Alrighty boys and girls, it's been a while, but iControl DCS 3.0 is finally released (May take a while to propagate to all App Stores) along with a new server version.

A-10 Virtual Cockpit Free
A-10 VC Free is a limited functionality, ad supported version of its big brother iControl DCS. It is completely free. It has the combo MFCD, UFC, ILS, TACAN, Caution Warning, and a few other controls.

It's a great way to give the application a try so you can see how well the MFCD export performs for you. You get all the server benefits of the paid version, screen setup, easy script install, etc.

So tell all your friends that are on the fence that they can try it now!

Changes for iControl DCS

• New icon
• Significant increase in MFCD frame rates in the combo view
• Double tap to zoom in and out of MFCDs
• Improvements in connection handling, disconnects, etc.
• New controls:
  • Throttle control via "Control Surfaces" button - this feature is experimental and may be removed in future versions.
  • Flaps
  • Coolie Hat on zoomed MFCD
  • Slew on zoomed MFCD
• Many performance enhancements
• Minor bug fixes

Changes for A-10 VC Server (Works with both A-10 VC Free and iControl DCS)

• Installer! No more unzipping!
• New name, new icon
• One application. Works with both A10VC Free and iControl DCS
• Native versions for x86 and x64
• Complete re-design of MFCD/CDU capture, faster and less PC resource intensive
• Ability to limit the frame rate captured
• Sim connection status
• Aero toggle - automatically disable Aero when the server starts
• Better detection of invalid configurations and guidance on resolving issues
• Improved debug logging
• Bug fixes and performance enhancements
• Requires Windows Vista or higher. Windows XP is not supported.

Check out the website at http://www.bit-shift.com for more information on iControl DCS, A10 Virtual Cockpit Free, and A10 Virtual Cockpit Server.

Thanks to everyone who's supported this project so far and for all the positive feedback. This is a great community and I'm not done yet... there's more coming in the next few months so stay tuned to twitter and the forums!

Sweet! Looking forward in trying out the throttles. Thank you!

Thanks for the update - looking forward to some other items coming our way (misison briefing/planning?)

Boy, I guess that's mean I'd have to spend some time actually playing the sim wouldn't it? lol

I'm definitely open to suggestions on what more people want to see!

Very good sir! I see you've taken my suggestion to heart. Can't wait to try it, thanks!

Okay, tried it, now how do I get my pre-iControl display setup back? Even with iControl off, my screen is now what iControl set it up as.

You should be able to select your previous display setup from within the settings screen of A-10.

Keep in mind that if you do that, you need to make sure the MFCDs get exported in *exactly* the same place as they did with the server display configuration. It's best if you just use the server to configure your display in order to keep everything in sync. ED didn't exactly make this easy

Got it sorted now thanks! I'm not bothered about MFD exports as I've got my own setup sorted and I have the TM MFDs so it's easier for me that way. The UFC and caution panel is very useful though.

In the full version (or free version), can the user make his own layout? ie, swap the TCN and ILS panels with the radio panels, put some more buttons in, maybe be able to swipe down and get the Lights panel?

No, there is currently no way to do that.

LOL mate I'm only just getting back into it myself. I'll drop you a email, I have a couple of ideas (wish I was a developer as I could be more of a help than "hey, here's a idea can you please make it happen").

How hard is it to make a layout? Any chance of a user interface to make one in the future?

Also, I see the Free version only shows 2 screens (UFC, caution panel, etc, and MFD screen), does the Full version have more? Any chance of screenshots of them?

Not any time soon.



Basically everything available can be seen in the screenshots on the app store http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icontrol-dcs/id435409019
It has quite a bit more, including zoomed MFCDs and the UFC is on the same panel as the combo MFCD to make entering data easier.

I was a fence sitter and like the free version but...

My MFCDs are displaying the top left monitor space and the space directly below this on the LEFT but I am not getting static MFCD info in these locations on my monitor - what am I doing wrong? I am using the virtual server profile in A-10C and just have black screen space where iControl is looking for the MFCDs.

Another question - can I get iControl to draw the static MFCDs from my second monitor? How do I change the screen location that iControl in displaying in the MFCDs?

i have looked for these answers and apologize if they have been addressed before - I couldn't find them.

Thanks!

