Black Shark Twin monitor

New setup

PeterP,

I am sorry that I am not communicating clearly. I will try harder.

I have a configuration of SoftTH that doesn't crash in windowed mode. I cannot select full screen to get the FPS improvement I crave. If I select Full Screen, the simulation launches but only a black box is displayed in the center of the main screen. It appears that the simulation gets minimized to someplace off screen and I cannot alt tab to bring it back. The simulation is clearly running as all the instruments are working and I can hear the tower in the background.

This set-up shows the "camera" view on the main screen and the Shkval on the 1024 x 600 top USB display and the Abris on the 600 x 1024 USB display below it. The screen arrangement is similar to your Variant 2 with both USB screen to the right of the main screen. This was the smallest screen footprint design. My FPS sitting on the runway is 7. Unplayable. SoftTH has allowed me to "disable" the large touchscreen below the main screen. The Helios program displays my instruments on this screen. Everything works. Even the menus have moved to a position on the "camera" screen where I can read them.

The physical set-up is shown below.

The monitor file is shown below:

_ = function(p) return p; end;

name = _('Froglips2+2monitors');

Description = 'Camera on upper, Helios on lower,ABRIS on Doublesight, Shkval on iMo';

Viewports =

{

Center =

{

x = 0;

y = 0;

width = 1920;

height = 1200;

viewDx = 0;

viewDy = 0;

aspect = 16/9;

}

}

Shkval =

{

x = 1920;

y = 0;

width = 800;

height = 600;

}

ABRIS =

{

x = 1920;

y = 600;

width = 600;

height = 800;

}

PVIDig =

{

x = 2720;

y = 500;

width = 244;

height = 244;

}

The options file is shown below:

options =

{

["difficulty"] =

{

["padlock"] = true,

["easyRadar"] = false,

["miniHUD"] = false,

["birds"] = 0,

["optionsView"] = "optview_all",

["permitCrash"] = false,

["immortal"] = false,

["map"] = true,

["radio"] = false,

["labels"] = true,

["tips"] = true,

["aftSwitching"] = false,

["cockpitLanguage"] = "english",

["units"] = "imperial",

["easyFlight"] = false,

["altTrimmingMethod"] = true,

["externalViews"] = true,

["iconsTheme"] = "nato",

["fuel"] = false,

["weapons"] = false,

["setGlobal"] = true,

["geffect"] = "realistic",

}, -- end of ["difficulty"]

["views"] =

{

["cockpit"] =

{

["mirrors"] = true,

["reflections"] = false,

["russianHud"] = false,

["avionics"] = 1,

}, -- end of ["cockpit"]

}, -- end of ["views"]

["sound"] =

{

["world"] = -14.5,

["radioSpeech"] = true,

["cockpit"] = 0,

["volume"] = 0,

["headphones"] = 0,

["music"] = -14.5,

["subtitles"] = true,

["gui"] = 0,

}, -- end of ["sound"]

["graphics"] =

{

["multiMonitorSetup"] = "froglips2+2monitors",

["color"] = "32",

["heatBlr"] = 0,

["scenes"] = "medium",

["water"] = 2,

["fullScreen"] = false,

["visibRange"] = "Medium",

["aspect"] = 1.3,

["textures"] = 1,

["shadows"] = 2,

["effects"] = 3,

["width"] = 2944,

["lights"] = 2,

["height"] = 1644,

["civTraffic"] = 0,

["resolution"] = "1920x1200",

["haze"] = 1,

}, -- end of ["graphics"]

} -- end of options

The config.SoftTH file is shown below:

[main]

;Display1=Camera Display 2=Helios(disabled) Display3=ABRIS Display4=Shkval

renderResolution=2944x1624

nonlocalFormat=RGB16D

keepComposition=0

smoothing=0

debugD3D=0

zClear=1

vsync=0

tripleBuffer=1

screenshotFormat=bmp

dllPathD3D9=auto

dllPathDXGI=auto

dllPathD3D11=auto

[overrides]

forceResolution=0

antialiasing=2

processAffinity=1

FOVForceHorizontal=0

FOVForceVertical=0

[head_primary]

; DISPLAY 1 -Camera view

sourceRect=0,0,1920,1200

screenMode=1920x1200

[head_1]

; DISPLAY 2 - ABRIS view

devID=2

sourceRect=1920,600,600,1024

transportResolution=300x512

transportMethod=nonlocal16d

noSync=1

[head_2]

; DISPLAY 3 - Shkval view

devID=3

sourceRect=1920,0,1024,600

transportResolution=512x300

transportMethod=nonlocal16d

noSync=1

Got SoftTH working thanks to a guy named PwrUsr over on ketgetys.net. That is the good news.

