If you have a custom plane model that is not included in the built-in RSC plane conversion database, you can create a custom conversion for any parameters directly in the data configuration tool (Configurator).
Along with I/O assignments for SimVimX plugin (also used for hardware connection reference), the data.cfg file includes an additional section with data conversion blocks for different plane models you will use with your configuration.
Only the main I/O configuration section in the data.cfg file is essential. The user custom planes conversion section is optional, and is not needed if your custom plane is included in the RSC aircraft database (RSC_Planes.dat file) or if the aircraft model you use with your cockpit works as-is with default X-Plane functions.
To remap a specific parameter keyword, it must be assigned as input or output first. Then you can select the assigned parameter and click the [Convert] button. The needed plane should be selected in the plane conversion list!
Note: Although you select the assigned parameters, the conversion has nothing to do with the pin numbers assignment, it's just keywords remapping and once converted any parameter can be re-assigned to any other pin.
The options that will appear in the data conversion window depend on the I/O type.
For one momentary button you can assign either one custom command or a custom dataref with one value, or a custom dataref with two values if it works as a toggle button, depending on what option is provided by your custom plane developer. Of course, using the command is preferred.
A parameter assigned for toggle switch (On/Off) can be converted in 3 ways - your custom aircraft model may have two commands (preferable), or you can use a custom writable dataref with two On/Off values. The third option, which is often the only one available in some custom planes, is just one toggle command that is OK for a virtual on-screen panel (for mouse click), but for the real switch synchronization you need to know what dataref is used for virtual switch position animation:
3-position toggle switch parameter can be converted in 4 ways - an aircraft model may have 3 commands, a custom writable dataref with 3 values, it can often be two "switch Up" and "switch Dn" step commands, and even one "toggle" command that changes all 3 switch positions cyclically.
For the last two options you need to know what dataref is used for the switch position animation, and the value related to the switch central position (which can be -1,0,1 or 0,1,2, etc.)
N-position Rotary switch parameter may also have one of 3 options to be configured - an aircraft model may have N commands, a custom writable dataref with N values, or two "switch Up" and "switch Dn" step commands. For the last option you need to know what dataref is used to store the switch position:
A rocker switch parameter can be converted in 2 ways similar to an encoder - either 2 up/down commands or a dataref that is incrementer and decremented by the rocker switch.
To convert a custom parameter assigned for encoder control you have only two options - your custom aircraft model is provided either with two commands (usually and preferred) for this function, or one custom writable dataref:
NOTE: if it is a parameter keyword used for both inputs and outputs, you need to assign the LED for related input (switch/button) in the switch conversion window (see the next tab).
In most cases all you need to convert an output parameter is enter a suitable custom dataref name. Optionally you can enter the dataref value or value range for LED "ON" state:
SimVimX database includes many parameters keywords that are used for both input and output, even if the input uses commands. If default output parameter doesn't work as LED, you can add a dataref indicating the switch position or system state for such parameters.
NOTE: leave "default" if you do not need to convert the input, but only the LED!
Some output keywords, assigned to display, have additional options in the conversion window (the Alternate button):
Generally, every RSC/SimVimX parameter has preassigned display formats in SimVimX functions accordingly with device types, and optionally it can be changed in the converter for specific plane.
The list of all custom datarefs for your aircraft can be very large, but you really need only a small part of it for your cockpit controls. Search only for those custom commands and datarefs (the DataRef Tool plugin is useful for this) that correspond to the parameter that doesn't work.
While working with custom data for your aircraft model, you should remember the following rules:
In this case the only option is using these 4 commands for rotary switch positions.
In this case you need to use the 2 commands and the dataref which is needed to monitor its current value to set switch position using the up/dn commands correctly.
(SimVIm/X plugin will process this switch correctly, when you assign both commands and the reference dataref in the data conversion tool).
In this case you can use the dataref with 4 different values instead of commands.
But some of these commands (#1 here) can not only set the dataref value, but also initiate other functions, for example turn some annunciators, launch another system, etc. So, you may not get what you need, some function will work, some will not, so using the commands is preferable here.
Note that this is not always the case, as datarefs can also be programmed to initiate some additional functions when the value is changed, but it's up to the developer to do it.
It's the best option, always use it even if there is a writable dataref.
In this case you need to use both the command and the dataref which is needed to monitor its current value to set switch position using the toggle command correctly.
(SimVIm/X plugin will process this switch correctly, when you assign both the command and the dataref in the data conversion tool).
In this case you can use it as in the previous case, or use the dataref only, but only if the toggle command does not initiate some other function.
