Starting to make little progress

[d.burnette]

Ok so this morning I go in and take a look at the controls mapping.
Originally my intent was to create a new joystick file for my Cougar, thereby giving me access to all the combination of buttons/axis on this great HOTAS.

But no, once I got in there I thought wth, I will just assign some buttons/axis directly from within the game. Thought maybe I could do it the easy way to at least get me in the air.

LOL, by the time I got to a training flight - the solo flight - I pretty much forgot most of what I assigned. Took me forever to figure out how to start the dang engine.
Trying to taxi that plane it gives you for that flight - Spit maybe? - man it veered to the left so bad, even holding in full right rudder. So ok I wil see if I can just take off from the grass - huge mistake, never made it off the ground lol.

But holy cow, the sound on my Klipsch 5.1 sound system - cranked up high - wow, love it!

At this point think it may be best, I just sit down for a couple of hours, write out a plan for control mapping using a Cougar profile - and get it done - assign the keys and write macros in the Cougar profile for them, then assign to proper buttons/axis. Then I will be done with it, and I can print out a diagram of my stick and throttle for quick reference by my side until I get all the controls on my HOTAS as related to CLoD basically memorized...

I thought maybe I could use my older 1946 profile as a baseline, appears many default key commands have changed though along with some nomenclature and obviusly more commands available to map...

Going to start from scratch and get as good and extensive a joystick profile created for this game as I can... might be a late night tonight.

Btw, any way to reload the default key assignments? Not sure I saw that option whilst I was in there.

But wow, that sound of those engines - I think I am hooked!
Btw, did I mention the sound??

[SlipBall]

Here you go, maybe someone has a short cut
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8296-VSOM-8056

[d.burnette]

Many thanks for the link, but I would presume this would reset everything and not just the controllers - like all my realism/graphics settings..
I was hoping there might be a way to reset the controller assignments to default. No biggie I guess since I will be writing a whole new joystick file anyways and likely doing all my own key assignments. Would have been nice to get the key assignments I did change to joystick buttons back to what they were...

Well probably not that big a deal to just go back in and reset all my realism/graphics though on second thought...

Thanks,

[SlipBall]

Yea, I made a copy of config and saved in a safe spot, also after setting the controls press save as/then you can load that/ or a similar file say bomber control etc.

[mxmadman]

Well, I think you're best off mapping your own keys as you have planned, but I don't think you should take time off of flying to map them.

Obviously you want it to make sense, so some thought is required to make sure the buttons that are needed in combat situations are easy to press without moving your hands or eyes.

You can change the controls during a mission also by hitting escape. I have a Saitek x52 that has multiple modes so I can assign the same button to multiple uses depending on which mode I'm in, so I have a 'start-up mode' and flight mode.

You may not have this ability, but can still do something similar. Map all of your preflight keys in a sequence somewhere, like having 1 as fuel cock, 2 and 3 as magnetos, 4 as toggle sight illumination, and 5 as ignition.

This way you can't forget what to do, just hit the fly button and slam 1 2 3 4 5 in succession, and as long as your engine is in the proper start-up condition you'll be ready to go.

Also, as far as take-off is concerned, you want to trim your plane for take off before hitting the run way. In a Spit this means full right rudder and very nose-up elevator trim.

During take off, before wheels up, you'll notice that you need to begin dialing back the right rudder more towards centered as you build speed, and this increases as you get to cruise speed. After wheels up you want to obviously retract your gear and immediately go back to trimming elevator and rudder.

This trim process during take-off makes the ac much easier to control.

[d.burnette]

Yea, I made a copy of config and saved in a safe spot, also after setting the controls press save as/then you can load that/ or a similar file say bomber control etc.

Thanks for the tip.
So let's say I reset everthing back to default - I go in and change some keymapping, and introduce a lot of new keymapping - you are saying if I click on " save as", it retains the default file as well, in addition to my newly created custom file?

[d.burnette]

Well, I think you're best off mapping your own keys as you have planned, but I don't think you should take time off of flying to map them.



Thanks for all the great tips mxmadman,
I will certainly keep them in mind as I plan and map out my new Cougar profile for this sim. By doing it this way, I will be able to map so much more to the stick by utilizing the 3 way switche, so each button can have multiple functions assigned to it.
I can easily program preflight functions onto buttons on my stick with a toggle switch in one location, and regular flight functions with the toggle switch in another, so doing as you describe regarding having all the preflight stuff close together is certainly doable . Just takes a little planning and preperation on my part.