The bad news is that the USB monitors are just killing the frame rates. I am in Full screen mode and getting 20 fps. Every graphic option is set to low. The Abris is set at a 512 x 300 transport because lower is unreadable. The Shkvall is set to 150 x 256. It looks "OK" making me think it is pretty low rez.

Off to look for a 17" VGA touchscreen. Bummer. The set-up looked so cool.

Glad you get it working, and finding the misplaced digits with PwrUsr in the end:

http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?topic=2744.msg11231#msg11231

Also big a thumb'-up to your methodical approach to find the problem about your fps.

But I have to remind you that the FPS-Counter of DCS can fool you when running SoftTH.

But anyway - sorry that you don't feel a FPS improvement even without the USB-Monitors connected.

PeterP so I have been out of the sim loop the past months (deployment) and I fired up my BS and my dual monitor setup is not working....On a side note I'm currently updating to the BS2 as we speak....So to my questions what went wrong! and are there changes that have to be made to get the amazing creation you setup for me to work again! This was the layout you designed for me the monitors have not changed

In the following config I assume that the Left Monitor is your primary Display in the Windows Display-Properties. If not - Set your left Monitor as primary!

I also assume that you running BlackShark version 1.0.1 and didn't patched to the latest version because you want to be able to replay the training Tracks correctly. - Be aware that when you patch you will have to edit the options.lua again! The latest version of BS has a slightly changed file structure and the syntax of the files is also changed.

 

But you will be able to do this without problems when you compare the syntax of the necessary files -and there is always this forum that will point you in the right direction.

 

I believe that's why Froglips was confused about your options.lua syntax.

- in the latest patch it appears with a changed syntax. But you options.lua looks intact - but is not tweaked for your desired result.

 

OK - let's start!

 

General layout of my edit:

 

This is the code for your new options.lua (I insert "-- edit" where I made changes):

 

 options =
{
  ["views"] =
  {
      ["cockpit"] =
      {
          ["mirrors"] = true,
          ["reflections"] = false,
          ["avionics"] = 2,
          ["russianHud"] = false,
      }, -- end of ["cockpit"]
  }, -- end of ["views"]
  ["difficulty"] =
  {
      ["padlock"] = false,
      ["easyRadar"] = true,
      ["enemies"] = true,
      ["setGlobal"] = true,
      ["immortal"] = false,
      ["geffect"] = "realistic",
      ["permitCrash"] = false,
      ["easyFlight"] = true,
      ["tips"] = true,
      ["radio"] = true,
      ["fuel"] = false,
      ["hud"] = false,
      ["aftSwitching"] = false,
      ["cockpitLanguage"] = "english",
      ["units"] = "imperial",
      ["externalViews"] = true,
      ["altTrimmingMethod"] = false,
      ["myPlane"] = true,
      ["iconsTheme"] = "nato",
      ["map"] = true,
      ["weapons"] = false,
      ["allies"] = true,
      ["labels"] = true,
  }, -- end of ["difficulty"]
  ["audio"] =
  {
      ["wind"] = 100,
      ["radio"] = 100,
      ["musicEn"] = false,
      ["engines"] = 100,
      ["soundEn"] = true,
      ["effects"] = 100,
      ["music"] = 50,
      ["radioSpeech"] = true,
      ["warnings"] = 100,
      ["volume"] = 100,
      ["inCockpit"] = 100,
      ["mech"] = 100,
      ["subtitles"] = true,
      ["gui"] = 50,
  }, -- end of ["audio"]
  ["graphics"] =
  {
      ["multiMonitorSetup"] = "SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2", -- edit
      ["color"] = "32",
      ["heatBlr"] = 1,
      ["scenes"] = "high",
      ["water"] = 2,
      ["fullScreen"] = true, -- edit
      ["visibRange"] = "High",
      ["aspect"] = 1.77,
      ["textures"] = 2,
      ["shadows"] = 3,
      ["display_mode"] =
      {
          ["avi"] =
          {
              ["bpp"] = 32,
              ["resolution"] = "640x480",
              ["full_screen"] = false,
              ["aspect"] = 1.333333333,
              ["height"] = 480,
              ["width"] = 1920,
          }, -- end of ["avi"]
      }, -- end of ["display_mode"]
      ["effects"] = 3,
      ["lights"] = 2,
      ["haze"] = 1,
      ["terrPrld"] = "20",
      ["height"] = 1080,
      ["resolution"] = "SoftTH 3840x1080", -- edit
      ["civTraffic"] = 0,
      ["width"] = 3840, -- edit
  }, -- end of ["graphics"]
} -- end of options

