Author Topic: Picasim (Read 11488 times)

Matt Colan · « **on:** January 15, 2014, 05:11:39 PM »

For those guys who have an apple device, I highly encourage you to buy the App, Picasim. It's primarily an RC simulator but they have an Extra 300 for control-line! I've been playing with it for a few minutes and I'm glad I don't fly like that in real life!

Just thought I would pass this along.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2014, 11:41:56 AM »

Hey Matt
I put it on my ipad. I like the way the lines go slack if you miss the wind. Kind of real. But yea it is too hard to fly a pattern with.

The graphics are ok.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2014, 04:30:12 PM »

Quote from: Paul Taylor on January 16, 2014, 11:41:56 AM

Hey Matt
I put it on my ipad. I like the way the lines go slack if you miss the wind. Kind of real. But yea it is too hard to fly a pattern with.

The graphics are ok.

I've spent a little bit of time with it and can do a half a pattern now before I crash...

CircuitFlyer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2014, 05:24:09 PM »

A free Windows version is also available for download. http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/PicaSim/download.html A joystick game controller stands in reasonably well for a CL handle. A fellow club member demonstrated how he busted open a game controller and mounted one of the pots on a bellcrank with leadouts. Now he can use his adjustable hardpoint handle. Picasim is not perfect, but may actually help beginners.

Paul

Steve Thomas · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2014, 12:04:58 AM »

Thanks Matt, just got it and found a Peacemaker as well as the Extra. Recognisable patterns are a long way off, though.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2014, 09:10:38 AM »

Cool found the peace maker - aka Flite Streak.
Got to the horizontal 8's and donk it in.

Can make a corner.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2014, 09:31:25 AM »

Being I am a cheap skate, I will still do my arm chair flying. After my therapy sessions found out I have a balance problem, so I am working on that.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2014, 12:18:19 PM »

Quote from: Paul Taylor on January 17, 2014, 09:10:38 AM

Cool found the peace maker - aka Flite Streak.
Got to the horizontal 8's and donk it in.

Can make a corner.

I got a full pattern in this morning without crashing! And it was somewhat recognizable but wasn't a very good pattern.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2014, 12:29:30 PM »

Cool.

I should have said it Can't turn a corner.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2014, 09:20:06 PM »

Ok found another fun thing to do.
Take the CL plane and wind fly it.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2014, 10:18:02 PM »

Quote from: Paul Taylor on January 25, 2014, 09:20:06 PM

Ok found another fun thing to do.
Take the CL plane and wind fly it.

It's actually challenging! Time passes by so fast when I play around with it. I can go for 45 minutes and it feels like 20. No matter how many times I crash.

Keith Renecle · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2014, 12:43:10 AM »

Hi Matt,
Thanks for posting this one. I saw the Picasim a while ago but did not see the C/L models. The normal R/C sim is pukey in comparison to sims like Aerofly, Reflex or the expensive top of the line sims, but the C/L thing is cute and quite well done. I like the way the lines go slack and the wings rock and roll. I don't see any tip-weight adjustment on the setup!

I flew it with my JR TX and after figuring out how to set it all up with my Aerofly dongle, it was fun to play with. If you land it badly and it comes in on the lines you can use the rudder to steer it out to take up the slack again. Once the model is airborne however, the rudder is disabled. It's very well done!

Keith R

PerttiMe · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2014, 02:07:28 AM »

I have the impression that the guy is eager to hear ideas for improvement too.

He can be found on facebook, at least, and the http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/PicaSim/ site has some contact information.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2014, 01:15:50 PM »

I put up a post and he said he was going to update the CL planes in the future to make them a little more stable.

Keith Renecle · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2014, 10:07:59 PM »

That's nice of you Paul. Even as it is now, it is a really good bit of programming. Having dabbled a bit myself with 3-D game graphics, I know what it takes to do this. Even the thin lines that show how slack they get if you slow it down......that's awesome! I love pointing the nose up, lowering the throttle, and then watching how it comes in on the lines. I reckon that the author did some C/L flying!

Keith R

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2014, 09:13:28 AM »

I'm sure it's work and I was sure to thank him for his efforts. He did say that he flew a peace maker years ago.
Just looking at the selection of planes it seems he his more into sail planes.

PerttiMe · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2014, 10:20:56 AM »

The C/L thing is a pretty recent addition (I spotted him on rcgroups and sometimes take a look at what is new). The whole sim started from simulating slope gliders.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2014, 09:15:05 PM »

I'm going to have to have my parents ship down my transmitter for the computer! Sounds like a lot of fun!

I have now gotten pretty good at flying the plane in the sim. Now I'm working on actually getting my intersections and sizes right. The two toughest maneuvers in this sim is the vertical 8 and overhead 8 because the camera will do multiple 180s on you.

Doug Moon · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2014, 07:06:18 AM »

I cant fly a level lap on that thing!!

I have Real Flight 7 I wonder if that transmitter will work on it?

