IL-2 Dials (Instrument Panel App)

[Blorg]

Hello there, work continues on the dashboard app for IL-2 Great Battles..

Any feedback is welcome, either here or in the discord, don't be shy!

Instructions

1. Start the server part (IL2 Dials Server.exe) on the computer where you play the game. It will show on a small window. Obs: the server will usually start on the port 11200 (you can check and/or change this by clicking on the "cogs" icon on the lower left). 
2. Provided you installed the client part on another computer/cellphone, start it too (if on the same computer, move it to a monitor different of that you use to play).

3. On the client interface, click on the "bar/hamburger" symbol on the lower part, and then on the "wifi" symbol that will appear on the screen. 

4. Put the IP and port of the server in and check if the "red light" on the lower right will turn green. If so, congratulations, you have the client connected to the server, and now you can just start the game and play. The gauges will appear as soon as you start flying.

Windows Server

https://dellywelly.itch.io/il-2-dials-server

Android Client (Google Play)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.DellyWellySoftware.Il2Dials&ah=3rBoID2w3KY9Ax_Hf78QA8AJO9c

 

Windows Client 

https://dellywelly.itch.io/il-2-dials-client-windows

 

Discord link if you prefer to give feedback there. Also more images and progress reports

https://discord.gg/tuN8yuwS9V

 

Edited April 8 by Blorg
Added instructions from Joker - thanks!

[VilsonFarias]

Hello Blorg,

 

I joined the Android Beta program but it says none of my devices are supported. I have a Galaxy S10 with latest Android. I'm wonder what is wrong with my device. Can you tell me what are the supported devices at this point.

 

Are you interested in releasing to iOS too? I'm a senior iOS developer and for me it would be a nice opportunity to play with some low level graphics and also have lots of fun.

[Blorg]

Hello, I'm looking in to the supported devices now, I am NOT a senior Android developer so I'm still working out how to navigate the Google Play store stuff. And sure, why not for iOs, although the initial license costs put me off. The app is built in Unity so it is doing the graphics pipeline for me. Thanks for the interest, i'll update if I make progress on the supported devices.
Edit: The s10 is in the supported list ( This will almost certainly be something I have set wrong somewhere). Test devices that have worked so far are Samsung s5 Neo (marshmallow), Google Nexus 2013 (custom) and Honor 10 Lite (Android 10)
Edit 2: Possible fix is clearing Play Store cache, some reports for s10's online misbehaving

Edited April 20, 2021 by Blorg

[Blorg]

I've updated some settings on the Play Store which was causing problems with availability for the android app, fingers crossed!

[Flip-FMK]

What API do you use for getting the gauges data?

[AndyJWest]

Just now, FMK said:

What API do you use for getting the gauges data?

 

I'd like to know this too. 

[Blorg]

There's no API, I'm reading directly from the game myself.

[AndyJWest]

I'd advise against putting too much effort into developing software that works that way. 1C-777 may not consider its use legitimate.

[Blorg]

It is really a proof of concept as a design proposal for their API which they have mentioned in the past, so if they have any problems with it, I can then ask them to implement their API for us to use.  I appreciate the word of warning though, I shall wait and see. 

[AndyJWest]

Fair enough. I know that when they've previously been asked about an instrument API or similar, they've said that what they want is a firm proposal, so this may be the best way to get them interested.

[ComradeDuck]

Hi Blorg,

 

I gave the Windows client a spin today and it worked great. Fantastic work. I'd kind of given up hope of being able to run instruments on a separate monitor for IL2GB. I'd love to help test this more if you need a guinea pig! ?

[Blorg]

Hey that's great! I'm glad the windows client is working nicely, and sure, helping me test would be lovely. I've been making some more dials this week for the other countries and have just picked up the macchi c202 for super cheap in the steam sale so I can test that now ? 

[Blorg]

Version 0.2 is now available, German, UK, US, and Italian dials added!

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2021 by Blorg

[ComradeDuck]

Awesome! I'll give this a spin asap. ?

 

**Update**

Just tried these out. Love the alternate gauges for the different planes. I had no issues up until I jumped in a Mustang and noticed the altimeter is off. Wondering if maybe it's not converting from meters to feet?

Edited June 9, 2021 by ComradeDuck
Updated response

[Blorg]

I did attempt to convert it, but obviously something has went wrong, thanks for the heads up, I'll have a look at it in the morning.