 

 

The code of the config.SoftTHconfig :

 

[main]
renderResolution=3840x1080
nonlocalFormat=RGB16D
keepComposition=0
smoothing=0
debugD3D=0
zClear=0
vsync=0
tripleBuffer=1
screenshotFormat=jpg
dllPathD3D9=auto
dllPathDXGI=auto
dllPathD3D11=auto

[overrides]
forceResolution=0
antialiasing=2
processAffinity=1
FOVForceHorizontal=0
FOVForceVertical=0

[head_primary]
; DISPLAY 1 - Cockpit
sourceRect=0,0,1920,1080
screenMode=1920x1080

[head_1]
; DISPLAY 2 - Shkval and Abris
devID=1
sourceRect=1920,0,1920,1080
transportResolution=1920x1080
transportMethod=local
noSync=0

 

 

The code of the Monitor configuration Lua (it will apper as 'SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2' in the options-menu of BlackShark):

 

_  = function(p) return p; end;
name = _('SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2');
Description = 'SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2';
Viewports =
{
    Center =
    {
         x = 0;
         y = 0;
         width = 1920;
         height = screen.height;
         viewDx = 0;
         viewDy = 0;
         aspect = 1.77;
    }
}

Shkval =
{
    x = 1920;
    y = 169;
    width = 1087;
    height = 741;
}

ABRIS =
{
    x = 3007;
    y = 0;
    width = 833;
    height = 1080;
}

 

 

My ReadMe:

Make a backup of the files you will overwrite! Use Notepad++ ( http://notepad-plus-plus.org/ )to edit files.

 

Attached are all files in a RAR container.

As you are now using BS2 you have to know following:

1.

BS2 is a native 64bit application (If you run a 64bit OS) and you have to use the SoftTH version for 64bit application to make it work.

SoftTH readme:

* NOTE: This version is for 64bit programs/games. Even *

* if you are using a 64bit OS, you will still need to *

* use the 32bit version of SoftTH for majority of games *

http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=ucj7i2hpbpf89gtsjj6oli8r64&topic=2123.0

"SoftTH208balpha_x64.zip"

2.

The "options.lua" that is read out before the start of DCS is now (Win7) stored in

C:\Users\>User name<\Saved Games\DCS BlackShark 2\Config

Probably you will not able to select 3840x1080 in the options menu so

edit the options.lua like this:

 
line #38:
["aspect"] = 3.555555555555556,

line #47:
["height"] = 1080,

line #51:
["width"] = 3840,
        
  

The code of the new config.SoftTHconfig :

[main]
renderResolution=3840x1080
nonlocalFormat=RGB16D
keepComposition=0
smoothing=0
debugD3D=0
zClear=0
vsync=0
tripleBuffer=0
screenshotFormat=jpg
dllPathD3D9=auto
dllPathDXGI=auto
dllPathD3D11=auto

[overrides]
forceResolution=0
antialiasing=0
processAffinity=1
FOVForceHorizontal=0
FOVForceVertical=0

[debug]
compatibleIB=0
compatibleTex=0
compatibleVB=0
enableVBQuirk=0

[head_primary]
sourceRect=0,0,1920,1080
screenMode=1920x1080

[head_1]
; Abris+Shkval
devID=1
sourceRect=1920,0,1920,1080
transportResolution=1920x1080
transportMethod=auto
noSync=0
fpsLimit=0

