jireland607

I have been looking further into the head tracking debate. Apparently, the way TrackIR and FreeTrack work is they write to a piece of RAM that is shared between the Tracking program and the game. The difference is that NaturalPoint include some protection within that map to prevent other people using their protocol. Thats fine... But Freetrack have their own protocol, so why not support that as well? I suggest FreeTrack, although any other OpenSource Protocol would be fine. It does look like FreeTrack itself is not being developed any further but that has not stopped hundreds of people from downloading it and using it. There is also a product called "FaceTrackNoIR"which is developing very quickly and supports the FreeTrack protocol. A similar situation existed with Boemia with their ArmA. A petition was put online in support of implementing FreeTrack Protocol. After 900 votes in its favour, the developers could see the benefit, and added the feature in a following update. That's people power in action! - http://www.petitiononline.com/arma2pet/petition.html Now, I don't know about you but I'm fed up with having to run my game in 32bit when I know I could use 64. I don't want to run a "fixer" every time a new update comes out (imagine if someone stopped updating it). With this in mind, I am going to setup a petition online which I hope to get a lot of support for. Not just from fellow FreeTrack users but also DCS A10c pilots who would like to help out others. As I'm sure you will agree, it adds a whole new dimension to the game. Before I get started though, I would value your input on what to include and any suggestions. I will be using this site _ http://www.petitiononline.com/ have a look and make any suggestions you like. I can not edit it once it goes live so want to make it perfect. I will give it a couple of days, then get started.

I want to reopen this thread and hope that others jump on it as a way of petition to persuade ED to implement a different type of head tracking interface. I have had quoted before: But this says to me that ED was trying to add an interface for TrackIR. Surely NaturalPoint do not have the power to stop a company from accepting an input device!!! Maybe Freetrack was a bit close to TrackIR and there was a threat of legal action but there are other solutions out there. I am using FaceTrackNoIR and I'm sure that ED could add support for it... ED, this is a really important part of your game and you really need to address it somehow. Many users are forced to use a 32bit version or spend hours setting up ppjoy. Of all the extras you can add for the game, second to HOTAS, headtracking is essential for decent gameplay.

Already had the webcam but its only a cheap one from Argos, I think its Alba or something. Cost me £12 originally. I did try the Wiimote but only because I had one. I did not see any really benefit with it to justify running bluetooth on my PC. I did have to take out the IR filter though but still works as a webcam. The Saitek X45 I was lucky with, I got it for £6 from a Boot Sale. What a steal! I've had it for 5 years now, yes its really sloppy in the centre but other than that, it works fine. After attempting mid-air refuelling I have been thinking about upgrading to X52 pro tbh.

I'm using Saitek X45 as well. The default key assignments for HOTAS controls are not very user friendly either which does not help. I also use FreeTrack as a cheap TrackIR. The software is free although you will have to build an IR tracking hat. To start I would build a very simple one IR LED track to give you UP/DOWM, LEFT/RIGHT. IT will cost you under £5 to make including hat. This makes life so much easier in the cockpit. I to have a family so am restricted to a few hours a week. You'll obviously get better faster if you dedicate 30 hours a week to the sim but I have managed to learn most of the systems playing 3-4 hours a week.

Depending on how involved you want to get, you really do not need to use everything available to you. Probably the hardest thing for me was getting my head round the HOTAS. "DMS up long - TMS Aft short" and all of that... Once you get used to it, you will find that you actually only need a few of these commands, then you can build on them once you become more skilled. As I have said on other threads, just start with a little to get you going. Use the TAD to guide you round the map. learn the TGP, this bit is essential, but again you only need to know how to slew and zoom in/out, then select a target. I would highly recommend getting near your target area, then using the 'Active Pause' function. You can sit there without worrying about flying while you practice using the TGP and weapons. I would recommend starting with Mav's because A: They are cool as you like B: You can fire from around 6KM. C: you can fire them without having to follow any targeting display on the HUD Try learning the bare essentials and expand on it for example why spend 15mins learning how to start the plane if you will crash or get shot down within 5mins of takeoff? Start a quick mission from the runway instead, then as you get better start from the ramp and learn startup procedures (you can get this down to a couple of minutes fairly quickly without using a list) Then learn other weapons etc... I did not use the CDU or radios at all for a while, just introduced myself to them as I mastered the other stuff. There is a learning curve to this game, but its as steep as you want it to be. I really do recommend you stick to it as this is by far the best Sim I have ever played and it will not take you long to start smacking tanks with your Mav's. (love hitting F6 and following it onto target :))

