Feature Request - expose ETM display as strings
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@Black-Square would it be feasible to expose the ETM display text lines content as a string(s) via LVARs/etc or any other feasible way to be used in external cockpit hardware instead of a popup display?
This would be super useful, and string data also should be very simple to integrate with basic LCD character displays for "authentic" experience.Thanks for the consideration!
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That's an interesting idea. Unfortunately, L:Vars do not support string values, and I'm not aware of any other convenient way export this kind of data from MSFS. It would be useful for me in various other ways, so I will keep my eyes open for something that would make this possible. If you see anything that works in a similar manner, please point it out so that I can figure out how it works.
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@ZenIT_SWE Yes, that could be a good option for the constant strings.
@Black-Square Another possible option I've bumped into is encoding string chars into a numeric value, basically "packing" standard chars. This would be needed for dynamic data i.e. waypoint names, etc.
This is an old post but the concept is probably clear:
https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/storing-string-data.94088/
I wonder if there are any up-to-date ready-to-use implementations, but my sim development is quite lightweight and mainly involves standard simconnect stuff, no gauges development. -
Thanks for sharing that thread. I thought of doing something similar as I was going to bed last night, but the macros are a particularly good way of doing it. No promises, but I will definitely be referring back to that thread next time I run into something that would benefit from that strategy. As has happened with lots of my features so far, I often develop something because it's needed for a new feature that I get excited about, and then when it's working, I create convenience features that also require that same technique.
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You're welcome! I'm really glad to hear you find the information useful. Great to know that this feature might be in the "future considerations box", thanks again!
