-Ice's Falcon BMS Helios Profile Updated!
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Ice another question for you:
In Helios you use callbacks only ?
As you know i have an other keybord layout (azerty Belgian /dutch )keyfile too
Some callbacks didnt work and i had to use keystrokes.Yesterday i needed the bms chatbox to config a custom view (with .gvd)
Could not produce a “.”
What i found out = i could type lowercase “azerty” … but the same keys with the shift pushed gave me “QWERTY”I cannot say for certain, but it seems that Helios only “sees” the callback that have keys mapped to them. If the callback is blank (0XFFFFFFFF) Helios cannot “see” the callback. Even if you map a key to the callback, map the callback to Helios, then remove the mapped key from the callback, Helios cannot use that callback. I think the callbacks are like the “labels” for the key combination, so Helios still throws out the key combination mapped to the callback. Therefore, Helios cannot use a blank “label.”
Can you give me more details regarding your problem? What callback was it? What key was it mapped to? While I have a feeling you’re not using my profile, I’ll see what help I can give you. Having said that, if you just map things properly and follow the instructions, I don’t see the keyboard layout being a problem.
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Going through my profile today and have managed to double check all switches and knobs and hopefully everything is working fine now. I’ve added a few switches such as the MWS and EWS switches on the CMDS panel and the new buttons on the ICP (WX, FLIR). The new manual frequency knobs of the Backup UHF panel has not been put in yet and is a bit low on the priority list –- I don’t think this will be needed with any great urgency anytime soon so I’m putting it off for later.
I’ve also managed to make the JFS, Autopilot (Pitch), and Parking Brake switches respond to changes in the cockpit. The Landing Gear also syncs with the aircraft, going to the up or down position as necessary at the start of the mission, but this sync is quite temperamental. I think if you can keep focus on the BMS window, Helios will pick up whatever it needs to pick up to sync the LG. However, sometimes my PC will lose focus on the BMS window… need to test this out a bit more.
Obviously with the new .key file, much of the throttle buttons and switches are now sending callbacks they shouldn’t be. This is because in Morphine’s profile, the 32 DX buttons that can be assigned to “one” controller is mostly used up on the stick so almost all of the commands assigned to the throttle are done via the TARGET profile and it does so by issuing key commands and not callbacks. I’ve re-assigned the easily-accessed switches to what they’re supposed to be and these are the ones that are on the throttle itself. The switches/buttons on the throttle base are still “Morphine’s profile” so that needs fixing as well. However, most of his commands are what I already have in the Front Console of my profile. Things such as Master Arm, Landing Gear, Laser Arm, RF Norm, CAT switch, Parking Brake, etc. so I think it’s best if I just re-map these to what is most useful… for instance, I was thinking of mapping the Landing Gear Up/Down command to the flaps switch at the bottom of the throttle. The reason for this is accessibility. I think in the real jet, the pilot doesn’t even have to look down to locate and operate the landing gear lever; the size and location of the lever leaves no room for error and the pilot could find it in the dark, I would think. This is the same for the flaps switch… just follow the throttle down the left side to the base and even in pitch blackness, it’ll be a miracle if you miss the flaps lever!
Another candidate is the CATI/CATIII switch along with the Emergency Jettison button. Sometimes, I get jumped by enemy fighters and I need to dump my ordnance and go CAT I and during these times, seconds matter. With a little practice, I can press the AP Engage/Disengage button and throw the EAC switch forward without even looking down at my throttle. Also, pressing a real button and throwing a real switch can be much rougher compared to the “delicate” motions you need when operating stuff on a touchscreen.
So, any suggestions for what other commands/callbacks I can map to the switches at the TM WH base?
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Yes i used your keyfile from the beginning a few years ago, and added dunc’s DX for the hotas
And yes checked that all callbacks assigned to the keyboard.some switches didnt work with callbacks
Masterarm on off shift (m on english keybord in belgium ,) so i had to assign shift , etc
rf norm silent Quit also assigned to keystrokesand a dozen more
For me its not a problem anymore
sometimes even keystrokes fail to work ,Helios can’t center the left APswitch in Helios (used “{LCONTROL}q”
From the keybord its okBTW when i open notepad and touch the heliossswitch i see the right code.
Like i said BMS is doing something strange with upper an lower case, on my keyboard.
But with the workaround its ok.
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That’s the thing. There should be NO workaround.
What .key file are you using now? This is the hard thing about Falcon –- each of us starts with a .key file and modifies it and eventually we all end up with different .key files. For 4.33, I’ve cut all ties to 4.32. To start with, I’m using a totally new .key file which I’ve adapted by mixing the Full.key and Pitbuilder.key and making a few adjustments. Hopefully, once this is done, there won’t be much to add to it later on. I would suggest you use my .key file if you can, that way if you tell me Master Arm is working, I can check the .key file…
The main idea behind my Helios profile was to have everything available and eliminate the need for the keyboard and mouse once the pilot is on the 3D screen. Having to keep a keyboard handy for “workaround keystrokes” just defeats the whole purpose of Helios.