Will take some time to get it going, but I think will pay off in dividends as I really get into flying this thing.

Thanks again,

[mxmadman]

Thanks for all the great tips mxmadman,
I will certainly keep them in mind as I plan and map out my new Cougar profile for this sim. By doing it this way, I will be able to map so much more to the stick by utilizing the 3 way switche, so each button can have multiple functions assigned to it.
I can easily program preflight functions onto buttons on my stick with a toggle switch in one location, and regular flight functions with the toggle switch in another, so doing as you describe regarding having all the preflight stuff close together is certainly doable . Just takes a little planning and preperation on my part.

Will take some time to get it going, but I think will pay off in dividends as I really get into flying this thing.

Thanks again,

Excellent! Its great that your stick also has the ability to switch between different modes. Its easily one of my favorite features.

As far as tips I picked up when I was first assigning keys (wasn't long ago).

Assigned fov 30 and fov 70 (these are under Camera keys) to something very easy to reach. I use my hat switches (because I have Track IR). Fov 30 is basically zoom in, which is very helpful in aiming. Fov 70 is defaul and needed to get back to normal view.

Same goes for 'lean to gunsight' which is under View I believe. This is similar to the above as it zooms you in a little bit, but it also centers your view on the gunsight. Very helpful in the bf 109 where the gunsight is not centered on your screen by default.

Also, this may not be useful to you, but you can assign a button to the shift key in your joystick configuration. This is done in your joystick software outside of the game.

Using a shift key on your joystick or throttle is helpful to double up on the most accessible keys while you're in combat. For instance, my shift key is right under my thumb on my throttle, so its very easy to use. Trigger for me is just fire MG, and I have another button for cannons, but holding shift and hitting trigger fires both Mg and cannons, this way I don't have to move my trigger hand and mess up my aiming when I want to use both.

[d.burnette]

Excellent!

Using a shift key on your joystick or throttle is helpful to double up on the most accessible keys while you're in combat. For instance, my shift key is right under my thumb on my throttle, so its very easy to use. Trigger for me is just fire MG, and I have another button for cannons, but holding shift and hitting trigger fires both Mg and cannons, this way I don't have to move my trigger hand and mess up my aiming when I want to use both.

Most excellent tips, and all are very doable with my setup. Yes my toggle is a 3 way, so I can setup 3 modes on my stick/throttle, and have lots of buttons available to me.
I have both printed them out and saved to my computer to have for reference.

Great tips and I appreciate them very much, will be very helpful once I start writing my joystick file!

Thanks again,

[d.burnette]

Here you go, maybe someone has a short cut
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8296-VSOM-8056

Hmm don't know if that information is dated or what, I have no such condition zero folder, or file, in the paths it is telling me in the Steam folder.

I have a key file I got for CLoD somewhere around here I guess, and have printed it out - I did not change too much at this point , so should be easy to go back in and manually change the ones I did.

Thanks,

[SlipBall]

Hmm don't know if that information is dated or what, I have no such condition zero folder, or file, in the paths it is telling me in the Steam folder.

I have a key file I got for CLoD somewhere around here I guess, and have printed it out - I did not change too much at this point , so should be easy to go back in and manually change the ones I did.

Thanks,


condition zero was given just as an example game name

I have a key file you will not need that, all you will need is your registered name/password/and e-mail account...try doing a search if no one here responds to your requests for help right away. You may get more help and sooner if you post in the proper sub forum.:grin:

[d.burnette]

Thanks SlipBall,
The key file was just a document showing all the default keystrokes for their respective commands - plus some extras I guess, can't remember where I got it but it was a handy reference. Looks like it was put together by a particular squadron. No need now for me to reset to defaults, it would have been a nice feature to have in there though.

Anyway I stayed up late last night using this reference and going through a lot of controls and mapping keystrokes to them last night. I think I got all that at least I will need, and probably several I may never use.

Now I need to create my actual joystick file for my cougar, which would be the macro file containing all these key commands and their corresponding control actions, then the joystick file using this macro file and assigning which buttons do what.

I am getting there slowly but surely lol.

