Add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator And FS2004! atsim With realtime V c! and IVAO Traffi Manual
FSMap Concept, Development and Programming Thomas Molitor Documentation Martin Georg and Thomas Molitor Additional Control Programming Dirk Bunar (Tribe Technology) ICAO VFR Maps Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) Skyguide und swisstopo Global Maps NASA‘s Earth Observatory Copyright: © 2008 / Aerosoft GmbH Airport Paderborn/Lippstadt D-33142 Bueren, Germany Tel: +49 (0) 29 55 / 76 03-10 Fax: +49 (0) 29 55 / 76 03-33 E-Mail: Internet: info@aerosoft.de www.aerosoft.de www.aerosoft.
FSMap Manual Add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator X 3
FSMap Content Introduction.......................................................................6 FSMap Basics......................................................................7 The external „FSMap Application“..................................... 7 The FSMap gauge................................................................ 8 FSMap charts........................................................................ 8 Installation ........................................................................
Manage Gauge.................................................................36 Adding or updating the FSMap gauge file...................... 37 Remove FSMap gauge from Flight Simulator................. 38 Add a hotspot to a panel.................................................. 38 Adding and removing the FSMap instrument to/from a panel................................................................................... 39 Define the FSMap instrument hotkey..............................
FSMap Introduction During the past couple of years, electronic navigation aids started to revolutionize aviation. Digitized charts, together with high-resolution displays and the ability to define your own position precisely via GPS, are the technological fundament, to have aeronautical information present even in general aviation aircraft. Now FSMap brings a realistic simulation of one of the leading devices in this area to flight simulation.
FSMap Basics FSMap consists of two major parts: The external application, called „FSMap Application“, and the „FSMap Gauge“, which is to be used from withing MS Flight Simulator. Some functions of both overlap, while others don´t. The external „FSMap Application“ One of the core functions of the external applications is to configure and manage your installed set of charts. You will find routines to select, calibrate, and define their use.
FSMap The FSMap gauge The FSMap gauge has to be integrated into flight simulator instrument panels directly. From there it can be opened by clicking on a hotspot, or using a key combination. Depending on your preferences, the FSMap gauge may be opened as an own panel sub window, or integrated into an existing panel view. The FSMap gauge has some unique features, which are not available in the external application.
Installation The installation routine will start automatically after the CD has been inserted into the CD/DVD drive. You need to have „Autorun“ activated on your computer for this. Check your Windows documentation for further reference regarding „Autorun“. FSMap may be installed on the computer running MS Flight Simulator, or on any other computer in your local network.
FSMap You are now requested to confirm the software license agreement: Please note that you will need administrator rights to install FSMap. Please consult your windows documentation about how to get administrator rights on your computer. The FSMap installation routine explicitly reminds you of this fact: You are now prompted to enter your name and company name. While the name field is mandatory, the company field may be left blank.
Otherwise you may run into troubles with Vista´s user account control (UAC): The next dialog presents you with the proposed installation path. We recommend you to keep this path.
FSMap This screen configures how FSMap is installed. You may either choose to install all files, a typical file set only, or to define by yourself which parts you want to install. If you want to do the latter, select „Custom“.
To finish your selection, click on „Next“. If you want to start over again with the installation process, click on „Back“. When all settings are correct, click on „continue“ again: The installer now copies files onto your harddisk. This may take a few minutes. The following screen tells you that FSMap has been installed successfully. To finish the installation, click on „Finish“.
FSMap Installing and configuring SimConnect FSMap may be installed and used on a second PC in a local network (called “network PC” from now”). It will then access FSX on your flightsim PC (called “FSX PC” from now) using Microsoft’s data interface “SimConnect”. This chapter will describe the necessary steps to install and configure SimConnect. Before installing SimConnect, check that all necessary prerequisites are met: • FSX service pack 1 or newer is installed.
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\\AppData\Microsoft\FSX Windows Vista: C:\Documents and Settings\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX SimConnect.XML is a normal text file, which may be edited using any text editor available (such as Windows Notepad). For each networking protocol this file includes a section „Global“ and „Local“. It will be determined by the entry global or local.
