Released: Multi-Throttle Support for IL-2

[MikkOwl]

Version 3.0 is done.

http://hem.bredband.net/mikko.artist...by_MikkOwl.zip

Change Log:

- Switch from keyboard emulation method to "Device Link" interface. Throttles now have same accuracy as default IL-2.
- Toe-brakes on rudder pedals (G940 for example) control individual aircraft wheel brakes.
- Seperate engine start and propeller feather buttons.
- Fuel Mixture on axis (requires keyboard emulation to work, such as in version 1 and 2).
- Radiator on axis.
- All keys and controls user customisable.
- Pre-prepared profiles (to help along the way).
- More extensive documentation.

[Azimech]

THANK YOU!!

Another reason not to touch FSX anymore I was hoping Daidalos would do this and requested it in the development topic.

I will make use of this and since I'm buying a whole lot more cheap 'n dirty game controllers (steering wheels etc) and building my own pedals (with independent brakes) I'll post the result soon with pics and all.

[MikkOwl]

For those who are unsure about compatibility, with DeviceLink now being used instead of keyboard emulation:

It works online, it works with TrackIR (at least on Windows XP 32 bit home edition that I use).

You don't need a G940 for this. Can use any devices with levers. I recommend the Saitek Quadrant, giving 3 levers and 9 buttons. Quality can be a bit shoddy (Have to send mine in for replacement as one button stopped working right) but it costs only 50€ and gives tons of flying fun. Without a throttle at all, it is extra worth it - can have one or two levers as throttles, third as flaps, etc.

....

And yes, Team Daidalos were going to add dual throttle support but it didn't come in that 4.09 patch. That's one of the reasons I made this. I did not want to wait, and I am not counting on that the support will ever come (and Storm of War is on the horizon too, no time to spare).

[Viikate]

Dual throttle support wasn't ever planned for 4.09.

[MikkOwl]

I am aware of that. I started with IL-2 in november, after 4.09 was even released I think. But then I saw old posts talking about throttle support, and I misunderstood thinking it should have been in 4.09 but did not happen. But either way, no idea when 4.10 will come, and if it will feature throttle support when it comes, and most likely it would not feature differential braking, radiator and fuel mixture.

---

There have been reports of malware warnings from the latest version of the throttle program. I assure you that it is malware and virus free. It is the behaviour of the program that is 'suspicious' for those anti-malware scanners, which are set to scan for any new unknown threat they don't recognize. So ignore any false alerts.

[TheGrunch]

Originally Posted by MikkOwl

But either way, no idea when 4.10 will come, and if it will feature throttle support when it comes, and most likely it would not feature differential braking, radiator and fuel mixture.

Hopefully April, very likely yes, and maybe you should ask Viikate about the last part. Holding down the brakes and using rudder pedals creates a differential-braking effect already, as far as I'm aware.
You really should put a DT pic in your signature, Viikate.

[MikkOwl]

Originally Posted by TheGrunch

Hopefully April, very likely yes, and maybe you should ask Viikate about the last part. Holding down the brakes and using rudder pedals creates a differential-braking effect already, as far as I'm aware.
You really should put a DT pic in your signature, Viikate.

All the better if all these things could be put in the game executables themselves instead of having to use this. But until then, we have all the features here, now.

Indeed about the differential braking method in IL-2. But that won't work with toe brakes (that flip forward). One can only assign brakes to a single axis in IL-2 also, further making it impossible. I managed to solve it by measuring which toe brake was applying the most force, then (for each fraction of a second) using the one with most force to determine the amount of 'brake pedal' being applied. At the same time, another measurement measures how far each of the toe brakes are pushed, which determines the angle the rudder will be set at (as the rudder controls if the other wheel side should have less than the brake force being applied).

It took some tuning to make it work properly to say the least. At one point I made it do 100% rudder left or right, if only one toe brake was being pressed - to avoid the problem where if only a little braking was being appplied, the rudder was also only turned a little, making the other wheel brake almost as much (making the aircraft come to a halt instead of turning at very low speeds, near standstill). This gave 100% wheel braking only on that side, solving the problem. But it also gave very sudden violent changes in direction if the plane also had some speed (even just traveling down the taxiway) due to the maximum rudder deflection.

The solution was to make the rudder not move to full deflection instantly, but it moves to full much quicker than having to press a toe brake all the way to 100%. Maybe at 30% toe brake the rudder is at maximum deflection. This solved all the problems, except that the rudder turns if braking one wheel more than the other.

In this manner, the plane is smooth and predictable without sudden unexpected turns, and you can steer it without braking both wheels even at slow speeds (standing still and rotating the plane in a single engined fighter works easily).

Also, to brake fully, you must brake both wheels by pressing both toe brakes, like during landing or when lining up a P-38 for take-off.

It works pretty much exactly like real wheel brakes would.