streakeagle Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 So, I really like the F-14 stick, but the DLC thumbwheel axis is unique to the F-14. Most other aircraft that are compatible with this grip (i.e. older aircraft that don't have more than one hat switch) tend to have a thumb hat in this position with fwd, aft, and center depress functions. The button on the side provides the center depress, but out of the box, there is no way to model the fwd and aft buttons. The VKB Device Config tool provides very simple but powerful Axes2Buttons mapping function. The DLC thumbwheel can use this function to provide the forward and aft positions as well as a button that tells you when it has returned to center. All you need to know is which axis the DLC thumbwheel uses, then go the that axis on the Axes2Buttons tab and program it accordingly: 1. There is a checkbox for enabling the entire Axes2Buttons capability. 2. Go to the row that corresponds to the axis number that will have buttons programmed. In this case, the DLC Thumbwheel is axis 4, so I need to make my configuration changes on the "4." row. 3. Set the type. I tried "Edges1" and "Edges2", but didn't get the behavior I wanted, so I went with "Zones". 4. Set the number of zones. I wanted 3, fwd, ctr, and aft. 5. Set the hysteresis. This is a way of stabilizing the signal when crossing the boundaries between the zones. Since there are only three zones and plenty of axis travel, there is plenty of room to use any setting you like. Based on my experience as an industrial controls engineer, I can tell you that 0% is the worst option. Given the precision of VKB's products, 1% is probably more than enough. But again, my real world control experience tells me never to expect analog signals to have less than 2% error/noise, so I went with 3%. 6. Set the first button of the range of buttons to be used. I chose three zones so I will be using up three contiguous button assignments. The next available number was 17, so I chose 17, meaning that the buttons will be 17, 18, and 19 for the three zones. 7. Press the "Set" button to flash the new config in the stick. 8. Go to the button test screen and verify the results. As an added bonus, I normally never use the twist-rudder axis. I love having the option for a variety of reasons, but I currently don't need it for anything. So, I identified the twist rudder as axis 5 and gave it three zones, too: 20, 21, and 22. That's two more momentary buttons for a total of four more on a grip that needs all the buttons it can get! I wish I had taken the time to do this sooner, now I can leave the F-14 grip on for quite a few more aircraft while maintaining the required/desired control capability. This is especially hand for multiplayer where I might want to change aircraft but I am limited by the grip I am currently using. I would either have to quit out of the game to swap grips or always used the MCG Pro for maximum flexibility while my other grips collect dust. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Ant0ine Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 5. Set the hysteresis. This is a way of stabilizing the signal when crossing the boundaries between the zones. Since there are only three zones and plenty of axis travel, there is plenty of room to use any setting you like. Based on my experience as an industrial controls engineer, I can tell you that 0% is the worst option. Given the precision of VKB's products, 1% is probably more than enough. But again, my real world control experience tells me never to expect analog signals to have less than 2% error/noise, so I went with 3%. Hysteresis settings isn't about filtering, (which is what I though as well due to its name..). But no, this option let us define the width of our zones in %. This is according to the 2_11 version of the VKB manual.
Alex Oz Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) About Histeresis: Edited May 17, 2020 by Alex Oz Все знают как играть в футбол и делать джойстики. Крайние версии прошивок и софта - здесь : http://alex-oz.strana.de/
Alex Oz Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 Additional A2B Hint - how to add Upper & Lower Limit swithes (buttons) to axis: Все знают как играть в футбол и делать джойстики. Крайние версии прошивок и софта - здесь : http://alex-oz.strana.de/
Alex Oz Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 NG version have more precise special A2B function - dual threshold comparators: Все знают как играть в футбол и делать джойстики. Крайние версии прошивок и софта - здесь : http://alex-oz.strana.de/
streakeagle Posted May 17, 2020 Author Posted May 17, 2020 (edited) Additional A2B Hint - how to add Upper & Lower Limit swithes (buttons) to axis: Edges 1 and Edges 2 options didn't produce good outputs for me. For instance, if I went from center to forward positions, I would get the on signal I expected. But after I returned to center, the forward position would not trigger again until after I had trigger the aft position. Whereas the zones option consumed one more virtual button for the center position, but would trigger the forward position every single time rather than requiring me to go aft first. Correction: I used your exact settings and it worked the way I wanted. I must have had the number of zones incorrect with either zero or 2 when I did my test, so Edges 2 is the way I am going since I don't need to detect the center position. Edited May 17, 2020 by streakeagle [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Majinbot Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 With the last firmware I use edge2 - 5% to add 4 buttons to the "gate cont" pov, with good results and feeling. PC: i7-13700K - Gigabyte RTX 5080 GAMING OC - 64GB DDR5 6400 - VPC MongoosT-50CM3 - VKB GF pro - MFG Crosswind - Msi MPG321UR-QD + LG OLED 32GS95UE - TrackIR5 - Quest 3
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