DED and PFL with Logitech G15 and Z10 displays - Software solution

[AiRdAncE]

I decided to get this thing it's own thread and not clutter my personal progress thread with it.

This is the thing guys: a software solution which drives two Logitech displays (from the Logitech G15 keyboards and/or the Logitech Z10 speakers in any combination) to provide a working DED and PFL display solution.

G15 Viper v. 1.4.4.25
Preview screenshot(s):






Version history
Current public version: 1.4.4.25
Added/fixed:

• By request: rotate FuelFlow by 180 degrees
• Still need to fix/add screen cycling - will be for the next version

Fixed or added in 1.4.2.36

• Added Fuel Flow Guage
• Fixed several bugs (left gear, negative chaffs/flares etc.)
• Currently a severely incorrect and outdated manual - use as is

Fixed in 1.3.3.45

• Added Gauge Replacement Display
• Added improved F4AF support

Fixed in 1.3.1.27b (BETA)

• Added documentation (HTML Help)
• Added menu for help options

Fixed in 1.2.1.17b (BETA):

• At first run, asks to create a desktop icon
• Added option to create desktop icon on demand
• Did some cosmetic cleanup - configuration options moved to new view
• Fixed custom font not correctly registering on some systems
• Fixed minor timing issue
• Fixed stand by screens

Fixed in 1.1.1.56b:

• Implemented and tested support for two or more displays (improved)
• Reduced processorload considerably by optimizing several internal functions and procedures
• Changed Autotuning function to use a different algorythm
• Added several balloonhints to aid while using the program
• Added 'Start with Windows' option; indispensible in combination with 'Start Minimized' (complete automated startup, no hassle)
• Some cosmetic changes
• Fixed 'About...' function; wouldn't always run
• Refresh rates of up to 10ms are possible with minimal processor load (tested on 3.4 GHz machine)
• Fixed a memory leak (memory usage would gradually increase, which is bad)
• Prevented running a second instance of the application (which is bad too)

Current version under development: 1.5

Planned for upcoming version(s):

• Add softbutton functionality
• Run first public beta test (WinXP, Win2K3, WinVista)(in progress)
• Add documentation

Wishlist (please submit requests to me):

• Nothing right now

*** How to install ***
- download the latest GamePanel software from Logitech (you can get the 2.0+ version here: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/434/3498&cl=gb,en?osid=1&file=) and install it. Reboot your PC if needed.
- Start the Logitech GamePanel Manager (Start -> Programs -> Logitech GamePanel Manager).
- Once there, click on the Programs icon. This is more or less what you'll see:


- Next, start the G15viper.exe application by double clicking it. It should appear and it should also appear in the GamePanel Manager, like so:


- Now, correct the checkboxes so they look like this (VERY important !):


- Finally, disable all the other programs in the list by unchecking the boxes:

Now start up Open Falcon or Falcon AF and get tinkering ! Click the DED and PFL previews in G15 Viper to identify your LCD displays, or click on 'About' to show a cool logo graphic on both screens. Play around with everything and get your feedback to me !

Thanks guys ! 

WARNING: AFTER INSTALLING THE LATEST VERSION, REBOOT FIRST, OTHERWISE THE FONTS MIGHT NOT PICK UP CORRECTLY !!

[AiRdAncE]

Two questions:

• Can anyone supply me with a header file or map for the Falcon AF shared memory ?
• When I look at the DED in OF and have for instance the GPS menu, the degrees in my latitude and longitude are displayed as asterisks (*). Is that true to real life, or is it supposed to be the actual degree (?) symbol ?

[~Guardian?~]

Very nice AD.
Rob

[Ribbs]

Very nice work Kim!  Check email for header file.

Dave

[AiRdAncE]

I got it Dave !

Thanks It will make a couple of the interested people very happy  

AF support inbound, guys ! 

