Simsamurai Fsuipc Tutorial
Simsamurai Fsuipc Tutorial
Credit to Pete Dowson for creating FSUIPC … The “Holy Grail” for the world of Flight Simulation !
NOTE : This tutorial is primarily designed for the assignment and calibration of CH Products USB controller
device hardware using the FSUIPC registered payware utility. However, this could also serve as a general
guide for use with any USB device such as Saitek, Precision Flight Controls, or many others.
NOTE : Compatibility for this tutorial has been tested for Windows XP 32/64, Windows Vista 32/64 and
Windows 7 32/64 using Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9) and Flight Simulator X (FSX).
NOTE : Use of this tutorial requires the purchase of the FSUIPC utility payware version 4.57 (FSX) or
version 3.96 (FS9) which is downloaded from www.Schiratti.com and paid for at www.SimMarket.com
NOTE : This quick start guide for the FSUIPC registered edition will detail how all of your USB device controllers can
be exclusively assigned and or calibrated by FSUIPC and not FS itself, nor by the CH Control Manager software that
is routinely associated with CH Product devices. Furthermore this guide contains options of how to only have your
CH Throttle Quadrant controlled by FSUIPC while your Yoke and Rudder pedals can remain controlled by the Flight
Simulator or you can configure these in any combination therein. Thus this tutorial will detail elements of key flexibility
for your configuring desires. Finally the last pages of this guide detail how to create specific aircraft type user profiles
so that you can easily fly a multitude of various aircraft without having to continually reassign control functions to match
each aircraft type. If creating user profiles is of interest to you please see the last pages of this guide before you begin
programming your devices. You may also want to consult pages 26 and 27 of Pete Dowson’s own default User Guide.
Once FSUIPC is installed its config file is located inside the Modules folder found in the root directory of your simulator.
More importantly this other tutorial also includes several “pre-configuring” pages that can come in very handy before
you proceed with this FSUIPC tutorial. In many ways both of these two tutorials can and will go hand in hand. The
FS-Inn set-up tutorial has some key information about how to properly set-up your PC before you install FSUIPC or
FS-Inn as a connection utility. There is a lot of additional information provided on the other tutorial that will also help
you to optimize your computer for flight simulation use with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. So please grab it,
read it, and then proceed on with this tutorial if you have purchased the payware version of FSUIPC.
Now onward and upward with the meat, potatoes, and gravy that is… FSUIPC !
GETTING STARTED WITH THE FSUIPC CONTROLLER UTILITY
#1 – If you haven’t already, purchase your respective version of FSUIPC from www.SimMarket.com. You
can find the version details specific for your sim version at www.Schiratti.com. Currently these are versions
V4.57 for FSX and V3.96 for FS9. (as of January 2010)
#2 – Once a file version is purchased (current cost average is $30.00 U.S.) extract the FSUIPC Zip File to
its own folder and access the FSUIPC .exe auto installer.
#3 – Run the auto-installer .exe. file. It will auto-locate your sim installation and will deposit many files into
the simulator’s Modules Folder. If required, make sure you direct it to where your sim is located.
#4 – During final installation you will want to now register the FSUIPC controller utility via the installer.
The registration key is initially emailed to you and can be accessed via your personal Sim Market account.
NOTE : Once installed move the FSUIPC zip file to a safe location such as your dedicated storage drive!
#5 – After a successful installation of FSUIPC start up the Flight Simulator and load up the default flight with
a default aircraft such as the Beechcraft King Air 350.
#6 – Hit Alt+Enter to access the main FS Toolbar Menu located at the top of your simulator window screen.
Scroll over to Modules and then select FSUIPC from the dropdown. This will now open the FSUIPC
payware device controller assignment and calibration utility.
#7 – You can initially press the “Set To Default” button if desired. Doing so will only clear out any and all
previous data stored in the Weather Options tab and the Miscellaneous Options tab. This should only be
necessary if you have upgraded your FSUIPC payware from a previous installed version.
