create-new-empty-template

name	create-new-empty-template
description	Create a new empty vehicle template for a new ArduPilot firmware version. Use when a new firmware release requires a fresh empty template directory under vehicle_templates/, involving flashing firmware, connecting to AMC, creating a project directory, and reviewing all configuration steps to handle renamed or removed parameters.

Create a New Empty Vehicle Template

When ArduPilot releases a new firmware version, some parameters are renamed, added, or removed. A new empty template must be created for each firmware version to give users a reliable starting point.

Each of the 300+ supported flight controllers has different hardware capabilities and therefore slightly different parameters and default values. It is impractical to maintain 300+ empty templates with only minor differences, so we provide a single empty template based on a commonly used flight controller.

Prerequisites

• A widely used flight controller (e.g., Pixhawk 6C, CubeOrange)
• The latest ArduCopter firmware flashed to that flight controller
• ArduPilot Methodic Configurator (AMC) installed

Steps

1. Flash the firmware: Install the latest ArduCopter firmware on the flight controller.
2. Reboot the flight controller: Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable so the FC completes its reboot.
3. Connect to AMC: Open AMC and connect to the flight controller.
4. Create a new project directory:
   • Click the "Create a vehicle configuration directory from template" button at the top of the AMC window.
   • Enable "Reset flight controller parameters to their defaults".
   • Enable "Use parameter values from connected FC, not from template files".
   • Enable "Blank parameter change reason".
   • Choose a base destination directory where the project files will be saved (you will move them later).
   • Set the destination new vehicle name to e.g. empty_4.7.x.
   • Click "Create a vehicle configuration directory from template" to generate the project.
5. Review all configuration steps: For each step, handle parameters marked in orange (renamed or removed):
   • Click Add to add a replacement parameter - verify it serves the same purpose as the old one.
   • Click Del to remove the obsolete parameter.
   • Click Skip to proceed to the next step; confirm saving changes when prompted.
6. Move and commit: After completing all steps, move the generated project directory into ardupilot_methodic_configurator/vehicle_templates/ArduCopter and commit it to the repository.