walker450

Thanks again. I found an interesting thread on doing just what we are talking about: LEAVU development phase, coding MPCD graphics I have only read part of the thread. It is intended for LOMAC but I think it could be applied to DCS. I know nothing of programming and writing code so it is way out of my capabilities to do anything. At least I now know that it is a possibility. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that DCS decides to add the AH-64D or a fictional Comanche. :)

I like this idea! I may be doing something similar. I will post pics if I do. I will be leaving the cyclic on the right hand side though..

Here is a quick picture I made in MS Paint:

Thanks for the quick reply! What about exporting information to a second monitor, that would look like a normal MFD in modern aircraft. It could show a large artificial horizon, alitude, heading, airspeed, etc. etc.... This way a modern cockpit could be built and we wouldn't have to worry about changing the in-game images...

I know little about modding. So I am here to ask the experts. :) Would it be possible to redo the KA-50 cockpit in the game, and create a "modern" looking cockpit? Something that would resemble the RAH-66 or AH-64D. I envision three large screens. (ABRIS, SHKVAL, MFD showing everything the guages on the right would show) Would it be possible to mod the game to reflect this? I have seen how some mods can extract the gauge data and put them on other monitors... is there a way to import new files, and create an all new MFD where the guages are?? I think this would be really cool. We could also add other mods to it to simulate FLIR etc. This would be like the KA-50B model... :)

I enjoyed multiple monitors so much that I bought a new 23" widescreen.... :) I also bought a Belkin Speedpad that has turned out to be really awesome. See my signature link for details. My next modifications will be mounting my HOTAS to my chair....

Wingman/Flight Commands for a start. :) I will be trying this out in the next few days for sure! Here is a thread on it: Voice Activated Commands: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=49421

WOW. This is great! Keep up the good work!!

I am using a $20 Saitek ST290 Joystick for my cyclic, modded with hydraulic dampers from an RC car suspension. I do not need to trim while flying and it is very precise- better than I imagined. The stick stays where you put it.... Once again, I highly recommend trying this method and seeing if it works for you. See my signature link for more info and videos of me using it. The cyborg has a throttle on the stick which would work fine for a collective until you were able to get a true HOTAS. As for using the gamepad for a collective, that works well but I prefer to leave it on the desk and use my X-52 throttle for the collective. Google "left side limited" for info on using a gamepad for the collective....

Ah ah! Thanks for clarifying that! I now remember that I have heard that somewhere...

The mode switch is activated when the profiler is running. If you do not have the profiler running, the mode switch acts like 3 separate buttons.

If you have Vista, you will need to go under your C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\Eagle Dynamics\Ka-50\BlackShark\data\scripts folder to access options.lua I use vista 64 and this is the case for me. I'm not sure if Win 7 is the same.

Your current setup is much like what I started with. I recommend buying a joystick and trackir first. If you have the money, just go right for the X-52. Otherwise just buy one with lots of buttons and a twist function for the rudder. So here is my list, the top being the most important IMHO. Joystick or HOTAS Track IR Gamepad Rudder Pedals Upgrade Computer (CPU, RAM, GPU) Multiple Monitors Most importantly, just have fun! :)

Thanks so much! The standalone trainer was a great idea too!

I am going to attempt to explain what is happening here for people new to using multiple monitors. This is a work in progress and I won't be able to finish it till later tonight... To get things started:

No problem. Glad its working! Which one are you using? I have never tried a custom-made profile.

Thanks! It should be noted that adding second monitors at different resolutions will totally mess up your multiplayer menus. The reason is that in singleplayer menus, only your main screen is used. It's not until you get in the simulation part that it adds the other monitors. In multiplayer, the menu remains a rectangle, but is stretched to the height/width values you set in your options.lua. (which is the total width of all your monitors, and the total height of all monitors, or most commonly, the height of the largest one.) So, for example, if your second monitor is only 600 tall, but your main is 1080, you have the bottom right of the screen unavailable. I will try to illustrate this.... For Vista/Win 7 users with UAC on, you will need to edit your options.lua in this folder: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\Eagle Dynamics\Ka-50\BlackShark\data\scripts You can change the resolution in the options.lua if you like. Just make it match your main screen resolution. Sometimes when testing new layouts, its easier to just change it there instead of in the game. You can also edit the ["multiMonitorSetup"]="blahblahblah" to reflect what file you want to use instead of picking it from the in-game menus. That way, as soon as you launch the sim, you can just hit "instant action" and test out your changes.