The assignment and calibration methods in this guide allows the registered version of FSUIPC to handle
and control either some or all of the assignments and or calibrations of all your control devices axes,
joystick buttons, and momentary type toggle switches. The FSUIPC utility can also control these same
functions on any other USB type of gaming control device as well any properly constructed home-made
control devices. Depending on your own needs you can fully allow for FSUIPC to control and calibrate all of
these devices or you can decide what combination you desire to allow sharing of input control between the
default (or customizable) simulator assignment functions and your new customizations within FSUIPC.
While FSUIPC is often recommend for allowing total control of all devices this is not fully necessary for most
common users with only a few pieces of hardware. However, in all regards of a device assignment utility,
be it the in house system provided by the sim software itself, or the FSUIPC utility, you must choose one
method of assignment for each individual axis and one method for each individual joystick button. Thus
know that both utilities must not perform simultaneous control nor calibrate the same axis or button at the
same time. Therefore, as is explained in the next section, you must either first delete some assignments in
the sim’s control assignment axes and joystick tabs before you use FSUIPC, or, you can option to disable
the simulator’s joystick function altogether which if doing so would then allow all axes and buttons to be
entirely controlled by FSUIPC. Therefore one method should be chosen before proceeding any further.
Å OR ? Æ
NOTE : FSUIPC is fully recommended for handling all the functions of your CH Throttle Quadrant and is
especially well suited for control of its 6 lever axes. In this tutorial you will have no need for any installation
nor any configuring of the CH Control Manager software (CHCM) provided by CH Products. I do not use
this software for my throttle assignments and calibration and the CH throttle works flawlessly using FSUIPC
as its solitary control manager. If you have read that the CHCM is necessary in other forums, other threads,
or other tutorials, please disregard that information. If necessary re-read Step 1 and #20 - #24 so as to
decide whether you will use the “joystick disable” method or will delete all the default axes assignments in
the simulator so as to allow FSUIPC to take over the axes and perhaps joystick button control of this device.
#25 – While sitting in your default King Air aircraft, access the FS Toolbar menu via Alt or Alt+Enter and
then select the Modules dropdown, and select FSUIPC to access the FSUIPC assignment utility.
#26 – Now access the Axis Assignment tab located on the FSUIPC utility.
#27 – We will now start out with mapping out the CH Throttle Quadrant first. If you do not own one you
can move onto mapping out any other devices that you wish for FSUIPC to control. Remember that this
also depends on whether you used the enable/disable joystick options or whether you deleted some axis
and or button assignments in FS so as to allow FSUIPC to now control these Axes or Buttons.
NOTE : The Joy # box found on the Axis Assignment tab shows the currently selected device. This could be
Joy #0, or Joy #1, or Joy #2, etc.. (Joy #0 is actually a device) It reads whatever device you are actuating at
the moment. This value will change as you move axes on any of your USB controllers. Thus the Joy # will
either be #0 #1, or #2 as we are currently using 3 USB devices in this example all three of which do have
axes available for assignment. (and also buttons whose assignments are explained later.)
4
#28 – To begin, move the far left lever axis on the Throttle Quadrant from full aft to full forward and while
doing so press and hold the Rescan button on the Axis Assignment tab.
#29 – Now release the Rescan. If the lever was properly recognized you should see ascending/descending
numerical values that change under the Raw In / Raw Out display next to “Delta”. For example my lever
data values say In 16383 and Out 16383. Yours may vary slightly and if so this is normal.
#30 – Now that FSUIPC has recognized our first axis lever you will now select the “Send Direct to FSUIPC
Calibration” found just under the “Type of Action Required” option section. This allows you to choose
how and where the new axis assignment is sent.
#31 – Below this section now select the available checkbox (check it) and then from the first dropdown
menu now select “throttle 1” from the many available FS controls list.
#32 – You now have five remaining throttle axis levers to assign and will repeat the process in the exact
same way. Therefore, repeat steps #28 - #31 using Rescan \ Send Direct To and Control Assignment.
