which is better mapping HOTAS directly through DCS or HOTAS software?

[fitness88]

Can someone please explain the pros and cons of mapping HOTAS directly through DCS or directly through the HOTAS software?

 

Thank you.

[Brisse]

In DCS there are many aircraft, and trying to map through HOTAS software for several aircraft is a nightmare. It's mostly good for older sims where you have only one aircraft and the sim doesn't support as many DX buttons and axes that your HOTAS has. DCS has a decent system for mapping every button and axis the way you want it, individually for every aircraft, so in DCS I prefer to run the HOTAS in directx mode and map everything in DCS.

[dburne]

Both really have advantages and disadvantages.

 

Using HOTAS software : Depending on the software, oftentimes gives more power and flexibility in what one can do with the configuration. Like with TARGET for the Warthog or Cougar, the possibilities one can do with it, especially the script editor, are practically endless. Say for example I wanted to program my Hat2 when pushed up ( H2U), to perform different functions. Like say one press gives exterior view, a second press gives fly by view, a third press gives cockpit view, and so on. I can do that with TARGET, would be hard pressed to do that in the game controller menu.

The downside, having to keep up with and doing the programming in the software, plus having to have to launch it and run the profile before launching the game.

 

In game controller menu: Has the advantage of not needing another program running, can map everything directly in the game, and the DCS controller menu has some pretty good possibilities. Like using modifiers and switches, they come in handy.

Disadvantage is when the controllers get wiped out , having to re-assign everything. Like testing in the Alpha and Beta builds currently, this can easily happen and sometimes is necessary.

 

I have done it both ways, and really I like both ways. I have used TARGET extensively in the past, and here lately in the testing for 1.5 and 2.0, have been using the in game controller menu, and finding so far I can do what I need in there as well.

 

Boils down to personal preference really, try it both ways with your controller software and with the game menu, and find which you might prefer.

[fitness88]

Thanks to you both for the info, it makes good sense.

[Sokol1_br]

Disadvantage is when the controllers get wiped out , having to re-assign everything. Like testing in the Alpha and Beta builds currently, this can easily happen and sometimes is necessary.

 

This can be prevented exporting the command tables - easy to do in DCS. :thumbup:

Edited December 27, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[fitness88]

Also using the HOTAS software with each plane having its own profile allows for easy switching between aircrafts and switching profiles on the fly.

[cichlidfan]

Also using the HOTAS software with each plane having its own profile allows for easy switching between aircrafts and switching profiles on the fly.

 

Depends on the HOTAS software. In most case, programming in game will do that better.

[fitness88]

Depends on the HOTAS software. In most case, programming in game will do that better.

 

Saitek x52 Pro is what I use and allows for easy in game profile changing. How do you switch DCS profiles in game?

[fitness88]

I use both Saitek software and DCS mapping as I find I need both for different mapping customizations.

[strikers_blade]

dburne, Can you program every inputs ON/OFF with DCS ?!?!

For example, the EAC (I used as ECM) toggle switch. You can easily arm it but the OFF input is not coded in DCS. The target software allows you to do it with some ease. So unless I missed something in DCS, I don't see any other ways to properly use such toggle switch.

 

Same goes with extra layers (allowed in TARGET). I can press a specific button on the throttle and have one action and if I press another button with the one I just press, I will get a different action. I don't think DCS allows you to do such thing.

[hansangb]

dburne, Can you program every inputs ON/OFF with DCS ?!?!

For example, the EAC (I used as ECM) toggle switch. You can easily arm it but the OFF input is not coded in DCS. The target software allows you to do it with some ease. So unless I missed something in DCS, I don't see any other ways to properly use such toggle switch.

 

Same goes with extra layers (allowed in TARGET). I can press a specific button on the throttle and have one action and if I press another button with the one I just press, I will get a different action. I don't think DCS allows you to do such thing.

You can. But it can involve modifying some lua scripts. On par with target scripts (unless one exclusively uses GUI editor of target) . You can use modifier to do multiple things (like pushing down on the pinkie button)

 

As far as I'm concerned, it's really a personal choice and not as much a technical one.

