Ep: 1 - Design Your Own Flight Simulator

BUILD YOUR OWN FLIGHT SIMULATOR AT HOME!!!!
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of Tutorial Tuesday! In this video I show you how to design and model your own replica flight simulator panels. Follow along as we design, build and code this replica F-5 Tiger armament panel.
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[@AeroTechOG]

This is so amazing to see you build!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you! I appreciate it 🫡🫡

[@rasmuslindgren9433]

This channel is so good! It's really easy to understand and he shows everything in 1 video instead of you neding to find 5 different videos! I wish I found this earlier.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it I am just on a little break at the moment due to work commitments- but I’ll be back real soon with more videos Thank you for being here 😊😊

[@SimplePacman]

I was searching so long for a guy like you who also makes his products for DCS! TYSM🥰

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!!! Welcome to the channel 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@TheShaolinfunk]

Mate, I have to say, your videos are super well put together. I have been using a Leo Bodnar card to run my switches. After watching your Vids I went and bought the Elegoo starter kit, the coding videos you started with are amazingly clear and your teaching method is fantastic. Thanks for the info I have already gleaned and now I may have to start saving for a laser.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!! I appreciate it 😃 the Elegoo kit is really good I learnt so much just using that kit Enjoy the rabbit hole 😃 see you next episode which will be this Tuesday coming

[@QuasarCon]

Would you be able to make a more in depth tutorial on how ModelViewer2 works. And how for someone like me who wants to build an entire cockpit would be able to get squared off images from each of the panels of the F/A-18C as they are all at different angles. And how (if even possible) to hide the pilot during this process?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey there! I can look into it for sure 😃

[@JPH11]

I second this, would love if you could do a short tutorial. I'm trying to do the F15E and can't seem to zoom past the pilot seat to see the instrument panel!

[@aHornetsNest]

Yeah that’s the most annoying part about MV2. I’ll see if I can do some testing and if all the aircraft are the same I’ll create a little guide for it :)

[@cammy9r]

Great information thank you. Definitely need a switch cap and knob making tutorial. There are a few on thingiverse but they are usually switch specific. I want to learn how to model toggle switch caps like rounded, flat master arm.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!! 100% definitely stay tuned and we will make it happen! So good to have you here :) I hope you enjoy the rest of the series

[@JaridMitchell]

Another good idea for getting model reference is getting the msfs gltf opener tool for msfs & then you can open any model in blender & port the stls to fusion

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey! That’s very cool! I wish DCS had that Thanks for the heads up that’s awesome - coz there are a couple of MSFS products I want to make 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@simonegaliazzo2520]

Outstanding work! Can't wait for next episodes. Finnaly I'll do my ka-50 panels using this method 👍🏻

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you so much! I can’t wait to see how they turn out 😁 make sure you tag me or send me a DM when they’re finished so I can see 🫡 see you next Tuesday for Pt2

[@raymondmichael4987]

I mark this series useful; I subscribe immediately, I like and leave a comment. With you I hope to learn fusion too, though I don’t have a 3D printer yet 😊. Greetings from Tanzania 🇹🇿

[@aHornetsNest]

Awesome to have you here!!! We can definitely add in more Fusion Tutorials! Thanks again Hello from Australia 🇦🇺

[@Tome4kkkk]

@@aHornetsNestMake it FreeCAD instead! :)

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey 😃 I would it if I knew how to use freeCad 😂

[@Tome4kkkk]

Hit tutorials by Mango Jelly and you'll be all set!

[@aHornetsNest]

😃 when I need to use it I’ll make sure to go look :)

[@JaridMitchell]

Saw your ad on instagram, this is right up my alley! Subbed

[@aHornetsNest]

Mate you’re a legend! Thanks so much, it’s awesome to have you here :)

[@Magpie...]

Thanks for making this mate, trying to find this info in forum posts was bloody confusing

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks for the comment! Yep I know the pain 😫 that’s one of the reasons I started the channel :) make a place anyone can come regardless of how complex their sim is - and they can come get the info they need

[@01Gator]

MS33558 font is a good one for modern panels.

[@TEACypher]

I am not convinced by MS33558 I have a genuine Harrier Panel and the text doesn't match, specifically the X and R are well out, and A cross is also low.

