Kneeboard Builder

[Luft]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=129341&highlight=kneeboard+builder

 

 

KNEEBOARD BUILDER simplifies the creation of custom kneeboards for DCS World. It automatically converts '.pdf' files to '.png' images and places them in groups that can be used to quickly create custom kneeboards for individual DCS aircraft.
It also makes it easy to customize the the way the kneeboard is displayed in DCS; easily change the size, position and color scheme of the kneeboard.


CURRENT FEATURES:

-drag and drop conversion of .pdf files to .png images
-auto creation of image groups from converted images
-copy and modify image groups
-auto create custom kneeboards for individual aircraft using user selected image groups
-custom kneeboards automatically added to DCS
-manual image import to groups
-selective reordering of images in groups
-modify default kneeboard
-change the size and position of kneeboard displayed in DCS
-change color scheme of kneeboard displayed in DCS
-insert a global kneeboard into existing mission(s) (.miz files)
-application auto updates
-dynamic kneeboard system for creating custom .lua kneeboards at DCS runtime


WIP FEATURES:

-documentation and tutorial videos


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

- Windows 64 bit

- .NET Framework 4.5 or higher


NEW INSTALLATION:

1) Download and extract the Kneeboard Builder.zip to a location of your choice.

2) Open KneeboardBuilder.exe


BASIC USAGE:

1) Go to 'Preferences' (Options -> Preferences) and verify that the program is pointing correctly to your DCS installation folder and your saved games folder.

2) In the 'Import PDF" tab drag and drop any .pdf file(s), select an aircraft and type in a group name, ie "F86 Manual", for each file.

3) Click on Begin Import

4) When import is complete, click on the 'Create Custom Kneeboard' tab.

5) Select an aircraft and use the arrows to add the group you created to the 'Custom Kneeboard' for your selected aircraft. You can mix and match the groups as you please

6) Click on the 'Build Custom Kneeboard' button.

7) You are all done! Click on 'View -> Custom Kneeboard Folder' to verify that the images have been placed in the aircraft's kneeboard folder.

It is also possible to copy and modify your groups. For example, you could create a 'F86 Checklist' group, click on the 'Modify' button and only include pages that have checklists or create an 'F86 Weapons' group that only includes pages dealing with weapons employment.

You can change the custom kneeboard while you are in game as long as you are not actively in an aircraft.


INSERTING KNEEBOARD INTO EXISTING MISSIONS:

With version 1.4.0.0 you can now insert kneeboard images into existing missions. The kneeboard will be global and visible to all aircraft. I haven't been able to figure out how to do selective kneeboards for each aircraft (if even possible).
Backup your missions before inserting a kneeboard just in case something goes wrong. (I have not had any issues yet with .miz files becoming corrupted, but you never know...)

1) From the 'Create Custom Kneeboard' tab, select the kneeboard groups you would like to add your mission(s).

2) Click on the '.miz' button on the lower right side of the window.

3) Select a single mission or multiple missions in the file browser dialog and click 'Open'.

4) Your selected kneeboard groups will be automatically inserted into each selected mission, overwriting any existing kneeboard already in the mission.

Tip: If you want to clear a kneeboard from a mission or missions, perform steps 2-3 without selecting any kneeboard groups to add.


DYNAMIC KNEEBOARD SYSTEM:

The dynamic kneeboard system allows the kneeboard to be built using .lua at DCS runtime (when the kneeboard initially loads) using data from the loaded mission or from an external data source.
This means that it is possible for a 3rd party program (like a mission planner) to export data that could then be loaded into a kneeboard when DCS loads a mission.
Currently I have developed three dynamic kneeboard pages that you can add to any kneeboard that will dynamically load mission data from the current mission at runtime:

1) Dynamic Mission Briefing:
-creates a kneeboard page that contains the current mission weather, description and tasks based on the player's coalition.
-converts the weather measurements to metric or US based on the player’s aircraft

2) Dynamic Mission Radios:
-creates a kneeboard page that displays all pertinent radio frequencies for the current mission based on the player's coalition and aircraft.
-displays all JTAC, Tanker, AWACS and FARP and other flights radio information
-displays all preset frequencies for planes with preset radios

3) Dynamic Navigation Beacons:
-creates three kneeboard pages that displays all names, frequencys and locations(lat, lon) of all (non-airport) navigation beacons currently in DCS World.

