BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions
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Really well done! You’ve just added a wonderful option for BMS, I reckon, as being in VR can make normal YT tutorials or even kneeboard text-tutorials a little tricky. Well for me, at least.
A couple of bits that I really liked - your highlighting of the part of the cockpit the command referred to was really clever. Also liked the way you announced chapters - eg “end of pre-startup checklist”
You might also think about adding a little explanation - no more than a sentence or two. For example something like “this system checks to ensure that…” or " the INS alignment takes about x minutes"
Lastly, a stupid question: the script ‘does all the things’, right? As in, I just watch the actions take place like a video as opposed to BMS waiting for me to click the stuff it wants me too (EPU/chocks notwithstanding)
Again, this is brilliant work and you’ve added something wonderful to something already wonderful!
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Wow, just tried it out. Nice work!
The pacing/speed is perfect for someone like me whose been flying for years, but I could imagine someone new might think the steps are happening too quickly.
I really like your ‘Enable Training Script’ checkbox idea next to the ‘Commit’ button. Slick way of getting to your script.
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@Frugcam @Zeus_
In the Ramp Start, I was hoping to get the 20-minute timing of the script to match the assigned takeoff time of 1:32:00. While I was testing it, when I added more pauses and voice dialog to explain more things, the breaks started to become a little disruptive and choppy (to me), so I thought I’d keep things moving, to maintain the user’s attention.
I assumed (hoped) that the user would read the training mission in the Training Manual first, to get the basics, then use the script to see it all in action.Does the script do ‘all the things’? Not a stupid question at all. It does ‘almost’ everything. You still need to move the throttle and stick, when directed, since there are no BMS callback/commands to do those actions in the script (that I know of).
I can’t take credit for the ‘Enable Training Script’ checkbox idea. Believe it or not, it’s always been there, per the original program design, it just seems that nobody has ever actually written a fully completed training script until now, as far as I know!
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@Dan this is a great step forward, well done. As for VR sadely it will not work because 2D snap views don’t work in VR. I’ve tried it and all you get are some flashes that something has happened, thats about it. Good work though on the rest of it.
I was thinking of modifying it and replace lots of the SimCommand with WaitInput 30 so it would wait for the user to do the action.I learn from seeing and doing so this would be a big benefit to me personally.
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@Todd1215
Another script function combo you might want to try is the ‘WaitHilite3DButton’ with ‘SetDrawFlash’ in front of it. This should be similar to what you want, waiting for a period of time with the button highlighted and flashing until you press it.
It works really nice, but it would definitely require quick responses (<=2 sec.?) from the user, to keep the total timing within the 20-minute window to takeoff. (Unless you don’t mind being yelled at by the Tower! )Community,
What do you think is a good direction to go with a Ramp Start Training script?A) Rookie Version - Does everything for you, so you can see/learn how it’s supposed to work. [Current]
B) Veteran Version - Use voice and on-screen prompts, but YOU’LL be responsible for quickly clicking all the buttons and knobs in a timely manner, yourself. [Mods required]Let me know.
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Not possible to use Pauses and Freezes more to extend out that 20 game minutes to 40 RL minutes…?
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@Aragorn
I’m going to tweak it some more, to see if there are any significant problems that pop up.Sometimes the trickiest part is keeping it running smoothly and still doing what you expect it to do… but also with timing that ‘feels’ right! Not sure how long that will take, but I’ll give it a shot.
If there are no major issues, I’ll upload a newer version, ASAP.
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Well done! Cheers!
If you’re going the route of pre-recorded .wav files for the text-to-speech, you could use top-quality cognitive speech synthesis online, and just record the samples, then produce those for your application. The voices in my video about my AVCS SENS profile for VoiceAttack are from Microsoft’s Azure speech.
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Congratulations @Dan for this great project! Good job!
I tested your script.
One little improvement: It would be better to set the comms frequency later so ATC chatter doesn’t block the voices you created.
For U2 I changed the mission slightly so we will have more flights in front so ATC is very busy.In addition, I would recommend using UHF 2 instead of typing in the frequency so new guys get used to the comms ladder. I will check if training manual say to type in this frequency. If so, I will change it.
