Making an overhead panel for use in a Flight Simulator setup
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- This is a short presentation about how I made a generic overhead panel, cheap and backlit.
Music: 'Going Home' by ONIRIC at www.jamendo.com...
Published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike licence (CC BY-SA 3.0): creativecommons...
I could only figure out 29% of this video. The finished product looks amazing by the way.
Absolutely phenomenal!!
That's impressive! Thank you for sharing!
This is so cool! I love the way you used Lijm Spray for transferring images, I'll have to try it! Great Job, you just earned another subscriber!
Thank you so much! I learned a lot!
Same to efe.m.ozgun@gmail.com
Wow! well thought through,and then executed. I think i might have to give this a try Thanks for the video :)
Wow well done, I’m so lazy and not good with any sort of DIY can you make me one ? I will pay , great job very neat
How do you program them and shit? How do connect everything to a PC? Which software will support it?
I used a Pokeys interface card. Using the supplied software, you can configure each port as joystick button or as keyboard press. Then you assign functions to them in flightsim/fsuipc. For the other way around, that is sending data from FS to Pokeys to drive f.i. leds, you need to dig in some code though. Examples of code of the most common languages, can be found in the manual.
Oooh, now you've got me thinking about ways to make the control panel I'm making for my grandchildren even better!
in the minute 4.52,please,how the make the cover of switchs.Tks.
Very nice. Do your panels correspond to FSX generic commands?
+Michael Morgan Yes and No... Part of the switches is configured as key presses and in FSUIPC assigned to a (FSX/FS2004) command. But there are also switches representing actions who are not properly simulated in FSX/FS2004 (APU, fuel pumps/hydraulics/bleed etc). These are intercepted by a LUA script in which things are made conditional. For instance, I cannot switch on engine anti-ice in FS (the code refuses to send the data to FS) when there's no bleed air, and I can't have bleed air without at least one running engine or APU. And I cannot start the engines without the use of fuel pumps, nor use the flaps, reversers and gear without the right hydraulic pressure. All those things "forgotten" by MSFS are simulated in my code tight up to this overhead panel. I even have talking pilots, responding to switch movements. If I have more time in the future maybe I will dedicate a movie or website to this subject, because there's a lot more to say about it then what I just did :)
Amazing work! May I know where did you find the measurements and graphics?
Hello, how are you? I'm not sure how to ask that question, but I'll try. I saw that you made the cutouts (in acrylic), for the announcers. And that you cut the front of them. My question is what (or what is) that little black box you put there to simulate the announcers. I mean the same as you did the two holes for the Leds ... because that's the part where I have a lot of headache to do. Greetings from Brazil! :)
I purchased those boxes from here:
www.aviationmegastore.com/b737-anunciator-holder--10-pieces-6box1-opencockpits-6box1-b737ng-accessories-opencockpits/product/?action=prodinfo&art=95610
But you can buy them at more places, just google 'cockpit annunciator box'. You can stick two leds in it. It's without the front. Although you can buy them too, I choosed to make them myself, for financial reasons :)
Very, very thanks... If you want, see part of my "Flip" project. And the black plate on the last image is just a model. I hope you enjoy my work ... In case you need some file contact me by the page, I will be happy to help you. greetings i9simulation.blogspot.com.br/2016/12/prancheta-tipo-boeing-para-saitek-yoke.html
So wonderful! Technology turns into Art.
Beautiful and clean. Thanks for sharing this!
More tutorials
fucking genious thank you
Hello. I'm going to do a overhead in the next weeks. There's something I don't understand in the video. The first spray you use, what is it?
And Where do you apply exactly?
And the second spray?
What is the order of the layers? First the plexiglass, second the transparent foil and finally the plain paper?
Regards.
+SUDQUI EL GARADY GUTIERREZ The first spray is a glue spray. It has the special feature it can be used for permanent as for semi-permanent connections. I used it the semi-permanent way, so you can attach, detach and reattach it as much as you like. This is very important because it is very difficult to connect the front paper and the mask foil in just one take, while the text and the lines match together.