I just re-read that /\ I use the game for everything except the special stuff like I mentioned above. DCS has a great contol input system and I prefer to use it when possible. So about 85% of my stuff is mapped through DCS, the rest with the SST. For example, I do not need anything fancy for my Belkin gamepad (like crazy macros, etc). so I haven't installed the software for it, I simply leave it mimicking a keyboard. I then change the key command in DCS to be what I want it to be on the gamepad. Such as: ZX is rudders, and c is cannon, by default. I changed Z,X,C to UV-26 buttons. Instead of using 12345 for the Abris keys, I changed them in Blackshark to Tab Q W E R. Now when I press one of the top row buttons on my gamepad, (which is tab qwer) my Abrid functions. (this is really nice BTW!)

That's strange. I am new to using the profiler... I actually used it for the first time last night. :) The profile editing software is easy to use. I would just try to make your own profile for testing purposes. Start the editor, select your joystick from the list, then click on the stick. Now press the trigger. The trigger area on the right column should light up. Now click in the area that lights up, which allows you to map a key to that button. After clicking it to edit, press Spacebar (which is what DCS uses for cannon fire) then use the mouse to press the green checkbox. Map a few more simple commands, such as switching to gun mode, master arm, gear lever. Save the profile to the default directory. Then right click the X-52 throttle symbol in the system tray, and select the profile name you just made. Now it should be displayed on tour throttle,s readout. (be sure you are still in the same mode you were when you mapped the buttons!!) Launch DCS, start Instant Action, and see of anything works. Ronin: I have used only DCS to assign buttons every since the sim came out. That was a big mistake. I Dow loaded the SST software last night (and the new drivers, seperate downloads!) and started playing around with it. With it, you can do some really neat stuff, such as assign button presses to the slider and trim wheels. For example: Now when I push the slider ip, it increases the Shkval TV targeting box size. When I slide it down, it decreases the size. With it in the center, it does nothing. I use the small trim wheel to zoom the shkval in and out. The software also allows you to map outside devices, suchs as teamspeak, to the buttons. Also, it turns on the mini joystick which is nice to have sometimes.

OP, could you give us a description of your current setup? Do you even have a joystick at all? What are your computer specs? This will help everyone in recommending somethj. That works best for you. I also created a signature for myself that has links to some of my threads. Hopefully they help you in your decisions. :)

Lots of good input on this thread! Few things to remember: If you plan on going to a more realistic cyclic position between your legs in the future, I recommend the Saitek pedals. They are farther apart so your legs aren't squeezed too close to the stick... A trackir will postpone the need for extra monitors. With it you will be able to quickly, easily, and naturally lean forward and down in the cockpit and get a good look at the Shkval and Abris screens. As far as joysticks go, you have many choices. I highly recommend modding and experimenting with a cheaper joystick to achieve trim-free flight. I am the one who made the "Joystick Sping Removal and Modding" post. It is in the game controller section. Rudder pedals are also very important. This is no Cessna 152... This helo requires a lot of footwork, enough said. :) And finally, a gamepad is great to have, but second to last on my list. See my post about the Belkin n25te in the game controllers section. This is something I can't imagine doing without now- it's amazing! And the last thing is multiple monitors.... .

LOL. Now I understand what you are wanting to do. There should be a way to do this by using the many camera view controls. There are lots of people that can help you with that. It seems to me you could start the game without trackir, and use the mouse to look around. That should do just what you need. The camera moves around from one spot in the cockpit...

Do you have the full Saitek editing software? (SST)ouTou can start the profile editor, load your KA50m.pr0, and continue editing it there. There is also a test feature that is really helpful. And for clarification, do any of the buttons/axis work in the game without assigning them in the options/controls area? With my particular setup, I have some of the buttons mapped in the game, and some in the SST profiler.

Here is how I have it mapped so far. Right now, I can easily add 14 more functions: