Another new user - struggles with controller assignments

[Bob Denny]

I'm a new DCS user, with the A-10C, and my goal is to receive 9-line CAS and execute the weapon delivery. But I am struggling. I have FaceTrackNoIR working great. I have successfully deleted the "look" assignments from my Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick, and replaced them with the "real" trim assignments. However, other assignments I have made seem to be ignored. Yes I know that existing assignments need to be deleted first. For example, trying to assign rudder trim to buttons 7 and 8... I do it then come back and the assignments are gone. I am stuck with Ctrl-Z/X for rudder trim. What makes this frustrating is that assigning keys within the simulation won't allow saving. I tried assigning outside the simulation and it takes a long time to try, and no assignments. My stick doesn't have a Z but has a Z slider. In the UH-1 I try to assign the collective to the Z-slider but it keeps going back to Z. I have yet to be able to raise the collective. Plus what the hell is the difference between "game" and "sim"? And finally, do people actually memorize the 200+ key combinations needed? If so, then I think I will crawl into a cave ha ha.

[cichlidfan]

Greetings and Welcome to the forum! :)

 

Let me start at the bottom of your post. No, most people (I say most because nothing surprises me around here) people don't memorize all of the key combos. Solutions to that problem vary depending on your available hardware, and memory skills, ;)

 

Most of the important functions are intended to be mapped to your stick/throttle and that combined with the clickable cockpit usually handles most things.

 

The difference between 'game' and 'sim' in the controls screen is connected to the Avionics option selected under Options>Game. If you check the 'Game Avionics' box, then the program will use the 'game' settings under Options>Controls. Otherwise, the 'sim' controls will be used.

 

That may be part of your control setting problems. Otherwise, when you assign controls, outside of the active game, they should get saved when you click the OK button.

[Bob Denny]

Thanks for helping. When would one want to use game vs sim? Given I want to learn to deliver ordnance, with the JTAC calling it, and of course be able to fly the Hog on instruments, land and take off, etc. I get the various radios used and I know how to use TACAN or targeting to MGRS coordinates, the HSI, etc. I have a long way to go with the two MFDs. So Game or Sim? I will try again tomorrow to get the assignments to stick. It's at least good to know that others aren't having the problem. I'll set the UH-1 aside for now.

[cichlidfan]

Forget about game mode. Since it sounds like you know how to fly, you have plenty of time to devote to the weapons side of it.

 

If you still have problems assigning controls just post back, with as much detail about the steps you are taking as possible. There is almost always somebody around that can help you get things sorted.

 

Btw, the MFDs aren't nearly as complicated as they look. Don't worry about the MFD's specifically. Learn what they do as you learn how to deliver different weapons. A lot of what they do is not something that you will even do very often.

[Bob Denny]

Thank you very much I think this will help. Particularly not using game. I will give it another try tomorrow and write down the steps. I know there's something I'm doing wrong, but I just don't know what. It is a bit annoying that I can't say an assignment profile while within the game.

[Bob Denny]

PS, yes I know how to fly. I have about 3000 hours fixed wing time, and about 150 hours rotary within the last few years. I'm sort of old, but I just learn to fly the helicopter a couple of years ago more or less as a lifetime dream. I am NOT a gamer. But I have used simulators in the past I hone my instrument skills.

[cichlidfan]

I am not sure about the saving in game. Being able to set controls within the game is a fairly new option (which I have never used) so, perhaps, the ability to save will come along sooner or later.

[cichlidfan]

PS, yes I know how to fly. I have about 3000 hours fixed wing time, and about 150 hours rotary within the last few years. I'm sort of old, but I just learn to fly the helicopter a couple of years ago more or less as a lifetime dream. I am NOT a gamer. But I have used simulators in the past I hone my instrument skills.

 

Very cool. I suspected some RL flight time in your background. There are a few RL pilots running around here.

[Bob Denny]

Well, I'm now the proud owner of the Thrustmaster Warthog. It's clear that you need it and FaceTrackNoIR to make much progress toward accomplishment. Now for the fun of assignments. Or maybe DCS A-10C has a profile. I'll be looking tonight.

[Corrigan]

I don't think you'll be disappointed, it's a very nice piece of gear.

The A-10C is entirely mapped, just plug and play! You just need to correct the axis assignments since DCS has some trouble with doing that itself.

[Bob Denny]

Another new user - struggles with controller assignments

 

So that would just be the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and throttles? Also, I made some changes like changing the hat to trim for my Logitech. Should I default everything before starting with the Thrustmaster plugged in? Is there a way to default (I am at work :-) )

[Corrigan]

Exactly, and toe brakes. And zoom view, if you wanna use that. People usually set that to the "friction" slider on the right side of the WH throttle.

 

Not sure whether resetting to defaults is needed. If it is, you can just rename or move the saved games/DCS/config/inputs folder, and the game will create a new one with everything default upon launch.

Edited December 14, 2015 by Corrigan

[Bob Denny]

Thank you VERY much!! I can't wait to get home.

[MegOhm_SD]

You will have to map trim for the A10C as well. Also look for double assignments. Views mapped to hat switches etc.