[@aHornetsNest]

@@TEACypher definitely some variations for sure 😊 I found it’s reasonably close to the US manufacturers .. but I definitely know what you mean with the harrier as I was looking into making AV-8 panels for a mate

[@aHornetsNest]

@01Gator 100%… 🙌🏻🙌🏻 I use MS33558 for my Hornet cockpit

[@BenDeVries-ru9nk]

Awesome tutorial, great work.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!!

[@georgelza]

... guess gap in my F360 education, you at @9.00 have the main panel with holes for the switches to protrude through... you then add a 2nd layer/diffuser panel as a copy of the first (where you increase the hole size to accept the nut)... missing how you did this at @9.06 ... a subject to cover when you do your F360 videos... ;)

[@aHornetsNest]

Yeah 100% I’ll do a full DZUS panel design video to help explain all that 😃

[@ChristopheDeZanet]

Hi Scott. I see your YT channel since a few days and it's just amaizing 🤩. Your tutorials are very well explain and are a mine of informations. I don't want to build a cockpit but some extra personal stuffs will be a good start. I don't have a 3D printer or a laser (maybe in the futur) but i see how we can do this. Thanks for sharing your expericence and i'm very excited for the next videos.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you so much! If you have any questions just let me know If you didn’t want to splurge out on a laser or printer - go see my friends at PCBWay - there should be a link in Ep.10 with a coupon for some $$ off your first order They do 3D printing and laser cutting for a good price so you don’t have to buy the equipment 😃

[@dcmol83]

@@aHornetsNest how do you pan around the cockpit, Im trying to do this for the apache and I just cant get it to work properly

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey, panning around model viewer is a mission in itself - slowly work through using the middle and right mouse buttons As well as CTRL and Shift I’ll try have a play around and make a quick guide

[@dcmol83]

@@aHornetsNest yeah not exactly very intuitive. a short or something would be cool

[@aHornetsNest]

😃

[@mms-7368]

Great video mate! I cant wait for the next episode... Super excited to see how you get the text to show since i struggle with small details like that on my 3D printer. Keep up the good work!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you so much!!!

[@aHornetsNest]

What printer are you using?

[@mms-7368]

@@aHornetsNest im am on a prusa mk3+ with 0.4 nozzle...

[@aHornetsNest]

@@mms-7368 very nice! I have included a decal sheet to print for those that are using filament printers 😁 maybe that’s what the next tutorial should be?!

[@billcedarheath387]

All modern US aircraft like the -16, -15E, -18 and such follow the same military specification for instrument panels. The width of the panels is 5.75 inches. This is for where the bottom of the panel mounts to the Dzus rails. There is a formula for using the spacing pattern of the Dzus rails to give you the exact height of the panel given the spacing of the Dzus fastener. Too much to put into a comment. Maybe if I make a KZbin channel for my SimPit build I could do a video to cover it all.

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey that’s exactly right Same with western made airlines as well👍🏼 you’ll see more of the dzus railing in future episodes

[@billcedarheath387]

@@aHornetsNest I’m a USAF vet. I know things. 😉

[@aHornetsNest]

@@billcedarheath387 haha cool

[@alpha_labs]

It would be extremely helpful if you gave us more steps and help on the model viewer part. I can't figure out certain actions and movements in model viewer and cant get the same results as you in ortho mode. And also where do you get your switches and if you could, is it possible for you to give us a link? But the video was overall great, thank you!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate! Yeah some time in the future I’ll do a model viewer specific tutorial 😀

[@MrFerris1977]

Hi there, got a quick question on MV2. How do you remove the pilot from the view? He’s blocking a bunch of panels. Keep up the awesome work! Cheers

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey mate… depending on the model you can find the “argument list” and adjust the argument that displays the pilot Or you can press CTRL+A to animate - then press CTRL+A again to stop the animation when the pilot is removed It animates every item in the cockpit through its full range of motion /display

[@MrFerris1977]

@@aHornetsNest thanks a million I will try that! Cheers

[@aHornetsNest]

@@MrFerris1977 😃😃

[@baronvonrichthofen2021]

Great tutorials! You said you would provide a description for the switch orientation. Where can I find that?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey I did too! Let me finish working on it and I’ll post it asap! Thanks for the reminder - I’ll comment back here to tell you when it’s done :)

[@baronvonrichthofen2021]

@@aHornetsNest, another question on fusion 360 if you don’t mind. It looks like you colour the face of the body of the panel black, and you then extrude 0.05mm to reveal the white text and graphics. I tried that too, but I’m not getting that effect. I select the body of the panel, I right click and select appearance, then set the option to faces and drag the black onto the body. Then I select the text, and then set -0.05 (soo it cuts the body). But the text underneath is black like the body. What did I do wrong?