Mars

Take a look at http://bit-shift.com/a10vcserver/index.html#displayconfig for help on how to configure the display.

Thanks Boarder2 -

I guess I should read the instructions before posting here...

You offer great service for your product -

THANK YOU,

Mars

Still having trouble...

I have configured my .lua and my ipad is now seeing the upper left and upper right corners of my screen but...

A-10C is not displaying the static MFCDs on the screen! I have unchecked the "full screen" radio button in the game but I still do not get the static displays...

what could I be doing wrong?

Thanks,

Mars

Let's take this to email, I've sent you a PM.

Thanks Boarder2 - great product service!

I understand that this is my failing and NOT your iControl software - a complete noob here!

Marshall

PS - I quit A-10C and restarted and the MFCDs showed up...

Tried the free version and it worked like a charm. I had to set up a virtual monitor, but the display configuration tool us absolutely brilliant!

I will be buy the full version today.

Black Shark version soon???

Thanks,

Man, anyone know if there's a chance this will eventually be made into an Android app? I would rather purchase an Android tablet, as they're a bit cheaper than iPad. Someday, I'll get an iPad, probably when Sprint starts carrying them, so I don't have multiple cell accounts.

Matt

Is on the list of things to do. But it's pretty low right now. A lot of factors play into that decision, but first and foremost is the number of devices and tens if not hundreds of different hardware configurations. Second being the API and developer tools. The android SDK, IDEs, and emulators are in a very very distant third place compared to Microsoft and Apples mobile offerings.

You can blame Google for all of this

LOL, more technical than I understand, but sort of get it..

Was reading an interesting article today anyway about when iPad III arrives in a few months, they will drop the iPad II price, to make them more price comparable to the Android and Windows tablets, so perhaps I will get an iPad afterall.

Looking forward to many other apps that work with FSX and sims such as this. Gotta love modern technology....

Thanks for the quick reply

Matt

I'm curious if anyone would be interested in a Windows Phone version...

No guarantees, just a thought. I really like my windows phone much more than android and slightly more than iOS and I've got a ton of experience developing for Microsoft platforms.

Something that is not exactly clear in the FAQ or in the display setup. Can the app be running in portrait mode? That would be a better fit for my pit.

Landscape is currently the only supported orientation. Portrait CDU may happen in the future, though!

Does this work on an iPod Touch?

Currently one of the biggest limitation of this program is not being able to make your own custom layouts, unlike Helios.

Biggest limitation of Helios is that it doesn't work with iPad.

Go figure.

Can you use Helios with a second NON touch screen monitor and operate it with the mouse? I have second monitor I have for PDFs etc and would be good to have some of those left and right console panels on there too. Possible?

No idea, sorry. I used Helios to display cockpit instruments on a networked laptop, so having only the instruments I needed and a few switches was cool.

So it will work on a non-touch screen?

Yes it will, but if your mouse will work on it, ie your mouse will go from the first (main) screen to the second screen, no idea. Best to ask in the Helios boards.

I've been playing with it and mocked up the dials and UFC and it will allow me to click but I don't know how to make the dials and everything work yet (is it hard?) but it's looking like a goer!

Nice going to try this out tonight.

Here's a peak at what's coming in the next version!

http://twitpic.com/8davf6

Right now it only works on the iPad. Given the likelyhood that Apple is going to release a much higher resolution iPad in the near future, I will probably be recreating all the graphical assets. If that happens, I'll be in a much better position to start looking at supporting other devices with different resolutions... Like iPod touches and iPhones.

Would be awesome for an iPhone thanks for looking into the possibility! I'd love to be able to switch thru a handful of panels on my phone. I'd love to do that with an iPad too but its still out of my price range.

If anyone has thoughts on what kind of panel layout would work on a phone, I'm open to suggestions!

The problem I have right now is there's just not enough room on the small display of an iPhone to create something with more than 6-8 buttons at once that you'd be able to use with any kind of precision while trying to fly at the same time. At least that's how it feels to me.

I agree. That said, I can see an iPhone being a great accessory to the iPad using your server application for DCS.

-Perhaps the iPhone could display/command the in-game com's menu (what you see when you press "\")? I could see placing it right under my center monitor,allowing me to see subtitled comm's come in, perhaps without needing to display the subtitles on the main screen.

-It also could make a nice home for a warning lights panel.