Currently, the only thing not working on my profile is the indicator light on the Landing Gear handle, but I’ve never gotten it to work ever since!
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shure there is a workaround… the keystroke-editor in helios.
in 3D i dont need the keyboard at alldownloaded your keyfile and helios profile
Did a testflight , nothing was working from within Helioschanged keyboardlayout to english uk and later to english us… even restarted … no joy
reinstalled belgian layout and my modified keyfile,helios working again
Think we have a keyboardlayout/winversion/bms bug here -
OK Ice
Traced and solved my problem.
This is working as a callback in HeliosSimLeftAPMid 115 0 0x16 0 0 0 1 "MISC: ROLL Switch - ATT HOLD"
–----------------------------------------------------------
SimLeftAPMid 115 0 0x11 6 0 0 1 "MISC: ROLL Switch - ATT HOLD"
This code didnt work in Helios, but in BMS it was not a problem
Conclusion:
Helios is thinking that i use a standard Qwerty layout.Ballbacks with azwq,;:=µ$^m are “tabu” for me
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weepop, all nav pages have the “extra toggle” built in and that’s why they should work. Have you tried downloading a fresh copy of my profile?
Hi Ice
Thanks for correcting Mediafire,I have downloaded your latest profile and I still have exactly the same problem.
Pages do not display unless I add an additional "toggle hidden on panel to each button plus one more to first button or it alternates between displaying first page and being blank when I press it.
IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM??I am in the process of updating the charts to match ones in 4.33 docs, keeping your naming.Would you like a copy to save you the pain of doing it yourself?
Its pretty straight forward except for Hoengsong and Sokcho which have less pages.David
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hi
Can this be used to say put an MFD on my second screen a long with the MFD buttons and allow me to use my mouse to iteract with them?
Or is it for touch screens onlyThanks
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Does anyone know if it is possible to run this on an iPAD or Glaxay tab or something similar?
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-ice
I have some questions on your key file.
First, are you using the S4 as your shift key? It would appear so from the following:# Pinky/S3 (Win DX3 = BMS DX2)
SimAPOverride 2 -1 -2 0 0x0 -1
# Paddle/S4 (…and so on…)
SimHotasPinkyShift 3 -1 -2 0 0x0 -1# Pinky/S3 (Win DX3 = BMS DX2+256 = BMS DX258)
SimDoNothing 258 -1 -2 0 0x0 -1
# Paddle/S4 (…and so on…)
SimHotasPinkyShift 259 -1 -2 0 0x0 117Assuming that you are using the S4 as the shift key, what F number are you using to center Tracker (Morphine used the F12 key in his Target profile)? And are you using either the S3 or S4 keys to center tracker?
I cannot get the APO override to work in the game with your key file and these keys do not seem to do what is suggested in Morphine’s post number 215.
Finally, why do you have trim reset twice?
# Pickle/S2 (Win DX2 = BMS DX1+256 = BMS DX257)
AFResetTrim 257 -1 -2 0 0x0 -1
# Left Throttle Button
AFResetTrim 275 -1 -2 0 0x0 0
I believe the S2 should not contain the trim reset as it is to easy to accidentally release weapons if you forget to shift first. Just my thought. -
Worked great for me right from start. I just needed to append my DX HOTAS settings to the end of Ice’s key file. Need to map HUD on/off callback and I am done.
Thanks Ice.
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@ mantaray: unfortunately, I cannot reproduce your problems because of the keyboard layout. I do not know how Helios interacts with the OS or the “default keyboard layout” that you have set. Might be a good idea to start a thread explaining your problem and fixes for others that might have the same problem. I’m really sorry I cannot help you more in this area.
@ weepop: I’ve not touched anything on MediaFire. Must’ve been your end that was having problems. I’m not entirely sure what you mean when you say “pages do not display” and how did you know that you needed to add a toggle for it to work? Can you provide a screenshot or (better yet!) video?
Thank you for the offer regarding the charts but I’d like to do this myself so that I’m 100% familiar with my profile.
@ stk2008: Yes, you can use your second screen with a mouse button. Not ideal as some of the switches are done with swipe motions, but better than nothing I guess. Give it a go and tell me how it works for you!
@ jptheronmd: Unfortunately, I don’t think this would work with Android or Apple devices. There are other programs here that are designed for those devices though. I myself started with using an iPad but after a while, I realized I really needed more “space” so ended up with a 22" touchscreen.
@ sobe: Yes, I am using the paddle as the shift key. F12 is still used to center TIR and is done with the small gray pinky button.
Please note that the current profile included in the download is still a work in progress. As you can see, Morphine mapped his trim reset on the shifted layer of the pickle switch. I found it hard to be holding the paddle switch and reach for the pickle at the same time so I mapped it to the left throttle button instead.
I am working on a new TM WH profile and would appreciate any suggestions…. just have a read of my previous post above.
@ dawgboy: Glad to know it’s working for you. Yes, you can obviously change the DX HOTAS settings to suit your preferences…. the Helios profile really does not interact with the HOTAS in any way except for the fact that they both use the .key file to work in BMS.