Toe brakes will be probably be inverted. You don't have to default anythingThe Warthog is "plug n play"

Edited December 14, 2015 by MegOhm_SD

[Bob Denny]

Does anyone have an A-10C profile already set up that matches the TMW assignments and is usable according to the DCS training and maybe the real Hog? I'll search when I get home but maybe you guys know already?

[kylania]

The defaults are already matching the TM Warthog as it's a replica for the real controls. When the training says China Hat Forward, you click your China Hat Forward. When you are told to TMS up, you TMS up and so on. That's why this HOTAS is so great for this game, there's no trying to remember what button/key combo does what HOTAS function since every HOTAS function is completed by it's actual button/switch/whatever.

 

All the things people are telling you to change are just quality of life settings like if you don't have TrackIR it'll try to use your Trim Hat for view changes, so that you would want to change. The rudder pedals and need to invert the wheel brakes are related but not really part of the Warthog defaults.

 

There's really nothing to change with the TH Warthog, it's the controller as it's supposed to work, by default. Just load the existing default profiles to erase any Logitech leftovers, make any little changes you want and enjoy.

[Bob Denny]

I installed all of the TM stuff, brought it up in DCS A-10, made a mission starts on the ramp to work on the controls. Nothing works right. The Pitch acts crazy, the roll does nothing, there is no JOY_Z on the Joystick to assign to Rudder. I can see the Joystick JOY_X and JOY_Y move in Axis Tune as I move the stick, but the stick in the virtual cockpit does not move in roll and acts like my pitch inputs are slew commands or something, not proportional to the deflection with it slammed to the rear when I am hands off. I can see the throttles move in their Axis Tune Windows but the throttles in the virtual cockpit do not move yet they are listed as assigned. None of the switches work on the Throttle box, though I do have green back lighting.

 

I have obviously done something very wrong, and I am pretty PC saavy (really). How do I tell if the drivers got installed? Am I maybe running on some generic HID device drivers? I did install both the TM drivers (2014_TMHW_1.exe) and the T.A.R.G.E.T s/w which seems to have more drivers (TARGET_v1.0.exe). It all seemed to install OK, and there were lots and lots of ba-deeps when they were installed. But tonight I plugged the two devices in and each resulted in only 1 ba-deep. There are a whole bunch of generic looking entries under Human Interface Devices, and nothing at all for Thrustmaster under Game Controllers.

 

The adventure continues...

[Bob Denny]

Gave up, I clearly do not have the drivers right. Uninstalled the 2014_TMHW_1 drivers because there is no Repair option for them. I reinstalled, and the installation completed OK including my plugging in both controllers at the right time and detecting completed. I still had a throbber in the task tray, searching for drivers... After watching it search Windows update for about 10 minutes, it completed with a Ready to Use.

 

Unplugged the two devices and did a Repair installation for TARGET. Ran that and it seems to see the two devices. I owned the Device Manager and watched as I plugged in each device, saw HID Compliant Game Controller appear (for a total of two). I did an Update Driver on each, pointing to the Program Files\Thrustmaster\drivers folder and for each it said the drivers up to date.

 

I think I have the right drivers installed? Onward. Maybe this will help someone else.

[MegOhm_SD]

You really don't need target for the A-10C unless you want to turn up your LEDs to bright.

I have almost all of the modules. I never use Target. In fact it is not even installed now.

I guess I have been using the TMWH coming up on 4 years now...no issues

 

So Bob if you don't have TIR that should be your next purchase. Be sure to get the Proclip.

Edited December 15, 2015 by MegOhm_SD

[Bob Denny]

Ok should I uninstall it? That would be fine with me.

[Bob Denny]

OK! I am running through the HOTAS training and the switches on the throttles and stick are working. Progress.

 

I'm doing OK with FaceTrackNoIR but I can see the real thing would be better.

 

Thanks and sorry for the preceding long story. The drivers were apparently mis-installed.

[rickberry49]

Also new to this whole forum thing...

 

Looked at the DCS A10C QUESTIONS FORUM and the last post was 5-20-25 ??? apparently no one uses it any more?

 

Have spent endless hours scanning thru posts for a manual that explains some of the less obvious settings on the Options screen. ie. Disable Aero Int, Vsync (context sensitive HELP) would be useful.

 

Finally, while i have your skilled attention, is there a way to SIMPLY set autopilot to hold the current altitude? I've tried most of the AAP settings, tried to use the up dn arrows to trim and the beast will simply not hold altitude. What is the command name to enable and disable AP?

Thanks in advance...!!!

[nomdeplume]

Looked at the DCS A10C QUESTIONS FORUM and the last post was 5-20-25 ??? apparently no one uses it any more?

A lot of the discussion has moved to the new "DCS World" forums rather than module-specific.

 

Have spent endless hours scanning thru posts for a manual that explains some of the less obvious settings on the Options screen. ie. Disable Aero Int, Vsync (context sensitive HELP) would be useful.