FSMap The section “local” should look like this: True IPv4 local 64 127.0.0.1 500 In a final step the file SimConnect.CFG needs to be copied from the network PC from the folder C:\Program Files\FSMap\SimConnect into the main program directory of FSMap on the network PC.
Installing and using WideFS The product “WideFS” is made up of two primary elements: A flight simulator module called “WideServer”, and an external application called “WideClient”. You will receive both components together in one ZIP-Archive from the Author, or via download from several flight simulation file archives on the Internet. Before WideFS may be used, it has to be registered using the serial number provided with the purchase. This is done from a dialog window of FSUIPC.
FSMap network PC in the “Program Files” folder. Copy the two files named WIDECLIENT.EXE and WIDECLIENT.INI from the WideFS ZIP archive to this new folder. Using WideFS To connect FSMap to your flight simulator through WideFS, first launch Flight Simulator itself, then start the WIDECLIENT.EXE application on the network PC. Thereafter, launch FSMap. Usually there is no further configuration work necessary.
Overview FSMap application The external FSMap application is a standard windows program. It looks as follows: 1. Menu bar 2. Icon bar Depending on which function is selected via the side bar, the icon bar will look slightly different. 3. Side bar The side bar contains icons for the main functions of FSMap. Currently, it is divided into 2 sections. Section „Function“ consists of FSMap´s core functions. „Misc“ has some links for various support functions. 4.
FSMap 5. Status bar The status bar will show current program parameters. 6. Display area The display area is the part of the program where the moving map is displayed. In mode „Manage Maps“ it also shows the currently active map. In mode „Manage Gauge“ you will see the currently selected instrument panel. 7. Simulator selection This drop-down menu defines the currently selected flight simulator version.
12. Toggle AI-Traffic display (CTRL-T) This icon contains a drop-down menu with the following options: • Show Ground Traffic (CTRL-SHIFT+G) • Show Airborne Traffic (CTRL-SHIFT+A) 13. Toggle Online Traffic display (CTRL-SHIFT+V) This icon contains a drop-down menu with the following options: • Show Ground Traffic (CTRL-SHIFT+G) • Show Airborne Traffic (CTRL-SHIFT+A) • Show Controller (CTRL-SHIFT+C) • Show FIR Boundaries (CTRL-SHIFT+F) • Show active Zones (CTRL-SHIFT+O) 14.
FSMap The icon bar „Manage Maps“ 7. Add Map (CTRL-N) 8. Import Map(s) (CTRL-I) 9. Export Regions/Maps (CTRL-E) 10. Delete Region/Map (DELETE) 11. Undo changes (CTRL-U) 12. Save changes (CTRL-S) 13. Add Calibration Point 14. Delete Calibration Point 15. Zoom in or out (Plus / Minus), or Reset Zoom (CTRL-SHIFT+Z) 16. Rotate Right or Left (Right / Left), or Reset Rotation (CTRL-R) The icon bar „Manage Gauge“ 7. Refresh Aircraft list (F5) 8. Install/Update FSMap Gauge 9.
FSMap Menu Structure If you run FSMap the first time the registration window will appear. Please enter your name, email adress and license key. You can find the license key on the CD cover. Please keep this license key on safe place. You will need it every time you want to reinstall FSMap. The FSMap application has four major pull-down menus. The first one, “File”, has entries to call the major functions of the program (“Moving Map”, “Manage Maps”, “Manage Gauge” and “Rebuild Navigation Database”).
FSMap The menu “Option” is used to define basic parameters for the application. There´s an entry for an option to create backup files, and to check modified panels for the most obvious configuration errors. The option “safe mode” should be used when the FSMap application has crashed upon loading a panel. Some aircraft addons have been developed for use inside Flight SImulator only, and may therefore act strange when the panel is called outside the simulator.
The “Help” menu contains various entries which are in some way related to the program support. The online help is accessible from here (the whole manual is available in the online help system), and there are links to the products’ home page and the support discussion forum. “Contact Support” will call your eMail software and prepare an eMail to the support team, where you can ask for further assistance.
