SimVimX

- A new, more consistent system for all parameters related to brightness control (lighting/displays) is being implemented. These dedicated parameters will be working with custom planes (with proper conversion) and at the same time can be used for hardware lighting and SimVimPanel lighting. Added support for this parameter structure to the plugin.

Currently all brightness functions are available in the B737 conversion. Over time, these new functions will be added to more built-in conversions, and a convenient assignment interface for them added to the online converter. SimVimPanel will also be gradually improved to support these multiple brightness controls.

- Improved the "Starter_Return" function for better compatibility with some aircraft models (also tested in XP12).

- Improved the plugin's handling of some input keywords (where built-in SimVimX functions are run simultaneously with converted functions for custom models).

- Fixed an oversight in input processing for analog inputs preventing them from working correctly with some of the complex SimVimX functions.

I have added an experimental plugin version built for Apple Silicon (aarch64-macos) architecture to the downloads page, which means the plugin can now be used with X-Plane 12 on this OS without running in compatibility mode.

The download archive only contains the plugin file, and still requires all the extra files from the main download, meaning you should just copy it on top of the existing SimVimX installation and replace the "mac.xpl" plugin file.

This experimental plugin currently only lacks the ability to check for plugin and database updates online, but other than that, should be fully functional.

SimVimPanel core program has been updated. The main changes include fixing a bug in the subroutine for ADF KR87 (used in Baron 58 co-pilot side), which caused the program to crash when avionics had no power, and the addition of new functions for the upcoming new annunciator panel modules for different King Air variants.

At the same time, I am continuing to work on the new functions and graphics for the future B737 and Dash 8 panels. The program will require more updates before these are available.

Download the new version here.

New in this version:

- Better handling of converted parameters based on X-Plane version (built-in conversions can now use different datarefs for XP11/XP12).

- A minor fix for conflicting display flags (caused the minus sign to disappear from the display when using the "no avionics" option).

Both SimVimX plugin and SimVimPanel have been updated.

The new features include custom MDA/MDH functions, EFIS map waypoints, and multiple improvements to different panel gauges.

You can read more about the update here.

Best regards, and thank you for your support!

- Roman

This update adds support for a feature that allows specifying default minimal activation value threshold for all LEDs, to account for a trend for heavily varying LED brightness values in some X-Plane 12 models (this caused the physical LEDs to not light up when certain X-Plane 12 models were loaded, because their relevant dataref values were too low). The updated database file uses this feature for the affected models, fixing the issue.

The new RealSimControl configurator has now been made available to all users after a period of closed testing for subscribers, and has fully replaced the old configurator. The new config tool was further refined and some bugs were fixed during the testing period.

Logging in to your account on RSC website will grant you access to saving your configuration on the server and automatically loading it the next time you use the configurator, as well as access to conversion features.

The new plugin version is now available for download. Most of the changes in it are directly related to the new configuration tool, which will soon become available to subscribers, and will fully replace the previous configurator version after a while.

General changes:

- FMS_Ctrl_Side switch now also works for manually assigned FMS buttons, not just for the predefined matrix.

- Fix for a particular case of LED blinking options (when options for both the number of blinks and blink timing were set).

Configuration changes (require the new configurator):

- Electric bus option for stepper and servo gauges was moved from the [Devices] section to the parameter line to eliminate redundancy.

- Selector conditions were moved from the [Devices] section to the parameter options, and provide more flexible parameter switching.

- Added the ability to configure some parameter lines only for selected aircraft models (so you can use different parameters for the same input in different aircraft models, without the need to keep a copy of the whole configuration).

- Ability to configure the brightness of 7-segment displays without the need to select a particular brightness area number for them (useful if you just want to set a particular fixed brightness for the display, without an input to control it).

The updates have been a bit sparse lately, as there are no pressing issues to fix, and we are instead focusing on taking a look at the configuration format and user interface to figure out some ways to improve them.

Vlad is currently doing on a major rework of the RSC Configurator, making a more streamlined user interface and optimizing many of the assignment functions. Some of the changes done to the plugin in the meantime may be tied to the possible changes in the configuration format, so quick updates are being held for now in favor of carefully considering all the changes that can still be made for a better user experience.

For now, the main changes already included in the upcoming plugin version that are not related to the configuration format are the following:

- FMS_Ctrl_Side switch now also works for manually assigned FMS buttons, not just for the predefined matrix.

- Fix for a particular case of LED blinking options.

Any other additions are still subject to change.