Thanks,

[d.burnette]

You may not have this ability, but can still do something similar. Map all of your preflight keys in a sequence somewhere, like having 1 as fuel cock, 2 and 3 as magnetos, 4 as toggle sight illumination, and 5 as ignition.

This way you can't forget what to do, just hit the fly button and slam 1 2 3 4 5 in succession, and as long as your engine is in the proper start-up condition you'll be ready to go.


Hey mxmadman,

If I may, can I ask you to elaborate a little for me? I have been assigning keystrokes in the controller menu, actually got a lot of assigning done last night. Still have a ways to go though, as I still need to create my joystick file for my Cougar,but will be able to make use of a tremendous amount of buttons configurations.

Anyway in regards to starting the engine or engines. Obviously here in the early going, my main focus will be on single engine aircraft.

First:
The simple route - say having a button that simply does everything for you and fires the engine up - I am sure that exists, but I can not identify by what I read in the controller menu? I would like to have this mapped to a button for those lazy moments.

Second:
I am sure I will get more satisfaction by going through the actual routine as you stated above, and will have this method mapped to buttons close by on my stick, ie puncing 1 through 5 as you described.

I went back in the controller menu this morning, have begun assigning to keystrokes.
However, there are so many options it confuses me. Like in the magnetos you mention above, there is previous magneto regarding a specific engine number, next magneto, etc. I truly am unclear , with all the options available in there, what I truly need to assign to keystrokes and map to my stick? I see in addition, like a magneto toggle, etc. Same goes for things like fuel cock, radiator, oil radiator, etc...

I hate to ask for elaboration but I am really confused by all the choices... For this 5 step process as you mention, what exactly do I need to assign to complete that 5 step process?

Lastly, one of the steps you mention for starting engine is " toggle sight illumination". What is that in regards to starting engine? I do not see that command listed, at least under aircraft?

Sorry for my confusion and perhaps this is better suited in another subforum, just wanted to ask you directly here as you had already given me great tips to get me started in this control assignment daunting process.. :)

Thanks for any help in this regard, it is truly appreciated! I really want to get much of this accomplished this weekend and actually get to spending some quality flying time with this sim in the upcoming days...

[addman]

Hey mxmadman,

If I may, can I ask you to elaborate a little for me? I have been assigning keystrokes in the controller menu, actually got a lot of assigning done last night. Still have a ways to go though, as I still need to create my joystick file for my Cougar,but will be able to make use of a tremendous amount of buttons configurations.

Anyway in regards to starting the engine or engines. Obviously here in the early going, my main focus will be on single engine aircraft.

First:
The simple route - say having a button that simply does everything for you and fires the engine up - I am sure that exists, but I can not identify by what I read in the controller menu? I would like to have this mapped to a button for those lazy moments.

Second:
I am sure I will get more satisfaction by going through the actual routine as you stated above, and will have this method mapped to buttons close by on my stick, ie puncing 1 through 5 as you described.

I went back in the controller menu this morning, have begun assigning to keystrokes.
However, there are so many options it confuses me. Like in the magnetos you mention above, there is previous magneto regarding a specific engine number, next magneto, etc. I truly am unclear , with all the options available in there, what I truly need to assign to keystrokes and map to my stick? I see in addition, like a magneto toggle, etc. Same goes for things like fuel cock, radiator, oil radiator, etc...

I hate to ask for elaboration but I am really confused by all the choices... For this 5 step process as you mention, what exactly do I need to assign to complete that 5 step process?

Lastly, one of the steps you mention for starting engine is " toggle sight illumination". What is that in regards to starting engine? I do not see that command listed, at least under aircraft?

Sorry for my confusion and perhaps this is better suited in another subforum, just wanted to ask you directly here as you had already given me great tips to get me started in this control assignment daunting process.. :)

Thanks for any help in this regard, it is truly appreciated! I really want to get much of this accomplished this weekend and actually get to spending some quality flying time with this sim in the upcoming days...

Forget about magnetos and forget about "toggle sight illumination", sight illumination is for turning the gunsight light on only you don't need to map them, they are not necessary for starting engines in this case. Generally speaking with regards to starting engines you only need to do the following:


1. Toggle fuel cock(s), some planes (like bombers) have more than 1 fuel cocks but most have only one. Assign a key to toggle fuel cock.

