DCS World TARGET profile for TM Cougar and Warthog + MFDs

[SolUniverse]

F14 Profile issues:

 

I am having trouble turning on the lantirn master mode as rio with profile.

When I hit the APU button i get:

 

On APU UP:

press:\

release:\

press:f8

release:f8

press:f5

release:f5

press:f1

release:f1

 

On APU DOWN:

press:\

release:\

press:f8

release:f8

press:f5

release:f5

press:f2

release:f2

 

And all it does is switch from external view to internal view.

Edited May 15, 2019 by maestro72x

[Home Fries]

F14 Profile issues:

 

I am having trouble turning on the lantirn master mode as rio with profile.

When I hit the APU button i get:

 

On APU UP:

press:\

release:\

press:f8

release:f8

press:f5

release:f5

press:f1

release:f1

 

On APU DOWN:

press:\

release:\

press:f8

release:f8

press:f5

release:f5

press:f2

release:f2

 

And all it does is switch from external view to internal view.

Looks like the script still thinks you're in the pilot seat. The commands you listed are for commanding the ground air on/off.

 

You need to switch to RIO using S3+H1L Long to remap the controls to the RIO seat. You can then use S3+H1R Long to go back to the pilot seat.

 

Incidentally, you can also remove the communications function keys in the pilot profile by setting "APU Switch Engine Start Functionality" to 0.

[overalien]

Looks like the script still thinks you're in the pilot seat. The commands you listed are for commanding the ground air on/off.

 

You need to switch to RIO using S3+H1L Long to remap the controls to the RIO seat. You can then use S3+H1R Long to go back to the pilot seat.

 

Incidentally, you can also remove the communications function keys in the pilot profile by setting "APU Switch Engine Start Functionality" to 0.

 

 

 

Hi Home Fries

Now that you mention this, I have been following the issue that madmatt has with the double tap on H1. On my f14 profile the s3 H1L or H1R seat switch never worked and I struggled around a lot until I tried that combo with double tap instead. That works like a charm every time. I put it down to a typo in the manual and just went on using it like that. Now that I read this I can't help wondering if there might be an issue in the script causing this behaviour with certain options set. For me it's not a problem since I've used the profile like that without any issues. However perhaps it's worth looking into?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Madrus]

Throttle Problems

 

I talked with Home Fries a couple of weeks ago about problems with the CTS. I got that fixed by reinstalling.

 

 

 

But now I have a new problem. As I began testing the script for the FA-18, my throttle does not work correctly. When I check it in the Controls menu, it is backwards. So I invert it. Then I start the training mission or the mission on the runway. The engines are running at 65% regardless of where I have the throttle. As soon as I touch the throttle, it goes into afterburner and stays there.

 

 

It does this with Warthog HOTAS connected to DCS, using Target GUI, or with CTS generated script. I have flashed the firmware a couple of times, done the driver update, and updated both DCS World and DCS Beta.

 

 

I would suspect my throttle is hosed, except that when I connect it to my other Windows 7 machine with Janes FA-18 installed and Target GUI. everything works perfectly.

 

 

Suggestions???

[Home Fries]

Hi Home Fries

Now that you mention this, I have been following the issue that madmatt has with the double tap on H1. On my f14 profile the s3 H1L or H1R seat switch never worked and I struggled around a lot until I tried that combo with double tap instead. That works like a charm every time. I put it down to a typo in the manual and just went on using it like that. Now that I read this I can't help wondering if there might be an issue in the script causing this behaviour with certain options set. For me it's not a problem since I've used the profile like that without any issues. However perhaps it's worth looking into?

Interesting. When I doubletap it gives me the same seat again, which is because it's a global routine that's also used for helicopters with 4 stations. S3+H1L/R Long is what allows me to change seats.

 

Based on your hardware in your signature, I assume you're using TrackIR and not VR, right?

But now I have a new problem. As I began testing the script for the FA-18, my throttle does not work correctly. When I check it in the Controls menu, it is backwards. So I invert it. Then I start the training mission or the mission on the runway. The engines are running at 65% regardless of where I have the throttle. As soon as I touch the throttle, it goes into afterburner and stays there.