[@aHornetsNest]

@@baronvonrichthofen2021 hey mate! Have a look at applying a white ABS plastic appearance to the body/component first so when you cut in the inside is white Then apply the black to the face, only select the face you want to apply it to (just a single click) then drag the black paint appearance onto the face (making sure you select in the appearance window apply to faces)

[@baronvonrichthofen2021]

@@aHornetsNest I found out why it didn’t work. I first need to hide the sketch before I apply the paint, otherwise it will apply it to the whole body, regardless of I select face or body. It’s working now, thanks! By the way, what paint do you use to paint your panels? I’m assuming it is water based acrylic paint? Is it satin or matt?

[@aHornetsNest]

@@baronvonrichthofen2021 ah good stuff!! 😃

[@Datttsnake]

Do you have a video of your personal cockpit? Ive seen your posts following the DCS DIY group, and these are fantastic!

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey mate! Thank you so much I don’t have a video yet… I’ve moved house prior to season 2, and all the panels are in boxes The frame is about to be shipped up to me and then I can re assemble it and make that a full video :) Thanks for the support 😃

[@georgelza]

... wow, thought i came to watch/learn Arduino and ended also learning allot about Fusion360... hope you have some more ... slower... tutorial videos wrt F360... Suggestion though, it would be helpful if you showed us before hand the actual panel/s that you made... so that as you sketch/design them we can relate what we seeing with what we will be producing.

[@aHornetsNest]

Haha thanks mate! Yeah there will be more fusion tutorials coming as I build the cockpit Yeah 100% Ep.1 was filmed live not expecting the channel to receive the support it did 😂😂 now most new build videos will have multiple assemblies made for that very reason Thanks for your comments! Your feedback and ideas are awesome 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@cammy9r]

Yes a slower more detailed fusion 360 video would be appreciated. For most this is the first time we have opened fusion 360. Although there are many guides available to create models the version of 360 is always different. Tabs missing and menus hidden inside other drop downs as fusion upgrade their application is actually very confusing. I have only ever just managed to create spur gears and send them to Cura for 3d printing. Now I'm trying to get it to make gcode for my 3018 engraver, it's quite the headache. Once I understand how to do one panel the rest will be straight forward.

[@aHornetsNest]

@@cammy9r hey yeah 😃 a more detailed fusion tutorial may come one day in the future 👍

[@vikingcat794]

Can you do a tutorial on backlighting with individual LED's?

[@aHornetsNest]

I can definitely do that :)

[@TEACypher]

Great vid, looking forward to the series, which text did you use as I couldn't quiet make it out.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!! I really appreciate it 😊 the text is Avenir LT Std … and for some of the text pieces they needed around a 10-15 Character spacing

[@ScottDube1]

it would have been very helpful to see how you went from the sketch to lightburn. Thanks

[@aHornetsNest]

Have a look at Episode 2… it’s the build phase But I can make a full tutorial in the future :)

[@ScottDube1]

@@aHornetsNest I did before I posted the reply. It goes from showing the sketch to opening in LB. I do not recall seeing how you saved the sketch as a dxf. I am working on something now and struggling with that... Thanks!

[@aHornetsNest]

@@ScottDube1 no worries :) I’ll make a tutorial about that soon In the mean time - you can save as DXF two ways 1) create a new sketch on the profile you want to save as a DXF And in the browser, right click the new sketch and select Save As DXF 2) make the body into a component - in the assembly/design area, select the whole component by double clicking (a single click will just select the face) … right click… create drawing… it will take you to the drawing module - from there you can place the component on the sheet and scale it and orientate it… then at the top tool bar area toward the right there will be an option to save/export as DXF Hope this helps :) otherwise shoot me a message on Instagram @ahornetsnest and I’ll send some screen shots

[@ScottDube1]

@@aHornetsNest Thanks I know those two methods... Not working for me. I will shoot you a message. TY

[@aHornetsNest]

Just checking in :) how did you go with the exporting?

