In other words, does each type of Stream Deck have a fixed default profile name?

What gets entered in the next box below the Default Name box -- can it be one or more FSUIPC profile names for aircraft that you want to use with the default profile (i.e., similar to what you can do for the other non-default profile boxes below)?

Thanks,

Al

 

 

[Fragtality]

Looking at some of your Questions, it would be advisable if your read about it first under Advanced Topics.

An own custom Default Profile needs also to be installed through StreamDeck like every other Profile too. Then, theoretically, it should be possible that you enter your custom Profile there. Given you had enabled the Checkbox.

What is the Motivation in the first Place anyway? You could just configure/customize the installed Default Profiles to your Needs.

Note: I would advise you to make a Backup of your Profiles (including the Defaults when changed) when playing around with that Feature.

[ark1320]

3 hours ago, Fragtality said:

Looking at some of your Questions, it would be advisable if your read about it first under Advanced Topics.

I have read through that section multiple times, thus my questions. And I do understand I can customize the default profiles with the names you have already provided. I'm just trying to understand how it all works.

And was I correct that what goes in the box below the Default Name box would be FSUIPC aircraft profile names (or substrings of the profile names) that you want the default profile to apply to?

Thanks,

Al

 

[Fragtality]

1 hour ago, ark1320 said:

And was I correct that what goes in the box below the Default Name box would be FSUIPC aircraft profile names (or substrings of the profile names)

No. 
What goes below "Default Name" is the Path and Name to the StreamDeck Profile to be loaded when no match to a FSUIPC Aircraft Profile could be found. Hence it is Default.
IF the Checkbox "Use Default" is enabled. Otherwise it will switch nothing when there is no Match.

The FSUIPC Aircraft Profile's Name goes in the Box below your custom Profiles - so PilotsDeck knows when it should be loaded.

[ark1320]

2 hours ago, Fragtality said:

No. 
What goes below "Default Name" is the Path and Name to the StreamDeck Profile to be loaded when no match to a FSUIPC Aircraft Profile could be found. Hence it is Default.
IF the Checkbox "Use Default" is enabled. Otherwise it will switch nothing when there is no Match.

The FSUIPC Aircraft Profile's Name goes in the Box below your custom Profiles - so PilotsDeck knows when it should be loaded.

Ah, yes, I see now, makes good sense. So if the name of my default profile was Default AC AP I would enter something like this in that box:

C:\Users\Al\Documents\Al's Flight Simulation\MSFS 2020\StreamDecks\PilotsDeckProfiles\Default AC AP

Thanks for the help!

Al

[Fragtality]

12 hours ago, ark1320 said:

So if the name of my default profile was Default AC AP I would enter something like this in that box:

C:\Users\Al\Documents\Al's Flight Simulation\MSFS 2020\StreamDecks\PilotsDeckProfiles\Default AC AP

Nope, that it also incorrect ^^
First, it need to be forward slashes.
Second, I left the Path-Prefix in the GUI too differentiate more clearly that you are entering a StreamDeck Profile (File) Name in there and not a FSUIPC Profile Name. Did not work out well in your Case 😅

It is not a Sign that you would have freedom of Choice here.
The Default Profile, like any other (StreamDeck) Profile, has to be installed through StreamDeck when PilotsDeck should be able to switch to it.
That is a Limitation of the StreamDeck API/Software. Plugins are not allowed to switch Profiles, except the ones which come with the Plugin. So we need to "trick out" the API in believing your Profiles came with the Plugin.

So it is the same Workflow as with your other Profiles:
- You have to place your "Default AC AP" Profile in the Profiles Subdirectory
- You have to run import
- You have to (re)install all Profiles
- Then you could enter "Profiles/Default AC AP" as the new Default-Profile (for the given SD Type)

[ark1320]

3 hours ago, Fragtality said:

Nope, that it also incorrect ^^

😟 Sorry for dragging this out.