 

 

It does this with Warthog HOTAS connected to DCS, using Target GUI, or with CTS generated script. I have flashed the firmware a couple of times, done the driver update, and updated both DCS World and DCS Beta.

 

 

I would suspect my throttle is hosed, except that when I connect it to my other Windows 7 machine with Janes FA-18 installed and Target GUI. everything works perfectly.

Are you able to run the hornet in DCS without using the TARGET script? This may help narrow down whether it's a hardware or software issue (versus a script or config issue).

EDIT: Re-reading your comment, I interpret that as the throttle acting up without TARGET, with TARGET, and with CTS. Not sure what the answer is for that, except maybe a driver issue that doesn't exist for Win7.

Edited May 18, 2019 by Home Fries

[Madrus]

Yeah, you read that correctly. Although this is a windows 10 computer. my other computer still has windows 7 in order to play Janes FA-18 which cannot run on windows 10.

 

 

 

So since it does work correctly on the windows 7 computer, I also think the problem is the driver on the windows 10 computer. Or something wrong with the installation of DCS or Target.

 

 

 

For what its worth, I also tried my X52 HOTAS. The X52 throttle acts up the same way as my Warthog.

 

 

I will let you know. ))))))

[itarrow]

Hey there, I'm getting weird behaviour with H1 (mapped as Trim as I'm using VR) and Jester (WH, no MFDs, with VR).

 

Usually I use the Throttle comm hat to bring up the Jester wheel, then select the command by head movement (VR) and then push throttle comm hat down to select the command I want.

 

Sometimes however Jester becomes unresponsive. It often happens together with H1 not commanding trim anymore, with Jester wheel flashing intermittently.

 

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong: double checked and everything seems installed/configured correctly...

[TWC_Alamo]

Madrus,

 

I was having similar issues. In my case, the root cause was Windows 10 not disconnecting the real TM devices when TARGET initiates the Virtual TM Controller. The result is that DCS will have an axis mapped to multiple devices. One quick way to see if this is the case is to check DEVICES in CONTROL PANEL. If after you launch a TARGET PROFILE you see NO caution flags on your TM stick/throttle AND MFDs and the presence of the TM VIRTUAL CONTROLLER, then you have this problem. On my system it also was related to how long my system set idle before starting TARGET. If I fired up TARGET immediately after booting, I would most likely not have this problem. You might check that as well.

 

Obviously, not everyone is having this problem, but it seems to effect some system after a recent update to Windows 10. My system was didn’t have this problem until about 3 months ago. It is related to conflicts between TARGET and the WINDOWS STORE. Removing the WINDOWS STORE solved this problem for me.

 

Take a look at this thread for a solution: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=232737

 

Hope this helps

[Home Fries]

Hey there, I'm getting weird behaviour with H1 (mapped as Trim as I'm using VR) and Jester (WH, no MFDs, with VR).

 

Usually I use the Throttle comm hat to bring up the Jester wheel, then select the command by head movement (VR) and then push throttle comm hat down to select the command I want.

 

Sometimes however Jester becomes unresponsive. It often happens together with H1 not commanding trim anymore, with Jester wheel flashing intermittently.

 

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong: double checked and everything seems installed/configured correctly...

 

Sound like the Mic Sw Down may be kicking on intermittently. With Jester, when you push down on the Mic Sw, it holds down Left Shift to allow the use of H1 for the Jester menu. Of course, since you tap the Mic Sw, it shouldn't hold down shift and you can use head tracking, but if trim isn't working the shift modifier may be your culprit.

 

Can you consistently reproduce this bug? If so, please provide me the steps.

[Madrus]

Throttle problems

 

Thanks for the post. I do not have a windows store, or cannot find it. I have a Microsoft Store, though. Is that what you meant?

 

 

Also, this problem happens with Target and without Target. And it happens with my X52 Hotas and a Thrustmaster 1600 joystick. Each time I check settings for proper operation. Usually I have to invert it, so I check that box and it operates correctly from left at idle, to fully right at afterburner. Then I launch the training mission which starts with engines running on the taxiway. The engines appear to be operating at 65%. But as soon as i try to reduce power or increase power - the engines go to full afterburner and I have no throttle control.