[AiRdAncE]

Update:

• I added a feature to automatically tune the application to try and use 5% of the processor. This ensures optimal refresh on the LCD screens, but is usually an acceptable load. If you want to alter it manually, you can.
• Made the program save it's settings so you don't need to tune everything every single time you run it. A feature almost every program has, but it has to be programmed
• Support for Falcon AF has almost been finished. OF support is already in there.
• Contrary to the first draft, the current version actually traps errors so you don't notice anything funny while enjoying your flight
• Added a tray icon - this app can now be hidden into the tray (next to the clock) so it doesn't bother you.
• Tomorrow I'm on the 2nd LCD coding... should be neat !

Oh, I still need to know whether the degree symbol should be an asterisk or the actual degree symbol. Somebody help !

[AiRdAncE]

Oh, I still need to know whether the degree symbol should be an asterisk or the actual degree symbol. Somebody help !

SOMEBODY ANSWER ME !!


(...please...?)

[LeoL]

ALRIGHT Alright! Stop shouting. 

WRT to the asterisk....

In cases where a star-like character is drawn to highlight a selection, one that can be edited for
example, the game places a 0x02 (hex two) value to represent that. In Falcon's weird fonts, that
appears to be the star-like glyph. Secondly, where you would ordinarily see the up/down arrow
thingy that indicates a value that can be changed with the rocker that has the up and down
arrows on it, you will see a 0x01 (hex one). Again in Falcon's font that means that particular
up/down arrow glyph.

What is the ASCII value of the degree symbol? I'll check in my font table but I'm pretty sure I subbed it for the star glyph (asterisk).

[AiRdAncE]

I checked; in de DED data where the degree symbol should appear (and is an asterisk in OF) it is presented as ASCII 42. Easily converted into an actual degree symbol, but I simply do not know whether that is how it is in real life... 

EDIT; I found this;


Since this is a product image from the company that produces these things I suppose it is accurate. I see a degree symbol, and not an asterisk. Can anyone agree on this ?

[Rayman]

Yep, you are correct Kim,

See the picture below:


Raymond

[AiRdAncE]

Raymond da man today !!

I'm fixing my font Thanks Ray ! 

[AiRdAncE]

Of course the font has been fixed by now.

I had some serious trouble driving two LCDs (I have the second G15 hooked up now, thanks for the beers). The way these work is that actually one application has to advertise itself twice into the Logitech driver. Without becoming too technical this meant I had to go real deep into the code to get this going.
I am aiming for an application that fixes all problems it might encounter and does all the necessary configuration changes programmatically. However, we might end up with a solution where you as a user have to do some minor adjustments yourself. Very doable though !

Whichever way this is going, I have the technology proven: the G15 (and Z10) can be used on one single machine to drive the DED and PFL (2 displays) together ! So, good news. Now it's just a matter of time until I get all the odd ends out of this app. Give me a couple of days and I'll have a functional solution !

[Jarrod66]

I have a dumb question...but I just started following on this project.  So, we need to have the Z10 speakers AND G15 or 2 ea. Z10 sets???

Later,
Jarrod

[heines]

hey AD,
great job on the DED and the PFL,
i don't need to have an DEd or PFL jet because i'm in the begin face of the pit.
but i buy you an beer when your finisht.

people like you are great to have arround here on the forum.

this compliment is for everybody that create something/ stuff to make pit building easier

greetz heines

[heines]

hey jarrod

i think it doesn't matter 2 X g15 or 2 X z10
or an combi.

This is the thing guys: a software solution which drives two Logitech displays (from the Logitech G15 keyboards and/or the Logitech Z10 speakers in any combination) to provide a working DED and PFL display solution.

Whichever way this is going, I have the technology proven: the G15 (and Z10) can be used on one single machine to drive the DED and PFL (2 displays) together ! So, good news. Now it's just a matter of time until I get all the odd ends out of this app. Give me a couple of days and I'll have a functional solution !

AD let me know if i'm wrong

greetz heines