FSMap Quickstart guide This quickstart guide should help you to get started with the program instantly. Please note that this guide doesn’t replace a mandatory reading of the full documentation. 1. Launch FSMap via the FSMap program icon in the Windows Start Menu. 2. Choose the correct Flight Simulator version from the dropdown menu right to the icon bar. 3. Update the navigation database by clicking on the icon “Rebuild Navigation Database” in the icon bar. 4.
Manage Maps In order to use maps within FSMap, you first need to integrate and calibrate them using the FSMap application. By calibrating the map you are telling FSMap the geographical boundaries of your map. In order to be calibrated correctly, at least two reference points need to be defined using their exact geographical coordinates. To assist you in this process, the Flight Simulator database of navigation aids may be used as a reference.
FSMap Add new maps 1. Start the „Manage Maps“ function within the external FSMap application by clicking on the icon in the icon bar, or press F4. 2. Click on „Add Map“ in the icon bar, or press CTRL-N. You may also right-click at the position you want the map to be added in the chart menu tree in the entry bar. Select „Add Map“ from the pop-up menu there. In this case the field „region“ is already filled for you (see below). 3. Pick the map file from the selection window.
start with 0 at the lowest, and do not have an upper limit. Automatic priority assignment take the geographical size of the respective maps into account. Maps with smaller size will receive higher priority values than maps with larger size in the same area. d. Altitude: There are two field which allow you to define a lower and upper altitude limit for the map. Enter the respective values here.
FSMap g. Projection: You need to define which kind of map projection your chart uses. Possible selections are „None“ or „Lambert Conical“. Usually, the projection used is stated on the respective charts, mostly near the legend. The next steps will differ slightly, depending on the projection method used by the respective map: For maps with projection type „None“: Start with the calibration process by adding a calibration point. For a successful calibration you will need at least two calibration points.
The selected calibration point will now be added to a table of points, just below the data entry area. You will see him with his relative position (in pixels) inside your map. The fields for the geographical coordinates are still empty. You may now enter these directly, or indicate the position to be a navaid. In our case, our calibration point is located at the position of the TNO (Trano) VOR in Denmark.
FSMap You may add more than two calibration points before defining the map borders. However, 2-3 points should be sufficient to ensure a precise map calibration. To finish the map calibration process, click onto the disc symbol in the icon bar, or press CTRL-S to save your changes. For charts using the „Lambert Conical“ projection: For charts using the „Lambert Conical“ projection method, a map centre and two standard parallel longitudes must be indicated.
The selected calibration point will now be added to a table of points, just below the data entry area. You will see him with his relative position (in pixels) inside your map. The fields for the geographical coordinates are still empty. You may now enter these directly, or indicate the position to be a navaid. In our case, our calibration point is located at the position of the SS (Sturup) NDB in Sweden, near Malmoe.
FSMap The next screen shot above shows the navaid selection dialog mentioned: To finish the map calibration you need to set at least 2 calibration points, define the projection data (map centre, 2 parallel longitudes) and identify the map edges. To save your map data, click on the disc icon in the icon bar, or press CTRL-S to save. Import Map FSMap allows to import maps which are already calibrated. Those maps may origin from other FSMap users, or from users of other „GIS Software“.
When the file has been imported, you will be asked wether you want to save the map in your personal map space. We recommend you to confirm this. Your personal map space is a separate folder, which will keep imported maps separated from those we deliver together with FSMap. Your personal map space is located at C:\Documents and Settings\\My Files\FSMap\1.0\ Maps (Windows XP and Windows Vista).
FSMap Manage Gauge This function allows you to integrate the FSMap gauge into instrument panels in MS Flight Simulator. The FSMap gauge may be used as part of an existing panel view (i.e. filling a spot inside the panel), or it may be opened as an independent panel window. Furthermore, you can add a hotspot (a hidden click area to open the instrument) to your panel windows.