 

 

Maybe I should uninstall that last update from a few weeks ago. I did not have this problem last year.

[itarrow]

Sound like the Mic Sw Down may be kicking on intermittently. With Jester, when you push down on the Mic Sw, it holds down Left Shift to allow the use of H1 for the Jester menu. Of course, since you tap the Mic Sw, it shouldn't hold down shift and you can use head tracking, but if trim isn't working the shift modifier may be your culprit.

 

Can you consistently reproduce this bug? If so, please provide me the steps.

 

Unfortunately so far I wasn't able to reproduce it consistently... not sure how this issue kicks in.

 

I've done some simple instant action scenarios and I never got problems.

 

I've got it in a couple of DCE Campaign missions I did previously (which usually take longer that an instant action), so when I will have time I will see if it happens by doing a DCE Campaign mission again...

[TWC_Alamo]

Madrus,

 

I'm not sure of the exact terminology. I think the "Microsoft Store" may be a physical store like we have in a local shopping mall, whereas the "Windows Store" is the app that comes in Windows 10.

 

 

Anyway take a look at this video on how to uninstall the "thing" in Windows 10 that was causing my problems. May not work for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the post. I do not have a windows store, or cannot find it. I have a Microsoft Store, though. Is that what you meant?

[overalien]

I uninstalled the store as per the video but the behavior is unchanged. However, everything works fine after an unplug / reconnect on all usb controllers that need to be bundled by the target profile. I use a similar solution as mentioned above by having all controllers connected to one hub and switching that hub off and back on. This still seems to be the most reliable workaround.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Madrus]

Ok. So I followed the youtube instructions and removed that Windows store.

 

 

We'll see.

[Stal2k]

Interesting. When I doubletap it gives me the same seat again, which is because it's a global routine that's also used for helicopters with 4 stations. S3+H1L/R Long is what allows me to change seats.

 

Based on your hardware in your signature, I assume you're using TrackIR and not VR, right?

 

 

I'm using VR and am pretty sure that the 2.33 nixed position switching for me at least. I updated to the v233 luas for the F14 and it seems to be back to as it was two versions ago. Without in-depth testing, it doesn't seem like the APU functionality (remapping) works either. It seems the H1 goes to the ole VR mouse mode now with S3 pressed.

 

FWIW I also kinda liked the double tap, and noticed that if I double tap H1U it gives a nice zoom in VR. Not sure if this is intentional but it's pretty handy. If a workaround would be going back to the old LUAS I'll do it, I just don't like to mess with them too much since some of my own binds get overwritten each time (these don't conflict with CTS).

[agathorn]

This looks really awesome! I've skimmed the surface and am reading the docs now, but its clear you put one heck of a lot of work into this so thank you very much.

 

EDIT: Got to the end of the docs and see now that there is prelim VR support so excellent!

 

I apologize for not reading all hundred plus pages of this thread before asking this, but is this system good for use in VR workflows as well?

 

I know in general there wouldn't be much difference, but mostly things like view handling and zooming would be.

Edited May 31, 2019 by agathorn

[TWC_Alamo]

HF’s profiles work great in VR. In fact I don’t want to fly in VR without them.

 

You can choose to use the trim hat (H1) as the mouse buttons and wheel. There is an option to use H1 for the mouse functions as a shifted press ( using the S3 button as the shift key) and use it for trim unshifted or vice-a/versa. The trigger zoom isn’t working for VR, but you can emulate it by also mapping the VR zoom in the GUI to the first stage trigger. Also VR zoom and VR recenter is mapped to H1 using a long press or double tap.

 

You should definitely check it out.

 

 

This looks really awesome! I've skimmed the surface and am reading the docs now, but its clear you put one heck of a lot of work into this so thank you very much.

 

EDIT: Got to the end of the docs and see now that there is prelim VR support so excellent!

 

I apologize for not reading all hundred plus pages of this thread before asking this, but is this system good for use in VR workflows as well?

 

I know in general there wouldn't be much difference, but mostly things like view handling and zooming would be.