Just seeing an actual filled in example will clear things up for me. So if I were to use your PilotsDeck-DefaultPlus profile as my default profile, exactly what would the entry in the second box below look like if my Profiles Subdirectory with the PilotsDeck-DefaultPlus profile is located at:

C:\Users\Al\Documents\MSFS 2020\StreamDecks\PilotsDeckFiles\com.extension.pilotsdeck.sdPlugin\Profiles

BTW, I don't see anything in your PilotsDeck instructional ReadMe that address the path entry and format needed in the second box above when setting up a default profile.

Thanks for the help,

Al

[Fragtality]

2 hours ago, ark1320 said:

BTW, I don't see anything in your PilotsDeck instructional ReadMe that address the path entry and format needed in the second box above when setting up a default profile.

Only partly true:

 

 

2 hours ago, ark1320 said:

Just seeing an actual filled in example will clear things up for me. So if I were to use your PilotsDeck-DefaultPlus profile as my default profile, exactly what would the entry in the second box below look like if my Profiles Subdirectory with the PilotsDeck-DefaultPlus profile is located at:

Yeah, it is a bit of an oversight on my Part tbf, that I did not filter out the Default Profiles there.
Since they use the same Mechanic and have the same Requirements to to be "switchable", they are also listed with the other "buildin" Profiles there. So you could theoretically also map FSUIPC Profiles to that Profile. (Can't remember - maybe I deliberately did not filter them out to allow for greater flexibility)

[ark1320]

8 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

Yeah, it is a bit of an oversight on my Part tbf, that I did not filter out the Default Profiles there.

Since they use the same Mechanic and have the same Requirements to to be "switchable", they are also listed with the other "buildin" Profiles there. So you could theoretically also map FSUIPC Profiles to that Profile. (Can't remember - maybe I deliberately did not filter them out to allow for greater flexibility)

Please, for my example above, show me the entry you would type in the second box above to assign the PilotsDeck-DefaultPlus profile as the default profile.

Al

[Fragtality]

Nothing.

[ark1320]

16 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

Nothing.

OK, What confused me was above when talking about the second box you said "What goes below "Default Name" is the Path and Name to the StreamDeck Profile to be loaded when no match to a FSUIPC Aircraft Profile could be found. Hence it is Default."

So I thought I had to enter a path to the profile  in the second box.  So only the first box with the default profile name needs to be filled in.  Thanks for you patience.

Al

 

[Fragtality]

The second Box is not titled "Default Name" 😅

 

Tbf I never had much Focus on this Default-Functionality since I had the Focus on implementing something that can switch to the fitting Profile for the current Plane. To have it fallback to some Default was just something I added along the Way.

Looking at it now, there are certainly some Edges that could be polished. Alone having a dedicated Default Profile in the first Place is a bit redundant and thus confusing. All (imported) Profiles are equal in the End so the Profile with "Default" in its Name could be used for one specific Plane where else a Profile "GA Planes" could be set as Default.
So I think in the Future I get rid of these empty Default Profiles and the Need to configure it by Filename. Some sort of Checkbox beside each imported Profile to mark that it as Default does the same Thing and should be easier to configure

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Version 0.7.12 Released.

Installer:

• Improved: UI does not hang while doing the Installation Steps
• Added: Automatically installs/updates .NET 7 and MobiFlight WASM Module

 

Plugin:

• Improved: Continuous Input (e.g. turning an Encoder) does not block the Displays being updated
• Changed: Poll-Time decreased to 100ms (the Plugin will poll the Sim / update the Displays more often)
• Libraries Updated

[ark1320]

On 1/9/2024 at 4:34 PM, Fragtality said:

Version 0.7.12 Released.

Hi,

How can I check to see what version of PilotsDeck I have installed?

Thanks very much for the update,

Al

[ark1320]

22 minutes ago, ark1320 said:

Delete please, duplicate post.  🙁

 

 

[Fragtality]

1 hour ago, ark1320 said:

Hi,

How can I check to see what version of PilotsDeck I have installed?

Thanks very much for the update,

Al

In your StreamDeck Software
Settings > Plugins

 

Why would that matter anyway?

[ark1320]

2 hours ago, Fragtality said:

Why would that matter anyway?