[Blorg]

I had a look at the US altimeter and I think it's actually alright. The inner track is 0 -20 thousand ft, modelled after this altimeter which is a 2 needle instead of the 3 needle in the game. I do have to admit I find the altimeters in feet much harder to read.

 

The hud shows the altitude to nearest friendly airfield, not absolute pressure ( left Alt + A to toggle this in game), so perhaps this is misleading too.

 

Note the UK altimeter has three needles so reading it in game is the same as in the app.

What do you think, should I make the US dial the 3 needle as in the game, or stick to the original design of the altimeter? I had initially planned to stick to the game designs as much as possible but the real dials are more interesting to look at (and model), however I didn't want to create any unfair advantage with my app (when I add more dials I still plan to only allow the dials actually available in the game, e.g no climb rate in the yak7B).

I'm rambling now but any thoughts on the matter are welcome, and if I'm wrong about the US dial, please correct me!

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by Blorg

[ComradeDuck]

I'll take another look this weekend and get back to you, it's very possible I got confused and misread it . ?

 

Quote

What do you think, should I make the US dial the 3 needle as in the game, or stick to the original design of the altimeter? I had initially planned to stick to the game designs as much as possible but the real dials are more interesting to look at (and model), however I didn't want to create any unfair advantage with my app (when I add more dials I still plan to only allow the dials actually available in the game, e.g no climb rate in the yak7B).

I'm rambling now but any thoughts on the matter are welcome, and if I'm wrong about the US dial, please correct me!

Personally I'd love to have gauges that match the in game instruments, or the option to choose? I agree the real dials are definitely more interesting. Are you able to pull all instrument data from IL2 or just specific gauges? 

 

Pipedream question - Do you plan on implementing the ability for the user to re-arrange and resize the gauges in the future? I have a monitor dedicated to instruments that I'm currently installing behind a reproduction P51 instrument panel frame. I usually only use it with DCS but If I could display IL2 instruments on it using your amazing client and move have the ability to move gauges around I'd die a happy nerd. ?

Edited June 11, 2021 by ComradeDuck
My spelling is crap

[Blorg]

I can retrieve the airspeed and altitude etc, but not specific rotations, I need to work them out myself for each dial. It isn't a lot of work to replicate the US altimeter as it is in the game so on the next update I'll put in a three needle (with maybe an option for the 2 needle somewhere). 
Pipedream answer, absolutely! I've just been waiting on adding more dials before I implement interface rearranging. There's also the ability to have multiple clients connect to the server, because I figured/hoped that someone somewhere will have multiple tablets/laptops/pcs strapped to a home made rig in an attic!
Once I implement this, you'll have to share some photos of course

And in the interest of sharing, w.i.p for the next set of dials.

Edited June 12, 2021 by Blorg
Added a pic

[Blorg]

Version 0.201 released. Fixes for crash on mission start and erratic needles when AI is present. Only server needs updated
https://dellywelly.itch.io/il-2-dials-server

[HotPursuit]

On 6/11/2021 at 4:34 AM, Blorg said:

What do you think, should I make the US dial the 3 needle as in the game, or stick to the original design of the altimeter?

Hi Blorg,

Thanks for the App it works great

I think the confusion with the US altimeter isn't the number of needles rather the fact that your altimeter uses an extra inner scale for the '1000's' of feet.

It would be better if it matched the in game altimeter with the outer scale only imho.
 

[Blorg]

Yeah, I agree, I didn't realise how annoying it is to read when I was modelling it.  The next update, I'll change it to something more readable. Thanks for the input

[Blorg]

Update, version 0.3 available for the windows client

[Blorg]

v0.3 - Known problems with pvp - working on it.

v0.301 released

Edited October 19, 2021 by Blorg

[Papaye]

good app. Thanks for the huge work!!

the link with the game is ok.

For German we need engines monitoring gauges (Ata, RPM and if you can the different temp (water, oil,...).

Many thanks again for the work.

Guillaume

[Blorg]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you like it. For now I am focusing on fixing bugs and making sure everything is working. Once the app is stable and can handle game updates I will be looking in to engine gauges, it is much requested! 

