Visual System
Removing the Cockpit Structure and Panels
In order to remove the cockpit structure and panels from the cockpit view open the model.cfg of the concerned aircraft and comment out the "interior" discription as shown below with the B737-800 as an example.
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\ Airplanes\ B737_800\model\model.cfg
| [models] normal=B737_800 //interior=B737_800_interior |
Restart the FSX and reload the aircraft or saved flight, respectively.
Immersive
Display Lite 2
However, even if you have made all settings as
accurate as possible, you might have some transitions
between the screens which do not satisfy your high
demands. I had also some optical distortion, mainly
caused by the different mounting of the center
projector. The solution was a program called 'Immersive
Display Lite 2', actually designed to do image
correction for
curved screens.
Immersive Display Lite 2 designed to
adjust the image projection on
a curved
screen and supports a multi projector setup. Even I
do not have a curved screen, the software is extremely useful to
adjust the transition at the edges of the 3 screens.
Of course the software does not help much in case
if
the projectors are not aligned accurately to the
screens. But with this prerequisite fulfilled you
can compensate very easily
image distortion
brought about by optical
tolerances of the projector lenses and
constructional circumstances,
e.g. screen alignment at the edges. Compared with
other similar programs on the market Immersive
Display Lite 2 has a very attractive
price/ performance ratio.
Immersive Display Lite 2 provides drag-points
which can be moved independent for horizontal and
vertical image distortion correction.
Links:
Fly Elise-ng:
http://fly.elise-ng.net/
Flight Deck Perspective
The correct setting of the eye point (seat height) is crucial for ground movement, take-off and landing. Some aircrafts, like the B-747 for example have "Eye Level Indicators" to enable the pilots to position themselves in their seats for an optimum combination of outside visibility and instrument scan. The B737 does not have this kind of "Eye Level Indicators", which is physically a marker at the window holm (B-747).
Adjust the seat position to obtain the optimum eye reference position as shown in the illustration above
After adjusting the pilot's seat heigth the FSX cockpit view must be adapted. This can be performed with the following keyboard commands for tilt down and tilt up.:
-
Ctrl + Q (tilt down)
-
Ctrl + Shift + Q (tilt up)
Tilt means to move (a camera) up or down on its vertical axis. Technical wise the setting is easy to perform, the challenge consists rather in setting the correct view from the cockpit to the projected scenery. I have set the tilt in a way that I can see the ground pavement aiming over the "aircraft nose structure" in approximately 10m in front of the aircraft.
I'm not sure whether this relects the real view from a B737. If someone has a better approach or experience, please let me know. Your hints will be highly appreciated.
Update: According to the B737 GROUND MANEUVERING document the downward vision is 11,46m (37FT 7IN). Not 10m as shown in my illustration.