2. When you start many engines - not all - you need to have like 5-10% throttle so make sure you apply that amount before starting engines.

3. Simply press I or assign I to a button of your choice.

4. Multi engine planes, make sure you assign keys to "toggle engine 1", "toggle engine 2" etc because you can't start two engines at once, you need to select, for example, engine 1 first and do the start-up procedure then you toggle engine 2 and repeat the procedure there.

There are of course planes - like the Blenheim - that requires extra care when starting and warming engines up so make sure to read the gameplay forum from back to back, some really good help there.

I hope this helps, it takes time to assign buttons and get to know your setup but when you've sorted out irrelevant commands and used it for a few hours it will stick like glue.:D Setting up the controls and getting to know them is IMO the biggest hurdle to overcome for new players and it can be daunting for someone who doesn't fly sims a lot, the rewards far outweighs the steep cost of entry.

[d.burnette]

[QUOTE=addman;402551]

1. Toggle fuel cock(s), some planes (like bombers) have more than 1 fuel cocks but most have only one. Assign a key to toggle fuel cock.

2. When you start many engines - not all - you need to have like 5-10% throttle so make sure you apply that amount before starting engines.

3. Simply press I or assign I to a button of your choice.

4. Multi engine planes, make sure you assign keys to "toggle engine 1", "toggle engine 2" etc because you can't start two engines at once, you need to select, for example, engine 1 first and do the start-up procedure then you toggle engine 2 and repeat the procedure there.

QUOTE]

addman, very helpful and thank you sir for the quick response. That certainly simplifies it for me and not quite so overwhelming by what I see in the controller menu regarding engine start ups. Thanks for that info and for the tips.

I will go back into the controller menu and make sure my toggles are assigned to keys appropriately. Indeed this is a daunting task, mainly due to the fact that I am assigning keystrokes to a lot of controller comands that do not have them already- but when I write my joystick file, while I will have all those macros already in the macro file for it, I do not have to assign all of them to the buttons on my sticks - but will be available to me down the road should I wish to and would be a simple matter to add to the joystick itself. I am hoping " short term pain will equate to long term gain" for me. :)

Thank you again for the great info, I really appreciate it.

[d.burnette]

May I ask another much simpler question?

I notice while looking through the various controller menus, the M key is actually assigned to two different commands. Specifically, the Map toggle, and the Mirror toggle...

How can this be? I did not think one single key could be used for two different commands? Would not that keypress then generate, both the map toggle and the mirror toggle?

I believe so far, that is the only key that I have seen assigned to two different commands?

Thanks,

[d.burnette]

3. Simply press I or assign I to a button of your choice.


Well I have run across another question.
I am in the controls menu and have made the other necessary key assignments regarding the fuel cock toggles. I went ahead and assigned fuel cock toggles for engines 1-4 to have just in case.

I have looked through all the controls menu, and do not see an I assigned to any control function whatsoever. I fear in my early haste to go in and start assiging stuff a couple of days ago to try and get in the air sooner rather than later, I was mapping some stuff directly to my stick buttons versus using key presses like I will be doing now for my joystick file - I am afraid I must have erased the I command from the appropriate corresponding control function to start the engines.

Can you tell me which control function exactly, the I keypress is supposed to relate to, to start the engine?

Sorry for my ingnorance, again it is hard for me to tell which one it should apply to in the controls menu.

Thanks,

[bolox]

I = toggle selected engine(s)
in menu- like IL2 some of the names are not very intuitive:rolleyes:

[d.burnette]

I = toggle selected engine(s)
in menu- like IL2 some of the names are not very intuitive:rolleyes:

Ok thank you very much, I had somehow wiped out that key press command. I have gone in and assigned "I" key, to Toggle Selected Engine(s - I would never have guessed that toggle selected engine would actually fire it up. Start Engine as the command would have worked better for my simplistic mind. :)

Ok so now I think I am set, once I get my joystick file compiled for all the key commands for the controls I have assigned.