The dynamic kneeboard group is located in the 'General DCS World Kneeboard' available groups.

1) Go to the 'Create Custom Kneeboard' tab and select 'General DCS World Kneeboard' in the 'Select Aircraft' drop down box.

2) In the 'Available Groups' section you should see the 'Default Dynamic' group. Click on the 'Default Dynamic' group and click on the right arrow to move it to the 'Groups Selected for Custom Kneeboard' section.

3) Now you can click on the 'Build Custom Kneeboard for General DCS World' to add it to the General Kneeboard and make the dynamic kneeboards visible in all aircraft. Or you can select a specific aircraft with the 'Select Aircraft' drop down box and then click on the 'Build Custom Kneeboard' button to add the dynamic kneeboards only to your selected aircraft's kneeboard.

CURRENT DYNAMIC KNEEBOARD LIMITIATIONS:
-full functionality is not available for single player missions where the player’s aircraft skill is listed as ‘Client’ in the mission.
-there is no scroll bar available in the kneeboards, so missions with long novels for descriptions or tasks will not have enough room to display correctly. (sorry Belsimtek)
-my word wrap function is still WIP so situation and task briefing texts may look a bit wonky at times.


This is an early version and is subject to change. I would appreciate any feedback.


CHANGELOGS:

Version 1.6.4.0

-added support for DCS World OpenBeta
-added splash screen
-changelog now included in update prompt
-various minor GUI modifications
-various code and performance optimizations

Version 1.6.3.1

-fixed file not found error message on startup
-various code optimizations

Version 1.6.3.0

-Ghostscript installation no longer required to to import .PDF files

Version 1.6.2.4

-custom kneeboard position and color schemes now automatically retained during DCS Update or Repair

Version 1.6.2.3

-fixed dynamic kneeboards not displaying in the correct order within DCS World
-fixed custom reordering of images resetting when images were removed while modifying a group
-fixed dynamic kneeboard crash when mission contains older implementation of JTAC/AFAC unit

Version 1.6.2.2

-fixed dynamic kneeboards not displaying text after DCS World 1.2.11.3386 update
-fixed custom kneeboard color scheme not saving correct colors
-added legacy kneeboard option in preferences for users using versions of DCS World earlier than version 1.2.11.3386

Version 1.6.2.1

-fixed dynamic kneeboards not displaying for certain missions containing JTAC or AFAC units. (JTAC created automatically in Fast Missions are still not displaying correctly)
-fixed radio frequencies not displaying correctly in dynamic kneeboards

Version 1.6.2.0

-fixed program crash when saving modified group
-fixed bug where MiG-21 groups could not be modified or deleted
-added ability to modify the color of kneeboard moving map waypoint lines in kneeboard color scheme
-reorganized the 'View' menu

Version 1.6.1.1

-fixed minor bug with mission radios dynamic kneeboard

Version 1.6.1.0

-dynamic kneeboard now has full functionality in Multiplayer
-split mission briefing dynamic kneeboard into two pages to allow for longer situation and task briefings
-split mission radios dynamic kneeboard into two pages to allow for more other flight frequencies
-fixed issue of FARP frequencies not appearing in mission radios dynamic kneeboard
-added navigation beacons dynamic kneeboard (three pages)
-other minor bug fixes

Version 1.6.0.0

-added option to turn off auto updates
-added dynamic kneeboard system

Version 1.5.1.0

-fixes kneeboard init.lua for MiG-21BIS to make it see custom kneeboard in .../Saved Games/DCS/Kneeboard folder
-added ability to choose between modifying Mig-21BIS default kneeboard and custom kneeboard
-available aircraft now listed in alphabetical order