The first gluespray you see is on the backside of the paper front view. After an hour drying (to make it semipermanent) I attach it on the mask foil. When that's finished I turn them around and comes the second gluespray: the back (which is the back of the transparant foil). Then I attach the plexiglass to it immediately (to make it permanent). Then comes the third sprayjob: This is not glue but plastic spray. It is normally used to isolate electronics and as protection against all kinds of atmospheric influences. It is sprayed onto the the paper front view. This way it is protected against f.i. sunlight (normally prints becoming paler), but also made stronger: after all it's just paper.
The order of the layers you mentioned is right: First the plexiglass, second the transparent foil and finally the plain paper. But the order of the fastenings is the other way around :)
thanks. I understand all. very well explained. The sprays where do you buy it?
Hello ph tux...I want to know where do you buy the sprays?
Electronic store?
Here in spain there is leroy merlin..I don't know if there there's those sprays...thanks.
You can buy the gluespray (www.bison.net/en/products/646-specialties/product/540-spray-adhesive/information/) in any DIY shop. The plastic spray is available in most electronic shops (www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/045744/?insert=89&insertNoDeeplink&productname=CRC-Kontakt-Chemie-501540-1-Units).
Hello ph tux. I'm making it these weeks...I hope finish it soon. When I finish it, I upload the results...Thanks again.
Why dont you build and sell these to people who dont have the skill i would s buy one of these right now off of you
Well thanks, I consider this as a compliment :-)
But.... this is all handmade stuff, and as such very labor intensive. Hundreds of hours have been spent. Which is not a problem: this is called: a hobby. So... even if I charge say as low as €10 per hour, I will end up with a price you are not willing to pay :) You are better of then with products already in the market: cheaper and better quality (but unfortunately Boeing-like, thus limited choice).
Goed gedaan! Zoiets wil ik ook
Nice work. Looking forward to more detail on the interface card (Pokeys), and some examples of your LUA scripts. Making the panel seems like the easiest part, but the interface and software are the tricky and time consuming aspect that is missing here. thanks for showing what is possible!
zo leuk (in english so cool)
For the time being, my overhead panel is just a sketch, so I came here on UA-cam to grab some good solutions and I found almost everything I needed to know right here. Thank you so much!
Im quite interested in the "pokeys Interface card" I can do the wiring thats easy to understand, its the whole software side of things I dont know much about... as I hope to build an overhead for a friend for next years xmas (Currently using 2 keyboards as his current, says its fine, but its "fine" )
The Pokeys is as a input card easy to handle. Using the supplied software, you can configure each port as joystick button or as keyboard press. Then you assign functions to them in flightsim/fsuipc. For the other way around, that is sending data from FS to Pokeys to drive f.i. leds, you need to dig in some code though. Examples of code of the most common languages, can be found in the manual.
I will PayPal who ever builds me one of these some cash if you build it and send it to me lmk
Email me at yz020515@gmail.com and i will help you;)
Very good made, and interesting. I should really learn how to create things like that. I need an overlay for my flight instruments. and a overhead of some sort. First I need a cockpit shell. . oh so much to do. Great work!
ik wou vragen met welke webstite u het design had gemaakt (ik zag dat u nederlands was)
Ik heb geen website gebruikt daarvoor.... Heb het ontwerp gewoon bedacht en getekend met potlood op papier, en het daarna verder uitgewerkt in een tekenprogramma (Gimp) :)
As you can tell from all the comments, that is a great build video of a good design. One thing. Drilling the acrylic sheet is hard to do without cracking the sheet. I believe that if you reverse the drill you will get a much cleaner hole - you just have to be patient.
Amazing job! I’ve just finally found the way I will do this 😀
How do you connect this overhead to your pc??
