Manipulators Tips

=Setups For Typical Switches and Elements=

Here are some typical setups for making 3-d animated switches and other cockpit parts.

Terms
Rotary: any part with rotational movement. Momentary: any part that returns to its original position when released. 2-way,3-way,n-way, continuous: how many distinct positions a part can take. A dimmer is continuous; an on-off switch is 2-way.

Non-Momentary Parts
These parts retain their original position after being clicked.

2-way parts
Datarefs: use the "toggle" manipulator - the on and off values match the two possible values for the underlying dataref.

Command: if a "toggle" command (e.g. sim/flight_controls/landing_gear_toggle) exists, you can use a command manipulator. You cannot use a "set to X" command like sim/flight_controls/landing_gear_up.

N-way switch
Use the axis manipulator along the axis the user can drag. Important: to get "N"-way action, be sure the underlying dataref is of type "integer" so the switch "snaps" to each position.

N-way rotary
Use the 2-d axis manipulator, but only use the X axis. This will allow a horizontal drag to turn the rotary. To get "N"-way action, be sure the underlying dataref is of type "integer" so the switch "snaps" to each position.

Radio Buttons
Radio buttons can take on N positions, by having any one button pressed in. Set each button to have a manipulator of type "radio button". All buttons should have the same datarefs but different values.

Continuous Switch
Use the axis manipulator along the axis the user can drag. The underlying dataref should be of type "float".

Continuous Rotary
Use the 2-d axis manipulator, but only use the X axis. The dataref should be of type "float".

Momentary Parts
These parts snap back when done.

2-way momentary
Dataref: use the "push button" manipulator with appropriate on and off dataref values. Command: if the action is a "hold-it-down" command (like sim/starters/engage_starter_1) you can use a command manipulator.

3-way momentary
Use the command-axis manipulator, with one command for each direction.