Launch an aircraft and select "Configuration" item from the SimVimX menu (opens the main config window).
Before opening the main configuration window, if the given aircraft does not yet have a configuration in SimVimX v.3, the plugin will first display a selection window where you can choose to convert the configuration from the old data.cfg file (from version 2.xx) or continue setting up I/O hardware and data from scratch for the loaded aircraft.
CONVERT THE OLD VERSION CONFIGURATION
Before selecting this option, make sure the plugin folder contains the old SimVimX v.2 configuration file (data.cfg), then click the button (it will do nothing if the data.cfg file is missing). The plugin will use the data from this file to create an aircraft configuration for the new version 3.**
**If you have an old file for this aircraft named differently (something like "Your Plane v1.cfg"), rename it to data.cfg and place in the SimVimX plugin folder.
a) If this is the first aircraft for which you are going to create configuration in SimVimX v.3, the entire configuration from the old data.cfg file will be converted and saved, including all hardware setup and input/output assignments for the aircraft itself in the form of commands, datarefs, and all necessary parameters.
b) If you already have configured I/O hardware for at least one aircraft in SimVimX v.3, only the corresponding devices from the data.cfg file or those that match the available free pins will be used for the loaded plane.
CONTINUE TO START FRESH CONFIGURATION
When you select this option and this is the first aircraft for which you are going to create configuration in SimVimX v.3, you must physically connect the required I/O devices to the master board and also "connect" the corresponding devices in the SimVimX configuration window (in I/O Hardware Mode). These connections can be made in any order (physically or in the interface), and you can gradually add or disconnect different devices as needed or for testing.
Every device can be then configured for the plane model using predefined mappings, standard or custom datarefs and commands for this plane (in Data Entry Mode).
If you already have configured I/O hardware for at least one aircraft in SimVimX v.3, the configuration window will opens with all I/O devices connected to the master board (but not assigned!) and you can start assign that devices for this plane model using predefined mappings, standard or custom datarefs and commands for this plane (in Data Entry Mode).
Since the I/O device set is fixed for a single Mega2560 master board, you get the same I/O hardware configuration for any aircraft model you load.
However, the data configuration is specific to each aircraft you load, and you can create new configuration for each aircraft you launch for the first time based on the same hardware mapping.
The master board may have different equipment connected to it, with some of it used only by certain aircraft models. Only those I/O hardware devices will be working that are assigned for the currently loaded airсraft.
CANCEL, NO CONFIG
Selecting this option will not include the loaded aircraft model in the SimVimX configuration list. You can do this later.The main configuration window consists of three sections: 1) I/O Hardware, 2) Devices/Data Entry, and 3) Lists of predefined, standard, or custom functions for assignment. Two buttons located at the top of the window are used to switch between hardware assignment and data entry mode.
Left section always shows the master board with all I/O devices connected to it - input and output extensions, LED drivers, displays and slave boards
In the I/O HARDWARE MODE, all available devices are displayed in the central area. Simply select the desired device and click the pin (direct or extended I/O) available for that device on the master board, slave board or input (output) extension.
When you select any assigned device in DATA ENTRY MODE, this section displays the data entry fields and parameters available for that I/O device type.
1. The easiest way is to use the data from the section on the right, where you can select a variety of complex predefined functions and assign data to a device with a single click on the image maps. There are also maps with predefined functions for standard and some popular aircraft (e.g., B738Zibo, A321 Tollis, B757 FF, and others).
2. You can also fill the command/dataref fields selecting standard or custom datarefs/commands from the tables in the right section, and manually add required values, conditions.
3. Finally, you can completely populate the data fields manually using any datarefs/commands with options.