I would also like to know how much you would charge to build one and if it is possible to build an a320 ON Panel
Fantastic! That is what I was looking for. Thanks, thanks, thanks. :)
do you have a electrical scheme ? if you have can you put a link in the comments ? and what did you do with these little led you made ? and very nice job with making this thing (i am pretty jealous now ) ;)
No I don't have a electric scheme. It was all in my head when I made it. Although I made some notes on forehand, those are not of any use to anybody without the proper context.
The leds you see are used to illuminate the annunciators (the boxes with PRESS, OFF, ON etc on it)
okay , no problem but for making something simular should i get like a dual pulse generator of a single pulse generator for my switches ?
@Quinten Soundgaming: I'm not sure what you mean by 'dual pulse' and 'single pulse' generators. Do you mean 'double throw' and 'single push' switches perhaps?...... Anyway, Flightsim is made to respond to keyboard presses and those provide a single pulse, despite the repeat function.
How much would you charge to make one of those for me?
+Nigel Palmer It was quite a time consuming project and I'm not keen on doing it again... I moved on to a pedestal, not less time consuming by the way :-)
Why don't you try to make it yourself? Fun to do and gives much satisfaction.
hi nice video how you make it to o translucent?
By printing it on a transparant foil that is made for printing.
Hello - I'm struggling with understanding this piece of the process:
- Front View, printed on plain paper with high quality printing.
- A mask, printed on transparent foil with high quality printing (for more blackness).
Does the "front view" sit directly on top of the Mask (transparent foil)? I'm having difficulty understanding how the layers works.
Top layer: Front view
Middle layer: Plexi-glass
Bottom layer: Mask (transparent foil)
OR
Top Layer: front view
Middle layer: mask
Bottom layer: plexi-glass.
What's the difference between the front view and the mask? Couldn't you just have the transparent mask if you wanted the panels to be black?
This looks amazing, by the way, just trying to understand the specifics!
The order of layers is: frontview mask plexi-glass.
In theory it's possible to use only the mask if you want your panels to be black, but the result will be disappointing. The transparant foil is as it says, transparant, and so is the plexiglass. The backlight will shine right thru where there's no ink ( text and lines) so each individual led will be visible at the back. And if you would turn the light off, you won't be able to see the text and the lines, since you're staring into a dark box basically.
You could print the mask on white paper instead, but then the black part is probably not thick enough to block the light completely. While it is in conjuction with an extra layer of grey.
ph tux this makes total sense! Thank you for taking the time to respond. Much appreciation!
Did you just connect all switches to a usb?
how do you get the switchs to do what you want
By connecting them to a special interface (Pokeys in this case). Then, by using the software provided by this interface, configure each switch movement as a keypress, and assign in Flightsim a command to those keypresses.
How did you do the mask Print-out and with what Programm and Printer?
hoelang heeft het geduurd om dit te maken
Een maand of 4, 5. Er mislukte ook wel eens wat :)
Hi there thanks for the video. I absolutely love what you've made. Please could you confirm where you got the Apu switches (the long body white pole switches?)
Hi! These are caps slid over normal basic toggle switches. I bought the caps years ago at aviationmegastore.com but, unfortunately, they are no longer sold there.
the letters in white are standard paper? thank u very much
Yes they are :)
Yuck, VB!
Jk you've really inspired me to try something like this :D (only in C#)
Hehe....I know it has a bad reputation, but sometimes it's still the shortest way to success, for me at least. But my next project, the pedestal, is entirely written in Lua. So you can set at rest now ;-)
Hi, I might be a little bit late, but where did you get the LED Dimmers from? Looking to make a flight simulator with LED Dimming so if you wouldn't mind providing the link? Thanks.
www.ebay.com/itm/LED-PWM-Dimmer-fur-12-Volt-und-24-Volt-60-Watt-P-FET-Ausgang-/143064093617?hash=item214f48d3b1
It's from Germany. I ordered more than once from this vendor. I removed the pot from the pcb and wired it to it, so I could place the pcb somewhere else in the box.
thank you it helps , thanks for argentina
You're welcome :)
Thanks for being willing to send the templates to me. i have one question about your build. For the LED annunciators, how did you make/wire the PCB board? Also, how do you wire the LEDs to the cards in order for them to turn on when the switch is pressed. Thanks again.
