Hiya guysI know FreeFD has disappeared a while ago offically, whih is a great shame, its a cracking program!.Anyhow, I have a few versions, an early early one (0.61) and a later one v 1.xAnyyyway, the PFD and the ND work great, fantastic! I have a few problems however with the EICAS :(On my instrument PCs, the PFD and the ND both run at 20+ fps, however the EICAS program struggles to ever get above 2fps :(.I blame this on it being a buggy ealry version 0.61. So I tried to get the later EICAS program working, but it just crashes on launch :(Has anyone got a working (decent speed) FreeFD EICAS version? I'm desperate!If not FreeFD, anyone know of any free EICAS programs? Ive looked at the OpenCockpits ones on their site, but they are 737 based, and my sim is 747 (4 engined!) FreeFD supports 4 engines you see!Any help appreciated!

What is your hardware setup?

The PC is a Pentium 2 400 if I recall correctly. 320mb RAM, windows XP etc.The FreeFD PFD and ND can run simulataniously on it with both above 30fps, spot on. But open the EICAS (even on its own) and it drops to 2fps - unuseable :(.I'm sure its just a buggy software version I have? Anyone have a good copy of FreeFD EICAS? or, any other 4 engined EICAS program?Thanks

This sounds like not enough cpu power. I run them on an AMD 800 mhz cpu. When I add the EICAS on my second video card (pci, very low end) the fps goes down to the bit bucket. Open up task manager with just the first two running and then note the cpu %, then start up eicas and note the cpu usage. When I do this, my cpu runs around 40%, but when I add eicas it goes to 100%. BTW my exe's are from January through June 2004.Are you running all these on one video card or two?

Doh! Sounds like the same as mine!I tried to run 2 PCI cards, but it didnt work, so its running a dual head graphics card, I forget the type now, was "ace" back in the day, runs 2 monitors great.EICAS runs fine on the sim PC (AMD XP2000), but I dont have any more high spec PCs, just lots of 400-500mhz ones (for instrument PCs, instructor stations etc).Any other suggestions mate? Why would EICAS be so CPU hungry, i'd have thought the PFD would want the most resources!Opencockpits have some great 737 software, but no good for my 4 engined sim.

>Doh! Sounds like the same as mine!>>I tried to run 2 PCI cards, but it didnt work, so its running>a dual head graphics card, I forget the type now, was "ace">back in the day, runs 2 monitors great.>>EICAS runs fine on the sim PC (AMD XP2000), but I dont have>any more high spec PCs, just lots of 400-500mhz ones (for>instrument PCs, instructor stations etc).>>Any other suggestions mate? Why would EICAS be so CPU hungry,>i'd have thought the PFD would want the most resources!>>Opencockpits have some great 737 software, but no good for my>4 engined sim.This is the same problem as with multiple 3D views - one pc can accelerate only one screen at a time. Some dualhead videocards have this "stretched screen" mode that spans accross two monitors that look like one screen to the computer itself. This might be a solution.//Tuomas

Thanks! Your correct I think, however I noticed the EICAS even run on its own on the primary screen (ie, not using dual head mode) runs slow :(It's a shame Project Magenta is so cost-prohibitive, we are an Air Cadet Squadron, building a fullsize cockpit to train cadets on, as you can imagine, our funds are very little! Were looking at about

Two new pointers:http://www.opengc.org/ - free software project. Doesnt seem too active at the moment, but well, all it needs is some active contributors to get it going again :)http://reality-xp.com/products/JL4/index.htm - reasonably priced gauges - those do not use 3D at all. Combine these with the reality-xp GNS530+430 pro combo and you get a pretty neat avionics simulation.. Or check out the JetLine2 for smaller EICAS/EHSI setup.For engine instruments there should be quite a few gauges available, and it is not THAT impossible to do custom XML gauges even.//Tuomas

Thanks mate!Nothing 4 engine though. Does anyone have any ideas for how you can control the PFD/ND gauges through cockpit switches?. Similar to how you can control Project Magenta via FSUIPC offsets. I'd imagine it'd just have to be switches wired to a keyboard emulator?Just be nice to be able to change the ND modes, ranges, TCAS on/off etc...