Also it would be cool if the sim also had control line from outside the circle. Using a transmitter on tethered model...

Matt Colan · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2014, 10:15:00 AM »

Quote from: Doug Moon on January 31, 2014, 07:06:18 AM

I cant fly a level lap on that thing!!

I have Real Flight 7 I wonder if that transmitter will work on it?

Also it would be cool if the sim also had control line from outside the circle. Using a transmitter on tethered model...

I've been playing with it on my iPad. It takes some time to get level flight down, and occasionally I'll still end up with Pilot Induced Oscillation. I have yet to try it on the computer.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2014, 01:31:16 PM »

He is going to fix it. Inverted level flight is the worst.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2014, 07:03:52 PM »

Quote from: Paul Taylor on January 31, 2014, 01:31:16 PM

He is going to fix it. Inverted level flight is the worst.

Agreed! Especially when you try and fly with wind and turbulence.

Larry Wong · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2014, 08:25:10 PM »

Matt I got to Pacasim all I saw was r/c ! which site did you use or buy?

Danny Chapman · « **Reply #23 on:** March 13, 2014, 10:26:08 AM »

As mentioned a earlier in this thread, I've reworked a lot of the aerodynamics in PicaSim and taken the opportunity to set up the two CL planes - hopefully they fly better than before. The updates are currently only in the Android and Windows versions: http://www.rowlhouse.co.uk/PicaSim/download.html - the iOS version has to go through Apple approval so I generally try to iron out any wrinkles before updating that - hopefully in a week or two.

If people are able to give me some feedback I'm sure I can do a lot more to improve the realism, within the constraints of it being a computer simulation. It's been quite a while now since I flew CL (and even then I'm sure I spent more time building and repairing than flying!), so the details are a bit hazy, but the occasional sniff of my old diesel engines (PAW 149 and 19) brings back some pretty good memories!

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #24 on:** March 13, 2014, 11:52:26 AM »

Thanks Danny for your efforts. It is appreciated.
Looking forward to the IOS update.

You should pick up a handle and get back in the circle. You might be surprised. 😄

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:56:01 AM »

Try this:

The extra is too "heavy" in the default setting. Go into settings, click aeroplane, click advanced, and pull the mass multiplier slide back to 0.50. Helps a ton. You can also play with "tip weight", sliding the "ballast left" slider into the negative values best simulates adding tip weight. Still trying to get that "inverted hunt" out of it. Kind of a fun "trimming" exercise!

We've had allot of rain here so there has been allot of breaks in the action. Leave it to the guy in Afghanistan to figure it out.....

Danny Chapman · « **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2014, 09:52:01 AM »

Paul - I've no doubt you're right, it would be great to try C/L again. I guess I'd have to investigate the electric options though, as there's no way I could get away with the diesel engines anywhere near where I live these days...

The iOS update is now submitted to Apple, so if all goes well, should become available in a week or less.

Sean - which version were/are you running? The released Windows/Android versions have got the aerodynamics changes I mentioned above, but the iOS hasn't yet. But as you say, it may be that the mass is off, because it's just a small modification of the R/C version of the plane. It's 1.8kg for a 1.5m span plane, which I thought was reasonable. However, maybe I should have put coupled flaps on it...

Cheers - Danny

Matt Colan · « **Reply #27 on:** March 28, 2014, 11:29:19 AM »

I downloaded the update on my iPad last night. The airplane is much more stable to fly, and is rock solid both upright and inverted.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #28 on:** March 28, 2014, 08:12:14 PM »

I downloaded the update tonight. Way better!!!

I can even do reverse clovers.

Thanks Danny for thinking of us CL guys. Get you an electric setup and you can fly any where. (well almost anywhere)

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #29 on:** March 29, 2014, 02:42:39 AM »

I'm picking it up pretty quick. Ill get a pattern done in, oh, I'd say a month or two.

Vincent Corwell · « **Reply #30 on:** March 29, 2014, 03:48:30 AM »

So far I tried this on PC in Win 8 with a Cyborg joystick, any input is too sensitive on the Peacemaker, can do lazy 8s but no smooth stunting, I tried changing a lot of the settings but still cant get an acceptable stunt flight, , what is the best setting to adjust to get stable flight ?

Our weather in Ireland makes a usable simulator very attractive, if I can tame this I will certainly donate to the author

Vincent

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #31 on:** March 29, 2014, 11:22:01 AM »

Choose the other control line model. It is more like a modern stunt plane. Flys slower and smoother.

Vincent Corwell · « **Reply #32 on:** March 30, 2014, 01:34:14 AM »

thanks Paul , yes the CL Extra is smoother, but I see the problem, there is no proportional control from my joystick

smallest twitch gives from full up to full down, so I removed the elevator pot and remounted it on a bracket on top

outside of joystick case , now making up a suitable bellcrank and short lines plus handle to complete the setup

I can then adjust the potentiometer or replace with a more suitable one, unfortunately I have to put this project aside

for 2 weeks or more , starting Tuesday, when all is well I will post pics and detail here, probably late in May....