NOTE : Follow along with the assignment table below. Once complete you should have the following new
assignments mapped out in FSUIPC suitable for use with any twin-engine aircraft such as a twin-engine
piston prop or twin-engine turbo prop. After having completed the 6 lever assignments using #28 - #32
they should match up with the configuration in the list below. However, please note that you will not see a
list such as this in the FSUIPC controller “Axes Assignments” tab. This list simply illustrates what has
been accomplished up to this point while assigning the six levers on our throttle quadrant.
Joy#2 ThQ Lever 1 Throttle 1 NOTE: In this example at left it says Joy#2. This is just an example
Joy#2 ThQ Lever 2 Throttle 2 of how FSUIPC read my own USB throttle device. Depending on the
Joy#2 ThQ Lever 3 Propeller 1 order in which you plugged your devices in and on which USB port
Joy#2 ThQ Lever 4 Propeller 2 will determine what Joy# FSUIPC assigns to your device. So if this
Joy#2 ThQ Lever 5 Mixture 1 ** Joy# is reading something different for you do not worry about it.
Joy#2 ThQ Lever 6 Mixture 2 **
** Turbo props have "Condition Levers" rather than the "Mixture Levers" of piston prop aircraft.
However do know that the FS assignment is actually Mixture for both engine types.
AXES CALIBRATIONS
NOTE : Steps #33 - #44 detail how to properly calibrate any type of lever axis. The goal for throttle axes
calibrations is to establish a clear and consistent idle range across all six levers to include the two throttle
levers, the two prop levers, and the two mixture levers. Mr Dowson also recommends moving each lever a
little away from the extremes before clicking the “Set” function to ensure there's a small "dead end" at each
far end of the lever so that should the values arriving from the device vary a little, you are always assured of
reaching the extreme -- e.g. full thrust and full idle. The latter is VERY important if you want to engage
reverse via a reverser axis as they will not operate unless the throttle is truly at idle. Lastly, I use FSUIPC
exclusively without aid of the CH Products Control Manager (CHCM) and my throttle works perfectly.
#33 – You will now move onto the Joystick Calibration tab. Once there you will calibrate 2 levers per
pages 3,4, and 5 which are all accessed from within this one calibration tab via two small left /right arrows
Å Æ at the top of this tab which will cycle through these pages located within the joystick calibration tab.
#34 – Now that all 6 levers have been assigned you will now need to calibrate them one at a time based on
their functions. Using lever 1 / throttle 1 as our example you will then similarly apply the next steps to the
other five levers on the throttle quadrant once the first lever calibration is complete.
#35 – While now on the Joystick Calibration tab, click on the Reset button. This will simply clear out any
previous or wrong data values for the lever if they even exist.
#36 – Using the black Left and Right arrows as mentioned earlier now press the right arrow to scroll over to
page "3 of 11” which says “Separate Throttles Per Engine".
#37 – On Page 3 of this tab you will see that there is a Set button and a corresponding value field for
Reverse Idle, and Max. Note that the idle position actually has two fields beneath its own Set button.
This is important as will be explained momentarily as this dual setting is used for calibrating the idle detent
positions on our throttle.
#38 – The In / Out value field beneath each Set button displays the value of triggered movement for each
axis that was assigned earlier. If you now move throttle levers 1 & 2 independently you should again see
that these In / Out values are ascending and descending from a large positive value to a negative value.
#39 – To set the Reverse Thrust position of the first of the two throttle levers press the main Set button
under the throttle 1 dialog box.
#40 – Now pull the first far left lever (throttle 1) all the way rearward (aft) and then press the Set button right
under the Reverse column.
#41 – To now set the Maximum thrust value, push the same lever fully forward and now press the Set
button under the Max column. This now sets your maximum thrust value for throttle lever 1.
