It might be useful for a settings tab(s) to also be provided, to make available an easily re-usable interface for 3rd party aircraft devs, to allow for things like engine selection, pause at top of descent, damage options, maintenance management etc. as appropriate.
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It looks like there actually used to be a way to bring in Skyvector (though it’s unclear if it ever worked with VR): GitHub - bymaximus/msfs2020-toolbar-window-template: Microsoft FlightSimulator 2020 Toolbar Extra Window Template
That seems to provide a lot of the functionality, but it should really be built right into MSFS.
There is an addon for LNM that presents it as an MSFS window, just like the VFR map/ATC, and that is perfectly useable in VR.
I am currently thinking about resubbing to Navigraph and if their chart viewer could be presented in a similar way, that’d seal the deal for sure.
Edit: Just checking with Navigraph’s posts/videos and it would appear that Navigraph Charts 8, if I have understood it correctly, will appear inside MSFS, as does the current VFR map. I have yet to find a release date for Charts 8, but will hope that it’s soon.
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I hadn’t seen that update to Navigraph, what great news!!!
+1
Yes, we want it
here is a nice partial-solution, at least für WMR user
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/charts-and-maps-in-vr/352644/8?u=brandy0018
Hi, could you provide a link to the Navigraph post/video where you found this info? I can’t see anything about that anywhere but would be interested in reading it.
(84) Navigraph’s Plans for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator - YouTube
From around 7:30 onwards, Magnus talks about an API that will allow viewing of charts in virtual EFBs. I am sure that i also saw something about the MSFS inflight menu also, so will see if i can find that again.
Thanks for the really interesting info. However it is suitable for mixed reality windows hardware not the rest then?
I tested it on navigraph and it didn’t work. Couldn’t log in. Possibly because the windows work inside a sandbox.
Is charts 8 out yet?
In the video, he was talking about something that would be coming and I’m not sure it’s here yet.
Isn’t that a desktop app? I tested it on the web version: charts.navigraph.com. I don’t think there is any way of embedding a desktop application.
Someone has managed to put together a menu bar option that displays the LittleNavMap map, so I am just hoping that someone will be able to manage something similar for Navigraph Charts.
yes, it only works with WMR-Headsets or at least with every headset that can be integrated into Microsoft Mixed Reality-Portal.
But for all SteamVR Devices there is a tool called “OVR-Toolkit” (payware) that seems to do the job of integrating external application into VR even better. However, I personally do not have any experiences with that.
This is very good information for us WMR users. Can you explain how you mapped the WIN+Y function to your mouse? I want to try this out. Thanks !
I do have a Logitech G604. The software that comes along with that device (“Logitech G Hub”) allows me to assign any key/key-combination to every button very easily. Unfortunately, this software works only with Logitech devices (as far as i know).
Don’t know which device you have but check if its manufacturer offers some kind of configuration software. Most of them do so.
This idea made it onto the new VR Feedback Snapshot! Keep up the votes, everyone!
For anyone from Asobo reading this, I note that the release is noted as “charts dependency.” At the lowest level, though, all we really need is a PDF viewer or web browser built directly into the sim that would work well in VR. That should not require much in the way of external chart work or licensing.
A more comprehensive solution would be great, of course, but I would be quite happy with something more basic for the time being.
I can’t wait until being able to read my IFR charts while using VR instead of taking them off everytime.
Any tips on a workaround would be much appreciated.
@ karimbenben brandy0018’s solution above seems like the best bet for WMR users. I think there are slightly better ways out there for Oculus and Steam users.
It has some difficulties. I haven’t been able to bind an alternate to win-y, though I think it could be done with joystick our mouse software. There isn’t a great way to launch edge in the cliff house, and switching in and out of VR removes the window from MSFS.
The sim really just needs its own built-in browser–MS could just call it Edge and use the same core without too much trouble. All the other features would be great, but that would help a ton.
FF use Chrome code to allow the EFB in their A320Ultimate to view web content, including Navigraph Charts Cloud.
However, rather than relying on the devs of each aircraft producing an EFB, as you suggest, it would make sense for Asobo, or a commissioned partner, to produce a virtual tablet/mobile that would appear to be what the pilot of most GA aircraft would take into the cockpit. That would make it far easier for devs of future aircraft to present a relatively standard interface for their and MSFS customers.
Alternatively, just put another icon on the inflight menu, to open a window like ATC or VFR map and allows charts to be viewed and positioned anywhere in the cockpit, in 2d or VR.
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