[agathorn]

HF’s profiles work great in VR. In fact I don’t want to fly in VR without them.

 

You can choose to use the trim hat (H1) as the mouse buttons and wheel. There is an option to use H1 for the mouse functions as a shifted press ( using the S3 button as the shift key) and use it for trim unshifted or vice-a/versa. The trigger zoom isn’t working for VR, but you can emulate it by also mapping the VR zoom in the GUI to the first stage trigger. Also VR zoom and VR recenter is mapped to H1 using a long press or double tap.

 

You should definitely check it out.

 

I set it up for VR by setting view mode 2, and I set up the hat to be trim first and mouse on shift, but while the trim works, I can't get the mouse to move at all when I hold the pinky switch and move the hat around. I'm fairly certain the shift works because the shift + china hat does operate the gear as indicated in the diagram.

 

Any idea where I may have gone wrong?

[Stal2k]

I set it up for VR by setting view mode 2, and I set up the hat to be trim first and mouse on shift, but while the trim works, I can't get the mouse to move at all when I hold the pinky switch and move the hat around. I'm fairly certain the shift works because the shift + china hat does operate the gear as indicated in the diagram.

 

Any idea where I may have gone wrong?

It doesn't actually move your mouse, you sort of 'face aim' with it. the hat left/right is left/right click and the up down mimics the scroll wheel. The point of it is to make it easier to manipulate the switches and knobs without an actual mouse or VR hands. You can tell it works by S3+H1L and see if you get a light blue crosshair. If so, point it over something and hit that same combo again to see if it clicks.

[agathorn]

It doesn't actually move your mouse, you sort of 'face aim' with it. the hat left/right is left/right click and the up down mimics the scroll wheel. The point of it is to make it easier to manipulate the switches and knobs without an actual mouse or VR hands. You can tell it works by S3+H1L and see if you get a light blue crosshair. If so, point it over something and hit that same combo again to see if it clicks.

 

Ahh so then I should probably turn off Use Mouse in the VR options?

[Stal2k]

After spending some time with the F-14 profile, figured homefries could use some more unsolicited feedback :) The biggest things I find myself missing on the HOTAS are;

 

• Course & Heading knob selection

• ACM Cover toggle

• MSL mode toggle

• Autopilot issues that are elaborated more throughout

 

I wanted to offer some thoughts on where and how that functionality could exist while being cognoscente to the current theme and methodology. In the interest of brevity, I opted not to include a little summary on the rationale for the autopilot changes because I’m sure you can follow along the logic. Unfortunately, there is a bit of a domino effect throughout which I’m sure is only a small taste of the problem(s) you solve on a larger scale to make these profiles.

 

Throttle - A/P Disengage button + 3-way vector switch

 

Proposed change: APENG long = AutoThrottle | APPAT = ACL, APALT = Altitude Hold. What I think may be a cleaner solution is outlined under the boat switch section, this is mainly to solve the ACL usage issue outlined below in a vacuum.

 

Why: The GSD state on the APENG switch prevents ACL functionality as you need both the A/P engage *and* AutoThrottle. Since GSD removes the only A/P Engage mapping you can’t really use ACL without clicking in the cockpit which sort of negates the need to have it mapped at all, the VEC/PCD (up state) of that switch isn’t going to be used, from what I can tell, ever within DCS. Moving Altitude hold over to the APPAT 3-way allows you to use automated carrier landing (ACL) functionality much more gracefully.

 

I do realize this may create another problem as I’m suggesting using one physical 3-way switch to operate 2x 2-way switches but the main issue is the usage of the ACL function on the HOTAS. An additional considering for the current mapping is even if you go a bit out of order for the ACL and engage the A/P (which is going to be attitude hold) before dropping your gear you lose the ability to trim and if you need to abort the ACL with GSD your only option is the pinkie lever which kills your SAS.