#42 – To set the Idle Range Values correctly you now have to determine and create what will be sufficient
upper and lower idle value ranges which should actually be done when each side of the lever rests on the
mid point of the frictional detents located just to either side of the idle detent resting position. Thus when
properly set the lever, when pushed forward out of the detent, engages thrust and like wise when pulled
rearward out of the detent, the lever will engage reverse thrust.
#43 – To set these two values first position the lever in the resting idle detent position and then push the
lever forward just slightly enough so that it rests in the friction notch or “hump” but not so far forward so that
it falls out of the friction point and out of the detent into the first “low thrust” position. While keeping it there
on the friction hump now press Set under the Idle column. This sets the top idle detent value.
#44 – To now set the lower idle detent value pull the lever rearward and using the same technique position
the lever or the mid-point of the lower frictional hump. Again, do so while you feel the lever engaged in the
friction area but not slipped into the full aft position and press the Set button gain under the Idle column.
This now sets the lower value for the idle detent potion.
As an example this gave me a top idle value of neg -13446 and a lower value of -12429
NOTE : Be aware that there can obviously be a little free play or looseness in the detent position and if the
upper and lower idle ranges were to be set too loose or rather too small or narrow then you will find that the
aircraft can be either throttled or reversed too easily or perhaps feathered too easily, or the fuel mixture cut
off too easily. Try to understand that the full aft reverse value, for example, is defined as everything from the
lowest part of the levers rearmost position up to the start of where we define the entry of the detent position.
Therefore if these values are not set to the proper tolerances which I just explained in steps #42 - #44 you
may inadvertently trigger functions you are not wanting to trigger such as reverse thrust, full feathering, or
mixture cut-off. Therefore there are four values to be aware of :
(A; Full Thrust, B; Start of Idle Detent, C; Rear of Idle Detent, and then lastly D; Full Reverse position.)
Therefore the obvious range between D to C is the REVERSE, C to B is IDLE, and B to A is THRUST.
Because of how the CH Product throttles are physically manufactured, you will actually want to create very
small ranges for the reverse, feathering, and fuel cut off features. This is why the lower idle position is set
between the detent friction point and the bottom most part of the levers slot on the throttle quadrant. While
this unfortunately only leaves an aft triggering range of about 5mm and not a more realistic 2cm., it must be
this way simply due to the physical location and construction of the Ch Throttle levers which are obviously
less than real world standards. Therefore when you set both of the idle detent values for each lever it is
best to press the idle range “Set” command key in FSUIPC while the lever is physically set on the mid point
of the “friction humps” just to either side of the detent slot. Doing so result in a slightly wider idle detent
range and in doing so this causes much less unwanted command triggering while in the idle position.
#45 – You will now repeat steps #37 - #44 to set up the second throttle lever.
THE SLOPE FUNCTION FOR AXES
On most every axes calibration settings you will see a button called ‘Slope’ for each axis. If you press this
button it will open a small box that allows you to set a user definable curve for that specific axis. While the
default setting is of course fine, you can always tailor these to your liking if desired. More of this is explainer
later as I have found the slope function for the brakes to be useful. If you are unsure how to use this then
just leave this setting alone for now as it is not mandatory for calibration. (only for fine tuning it) You can
also consult the Dowson user manuals for more details on the Slope settings.
NOTE : Remember that this section is optional. Please see "Step 1" about disabling joystick functions
before making any changes to your yoke assignments as steps #60 - #69 below may not be needed.
#60 – To begin configuring the CH Yoke return to the Axis Assignment tab of FSUIPC.
#61 – Just like in Step #28 press and hold Rescan while you push and pull your Yoke fully forward and aft.
#62 – Once the axis is recognized press the “Send Direct to FSUIPC Calibration” under “Type of Action
Required”. Check the first box and then select Elevator (for pitch movement) from the dropdown menu.
#63 – Now turn and Roll the Yoke fully side to side left to right and press and hold Rescan.
#64 – Once the axis is recognized press the “Send Direct to FSUIPC Calibration” under “Type of Action
Required”. Check the first box and then select Aileron (for roll movement) from the dropdown menu.
