Extract SimDash
Copy the content of the downloaded ZIP file to any folder in your computer. Execute setup.exe to start the installation. The installer will download the required libraries (Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 and the C++ Runtime) if required.
Configuring the simulators plugins
SimDash includes a plugin for each of the supported simulators. Some of them need to be configured first. To configure a plugin, select it in the Simulators tab and click the Config button. If the Config button is disabled for a plugin, it means the plugin needs no configuration.
rFactor 1& 2, Top Race, Turismo Carretera, TC2000, Arca Sim Racing, Game Stock Car, Simraceway, Kart Racing Pro
Click the Config link, select the folder where simulator is installed and save clicking the OK button.
Live for Speed
Click the Config link on the right hand side of the application. Keep the default values for the OutGauge Port. Copy the values in the textbox below into the clipboard and click the OK button.
Open the cfg.txt in the folder where LfS is installed. This file is created the first time LfS is executed. Replace the rows starting with OutGauge with the text copied in the clipboard. In the unlikely event these rows are not present, append the content of the clipboard to the end of the file. Close and save the file cfg.txt.
GTR2, GTL, Race07, STCC and GTR Evolution
Edit the file GameInstallationFolder\UserData\PlayerName\PlayerName.plr where GameInstallationFolder is the folder where GTR2 or GTL are installed and PlayerName is the name of your profile in the game.
Find the line:
Write Shared Memory="0"
and replace it with:
Write Shared Memory="1"
Close and save the file.
Dirt2, Dirt3, Grid, F1 2010, F1 2011, F1 2012
Edit the file:
Documents\Codemasters\SimulatorName\hardwaresettings\hardware_settings_config.xml
(replace SimulatorName in the path with the name of the simulator (Grid, Dirt2 o F1-2010))
Change this line:
<motion enabled="false" ip="dbox" port="20777" delay="1" extradata="0" />
to:
<motion enabled="true" ip="127.0.0.1" port="20777" delay="1" extradata="1" />
The actual location of the file could be different. It depends on the Windows version and/or the version of the game (Steam or DVD). If you don’t find it, do a search for this file hardware_settings_config.xml in the C: drive.
20777 is the default port number. if changed, remember to change it in the plugin settings as well.
Need for Speed Shift
In the Need for Speed Shift configuration plugin, select whether you have the patch installed or not.
Nitro Stunt Racing and Renault Trucks Racing
Create or modify the shortcut to the Nitro Stunt Racing or Renault Trucks Racing executable, adding these parameters:
-config -FD_TYPE 1 -FD_Host 127.0.0.1 -FD_Port 6556
6556 is the port number where the data is sent to. The same value must be set in the plugin configuration screen.
Richard Burns Rally, Dirt, Need for Speed Shift 2, NR2003 and IRacing
These simulators require no configuration steps.
Configuring the Rev Burner Plugin
Select the Rev Burner plug-in and click the Config button.
Click the Import button and select the correct profile for your rev counter. The profiles are located in the SimDash\Profiles folder. Choose the profile file with the name that matches the type of rev counter you have. For example, you have a 11000 RPM rev counter, select the file Settings-11000-RPM.xml.
The grid in the centre of the form will be populated with the correct values of pulses per minute (PPM) for your rev counter. The first column contains a percentage and the second column the number of pulses sent to the rev counter every minute.
Check the rev counter and the power supply are connected to the board.
Use an USB cable to connect the board to the PC USB port.
Do some testing. Suppose you have a 11000 RPM rev counter and the Settings-11000-RPM.xml profile has been loaded:
When you click the Test button of the row with the value 20% in the first column, the needle of the gauge is suppose to move to 11000*20%= 2200 RPM
If you instead click the Test button of the 50% row, the needle should move to 11000*50%= 5500 RPM.
If you find your rev counter is not accurate, for example clicking the Test button in the 50% row the dial moves to 5300 instead of 5500 RPM, move the slider to the left or to the right until the rev counter displays 5500 RPM.
If you need to make small changes, use the up and down arrows, at the right of the PPM value, instead of the slider.
In the Other settings section, type the max RPM value of your gauge.
Click OK to save the settings and close the form.
Click the Export… button to create a backup copy of your profile, which can be restored with the Import… button.
Configuring the GI Pro Plugin
Select the GI Pro Plugin and click the Config button. If you want the gear display to blink at low or high RPM values, check the corresponding checkbox and type the desired RPM value.
With some games and cars the GI Pro display can blink when the in-game shift light is on. Supported games have OK in the Shift light row in this spreadsheet.
Configuring the GI Max Plugin
Select the GI Max Plugin and click the Config button. Set the level of RPM at which you want the display to blink. Clear the checkbox if you want to disable this feature. The brightness level can be adjusted using the slider.
With some games and cars the GI Max display can blink when the in-game shift light is on. Supported games have OK in the Shift light row in this spreadsheet.
Configuring the SPI-D Plugin
The SPI-D configuration screen allows you to configure the brightness of the display, which data item to use and when the LED light is switched on.
The display and the LED light can be made blink, at three different speeds, when the associated data is equal, below or above a threshold value.
The LED light can be used as a shift light and configured to switch on when the RPM value is above a certain threshold. But it is also possible to turn the LED light on based on the value of other data items, like speed, fuel level or others.
It is also possible to make the SPI-D LED light switch on when the shift light is ON in the game. This is not supported by all games and cars. Supported games have an OK in the Shift light row in this spreadsheet.
Configuring the SimScreen plugin
In the SimScreen plugin configuration screen set the location of up to five designs but will be display by the SimScreen.
When the Slideshow option is enable, the 5 designs will be displayed in sequence, with no action from the user. Each of the two buttons can be configured to start/stop the slideshow or to move to the next/previous design.
Configuring the Pro Shift plugin
In the Pro Shift configuration screen, each of the 16 LEDS can be configured to turn on when a data item is equal, below or above a threshold value. The LEDS can also be set to blink when switched on.
The brightness control adjust the amount of current sent to each LED. When the brightness is set to 100%, each LED receives a 15mA current.
