EZBoards - Generate kneeboards (flights, comms, stpts, weather) from briefings
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In the dark, how does one read the knee boards?
Turn on the console flood lights Shift-Alt-C, I think, on the BMS Full Key.
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Just a few lines to say I downloaded .NET Core Runtime 3.1.11 and EZ Boards and it worked perfectly for me .
The inclusion of the mission briefing and other information on the knee boards is an excellent addition to the sim.
Thanks Logic.
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Hi Logic,
Just a suggestion but have you thought about using a script language such as AutoIt in place of the batch file, with just a couple of clicks you can compile them to .exe and avoid having to display the command window. I’m using something similar here:
https://www.benchmarksims.org/forum/showthread.php?41095-Ice’s-Falcon-BMS-Profile-Updated-for-BMS-4-35So here is part of my AutoIt script partially converted to EzBoards as an example:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/4o55tjjmmz7q2vz/EzBoards.au3/file
And that will work for all of the addon theaters.
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@linknet:
Yeah, solutions there could have been plenty.
I chose BAT file because it’s available on every Windows and kind of self-documenting.
Then free for everyone to adapt and rip it apart.Another interesting idea would be to have a process monitor the BMS briefing.txt file for modifications and then run EZBoards immediately. This way, the click on the Print button would be sufficient have the boards generated.
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A stupid question:
How does one run the Bat file without quitting BMS?
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A stupid question:
How does one run the Bat file without quitting BMS?
Oh, well you need to alt-tab out i guess.
Most people are running BMS windowed nowadays (check graphics settings) and the 2D window doesn’t even span half the screen on modern sized monitors.
Then a well-placed shortcut on the desktop will do the trick. -
Many thanks!
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Updated to V2.
- Now generated DDS files use exact same parameters as original BMS ones. Just in case it could have caused incompatibilities.
- Own flight is highlighted green now.
- Other minor changes.
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This is very nice for a quick briefing for instance for training missions or simple TEs, where WDP is more for larger/complex missions. One thing I have always missed from the one-page briefing is some airfield information for main airfield and alternate, like TACAN and ILS frequency. Are those things easily accessible for you to add to the kneeboards ?
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This is very nice for a quick briefing for instance for training missions or simple TEs, where WDP is more for larger/complex missions. One thing I have always missed from the one-page briefing is some airfield information for main airfield and alternate, like TACAN and ILS frequency. Are those things easily accessible for you to add to the kneeboards ?
Hi jayb,
No, unfortunately not, they’re not contained in the briefings file that BMS generates and which is the input for EZBoards.
I could add it as static info, but then It’ll get dependent on theater.
That being said, the airport charts with the info you mention are available as kneeboards by default already, afaik. -
V3 released.
- Now includes a Min Fuel indication per steerpoint, similar to WDP. (See screenshots in top post)
It is just a rough estimate based on fuel calculation given in TO-BMS1F-16CM-1/1.7.9. that can be used to set Bingo/Joker fuel. - Now includes the timestamp of the briefing record, to avoid confusion whether the board shows the right briefing. (If that timestamp is off compared to your local time, you either forgot to “Print” the briefing or to run EZBoards and are seeing data from a previous mission)
- Now includes package number in title of package section.
- Some more colors and style.css configuration options.
- Better diagnostic output.
- Now includes a Min Fuel indication per steerpoint, similar to WDP. (See screenshots in top post)
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Thanks for the update. I’ve just run it on a TE, the Advanced Maverick one, got this:
EZBoards - Instant single-click briefing to kneeboards conversion for Falcon BMS.
Version 3.
By “Logic”, Jan 2021.
–-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASEDIR=C:\Falcon BMS 4.35
PILOTBIN=566970657200000000000000
PILOTCALLSIGN=Viper
BRIEFINGTXT=“C:\Falcon BMS 4.35\User\Briefings\briefing.txt”
CALLSIGNINI=“C:\Falcon BMS 4.35\User\Config\Viper.ini”
TARGET=“C:\Falcon BMS 4.35\Data\TerrData\Objects\KoreaObj\7982.dds”
Generating HTML version of briefing data to briefing.html.
Unhandled exception. System.FormatException: Input string was not in a correct format.
at System.Number.ThrowOverflowOrFormatException(ParsingStatus status, TypeCode type)
at System.Double.Parse(String s, IFormatProvider provider)
at xbrief.Program.ParseAlt(String input)
at xbrief.Program.Main(String[] args)ERROR
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Thanks! Reproduced.
Found the error and fixed.
Will release update tomorrow. -
V4 released.
- Fixes a bug reported by rubbra where xbrief would crash when parsing altitudes in steerpoints tagged with “A” (AGL) instead of “M”.
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Su@Logic:
V4 released.
- Fixes a bug reported by rubbra where xbrief would crash when parsing altitudes in steerpoints tagged with “A” (AGL) instead of “M”.
Super quick work! Thanks!
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This is a great program.
In the interest in making it more convenient and automated would it be possible for EZB to run in the background and monitor the briefing.txt for changes? That way pressing PRINT would write to file and EZB would spring into action automatically, no alt-tab required.
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In the interest in making it more convenient and automated would it be possible for EZB to run in the background and monitor the briefing.txt for changes? That way pressing PRINT would write to file and EZB would spring into action automatically, no alt-tab required.
Good remark! Yes, i already thought about that.
This is probably as easy as running anyone of those:
https://www.raymond.cc/blog/3-portable-tools-monitor-files-folders-changes/
But for one, i don’t know these programs and which one to choose.
And second, I’m a bit reluctant to install such a program together with EZBoards as it will run permanently.
So I’ll leave it up to you guys to make some experiences with that first.The perfect solution would be if the Devs included the possibility (configurable) to run an external program when pressing Print.
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As you have .Net core as a requirement I assume you the application is based on .NET stack. Why installing another tool with it you could use your own FileSystemWatcher and have an eventlistern on the file changed event of the briefing file
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As you have .Net core as a requirement I assume you the application is based on .NET stack. Why installing another tool with it you could use your own FileSystemWatcher and have an eventlistern on the file changed event of the briefing file
Thanks. You’re right, it’s probably very easy to do. Will look into it, but don’t hold your breath.
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Still, batch commands can be very powerful, maybe it can otherwise check for new files in debrief folder?