I just wanted to confirm I updated PilotsDeck correctly.

Al

[Fragtality]

48 minutes ago, ark1320 said:

I just wanted to confirm I updated PilotsDeck correctly.

Al

Hmm, that is something you don't need to worry about when using the Installer 😉

But now you know when you want be extra sure 😅

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Plugin updated to Version 0.8.0

Major Plugin Overhaul - it is basically a new Plugin under the Hood!
Please make an Export/Backup of your Profiles your created with PilotsDeck! The Intention is that existing Profiles just continue to run (with a bit smaller Fonts), but it is better to be safe than sorry

 

Installer

• Improved UI
• Check & Installs all Requirements (either automatically or by starting the Setup for you)
• Check for the vJoy Driver now tests for the Brunner Version/Fork - which should work on both Win 10 & 11
• Ability to remove the Plugin (including all Customizations!)

New Profile Manager Application

• Enables easier Profile Installation in a few Clicks - extracts & copies the Files for you, assists with adding the Profiles to the StreamDeck, automatically removes old Profiles on Updates
• Own Package Format to distribute Profile Files, Images and (Plugin) Scripts as one File
• Allows much easier Profile Mapping to switch Profiles automatically depending on the Aircraft (or Sim)
• Profile Switching now only can switch back to specific Profiles when the Simulator exits
• These Profile Mappings will automatically be transferred to new Profiles on (Profile) Updates

Plugin

• Property Inspector is now tabbed to allow easier Navigation
• Option to add a Guard (Image & Command) to an Action (Guard Images can also use Image Mappings)
• Added Image Mapping to more Actions
• Top and Bottom Image for the Korry Action can independently enabled/disabled
• Most Actions can now be used on an SD+ Encoder (except Simple Button and Gauge Dual)
• B-Var Support added - per default handled as Command-only but can also be used as a Variable
• Added dedicated Command Type for K-Var (allows to define a Sequence)
• HVAR Command supports passing a Value to the H-Var
• New Calculator ("C:") Variable to read the Result of Calculator/RPN Code (read only)
• Added Internal (X:) Variable to share Data within the Plugin
• Added Copy and Paste Buttons to all Actions to share single Actions between Users (or to copy between a Keypad and Encoder)
• Added a new "Composite Action" that gives you much Freedom to design your own Action (Display and Command wise) - most Feature Requests should be now possible with that Action (and can even replace Actions that would only be possible with Lua Scripts)
• This new Action is configured through its own dedicated "Action Designer" UI (opened via the Property Inspector)
• The Script now has its own Engine to run Lua Scripts (does not need external Engines like FSUIPC or FlyWithLua anymore)
• The Functions of these Lua Scripts can be directly addressed as a Variable or Command - like all other Variable/Command Types
• Multiple Script Types available to be run on-demand (Variable, Command) or constantly when the Session runs
• The Scripts can read all Variables and send all Commands the Plugin supports
• FSUIPC7 is now only the secondary Connector for MSFS - it is possible to use it without FSUIPC7 installed if needed!
• Remote X-Plane Setups are now supported
• Images can now be stored in Sub-Directories to better Organisation of different Packs and easier Navigation
• Image Drawing overhauled - Images are now drawed on top of each other (i.e. on the Dynamic Button)
• Added an Icon in the System Tray / Notification Area to restart the Plugin or show the Developer UI
• The Developer UI offers Links to some Reference Source to look up Variables or Commands and to access the Plugin's Folders easier
• The Developer UI has also a Monitor View to look up the current Aircraft-String/-Path or the Plugin's State, Ressources & Statistics
• Changed vJoy Driver Library to the Brunner Fork
• Plugin Configuration is now persistent between Updates and allows much more Tweaking
• Removed Error Image (and Error State)
• Sim Connection, State Handling Variable Handling completely overhauled
• Moved to .NET 8 (LTS) and upped minimum OS to Window 10

[ark1320]

14 hours ago, Fragtality said:

Plugin updated to Version 0.8.0

Thank you for the continued development of PilotsDeck -- seems like the new version took a lot of work!
As a start, If I simply want to run my existing profiles with no changes is the update procedure to Ver 0.8.0 detailed somewhere so I can review it before actually doing the update?