Vincent

Vincent Corwell · « **Reply #33 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:43:54 AM »

So I opened up the joystick and removed the elevator pot from the gimble and remounted it outside on alum bracket

then added a 4" bellcrank with leads to a handle to suit the desktop I use, now only need to detune the elevator to give

a proportional response instead of the full up full down it presently gives. the pot is labelled 50 kb 45Degrees , wonder if

a different value would give realistic control ?

I emailed Rowland the author

will try to attach photos in the meantime

Vincent

James_Mynes · « **Reply #34 on:** March 31, 2014, 04:08:52 AM »

Quote from: Vincent Corwell on March 31, 2014, 02:43:54 AM

So I opened up the joystick and removed the elevator pot from the gimble and remounted it outside on alum bracket

then added a 4" bellcrank with leads to a handle to suit the desktop I use, now only need to detune the elevator to give

a proportional response instead of the full up full down it presently gives. the pot is labelled 50 kb 45Degrees , wonder if

a different value would give realistic control ?

I emailed Rowland the author

will try to attach photos in the meantime

Vincent

You should use a U-Reely with that setup. It would allow you to sit anywhere in the room and fly your simulator. Just be sure to engage the locking pin!

Shug Emery · « **Reply #35 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:37:06 PM »

Hey there Circle Turners)))
New on this forum and downloaded this app to goof with on a flight to Germany. Right goodie. My eyes are sore from flying. Nice to practice inverted. Able to go smoother and level inverted that right side up.
Looking forward to getting the real handle in my hand again but this app is helping me visualize the old stunt quest.
Thanks for the link to this.
Whooooo Buddy....fun flying...and crashing that Extra.
Shug

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #36 on:** March 31, 2014, 08:24:12 PM »

Welcome Sean!

One thing that I found fun to do is fly off a windy hill. On some of the more windy ones you can kill the motor and do eights.

Danny Chapman · « **Reply #37 on:** April 01, 2014, 02:03:02 PM »

Quote from: Vincent Corwell on March 31, 2014, 02:43:54 AM

So I opened up the joystick and removed the elevator pot from the gimble and remounted it outside on alum bracket...

That looks like a great setup there! Quite tempted to try something like that myself...

Quote

I emailed Rowland the author

Hmmm - I didn't get any email from you...

Great to see that people generally approve of the improvements in the latest version. I've been thinking for quite a while now that it would be fun to make a dedicated C/L game - based on the existing tech and pattern/combat challenges. I like the combination of full 3D simulation but essentially 2D control, and it might send a few new people in the direction of trying it for real too!

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #38 on:** April 01, 2014, 02:44:10 PM »

Hey Danny I'm your beta tester!

Go for it!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #39 on:** April 01, 2014, 03:31:23 PM »

Danny, hit me up for testing! I'd be interested in getting everything to work.

Maybe you could get some popular designs and put them in the program, and be able to edit the airplane with nose/tail weight, or changing the line length and tip weight. I think that would be fun!!

Shug Emery · « **Reply #40 on:** April 01, 2014, 04:59:13 PM »

Quote from: Paul Taylor on March 31, 2014, 08:24:12 PM

Welcome Sean!

One thing that I found fun to do is fly off a windy hill. On some of the more windy ones you can kill the motor and do eights.

Thankee Paul. I am off to try that))))

Steve Thomas · « **Reply #41 on:** April 01, 2014, 09:22:29 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on April 01, 2014, 03:31:23 PM

Danny, hit me up for testing! I'd be interested in getting everything to work.

Maybe you could get some popular designs and put them in the program, and be able to edit the airplane with nose/tail weight, or changing the line length and tip weight. I think that would be fun!!

Great idea, Matt.

Vincent Corwell · « **Reply #42 on:** April 18, 2014, 01:07:31 AM »

Hi Danny

Your simulator is 99% for me , I sent an Email from your web site but no reply

however I was away for the past 2 1/2 weeks, you see the joystick in the photos

Is it possible to calibrate to have some proportional degree of elevator control please

or am I missing a setting I can tweak ?

thanks in advance

Vincent

Danny Chapman · « **Reply #43 on:** April 22, 2014, 06:00:39 AM »

Quote from: Vincent Corwell on April 18, 2014, 01:07:31 AM

Is it possible to calibrate to have some proportional degree of elevator control please

If you go into settings->joystick then you should be able to calibrate the input so that full up/down maps onto +/- 1. Prior to doing this you might also want to go through the windows joystick calibration too - you can start that from the settings->joystick page.

With this done the control _should_ be smooth - plus under settings->controller you can add exponential if desired. If not I guess there's a problem with that joystick/potentiometer... but presumably it provides proportional input in other games? (or did, before it was operated on!)

Author Topic: Picasim (Read 11488 times)

James_Mynes