Let me make sure I have this correct in my mind:
Once I am in the aircraft I will do the following to start my engine and get to taxiing, in this order- this list assuming I am in a single engine aircraft:
1: Select EngineOne
2: Toggle Fuel Cock#1
3: Move Throttle to app 10-15%
4: Toggle Selected Engine

That's it? Once these are done, ready to taxi and fly? No need to mess with radiators, magnetos, carburator heat, supercharges, mixture, prop rpm?
If so, that sounds very good to me - I can wrap my feeble mind around that just fine LOL.

ps: I did go ahead and assign selecting engine 1-4, fuel cock toggle engines 1-4, to have for the future if I need.

Thanks again,

[addman]

Ok thank you very much, I had somehow wiped out that key press command. I have gone in and assigned "I" key, to Toggle Selected Engine(s - I would never have guessed that toggle selected engine would actually fire it up. Start Engine as the command would have worked better for my simplistic mind. :)

Ok so now I think I am set, once I get my joystick file compiled for all the key commands for the controls I have assigned.

Let me make sure I have this correct in my mind:
Once I am in the aircraft I will do the following to start my engine and get to taxiing, in this order- this list assuming I am in a single engine aircraft:
1: Select EngineOne
2: Toggle Fuel Cock#1
3: Move Throttle to app 10-15%
4: Toggle Selected Engine

That's it? Once these are done, ready to taxi and fly? No need to mess with radiators, magnetos, carburator heat, supercharges, mixture, prop rpm?
If so, that sounds very good to me - I can wrap my feeble mind around that just fine LOL.

ps: I did go ahead and assign selecting engine 1-4, fuel cock toggle engines 1-4, to have for the future if I need.

Thanks again,

That's pretty much it, superchargers you don't have to worry about until altitudes of 2500 m and up. I recommend assigning buttons to "supercharger next/previous stage". No need for magnetos messing about IMO. Mixture will be fine at default up until a certain altitude, you'll notice when your engine starts sputtering/belching black smoke (I think) then you need to lean out the mixture (lower it). Assign buttons to "increase/decrease mixture" and you're good, same goes for "open/close radiator", "open/close oil radiator". I only have these 2 button "add/decrease" setup for most of that stuff, same goes for prop pitch.

[bolox]

if you are flying with full cem you will need radiator control(s)- set to full open for takeoff/climb- set to normal/half for normal cruising.- WATCH YOUR TEMPS

Prop pitch also needed. Have you used the 2 rotary controls on throttle for trim? if not might be a good idea to use one for prop pitch (in axes section).

[d.burnette]

if you are flying with full cem you will need radiator control(s)- set to full open for takeoff/climb- set to normal/half for normal cruising.- WATCH YOUR TEMPS

Prop pitch also needed. Have you used the 2 rotary controls on throttle for trim? if not might be a good idea to use one for prop pitch (in axes section).

No I have not as of yet assigned my two rotaries on my throttle- have assigned keypresses for trimming that will get assigned to buttons on my stick.
I was thinking of using the two available rotaries, one for prop pitch, and the other for mixure? Would that make sense?

I do not plan on flying with full cem as I will be learning this sim for some time I am sure - maybe later on down the road...

Thanks,

[d.burnette]

That's pretty much it, superchargers you don't have to worry about until altitudes of 2500 m and up. I recommend assigning buttons to "supercharger next/previous stage". No need for magnetos messing about IMO. Mixture will be fine at default up until a certain altitude, you'll notice when your engine starts sputtering/belching black smoke (I think) then you need to lean out the mixture (lower it). Assign buttons to "increase/decrease mixture" and you're good, same goes for "open/close radiator", "open/close oil radiator". I only have these 2 button "add/decrease" setup for most of that stuff, same goes for prop pitch.

Many thanks again addman, I will take your advice and go ahead and assign commands for superchargers and radiators as well.

[mxmadman]

No I have not as of yet assigned my two rotaries on my throttle- have assigned keypresses for trimming that will get assigned to buttons on my stick.
I was thinking of using the two available rotaries, one for prop pitch, and the other for mixure? Would that make sense?

I do not plan on flying with full cem as I will be learning this sim for some time I am sure - maybe later on down the road...

Thanks,

I would strongly suggest using your two rotaries for trim, specifically rudder and elevator. This is just preference in the end, but you will be using them the most often and you will want more fidelity. Tiny adjustments in trim are necessary almost constantly and are essential in setting up a good gun platform.

I would say prop pitch you will want to use on another analog control of some sort. I personally use a slider for this. For the same reasons above, you want as much sensitivity as possible, but its not as necessary.