What interface system are you using, going to use?I am using OpenCockpits IOCards and SIOC. I have just started wiring up my MCP at the moment but the EFIS panel will be next. I believe I should be able to use IOCards to make a switch send a keypres to the active window. I intend to use the autostart facility of WideFS to make sure that FreeFD ND is the last thing started on that computer so it should be the active, have focus, window then the switchs should send keypresses via SIOC or IOCards controller to the active window, FreeFD ND. This is theory at the moment but IOCards have done everything they claim so far so I see no reason for it to fail when I try it. I am sure some of the more sageious builders on here could confirm or deny this for you.They also sell a stand alone USB keyboard card that would do the job at a very reasonable price but you would not be able to link LEDs to the keypresses as you would with switch events on their Mastercard.Hope this might me of some use to you.Simon Webbaka The Porcupinewww.desktopflying.co.uk, not updated for far too long!Very slowely putting together a generic(ish) twin desktop unit.

I just wired up a switch and checked out my theory, and I was not disapointed,(it would have been a first for something from OpenCockpits) It worked using IOCards and SIOC. Now I know I will be able to utilise most of the efis features with FreeFD.As for your other problem with frame rates on the eicas screen, Mine seems to run at good frame rates, 15fps+. I have version 0.69. It would appear this is the most intensive of the lot because I get 30+ on the PFD and NDThe Porcupineaka Simon Webbwww.desktopflying.co.ukVery slowely putting together a generic twin desktop unit.

Excellent news!I'll no doubt be asking questions shortly! ;) Should be simple enough, IOCards as you say, says it can work, should be easy to then get a switch or two to change things such as FreeFD NDs range, Arc/Rose, TCAS on/off etc! Fantastic!I have been busy learning about IOCards Relays card, think I'll be picking one of these up shortly for my throttles (5 analog inputs), and also to switch on/off the CRT Monitors that are my PFD/ND/EICAS in my cockpit! (Ie, when an aircraft generator is running, and AC power is present, turn the CRTs on!)Would it be possible to send me a copy of EICAS 0.69? Mines 0.61! My email address is [email protected] thanks!

>Would it be possible to send me a copy of EICAS 0.69? Mines>0.61! Hi Phil, sorry be be a party pooper but made a mistake, mine is also version 0.61 not 0.69. Sorry to get your hopes up.Using SIOC and OpenCockpits cards I can now use all the functions on the FreeFD ND with a temp EFIS panel I have made. Map/Rose, +/- range, rings TCAS etc so you will have no problems there. As for your EICAS problem may you would be better off re-arranging the default MS-747 guages as described her: http://www.simseatsystems.co.uk/efis.htmespecially as you are on a tight budget. Should work although I have not tried it. Use FreeFD for PFD and ND on a second computer, and a second monitor attatched to a second video card in your main FS computer for the EICAS using the method described on the link above. Frame rates should remain high because this method would not any cpu intensive 3d on the second monitor.Hope this is of some use to you. Where are you and your ATC based?Simon Webbaka The Porcupinewww.desktopflying.co.uk (very much in need of an update)Very slowely putting together a generic(ish) twin desktop unit.

Thanks Simon!Planning to try a few things to speed the EFIS up a bit (trying a few more PCs, then will try the 2nd gfx card on my main pc).With the FreeFD ND and Opencockpits, Im assuming you'd have to have IOCards running from the PC that is running the ND (dont imagine it can "sendkeys" accross a network?)Were in the Bristol/Gloucester area mate.Phil

>Hiya guys>>I know FreeFD has disappeared a while ago offically, whih is a>great shame, its a cracking program!.>>Anyhow, I have a few versions, an early early one (0.61) and a>later one v 1.x>Bit of a cheek I know but any chance of sending me a copy of these? I have been looking for a copy of this program for ages - its a real shame that it is no longer maintained.I would really appreciate it if you can send it to:tim at cockpit dot org dot ukCheersTim Gildersleevehttp://737.cockpit.org.uk