I wouldn't bother. There is a member on this forum who has developed a program called HawgTouch. It does the same but better. There are some really neat features in it like three position switches and you can include gauges etc... Its only been in development for a few months and its already a cracking bit of kit. Only problem is that there is no designer for it at the moment, this means you have to edit an XML file to position your buttons and switches. (I have been told that once the program has settled a bit, a design interface will be built). Most of the panels have already been made and release for download. A feature that I am waiting for and should be released pretty soon (maybe this week) is where it 'sends' commands directly to the Sim without the need for programming key presses. How easy will that be? You'll be able to download a panel pack, move them around as required and off you go! Try it at - http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=71729 although I would wait for the next release, its currently at 1.5

Learning the hog You're quite fortunate learning now as there is a massive amount of tutorials on this forum and youtube to look through. Can't beat getting up there and flying though. I would do this: 1: Find a good startup/shutdown checklist and print it off, most will tell you which panel to find the switch/button. Keep sticking to it and before long you will be able to do it without the check sheet. Your startup times will decrease considerably. 2: Use one of the practice missions instead of a training one. 3: Check out some videos on using the TGP and Mavs (they are really easy to start off with and you don't have to get too close). Write down the steps required to find a target, set it as SPI, then slaving your maverick to it. Setting the SPI with your TGP/HUD/TAD is arguably the most important thing to learn for combat and if you are using HOTAS, probably the most fiddly as well. 4: Once you have got the Mav's nailed, then learn about dropping Jdams and LGB's 5: Its now that I would learn the JTAC, its not as complicated or difficult as it sounds or looks. Remember that Active Pause is your friend, you can pause your plane, then use your TGP and Mavs to pick off targets without worrying about crashing; or practice selecting your SPI etc.. This guys posts are very good - http://www.youtube.com/user/ExcessiveHeadspace

I have Win 7 x64 but I use freetrack so running DCS A10 in 32-bit mode. :(

I need to re-assign all of my keybindings after reinstalling my PC. Any ideas on how long till this release? It will save me a couple of hours at least. If its a couple of weeks a way I'll do it anyway but would be gutted if I finished them and then the update was posted 30 mins later. :) Sorry if it sounds like I'm being a lazy git but I've got a little'un and anyone else who has one knows that time on PC is precious to us dads. I blew last nights flying time re-building my HawgTouch setup. Loving it though. You've made a massive contribution to our flight-sim. thanks. I've seen it mentioned a couple of times but have seen no reply, do you accept paypal donations? I would be more than happy to help reward you for your hard work.

Pixel Ruler Please forgive me for recommending freeware on here but I feel that it may help users with HawgTouch. Its a program called PicPick. It is really screen capture software but also includes other tools, one of which is a Pixel Ruler. You can use this to measure actual pixels on your screen. I'm now sizing up the hole in the CDU panel so I can export it from DCSW. I can literally measure it on screen. Then input the values into my monitor profile. Right click on the ruler to access the menu to switch between horizontal and vertical. I've used this for ages on all of my computers with no trouble, only thing I would suggest is to disable "check online for updates". There's a new one at least once a week and that will really cheese you off after a while. Oh, you may have to uncheck a 'toolbar installation' prompt during install (can't get away from them bloody things nowadays:ranting:). Try it, you can always get rid.

if you want to try something else, have a look for FacetrackNoIR. I does not use a headset but tracks your actual face. It uses a bit of RAM and CPU and I struggle a bit as I wear glasses but its still quite impressive and coming along at a good speed.

I second that, you'll soon find you're staying up late just to catch a couple of hours flight time, then knackered the following morning when your little'un wakes you up at 6.30. :bye_3: Sorry to spoil your day

That would be sooo cool. So basically anyone would be able to load up any panel and have it work without any set up. awesome!! You get so many requests on this forum, you must struggle to know what to work on next! We really appreciate how much hard work you are doing, thanks.:thumbsup:

ClearDark, correct me if I'm wrong, it was a while back tbh. I thought I saw a post from you on a thread saying that you had seen a possible method of sending button presses ie cdu panel from HAWG Touch into A10c without mapping keystrokes. Was I mistaken? That would be really cool.

