Help needed with Simconnect (conflict with VisualPSX and EZCA versions)

[cavaricooper]

Hello-

Having added another computer to the ensemble (see arrows), I now run JUST P3d on my sim machine and am VERY happy with the results.  I kept being prodded by my mate to do this, and now, months later I am kicking myself for not doing it earlier... still... allest gut now.... the sense of motion and space is quite amazing with a fixed reference and moving visuals- sort of the poor man's version of a (dare I say it) flight deck.



My issue is that I normally use EZCA for P3d and am able to tailor the zoom, angle etc of each view to my liking, going to it with a button press.  The Simconnect version it needs in it's latest iteration, conflicts with VisualPSX's simconnect- or one of the others on my machine.  I get horrid stuttering.  This was solved by removing EZCA from my system.  SO FAR SO GOOD... however, now, I am petrified that as soon as I move/lose my current VC camera view I will be stuck with the default P3d VC forward view. 

Any thoughts to assist- currently my forward view gives me exactly the correct DOWN view to taxi, approach and land without issue.... I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THAT- and I would rather leave EZCA for the non PSX flighting.  There was NO issue with the earlier versions, and I am inclined to try THAT version of Simconnect, however, there are benefits to using the latest EZCA...

Not quite a PSX issue, however, I'm hoping Hardy allows a bit of latitude as it is to do with networked visuals......

TIA!

Best- C

[Hardy Heinlin]

Hello Carl,

I moved this thread to the Accessories subforum.


Cheers,

|-|ardy

[Ivo de Colfmaker]

hi Carl,
maybe this can help.
run P3D in your normal view you are  using now, go to the top menu,views
if the menu edit custom cameras is  vissible , go to  option 2

if the menu edit custom cameras is grayed out choose view/new view/cockpit/cockpit
a new small view appears ,rightclick in this window and choose custom camera/save location.
a menu opens, give  it a name and save. close the menu, and close the  window.
this is your  default view  in cockpit mode

2:now rightclick in your normal view , the  menu appears, choose custom camera/save location, give it a name and you  can alter  all kinds of viewpoints.
save it and you ar  good to go.
you can now load your preffered  view under the custom camera menu.
hope  it helps
ivo

[asboyd]

I have setup a custom view using the method described above and with the default FSX 747 loaded it is quite a good viewpoint out of the window.

The only tinkering you need to do is trying to get aspects correct otherwise you end up with tall buildings you can see through . With 3 monitors in Nvidia surround mode once you get it right, it is hard to go back to a normal view....

Cheers,
Alex B

[cavaricooper]

Thanks Ivo and Alex- much appreciated!

I have achieved success with this method (as Ivo described), however, I have used EZCA (or Active Camera before) for too long I suppose, it is very hard to do without for any other aircraft in P3d.  There is a conflict with the Simconnect version it uses, vs. the Simconnect version in VisualPSX.

I will post further there...

Thanks again!

Best- C

PS- simply cannot resolve at this time so it's back to space bar and mouse... Thanks again!

[Ivo de Colfmaker]

Hi Carl,
I never got ezdok to work on  prepar2.5
Some time ago bought OPUS FSI , it is a weather generator( don't need it) and live camera feature, just as ezdok does.
There is a free demo you can download, maybe this works?
I never use it anymore because I have a joystick on my prepar machine with just buttons for viewing and panning.
Ivo

[cavaricooper]

Ivo-

I will check that out if I can't manage w/ default. Thanks for thinking of me.

C

[G-CIVA]

What's wrong with the default keyboard spacebar & mouse & mouse wheel combination for head movement inside the VC? IRL you don't press buttons to activate your head movements & you will soon find this method becomes more intuitive.

From your picture I see a lovely big monitor on the right of shot; surely now is the time to dispense with this pesky programme (EZCA) which robs CPUs of 'zero's & one's'

Why don't you use this second large monitor in conjunction with the large one in the background?  EZCA has a habit of going wrong sometimes too no?

You seem to have PLENTY of space behind the PCs to undo aforesaid monitor GFX cable & plug it into the second port in the GFX card on the p3D PC when required .... a voila ... conflict over.

Port the 2d panels from your p3D addon Aircraft that you need ACROSS to the second monitor & you will soon wonder why you EVER needed EZCA.

Been doing THIS for years.  It's not that hard to take one more step is it?  Wood for the trees etc.

[cavaricooper]

Took your advice, sorry it took so long....... using FSUIPC Mouse Look and flying SILKY SMOOTH.

Ta!

C

[Ivo de Colfmaker]

Hi,
If not mistaken this  does not work in a normal cockpit view?
I do not use VC  cockpits .
Just the 2 D view and then hide the panels.
I can look left , right, forward and aft, but not pan up or down , this only works with VC !

