Honeycomb Configurator : Basic use, introduction to conditions and internal variables

[SimWare 730]

Basic use of the Honeycomb Configurator + introduction to conditions and internal variables.

In this tutorial we will first see how to simply assign a button to a variable then,

how to condition the effect of this button to the status of another one via the conditions and the internal variables.

 

To illustrate this, we will assign the Rotary Knob of the Honeycomb Bravo throttle to the altimeter setting (Kohlsman setting).

NOTE : This is a generic procedure. It will work the same with any other button and function.

The Rotary Knob is an encoder. It generates a “pulse train”wich is nothing more than ON/OFF input signals. It is exactly like quickly pressing a normal button multiple times.

 

PART 1 :  Basic assignments, step by step.

 

Start Prepar3D or FSX and load a flight with a standard analog stock aircraft such as a Mooney Bravo or  Cessna C172.

 

STEP 1 :
Start the Honeycomb Configurator
1 – Goto “Profiles” menu and choose “Select Profile”
2 – In the dialog box, click “Create new profile”

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STEP 2 :
1 – Select the Bravo Throttle quadrant
2 – Copy from “Default Profile” -> This generates an empty profile
3 – Name it as you want. In this example, we will name it “MyNewProfile”
4 – Click “Create”

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STEP 3 :  
1 – Goto “Profiles” menu and choose “Select Profile”
2 – Click on “MyNewProfile”
3 – Click “Load”

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STEP 4 :
The loaded profile now appear in the blue status bar at the bottom of the screen.

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STEP 5 :
1 – Click on the Rotary Knob

2 – A box appears showing the two rotation directions for the button
      Click on “Increase”
3 – In the profile editor (right black pane), it shows the “Incr” (Increase) button

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STEP 6 :
1 – Press “+ Add Event”
2 – A configuration panel appears underneath

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STEP 7 :
1 – Click on the “+” next to “Variables” to add a variable

2 – Open the “Select variable drop down menu

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STEP 8 :
1 – In the “Value” field, type “ko”
2 – In the dropdown, click on “KOHLSMAN_INC”
3 – “KOHLSMAN_INC” now appears in the “Variable” field
4 – Click “Apply Changes”

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STEP 9 :
Repeat the procedure for the “Decrease” button assigning “KOHLSMAN_DEC”

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STEP 10 :
In P3D or FSX, goto “Add-ons”->“Honeycomb”->”BFC_Throttle – Reload Bindings”

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STEP 11 :
A message briefly appears showing the profile you just created has been loaded

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STEP 12 :
You can now set the altimeter in the loaded aircraft

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Check it up !

PART 2 :  Conditions and internal variables, step by step.

 

This part will achieve the same feature but will condition the effect of the Rotary Knob
to the status of the a toggle switch via the conditions and the internal variables.

We will create an internal variable. We will name it “TOGGLE1ON” (any other name is ok)
We will then assign a toggle switch to that variable.
Finally, we will setup a condition in the Rotary Knob, requesting the toggle switch assigned to “TOGGLE1ON”
be ON for the Rotary Knob to change the altimeter setting.
à It sounds tricky, but it is rather simple and extremely powerful.
    This allow on button, the Rotary Knob for instance, to have multiple functions
     depending on the condition being active.

As in part 1, start Prepar3D or FSX and load a flight with a standard analog stock aircraft such as a Mooney Bravo or  Cessna C172.

 

à We will speed up some of the basic steps described in part 1.
à Remove the assignments made in part  or, even better, create a new empty
     profile.

STEP 1 :
1 – Click on the left toggle switch and choose “Toggle1 ON”

2 – “Toggle Button 1 Top (left)” appears in the profile editor
3 – Select Press Event

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STEP 2 :
1 – Press “+ Add Event”
2 – Add a variable

3 – From the “Variable” dropdown, select “CUSTOM VAR”
4 - From the “Key” dropdown, “INT”, type “TOGGLE1ON” as name
     Set the “Value” to “1”
     -> It means that when that button is in the “ON” position,
          the variable “TOGGLE1ON” will have a value of “1”

5 – Click “Apply Changes”

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STEP 3 :
1 – Click on the Rotary Knob and select “Increase”
2 - “Incr” appears in the profile editor
3 – Add an event
4 – Click “Conditions”

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STEP 4 :
1 – Add a condition
2 – From the “Condition” dropdown, select “CUSTOM VAR”

 

      From the “Key” dropdown, “INT”, type “TOGGLE1ON” as name
      Set the “Value” to “1”
3 – From the “Variable” dropdown, select “KOHLSMAN_INC”
4 – Click “Apply Changes”
     -> It means that when the “TOGGLE1ON” variable has a value of “1”,
         the Rotary Knob, if turned CW, will address the “KOHLSMAN_INC”
        variable, thus will increase the altimeter setting.

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STEP 5 :
Repeat the same procedure for the “Decrease button”
Set the “Variable” to “KOHLSMAN_DEC”
Click “Apply Changes”
     -> It means that when the “TOGGLE1ON” variable has a value of “1”,
         the Rotary Knob, if turned CCW, will address the “KOHLSMAN_DEC”
        variable, thus will decrease the altimeter setting.

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Check it up !

 

 

 

[Leeuisun 0]

Hello

Thanks for your kindness!

 

But I'm wondering if there any reload menu on FSX. I cannot find reload button on FSX

 

Take care.

[SimWare 730]

Hi,

 

Yes, FSX also has a reload menu option :

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Best regards.

[Leeuisun 0]

Aha! I got it. thanks.

 

 

[SimWare 730]

You are welcome.
Have fun flights !