Introducing RealDash

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janimm
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Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Hi,

We have been working on new digital dashboard/performance meter application called RealDash:

http://www.realdash.net

RealDash is available for Android, iOS, and Windows 10. Our goal is to create perfect dashboard application, with absolutely no limits but users imagination. We would very much like to hear of what features you wish/expect from such a app.

We appreciate any suggestions and feature requests,
Best Regards,
Jani Immonen
Last edited by janimm on Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:08 am, edited 7 times in total.
Suprazz
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by Suprazz »

I'm eager to see this. Do you have any plans for the IOS market too?
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janimm
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Yes, we go Android first, but our technology allows to build the app for iOS without changes to the code.

We can also build for Windows (and phone), Mac, and Linux.
16vboost
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by 16vboost »

Is this intended to replace the factory cluster? If so, how do you handle odometer and trip meters? I'm assuming other read outs such as fuel level, turn signal lights, high beams, oil pressure lights, etc would all have to be inputs to ms right?

Also, I've been having difficulty finding a tablet that has the right aspect ratio to replace my cluster. And many tablets are optimized for portrait viewing. Some become useless when using polarized sunglasses. Do you have a list of recommended tablets ?
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

16vboost wrote:Is this intended to replace the factory cluster? If so, how do you handle odometer and trip meters? I'm assuming other read outs such as fuel level, turn signal lights, high beams, oil pressure lights, etc would all have to be inputs to ms right?

Also, I've been having difficulty finding a tablet that has the right aspect ratio to replace my cluster. And many tablets are optimized for portrait viewing. Some become useless when using polarized sunglasses. Do you have a list of recommended tablets ?

RealDash is not designed specifically to replace factory dash, but one big reason I started the development was that I wanted to create digital dashboard into my Megasquirted 73 'Cuda, by installing display under original instrument cluster bezel. I wanted the dash to mimic the original dash perfectly, but could not find an application that could do that.

Odometer and trip meter can be handled by GPS, rest of the inputs you mentioned would need to be set into ms spare inputs. Another option is OBD II (support will be included in RealDash after Beta period), which can provide data for the gauges you mention.

Generally tablets come with two aspect ratios 16:9 (most Android tablets), and 4:3 (iPad). In Android scene there is also some odd-aspect devices. I have not noticed that the viewing angle and display brightness would differ between portrait and landscape modes. I always use tablets in landscape mode, but we are supporting portrait mode too for "Tesla" type of installations.

I really cannot recommend any specific tablet for you, choose one that has wide viewing angle and super bright screen.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by 16vboost »

GPS odometer and trip meter is a great idea! Especially for those with odd wheel / gearing.
bytesandbolts
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by bytesandbolts »

Think we've both had similar thought paths mate. I'm working on something that appears to be almost identical in concept. Digital dash, that connects with MS in the same style as the original cluster.

What software stacks are you using? Open source or commercial software/hardware?

Here's a few shots of my work in progress. I'm using cheap of the shelf hardware so others can make their own own, and I intend to release the source code so others can alter to suit their fit.
IMG_9553.jpg
IMG_9549.jpg
IMG_9547.jpg
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janimm
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Looks good! RealDash is an mostly an entertainment app, and we do not offer any hardware solutions for factory installations. That said, RealDash can be used to render the visuals in such installations.

We use in-house game engine for development. We have a long history in game development, and still, game development is our main business. RealDash started as my personal side project, and we raised it to actual company production after prototyping phase.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by bytesandbolts »

Okay fair. Are you using some cross platform stack like QT or something similar then? Just interested to know how far you've actually got with it.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Quite far. RealDash is now "technically" ready. All the features we have planned have been implemented, except for USB serial and OBD 2 support. Thats why I thought this is a good time to ask comments and ideas what people would like to see in such app. Currently we are working on app user interface, which will take few weeks to complete.

Our tech is not based on QT, it has 100% in-house build core and rendering engine + supporting open source components like bullet, freetype, codecs, and whatnots needed to make games.
Last edited by janimm on Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
bytesandbolts
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by bytesandbolts »

Cool, we'll I'm definitely gonna keep track of your project. Perhaps when its ready I could have a go at testing it on my device or something. Wish you the best of luck.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Hello fellow Megasquirters!

RealDash has gone to public Beta, available on Google Play:

https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.napko.RealDash


RealDash is a customizable digital dashboard and performance meter for vehicles with Megasquirt ECU.

* 100% Pixel Perfect customization of dashboards
* High performance native code game engine produces smooth visual experience
* Performance meter 0-60, 0-100, 0-200, 60 feet, 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile, and mile
* Measure horsepower and torque
* Supports internal GPS, and external bluetooth GPS modules
* Dashboard Gallery with downloadable example dashboards
* Share your track day results with achievements and leaderboards

Please note that this is a first Beta version of RealDash. It may or may not work properly on your device. We would very much appreciate your feedback on any problems, and feature requests you may have.

