Introducing Pilot's Deck, a StreamDeck Plugin

[SergeyPe]

18 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

I can have a look at the Logs, if something non-normal is visible there.

Sure, here they are: StreamDeck log, PilotsDeck log. 

18 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

- PMDG's Data Broadcast is not enabled

It is, and all the displays/ LEDs on the hardware devices based on MobiFlight platform are working fine. Besides, the values are not showing on the default AC's (like COM Radio button on the default Cessna).

22 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

- Wrong Syntax / Options for Offsets (incorrect Type/Length, BCD Decode not enabled)

Offsets tried as "6C14" and "0x6C14" with BCD Decode on and off; LVAR as "DOOR_annunFWD_ENTRY" as defined in PMDG 737 SDK.

27 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

- Used "as admin" for StreamDeck Software / Plugin (or maybe your Setup even requires running both as admin - there was once a Case)

The Stream Deck software is run "as admin". I'll try running the plugin as admin as well.

One additional thing that comes into my mind is that the name of my user account is written in Cyrillic letters. Not sure if it could be the reason...

[Fragtality]

1 hour ago, SergeyPe said:

Offsets tried as "6C14" and "0x6C14" with BCD Decode on and off; LVAR as "DOOR_annunFWD_ENTRY" as defined in PMDG 737 SDK.

The Log confirms my Guess: wrong Syntax. You have to at least provide the Offset-Length also. Depending on the Offset also the Type and signed/unsigned.
Check the Readme
Try to confirm if the L-Var really exists (there is a log lvars script in the Example Folder) - maybe they have a different Name than documented (had such discrepancies myself with QualityWings 787 for Example)?

 

1 hour ago, SergeyPe said:

The Stream Deck software is run "as admin". I'll try running the plugin as admin as well.

Maybe first try to run the StreamDeck software normally - it runs perfectly fine when installed and run as the normal User. Don't understand why you run it as admin.
If that also does not help, try running both as admin.

 

1 hour ago, SergeyPe said:

One additional thing that comes into my mind is that the name of my user account is written in Cyrillic letters. Not sure if it could be the reason...

I don't think that is the Reason - it seems the Plugin was installed fine since it is starting and connecting normally. And that are the only Occasions where the Path would be relevant.

[SergeyPe]

19 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

The Log confirms my Guess: wrong Syntax. You have to at least provide the Offset-Length also. Depending on the Offset also the Type and signed/unsigned.

Thanks a lot, I'll check that.

21 minutes ago, Fragtality said:

Try to confirm if the L-Var really exists (there is a log lvars script in the Example Folder) - maybe they have a different Name than documented (had such discrepancies myself with QualityWings 787 for Example)?

Will check it as well.

[SergeyPe]

Many thanks again! As usual, the RTFM rule works (if nothing else helps, Read The F...ng Manual😁). Adding the Offset Length did the trick.

Please keep up the great work that you are doing for the community!

[SergeyPe]

Hello Fragtality!

One more question. As I realized, only positive values of the variables from P3D offsets are displayed properly (I've tried Display Value and Display Gauge actions with Vertical Speed and Stab Trim Position offsets). When the value goes negative the display jumps to 65XXX- type values. Is there a workaround or maybe I'm missing something again? Should I provide the Log files?

[Fragtality]

https://github.com/Fragtality/PilotsDeck#offset  😉

[SergeyPe]

Oh yes! It's unsigned by default, so I should have defined the offset address as 0BC2:2:i:s... Thanks a lot!

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Versions 0.7.11:

• Installer: added Argument to disable MSFS Checks
• Installer: "Pump" Check improved ( #33 )
• Installer: Updated Dependencies to the latest available Versions
• Fix for Calculator L-Var Template not working with L-Vars ending on L
• Improved Calculator L-Var Template and Value Manipulator: An additional Reset Value can be configured. When the Variable is equal to the defined Limit it will be set to the Value of Reset
• Updated to StreamDeck SDK 6.1 (now the new Minimum)
• Updated Libraries

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Version 0.7.12 Released.

Installer:

• Improved: UI does not hang while doing the Installation Steps
• Added: Automatically installs/updates .NET 7 and MobiFlight WASM Module

 

Plugin:

• Improved: Continuous Input (e.g. turning an Encoder) does not block the Displays being updated
• Changed: Poll-Time decreased to 100ms (the Plugin will poll the Sim / update the Displays more often)
• Libraries Updated

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Plugin updated to Version 0.8.0

Major Plugin Overhaul - it is basically a new Plugin under the Hood!
Please make an Export/Backup of your Profiles your created with PilotsDeck! The Intention is that existing Profiles just continue to run (with a bit smaller Fonts), but it is better to be safe than sorry

 

Installer

• Improved UI
• Check & Installs all Requirements (either automatically or by starting the Setup for you)
• Check for the vJoy Driver now tests for the Brunner Version/Fork - which should work on both Win 10 & 11
• Ability to remove the Plugin (including all Customizations!)