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@SemlerPDX
I asked for volunteers on this training mission and Microsoft Zira and David were the only ones to raise their hands, so I don’t want to upset my new IP or crew chief after they’ve already done the work .Maybe on future training missions, we can solicit other ‘IP’s’ or ‘crew chiefs’ with nicer voices, but for this first mission, I feel obligated to let them serve, for now!
@Micro_440th
I decided that the logical thing to do was also the simplest… to simply turn the Comm1 volume down or up (in the script), to speak to the ATC as necessary, so they wouldn’t disrupt the training session. (It’s working, so far.)Regarding the backup UHF and Comm2, see page 14, section 5 and page 20 of the training Manual. Later in the mission, in the Arming Area, the user is directed to change to the Tower frequency using channel 3 of the comms ladder (page 32), so maybe that will have to be enough of an intro to the ladder, for only this first training mission. As we know all too well, at some point, the pilot still has to read the manuals to get a complete understanding of this sim, aircraft and their capabilities.
FYI, I’m also re-writing the script to require the pilot trainee to push the buttons, switches, toggles, etc. so they can actually “do it” for themselves and not just watch the Ramp Start. It’s a lot more work, but better, in the end, I think. (Thanks for the feedback @Todd1215 !) They’ll be hard-pressed to get to the takeoff on time (1:32 comes awfully quick so the Tower probably won’t be happy…), but at least they’ll be able to “learn it by doing it”.
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@Dan looking forward to the next iteration. even my simple test training script were I pushed the buttons myself, yes it took a long time to get through the entire startup. Unless you know this process fluently you will be pushing the TO time to start the jet and get it all configured, but better to have a training aide that lets you do it over and over until you get it right than to have a faulty jet.
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@Dan said in BMS Training Script with Voice Instructions:
@SemlerPDX
I asked for volunteers on this training mission and Microsoft Zira and David were the only ones to raise their hands, so I don’t want to upset my new IP or crew chief after they’ve already done the work .Maybe on future training missions, we can solicit other ‘IP’s’ or ‘crew chiefs’ with nicer voices, but for this first mission, I feel obligated to let them serve, for now!
@Micro_440th
I decided that the logical thing to do was also the simplest… to simply turn the Comm1 volume down or up (in the script), to speak to the ATC as necessary, so they wouldn’t disrupt the training session. (It’s working, so far.)Regarding the backup UHF and Comm2, see page 14, section 5 and page 20 of the training Manual. Later in the mission, in the Arming Area, the user is directed to change to the Tower frequency using channel 3 of the comms ladder (page 32), so maybe that will have to be enough of an intro to the ladder, for only this first training mission. As we know all too well, at some point, the pilot still has to read the manuals to get a complete understanding of this sim, aircraft and their capabilities.
FYI, I’m also re-writing the script to require the pilot trainee to push the buttons, switches, toggles, etc. so they can actually “do it” for themselves and not just watch the Ramp Start. It’s a lot more work, but better, in the end, I think. (Thanks for the feedback @Todd1215 !) They’ll be hard-pressed to get to the takeoff on time (1:32 comes awfully quick so the Tower probably won’t be happy…), but at least they’ll be able to “learn it by doing it”.
Cool! Keep in mind that we will have in U2 all “Normal Procedures” from the new checklists. So maybe its also worth to mention in your script
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@Micro_440th
It sounds like U2 is making more changes to the first training mission than I thought, so I’ll set the script aside for now, until you’ve got the new mission 1 training instructions ready for distribution.Regarding these new mission and instruction changes, I had a few ‘checklist’ questions…
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Am I safe to assume the ‘pre-mission’ cockpit configuration won’t change, like page N-4?
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BEFORE STARTING ENGINE, N-7, item 1 lists the canopy and spider being closed BEFORE power is turned on. How does that work? Shouldn’t the canopy & spider be closed AFTER N-7, item 7, like the existing mission?