[@jeremy-ey2ez]

Thanks man for your explication. So,how you have directly the white color for the text and all engraving ?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey :) the white text is all laser engraved to remove the black paint :) I use light burn as the software to direct the laser cutter

[@jeremy-ey2ez]

@@aHornetsNest thanks for your answer. But how you have directly the white text and engraving in the 3D models?

[@jeremy-ey2ez]

Ok I have found ,thanks and congratulations for your project. One more follower

[@aHornetsNest]

Awesome! I see your next comment 😃😃

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate! welcome to the channel 😃 it’s awesome to have you here

[@Aenonar]

Could definitely use some more steps on how to get the right view in the model viewer. Might work for the F5 but I'm looking into making some Viggen parts but there's loads of other things in the way of the panels so... Any luck getting rid of that for a clear view?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey there! Yeah model viewer can be quite tricky when trying to get the view I found the same with the Hornet There should be an arguments panel that shows up And you may need to use trial and error to get some of the pilot bodies removed etc Also, press CTRL+A do animate, and that’ll remove the pilot as well (it will cycle the pilot from showing to hidden) Ill have a play around and if I find something useful I’ll get back to you :)

[@scottmiller826]

Great tutorial if you already know Fusion 360, but I am trying to learn and I could not follow along because you went so quickly.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks for the comment mate! I never expected episode 1 to get such support 😂 I will definitely be doing a Fusion Basics tutorial in the up coming seasons :)

[@dotnetdevni]

Ita a video for a reason pause play rewind

[@aHornetsNest]

🤙🏻

[@jasonriddle4298]

How would you use the files from open hornet to create laser etched panels?

[@aHornetsNest]

🤙🏻 got you a response in Ep. 2 comment

[@lennartgutermuth]

Nice video man. But i have a question. how can i use your method for panels that are not really accessible through the Model viewers back camera position, like you explained it in your video, or the top view of the cockpit. For example the LED-Panel with the WarningLights in it. It is in every perspective very difficult to make a screenshot and re-draw the panel in a CAD-Software. But when i try to change the camera postion to get a better looking angle, youre still right what you said in your video, that the shape of the Panel will be warped. Maybe you can help me :). Thanks

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey that is a tricky one, the best I’ve been able to do is jump in game, and use something like TrackIR to take as “straight on” as I can screen shot. Panels are easy to do as their lengths and widths can be calculated using dzus lengths and widths Caution panels are a little harder - but can be scaled fairly accurately by using surrounding items, like screw heads, switch mounting threads etc What aircraft are you building

[@lennartgutermuth]

​@@aHornetsNest ​ Hey, thank you for your answer. I will also build a hornet :). I also have a question about Fusion itself. Maybe you can answer that. My problem is that after following your steps and cutting the text from body #1 (the top layer), my cuts don't appear white like it does in your case. In my case, I mark the text again and this time create objects from it, then I can color the objects. But that is very time intensive. How do you do that in your case?

[@aHornetsNest]

Nice one! So the way I mark my text into the paneling 1) make ‘body’ of object white with the appearance tool (A) 2) make ‘faces’ of object black, make sure the option that says something about apply to faces is selected, sometimes it reverts back to paining the body 3) then extrude (E) to cut the layer, depending on orientation.. if you type in a distance and it looks like it’s raising it off the body creating bumps, just add a - (negative) sign in front of the value to tell fusion to extrude the other way Some days I’ll forget to colour the body and faces first… then I’m left with the tedious job of colouring in each bit You can also hold Shift and select each face and colour them in one hit Hope this helps 👍🏼

[@lennartgutermuth]

@@aHornetsNest yeah thats it. thanks :D

[@lennartgutermuth]

​@@aHornetsNest I know it is maby a bit anoying that i ask so much but do you found a switch that can be placed for the "bleed Air"? in the aircraft you have to pull the mittle nob and then you can rotate the 4 position switch. I searched a lot in the internet, but didnt find any switch that is similar to the described function :(.