I used this PCB and cut it to the right sizes:
www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/530753/?insert=89&insertNoDeeplink&productname=Conrad-Components-530753-Eurocard-Point-Pitch-SU527769-L-x-W-160-mm-x-100-mm-Hard-paper-with-Cu-coating
Each annunciator holds two leds in series with one resistor, but they are not directly connected to the Pokeys card, cause this card only delivers 4mA per pin which is not enough. Therefore a amplifier is placed in between. You can make them yourself around an IC, which I did, or you can buy them online. On this page you'll get a good impression of how it is connected:
www.flightsimparts.eu/index_htm_files/LedExtensionBoardConnectionDetails.pdf
Okay thank you. I have a couple more questions, haha. First off, what are the dimensions of the overhead housing that you made out of wood on 2:50-3:00? Also, I was leaning towards getting the Leo Bodnar board to make mine, but would you recommend using the Pokeys board? I like that the Leo Bodnar has 5v plugs so I will not have to use the amplifiers. Finally, so are the LEDs connect to the switch, amplifier, dimmer, and Pokeys board? I think I am confused about how they are wired up. I know you explained it, but I am a newbie to this kind of stuff. I just am not completely understanding it. I appreciate you helping very much and I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks!
Could you add link to the plans in the description?
Very Nicely Done! A+A+
Hi. Great job. Can you explain in steps how did you do the panel painting ? Can´t really understand 100% how you did it. Thanks a lot.
I am not sure what you mean? There's no painting involved. As you can see in the video the "panel" is an image designed on the computer and printed on paper.
Ok, few comments below and it make all clear for me. Thanks.
How is this mounted. Going to make one and was wondering if steel bar construction would work
My setup is located in the attic. It has a sloping roof, the overhead panel is mounted on a wooden plate attached to it.
Okay I'm a little confused. Does the Front view and mask get glued together then glued to the front of the plexiglass?
Yes, that's the way it's done! :)
hi, how did you join those backlighted button parts between 4:04 and 4:10?
Those are not buttons, but annunciator lights. The leds are mounted on a small piece of PCB, together with a resistor, so they can be connected to 5V. The way the leds are placed ensures that they will fit in an annunciator box, like seen at 4:02. The leds and PCB will click in and stay in place. At 4:15 you can see the backsides of these little PCB's, fixed in the boxes underneath.
Thanks for uploading this i have a channel showing electrical mods. im going to do a flight panel and i have learned a few things here. ty
4:10 have you found a better way to make these? i noticed they are not perfect in your video the black is a bit dotty. im trying to do the same.
The black is a bit dotty and sometimes, irregular indeed. There is always a kind of irregularity in the ink coverage, at least with a normal consumer inkjet printer. You won't notice on normal paper, cause the ink will always run out a bit and fill the tiny gaps. But not on transparant foil. I tried to print it twice on the same foil, but the alignment is never the same, with as a consequence a blurry text. It's not perfect the way it is, but I decided to not make a problem of it.
If you want to avoid it, you could try to print it on normal paper, and leave the underlaying plexiglass transparant, instead of scrubbing it as I did.
thanks for the reply you have answered more questions for me.
with whitch program did you make the image ?
how have u done the backlight?`
How much would you charge to build one
very nice ! so inputs are sent through pokeys, how did you manage the outputs ?
Same way. The Pokey card is an I/O card. I/O = Input / Output
awesome! do you have the design? ill really appreciate if you can send me a copy! ... by the way, the annunciators works with the sim? or only on and of with the switches?
Neither one of them :) Because most of the stuff found on a overhead panel is not, or not properly simulated in FS, I wrote a Lua script that talks to FS (fsuipc) on one hand, and to my Pokeys interface card on the other hand. This is where the events are evaluated and where the annunciator lights are controlled from.