The FSMap gauge may be installed as an independent panel view (i.e. as a panel window), or as a part of an existing panel window. Usually you may want to use it as an independent panel window. In this case you can open and hide it just as required. When opened, it may be also moved around the screen, or resized. In this case, the panel window may overlap some parts of the regular panel. Some panels are offering specific spots to add instruments like a GPS or a moving map device like FSMap.
FSMap Remove FSMap gauge from Flight Simulator To remove the FSMap gauge from Flight Simulator, click on the appropriate icon in the icon bar. The FSMap application will ask you if you want to remove all panel modifications from all aircraft as well. You may answer “no” here to remove the gauge file only. Please note that some panels may not work correctly after doing this. In this case you should remove such panel modifications manually.
Adding and removing the FSMap instrument to/from a panel To add a hotspot for FSMap to a panel, first select the aircraft and paintjob from the aircraft tree in the entry bar. Click on the panel view where you want the hotspot to be added, then click on the appropriate icon in the icon bar. FSMap will ask you to if you want to install the instrument in a separate panel window. If you choose “yes”, the FSMap instrument will be added in a new panel window.
FSMap Define the FSMap instrument hotkey FSMap allows you to assign a global hotkey for opening the FSMap instrument in Flight Simulator. To define the hotkey, klick on the appropriate icon in the icon bar, or press the CTRL-K key combination. A dialog window will appear, asking you to enter the key combination. If you keyed in the wrong combination, the backspace key will delete your previous entry.
Edit the FSMap instrument properties When the FSMap instrument is selected in a panel window, you may define some advanced parameters for the instrument. To do this, rightclick on the instrument, and select “Edit Properties” from the pop-up menu. The parameters will be added to the FSMap gauge entries in the relevant PANEL.CFG file. The following parameters can be defined: Window identifier: Assigns a numerical identification number to the FSMap instrument.
FSMap Window with/height: The with and height of the FSMap instrument, measured in pixels. Default values are 375 (with) and 281 (height). We recommend you keep the aspect ratio to assure an optimum display quality. Panel light mode: Allows you to choose from two different methods of instrument night lighting. Visible on startup: Allows you to define wether or not the panel window should be visible when loading the aircraft.
The FSMap application as a moving map Connect FSMap to MS Flight Simulator The FSMap application can be used as a moving map as soon as it is connected to MS Flight Simulator. To establish a connection with Flight Simulator 2004, the FSUIPC data interface is used (registered FSUIPC versions only), while connections with FSX will be made using Microsoft’s new interface called “SimConnect”.
FSMap Loading a flight plan A flight plan may be loaded and displayed on the map. Supported flight plan formats include Microsoft’s own flight planner format (FS2004/FSX) using files with the extension .PLN, flight plans created by PMDG addons (PMDG B737NG and B747) using the extension. RTE, and flight plans using the “PIC 767” format (compatible products are B767 PIC and Level-D Sim B767), also using the .RTE extension.
Aircraft Status: Aircraft status data may be displayed in all four map corners in semi-transparent overlay boxes. The upper left box will show current wind speed and direction, the upper left box will display temperature and dewpoint at the present location. The lower right corner has info about the current elevation, the elevation above sea level, and the current course (true and magnetic).
FSMap Finally, tracking mode “North Up” means that the map is fixed in a north-up display position. The aircraft’s position displayed in the map centre, and the aircraft symbol does change its orientation according to the current aircraft’s track. By clicking just on the “Tracking Mode” icon in the icon bar, you will be cycling through the different tracking modes. A message reporting the current mode will appear in the middle of the map display.
Bruxelles was loaded and shown. Online-Traffic: By clicking on the appropriate icon in the icon bar, you may activate the display of traffic from the online networks VATSIM or IVAO. The network used depends on your selection made via the “options” pull down menu. Alternatively, the key combination CTRlSHIFT-V may be used to display online traffic. Online traffic will be displayed in the same way like AI-Traffic.
FSMap The following sample screenshot shows traffic from the IVAO network: When online traffic is displayed, the aircraft label looks slightly different. It will now show the callsign, the name of the participant and his home airport, instead of the radio callsign seen with AI-Traffic. TCAS-System: FSMap comes with a completely integrated TCAS (Traffic Collision and Avoidance System), which will warn the user of close encounters in the air (AI-Traffic only).
