PanelSight 1.2.1: Direct copy by default on NVIDIA graphics cards

PanelSight 1.2.1 makes Direct copy the normal way to show glass screens on NVIDIA graphics cards: no pop-out windows, and almost no cost to frame rate. It also draws knob dials at the same size on every screen, keeps the panels on tablets after a reboot, and fixes blank screens on the A320neo and the 737 MAX 8.

Automatic now uses Direct copy on NVIDIA

In 1.2.0, Direct copy was something you had to turn on. In 1.2.1, Automatic uses it when your main monitor is connected to an NVIDIA graphics card. You don't need to change anything: after the update, PanelSight copies the glass screens straight from the sim, and nothing pops out.

On other graphics cards, Automatic still uses pop-outs, because we have not tested Direct copy on them enough yet. You can still use it: open Settings and, under Pop-outs, set Glass screens to Direct copy (no pop-outs). Please try it and tell us how it works on your computer.

If Direct copy causes a problem, set Glass screens to Legacy pop-outs and click send us debug info at the bottom of Settings, so we can fix it.

Some antivirus programs might block or remove Direct copy. If that happens, Settings now says so under Glass screens, and the How to get direct copy back… button shows the steps. Before, Settings said that Direct copy was not installed.

Knob dials at the same size on every screen

When you turn a knob, PanelSight shows a dial for it. The dial is now the same physical size on every screen, from a large monitor to a small tablet, and it no longer covers the value it changes, such as the readouts on the A320neo's autopilot panel or the baro setting.

PanelSight works out the size of each screen by itself. If it gets one wrong, open Settings and, under Screens, click the size button next to that screen. It says Set size when PanelSight does not know the size.

Tablets keep their panels after a reboot

Some screens give Windows no ID of their own, such as a tablet used as an extra screen with an app like spacedesk. PanelSight now keeps their panels after you restart your computer. If it is not sure which screen is which, it asks on the screen itself: Where is this screen?

A320neo and 737 MAX 8

• A screen could stay blank on the first flight until you restarted the flight or PanelSight. This is fixed.
• If you were typing on the MCDU or CDU and then picked another tab in the Instrument Switcher or hid the overlay, PanelSight kept the keyboard, so the sim ignored it. This is fixed.
• The A320neo's panels look smoother and less grainy.

Other fixes

• Direct copy no longer switches to pop-outs when one of the aircraft's screens starts switched off.
• Instrument Switcher: the tabs now respond every time, not only the first time.
• Layout editor: dragging a panel past the left or right edge no longer empties the editor.
• When you fly an aircraft we don't support yet, PanelSight asks you to record it for us only if we don't already have a recording of it.

Who this is for

• If your main monitor runs on an NVIDIA graphics card, you get Direct copy without changing anything: no pop-out windows, and a lighter load on the sim.
• If you use another graphics card, try Direct copy in Settings and tell us how it works.
• If you use a tablet or a small touchscreen, knob dials are now the right size, and your panels stay where they were after a reboot.
• If you fly the A320neo or the 737 MAX 8, the blank screens on the first flight and the stuck keyboard are fixed.

How to update

PanelSight checks for new versions by itself. When one is out, a notice appears next to the PanelSight icon in the Windows taskbar. Click the notice, then click Update now in Settings. PanelSight downloads the update, installs it and starts again on its own. You can also run the installer from the download page again.

Updating always installs the newest version, which includes everything in this release.

For every change in 1.2.1, see the changelog.