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VR Toggle Box

Overview

The VR Toggle Box provides a VR friendly control surface with simultaneous joystick emulation and an optional DCS-BIOS interface. Unlike some other projects, this is a diode matrix and so it supports simultaneous button presses. The device can be used to control switches and dials on any aircraft in Digital Combat Simulator via joystick controls or DCS-BIOS. It can also be used with any game that has a joystick interface that can support up to 120 different joystick buttons.

A mode switch to the left of the rotary encoders is selectable between 3 positions. Each position changes the mapping of the switches into different sets of joystick buttons or DCS-BIOS control messages. This provides up to 120 different control inputs. A typical setup might be to map the controls on mode 1 for aircraft startup and lights, 2 for nav/radios and 3 for weapons.

The project includes:

  • STL files for 3D printing the enclosure
  • A circuit schematic for wiring the panel
  • Code for programming an Arduino Pro Micro
  • Customizable LUA scripts for DCS-BIOS to control any aircraft (coming soon)

Build Parts List

  • QTY 7 - 2 Position Miniature Toggle Switch Amazon
  • QTY 6 - 3 Position Miniature Toggle Switch Amazon
  • QTY 2 - 2 Pin SPST Momentary Mini Push Button Switch Amazon
  • QTY 4 - 5 pin 360 Degree Rotary Encoder with push button Amazon
  • QTY 1 - Arduino Pro Micro board Amazon
  • QTY 19 - 1N4004 diode (or most any diode) Amazon

Enclosure and Wiring Build Notes

  • The 3D model provides a top panel with 6mm holes. You may need to drill these slightly larger if you use different size switches.
  • The top panel is a snug fit into the base enclosure. You could optionally use an adhesive, but I haven't bothered.
  • The direction of the diodes must match the schematic

Building the Firmware

Required Arduino Libraries

Mapping controls in DCS

Simple. VR Toggle Box will appear as a joystick controller so you can select a control and toggle a switch like with any joystick.

Installing DCS-BIOS scripts

Still under development, but there are example files in the dcs-bios folder. After installing DCS-BIOS, you can connect to the VR-BOX from the DCS-BIOS Dashboard. Then, add vrbox.lua as a hub script. Currently, the P51-D is modeled fairly well along with a kneeboard file. There is also some start on the Viggen, F16 and F14. It should be straightforward how to edit vrbox.lua to map functions to different models.

** If you develop a mapping file, please share it! I would love to include it in this project.