New Profile Manager Application

• Enables easier Profile Installation in a few Clicks - extracts & copies the Files for you, assists with adding the Profiles to the StreamDeck, automatically removes old Profiles on Updates
• Own Package Format to distribute Profile Files, Images and (Plugin) Scripts as one File
• Allows much easier Profile Mapping to switch Profiles automatically depending on the Aircraft (or Sim)
• Profile Switching now only can switch back to specific Profiles when the Simulator exits
• These Profile Mappings will automatically be transferred to new Profiles on (Profile) Updates

Plugin

• Property Inspector is now tabbed to allow easier Navigation
• Option to add a Guard (Image & Command) to an Action (Guard Images can also use Image Mappings)
• Added Image Mapping to more Actions
• Top and Bottom Image for the Korry Action can independently enabled/disabled
• Most Actions can now be used on an SD+ Encoder (except Simple Button and Gauge Dual)
• B-Var Support added - per default handled as Command-only but can also be used as a Variable
• Added dedicated Command Type for K-Var (allows to define a Sequence)
• HVAR Command supports passing a Value to the H-Var
• New Calculator ("C:") Variable to read the Result of Calculator/RPN Code (read only)
• Added Internal (X:) Variable to share Data within the Plugin
• Added Copy and Paste Buttons to all Actions to share single Actions between Users (or to copy between a Keypad and Encoder)
• Added a new "Composite Action" that gives you much Freedom to design your own Action (Display and Command wise) - most Feature Requests should be now possible with that Action (and can even replace Actions that would only be possible with Lua Scripts)
• This new Action is configured through its own dedicated "Action Designer" UI (opened via the Property Inspector)
• The Script now has its own Engine to run Lua Scripts (does not need external Engines like FSUIPC or FlyWithLua anymore)
• The Functions of these Lua Scripts can be directly addressed as a Variable or Command - like all other Variable/Command Types
• Multiple Script Types available to be run on-demand (Variable, Command) or constantly when the Session runs
• The Scripts can read all Variables and send all Commands the Plugin supports
• FSUIPC7 is now only the secondary Connector for MSFS - it is possible to use it without FSUIPC7 installed if needed!
• Remote X-Plane Setups are now supported
• Images can now be stored in Sub-Directories to better Organisation of different Packs and easier Navigation
• Image Drawing overhauled - Images are now drawed on top of each other (i.e. on the Dynamic Button)
• Added an Icon in the System Tray / Notification Area to restart the Plugin or show the Developer UI
• The Developer UI offers Links to some Reference Source to look up Variables or Commands and to access the Plugin's Folders easier
• The Developer UI has also a Monitor View to look up the current Aircraft-String/-Path or the Plugin's State, Ressources & Statistics
• Changed vJoy Driver Library to the Brunner Fork
• Plugin Configuration is now persistent between Updates and allows much more Tweaking
• Removed Error Image (and Error State)
• Sim Connection, State Handling Variable Handling completely overhauled
• Moved to .NET 8 (LTS) and upped minimum OS to Window 10

[Fragtality]

*Version-Bump*

Plugin updated to Version 0.8.6

NOTE / IMPORTANT
A Backup of your Profiles is recommended!
This Update fixes the Font-Scaling Issues experienced by some Users after the 0.8.0 Release (especially when using a shared Profile from someone else). Due to the Nature of the Bug and to provide a clean Solution going forward, the Plugin will adjust the Font-Sizes to keep the same visual Size on the StreamDeck (once, when an Action appears for the first Time).
Or put differently: the Plugin tries it best so that your Actions look the same as before. Due to rounding there is Margin of Error of 0.5 - so that is the worst the Text will be "off" in (visual) Size 😉 The Recommendation to make a Backup is mainly to keep the Ability to go back to the previous Version, but the Update is intended as a simple "drop-in" as usual.

But there is a Caveat: The Conversion of an Action has to be done under the Windows Font-Scaling / DPI Setting it was created to lead to the correct / intended visual Result:

• If you're a Profile Author, you need to update/convert your Profiles on your PC and then distribute the Profiles as an Update to your Users (just navigate through all Pages/Folder of a Profile, export, distribute).
• If you're a Profile User, you need to ask the Author to provide an updated Profile. The Profiles I share will be updated shortly.