The FSMap Instrument/Gauge This chapter describes the functionality of the FSMap instrument. The FSMap instrument is working in English language only. The following screen shot illustrates its main controls: 1. FN key: Toggles the main menu levels, or returns to it from a sub-menu. 2. Smart (Function) Keys (SFK): Will access the blue menu selections, or the green menu options. 3.
FSMap 4. Menu/ENT Key: Pressing the Menu/ENT key will show a menu of options to modify the display of the current function. Pressing the Menu/ENT key again will hide the menu. If no action is taken, the menu will automatically extinguish in 20 seconds. 5. Menu Item Keys (MIKs): When a menu is activated by the Menu/ENT key, the MIKs will scroll through all choices when pressed. Some options support multiple choices, such as in Map mode. 6.
The FSMap instrument menu system When pressing the FN function key, a list of main functions, such als “MAP”, “TRAF”, “MSG” etc. is displayed. Each time you press the FN key you will step through the list of menu items. After you press one of the function “smart” keys (SFKs) at the bottom of the display, the function keys change to provide options to control the display related to the current menu option, now in green. Change the function keys back to the menu list by pressing the FN key.
FSMap Menu list 2 TRAF: Activates the traffic display mode. Your own aircraft position will appear in the middle of the screen, represented by a small triangle. Two range rings will represent the current display range, and the halfway distance. The display range may be adjusted using the “In” and “Out” SFKs, or by turning the rotary knob. You may also adjustthe range by using the mouse wheel when the mouse cursor is overhead the rotary knob or the appropriate SFKs.
Menu level „Nav“ Distance Units: Nautical miles (nm) or kilometer (km) Altitude Units: Feet (Feet/ft) or meter Speed Units: Knots (kt), kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour Baro Units: Millibar (european) or In.Hg. (american) Temperature Units: Celsius or Fahrenheit TCAS Altitude (ft): The trigger altitude for TCAS warnings. Choose from 500ft to 2500ft. Default value is 1200ft. TCAS Range (nm): The trigger range for TCAS warnings. Choose from 5.0nm to 12nm. Default value is 6.0nm.
FSMap SmartZoom Maximum Scale (nm): Largest zoom factor for which the SmartZoom function is working. Choose from 0.1nm to 500nm, with the minimum being the value for „SmartZoom Minimum Scale“ (see above). Menu level „Perf“ Quality Mode: Defines the display quality for the digitized charts. Valid options are “Performance”, “Quality” and “High Quality”. Transparent information boxes are available in “High Quality” mode only. Please note that high quality levels may degenerate system performance.
The FSMap instrument as a moving map The moving map mode is activated by pressing the SFK assigned to the “Map” function. To specifically load the most appropriate IFR of VFR map, press the accompanying SFKs from the menu level. The screenshot above shows the FSMap instrument in Map Mode. A flightplan from Frankfurt (EDDF) to Bruxelles (EBBR) is loaded and displayed. In addition, traffic is displayed, and the map options menu is opened.
FSMap Options Menu page 1 Flightplan: The currently loaded flightplan will be drawn on the map. Tracking Mode: In “Track Up 360” tracking mode, the map will always rotate to follow the aircraft’s current track, i.e. the current track will always point upwards. In “Track Up Arc” mode the map behaves in the same way, however, the aircraft position will move from the map centre to the lower middle. When the compass rose is displayed in “Track Up Arc” mode, it will be drawn as a 120° arc only.
TCAS: Configures the vertical TCAS mode. The modes are defined as followed: • Above: 9000ft above / 2700ft below • Normal: 2700ft above / 2700ft below • Below: 2700ft above / 9000ft below • Unrestricted: No altitude restrictions apply TCAS Audio: Toggles audible TCAS alerts Label: Toggles the display of waypoint names in map mode, when a flight plan is loaded and displayed.
