Best way to change key assingments?
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I’m a fan of 4.32 basic keys, I grow using them and will like to have them on 4.33UI1 too, so which one is the best way to change key assingments and If possible the easier the better. As I think changing keys on the setup menu is confusing and tragedy prone.
Thanks!
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I suppose that would depend on what hardware you’re using.
My preferred way, especially if you are using a Cougar, is sticking to DX buttons. By doing so, it doesn’t really matter if a function is assigned to “A” or “CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + A”. Perhaps not the easiest way, but I prefer to edit the keyfile in a text editor to do that, so that I don’t lose the keyfile’s layout (which happens when you edit from within BMS), just in case I want to edit it again later.
If you can’t/don’t want to use DX buttons and need to use their software to set up keys (as is the case with e.g. Saitek sticks, iirc), I would use as few modifiers as possible, so as few SHIFT, CTRL or ALT as possible. In that case, editing the keyfile through a text editor is harder because all keys are in their hexadecimal(?) value. I would suggest to just use the BMS UI to change key assignment, as keyfile layout is probably less of a factor in this case.
Of course, since you already have a properly working 4.32 keyfile, you can just load that one into 4.33 or U1, but you will lose a few new functionalities. If you don’t want that, you may use a text editor to copy paste your old assignments into the new BMS key-file, where appropriate.
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Thanks for the answer Eagle-Eye.
I’m using a Saitex X-52, If I try to use the 4.32 key assingments I will lose things like the Harrier nozzle control. Hope there’s another way…
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i put those on a different mode on the slider using bands (hats are all taken up) but switching modes on the x52 (pro) is annoying imo so i’ve put them on a rocker switch on the cougar mfd.
also to add the 4.33 functionality just open the bms full key file and look for the callbacks you want and just copy them into your key file, line by line (there arent that many)
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I will prefer to have the keys useable on the keyboard, simply changing what each key do (in fact only some of them).
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Best way to change key assingments?
Opinions vary. Much has to do with the amount of complexity …. number of devices, type of device (‘simple’ joystick vs ‘complex’ HOTAS), rocker switch and/or rotary functionality, shift state functionality, etc., etc.
Three basic ways:
- Use the Setup UI. “confusing and tragedy prone” … perhaps if you don’t know what keys are assigned to what already. Cannot create shift states directly afaik;
- Kolbe’s keyfile spreadsheet. May appear intimidating, but if it’s not as difficult as it looks. Handles complicated or simple keyfiles., There is no better tool (imho) to manage and maintain a more complex keyfile;
- Brute Force. Build/Change your keyfile manually. Requires you to know the keyfile syntax and/or individual key-codes.
There is no silver bullet. Someone recently said that setup and keyfiles for BMS are an additional learning requirement to become proficient with the sim. This is true. If you don’t find a way to ‘manage’ your keyfile (as versions change, callbacks change, equipment changes, etc.), you limit your ability to enjoy BMS.
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Stratos, all the above is true, and let me offer another option using the User Interface(UI). The UI may look “confusing and tragedy prone” but, as A_B has said, it can be figured out.
When I reset my HOTAS for U1 I used the DX method for a good bit of it, but I wanted to get away from combo key commands( ie: for example make TMS up home instead of shift +home ). This is all from the BMS Full keyfile.
While you certainly don’t have to use my keys, let me use one I did as an example. As I wanted all the ICP controls in the numpad/home,end, etc./arrows area, I wanted to move TMS/DMS/CMS out of that area.
So, lets use CMS up as an example.- Go to the UI , be sure BMS Full is loaded, and enter alt+home on your keyboard. The UI will jump to CMS up
2)left click on the key command(alt home) and it will" illuminate"(change color) - Enter the keycommand you want ( I used “I”)
4)At this point the UI will jump to Instr Mode Cycle (which was I) , the keycommand area will(if memory serves ) say something like “no key assigned” but will be illuminated (different color).Left click it to make it turn grey, and that’s it. - The last step is to save your modified keyfile. Click on save below the key command area. A little window will pop up with a list of keyfiles. In the area between the save and cancel buttons of that window type in whatever name you you want to give it, and click save in that window.
Hope that helps, and don’t get frustrated. Print the Keyfile (in your docs) for reference and take your time.
- Go to the UI , be sure BMS Full is loaded, and enter alt+home on your keyboard. The UI will jump to CMS up
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I have the key layout printed and know many of the keys, problems i like you I want certain things on certain places, just like in the old 4.32. Seems I will need to enter “UI” with some time available and start changing keys.
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Best solution (for some values of best) is to use the Blu3wolf Approved Keyfile Editor (A.K.A., Notepad++). Using a simple text file editor allows you the most control over the keyfile, and so long as it has a decent search and replace functionality, it will make your life much easier (after first making it much harder).
