GAUGE: Backlit Information Panel (BIP) Custom
Gauge v1.3.000 - Current Version Jan 2024

Features:

This version of my BIP gauge is TOTALLY custom. Will work on ANY SPAD supported SIM or ANY aircraft.

THIS GAUGE IS FOR MEDIUM to EXPERIENCED SPAD USERS and requires YOU to edit included script or make your own.

1) Totally custom plates, ANY function.

2) 3x4 and 3x5 Plate Grids

3) Warning sounds

4) Function plate text can be edited or changed with contitions.

5) Custom plate colours which also can be set with contitions.

6) Off "Ghost" text - Off or one of 4 grey shades.

7) 2 different blanking plates.

8) Plate default colour editor.

9) Compatible with all SPAD supported SIMs

10) Compatible with every aircrafts variables

11) Choice of "Normal" or "Military" style.

12) Lighting changes with panel light

13) Brightness Control (Physical FIP)

This gauge comes with example scripts, which can be easily modified to use your own plate text and colours switching with your defined conditions.

Unlike the BIPv1 and BIPv2 there are no precoded plate selections, the panel it totally custom. You label the plates and define when the plated go on and off.

See reference guide for more information.

Aircraft Compatibility:
Simulator: Fully Compatible
3rd Party: Mostly Compatible*
Please report any 3rd Party incompatibility via our discord channel

Buttons & Dials Summary:

[S1] Flight Mode & Mini Menu:

[S2] 2 x Editing Modes (Toggle)/ Long Press Toggle Grid Size:

[S3] Variable Threshold Editor:

[S4] Military Style BIP Toggle:

[S5] Plate Off Text Colour (Ghost Text):

[S6] Change Plate Colour (Edit Mode):

[L Dial] Editor Select Previous / Sound Preview/Editor Next Plate / Sound Next:

[R Dial] Change Plate Colour Inc/Dec:

About Backlit Information Panel (BIP) Custom:

The backlit information panel (BIP) gauge is similar to the physical Saitek BIP panel. It provides important information on the status of various systems. There are two main pages to the gauge and they can be accessed by using [S1] - [S2] buttons.

The Main Gauge:

[S1] - Flight Mode, this is for normal flying operation mode

[S2] - Plate Colour Editor. Select plate with left dial and press [S6] to change colour. Long press of [S6] applies the current selected colour. (Right Dial used in full version)

SCRIPTS:

The Custom BIP comes with example scripts anchored to the [S1] Button. Click [S1] button in the SPAD UI and you will see example on/off scripts for each plate. (Please note these scripts run independent of the [S1] Button and it's NOT required to press any buttons, the scripts are simply anchored there as there is no central script location for FIPs)

PLATE LABELS:

Plate label text can be edited in SPAD's data monitor by changing the labels of variables or by changing variables using/editing conditional scripts.

3x4 plate grid label variables: FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_1 . . . . . FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_12

3x5 plate grid label variables: FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_1 . . . . . FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_15

TIP: In SPAD data monitor, Add Data, search for "CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_XX" where xx is your plate number (or don�t add number to see all plate labels) and add the variable to data monitor and edit in the data monitor (double click on value)

I have also included in the scripts, plate naming events so you can set the plate name when your event is true. The text can be directly typed into the SPAD UI data value field.

PLATE COLOURS:

The default six plate colours can be changed by editing the custom text colour variables. (RGB Format #000000 to #FFFFFF)

Colour Variables: FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_1 . . . . . FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_6

You can set plate colours directly in scripts also

3x4 plate grid colour variables: FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_1_COLOUR . . . . .FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_12_COLOUR

3x5 plate grid colour variables: FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_1_COLOUR . . . . .FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_15_COLOUR

Again you set colours in SPAD UI Value field in the format #000000 - #FFFFFF

ACTIVATING PLATES:

Plates can be triggered by setting FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_(XX)

0 = Off

1 = On

2 = Blanking Plate 1

3 = Blanking Plate 2

SOUNDS:

Sounds 1 - 12 can be activated by sending Trigger Remote Event and entering "FIP_EVENT.Soundx) where x is the sound number 1-12

Device serial is automatically added by SPAD as this gauge can run on multiple FIPS with different output on each so the variable exists on each FIP the gauge is loaded on.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure you save your profile to save your programming. Also if you remove gauge from the profile then all programming is also removed. You can copy a programmed gauge layout to another fip in another profile by manual copy and paste.

