OpusFSX Flight Simulator Interface

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Opus Software are pleased to announce the release of the OpusFSX Flight Simulator Interface for Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

The OpusFSX Flight Simulator Interface includes separate server and client programs for Microsoft Flight Simulator X which together support synchronized Live View multi-screen displays. The interface also includes in-built software drivers for the CPFlight MCP737PRO and EFISPRO panels.

Other features and drivers will be added shortly, including a driver interface for the PMDG 737NGX aircraft simulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live View Multi-Screen Display with CPFlight MCP and EFIS Panels

 

OpusFSX is fully compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, both 32 and 64-bit versions. OpusFSX does not require the Windows Server operating system to create or maintain the local area network links, and different operating systems may be utilized throughout the local area network.

OpusFSX uses both Microsoft's SimConnect and Pete Dowson's excellent FSUIPC4 SDK to interface with FSX. If you do not have Pete Dowson's FSUIPC4 program installed you can download a free copy from http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html. Although not essential, we strongly  recommend you register your copy of FSUIPC4 to make full use of its excellent facilities and features.

The unregistered version of the FSXSERVER program will operate in Demonstration Mode for 15 minutes allowing you to evaluate the software and ensure compatibility with your system.

System Requirements

In order to use OpusFSX the purchaser must have installed,

· Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit version) operating systems.

· Flight Simulator X with Service Pack 2 or Acceleration Expansion Pack

· Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0

· FSUIPC version 4

 

Please refer to the OpusFSX User Guide for further details.

 

Main Features

 

Live View

 

Live View is a standard feature within the OpusFSX Flight Simulator Interface for Microsoft's Flight Simulator X; this feature provides a multi-screen display option for Microsoft FSX by synchronizing multiple networked PCs running copies of the Microsoft FSX simulator.

Live View is ideally suited for home cockpit builders and general enthusiasts alike. The future Live Camera docking feature will simplify the Live View set up, allowing you to customize and automate the Live View displays on each of the client PCs.

 

 

Live View Multi-Screen Displays

 

The Live View multi-screen display feature allows Flight Simulator X to be synchronized across multiple networked computer systems. Live View can be used to create a variety of panoramic views or to simply provide additional fixed spot plane, fly-by, tower, or map views on separate 'client' computers.

 

· Live View synchronizes the aircraft's current position, attitude, flaps and gear configuration, simulator’s date/time, full Metar weather for the surrounding area, and all AI traffic (future upgrade).

· Live View employs multiple dedicated high-performance network links to provide the highest level of performance and the smoothest possible operation.

· Live View requires minimal set up and configuration to get up and running.

· Live View on the freeware version of OpusFSX will run for 15 minutes allowing the user to evaluate the software and ensure compatibility with their system.

 

Live View Weather Synchronization ...

 

The current version of the software supports synchronization of either Weather Themes or the surrounding area's Metar data.

 

Weather Themes

 

The use of weather themes is by far the most efficient and guarantees consistent weather and cloud formations across all systems. Weather themes do not require the transfer of Metar reports from the server to client systems, and are hence highly recommended.

 

To ensure correct synchronization, the desired weather theme for the flight must be selected in the FSXSERVER's Options Dialog, and not via the usual FSX Weather menu. The 'Enable Weather Theme' checkbox should also be checked within the Options Dialog.

 

FSXSERVER Options Dialog

 

The Options Dialog can be displayed by clicking on the 'Options' button on the FSXSERVER program's main form. You will need to set FSX to window mode (i.e. not full screen) in order to display the FSXSERVER form. The server and all client displays should pause whilst the dialog is active.

 

If at any time the weather or cloud formations differ on your client machines, possibly due to you manually pausing one or more of the simulators, then you simply display the Options menu on the FSXSERVER and click OK to reselect and reload (i.e. synchronize) the chosen weather theme across all systems.

 

This procedure may also be required after the client systems have connected unless of course you have prepared everything, including the weather theme, on the server before the connections are made.

 

Additional weather themes are provided by Opus Software Ltd, see our website for details. Alternatively, you can create your own weather themes using the Microsoft 'Weather Theme Creation Tool' for FS2004. With exception to the weather theme bitmap size, the FS2004 weather themes are fully compatible with FSX (the FS2004 bitmaps were all 280 x 332 pixels, whereas the FSX bitmaps are all 410 x 280 pixels in size).

 

You will find the setup program for the weather theme creation tool (weather_theme_sdk_setup.exe)  installed in the c:\OpusFSX\Themes folder.

 

Metar Report Synchronization

 

In the current version of software, if you opt to use Metar data (i.e. you disable the use of weather themes) you may notice gaps in the weather and cloud formations when flying over desolate areas, such as large seas or oceans, these gaps are due to voids within the Metar weather station coverage. These voids will be 'filled in' in an appropriate manner in a future release of the Live View software.

 

If you intend combining the view generated on your FSXSERVER machine with those generated on the FSXCLIENTs then we strongly recommend the use of weather themes; if not you should use a weather engine, such as our future 'Live Weather' feature when it is available. Use of a weather engine with Metar data will result in a more consistent weather and cloud formations on all the FSX systems, including the central FSXSERVER.

 

On the other hand, if you rely on the in-built FSX weather system, the cloud formations will most likely be different on the FSXSERVER's display. The weather and cloud formations on each of the FSXCLIENT systems will  all be consistent with each other, but the central FSXSERVER will most likely be different. This is because FSX does not adhere to its own Metar reports and morphs the weather to suite.

 

The client machines, on the other hand, will each be forced to adhere to the Metar weather and will therefore generate identical weather and cloud formations. This is why the use of a weather engine is recommended for Metar data, or better still use weather themes. Using a weather engine should force the FSXSERVER to adhere strictly to the Metar plan, and hence, stay in perfect sync with all the FSXCLIENTs. Assuming that is, there is adequate Metar coverage in the area you are flying. Whatever engine you use, the voids in the Metar coverage will still be evident on the client machines until the 'fill in' solution is made available.