Question and key files and Warthog
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Hello. I got a lot of questions, some of them pretty basic, but since this is a great community, I’ll just jump in and ask.
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key files and Warthog: I got a Warthog hotas. Just wondering what key file I need to load to get it functional re the F16? I mean do I need to load a particular key file set to get it functional with 4.33? Or do I need to load a separate Target script, such as Mud’s, and use Target to get all the functions aligned, like the cursor scroll, undercarriage lever etc? I have loaded no script at present and when I press the boat switch on the throttle, it fired the gun. When I press the trigger on the throttle, it does nothing. So you can see that I want to have the Hotas all set up programmed ready to go with the new 4.33 version. What’s the best way to achieve that? Grateful advice.
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my other question is a broader one. What is the best way to approach this beast? Ok, I need to get my controllers sorted and the right keys programmed into the stick/throttle. Then I need to learn the systems and start studying in earnest. But do I dive into the training missions that way or do I just spend time studying first, then dive in? Are there good training videos out there which are recommended for 4.33 ? Thanks in advance and grateful any advice from you old hands.
apoll
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- my other question is a broader one. What is the best way to approach this beast? Ok, I need to get my controllers sorted and the right keys programmed into the stick/throttle. Then I need to learn the systems and start studying in earnest. But do I dive into the training missions that way or do I just spend time studying first, then dive in? Are there good training videos out there which are recommended for 4.33 ? Thanks in advance and grateful any advice from you old hands.
apoll
Getting setting up and running properly (more-or-less) is first.
After that, perhaps try the new training manual and the corresponding missions included in the download. I doubt is a comprehensive set of 4.33 video tutorials are available this soon. The best set from 4.32 were by Krause/Tanit on YouTube. Much of that still applies; probably the majority. But there are now differences in 4.33 that will be important and many may be subtle.
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Hi Apoll
I started with BMS Basic and then add what was missing for my purposes.
It should not matter weather you use the “Basic or Full” the Hog STICK should be natively configured already (for the most part). And I believe the call backs used are the same for both, I think the “Pit Builders” varies in some things.
However make shore your Target does not have entries for any of the Stick and Throttle initially. and then add things that aren’t covered by the native DirectX bindings. But do run Target so Falcon will “see” the Hog as a “combined device”
Give it a go and you will find many (or most) of the majors are already their. They have done a great job on the Key Files.
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Hello. I got a lot of questions, some of them pretty basic, but since this is a great community, I’ll just jump in and ask.
-
key files and Warthog: I got a Warthog hotas. Just wondering what key file I need to load to get it functional re the F16? I mean do I need to load a particular key file set to get it functional with 4.33? Or do I need to load a separate Target script, such as Mud’s, and use Target to get all the functions aligned, like the cursor scroll, undercarriage lever etc? I have loaded no script at present and when I press the boat switch on the throttle, it fired the gun. When I press the trigger on the throttle, it does nothing. So you can see that I want to have the Hotas all set up programmed ready to go with the new 4.33 version. What’s the best way to achieve that? Grateful advice.
-
my other question is a broader one. What is the best way to approach this beast? Ok, I need to get my controllers sorted and the right keys programmed into the stick/throttle. Then I need to learn the systems and start studying in earnest. But do I dive into the training missions that way or do I just spend time studying first, then dive in? Are there good training videos out there which are recommended for 4.33 ? Thanks in advance and grateful any advice from you old hands.
apoll
For 1/ I would use one of the keyfile provided in the installation. I personnally did my stuff based on BMS-Basic.
Then, Warthog mapping… that will be a tricky process, but bear with me.I advise to base yourself off Morphine’s script. You will need to dive a bit into scripting, but that will definitely yield the best results. This script will have the benefit of merging your 2 controllers into a single DX device, that BMS will handle much better.
Make a list of every function you want to associate to each Warthog button. At the beginning, I advise you to list every F-16 HOTAS functions, and POV control if you dont have a head tracking device. You will have extra “physical” buttons leftover, that is not that big a deal at first. The F-16 HOTAS buttons are listed in the dash-1 (TO-BMS1F-16CM-1.pdf in your doc folder), sections Sidestick and Throttle.
What a script does, is generate either DX button presses or keystroke when you press a Warthog button. Keystrokes can interfere with each other (If I have CTRL + H somewhere and E somewhere else and I press both at once, that gives me CTRL +E -> ejection, for example
). So run through your list, and consider which you want to assign to a DX button (32 buttons max), or a keystroke.For the functions you want to assign on a keystrokes : in Setup/Controllers, open the BMS-Basic keyfile and look what is the combinaison of key corresponding to each function. Update your list with the info.
DX buttons will be handled later.Then you can run through Morphine’s .tmc script via a text editor. For each physical button mapped in Morphine script, either assign a DX button, or assign the key combinaison you found earlier, depending on the list you made. Refer to target syntax here
After this step, keystrokes are OK, but DX buttons are not. So go into BMS, Setup-> controllers. For each Warthog mapped to a DX buttons, locate the corresponding function. Click on it to modify it, then press the Warthog button. That will not modify the key combinaison, but now, the DX button is assigned to this function. You can control that a particular DX button works by simply pressing it - the corresponding function will be displayed if it is correctly mapped. Save the keyfile - ideally, under another name than BMS-Basic.
That’s it for buttons. Now, axes
Fortunately, Morphine’s profile already has axes mapped. All you need to do is to go into Setup->Controllers, section “Advanced”, and map every DX axis to their function. Typically, the X axis will go to Joystick->Roll, etc. Dont hesitate to check if the correct axis is at the correct place by moving stick/radar cursor/throttle and veryfying that the in-game axis move properly.As for 2/, what personally worked for me is a back and forth between training missions, training missions docs, and general docs like -1 and -34. Doing the training missions is an excellent idea, with the Training manual nearby, of course. Ramp starting is the most efficient way to learn your way around the cockpit. General docs like -1 and -34 are good if you want to learn a system by yourself. You can apply what you learnt in Instant Action first, then in TE’s or campaign when you feel comfortable.
Dont try to swallow all at once, master one system at a time. How MFDs work, then how ICP works, etc… Dont hesitate to play around with avionics, you wont break the jet - and even if you do, you can always restart
If you dont understand something in-flight, refer to the docs, and try again.After some time, you will be able to see what functions are nice to have on your Warthog’s extra switches - stuff like Master Arm, Laser Arm, Cat I/III, etc…
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Hey, big thanks to all who replied. Such a great community! Especially thanks to i3crusader for your extensive advice. I shall do as you advise. Yes, bit by bit. First sort out the controllers and go from there.
Thanks again.
Apoll