Thx,
Al

 

[Fragtality]

1 hour ago, ark1320 said:

Thank you for the continued development of PilotsDeck -- seems like the new version took a lot of work!
As a start, If I simply want to run my existing profiles with no changes is the update procedure to Ver 0.8.0 detailed somewhere so I can review it before actually doing the update?

Thx,
Al

 

Oh yes, it did - it is basically a new Plugin under the Hood.

Well, there is no Review. What Information exactly is missing for you? I would not know what I could add to the Information already provided at the beginning of the Release Notes.

[ark1320]

10 hours ago, Fragtality said:

What Information exactly is missing for you?

I don't see any install instructions except the suggestion to back up existing profiles. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place. I do see a detailed change log.
Should the existing PilotsDeck be removed or uninstalled before running the new installer?
Will the existing auto selection of profiles based on the loaded aircraft be preserved by the new installer?
Should the new installer be downloaded to the StreamDeck directory before being run?
Is there a suggested install procedure to maximize the likelihood that whatever PilotsDeck functionality one has with version 0.7.9 will be preserved by the new update to version 0.8.0?  

Or are you saying to just download the new installer and run it and whatever you had working with PilotsDeck version 0.7.9 and will continue to work after version 0.8.0 is installed?

Thanks,
Al

[Fragtality]

7 hours ago, ark1320 said:

I don't see any install instructions except the suggestion to back up existing profiles. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place. I do see a detailed change log.

Well, that is the purpose of a Change Log - listing Changes ^^

The Documentation is as it used to be on the on GitHub Page. But there isn't really much to explain on Installation Instructions: download & run the Installer (also, as it used to be).

 

7 hours ago, ark1320 said:

Should the existing PilotsDeck be removed or uninstalled before running the new installer?

No. Choosing "Remove" in the Installer will also remove User-Customizations/-Settings like Images! So not exactly what you want for your Question/Use-Case.

But fyi, I do recommend for the Profiles I have published on flighsim.to to make a clean Install. But that is targeted to User using these premade Profiles, so not custom created Profiles. The updated Profiles on fs.to all take Advantage of the new Image Sub-Folders, that Way the Image Directory is not "messed up" any more.

 

7 hours ago, ark1320 said:

Will the existing auto selection of profiles based on the loaded aircraft be preserved by the new installer?

Ah okay, yeah that isn't stated explicitly, right.

No, that won't be preserved since the Mechanic has completely changed and it is now configured via the new Profile Manager. Yet alone it isn't based on FSUIPC Profiles anymore.
The Configuration is much simpler now (and yes, will then persist through Updates), so it should not take long for the few Users that had it configured 😉

 

7 hours ago, ark1320 said:

Should the new installer be downloaded to the StreamDeck directory before being run?

No?! When was that a Thing ever? oO
It will rather hurt than do anything good

 

7 hours ago, ark1320 said:

Is there a suggested install procedure to maximize the likelihood that whatever PilotsDeck functionality one has with version 0.7.9 will be preserved by the new update to version 0.8.0?  

Wow, that Version is seriously outdated - Time for an Upgrade ^^

Yes, it is the same procedure as before: download & run the Installer 😉
It will check all Requirements as it is has been already the Case but now can also Download/Install all of them for you if missing or outdated.

 

7 hours ago, ark1320 said:

Or are you saying to just download the new installer and run it and whatever you had working with PilotsDeck version 0.7.9 and will continue to work after version 0.8.0 is installed?

That is exactly what was meant with "The Intention is that existing Profiles just continue to run".

I can't 100% guarantee you that I've catched every Corner-Case, but as stated the Intention is that everything should continue to run.

Going from the Feedback / Experience of some Beta Testers, you might rather ask your self in the Future if you want to redo certain Aspects of your Profiles anyway to take Advantage of the new Features 😅