The Sidebar:

N/A

Buttons & Dials Details:

[S1] Normal Flight mode: This is the mode for flight status displays. While in flight mode pressing [S1] again will bring up the in-gauge mini menu, which is controlled by the left and right dials.

[S2] Plate editors x2: Use left dial to select the plate you wish to edit, use right dial to select function for the highlighted plate. Pressing [S2] again will toggle the editor that uses a function list on and off.

[S3] Variable Editor: Cut back version for custom BIP version as condiution are set in scripts

[S4] Military Mode Toggle: Use this to switch gauge styles between normal and military/Jet for those of you running my green style gauges.

[S5] Plate Ghost Text Toggle: Use this to change the unlit text from off to 4 shades of grey.

[S6] Change Plate Colour (Edit Mode): When the function number is not "0" then Press [S6] to toggle the colour of the highlighted plate from Green, Yellow and Red. When the plate function number is set to "0" then the colour toggle sets the blanking plate style instead. 1) Blank Black Plate 2) Plate removed totally 3) Metal Plate with screws

[L Dial] Select Previous/Next Plate: Used in Editor mode (S2) to select the plate you wish to edit.

[R Dial] Change Plate Function Inc/Dec: Used in Editor mode (S2) to change the function of the selected plate.

The Mini Menu:

(Accessed by pressing [S1] while already in "(S1) Flight Mode")

Version & Info: Turn left dial clockwise to turn on and counter clockwise to turn off current version number and other useful links.

Edit Plates: Turn left dial clockwise or counter clockwise to enter the "(S2) Editing Mode".

Edit Warnings: Turn left dial clockwise or counter clockwise to enter the "(S3) Variables Editor".

Glass Reflection: Turn left dial clockwise to turn on and counter clockwise to turn off optional glass reflections. This is a global setting so all gauges that have this function will turn on and off in sync.

Plate Ghost Text: Turn left dial clockwise to turn on and counter clockwise to turn off the display of unlit plate names. With this feature turned on you can still read what each plate is for.

Military Style: Turn left dial clockwise to turn on and counter clockwise to turn off the military style version of the gauge.

Aircraft (Compatibility Mode): Switch between SIM and PMDG compatibility.

Brightness: Turn left Dial clockwise to increase gauge brightness and counter clockwise to decrease gauge brightness. This will adjust the brightness of all gauges at the same time.

Variables:

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_MENU (Session)

Menu Item Index (0 to 8)

0 = Menu Off

1 = Version & Info

2 = Edit Plates

3 = Edit Warnings

4 = Glass Reflection

5 = Plate Ghost Text

6 = Military Style

7 = Brightness Control

8 = Panel Lights Control

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_1 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_2 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_3 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_4 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_5 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_6 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_7 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_8 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_9 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_10 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_11 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_12 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_13 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_14 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_LABEL_15 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_1 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_2 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_3 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_4 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_5 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_6 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_7 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_8 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_9 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_10 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_11 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_12 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_13 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_14 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_FUNCTION_ACTIVE_15 (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_XX_COLOUR (Device)

Individual Plate Colours Once Set (#000000 - #FFFFFF)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_1_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_2_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_3_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_4_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_5_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_6_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_7_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_8_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_9_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_10_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_11_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_12_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_13_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_14_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_15_COLOUR (Device)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_MENU2 (Session)

Threshold Variables Menu Index (0 to 15)

0 = All Gauges Off Volts

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_INSTRUCTIONS (Session)

Instructions Page (Off = 0, On = 1)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PAGE (Device)

Active Gauge Page Index (0 to 3)

0 = Flight Mode

1 = Plate Editor

2 = Variables Editor

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_BACKGROUND_COLOUR (Profile)

Change Background Colour (Default = #000000)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_MILITARY (Profile)

Military Style Gauge (Off = 0, On = 1

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_DISPLAY_VALUES (Profile)

Function Values Display Toggle (Off = 0, On = 1)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_CURRENT_COLOUR_INDEX (Device)

Selected Colour Index Number (0 to 5)

