Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher (Easy Setup, Keep Joystick Assignments)
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UPDATE:28th Jan 2020: v1.50 CHANGE LOG
2nd June 2019: v1.40 CHANGE LOG
5th May 2019: v1.31 CHANGE LOG
2nd May 2019: v1.30 CHANGE LOG
13th March 2019: v1.20 CHANGE LOG
23rd Feburary 2019: v1.10 CHANGE LOG
19th September 2018: v1.091 CHANGE LOG
10th April 2018: v1.08 CHANGE LOG
1st April 2018: v1.07 CHAGE LOG
31st March 2018: v1.06 CHANGE LOG
31st March 2018: v1.05 CHANGE LOG9th October 2017: v1.03 CHANGE LOG
13th September 2017: v1.00
Pay Attention before use.**
The app will overwrite following setup files and the Registry of Falcon BMS. The app will auto-generate backups of following files at User/Config/Backup.
User/Config/axismapping.dat
User/Config/BMS - Full.key
User/Config/DeviceSorting.txt
User/Config/Falcon bms.cfg
User/Config/joystick.cal
User/Config/<callsign>.popI recommend make backups of the registry.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\BenchmarkSims\Falcon BMS 4.33 U1
or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\BenchmarkSims\Falcon BMS 4.33 U1(Export .reg file via regedit.exe, For restoring just run reg file you have backed up.)
I have checked the app by myself and asked some of my friends for testing but it may still have some glitches I am unaware of. Please report if something is not working fine.Also if any glitches have happened while using my launcher, try if same things happen with fresh reinstalled BMS before contacting Official Devs.
Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher
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What is Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher? Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher is a replacement for stock BMS launcher including key/axis mapping feature. It can configure and save BMS SETUP per Joysticks. When you launch BMS through this app, it auto-generates proper setup files and overwrites them for current device order before BMS find them changed and initialize your setup. You don’t have to worry about SETUP mixing up DX order nor resets axis setups even if device sort or numbers have been changed.
For instance, even if you setup BMS while connecting Logicool Driving Force Pro you don’t use for BMS, and next day you launch BMS without Driving Force Pro(but maybe with some another device you don’t care), You will see key/axis setup still remains for BMS as the app has overwritten key file / axismapping.dat / joystick.cal to corresponds current device setups.
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What is the point using the app instead of IN-GAME UI SETUP page?
You can add/remove your device environment without setting up your axis/key from scratch.You don’t have to care is the connected devices are same to when you have played BMS last time anymore.
Moreover, Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher has quicker and easier setup UI.
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How to install Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher? Make a backup of the stock Falcon BMS 4.33 U1\Bin\x86\Hub.exe before installing it. Download Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher, unzip the file and extract all of the included files to Falcon BMS 4.33 U1\Bin\x86, overwrite Hub.exe. Next time you launch BMS, Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher will be launched instead of the stock launcher.
Installing the new launcher after the clean installation of BMS is the most secure way to use this app.
EDIT: I just have found Just after the fresh install of BMS it does not have registry information like current selected theater or logbook, so if someone is first to install BMS and want to install my app. He or she has to launch BMS via stock launcher once, then install the app. -
How to use Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher?
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Axis Assign Page
In Axis Assign page, you can assign axis setups.
Clicking “Assign” button popups axis setup window for each control.Axis Assign Page is divided into 2 pages, “FlightControl” and “Avionics & Radios”.
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Axis Setup Window
The first time you launch the window for unsigned controls, the window will flash “AWAITING INPUTS” label. Move your joystick physical axis you want to assign to the specific control you have selected, for instance, if you have clicked “ASSIGN” button just next to “ROLL” control label, lean your Joystick to left or right.When the app has detected a joystick movement, it will assign that axis to the control automatically.
If you have mistakenly assigned a different joy axis, click “RETRY” button and move the joy axis you want to assign again. If you want to clear the assignment, click “RETRY” or “CLEAR” then click “SAVE” before moving any joy axes, leaving “AWAITING INPUTS” label flashing.
The window will also have a drop down box for Deadzone and Saturation settings, invert check box, and AB / IDLE detent setters for throttle control.
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Key Mapping Page
In Key Mapping page, you can assign keyboard and joystick DX/POV setups.