[Blorg]

Released version 0.31 
Notes - 
Fixes for some turn indicator needles not moving (I think I have them all now)
Added Junkers 52/3m g4e compass and vertical speed indicator
Added ability to spin US and Ger repeater compass to set course

 

[splash_1pjrebordao]

Thanks Blorg, this is fantastic !

 

Just to clarify: currently there's no option to choose your set of dials. The plane you're flying dictates the dials you get, right ?

 

[HotPursuit]

20 hours ago, splash_1pjrebordao said:

Thanks Blorg, this is fantastic !

 

Just to clarify: currently there's no option to choose your set of dials. The plane you're flying dictates the dials you get, right ?

 

Yes you are right.

Of course you can rearrange the dials to your liking.

[DragonDaddy]

Any news about this being available for iOS devices?

[Blorg]

8 hours ago, DragonDaddy said:

Any news about this being available for iOS devices?

Not at the moment considering it is $100 to be able to release on the app store, as oppose to to Google's $20. The dials app is made with Unity which can export to mac (although I've never tried it) so it isn't out of the question but current plans are no.

[SidtheGit]

Hi. Thanks for putting this together.

 

I have downloaded the windows client and the server and have installed them both into a folder, piccie attached.

 

I double click the desktop icon and when I run a mission in the game the IL2 Dials box looks like the attached piccie. I don't see any gauges appearing on my second screen (plugged into the same graphics card).

 

Is my installation correct?

Is the utility meant to be running on a separate monitor/laptop and not running on the same computer as the game? Hope this is clear.

 

Thanks

[Blorg]

You need to run both the server and the client, it looks like the server is happy, the yellow star means it just waiting for the client to connect. If you open up the "IL2 Dials Client" folder you should see another exe file called "IL-2 Dials Client", run that and it will hopefully find the server after a quick scan.
The reason for the two programs is the initial design was for an Android client, hopefully in the future I can create a one program solution for Windows users.
Let me know how you get on, I'm happy to help more

 

P.S I see you have clicked the local 127.0.0.1 client option (this option only works if server and client are the same machine), just make sure you set that in the client like so.. 

With that setting you don't need to be attached to the wi-fi

 

Edited November 8, 2021 by Blorg

[SidtheGit]

Thanks for getting back ?

 

 

? Sorted! I typed in the '127.0.0.1' as you said and it works....

 

Thank you.

Edited November 8, 2021 by SidtheGit
removed irrelevant info

[Blorg]

Adding to do list - A proper readme file which tells people what to actually do.
And god does that compass please me!

Edited November 8, 2021 by Blorg

[DD_Wingflyr]

This is Awesome Blorg. Finally a break through, Keep up the good work M8.

Hey Siddly, glad your interested in this also M8. DCS has the gauges, Cliffs of dover had the gauges, and now BOS! Wonderful stuff.

[TP_Jacko]

Hi there I just found this. Will it work in multiplayer or only single player

[Blorg]

2 hours ago, TP_Jacko said:

Hi there I just found this. Will it work in multiplayer or only single player

Should be working in all game modes.

[FTC_Whisky]

Hi Blorg,

 

thank you for the great work. I was really hoping for dials to come! The emersion is way better having gauges un a second screen in my sim rig. Do you plan an option to customize the dials in terms of size and position? I plan to mill a "cockpit plate" with holes, where the dials would be shown on a monitor behind the plate. Maybe I will add some buttons and levers to that plate. 

 

Cheers 

Whisky

[jokerBR]

Hi Blorg. Just came across your app here and tested it on second monitor on my rig (Windows). Everything working fine (just had to start server as administrator). 
Perhaps it's too early for this, but on new versions it would be nice to be able to change which dials are shown, as well as their position on screen. To top it all, being able to see fuel and temperature dials would be really useful. 
Congrats for this little gem, very useful, specially during combat as it allows you to glance to instruments (like you would IRL) without having to turn your whole head (TrackIR) to see them on plane panel.
Kudos.

[Blorg]

Dial layouts are available!

Click the menu at the bottom and choose the left hand layout option! Each plane layout is saved individually  I have also started on started on trying to get the engine data, with varying success so I can't promise the full suite, but I'll try my best!
RPM is go though, I'm currently modelling the dials for it, I've attached some w.i.p shots.
Thanks for the feedback and interest

An example of the layout screen, go crazy!