Getting Started - Install and Test SimVimCockpit What you need to start: Get one micro-controller board built on Atmega2560 (See details here.) SimVimCockpit software (plugin) and install it to X-Plane. Follow the "Getting Started" steps (below on this page) to SimVim firmware and test communication. Wire correctly all nput control and output devices to the controller and use SimVim Configuration tool to assign all of them. Note: You will need to get one Ethernet module if you plan to use Ethernet for communication, not USB. (ed systems: Linux, Windows, OSX with any version of X-Plane) After ing the SimVimCockpit_v##.zip file, unpack as-is into X-Plane ../plugins folder (as any other plugins for X-Plane). The new menu item "SimVimCockpit" will appear in the X-Plane plugins menu. Then, from the plugin menu you need to SimVim firmware to the master controller board. First start and Input/Output test If you have no previously ed SimVim firmware, follow the steps below. If you plan to use LAN version, attach an Ethernet module to you controller board before and connect it to your router. Open the "Firmware " window from SimVim plugin menu. Follow the steps displayed in that window When USB port is detected select correct controller type from the list and set the "Ethernet" checkbox if you will use Ethernet module. Click "". Wait until firmware is completed (about 5-8 s) After the plugin will connect to this controller automatically. The connected board will appear in SimVim Status window. Load some default aircraft (e.g. Cessna) in X-Plane Connect a toggle switch to pin #5, GND and throw it on/off The Pitot switch state will changing accordingly with your switch position The on-board LED on the controller board will change its state (Pitot Heat is on/off). Firmware Update When you update the SimVimCockpit to a next version, the plugin will inform you about need to update firmware (if there is new firmware) and present you the window with the options already filled in. For USB connection, just be sure that all options are correct and click "". For LAN connection, connect your master board to USB (or disconnect and connect it again) and click "Connect". After that, check the options and click "". SimVim Connection, notes - You never need to the firmware to change I/O configuration, all you need to do is create new configuration file. - If you have changed the data.cfg file while X-Plane is running, just click the "Reload Configuration" button in the Status window. - With firmware ed you no longer need to unplug your controller board USB cable before X-Plane launch. If you use Ethernet firmware you don't need USB cable to be connected until you will need to new version of firmware. After successfull first test you can be sure that SimVim plugin communicates with your controller, and you can start configuring it in the Configurator. Plugin should always establish connection automatically every time X-Plane is started, no matter how many times you did this and how many changes you made in the
data config file. SimVim Plugin Reconnection options: 1. [Reload Configuration] button in the "Status" window reloads all SimVim configuration, it should be used when you saved new data configuration file 2. [Hardware Reconnect] menu item resets everything inside the plugin and reopens all ports and reloads all SimVim configuration. Use it only if you have reconnected your board USB cable while X-Plane is running. When updating plugin to new version you need to restart X-Plane (or use "Reload plugins" if this item is presented in your X-Plane plugins.