Clicking specific raw then press the key or DX/POV switches will assign them to the callback. When you want to remove the assignment, double-click the cell.Key Mapping Page has a drop-down list to jump the Datagrid scroll to the specific sections, especially useful to find essential HOTAS callbacks section.
You can also setup KEYCOMBO, SHIFTED DX, BUTTON RELEASE, and INVOKE setups which cannot be done from stock BMS UI.
When you would like to setup key/buttons for KEYCOMBO, SHIFTED DX or RELEASE to activate callbacks, click and enable “KEYCOMBO / PINKYSHIFT” button or “RELEASE” button. When the button has lightened up it has been enabled. Then press buttons to assign them.
TIPS:
MASTER ARM ON | DX27 INV: DN MASTER ARM OFF | DX27 REL INV: DN
This is one example of “on else off” for toggle switches. REL means “release” and INV: DN means “INVOKE KEY DOWN”.
MASTER ARM ON | DX27 INV: DN MASTER ARM OFF | DX27 REL INV: DN & DX28 REL INV: DN MASTER ARM SIM | DX28 INV: KEY DN
This works for 3-way ON-OFF-ON switches.
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Launcher Page
Launcher page has several shortcuts for BMS itself and other tools.
(Thank you Ahmed, Falcas, Monster, for letting me put the shortcuts for your useful tools.)-
Platform
Here you can select which version (32bit or 64 bit) of BMS to launch.
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Theater
You can select from which theater to start BMS before launching BMS from the theater combobox. You don’t have to launch BMS only to change theater and relaunch it to avoid CTD anymore.
When you selected a theater that has its own settings executable, clicking a wrench icon that appears next to the theater combobox will launch those executable. Currently the app supports this for Israel and Ikaros theater.
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Command Line
These buttons will enable/disable each launch options for BMS. For further details read BMS-Manual.pdf 3.2.5 Launching BMS 4.33
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Documentation and Manuals
Don’t you know where BMS Docs exists? Click the blue**“open docs folder”** button now! For BMS beginner’s, I recommend starting from the fantastic Docs/Falcon BMS Manuals/BMS-Training.pdf. If you find anything unclear about BMS UI or Multiplayer settings etc, read BMS-Manual.pdf.
I developed this application to skip learning BMS’s bit complicated control setups but you still have to read and learn this sim from those manuals.
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Launchers
“Launch without any setup override” checkbox ignores any setup you configured at Axis Assign Page and Key Mapping Page. Use this in case of something not working properly regarding this app. You can use this app just as same as stock launcher then.
Weapon Delivery Planner / Mission Commander / Weather Commander / F4WX / F4AWACS are the 3rd party tools that will not come with BMS installation. Click the icons and you will have to select install directory first time. After that these icons will be work as shortcuts for those apps.When you updated those apps latest version, delete or move old version from local storage and app will ask for new install folder. If you don’t have them, just click cancel button of the folder browser and the app will open each download pages of those tools.
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Where to Download Falcon BMS Alternative Launcher?
Here you are.</callsign>
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Launcher Page:
Documantation = DocumentationAxisAssign/Flight Control Page:
Sterring = SteeringOther than that, looks promising - will have a proper play when I get back from work.
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Launcher Page:
Documantation = DocumentationAxisAssign/Flight Control Page:
Sterring = SteeringOther than that, looks promising - will have a proper play when I get back from work.
:oops::oops::oops:
I will upload v1.01 when I back to home.
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Oh, and by the way, I am still unsure about INVOKE in BMS key file though I implemented it. I know I can get “on else off” effect for MASTER ARM SWITCH by setting like
MASTER ARM ON | DX27 INVOKE: KEY DOWN
MASTER ARM OFF | DX27 RELEASE INV: KEY DOWN & DX28 RELEASE INV: KEY DOWN
MASTER ARM SIM | DX28 INVOKE: KEY DOWN(in this case DX27 and DX28 are either sides of one 3-way toggle switch)
but why do I need INVOKE KEY DOWN? when I set INVOKE BOTH it did not works like I intended to.
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Pay Attension before use.
The app will overwrite following setup files and the Registry of Falcon BMS.
axismapping.dat
BMS - Full.key
DeviceDefaults.txt
Falcon bms.cfg
joystick.cal
<callsign>.popI recommend make backups of those files and the registry
HLKM\SOFTWARE\BenchmarkSims*Falcon BMS* 4.33
(or HLKM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\BenchmarkSims*Falcon BMS* 4.33)For callsign setups I recommend make backups of all related files.
