In Game MAp

[mjrhealth]

Hi all, one thing I would like to see in new game is an a map that can be run on second monitor, instead of up in the corner, resizeable with mouse wheel instead of having to cycle which is a pain when navigating. Of course we should be able to run it with and without plane / planes icon, selectable in scenario config and panable with mouse. VFR flying makes it interesting when having to follow terrain to find target.

David

[Skarphol]

And an ability to see the waypoints without seeing all other icons would be great. Now I have to print out a map and draw the waypoints on it in order to remember where to fly, if I don't want to fly with the help of GPS. There should also be marked on the map positions of subjects mentioned in the briefing, like known positions of enemy AAA and so on.

Skarphol

[Lo0n]

this was one of the features of supreme commander that was really appealing - having the global map on a second screen. it would make it so much easier and more immersive to navigate using a map that doesn't take up a corner of the windscreen. I like the waypoint only idea as well, with the addition of icons for recon'd AAA positions, targets found in the hopefully present photo-recon missions, plots from ground radar (inc height and force number, with a fudge factor for both values). would mean successfully completing recon missions could have a very tangible impact on mission/route planning, and would be of real importance in-game.

[Feuerfalke]

And an ability to see the waypoints without seeing all other icons would be great. Now I have to print out a map and draw the waypoints on it in order to remember where to fly, if I don't want to fly with the help of GPS. There should also be marked on the map positions of subjects mentioned in the briefing, like known positions of enemy AAA and so on.

Skarphol

+1 :cool:

[Skarphol]

I think this waypoint thing could be brought a little bit further: If you are the squadron leader, then you will have the responsibility to place the waypoints for the intire squadron based on what your mission is, and what is known of enemy dispositions. That way, a mission can be solved in quite a lot of ways. Maybe giving some limitations, like that a target have to be struck before a given time or something else happening, thus preventing maybe the most carefull plans, giving the squadleader no other option that to fight ones way through to the target.
But all of this is a little beside the subject of this thread.

Skarphol

[Blackdog_kt]

I like these ideas, even if i don't have a second monitor. In fact, it would be nice to go a little further and have a fully functional kneepad map that we can mark and write on during flight. For example, on the way to the target you stumble upon a AAA site that was unknown to you, you mark it on the map and avoid it on your way home.

Of course, it would be unrealistic to have a wide array of tools for fighters because of cockpit room constraints in reality, just a pencil and maybe a ruler would have to do, but when you fly bombers a full set of navigation tools could be enabled, like protractors and bearing calculation tools. I'm thinking something like a small toolbar on top of the in-flight map window, with similar tools to those found in Ubisoft's Silent Hunter 3. I also like the mouse wheel zoom function proposal.

If this could be done online too it would be a blast. This way a lot of new tactics could be used, for example using a bomber as a pathfinder for a flight of Jabos, guiding them to the target. Another thing that would spice things up a bit would be the ability to set waypoints before flight on the mission map for online games. This way, if your plane has a waypoint indicating compass you could fly with a real flightplan, but not alter the waypoing placement during flight, you'd still have to use the map to navigate outside your preset flightplan.

If flightplans could be distributed to other players too this would bring a new element of realism to online matches, especially online war environments. For example, the bomber leader distributes the flightplan to his flight and the escorts, so they can rejoin with the bombers if they get separated. The ability to switch between waypoints without having to use radio commands like in IL2 would be nice too. This way, if the escorts are caught up chasing interceptors they can simply ask the bombers what's their next waypoint, set it on their compass and rejoin them.

[BadAim]

+1

I think the ability to have at least a few of the major guages on the second monitor would be awesome as well. I love the kneeboard Idea as well, even if just a briefing page, a map page and maybe a note page. I would go out and scavenge or buy a second monitor for that!

[JG6_Express]

Last year a freeware 3rd party program was developed that allowed users to use either a 2nd monitor, or better yet, an LCD touch Display. Several even had developed a control panel screen exclusively for all of the IL2 controls. I checked it out using the 2nd monitor feature and was really impressed. I never pursued the touch diplay setup due to "gaming budget" versus wife's new shoes but saw several demos and was even more impressed.
The makers of this program even have tutorials for you to edit your own control panels and it is very user friendly. Here are a couple of videos that demo it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzojv7qV57E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drcHnu3f5iw

[Wild.Bill.Kelso]

Thanks for posting that Express. I made that profile and use it every time I fly. It does have a clipboard plugin that lets you take a screenshot of your game screen (briefing, map, etc...) and paste it on a tab. It is not a functional map, but it's something I find very useful when I forget a detail about my mission.

The Touch-Buddy.com website has been down for a few weeks now, but will hopefully be back soon.

WBK
(aka Snacko)

[MaD88]

Thanks for posting that Express. I made that profile and use it every time I fly. It does have a clipboard plugin that lets you take a screenshot of your game screen (briefing, map, etc...) and paste it on a tab. It is not a functional map, but it's something I find very useful when I forget a detail about my mission.

The Touch-Buddy.com website has been down for a few weeks now, but will hopefully be back soon.

WBK
(aka Snacko)

I really hope that the Touchbuddy site will come back soon!
Would be nice to have your new Profile for IL2. It looks awesome!

MaD

[Wild.Bill.Kelso]

I really hope that the Touchbuddy site will come back soon!
Would be nice to have your new Profile for IL2. It looks awesome!

MaDThanks MaD.

I think you found a link that works? If you're the same Mad who contacted me on YouTube? Apparently the threads on the site kind of work, but not the main forum listing.

But here is a direct link to my IL2 and other profiles:
http://www.touch-buddy.com/forums/local_links.php?catid=4

And here is a direct link to the TouchBuddy Software:
http://www.touch-buddy.com/forums/local_links.php?catid=1