Aero Interface is the "new" shiny user interface introduced in Windows Vista, which allows windows to have transparent titlebars, amongst other features. Sometimes this causes problems (or just reduces performance) so some games automatically disable it when they launch; DCS gives you an option to have it automatically disable it. If you don't notice any problems then you don't need to worry about it.

 

Vsync is a standard graphics option that makes the game wait until your monitor is about to start a new refresh cycle before updating the frame being output by the video card. This eliminates "tearing", which is the result of the video frame changing while it's being displayed - you see a line where above it is the content from one the previous frame, and below it is the content from the new frame. If you don't notice any tearing then leave vsync off. If you do notice it then it can be very hard to unnotice it, so you can turn vsync on. Vsync will effectively reduce your framerate to the closest even divisor of your monitor's refresh rate. So for a 60Hz monitor if your system can't sustain 60 FPS it'll drop to 30 FPS, then 20 FPS, etc.

 

Finally, while i have your skilled attention, is there a way to SIMPLY set autopilot to hold the current altitude?

There are three autopilot modes, two of which will maintain your current altitude. They all have limits to their authority, so you should be trimmed out reasonably well before you activate it.

 

To set AP mode, use the three-position switch underneath the Landing Gear Warning silence button (L/G WRN) on the throttle quadrant. To enable AP just press the ENGAGE/DISENGAGE button immediately to the left of the mode switch.

 

The commands are in the "LASTE Control Panel" category. I'm going to make the wild assumption you don't have the TM Warthog HOTAS, so I'll provide the default key binding and the control name.

 

The bottom mode, ALT ('4'; LAAP Altitude/Bank Hold), will maintain your current altitude, without trying to hold your heading. This is primarily useful when you want to orbit around a point (e.g. waiting for your push time) and you want to go heads-down for a while. To use this, trim yourself to roughly maintain altitude and the desired bank rate, then enable the AP.

 

The middle mode, ALT/HDG ('3'; LAAP Altitude/Heading Hold) will hold your altitude and current heading. This is your 'cruise control' mode for transiting between waypoints when nothing's happening so you want to busy yourself with avionics, maps, etc. To use this, trim yourself out into straight and level flight, then enable the AP.

 

The top mode, PATH hold ('2', LAAP Path Hold), will basically try to keep your Flight Path Marker in the same position. It's useful for when you're climbing to altitude; just trim yourself into a nice comfortable climb, then enable the AP in PATH mode and you can get busy setting up your systems, studying the briefing, etc.

 

The default keybinding for the autopilot button is 'A' - listed as LAAP Engage/Disengage in the controls section.

 

There are also two special bindings available, "LAAP Mode Selector (ALT)" and "LAAP Mode Selector (PATH)". These are used with switches and will enable the specified mode when pressed, and go back to ALT/HDG hold mode when released.

[rickberry49]

Thank you so much for your help...

 

Final question.... So when you say "A lot of the discussion has moved to the new "DCS World" forums rather than module-specific."

 

What exactly do you mean...? When I go to ED Forums I see "DCS: A-10C Warthog" when I click on that I see a bizzillion threads??? That I have spend hours looking thru... Is there a simple place, "Thread", whatever, where lost souls like me can go to post a new question?? Or do we need to find an "ACTIVE THREAD"Not sure how this whole FORUM thing works.

[Yurgon]

Is there a simple place, "Thread", whatever, where lost souls like me can go to post a new question?? Or do we need to find an "ACTIVE THREAD"Not sure how this whole FORUM thing works.

 

The first thread that comes to mind would be DCS A-10C QUESTIONS. Doesn't matter when the last post was made, as long as you have write access ("Reply" icon available), feel free to post a new reply to a thread.

 

If you haven't done so yet, check out the forum rules. Of course there are many unwritten rules, too, but as long as you stick to the written ones, you'll be good. ;)

 

The most important things in my opinion:

 

If you create a new thread, choose a good title ("DCS World settings explanation needed" rather then "Help a newcomer", you know, so that people have a rough idea what it's about).

 

Stay on topic.

 

If you post to a thread for no good reason that's been dead for over a year, expect someone to comment on your thread necromancy. :D

 

No matter how frustrating a bug might be and how many flight hours were just wasted because of it, if you stay cool and report the problem, it'll get better responses than if you tell everyone in excruciating detail how frustrating it is and how quickly you think it should be fixed.

 

Avoid the term "bug" unless you are really sure it is one. Quite possibly you're just doing something wrong. :smartass:

 

Chances are someone else has already asked the same questions you have. Try searching the forum (by using the search function), also try a web search via Google or whatever search engine you prefer. No one's going to rip your virtual head off for posing a question that's been answered 100 times already, but if your question is really basic, you might get a STFW or RTFM type of response (although in this forum chances are that people will be polite enough to tell you exactly which page and chapter in the manual cover the topic in question). :smartass:

 

I believe you'll find this is a pretty cool and helpful community that's always welcoming to new members. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have (after searching first :D). We all know how daunting a complex piece of software like DCS looks to newcomers, and how much time it takes to even just take off and land without breaking anything, let alone using weapons and evading SAMs. :thumbup: