C-1 autopilot [DeviceLink]

FS~Daedalus · #1 04-25-2012, 08:43 AM

Hello everybody!

Those of you using the HSFX modpack probably have noticed the control panel of the Automatic Flight Control Equipment C-1 (AFCE C-1) autopilot system in the cockpit of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator (right above the throttle quadrant).
If not, here's a screenshot

The original control panel looks like this:

Unfortunately this piece of equipment did not make it into the game, just the ominous 'level stabilizer' is implemented.
Well, here is my replica of the C-1 autopilot system:

Version 1.1

(animated gif)

Version 2.1

Many thanks to 'Sita' who allowed me to use his textures of the control panel. The C-1 version 2.1 is, except for the new textures, identically equal to the version 1.1. Your monitor needs to have a vertical resolution of at least 800 pixels to display the control panel correctly.

Download (mediafire):
AFCE C-1 v1_1.zip
AFCE C-1 v2_1.zip

The C-1 communicates with IL-2 1946 via DeviceLink and can be used on the same computer the game is running on or on a second computer in your local network (a laptop for example). Some important parts of DeviceLink-output are deactivated while playing online. If you wish to use the C-1 online you need the mod DeviceLink_2_2 by Fireball (already included in the AFCE C-1 zip-archive).
All switches and turning knobs on the C-1 control panel are fully functional and animated and can be operated by mouse or freely assigned hotkeys.

This autopilot is, just like the original one from 1943, capable of holding a straight and level flight and can perform coordinated turns without intervention of the pilot. The replica of the C-1 is not limited to the B-24 and B-17, it can be used to control all bombers we have in the game! Since the C-1 is designed to assist bomberpilots it can not be used to control fighter aircraft. A fighter in this sense is a single engined, single seated airplane.

Have a look into the manual to learn more about the C-1 autopilot and how to use it on bombing missions.

Tested on 4.10.1m and 4.11.1m. Suggestions and critique welcome!

FS~Daedalus

Sita · #2 04-25-2012, 11:45 AM

if you need i can give new texture for your program)

FS~Daedalus · #3 04-25-2012, 12:59 PM

Your texture of the C-1 control panel looks awesome! I'd be happy to use it for the program with your permission!

I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Did you also make seperate textures of the turning knobs 'in action'?
The switches on the left hand side of the panel seem to be static in your texture. Is it possible to have them switchable?

Sorry if my questions are hardly understandable, english is not my first language...

Please have a look at the animated gif of the control panel I made and you will understand what I mean with 'turning knobs in action' and 'switchable'.

Daedalus

Sita · #4 04-25-2012, 02:52 PM

in the near future, I can only give a high-resolution texture
in the PDS and with the layers ...

waiting Giff animation form me it will be to long ...

but I'm busy drawing just such textures for aircraft)

FS~Daedalus · #5 04-25-2012, 03:12 PM

Again, thanks a lot for your generous offer!
I sent you a PM Sita.

Freelansir · #6 04-25-2012, 06:05 PM

Daedalus,

Thank you for this wonderful mod. I can confirm that it works a charm.

My friend tried it out using his second computer for "mousing" the C-1 switches was pleasantly surprised how it controlled his bomber.

Since I'll be using it on just a single computer I am having comprehension problems with the manual's instructions "All hotkeys can be configured freely within the AFCE.ini file". Looking at the .ini file there appears to be numbers assigned already.

But I'm 71 years old and it takes a while for things to sink in.

Thanks again !

FS~Daedalus · #7 04-25-2012, 06:51 PM

Freelansir, thank you for your kind words sir!
I am happy you like the utility.

You are right, to assign a key to a control unit (switch, turning knob) on the control panel numbers (keycodes) are used. Some switches and turning knobs already have a key assigned, other not. To open and edit the AFCE.ini you can use any text editor.
Here is the part of the AFCE.ini we need to assign keys:

Code:

[HOTKEYS SWITCHES]
MSTR/STAB=
AIL=46 <- '46': keycode for 'Delete'-key, it is assigned to the AIL-switch
RUD=35
ELEV=34
ALL=65
PDI=
TellTaleLights= <- no key assigned to tt-lights on/off switch
ControlTransfer=


[HOTKEYS KNOBS]
TurnKnobLeft=37 <- '37': keycode for 'arrow left'-key, assigned to turn knob left
TurnKnobRight=39
CenterKnob=38

SelectTurnControl=8

SelectCenterAil=45
SelectCenterRud=36
SelectCenterElev=33

SelectSensitivityAil=
SelectSensitivityRud=
SelectSensitivityElev=

SelectRatioAil=
SelectRatioRud=
SelectRatioElev=

SelectTurnCompAil=
SelectTurnCompRud=
SelectTurnCompElev=

If you now scroll down the AFCE.ini a bit you will find a list of available keycodes:

Code:

*********************************************************
AVAILABLE KEYS
*********************************************************
keycode    key
8     BACKSPACE
9     TAB
13    RETURN
32    SPACEBAR
33    PAGE UP
34    PAGE DOWN	
35    END	
36    HOME
37    ARROW LEFT
38    ARROW UP
39    ARROW RIGHT
40    ARROW DOWN
45    INSERT
46    DELETE
48    0
49    1
50    2
51    3
52    4
53    5
54    6
55    7
56    8
57    9
65    A
66    B
67    C
68    D
69    E
70    F
71    G
72    H
73    I
74    J
75    K
76    L
77    M
78    N
79    O
80    P
81    Q
82    R
83    S
84    T
85    U
86    V
87    W
88    X
89    Y
90    Z
106   NUM*
107   NUM+
109   NUM-
111   NUM÷
188   ,
190   .

This is just a list of the 'common' keys, but there are some more. The entire list can be found here:
http://www.cambiaresearch.com/articl...odes-key-codes

If you wish to assign a key to a switch or a knob just enter the corresponding keycode (see list above) into the desired line behind the '='.
If you, for example, wish to assign the key 'M' (keycode 77) to the master switch (MSTR) edit the AFCE.ini like this:

Code:

[HOTKEYS SWITCHES]
MSTR/STAB=77
AIL=46
RUD=35
ELEV=34
ALL=65
PDI=
TellTaleLights=
ControlTransfer=

If you wish to have no key assigned to a switch or turning knob just delete the number behind the '='.
Save your changes to the AFCE.ini and on the next startup of the autopilot you can flip the MSTR-switch with the key 'M' on your keyboard.

I hope this helps a bit.

Sincerely, Daedalus

FS~Daedalus · #8 05-10-2012, 02:55 PM

Many thanks to 'Sita' who kindly allowed me to use his textures of the C-1 control panel! The version 2.0 of the C-1 autopilot is now available.

The autopilot version 2.0 is, except for the new textures, identically equal to the version 1.0.
Your monitor needs to have a vertical resolution of at least 800 pixels to display the control panel correctly.

Download: outdated, check first posting for latest version.

Daedalus

Sita · #9 05-10-2012, 05:26 PM

Nice!)))

FS~Daedalus · #10 05-14-2012, 05:18 PM

Update to version 1.1 and 2.1

Both versions are now displayed in foreground always and can be hidden with a new hotkey 'Toggle Show/Hide'. The control panel of the C-1 will, when not hidden, be displayed as an overlay over IL-2 game-graphics under the operating system WinXP. The control panel will not be displayed over IL-2 game-graphics with WinVista and Win7.
The download-links in the first post are up to date.