And to respond to an earlier question: my 1, 2 ,3 suggestion for starting was only an example. I use my joystick for everything and almost never use my keybpoard, but to simplify things I still put them in a sequence that's easy to remember because there are a number of things you will end up doing on every sortie and only turn it on before take-off (like sight illumination, which makes your crosshair brighter and easier to see against certain backgrounds) and then you don't really need them again.

I don't think you should get too attached to your mappings. Once you get airborne you will feel differently about some and they will certainly change as needed.

[d.burnette]

I would strongly suggest using your two rotaries for trim, specifically rudder and elevator. This is just preference in the end, but you will be using them the most often and you will want more fidelity. Tiny adjustments in trim are necessary almost constantly and are essential in setting up a good gun platform.

I would say prop pitch you will want to use on another analog control of some sort. I personally use a slider for this. For the same reasons above, you want as much sensitivity as possible, but its not as necessary.



Thanks, however I really only have the two rotaries available to me, and they are on my throttle. My stick, and my throttle as well, have several buttons available to me.
I guess in the early stages by not using CEM, probably not too big a deal as I understand those items will be handled auto for me - at some point though once I get truly comfortable , I am sure I will want to switch to using CEM.

Yeah I am sure once I get everything programmed into a file and loaded into my setup, there will be some things I will want to change. I am trying though to plan this out as good as I can to give me a good start with this.

Thanks for the other tips as well, much appreciated!

[mxmadman]

Will you be able to hold your joystick and make adjustments while also changing trim with the same hand? This is another benefit to the trim being on your throttle.

It's 100% your choice and the only correct answer is what makes you the most comfortable, but I suggest this because I did the exact same thing. I used hat switches for trim for about a half hour before I realized the rotaries are so much better. Mine, too, are on the throttle and were even made for trim, since they have notches at 50% so you can feel when you're not at level trim.

Either way will get you to the same result. Good luck and hope to see you on the ATAG server soon!

[d.burnette]

I think you have convinced me - my two rotaries on the throttle also have center detents, sounds like they will be more suited for trimming elevator/rudder.

Thanks for the hep!

[d.burnette]

Well finally, I have assigned key commands to just about everything I think I will need for the early going ,and many for probably down the road as I gain experience with this sim.

Just finally got finished writing the macro file for my Cougar, whoa was it long - whew!
Now all that it left, is to plan my stick/throttle layout for the buttons, and go in and start assigning some of these macros to the buttons. Should not take quite as long as what I have done so far now...

Once that is done, I can start getting some flying in and experiencing what this sim is all about.

Thanks again to all those that helped me at least get a sense of direction on getting going on this...

[mxmadman]

Its been days! You must have the best controller configuration around by now!

I command you to get in a plane and start having fun! Your setup must be quite different from mine if writing an entirely new macro file was necessary, but I really hope you don't get burned out before ever actually flying.

Let us know if you run into anymore snags.

Edit: perhaps I misunderstand this specific application, but generally I think of a macro as one button that performs several actions, ie button 1 would switch fuel cock, then open cockpit, then fire ignition (all examples), all from one button press. Is this not what you're referring to? It seems a little unnecessary but I'm sure could end up a lot more fluid than what I currently have - which is just 1 button for each action.

[d.burnette]

Its been days! You must have the best controller configuration around by now!

I command you to get in a plane and start having fun! Your setup must be quite different from mine if writing an entirely new macro file was necessary, but I really hope you don't get burned out before ever actually flying.

Let us know if you run into anymore snags.

Edit: perhaps I misunderstand this specific application, but generally I think of a macro as one button that performs several actions, ie button 1 would switch fuel cock, then open cockpit, then fire ignition (all examples), all from one button press. Is this not what you're referring to? It seems a little unnecessary but I'm sure could end up a lot more fluid than what I currently have - which is just 1 button for each action.

No for writing a joystick file for my Cougar, it contains two seperate files - a macro file, and a joystick file. The macro file is just a list of commands, for instance a macro may be: Toggle Selected Engine = I.
OK? So a macro file for my Cougar, will have all the commands that the game offers, that I choose to assign, a key command for - or whatever the sim happens to have already assigned as default. So as you can see, my macro file for my joystick for this sim, can be quite long!
The joystick file, then all I do with it is designate a button - and whether it is toggled with another switch ( 3 way ), and I then insert the above command into that button.
IE - button S2 on my Joystick, I will enter " Toggle Selected Engine" - so in my joystick layout, that is what it will show. So when I actually press button S2 on my joystick with this profile loaded, it will then generate the letter I.