I

[cavaricooper]

Ivo-

Please look at the photo in post 1 of this thread.  I was fine with just the outside view, however, I found that my new LCD panel has blocked the runway during finals... ok in my old Aeronca but not in a 744 .   Did you find a way to avoid that happening?  The DOWN tilt is why I loved EZCA, and am trying to learn to love the standard VC with mouse look....

Best- C

PS- Mouse Look does solve the issue nicely

[G-CIVA]

Did you find a way to avoid that happening?

Your imagination is being constrained by the small table you are attempting to cram all of your equipment on to.  Some other kind of modular support might now be more useful ... Mine is two sets of cheap pine shelving sets from a certain Swedish self-build company which cost less than $60 all up.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5m242723cl52usk/File%2020-02-2016%2C%2021%2051%2049.jpeg?dl=0

You will have to either raise the height of the larger monitor, or lower that of the smaller one (most realistic) or do both to achieve a balance.

[cavaricooper]

As I use FSUIPC and do not use P3D control mapping, I am unable to press the space bar and use mouse look, without first selecting it in the FSUIPC Misc.tab.  Is there a way to accomplish this independent of FSUIPC?

Ta!

C

[Britjet]

Carl,

Have you thought about building a simple flight deck just using PSX? It is much more realistic and immersive than having generic bits scattered all over the place. I splashed out on 6 touch screens for mine, but that's not necessary, and you can pick up normal 27" monitors pretty cheaply these days.  Also you can still run another P3D on the screens if you just want to muck about in mountains etc.
I have the six monitors (including overhead) next to each other in a standard flight deck "T" configuration, in a single virtual workspace in Win 10 and the whole lot can be driven by one mouse if you want, although touch obviously makes it a lot easier. I find that 4 instances of PSX cover this nicely (overhead, front panel, pedestal, FMCS).
Even one touch screen for the FMCS as default, but with changeable layouts so you can "touch" any panel you want makes a huge difference..
I agree with the three monitors idea as well, mine is a 180 deg 3-projector setup on one large NVIDIA surround screen which is brilliant but over the top for most rooms. The only drawback of using multiple monitors of course that the fps rate is affected, so you need a good machine to do that well.
If you sold all that hardware it would pay for it overnight, I'm thinking :-)

Peter

[BW901]

I agree with Peter 100%. Carpentry's not my thing but after putting up with a desk top full of screens and bits and pieces which didn't really go together I took the plunge and bought some wood and a saw. I built a basic frame which the monitors hang from on 9 euro VESA mounts from the hardware store and which also holds my MCP/EFIS units and Saitek throttles (I dream of the Dollar exchange rate of old so I could afford Throttletek!). Putting everything into the right arrangement with the correct geometry has made a huge difference. The footprint of the unit's really small, and next step is I'll add a shelf to hold the outside view TV - I had bought a 60" 4K unit but the boss insisted it got used for watching TV.
Cheers
Jon

[Britjet]

Here is how mine looks. I also am pretty useless at DIY but it wasn't hard.
I think it looks so much better all in the right place.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fy5corhyz2hu0jc/Peter%20FD.JPG?dl=0/

The cockpit wall is simply sheets of Correx (plastic advertising boarding) which is light, bends and easily cut.
(The same for the screen, actually)
I put mine together in a bit of a rush and will probably do it again sometime to a better standard, but it does the trick. When I want to sim really well I just pop over to Gary's!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tec4kqzr12r1oqo/peter%20FD2.JPG?dl=0/

HTH

Peter

[cavaricooper]

Peter (especially) et al-

While there may come a time in my life where I dedicate my simming to one platform, atm I simply am unable to do so.  There's a magnificent C-47 in the wings that will demand flights over the hump and into Rangoon. Not to mention sorties over the channel into Normandy. There's a twin-otter screaming for a St. Maarten, St. Bart's and Saba rotation. There's a DC-6 that will require an Everet's schedule. There's a scarebus arriving soon and there's even another 744 that promises to be superlative!

Those times are best served with my current 65" Sony, hopefully soon replaced by a 75" 4K version.

Once the lad's off on his own.... Who knows....

Thanks for the input- lots to tuck away for future flighting:). Now, if I could just talk Gary into needing Florida sunshine....

Best- C

[Britjet]

Hi Carl

That's fine - just options - always options!
Wait until Oculus arrives - the "mountains" will truly beckon then!

Peter

[evaamo]

Great setups Jon & Peter!

I feel like a poor kid now, having to use only my Macbook 13 with PSX! :-D

Peter, are those touch screens you're using for the overhead and pedestal?

cheers
-E

[cavaricooper]

Hi Carl

That's fine - just options - always options!
Wait until Oculus arrives - the "mountains" will truly beckon then!

Peter

Peter-

That's right- I forgot my addiction to NGX flightings into LOWI, waving at those buxom Hausfrau on the DW leg, eye level with those hanging out the wash

C