0 = Colour 1 (Default Red)

1 = Colour 2 (Default Yellow)

2 = Colour 3 (Default Green)

3 = Colour 4 (Default Cyan)

4 = Colour 5 (Default Magenta)

5 = Colour 6 (Default Orange)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_1 (Profile)

Change Colour 1 Colour (Default = #FF0000)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_2 (Profile)

Change Colour 2 Colour (Default = #FFFF00)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_3 (Profile)

Change Colour 3 Colour (Default = #00FF00)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_4 (Profile)

Change Colour 4 Colour (Default = #00FFFF)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_5 (Profile)

Change Colour 5 Colour (Default = #FF66FF)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_TEXT_COLOUR_6 (Profile)

Change Colour 6 Colour (Default = #FF8000)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_GHOST_TEXT (Profile)

Preset Ghost Text Colour Index (0 to 4)

0 = Very Very Light Gray

1 = Very Light Gray

2 = Light Gray

3 = Gray

4 = Ghost Text Off

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_CURRENT_COLOUR_GHOST (Profile)

Current Ghost Text colour (Default = #202020)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_EDIT_INDEX (Device)

Selected Plate Number (1 to 12)

FG_BIP_CUSTOM_PLATE_SEL_INDEX (Device)

Function Number of currently Selected Plate

SIMCONNECT Vars Used:

fipgauges.com GLOBAL VARIABLES:

(not all vars used in every gauge)

FG_GLOBAL_DIAL_SPEED (Session)

Variable used for dial acceleration (Off = 0, On = 1)

FG_GLOBAL_GAUGE_BRIGHTNESS (Profile)

Brightness value of physical FIP's. Affects all physical gauges (20-250)

FG_GLOBAL_GLASS (Profile)

Glass Reflection (Off = 0, On = 1)

FG_GLOBAL_HIDE_MENU_LED (Profile)

Toggle visibility of Mini Menu LED (0 = On, 1 = Off)

FG_GLOBAL_JET_COLOUR (Profile)

Background Colour (0 to 3)

1 = Grey panel with grey gauge face

2 = Blue grey panel with grey gauge face

3 = Dark grey panel with black gauge face

4 = Dark blue panel with black gauge face.

FG_GLOBAL_JET_BACKGROUND_COLOUR (Profile)

Background Colour (Black = 0, Blue = 1 )

FG_GLOBAL_MIN_VOLTAGE (Profile)

Minimum voltage before gauge electronics turns off (-1 to 150)

-1 = Disabled

0 - 150 = Off Voltage Level

FG_GLOBAL_MIN_VOLTAGE_CACHE (Profile)

Internal Variable - Used to store off voltage value - do not edit

FG_GLOBAL_PANEL_LIGHTS (Profile)

Night Lit Mode (Off = 0, On = 1)

FG_GLOBAL_PRESSURE (Profile)

Shared variable for switching inHg and MB (0 to 1)

0 = inHg

1 = Millbars

FG_GLOBAL_STYLE (Profile)

Background Colour (0 to 6)

0 = Grey

1 = Black Dial Face

2 = Darker Gauge & Dial Face

3 = Black & No Gauge GFX

4 = Grey - Original Design

5 = Black Dial Face - Original Design

6 = Darker Gauge & Dial Face - Original Design

FG_GLOBAL_VOLTAGE (Session)

Internal variable used to read current voltage

Release Notes:

1.3.000

- 1) SPAD.neXt 0.9.15 Compatibility (Convert "PRESS" to "PRESSSHORT") Fixes short and long press both firing on long press.

- 2) New gauge brightness code using SPAD brightness variables.

- 3) Can control global or individual gauge brightness in gauge (Profile saved settings)

- 4) Better use of button lights

1.2.001 - SPAD.neXt 0.9.13 Compatibility (Author ID)

1.2.000 - Updated menu design to current

1.1.000 - New Custom Virtual Power supports ALL aircraft volt variables - See https://fipgauges.com/customfeatures.php

1.0.001 - Added Warning Sounds (WIP) and added a 3x5 grid varient Toggle long hold [S2] or via menu

1.0.000 - Public Release - Right Dial changes colour in editor now

0.0.000 - Beta - Demo

Please report any bugs or feature requests via our discord channel