SimVimPanel is a standalone program running a set of realistic, fully-functional aircraft instrument panels on a computer that is connected by network to the main computer with X-Plane.
The program doesn't require any data configuration on the user's part. When you run the program on another computer in the local network, it automatically connects to the main X-Plane computer with SimVimX plugin istalled. The system is built in such a way that any number of computers with different instrument panels can be connected to the main computer running X-Plane.
The new version 5.0 is released! Download here
SimVimPanel doesn't require any installation procedure - just unpack it anywhere you want and launch it. The instrument panel module that you want to use need to be placed to the Modules folder before. If you're using Linux or Raspberry Pi and the program doesn't launch, check the file permissions to make sure it is marked as executable. The computers running SimVimPanel need to be connected to the same local network as the computer running X-Plane with SimVimX plugin.
Before using the SimVimPanel program, you need to make sure that your screen resolution is set to the monitor's native resolution. For example, if the monitor you'll be using has a resolution of 1600x900 pixels, make sure your operating system has set that resolution correctly. You can read about more precise scaling customization and scaling for non-standard screen resolutions on Raspberry Pi here.
The program detects your screen dimensions/resolution and scale the panels to be displayed in their real size on any monitor by default (i.e. 3.125" or 80mm for major gauges). However, if the program doesn't detect your screen size correctly for some reason and you see incorrect istruments dimentions, you can scale up/down the whole instrument panel using the related keys (described in the "Instrument-only Panel" section below).
The instrument panels themselves are represented as separate "modules". A single panel module is a file with the .sim or .pan extension that is placed to the program's [Modules] folder.
Instrument panel modules are designed to accurately represent the functionality and positions of the actual instruments of specific aircraft. Every instrument is made as close to original as possible and has real sizes on the chosen LCD screens.
SimVimPanel program is not a "constructor", it doesn't have a special user interface or program for customization, it's a set of ready-to-use panels for specific aircraft. However, we already have quite a large collection of instruments, and we can customize any panel that uses these instruments, or can replace any instrument on an existing panel on request.
The project is ongoing, and in time we will be making panels for more aircraft types.
There are 2 versions of the SimVim Panel modules available since May 2023 - Instruments-only and Full Panel textures.
The instrument-only version is for those who build a "hardware" panel with cover plates made of plastic, metal, plywood or cardboard covering the monitor screens, containing only cut-outs for instruments and indicators.
Every specific aircraft panel is provided with its typical instrument layout, with exact positioning and spacing. For the instruments-only panel we will provide a cut-out template with dimensions (also, you can launch the instrument panel, correct its positioning and scale and make your template directly from the screen).
All instruments are automatically displayed in their real size (for example 3,125" gauges) on any screen. The program usually detects the screen size correctly. If not - you will need to adjust the panel scaling to get correct instruments dimentions (or scaled-down size if you build your panel in redused size) in the "setup" mode.
The full panel version includes realistic panel and instrument bezels textures in real sizes, with all control elements, including switches, knobs, and brightness zone overlays. All you need is a single monitor of suitable size and resolution connected to a Raspberry Pi, mini-PC or any old computer/laptop, without any covering.
All on-screen knobs, buttons and switches can be controlled with a mouse, but at the same time you can assign all needed SimVimX parameters to real switches, encoders and make a simple panel placed below or beside of the monitor or elsewhere.
Here is an example of how the particular panel is fitted on the 31.5" monitor (2560x1440 is used here for Baron-58 and Piper PA44):
A full panel can be displayed in scaled down ratio to fit any LCD screen size by pressing the "S" key to automatically scale the panel to screen size (either screen width or height). Later, we will also include an option to assign a zoom parameter to buttons or an encoder in SimVimX. This feature allows you to use the full panel module on any LCD screen (large monitor or notebook display). If you scale the panel down by 10-20% it will still be looking close to the real size with well readable hi-resolution instruments.
In case one of the panel modules you use stops working after a program update, make sure this panel module is up-to-date.
| Platform 64 | Platform 32 | Version | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 64-bit | v5.0a | 22 Dec 2023 | |
| Raspberry Pi 64-bit | Raspberry Pi 32-bit | v5.0 | 02 July 2023 Changelog |
| Linux 64-bit | Linux 32-bit | ||
| Windows 64-bit | Windows 32-bit | ||
| Updated common data file | 02 Sep. 2023 | ||