I think I'm right in saying that the CBU 97 is an unguided bomb. So where you targeted originally will be the final hit point. What you need to do is aim further up the road, travelling along it at speed to maximise the length of road covered by the bomblets. You can also adjust the height of release which will further increase this area. As you get better at guessing where to drop the bombs, you can then reduce these measures to increase the damage done.

You sir are a bloody genius. Oh, when you've finished this, can you write a new FreeTrack which works on 64bit - TA! :thumbup:

Still no support for FreeTrack with 64bit OS then? Anybody know what the problem with it is? Is it that FreeTrack does not have a true 64bit version? Is it that ED can not get licensed to support the FreeTrack interface? Any possibility of using SimConnect (now Microsoft no longer make Flight Simulator? Do we just need a fixer that will work on the 64bit NewInput.dll file? It would be nice to know why I can only run the 32bit version of DCS A10c and that we really have hit a dead-end as far as free head tracking is concerned. I'm sure this has been answered before and for that I apologise, but I have been unable to find a definitive answer as to why ED does not support any other Head Tracking technology.

I'll second the comment asking "Do you accept paypal donations"?

No posting from ClearDark for a week? Get the feeling v1.3 is going to be very impressive (or having a well deserved break!) I've been checking this thread at least 3 times a day :)

Moving Windows Just a small problem that I am having that I would like to see fixed is the dragging of the panels. I don't know how many of you actually use a touch screen but they are not everso precise, especially when you're trying to whack some co-ords in. Problem is, if I slightly miss a button, it starts moving the MFCD around on the screen which could be a right chore. Could you limit the DRAG/DROP element to a small square next to the YIX boxes in the top right? Or a switch in the XML file to turn static on... Really brilliant software though, I'm now moving off Touchbuddy to use HawgTouch, its much slicker... Keep up the good work and thanks.

Just tried version 1.1, this bit of software is brilliant. I've been using Touchbuddy for a while now, and although it does a job (and its free) its far from perfect. I spent about 5 hours making my MFCD's and a CDU panel and thats without making the graphics. Its so easy to share panels with each other, with this community it won't be long till we've got the whole A10c done.:joystick: Will you be working on a builder at all? I would have a crack at it but have very limited programming knowledge although I am trying to teach myself C# which you said you are using. As you stated before, would you mind sharing the Source code with me to see how its done behind the scenes? I don't know how far you have thought about developing this, but just few ideas from my past experience with TouchBuddy: * I use Tabs for when you have more content that display space, either that or a method to minimize a control panel to the title bar. * Something a lot of people asked for is to add a sound on a keypress so you can have a "click" * Switches that decrement when you right click * With multiple position switches, you need a reset button or profile (For when you start on Ramp or Runway) so switches are in correct position when you start, maybe save current config to profile feature. Just some suggestions but would definitely need a builder of some sort to implement that kind of complexity (Although I ended up configuring TouchBuddy by editing a text file because of restrictions.) I'm sure I speak for all of us who view this thread - "Thank you very much for all of the time you have spent developing this" :worthy:

What a brilliant bit of kit. I've been using Touchbuddy and to say its clunky is bit of an understatement but this software is brilliant. You said before that you would be willing to share your source code so I could have a look at how its done. I would really appreciate it if that was possible. As I've been using touch screen software for a while I may be able to offer some suggestions that I have seen crop up many times on the forums. Play a sound on Keypress Tabbed interface was useful but guess it would be easier/better to have an area to minimize one of you displays perhaps. You could go on to include notes or a kneeboard kind of thing for note taking during flight. Just a few suggestions. I guess they will need to wait for the editor:thumbup: Thanks for you time and effort in building this.

I find as soon as I start to taxi I can switch the EAC on, same time that the TAD starts to display after starting on the ramp

I spent 3 hours last night creating my MFCD's in touchbuddy and just started doing the CDU keyboard.... Next day I find this!!!!! Gutted.... I've thought about making a customisable interface to create switches and things for touchscreen before. Did you write your program in C++ or C# or similar? If so, how do you send the keys to the program without taking the Focus?

The Eagle Dynamics Wiki site seems to have been abandoned and contains nothing for the new DCS A10c Warthog. I'm going to start trying to put some things on there but have to admit I know very little about posting on a Wiki. I would appreciate it if there were some kind people out there who could also add/edit the Wiki to help out noobs like us. There are some really good resources in the forums but it would be nice to collect them together into a knowledge base.