Version 1.5.0.0

-added ability to customize color scheme of kneeboard displayed in DCS
-minor GUI fixes

Version 1.4.5.0

-incorporated new kneeboard structure for MiG-21BIS

Version 1.4.4.0

-fixed folder paths to match new folder structure in DCS World 1.2.10.32095 Update 1
-added option in 'Preferences' to use folder structure for DCS World versions prior to DCS World 1.2.10.32095 Update 1

Version 1.4.3.0:

-fixed issue of program not starting after updating

Version 1.4.2.0:

-fixed issue of custom kneeboard position not being set correctly when viewed in DCS
-modified default size and position of kneeboard preview to match the DCS defaults

Version 1.4.1.0:

-added button to manually browse .pdf files for import for situations where 'drag and drop' does not work
-fixed bug preventing .pdf files from being added to the import queue if the .pdf extension is capitalized (.PDF)

Version 1.4.0.0:

-added ability to insert a global kneeboard into existing mission(s) (.miz files)

Version 1.3.0.0:

-added ability to change the size and position of the kneeboard displayed in DCS (feature available from the Options menu)

Version 1.2.1.0:

-fixed issue of .pdf files with names containing special characters not being imported correctly
-fixed issue of Kneeboard Builder not loading due to limited or lost internet connection
-updated readme file

Version 1.2.0.0:

-implemented auto update feature at application start
-added ability to manually create new groups
-added ability to manually import images to groups
-added selective reordering of images in groups
-added 'select all' button to modify page
-added ability to modify default Kneeboard (the kneeboard that shows airport charts by default)
-added General DCS World custom kneeboard that will be visible to all aircraft
-added option to choose whether to replace an existing group, merge with an existing group or create a new group during .pdf imports
-fixed issue of folder explorer not pointing to correct folder in the preferences page
-minor bugs fixes and minor GUI tweaks
-added readme file

Version 1.1.0.0:

-now creates custom kneeboards for individual aircraft
-minor bug fixes and tweaks

Version 1.0.0.0:

-initial release


TROUBLESHOOTING:

Kneeboard Builder won't start after an update has occured:
-delete the 'settings.xml' and 'KneeboardBuilder.exe.config' files and try starting it again. You will then need to verify your directory settings in Options -> Preferences.

Cannot drag and drop .pdf for import:
-do not run Kneeboard Builder with Administrator privileges.

Dynamic Kneeboards not displaying any text or DCS hangs while loading mission:
1) if you are using a version of DCS World earlier than version 1.2.11.3386
-check the 'Use legacy kneeboard components' option in Options->Preferences
2) if you are using DCS World version 1.2.11.3386 or later
-uncheck the 'Use legacy kneeboard components' option in Options->Preferences

Moving Map kneeboard pages not displaying any text or DCS hangs while loading mission:
1) if you are using a version of DCS World earlier than version 1.2.11.3386
-check the 'Use legacy kneeboard components' option in Options->Preferences
-reset the custom color scheme Options->Preferences->Kneeboard Settings->Color Scheme->Reset
2) if you are using DCS World version 1.2.11.3386 or later
-uncheck the 'Use legacy kneeboard components' option in Options->Preferences
-reset the custom color scheme Options->Preferences->Kneeboard Settings->Color Scheme->Reset


SPECIAL THANKS:

Special thanks to uboats for helping me figure out the correct folder names for the F-86 and Mi-8 kneeboards.


DOWNLOAD LINKS:

.NET Framework 4.5
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=225702

Kneeboard Builder
KneeboardBuilder.zip

 

Capturas sobre Operacion Flecha Negra

 

 

[crosssyl]

Muy, muy, muy bueno Luft!!!!

 

En cuanto pueda lo instalo y me hago mis piernos.

 

Muchas gracias por el aporte Luft!!

[Sadman]

Muy bueno Luft, gracias!