Items we are currently working on, and are incomplete or missing from BETA version:
* USB serial communication, this version supports Bluetooth connection only.
* Portrait mode user interface
* Context sensitive help system
* OBD II data input
* HUD mode
* Dashboard gallery categories
* Importing graphics and fonts from network paths, like Google Drive or Dropbox
* Importing Megasquirt ini files to access all input values


We hope you enjoy using RealDash. Have Fun!
grom_e30
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by grom_e30 »

nice one iv been waiting to see this.
1990 bmw 320i daily driver with m20b25 ms3 sequential fuel, 380cc injectors, d585 coil near plug, home made cam sync, launch control, fan control, vss, homebrew egt logging what's next????
16vboost
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by 16vboost »

Very cool. I got it connected to megasquirt very easily. Overall it's very intuitive and it looks great. Here is some of my feedback.

Can you delete a gauge?
How do you add / remove screens?
How do you change the range on the dials? Create a new image?
How do you select which gauges go to the front / back?
I find myself accidentally touching, selecting and moving things all the time. Can there be a more deliberate way of selecting a gauge?
For those of us that want to replace instrument clusters, can we get an odometer and re-settable trip meters?
Can the digital clock do 12 hour format?
Will there be a companion tool for creating custom gauge faces/bezels? I'm no photo chop wizard.

-Alex
janimm
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Hi,

Seems like the one problem right now is that edit mode context menu is difficult to find:

- Can you delete a gauge?
For sure, in edit mode, tap and hold for context menu with more editing options. In context menu select: edit->delete

- How do you add / remove screens?
This is also done thru context menu (tap & hold)

- How do you change the range on the dials? Create a new image?
The range of needle movement is adjusted by "Look & Feel -> Needle Properties" popup.

- How do you select which gauges go to the front / back?
Also from context menu (tap & hold)

- I find myself accidentally touching, selecting and moving things all the time. Can there be a more deliberate way of selecting a gauge?
One way to prevent accidental moving is to use "Freeze Gauge" option in context menu.

- For those of us that want to replace instrument clusters, can we get an odometer and re-settable trip meters?
This can be done. The input would be based on GPS or VSS I will add this to feature request list.

- Can the digital clock do 12 hour format?
I will add this into feature requests list.

- Will there be a companion tool for creating custom gauge faces/bezels? I'm no photo chop wizard.
There is so many excellent image processing tools, it would be very difficult to try to duplicate their functionality. For a "non-photo-chop-wizard" we will add more example dashboards into dashboard gallery, and also more template graphics for new empty dashboards, which both can be used as templates to create new dashboards.

Thank you for your feedback.
Jani
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by Speedy_G »

Hello, a few features which would be very great and would make a difference to competitors:

-GPS Laptimer (Coding isn't difficult, already did this in megasquirt and arduino, but i've no experience with android apps)

-USB Support, which you're already working on

-AutoTune (Very usefull on motorcycles, where its difficult to carry the laptop. Much easier with tablet or phone)



.... and of course datalogging with msq format.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Speedy_G wrote:Hello, a few features which would be very great and would make a difference to competitors:
-GPS Laptimer (Coding isn't difficult, already did this in megasquirt and arduino, but i've no experience with android apps)
This is very much doable. I'm thinking this as a two new gauge types: stop watch gauge and lap timer gauge. I will add this to feature request list. I cannot promise though if this will make it to first public release.

-AutoTune (Very usefull on motorcycles, where its difficult to carry the laptop. Much easier with tablet or phone)
From the day one we have had an idea that we do not offer tuning options in RealDash. We would rather support development of MSDroid for tuning purposes. I'm not ruling anything out for the future, but for now, we will stay out of tuning.

.... and of course datalogging with msq format.
This was also part of our plan not to offer features that others already do well. But datalogging has been requested multiple times. It already is in our feature request list.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by 16vboost »

So edit mode context menu is always the answer :lol: I did tap and hold on the gauges but nothing happened. Where should I tap and hold to reach the context menu?

I also thought about a GPS based lap timer but I use Harry's Lap timer on my phone for that. It is packed with features. The lap timer feature can really turn into its own app.

-Alex
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Context menu "should" open by holding your finger on screen while editing the dashboard. There is a build in tolerance that prevents context menu to open if gauge underneath moves. It could be that this tolerance is too small in your case.

We already implemented a new button to open the context menu, since other users have also had trouble using it as it is now. I will upload Beta1-2 to google play tomorrow.
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Re: Introducing RealDash

Post by janimm »

Beta 1, build 2 is now available on Google Play

Changelog:

New Features:
* Added 24h/12h option for digital clock
* Added button for context menu (tap & hold still an option)

Bug fixes:
* Fixed needle calibration offset in default speedometer
* Fixed a bug that prevented changes to needle angles to be saved
* Metric setting toggle fixed
* Fixed external GPS always showed meters per second
* Fixed bug when changing gauge image did not update its area (aspect fixed)
* Fixed bug that caused gallery thumbnail update to fail
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