 

Boat Switch

 

Proposed change: Move current A/P Heading functions to the APPAT/ALT/AH switch as either default or shifted toggles. This would free up the boat switch which opens room for some of your usual boat switch wizardry ???? This would centralize Autopilot functions physically on the throttle

 

Alternative (combined) proposal

• Move boat switch mappings to APPAT/AH/ALT 3-way

• AutoThrottle mapping already exists on left throttle in a very user friendly (F18) place

• ACL is the only homeless mapping which can be a long press APENG

 

 

Subsequent Boat switch use:

 

Easiest thing that I think is ‘on-brand’ for you would be an 'Enhanced Master Arm’ functionality similar to your FC3 profiles where the boat would serve as a BVR/ACM toggle. For example, forward would be straight up Master Arm and AFT would be Master Arm + ACM cover up.

 

APU / Front Seat LANTIRN

With several folks making use of the Pilot LANTIRN mod (https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3303929/) a way to engage the LANTIRN state from the ‘pilots’ profile would be awesome. At a glance, the level of effort to add that to the GSU APU switch seems like a good fit? This could be a toggle option in the CTS configuration like how you currently have the fuel dump inversion. I'll admit I'd never been able to get the LANTIRN remapping toggle to work for me (VR user) so I’m really looking for a low effort way for you to make that work ????

 

China hat, Coolie, TMS and Navigation

 

While must admit having the wing sweep on the china hat is much more user friendly than the coolie, I understand why you put it there as it’s closer to the actual F14 throttle.

Suggestions:

• Map course knob L/R to china hat, optionally leave the shifted AUTO/BOMB functionality as is

• Either add a CTS config option or implicitly allow folks to disable the AUTO/BOMB on coolie coolie if they are like me and prone to accidentally selecting AUTO/BOMB when trying to manually sweep wings.

• Alternatively, if you wanted to favor pure utility over semi realistic placement, leaving wing sweep as is on the china hat (aft/fwd/auto/bomb), the coolie could be used for both heading and course knob functions.

• Map heading knob L/R to a shifted TMS L/R which is currently unused

 

DMS

While I could be wrong about the actual utility of the MSL mode switch, I equate it to roughly the grandfather of F18/F15 bore ACM modes. I find myself really wishing I had it mapped to my stick. I feel like using one of the redundant PAL slots on the DMS (L or R) would be a good fit.

 

 

Summary of the Wishlist

• Make ACL fully HOTAS friendly, removing unused functionality and utilizing the AP 3-way for either heading modes or as a ‘dual toggle’ solution

• Reclaim the boat switch for a more creative application like your other profiles or a simple ‘enhanced’ ACM mode implementation

• Make LANTIRN mapping available to both PILOT/RIO profiles

• Decide if wing sweeping will live on the coolie or china hat, add course/heading knobs to whichever loses

• Add MSL Mode toggle to DMS to replace one of the redundant PAL buttons

[Stal2k]

Ahh so then I should probably turn off Use Mouse in the VR options?

I'd say it's a personal preference at that point. I use both but certainly favor the actual mouse to the face aim. Mainly because I have a lot of crap mapped to the mouse and I've gotten used to it. Not to take away from the facemouse, it certainly comes in handy at times :)

 

I'm waiting on them to clean up the actual VR hand controllers as I preferred using them over mouse/facemouse but they currently have it in a strange place with how they handle manipulating the switches so I'll be sticking to the mouse/facemouse until it's fixed.

[TWC_Alamo]

That is correct. However you can still click and scroll the item your looking at with the mouse’s buttons and wheel even with “use mouse” unchecked. I have an 18 button mouse that I use its 12 key keypad to control views and other sim functions, so my right hand is often on the mouse when I need to flip a switch, so I click with the mouse. I really like DCS’s “Look” and “click” option in VR.

[agathorn]

That is correct. However you can still click and scroll the item your looking at with the mouse’s buttons and wheel even with “use mouse” unchecked. I have an 18 button mouse that I use its 12 key keypad to control views and other sim functions, so my right hand is often on the mouse when I need to flip a switch, so I click with the mouse. I really like DCS’s “Look” and “click” option in VR.

 

Ah I thought it was one or the other. So what is the point of the option? :)

 

I'll try it out in a bit when I go for my first flight of the day.

[agathorn]

What is the best way to get the profile mapping images into a kneeboard? Since they are jpgs, the custom kneeboard builder doesn't seem to support them.