[@LalaPala-ml2or]

Are there key shortcuts to select all text?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey there! I’m sure there is, but none that I know of off the top of my head - I’ve always just brute forced it and clicked them individually… maybe it’s something I should look into 😊😊

[@mattimazz4005]

how i have to know how much to zoom for the real dimension?

[@aHornetsNest]

Zoom in enough to get a clear photo Then calibrate its size in fusion - there is a section on that in this video at the beginning

Nice work and good tutorial to follow. Could you share a link to the Arduino code as well?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey there! Thank you so much! If you go check out the link in the description - it will take you to Cults3D.com and you can download the entire package :)

[@minecrafangerbirdsmovie3928]

I want to make an apache tedac, how do you reckon i should go about that?

[@aHornetsNest]

I think there is an Apache TEDAC module/file set on Thingyverse… I know someone who’s printed one

[@vojtechvacek4783]

it´s kinda hard to read on your screen...but is that font included in Fusion 360 or do I have to install it on my own?

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey mate 😊 the text is Avenir LT Std … and for some of the text pieces they needed around a 10-15 Character spacing

[@thenohbilan303]

Thx for yours videos, but can you join the links for the buttons and swithchs pls? And...I don t find how can I download the Avenir LT std, I don t find versions in .ttf

[@aHornetsNest]

@@thenohbilan303 hey they’re all linked in the download package on Cult 3D… should be a link in the bio 😊😊

[@thenohbilan303]

Ok thx so much you are so smart

[@aHornetsNest]

@@thenohbilan303 no worries! Thank you for your comments and support Stay tune, new episode coming soon And with it some exciting new announcements for those that watch frequently

[@thenohbilan303]

@@aHornetsNest We need to buy the file for access the buttons and switchs and the Avenir LT std Font?

[@aHornetsNest]

@@thenohbilan303 hey the font you can get for free online The files were Free for around 3 months after the video came out to say thank you to those subscribers and viewers at the time Next project I make will be for Free to say thank you to everyone who has watched up and till now So don’t forget to subscribe so you can be notified when that next project comes out 😊

[@jeffpurcell6096]

anyone know what model of laser cutter he uses? obviously it works well for these types of projects is why I ask

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey I’m using a 50W Blue and White laser cutter off eBay 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@jeffpurcell6096]

Thanks. and your panels look so professional!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate 🫡🫡 I appreciate it

[@christopherwilliams8569]

where can i get f-18c left and right instrument panels printed for my cockpit

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey there! You’ll be able to find what you need at Open Hornet - I should have a link to them in my most recent videos - I think it’s around Episode 14… 😃😃

[@christopherwilliams8569]

@@aHornetsNest thanks and your vids are outstanding kep up the good work! im a noob and can use all the help i can get

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate! 😊😊

[@Tome4kkkk]

I think my comments are being removed. I pasted a link to an F-5E cockpit build topic on DCS forums which describes, among others, how inaccurate is the in-game 3D model.

[@aHornetsNest]

Which comments of your are being removed? Yeah DCS will have inaccuracies… I guess it’s part of it and the only better way would be have access to an actual F5 :)

[@Tome4kkkk]

@@aHornetsNest Some of my comments with DCS forum links. And I'm working on that last part ;)

[@aHornetsNest]

@@Tome4kkkk yeah interesting that it’s doing that

[@rasmuslindgren-mz3mr]

How did you engrave the scetch?

[@aHornetsNest]

I use a CO2 laser cutter :) Episode 2 shows it briefly I need to make a proper video on it

[@rasmuslindgren-mz3mr]

@@aHornetsNest Sorry I wasn't clear I meant in fuisiun how did you enrgrave it and turn it white?

[@aHornetsNest]

That’s all good, so I make the body colour white, and the face colour black using the appearance tool (A) Then once that is done, I extrude (E) 0.05mm into the face and it will remove the black face leaving the white body visible 😊 I hope this helps

[@rasmuslindgren-mz3mr]

@@aHornetsNest Thank you

[@aHornetsNest]

🫡🫡

[@JarppaGuru]

you desing cockpit for simulator. not simulator as game

[@aHornetsNest]

Yeah that’s right 🫡