FSMap The FSMap instrument as a TCAS display Your own aircraft position will appear in the middle of the screen, represented by a small triangle. Two range rings will represent the current display range, and the halfway distance. The display range may be adjusted using the “In” and “Out” SFKs, or by turning the rotary knob. You may also adjust the range by using the mouse wheel when the mouse cursor is overhead the rotary knob or the appropriate SFKs.
For the TCAS display, the Menu/ENT opens an own configuration menu with the following options: Alert: Allows you to choose how the system should inform about traffic warning and alerts. When “None” is selected, traffic warnings are listed in the message window only. In “Prompt” mode the system will reconfigure the system menu bar at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to access the traffic mode with one button/click only.
FSMap The screenshot on the next page shows the instrument in TCAS mode, with the options menu activated. Please note the TCAS warning generated by the aircraft 1800ft above and 100ft below the own position in the middle of the screen.
The picture below displays the FSMap instrument in Map Mode, with a traffic alert displayed in Pop-Up mode. Note the overlayed TCAS display in the upper left corner, with the yellow flashing “Traffic Alert” flag just below: Please note that the “Pop-Up” and “Prompt” alert modes will be active only when the traffic display in the map options menu is turned off.
FSMap Credits Concept, Development and Programming Thomas Molitor Documentation Martin Georg and Thomas Molitor Additional Control Programming Dirk Bunar (Tribe Technology) ICAO VFR Maps Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) Skyguide und swisstopo Global Maps NASA‘s Earth Observatory Special Thanks to • my wife Katja, my daugther Emily, and my cats Noel and Sylvester for their endless patience during the development time.
Chart resources VFR charts for USA (precalibrated): http://www.avsim.com A free-of-charge registration for the “File Library” is necessary. When searching for files, use the “extended search” option and enter “Matt Fox” for the author, and “Sectional Chart” for the description. Terminal- and Enroute-Chart for Europe (IFR): http://ead.eurocontrol.int Free-of-charge registration is required. We recommend to choose the simple HTML menu option. Charts are available from the “PAMS light (AIP) submenu.
FSMap Charts for France: http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/html/frameset_aip_uk.htm Charts for the Czech Republic: http://lis.rlp.cz/ais_data/www_main_control/frm_en_aip.htm Charts for Slowenia: http://www.sloveniacontrol.si/acrobat/aip/eaip/Operations/history-enGB.html Charts for the United Kingdom: http://www.ais.org.uk/aes/login.jsp (Free-of-charts registration necessary) Charts for Australia: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/publications/aip.asp Charts for New Zealand: http://aip.net.
Map legend ICAO-Charts 65
FSMap Aerosoft GmbH 2008 66
FSMap Aerosoft GmbH 2008 68
FSMap KeyboardReference General functions F1 Online Help CTRL-F1 Help Index CTRL-ALT-F1 Help Search F3 Moving Map F4 Manage Maps F11 Toggle Full-Screen Display ALT-1 - ALT-0 Open recent Maps Funktion Area „Moving Map“ F5 Connect to Flight Simulator F6 Disconnect from Flight Simulator F8/SHIFT-F8 Tracking Mode F9/SHIFT-F9 Chart Type F10/SHIFT-F10 TCAS Mode CTRL-O Load Flight Plan CTRL-F Toggle Flight Plan display CTRL-T Toggle AI-Traffic display CTRL-SHIFT-V Toggle Online Traffic
FSMap Right Rotate Right Left Rotate Left CTRL-R Reset Rotation Funktion Area „Manage Maps“ CTRL-N Add Map CTRL-I Import Map(s) CTRL-E Export Region(s)/Map(s) ENTF Delete Region/Map CTRL-U Undo changes CTRL-S Save changes Plus Zoom In Minus Zoom Out CTRL-SHIFT-Z Zoom Reset Right Rotate Right Left Rotate Left CTRL-R Reset Rotation Funktion Area „Manage Gauge“ F5 Refresh Aircraft list CTRL-S Save all Aircraft Modifications CTRL-K Edit the Gauge Hotkey EINGABE Edit Propertie
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