Another bewildered Warthog owner
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I apologize now for starting yet another thread on this subject, but I’ve followed several other threads, downloaded a keyfile editor (didn’t work), downloaded TARGET, downloaded Morphine’s TARGET script, watched YouTube videos on how to set up controls, and as of last night I had everything working EXCEPT the gun trigger that I know of. I’m sure other issues would be discovered later, but for now I just want to be able to control my control surfaces, throttle, and weapons (and all at the same time too!). I even followed the recommended steps of setting up my axis settings in BMS and then exiting and write protecting the axismapping.dat and the joystick.cal files in the Config folder.
Tonight I jump back in to try to see if I can figure out why my guns won’t fire. I’ve lost my throttle (and probably the rudder as well but I forgot to check), and my guns till won’t fire. I exited the dogfight and went into my settings and sure enough, all my axis settings are back to default.
I’m getting quite frustrated by how many hoops I’m having to jump through to get this working AND it still isn’t working. Any ideas would be great. Do I need to write protect other files? Could Morphine’s TARGET script be corrupt? If someone tells me that I need to re-install the game I think I’m done. DCS doesn’t have an F-16 yet but I have it working!
Sorry for being so frustrated. I can tell this sim has a lot of potential which is why I’ve been trying for a week just to get it set so I can fly it. I’m impressed with BMS and with the detail that has been put into this, I just wish it wasn’t so cantankerous! THANKS!
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Do you have the devices with the correct directx ids? I posted this in another thread for someone who was having similar problems:
You have to use the Warthog_DX.key file or whatever it is called that comes with Morphine’s profile, or adjust your own keyfile to match its assignments.
You have to verify your DX assignments. The stick has to be device 1 and the throttle has to be device 2. Pedals can be whatever but I have them as device 3.
You can use the JoyIDs utility to view dx number assignments and re-assign them. I have the utility in a stack of icons on my desktop that serve as my falcon launch checklist.
So to get working:
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Use JoyIDs to fix your assignments first. Stick 1, Throttle 2, Pedals 3.
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Run the target script in the target script editor. You should hear some usb device plugging and unplugging sounds, and in JoyIDs the stick and throttle will vanish and Thrustmaster Combined should appear as #1
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Launch falcon and go the controls section. Set it to use the warthog_dx keyfile.
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Go to the avionics and flight controls pages and set them to match the screen shots supplied with the profile
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Test everything. If it’s all working to your satisfaction, there are a couple of files in the config folder that should be set to read-only to prevent the axis assignments from getting busted if you open falcon without having run the target script. They are /Falcon BMS 4.32/User/Config/axismapping.dat and joystick.cal. Remember to uncheck read-only on them if you want to make changes in the future.
You can download JoyIDs here: http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.co…ad.php?t=13009
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Good overview Gearbox. One small clarification, I have seen situations where the stick and throttle aren’t the #1 & #2 devices before running the Script but then the Thrustmaster Combined becomes Device #1 (as it should be) after running the Script. So the important point is that TM Combined is Device #1 and if you have them, the TM MFDs are Devices #2 & 3. Everything else (rudders, G-13, etc.) don’t matter unless you have configured them as DX devices and are programming them via the keyfile.
@311Gryphon, you have to always remember to run the TARGET Script before starting F4BMS (even just launching to the UI) or it will erase your controller configuration (which is why it’s recommended to set the two files to read only). I agree it’s a PITA. We understand your frustration but hang in there and you’ll get it sorted and enjoy the “Real” Viper
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Thanks for the information, guys. I did realize this morning that I probably forgot to run the script last night before launching the game. But if I set those two files to “read only” (and I double checked this morning, they’re still read only) would the game change my axis settings? I’m under the impression that it can’t, yet it did.
My only other question at the moment is: am I missing something to get the gun to fire? When my other controls are working that’s the only issue I’ve stumbled onto so far. I think when you launch a dogfight the plane defaults to having the master arm on (and I double checked that too). I’m certain that the keyfile has the trigger as the gun. I may just be missing something simple.
Thanks again guys. I’m happy to see folks willing to help and giving step by step instructions. A lot of these forums have a wealth of knowledge but I think sometimes the veterans forget that it isn’t that easy at first.
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Thanks for the information, guys. I did realize this morning that I probably forgot to run the script last night before launching the game. But if I set those two files to “read only” (and I double checked this morning, they’re still read only) would the game change my axis settings? I’m under the impression that it can’t, yet it did.
My only other question at the moment is: am I missing something to get the gun to fire? When my other controls are working that’s the only issue I’ve stumbled onto so far. I think when you launch a dogfight the plane defaults to having the master arm on (and I double checked that too). I’m certain that the keyfile has the trigger as the gun. I may just be missing something simple.
Thanks again guys. I’m happy to see folks willing to help and giving step by step instructions. A lot of these forums have a wealth of knowledge but I think sometimes the veterans forget that it isn’t that easy at first.
I try to write from a noob perspective because I’m sort of a noob myself. I was away from the hobby for a long time so I’m still re-learning things.
What is displayed if you pull the trigger in the controls page inside falcon? Does it show first trigger stage and then second stage as you go through the range of motion?
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When did you set them as read only? If you did it before configuring everything then you didn’t save the new configuration because they are read only.
As Gremlin said, make sure you check that the Triggers are working in the UI screen by pulling it in and looking for the commands being activated (below the full list of commands). Also remember that in order to fire the gun in the game, you have to have the gun selected as the primary weapon. The easiest way to do this to to put it in Dogfight (or SRM) Override mode. This is done by moving the Boat Switch aft. You’ll know you’re in Dogfight Mode when you see the Gun Funnel in your HUD. Then assuming MasterArm is on, you’ll be able to fire the gun. Also make sure you pull the Trigger all the way in (it’s a 2 stage trigger).
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No I went in and changed all the axis settings in game, then exited and changed the two files to read only. The gun trigger is set right according to the settings page (when I pull the trigger it shows both stages) so it must be that I’m not in the right mode. I was afraid of something like that. The controls are so different than DCS A-10C so I struggle to know what does what. And I don’t have to be in dogfight mode or gun mode in the A-10 to fire the cannon although it’s obviously a different bird altogether. I think I have it sorted now although I’m still perplexed how the game overwrote read only files when I failed to launch the script before launching the game.
Thanks, guys.
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Just an update from tonight. I launched TARGET and ran the script. All was well. My problem tonight was with getting TrackIR to work but unplugging it and plugging it back in worked. The gun is working fine. I even got some IR missiles to launch and landed to refuel then went back up. Now it looks like I can start learning the rest of the controls. Thanks again!
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Yep… although there are some commonalities, the F-16 systems are quite different than the A-10. Best to approach it as a new aircraft and not assume anything you learned in the A-10.
Glad to hear you are getting things sorted.
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No doubt. I never considered them that similar and I knew I was in for a treat on the BMS F16 after watching a few videos. I just have to stay on my toes since I’m still spending a lot of time with several aircraft in DCS while also trying to learn this one.