I have checked the app by myself and asked some of my BMS friends for testing but it may still have some glitches I am unaware of. Please report if something is not working fine. Also if any glitches have happened while using my launcher, try if same things happen with fresh reinstalled BMS before contacting Official Devs.</callsign>
First a big thanx to your efforts and the final outcome. I’m sure it will help and ease most of us…
Second about the quoted message, I would recommend that during setup or first and only run to first backup those files in a folder and maybe add the functionality during uninstall or by menu the user to revert back to his files.
Third I would put 5. as number 1. With super extra BOLD and RED flashing neon and the known German siren on loop… u know all us when a new thing is out, RTFM is the last thing to do… and then oh oh??? where are my files? %#%%$@%!# %@$T #@% #@
Again thanx much…
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Very nice work, thank you.
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Thanks Arty, I put the attention to the first part of the post.
Second about the quoted message, I would recommend that during setup or first and only run to first backup those files in a folder and maybe add the functionality during uninstall or by menu the user to revert back to his files.
Nice, I would write the code to auto generate backup files for next update.
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:oops::oops::oops:
I will upload v1.01 when I back to home.
Thanks, but I would hold off a new release version until something more than a couple spelling errors is worth including
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Fixed miss spells, but left version to v1.00.
I am also planning to add monitor-head distance FOV calculator.
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I am also planning to implement keyboard emulation for non-primary device POV switches. As the launcher runs behind BMS it might be possible. It has been making people want their Warthog Coolie Switch or something else to work with BMS, tried to use old TARGET profiles and stack to some problems…
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Thanks for your awesome work!
I’ve tried it right away, did my backup and followed instructions but once i launch BMS it crashes on the desktop.I had to revert everything to normal
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Does BMS itself crash? or my app?
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your app works perfectly, but as i click on BMS launch it crashes
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hmmm,
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Do BMS still crash when you run \Bin\x64\Falcon BMS.exe directory?
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Do BMS crash when reverting each following files and run Falcon BMS.exe directory?
axismapping.dat
BMS - Full.key
DeviceSorting.txt
Falcon bms.cfg
joystick.cal
<callsign>.pop</callsign> -
Do BMS crash when reverting original registry and run Falcon BMS.exe directory?
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This post is deleted! -
im getting ready to install however I have nothing for BMS in my registry at those addresses. how should I proceed?
How about
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Benchmark Sims\Falcon BMS 4.33 U1or
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Benchmark Sims\Falcon BMS 4.33 U1Sorry I may have miss written at the first description. I would check where at my machine the registry is.
EDIT: Sorry it was HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, I have fixed the first post.
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hmmm,
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Do BMS still crash when you run \Bin\x64\Falcon BMS.exe directory?
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Do BMS crash when reverting each following files and run Falcon BMS.exe directory?
axismapping.dat
BMS - Full.key
DeviceSorting.txt
Falcon bms.cfg
joystick.cal
<callsign>.pop</callsign> -
Do BMS crash when reverting original registry and run Falcon BMS.exe directory?
I didn’t try those, I’ll do more testing today and get back to you. So far i simply extract the launcher in the x86 directory and proceed as instructed.
Also, idk if it may be a factor, my bms installation folder is in a different drive from where my F4 and Win10 are.
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Okay. I don’t see anything written on what’s the best way to restore everything back to normal. After removing your files and restoring the files I had backed up I’m having an issue with BMS changing theaters. When I change a theater in exit BMS the registry doesn’t change to the appropriate theater and relaunching BMS launches into the theater that was in place at a time of the backup. I can manually change the theater in the registry and it will boot up into that theater but changing it in the UI does not update the registry anymore. Do you know how I can resolve this?
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If you have exported Falcon BMS 4.33 U1 registry into a .reg file, just simply running the file would revert it. Rewriting “curTheater” key back to “Korea KTO” manually should be just as same as reverting it. Perhaps registry hasn’t closed properly so that BMS can not overwrite it… I have to check. How about simply restarting the PC?
EDIT: I checked my code again but the reg was surely closed after the app had rewrited it… In my case I could change theater via stock UI even after I changed it with my app.