Data Extraction

[AndyB]

Hi,
Does anyone know where the data for things like indicators, airspeed etc is spored during the game ? I'm trying to build a cockpit and would like to have real indicators/guages interfaced to the game.

I contacted Novalogic, but they were less than helpful.

Cheers,

Andy

[HUTCH SC95]

I contacted Novalogic, but they were less than helpful.




Why doesnt that surprise me !!!!!!!!!!!!!

but the best part Andy is that if it can be done , one of our experts here will be more that glad to pass on the info to you...

ok BTR, charger, doorway. lets jump on this one.............LOL

[AndyB]

Hey Hutch,



Thanks for the encouragement (more than Novalogic gave me!).



Here's my ideas so far.



PC running C4 has dual head graphics card. One head to a 12" LCD with back removed placed on an Overhead Projector wich will back project the visuals onto a plain white shower curtain stretched around the front and side quarter windows of the pit. Area where the instrument panel is projected will be blocked out by the real one in the pit.



Other head connected to a small monitor showing eactly the same picture. Two small cctv cameras pointing to each of the MFDs in the game. outputs from them to another two small (5") monitors built into the cockpit panel where they would be in the real thing.

I currently have the PC, 12" LCD and OHP and a couple of small cameras (one is colour). Also have a Suncom Talon for cyclic and a Suncom Hawk to use as the handle for the collective after modifications. Pedals I'll make myself (ex-aircraft engineer) from scratch.

I have some ex-aircraft instruments I've been given that could be modified and used. There is a site that sell small boards that connect to USB or printer port to control switches, lights and servos and I'm intending using them to make moving guages.

It all hinges on my being able to read memory locations while the game is running and use that data to drive them. Falcon 4 users have a wee program for this which uses shared memory.

Anyway, enough rambling, any help would be appreciated. I'll post pictures (or maybe put up a site) of my progress once I start building.

Cheers,

Andy

[Bluetiereign]

This is sorta waaay out of my league... I understand what you are trying to do.. and have even programmed robots - and I can see it being feasible. It sounds as if you are trying to build a small flight simulator. Great idea, but C4's arcade play will literally throw you from the room - or break your bones -depending on how strict you are with the algorithmic ratios. The G's and turning radius in the game are beyond even faintly realistic. Taking the readings (mem locs) and getting their output to be input for your servo motors is a load of work. I am surprised to see you go with a shower curtain for a screen - hopefully you'll put that on a rigid frame - with all the other work you are doing on it.

Umm.. as for Novalogic not helping... Nova doesn't even really support their current games, so you'll not find any help with C4. But I'm not being entirely fair to them. The 'readings' - or memory locations - for which you ask are kinda, sorta... well.. not something that everyone needs to know. If you can read them... you can write to them. And a Commanche that is doing 275 Knots... takes the advantage in a game. Am I being clear here ? :) No offense, but I can't just 'out and out' disclose those addresses. It is not just me - the community would pitch a fit. So, the long and short of this is.. if you can do what you are writing up there.. and are serious about it.. try checking out Chancellor's (http://www.ai-hq.com/xmb1/). They are more into the 'programming' end of Nova's games.

[nakulak]

Rather than servos, wouldn't it be easier to cheap and easily obtainable digital to analog converters ? You can use rs232 outputs, build pci boards to suit, or buy dig to analog output boards and just use standard gauges ? I did a quick search, and got a bunch of hits on sites like this that supply boards http://www.pcbased.com/product.aspx?product_id=94 (although this one wasn't ideal). Like blue said, the memory locations aren't public knowledgle, but are easily obtained. I suppose you would have to build a little software utility to run in the background , read the locations, and drive the dacs (without lagging down your computer)

sounds like a fun project. I hope you are planning on including explosive charges that detonate every time your copter gets hit by a stinger (lol)

good luck

[Bluetiereign]

Along those lines (http://www.aggsoft.com/). Never really worked with servos - outside of college classes - so I'm trying to understand what the servo reference is about. And after reading that again, I see no mention of actuators or any other lifts.. so maybe this is more along the lines of an elaborate gaming console.

[AndyB]

Ooops! Sorry Guys,


I've misled you. The sim isn't going to be a full motion one - purely static.

The servos are the small radio control type and would be used to move the pointer in a guage.

The shower curtain is because it is very thin and will stretch. Yes, it would be fitted over the front frame of the windshield.

Cheers,

Andy