 

Installer

• Fixed using wrong .NET Runtime on new Installs / Updates
• Set FSUIPC 7.5.1 as Target Version
• Set StreamDeck SW 6.8.1 as Recommended Version

 

Plugin

• Fixed Font-Scaling affected by Windows' Text Scaling/DPI Setting
  • Render DPI is now fixed at 96 DPI (the pre-0.8.0 Default)
  • Font-Sizes will be automatically converted to keep the same visual Size
  • The Conversion uses the current Windows DPI, so it is only correct on the PC where an Action was designed
  • The Conversion is only applied once when an Action becomes visible for the first Time on the new Plugin Version
• Improved Session-Ready-Detection for 2024
  • Slightly, as the SDK allows - Asobo has no Interest in improving a Situation that exists since 2020 🤷‍♂️
• Added MSFS 2024 SDK Links to the Developer UI / QRH View
• Added Button in the Developer UI to open the Profile Manager from there
• Manifest Version corrected
• Updated SDK / Libraries

 

Profile Manager

• Fixed Links not working for Profiles with Spaces in the Filename (Package Installation)

[damoncmor]

I have setup up a button assignment in FSUIPC (FSUIPC sees the joystick and I bind the button to a preset). Previously I have setup two vjoysticks. Using the latest pilotdeck plugin I have created a simple Stream deck button which uses the AllSims: vjoy driver. in the command address I use the joystick number (as assigned by vjoy feeder:1) and button number separated by a colon. I press the button in the steamdeck and nothing happens (the deck shows the yellow triangle). In the vjoy feeder app i can press the button and MSFS responds correctly. What am i doing wrong? 

[damoncmor]

I should add that in FSUIPC the joystick# is shown as E

 

[damoncmor]

Just noticed that this is the wrong forum will repost correctly. Apologies

[Fragtality]

New Version for the Plugin (only): v0.8.8

- Plugin
  - Version Reporting: The Version now also includes its Buildtime to help differentiating between Development-Builds
  - Rewrite of the MSFS Connector: Almost everything is now done natively through SimConnect, the MobiFlight Module is now only required for Calculator Code!
  - KVAR Command Syntax Change: KVAR Commands can be either a Sequence with each KVAR having exactly one (!) required Parameter -OR- can be exactly one KVAR with 0 to 5 Parameters!
  - KVAR as Variable: K-Vars or SimEvents can be used as Variable. The initial Value will always be 0 and only change if the Event is ever received (and only reflects the first Index)
  - Support for FSUIPC Byte Arrays: The Offset Variable now Supports reading a whole Offset Range as Byte Array (Contributed by ngreatorex) - e.g. reading the whole PMDG CDU Offset Range at once. Note that they are only intended to be used in Lua Scripts!
  - The AVAR Variable Syntax now also supports the Prefixes 'E:' and 'L:' to read Environment and Local Variables (aka L-Vars)
  - Lua Scripts: the 'SimCommand' Function does not support vJoy Commands anymore. Use the new dedicated 'JoystickCommand' Function which allows sending separate down/up Commands.
  - Fixed: B-Var Commands not working after switching a Session
  - FSUIPC Connector (FSX/P3D/MSFS) now allows Commands to be sent when the Simulator is paused
  - MSFS Connector now allows Commands to be sent when the Simulator is paused
  - XP Connector now allows Commands to be sent when the Simulator is paused
  - Visual Overhaul of the Action Designer UI: Elements and Commands now have separate & collapsable Trees and their Appearance was overhauled
  - Action Designer UI: Copy & Paste now also supports a whole List of Items - i.e. Copying all Manipulators from one Element to another.
  - Action Designer UI: Added Increment/Decrement Buttons for some Text Fields
  - Gauge Element (Composite Action): A Range of Markers is now saved as such and the whole Ranged can be edited/changed at once (only for new Marker Ranges). The Syntax for a Marker Range is now '$start:end:step'.
  - Added an "REST-ish" API to the Plugin to get/set Variables and even send Commands (only understands GET, zero JSON, everything encoded in the URL ). This is mainly intended for Testing and other Edge-Cases, it is not intended as a Replacement for Middleware as FSUIPC or SPAD!
  - Added Support for X-Plane's WebAPI (12.1.4+) - disabled by default due to an open XP Bug (XPD-16752) 😕
  - X-Plane Commands now have an "Command Once" Option (enabled by default) to configure if a Command is send as one Command or different active/release Commands (only relevant when WebAPI is enabled)
  - The Version Check now also reports if a new Development Build is available
  - Logging for Errors/Exceptions in Lua-Scripts is bit more detailed now
  - Updated Libraries / Dependencies
  - Fixed Event Log Error on Shutdown
- Profile Manager
  - Improved Checking if a Profile was installed during Package Installation. All Profiles in a Package must be either installed or ignored for the Installation to continue!
  - Now offers to start the StreamDeck Software again if it was closed by the Profile Mapping View
  - New 'Create Package' View to assist with creating & updating Packages for Distribution
- Installer
  - Rewrite of the Installer to have a shared Code-Base across all Tools
  - The Installer now shows the current installed Versions (on future Installs / Updates)
  - The Installer now offers Options for Install & Update (i.e. if FSUIPC7 is used as secondary Connector or if the vJoy-Driver should be checked)
  - Improved Logging for the Installer