Well this is all from memory but, I did a VFR departure with Flight Following after takeoff. KSMO to KSAN. Since it was the Icon I wanted to fly low. I set 4000 altitude and set heading south before takeoff. I don’t turn on anything before takeoff. Takeoff westbound manually. Trim for a decent climb at about 60 knots. Turn south along the coast and select HDG, FD and AP on. Once that is under control, select VS and set for about 300-400 fpm, whatever kept airspeed in the green. I did have a flight plan set and switched to NAV pretty quickly but you should be able to use HDG just as well.
I believe the indicators were FD AP and VS with ALT in white underneath but I’d have to check in the sim after work.
I changed altitude several times too. After capturing at 4000 I wanted to get lower and clicked altitude down to 2000 and then selected VS and clicked down about 200 fpm and reduced throttle a bit.
I mean, it’s a low-power, GA aircraft and you fly it the same way as the Cessna 172 pretty much. Go gentle. I’ll try to get a more detailed sequence when I have a chance to get in the sim but honestly it’s not rocket science. The key I think is in watching those autopilot indicators on the PFD. Make sure they are showing what they should be showing. Since it’s a G1000 it’s going to behave the same way as any other plane with a G1000 in the sim.