6 Degree of Freedom Motion Cue Software
Motion software for 6 DOF hexapod or
"Stewart" type platforms is now available.
The 6 DOF motion software is available for
FS9/X, X-Plane v9.6+ & 10 and Condor Soaring.
Versions are also available now for racing sims
rFactor,
Assetto Corsa,
F1 2013,
Live for Speed,
iRacing,
Project CARS
and
GPBikes.
A "Generic" version is also now available which is not tied to
any specific flight or racing sim but can be driven from user
supplied data via UDP.
Recently added - a new version for
Aerowinx PSX flight simulator; and now a version for
DCS.
Downloads all available from the online
User Guide...
The online
user guide provides information on installation and
operation. Please read the guide carefully before trying to use
the software.
The motion software generates position demand
cues for each of 6 actuators in a hexapod arrangement. The cues
are based on calculated Pitch, Surge, Roll, Sway, Heave and Yaw
movements to simulate flight forces and aircraft angle
following. The
geometry of your platform is defined in the motion driver
configuration file and the software uses this definition to
calculate the correct cues for each actuator. It can handle
direct acting linear actuators (eg hydraulic actuators) or crank
arm type actuators (eg motor/gearbox drives with a crank arm).
The cues are fully tuneable to suit your application.
The software can be downloaded using the links on
the Online User Guide Introduction page. It will run with full
functions for a limited flight time in demo mode. Please
download and experiment with the software if you are interested
in using it.
Please contact me for commercial
use licensing.
Please note - I do not provide hardware
for 6 DOF motion platform drives. To use this software you will
need to make your own servo drive hardware arrangements (or see
the updates below). The
data formats in which the software exports the actuator position
demands are described in the online user guide.
UPDATE AUG 2021
- NOW FREE TO USE FOR PERSONAL NON-COMMERCIAL PROJECTS.
UPDATE MAY 2016
- NEW interface for the
x-IMU inertial measurement unit has been add to the Generic
motion driver. See Section 19
of the user guide for details.
UPDATE AUGUST 2015
- NEW 6DOF motion software version - this one for the flight
simulator Aerowinx PSX. Check the online user guide for more details
- Section 17.
UPDATE MAY 2015
- NEW 6DOF motion software version - this one for the racing sim
Project CARS. Check the online user guide for more details
- Section 16.
UPDATE MARCH 2015
- NEW 6DOF motion software version - this one for the motorcycle
racing sim GPBikes. Check the online user guide for more details
- Section 15.
UPDATE MARCH 2015:
All main versions of the 6DOF software have been
upgraded to V3.30. This version adds new "Easy" cue settings
windows which provide slider based adjustment of the motion
cues. This gives a more intuitive cue tuning. The original
Advanced settings are still available if required.
See
Section 6B of the online user guide for more information.
UPDATE JAN 2015:
I've made available a beta version of a "Generic"
6DOF motion driver. This version of the motion software is not
tied to any specific flight or racing simulator, but instead can
be driven by user supplied vehicle motion data via UDP.
More details and download from the
Online User Guide.
The UDP data format for the generic driver feed is described in
more detail in Section 14.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2014:
I've made available beta versions of the 6DOF
motion driver for rFactor, Assetto Corsa, F1 2013, Live for
Speed and iRacing racing sims. This might be of interest
to builders looking to give their platforms a good workout!
More details and download from the
Online User Guide.
IMPORTANT this is beta software - please proceed
with care if you try it, and let me know if you find any bugs
etc,,,,
UPDATE AUGUST 2014:
For builders interested in using low cost brushed
DC motors and controllers keep an eye on Markus' site here -
http://mgeisler.my.primusnetz.de/6DOF/
He's recently had some success using Dimension
Engineering's Kangaroo modules with Sabertooth motor
controllers. I added the Kangaroo interface to the 6DOF software
a while ago and it's interesting to see it in action.... DE's
products are widely available. For more details of the interface
see the user guide
Section 8.
His clip showing the platform movement whilst
flying in a thunderstorm is interesting viewing....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDNxbAYlBhI
UPDATE JULY 2014:
Version V3.15 of the 6 DOF motion software adds
portable USB Dongle licensing.
The USB dongle allows a software registration to
operate on any PC the dongle is plugged into. With the normal
non-portable registration your unlock key works only on your specified PC.
For more details click on the Dongle image on the
right.
UPDATE JAN 2014:
I've added an experimental interface to the
X-Plane and FS9/X versions of the software to export
actuator position demands directly to Dimension Engineering
Kangaroo motion controllers. For more details see
Section 8 of the on-line
user guide. The Kangaroos provide an interesting alternative
approach to building a 6 DOF drive using the larger Sabertooth
dual channel DC controllers.
UPDATE MARCH 2013:
For 6 DOF drive hardware that is compatible with
the BFF 6 DOF Motion Driver check out Thanos' new AMC1280USB
controller with his 6DOF extension board.
For details see his blog at:
http://motionsim.blogspot.co.uk/
Or, email Thanos at tronickod@yahoo.com
Here's a movie clip of one user's platform drive
- it uses the X-Plane version of the BFF 6 DOF Motion Driver and Thanos' control hardware.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPEYQQaen40
Thanks to Jeremy in France....
And another in the US, again with X-Plane...
http://motionsim.blogspot.com/2013/04/6dof-platform-in-action-amc1280usb-ians.html
Here's Rolf's in Germany...
http://youtu.be/eXg75aQKRGQ
This is a 6 DOF design by Markus in Germany using
a modified version of my DIY linear actuator
http://mgeisler.my.primusnetz.de/6DOF/
More information on the
linear actuator is here....
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