Anyways a little comlex, but once one gets the hang of writing the files for the Cougar HOTAS, it offers a whole bunch of options/flexibility. One hat switch can actually hold up to 24 key commands, or one button 6 commands, depending on my toggles used. I won't use near that many per button for the most part, but they are available. I created a lot more macros in the macro file for my stick than I will proably use, especially in the early going, but they will already be there and available should I want to add extra commands to my buttons as time goes on.

Enough bout that - hope it was not too confusing - well I am not this slow, I am home recovering from surgery and the last several days have been tough, did not feel up to doing a lot - but last 2-3 days have been improvements, so now I got back into it, thankfully!

But you are right, I need to fly now! Hope to get the button assignments, at least the ones I really need, done and some flying this weekend! Also have a new GTX 560 Ti 2gb vid card I want to get put in in the meantime as well.

Thanks again,

[mxmadman]

Oh man sorry to hear that. Get well soon and try not to get bogged down! It sounds like from what you said above, as long as you won't need multiple assignments for one button that you could just leave the default assignment in the macro file and just assign it inside clod. Obviously when toggled it will need to be defined somewhere that there is another key meant for that button press but it sounds like you've got that down pat.

Good luck man and feel better.

Edit: and congrats on the new hardware! All the more reason to fire up the game and see the new eye candy you can enable.

[d.burnette]

Thanks, but best to go ahead and assign within the software versus mapping directly from the sim, that way the options are there down the road should I want to take advantage, ie using one button for more than one command.

Thank you!

[SlipBall]

Thanks, but best to go ahead and assign within the software versus mapping directly from the sim, that way the options are there down the road should I want to take advantage, ie using one button for more than one command.

Thank you!

What you are attempting takes one hell of a good memory in actual use:-P...

[d.burnette]

What you are attempting takes one hell of a good memory in actual use:-P...

Lol, my memory ain't that good, especially at my age! I do end up remembering the basic commands, actually I end up remembering more than I think I will - but I always have a printout of my joytick file for the sim I am currently flying on my desk , it contains a nice graphic represention of what each button does regarding the command it generates.

[d.burnette]

I am please to report I got it finished, and just completed successfully my first solo training.
Well I say I was successful - never could quite seem to figure out where exactly the instructor wanting me to take off from. I followed the visual guide that I thought would take me to some runway - I ended up just giving up, in a fairly smooth area of the grass, and took the plane off. Flew around freestyle I guess, kept getting message to join formation but never new where it really wanted me to go.

So I ended up just flying for a bit then set her down successfully in an open field - I figure that was a success for me anyway.

Now to see about doing some actual fighting...

[d.burnette]

Have done 2 or 3 quick missions - so far am loving it!
Performance not too bad on my machine - and still have the new 560 Ti 2GB card to put in as well...
Graphics are really nice, I can only imagine how well this will run once the update comes out with the new graphics engine.

[kestrel79]

That new video card will make a world of difference. Even pre patch.

I've found the training missions pretty buggy. I learned more just doing a quickflight mission starting from the ground and just trial and error starting the engine and flying and seeing what each button does.

[d.burnette]

That new video card will make a world of difference. Even pre patch.

I've found the training missions pretty buggy. I learned more just doing a quickflight mission starting from the ground and just trial and error starting the engine and flying and seeing what each button does.

Yes it did make a difference, I put it in last night.
I have been doing one of the dogfight quickmissions today, where it dumps me in the air, over the water with enemy planes approaching. I have managed to get several kills. Frame rates over the water were 40-60 fps, managed to find my way to an airfield after the fighting and over land was around 30-40 fps. I think the lowest I saw it get was in the clouds, in mid to upper 20's.
I saw a little stuttering at the very start of the mission, but it seemed to quickly smooth out.
I was expecting worse based on what I have read. Was pleased I was able to successfully land as well.

Great looking sim, my initial impression so far is very favorable. Thanks to all the help I got from the fine folks here, I got off to a very good start.