One of the biggest decisions that has to be made when planning out your sim is  
 the monitor configuration and the layout. One of the things we have been
seeing is that compromises have to be made. In a real B777 or A320 you typically have
excact sized displays, for us builders we are typically using 17 or 19 inch CRT type
monitors and that changes things alot.
Lets take a look at a few of the preliminary things involved.


 Here is the standard A320 MIP layout. We currently make these in the new "3D NOVA"
format. This allows  for the Display overhang shapes and other items that help
to better represent the real aircraft. With regards to monitor sizing, the 320
builders can use 17" monitors with a minimum of 12.75" viewable width.  In order to achieve
this we had to slightly scale down the displays and move them closer together. The above
picture shows actual scale representation. For the middle ECAM section it
can get very tight. We designed the ECAM display openings to accomodate one
17" monitor tilted on its side (or a single 15" doing the top ECAM display only). 
While we are able to cover top and bottom displays we 
run into trouble with the Standby guages. Same holds true for the Landing Gear setup.
This is also very tight and in some cases we can shift it slightly to make room. I find alot of 
builders get very focused on teh Standby gauges and often ( In my opinion) jump through
unneccessary "hoops" in order to get these functional. In the FTDs that we manufacture
at my office the most expensive ones don't have functional Standbys. Its pure eye candy.
Try to prioritize the requirements you have in this area. I have spent numerous hours shifting
and adjusting custom MIP setups for builders and by the time I am done compromises
had to be made. Be prepared for that. We all don't have the luxury of 8" LCD Displays
to maintain pure scale!

When looking at the B777 for a project here is a sample fo how things should appear if
following true scale:

The B777 setup has much larger display area and will require a minimum of 14+ inches 
of viewable width. Most 19" monitors fall into this range.  Issues do pop up with
regards to the center EICAS display though. Typically a 17" in the middle
can cover you for the Standbys and the EICAS itself. Landing Gear assemblies
will often times be shifted to the right a slight bit.



Above you can see the B737NG MIP section. This setup is virtually the same as the B777.
19" monitors are required to get even close to scale. Some of the other challenges can be 
seen above the PFD/ND/EICAS displays with the numerous small panels. these panels require
switches and selector knobs. Keep in mind that right behind the MIP is the monitor! Again, 
compromises have to be made.

Part of this tutorial is for those of you planning your flightdecks and now looking at monitor
configurations.. the other motive is for the other builders that "Aim too high..." Its a tough thing
but getting a decent Sim built will require many steps. .Planning and accepting the realities
that exist in hardware and software will get you there alot faster.  Feel free to email if you have 
questions on configurations.  PC  

(The above illustrations were drawn by myself and are not for duplication or use in any manner,
please respect my rights)