[strikers_blade]

Thanks Hansangb,

 

I created a new thread to explain my actual problem. As far as using modifier, I do not think it can help when it comes to WARTHOG toggle switch. I will experiment but just to make it an Example, the EAC switch is BTN24 when ARM but no button when OFF. So unless the modifier in DCS allows you to say;

 

EAC ARM = BTN24

EAC OFF = !BTN24 (or no BTN24)

 

I don't know how to get the "no BTN24" to work.

 

Again, I might have just neglected to see or read something so my apology if there is a stupid answer .

[Sokol1_br]

Same goes with extra layers (allowed in TARGET). I can press a specific button on the throttle and have one action and if I press another button with the one I just press, I will get a different action. I don't think DCS allows you to do such thing.

 

The Controls allow this in two ways, one with the same button set as MODIFIER (momentarily modifier) other set as SWITCHES (permanent modifier).

Edited January 8, 2016 by Sokol1_br

[dburne]

I don't know how to get the "no BTN24" to work.

 

Again, I might have just neglected to see or read something so my apology if there is a stupid answer .

 

I am not really familiar with modifying the game's lua scripting, this may though just be easier done going through TARGET to accomplish what you want.

Although I am somewhat familiar with using the script editor and that may not be that far off from modifying lua files, I just have never delved into them.

[Gladman]

I use the X-55 and the Madcatz software. DCS doesn't allow for a lot of the functionality the software does so it makes better sense. It does take some time but once you've completed it, a backup takes care of any future considerations.

[strikers_blade]

The Controls allow this in two ways, one with the same button set as MODIFIER (momentarily modifier) other set as SWITCHES (permanent modifier).

 

Sokol, if a switch is just a permanent modifier, than it can't be useful for what I am looking for.

 

Just to be sure you understood my problem though, I want whatever button on my throttle to be ON (EAC ARM) when activated and OFF (EAC OFF) when I flip the switch down. DCS does not recognize any button for the EAC OFF for now whilt JOY-BTN24 is dedicated to EAC ARM.

Edited January 8, 2016 by strikers_blade

[hansangb]

Sokol, if a switch is just a permanent modifier, than it can't be useful for what I am looking for.

 

Just to be sure you understood my problem though, I want whatever button on my throttle to be ON (EAC ARM) when activated and OFF (EAC OFF) when I flip the switch down. DCS does not recognize any button for the EAC OFF for now whilt JOY-BTN24 is dedicated to EAC ARM.

 

Basically, you want it to toggle correct? HIt JOY-BTN24 and it arms. If it's armed, and you hit it again, turn it off. You're correct in that when you assign an action in DCS, it doesn't give you the toggle capability.

 

Go to 44secs in this video: [ame]

[/ame]

 

While the structure of the LUA file has changed, the concept is the same. I'll post some examples in a day or two as I'm busy adding physical switches.

 

*AFTER* watching the above, check out the link below:

In there you'll see a line that read:

{combos = {{key = "JOY_BTN89"}}, down = 3001, up = 3001, cockpit_device_id = 1, value_down = 1, value_up = 0, name = "APU generator power", category = "Electrical power control panel"}

 

 

And what it's saying is that when you hit JOYBTN89, toggle the APU Generator Power (or EAC in your example). And when you click it again, toggle it. It seems really confusing, but once you read threw a few examples, it becomes much easier. I'm not sure why DCS doesn't have this built in to the Options.

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2017801&postcount=52

Edited January 9, 2016 by hansangb

[fitness88]

Also I forgot to mention that using Saitek software allows for viewing of your key mapping by using the Multifunction LCD Display.

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

Since I have a Warthog throttle and stick, rudder pedals wired to the BU8036X, and also a DSD BBI32, I was forced to start-up two different programs, just to be able to fly. That doesn't include TrackIR and VoiceChat. I got frustrated by that. Now I have adapted the default.lua files of all my aircraft modules so it is easier to assign controls from within the game itself. I like it better. No more starting-up and tweaking programs before I even start-up DCS.