I made the paneldesign in GIMP. All drawings are multi layered. I can send you the files if you want, but I can't tell you if you can open them in anything else but GIMP.
Can u send me the files? I have a friend that knows about that stuff lol.. ill apreciate that :) gemasa3@gmail.com
Can I get you to email me your Gimp templates? ken.mcconnell@gmail.com Thanks!
Nice work. do you have a copy of the design that you can send me if possible, Thanks you.
+Musa Mcgill I made the design in GIMP. All drawings are multi layered. I can send you the files if you want, but I can't tell you if you can open them in anything else but GIMP.
Please send them I have the GIMP application and i will really appreciate it thank you - ph tux my email is musamcgill@gmail.com and thanks again in advance.
Hey man, very nice work ;). I would also like to do my own overhead panel and i'd appreciate it if you could send me your files. I would be very grateful. My email is lucafaessler9@gmail.com. Thanks in advance
I love it, I'm looking into making my own OH too, email is bryceanthony1022@gmail.com Thank you!
Sp the black of the paper was black enough to block out all the light and force it to go trough the uncolored white part?
ua-cam.com/video/royY2o2t3Po/v-deo.html This fella has a great description of that exact question. its about using the darkest black and highest quality print. So may go through a few cartridges to make the full panel lol. Getting ready to start on one myself. Ive had an enclosed baron 58 pit in the garage for a while now and want to try my hand at jets.
Awesome
you sir are the mvp
Hi, I have a few questions for you
1. What cards you used for the project. For example: Arduino, Leo board.
2. What program you used in your PC.
3. How to make iluminated controls(how to connect that to the computer and set that in your computer program(question 2)).
1. Pokeys
2. The application that comes with the Pokeys card. You can assign keystrokes to activity on certain pins, and let Flightsim do the rest. The settings will get uploaded to the Pokeys and stay there. You don't need the software running for daily use.
3.I'm not sure what you mean... the annunciator lights perhaps? They can't be controlled by the Pokeys software (keystrokes only work one way :)). I wrote a Lua script that keeps track of events in FS and send responses to the pins of the Pokeys.
ph tux OK, thank you, I have last question for you: Can I have that program?
Yes you can, but you'll need a pokeys card. It is useless without.
www.poscope.com/downloads/
Under 'software', pick the latest version.
where do you get the switches?
Amazing! 👏🏻
Hi! May I know the name of the sprays you used to stick the mask and the front view?
May I also know the font used in the masks/front view?
Futura-Medium
Gluespray: (www.bison.net/en/products/646-specialties/product/540-spray-adhesive/information/), you can buy it in any DIY shop.
Plastic spray: (www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/045744/?insert=89&insertNoDeeplink&productname=CRC-Kontakt-Chemie-501540-1-Units). Available in most electronic shops.
This is an awesome overhead. I will be using yours as a template for mine! I have a couple questions: Do you have a link to your panel so I can print it? One other thing, I see you have mini toggle switches, but what rotaries and pushbuttons do you use? I have been looking for the perfect overhead for me and this is it, so I really would like to build it myself. Thanks!
I can send you the panel templates if you want. They are made with Gimp and are multilayered. Let me know.
Rotaries:
www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/709700/?insert=89&insertNoDeeplink&productname=Uniselector-250-Vac-015-A-Switch-postions-12-12-x-30-Lorlin-CK-1029-1-pcs
Pushbuttons:
www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/701051/?insert=89&insertNoDeeplink&productname=Pushbutton-250-Vac-15-A-1-x-OffOn-SCI-R13-23A-05BK-momentary-1-pcs
I want to build this awesome overhead of your´s as well. Can you send me the panel templates Sir?
Ok awesome. I have Gimp so I will be able to use them. My email is a.grose122@gmail.com. Thanks so much.
I can, but I'll need an email address ;-)
Hi sir
That is a nice overhead panel.