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Ice
Just to learn a little about Target and its interaction with your key file, I went ahead and changed the shift key to S3 from S4 and kept the S4 for centering tracker by changing the target script and your key file.
You must have larger hands then I do as it is difficult for me to read the S2 button when shifting so I just simply made shift S2 no action.I agree with your concept that the throttle panel in Morphine’s profile is pretty much a duplicate of your Helios profile so there is no need to have Morphine’s profile on the panel and you can do something else with it like you have suggested.
I just wanted you to know that your work is very much appreciated by many of the virtual pilots on this forum.
thanks
sobe
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@ mantaray: Have you tried “tricking” your PC into thinking you have a US keyboard layout? Might be less work for you. Obviously, you will have to do this as part of your “startup” procedure for BMS, so you’ll have to do it all the time. Anyway, go into Control Panel -> Region and Language -> Keyboards and Languages -> Change keyboards. You might have to Add the US keyboard layout if you don’t have it listed.
Hope that helps!
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You must have larger hands then I do as it is difficult for me to read the S2 button when shifting so I just simply made shift S2 no action.
I think you mis-read my post. I, too, found it difficult to reach the pickle button that’s why I added the trim reset on the throttle. I just didn’t delete the shifted pickle button as 1) I forgot to do so and 2) there really was no need as I never used it anyway.
I agree with your concept that the throttle panel in Morphine’s profile is pretty much a duplicate of your Helios profile so there is no need to have Morphine’s profile on the panel and you can do something else with it like you have suggested.
Any suggestions?
I just wanted you to know that your work is very much appreciated by many of the virtual pilots on this forum.
Thanks! I have received a lot of help from the community and I am very happy to be able to give back to it as well.
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@ mantaray: Have you tried “tricking” your PC into thinking you have a US keyboard layout? Might be less work for you. Obviously, you will have to do this as part of your “startup” procedure for BMS, so you’ll have to do it all the time. Anyway, go into Control Panel -> Region and Language -> Keyboards and Languages -> Change keyboards. You might have to Add the US keyboard layout if you don’t have it listed.
Hope that helps!
Shure i did…
but it’s ok now
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@ weepop: I’m not entirely sure what you mean when you say “pages do not display” and how did you know that you needed to add a toggle for it to work?In two words “common sense”
If I press a button that should toggle a panel to make it display and it does not, then it is missing the command to make it display so I add it!!This is the order of events:-
I open charts and pick for example Chongju airbase.I am presented with six buttons to display six pages of Chongju nav charts
CHONGJU 5 + VISUAL 05/23 + TCN 05R + TCN 05L + ILS 23R + TCN 23L
Display is showing CHONGJU 5 on left panel and AIRPORT DIAG on right panel.I press second button to change left display to VISUAL 05/23 and nothing happens!!
Display remains on CHONGJU 5. All buttons are the same ie no effect.So as I first stated I use my “common sense” and add a command to each of the last five charts
so when corresponding button is pressed it send a toggle hidden command . Now all works fine.I do not need a command for first chart as it displays OK
(Forget previous statement that I added two toggles to this chart. They make it work correct but are not neededI hope this makes it clear.
Just one thing still puzzles me and that is the involvement of the “button HIDE CHONGJU” down in bottom left corner of left hand chart??
I ask again can you give me an explanation of the setting up of this feature in your profile,I will understand itThanks David**
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Hello Ice. Just managed to do some more testing with the latest profile. Great to have fixed the heading and course bit of the HSI. That now working. noticed a couple of other things, and forgive it already brought to attention:
- ILS ‘on’ switch still not working in the side panel. Switching knob from Off to Inc is supposed to turn ILS on, but does not. I still have to go into the 3D pit with mouse to do it and then it works.
- I notice that my Trim button on my Warthog stick no longer trims. It used to prior to this version, but does not. am I missing something basic?
- I notice that when I attempt to use the ICP Contrast/Brightness rotors on your profile, they do not change the HUD projection at all, but instead move my mouse around the 3D cockpit. Speaking of contrast, on you profile MFDs, I take it the brighten/darken MFD display rockers do not work? I have to go into the 3D pit and use mouse to adjust the brightness of the MFDs. This planned?
As always, many thanks for your efforts and I know it is a work in progress. Very much appreciated!
Apoll
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@ dawgboy: Glad to know it’s working for you. Yes, you can obviously change the DX HOTAS settings to suit your preferences…. the Helios profile really does not interact with the HOTAS in any way except for the fact that they both use the .key file to work in BMS.
Ice…I found three issues. For some reason the F-ACK callback line was causing my TrackIR to go red and stop working. The ICP AA and AG buttons would cycle the radar OFF. I have replaced the lines in your file with the lines in mine, and all seems good. db
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Hi everyone… I am completely new to Helios. I am trying to use Ice’s profile to setup a cockpit on a touch screen below my main screen. I am slowly coming right with the setup reading all the helpful tips on the forums. The only thing I cant figure out at all is how Ice extracts all the various cockpit components to the Helios screen. With the cockpit extractor that comes with Falcon only a few things like the HUD, MFDs and DED can be extracted for example. How do you extract all the other bits and pieces?
Please help! Regards.