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Are you adding ‘set position lights to flash’ to the instructions for the EPU test (N-18, 7d)?
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After Engine start, if we set QNH before EGI-ALIGN NORM (N-20, item 8h), will an ATC call be added to the instructions, to get that info?
Thanks for the heads up!
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Hi Dan!
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Correct
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No, thats the correct procedure. BATT is not needed for canopy/spider like in RL
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I will check. Maybe typo.
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No thats no step/procedure which is the checklists.
Cheers and keep up the good work!
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NEW!
See the top of the thread for the “new and improved” 4.37-U1 BMS Ramp Start Training Script!Now, YOU actively do the Ramp Start, including full user interaction, while the voice guidance from the IP tells you what to do next, without having to go back and forth to the Training manual!
It’s a great way to memorize and learn this process.Enjoy!
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@Dan superb work there Dan !!!
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I cant do step 2 the master light to normal I cant see the knob
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@Snoutmaster
I’m assuming you can’t see the Master Light switch because the pilot’s body is in the way.If so, go into Setup/Graphics before entering the mission and make sure the pilot model is checked.
If you don’t have it checked, the script will ADD the pilot model instead of removing it. -
UPDATE for 4.37-U2!
Check the top of the thread again for the next “new and improved” 4.37-U2 BMS Ramp Start Training Script!
It’s updated to reflect the changes in the newer, U2 mission (more packages, longer taxi), and now uses the trigger button on the stick to pause and continue. (Listen carefully for the trigger prompts!) I also updated some of the dialog to clarify some things in the script.
Happy Training!
Enjoy! -
Hello all!
First THANK YOU for such work!! It is great, being really new in the BMS, Flight Sims and avionics world, I have A LOT to learn! I currently know nothing (acronyms, jargon, etc.!). Just starting off…
The script functionality within BMS is super!! Wonder why the game doesn’t come with these already provided with (?).
After briefly having tried the script (with 4.37 U2), if I may share, here are my initial thoughts and comments:
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Regarding the need to “keep the total timing within the 20-minute window” as a few seem to talk about, as a newbie, I certainly DO NOT want to be timed on this. I need whatever time I can use! If the tower “yells” at me because I’m too slow, that’s fine. Maybe there’s a way to “deactivate” this while learning? If not, not a problem for me.
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I don’t like the fact that the script zooms in so much on controls (which is fine!), but prevents us from zooming OUT to get a better view of the overall and look around.
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It would be handier if the control to manipulate would be circled, as it is, but remained circled until the user actions it. Some are, but I think some aren’t. It goes away after X time… It makes things go by too quickly sometimes.
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We should be able to manipulate other controls, even when it’s not the control we’re supposed to be touching. Why? Simply because if we mistakenly set a wrong position of something, the script will still move to next step and prevent us from correcting. I initially saw this when I needed to set the ANTI-COL to 1. I had placed it to 2 with wrong mouse click and couldn’t correct until further down in training.
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I LOVE the fact that there is voice! Would it possible to also have the text displayed though? The problem with voice is that sometimes we need to hear the instructions / explanations another time. Is there a way we could “replay” it? If not, then displaying a text, on top of the voice, would help a lot too!
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I know this is pushing it, but in the displayed text for each control (if it’s possible with the voice), it would be nice to get a very brief description as to what the control does, perhaps say what the acronym is short (for example, I have no clue what MSL, ILS, TACAN, etc. mean). Perhaps a reference to the “TO 1F-16CMAM-1 BMS.pdf” maybe? I a bit overwhelmed with it all… But perhaps it would also be difficult not to clutter the screen with information text too.
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I did come across another guy’s training script for GroundOps that uses only text for brief instructions. Although meant for 4.36, it seems to work, but with its flaws too. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the URL where I found it, but I’ve made it available through here for download if you @Dan or whomever else is interested. To check out or not for ideas. Perhaps a mixture of both or something. Just some thoughts from a newbie trying to figure out the best way to learn it all
Nevertheless, I really appreciate all the effort you’ve placed into this so far. Beginners like myself can really appreciate such work!
Cheers! Patrick
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