Could u do me a favour and send me the templates to my email adress because im going to build one for my home cockpit.
Moonviper86@gmail.com
Many thanks
Okay second question. At 2:29 what are you doing and why?
That is plastic spray. Normally used to isolate electronics and as protection against all kinds of atmospheric influences. It is sprayed onto the paper front view. This way it is protected against f.i. sunlight (normally prints becoming paler), but also made stronger: after all it's just paper.
I need one of these
spray glue ?
Yes. ua-cam.com/video/NMPYxAZ-jiY/v-deo.htmlm48s
Marvelous
hi,have you a pic of the overhead project functions?
No not really. But at 0:36 you can have an overview and if you look carefully, you can just read the text that goes with the switches and buttons.
can u make a video on how to wire it then i cant seem to find one
Maybe I'll do that in the future. The approach of this video was only to show the hardware part, specifically the way to make (cheap) backlit panels.
ph tux thanks
how did you connect it to your PC?
4:23 The Pokeys Interface card via USB-B connector (www.poscope.com/product/pokeys57u/)
ola amigo
hoe kan ik aan de fotos van het paneel komen
Ik kan je de lay-out sturen als je wilt... Je hebt dan wel het programma Gimp nodig om ze te kunnen openen.
ja dat programma heb gedownload wilt u ze graag sturen naar sijmenw@outlook.com als dat kan
wich paper did you use
0:53
hi,how did you make the leds turn on or off when u switch?
can u help me?
The leds are driven from events in FS, not from the switches themselves. Example: If I push the button 'Avionics' the signal goes to FS and the avionics will go on. At the same time FS sends back the information that the avionics has been switched on, so the led will turn on. In this way the led will also turn on if I had used the mouse to click on the avionics button in the FS panel.
The signal from FS to the overhead goes by a LUA script I wrote, with FS (fsuipc) on one side of the line, and a Pokeys interface card (with switches, buttons and leds attached) on the other side.
can u help me to do this?,we can contact
How?
please can you give me a link to which toggle switch you used
Thank You
A mini toggle switch with a long handle:
www.aviationmegastore.com/toggle-switch-small-ononon-sp-737ts620-engravity-737ts620-b737ng-cockpit/product/?action=prodinfo&parent_id=278&art=65017
and then with a togglecap:
www.aviationmegastore.com/toggle-caps-white-small-package-of-10pcs-916tc1-engravity-916tc1-b737ng-accessories-engravity/product/?action=prodinfo&art=64177
Thank you Also could you please send me plans to hiukweb@outlook.com
www.rapidonline.com/catalogue/search?Query=toggle%20switches
would this be OK
I just did :)
Yes, as long as they make an ON/OFF connection. They don't look all that pretty, but that's a matter of taste.
Can you email me the plans for the printouts?
Sure. To where can I send them?
@@phtux6476 Can you send me also please my email adress: maximilian.keplinger2004@gmail.com because I also like to build it but wher did you get the switches?
At different places, mainly:
www.conrad.com
www.aviationmegastore.com
www.taydaelectronics.com
My email is flywithme777er@gmail.com thanks a bunch in advance
What font did you use?
Futura-Medium. Looks a little bit like the font Boeing uses.
I'm so desperately searching for the font used in DASH8 Q400 but so far nobody knows (or will to share).
So boeing's font is my alternative.
Thanks for answering!
do you guys actually get the plans?
yes :) You want them?
Ohh I would really appreciate it
To where can I send them?
if you can please send them to my email jhonny-24@hotmail.com. thank you very much
Can I forward them onto me please jmitchell855@icloud.com
for whats the use of plastik 70? on minute 2:00 is the union of 2 plates? thanks
1) The plastic spray is normally used to isolate electronics and as protection against all kinds of atmospheric influences. It is sprayed onto the paper front view. This way it is protected against f.i. sunlight (normally prints becoming paler), but also made stronger: after all it's just paper.
2) The 2 'plates' you see joined are the front view on normal paper and the mask on transparant foil.