-For those users not fortunate enough to have a dedicated hotas, using the iphone screen to display the Throttle/Stick buttons (needed for manipulating many of the advanced features) might be handy)

-Perhaps add a sim control "panel" -that is to say a panel that controls simulator functions like time warp and camera views could work?

::shrugs:: just some thoughts

I completely agree and would love to do that! I investigated it a while ago and here doesn't seem to be any way to access the radio comms menu via scripting. Such a shame because it really would be a hell of a lot easier than having to reach for F keys.

If anyone knows of a way to access the comms via lua, I'm all ears!

Boarder, thanks for this fantastic app. I have a few questions.

Although I haven't purchased it yet, as I have no iPad, I have decided to take the plunge, sort of. I am debating between the upcoming Galaxy 10.1 due this month and the iPad or even an iPad2. I prefer to stick with Android but really want this app and was curious if you have made a commitment on importing it to Android and if so, what might the ETA be?

Lastly, since I own a Warthog, can some of the pages be disabled or edited, since they are redundant with many of the features built into the Warthog, such as the autopilot, flaps, safeties, etc.

Thanks and again, really liking what I've seen so far.

It's low on the list of things to do. I have started, but I have no ETA at all. I wouldn't hold my breath


No, the layouts are not editable. I have a HOTAS Warthog as well and the redundant things don't seem to get in the way for me.

Thanks for the quick reply. I am personally leaning toward the iPad2 and there's a lot more apps for Apple versus Android.

Matt

Retina update is moving along nicely, here's a screenshot to tide you over!

Today I posted v4.1 of A-10VC Server to the website.

It fixes a major error in the script installation procedure and everyone should upgrade if you're using 4.0

Progress on the retina update for the iPad client is coming along and should be submitted to Apple in the next week or two.

Shortly after the retina update, I may have a surprise for a few people who've messaged me some requests about the CDU. Keep an eye out for that!

You can grab the update from http://bit.ly/N9aF59

Looking forward to this (Retina update!)..

Alright folks, here's a beta release of A-10 VC Server for DCS World

http://bit.ly/N9aF59

It will NOT work with the standalone version of A-10C.

Let me know how it works for everyone!

Another update (busy day today) - I just submitted iControl DCS v4.0 to Apple for review. It'll have a complete graphics overhaul with native retina support for the new iPad. A portrait CDU option. Full controls for a cold startup, and more.

Hopefully it gets approved and released before I leave to head to Wisconsin for Airventure and family visitation in 10 days!

No vacations allowed!

Airventure is fun. Every time I've gone I've ended up with sunburn under my chin and a sore neck from looking up.

Tip for those with single monitors...picked up from DCS Forums (thanks sebro83)

I can verify that for perhaps owners of some cards (NVidia) this is a valid way to go about extended your desktop even if you don't have a second physical monitor. I spent an hour the other night and finally figured out the proper settings.

I simply forced an 800 x 600 display via my display setup even though there really wasn't one there. Then I extended my desktop to that non-existent display. Opened up A-10 VC Server and slid the 300 x 300 displays over off the right side of my screen. It took some manual adjusting to get them in the right spots (since I couldn't actually see them).. But in the end, I have no MFCDs on my main game screen (1680 x 1050) and two perfectly exported MFCDs on my iPad!





Help that helps some people..

I'm using a GTX 285 w/ 301.42 drivers..

BeachAV8R

I haven't been since I was like 8, can't wait to go. Too bad we'll miss Jet Day.

It's up! Go grab v4 with retina graphics! http://bit.ly/NAfgvr

Don't forget to update the server as well http://bit.ly/N9aF59

It may take a few hours or days to appear in your local App Store, so keep an eye out if it's not available right now!

I had heard about iControl DCS before, but the SimHQ review made me a lot more interested in it. I don't plan on investing in an iPad, but I own an Android Nexus 7 and a tablet pc (Iconia W500) and would love to use this on one of my tablet devices (meanwhile I'll give a go at Helios on the tablet, which will be useful for Black Shark anyway).

Thanks for your interest!

There will not be an Android port in the near future. However, I am currently working on a WinRT version for Windows 8. So you should be able to give it a go on your Ionica!

Keep an eye out on twitter. I'll post updates as progress is made on the WinRT version.