#65 – Now that both the Pitch and Roll movement axes are assigned now click on the Joystick Calibration
tab and select Page”"1 of 11 : Main Flight Controls" using the left /right page change arrows on this tab.
#66 – Press the Ailerons Set button then roll the Yoke fully right to its stop and press Set under the Max
column. Then roll the yoke full left and press Set under the Minimum column.
#67 – Now, center the Yoke, roll in right approximately 1 cm and press Set under the Center column and
then roll the yoke left 1 cm from center and again press Set under the Center column.
#68 – Now press the Elevator Set button. Then push the Yoke fully forward to its stop and press Set under
the Minimum column. Then pull the Yoke fully aft and press the Set button under the Max column.
#69 – Now completely center the Yoke. Push it forward about 1 cm and press Set under the Center
column. Then re-center the Yoke and pull it rearward 1cm and then press Set again under the Center
column. These last two steps create a small dead zone which is explained below.
NOTE : Remember that this section is also optional. Please see "Step 1" about disabling joystick functions
before making any changes to your rudder assignments as steps #70 -#80 may not be needed.
NOTE : All rudder pedals, from any manufacturer, will all have three axes; one for the left /right rudder
movement and then one for each toe brake. You must assign and calibrate all three of these axes if you
are using the FSUIPC utility for your rudder and brake control functions.
#70 – Once again, select the Axis Assignment tab. Press and hold the Rescan button while you slide the
rudder pedals fully back and forth to their stop points until you see that the rudder axis is recognized.
#71 – Now select the “Send Direct to FSUIPC Calibration” option. Check the first assignment checkbox
and select Rudder from the dropdown menu.
#72 – Now assign the Right Brake. Press and hold Rescan while you fully pivot the right brake up and
down. Once recognized select the “Send Direct to FSUIPC Calibration” option. Check the first
assignment checkbox and select Right Brake from the dropdown menu.
#73 – Now assign the Left Brake. Press and hold Rescan while you fully pivot the left brake up and down.
Once recognized select the “Send Direct to FSUIPC Calibration” option. Check the first assignment
checkbox and select Left Brake from the dropdown menu.
#74 – As before, now move onto the Joystick Calibration tab. Now stay on the first page; "1 of 11: Main
Flight Controls". On the right side of this page you will want to find the Rudder section.
#75 – Slide your rudder pedals fully back and forth so that you see the values moving in the In / Out boxes
and then re-center the pedals. Once re-centered press the main Set button.
#76 – Now slide your right heel fully forward and press the Set under the Min column. Then likewise, press
your left heel fully forward and press the Set under the Max column. Then re-center the rudders (feet off)
and press the Center button twice. This should now finalize your Rudder settings.
#77 – While still on the Joystick Calibration tab now select the second page which is "2 of 11: Prop,
Mixture and Brakes". On the right side of this page you will see the Brakes settings box.
#78 – On the right side of this tab press the main Set button for the Left Brake. Now press the Left Brake
pedal to the floor and with it held down press Set under the Min column. Release the brake pressure (foot
off) and now press Set under the Max column.
#79 – Repeat the same process for the Right Brake. Press the main Set button for the Right Brake. Now
press the Right Brake pedal to the floor and with it held down press Set under the Min column. Release the
brake pressure (foot off) and now press Set under the Max column.
#80 – Under both brake sections check the Rev box for Reverse Functionality. This will enable the brakes
to now function properly when you press down on the pedals. This is very similar to how the default brake
settings are set up in the Simulator’s own control assignment utility.
NOTE : The Reverse Function engaged in Step #80 can also be used with things like a Speed Brake lever
axis, a Flaps lever axis, a Landing Gear axis, or a Trim Control lever axis so as to engage a function when
pulled in a realistic direction such as towards you or downwards. More of this is discussed later.
