User manual

DodoSim 206 FSX User Manual

Page 81

8 NOTES FOR COCKPIT BUILDERS

8.1 MAPPING SWITCHES TO EVENTS USING FSUIPC

It is possible for home cockpit builders to use the FSUIPC add-on by Pete Dowson to link hardware

switches directly to simulator switch states.

In order for switch inputs to be interpreted correctly and DodoSim 206 FSX programming to operate

correctly, you must map your switches to the input events listed in the section 2.4.3 “Keyboard Set-Up”.

Though FSUIPC may offer separate On and Off events for systems also utilising a toggle input, these

should not be used as the software does not trap these events and perform DodoSim specific functions.

However, this will mean that you will most likely have to manually reset all your switches prior to re-

loading the DodoSim 206 FSX each time within FSX.

It is DodoSim’s intention to write a separate custom control mapping utility at some future date to

circumvent this limitation and alleviate the need for key mappings to utilise unused FSX key bindings.

Since this software is unnecessary for the vast majority of DodoSim 206 FSX users, it has not been

developed for inclusion in this main product and will therefore likely be made available for use by

custom cockpit builders at a small extra cost.

8.2 COMPATIBILITY WITH SIMKITS HARDWARE GAUGES

SimKits hardware gauges offer the ultimate in realism for cockpit builders, allowing them to build a

complete hardware front panel and remove the need to display the gauges on screen. SimKits software

uses either SimConnect or FSUIPC to retrieve gauge needle positions from FSX to drive the gauges’

needle servos.

However, the DodoSim 206 FSX’s custom flight dynamics and systems render many of the default

values accessible via SimConnect or FSUIPC incorrect. DodoSim has written a small utility that injects

the DodoSim specific gauge needle values into FSUIPC so that 3

party software, like the SimKits

driver software, can retrieve the correct values.

If you are using SimKits gauges, in order to display the correct needle values you must be using the

SimKit FSUIPC compatible software and running the special conversion utility from DodoSim, called

“DodoSim206FSX Export IPC”. This utility will be available upon request from DodoSim as soon as it is

available.

8.3 SPECIAL PROJECTS AND THIRD-PARTY HARDWARE VENDORS

The DodoSim 206 FSX software contains facilities to export all system state and gauge information via

SimConnect client data areas. The structures and key names to access them are proprietary to

DodoSim. However, if you have a special project or produce hardware that might seek to make use of

them, DodoSim can consider providing you with the relevant information.

Should you be looking to make use of the DodoSim 206 FSX in a commercial setting, you must contact

DodoSim and seek information regarding commercial license costs. DodoSim can add additional

functionality to extend the capabilities of the product according to your requirements. For example, a

remote “Instructor Panel” could be created allowing an observer to share control, inject failures, or

adjust the environmental parameters of the simulation.

Since Microsoft Flight Simulator X is licensed for home entertainment use only, DodoSim produces a

Microsoft ESP compatible version for commercial use.