The code of the new Monitor configuration Lua (it will apper as 'SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2' in the options-menu of BlackShark):

_  = function(p) return p; end;
 name = _('SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2');
 Description = 'SoftTH - Center on Monitor 1 - Abris and Shkval on Monitor 2';
 Viewports =
 {
    Center =
    {
         x = 0;
         y = 0;
         width = 1920;
         height = screen.height;
         viewDx = 0;
         viewDy = 0;
         aspect = 1.77;
    }
}

Shkval =
{
    x = 1920;
    y = 169;
    width = 1087;
    height = 741;
}

ABRIS =
{
    x = 3007;
    y = 0;
    width = 833;
    height = 1080;
}


UIMainView = Viewports.Center

In NVG-operations you will have a stretched NVG mask.

To fix this simply put attached focus.png into \DCS Black Shark 2\Bazar\Effects\PostMotionEffect\NightVisionGoogle

Before and after:

Check fullscreen in the BlackShark-Option menu!

Read the "readme_SoftTH2.txt" !!!

And donate something to Kegetys if you like SoftTH!

Make a backup of the files you will overwrite! Use Notepad++ ( http://notepad-plus-plus.org/ )to edit files.

Finally:

Have Fun!

Hi Peter,

I have been struggling with this for a few days now.

I have both monitors attached to my GTX570. Win764 and this is for black shark 2, and I am using the 64bit SoftTH dll in the black shark2/bin directory.

I have tried the suggestions above. My setup however has a few minor differences:

1. I have one monitor1920x1080 which I would like to be my main camera(it is also my primary desktop in Windows and is detected as monitor 1)

2. My second monitor max resolution is 1280X1024 and it is positioned to the left of my main monitor(it is my secondary monitor and is detected as monitor 2).

I am trying to set this up in black shark 2. I do see the softTH logo on the left monitor. I can see some of the cockpit on my main monitor but it is partially blocked by the camera. I basically have a duplicate of this on the left monitor.

Here is my softTH config:

Here is my options LUA file:

Here is my monitor setup file:

Corrections in RED

softTH config:

monitor setup file:

Hi PeterP,

I'm trying to set SoftTH but I'm having some trouble to make it work. Everything is working flawlessly on window mode without the SoftTH, it is just that when I add the dll (64bits, for DCS World 1.2) I don't get the ABRIS on my second monitor.

Ok, so my setup consists of 1 monitor running at 1920x180 (main) and another running at 800x480 in portrait which becomes 480x800 (for the ABRIS).

Here's my lua which is working without the SoftTH in window mode:

and here's my SoftTH config:

Every time that I try to run I only get the cockpit image on the main monitor, I'm not getting the ABRIS on the second, it stays black.

Can you please give me a hand here?

Thanks a lot.

regards

Can't say anything up to now - only that your config looks legit.

Please provide more info about your system GPU, OS, ect.

And where you able to run SoftTH before with another DX9 game?

Does it work in stand alone BS2 1.1.1.1 for you?

EDIT:

Have also a look here : USB Monitors

and here:

Multi-screen setup in DCS World 1.2.0

Hi PeterP, thanks a lot for the links... yeah it's in fact an USB monitor that I'm trying to run... oh well, I guess I'm not the only one. Good thing is that i can still run it in Window Mode so it's not a big deal.

Anyway, thanks a lot and I'll keep my eyes opened here in case ED or any member finds a solution.

Answering your questions, it's a GeForce 275, Win7 64, and I never tried SoftTh before, this was my first time. I've been running in Window Mode without any problems tough.

thanks a lot!

regards

Switch the Aero theme on!

this is needed for the Virtual-graphics-adapter that a USB-Monitor installs -so the USB-monitor is able to display data from your GPU.

1. "keepComposition=1" in your SoftTHconfig

2. "Disable Aero interface" unchecked in DCS 1.1.2.0 (new check-box in graphics options)

And then it should work.

I can't get SweetFX to work

Looks like it uses the same dll. I tried to copy the d3d9.dll into the sweetfx folder, still doesn't take. Found something about 64 bit vs 32 bit. Seesh. I'm not sure. Anyone else have any difficulties like this? I'm not sure which I would rather have a working bezel compensation or sweetFX.

Regardless this little SoftTH config tool works great!