9
REMINDER ABOUT CONTROL ASSIGNMENTS ! : Do not forget that if you HAVE NOT disabled the
Joystick function in FS and you are assigning ANY functions with the FSUIPC utility then you must access
the default FS Options\Controls\Assignments tab within the sim and carefully delete out each axis and
or button assignments in the sim for whatever axis or button(s) you will configure FSUIPC to operate!
If you fail to do so you will not only get double but also possibly cross-controlled inputs from both the sim
assignments and the FSUIPC assignments. So make sure you are choosing one or the other and then
delete out each axis and button assignments as necessary in your sim. If you plan on using FS-Inn for
VATSIM you WILL want to delete the #1 button assignment for your CH Yoke because by default FS
assigns this to your brakes. With FS-Inn however we can assign this to the PTT Push-to-Talk switch!
To learn more about this please download my specific quick start guide for setting up FS-Inn.
An aircraft or type user profile must be first set up by accessing the FSUIPC.ini file while the simulator is not
running. Therefore, with your simulator completely closed down access this configuration file and open it
with a text editor such as Notepad. The FSUIPC.ini configuration file contains numerous code sections
each having a header in brackets. Look for the one that begins with [General]. Under this section scroll
through the many parameters and look for the line reading: UseProfiles = No. Once found change this
to read UseProfiles=Yes. If this code entry does not exist then enter the whole command line of
UseProfiles=Yes while still keeping this new code command line under the [General] header.
You can now start your Flight Simulator. The next step depends on if you have ever been using any aircraft
specific settings with FSUIPC up to this point. If you have not, then in the FSUIPC options you will now see
a “profile specific” checkbox where there used to be an “aircraft specific” checkbox. There is actually no
difference in this until you place a check in the box to select or create a profile for the aircraft that you are
currently flying. Below the checkbox you will see “Cancel” and “New”. To create a new User Profile click
on the “New” option. This will open a box which allows you to give your new profile a name. Therefore
based on the plane you have loaded and which “type” of aircraft it is (see profiles list at the bottom of the
last page) you can now assign this new profile a name (such as single_engine_piston).
Once named something press OK. The new profile name will now appear in the title bar and the aircraft you
are currently using will be the first user of this new profile. Therefore you may want to consider what specific
aircraft you want to load up before you start your session if you know you are planning on creating a new
user profile. Lastly, for each new or different assignment you make on the current tab, or any other tab you
configure, will be associated with this profile so long as you additionally select the “profile specific” option
on each tab you adjust and then select the appropriate profile in the dropdown list once you enable the use
of profiles with the checkmark. Once you load a specific profile any specific changes you make in FSUIPC
such as new axis assignments or button assignments will then be saved under that user profile.
The next time you load an aircraft that you want to use a specific user profile for, all the profiles you have
created up to that point will be available for use, or, once again you can create another new one if desired.
If you subscribe to a general methodology of creating profiles based on the aircraft “type” rather than
“manufacturer or model” you will most likely not need to create more than 8 to 10 profiles, all of which
should then be able to fit the bill for every aircraft in your hangar.
Changing Older “Aircraft Specific” Profiles To The Newer Style “User Profiles”
If you upgraded FSUIPC from a previous version or have an old FSUIPC.ini file with “Aircraft Specific”
profiles where you had created a multitude of profiles for specific models of aircraft for example aircraft such
as a Cessna 172, or a King Air 350, or a Pilatus, rather than for type profiles such as “single_engine_piston”
or “twin_engine_turbine” or “single_engine_turbine” then there is a way to convert these older “aircraft
specific” files to the newer “user profile” format. However, to learn how to do this please see page 27 of the
standard FSUIPC User Guide as this older issue is not that necessary to cover in this quick start tutorial as I
assume that this quick start guide will be mostly read by newer FSUIPC product users.
And on that note …this concludes our journey into device programming!
I hope you have enjoyed this quick start tutorial for the FSUIPC registered utility.
If you have more interests in advanced flight simulation please check me out on the web at …
www.SimSamurai.net