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Which file should I edit trough notepad? Will be useful to know in the case I fail the UI trial miserably.
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Which file should I edit trough notepad? Will be useful to know in the case I fail the UI trial miserably.
x:\Falcon BMS 4.33 U1\User\Config_[WhatEverYouNamedIt]_.key
Make a copy before you start so you can go back to your original baseline if needed.
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My advice is to learn how the .key files are laid out. Use Kolbe’s Excel file to help you out. Edit .key files in Notepad++
“But -Ice!! That’s too much work!!”
Trust me, learning this is really easy and allows you greater flexibility in editing your .key files. A quick way is to load up your favorite .key file in Kolbe’s Excel file [\Falcon BMS 4.33\Docs\Key Files & Input – BMS Key File Editor.xls], print out the Keyboard tab to show you what’s mapped where, load up your “new” .key file, and then transfer over the things you want.
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Somecopyofthedefaultkeyfile.key would be good. The .key file is the one you want, copy one of the default ones, rename it to something you want, and start messing with it!
Sent from my SM-N910G using Tapatalk
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Thanks! Slowly working my way. What happens when a control has a SHIFT attached to it? For example I want TMS up moved from SHIFT + Home to 0 on the num keyboard, but it seems it always need the SHIFT attachemnt. Any idea?
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Thats an unfortunate coincedence of using the setup UI to change assignments. It will work fine in game, I assure you.
There is a bug in this version of BMS, such that the setup UI claims that any numpad controls have the SHIFT key pressed, even though they do not.
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Thats an unfortunate coincedence of using the setup UI to change assignments. It will work fine in game, I assure you.
There is a bug in this version of BMS, such that the setup UI claims that any numpad controls have the SHIFT key pressed, even though they do not.
Just tried, I cannot assign num0 keypad without SHIFT, with SHIFT works fine, but is not what I need.
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Just tried, I cannot assign num0 keypad without SHIFT, with SHIFT works fine, but is not what I need.
i’m guessing this thread is more suited to the joystick/input forum, as there’s much more info there about key files.
Here’s an extract from my keys file, most of the ICP stuff is mapped to the number pad and movement keys. copy your file, replace your’s with these and give them a try. Note the order is reversed from a normal num pad, since the icp numbers are the opposite way round, ICP1 = KP7 etc.
SimICPCom1 122 0 0X3B 0 0 0 1 "ICP: COM1 Button - Push" SimICPCom2 122 0 0X3C 0 0 0 1 "ICP: COM2 Button - Push" SimICPIFF 122 0 0X3D 0 0 0 1 "ICP: IFF Button - Push" SimICPLIST 122 0 0X3E 0 0 0 1 "ICP: LIST Button - Push" SimICPAA 122 0 0X3F 0 0 0 1 "ICP: A-A Button - Push" SimICPAG 122 0 0X40 0 0 0 1 "ICP: A-G Button - Push" SimICPNav 122 0 0XE 1 0 0 1 "ICP: NAV Mode (no such button In Pit)" SimICPTILS 122 0 0X47 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 1-ILS Button - Push" SimICPALOW 122 0 0X48 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 2-ALOW Button - Push" SimICPTHREE 122 0 0X49 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 3 Button - Push" SimICPStpt 122 0 0X4B 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 4-STPT Button - Push" SimICPCrus 122 0 0X4C 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 5-CRUS Button - Push" SimICPSIX 122 0 0X4D 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 6-TIME Button - Push" SimICPMark 122 0 0X4F 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 7-MARK Button - Push" SimICPEIGHT 122 0 0X50 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 8-FIX Button - Push" SimICPNINE 122 0 0X51 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 9-A-CAL Button - Push" SimICPZERO 122 0 0X52 0 0 0 1 "ICP: 0-M-SEL Button - Push" SimICPCLEAR 122 0 0X4E 0 0 0 1 "ICP: RCL Button - Push" SimICPEnter 122 0 0X9C 0 0 0 1 "ICP: ENTER Button - Push" SimICPNext 126 0 0XD0 2 0 0 1 "ICP: NEXT Button - Push" SimICPPrevious 126 0 0XC8 2 0 0 1 "ICP: PREVIOUS Button - Push" SimICPDEDUP 120 0 0XC8 0 0 0 1 "ICP: DCS UP - Push" SimICPDEDDOWN 120 0 0XD0 0 0 0 1 "ICP: DCS DOWN - Push" SimICPDEDSEQ 120 0 0XCD 0 0 0 1 "ICP: DCS SEQ (Right) - Push" SimICPResetDED 120 0 0XCB 0 0 0 1 "ICP: DCS RTN (Left) - Push"
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Thanks! Slowly working my way. What happens when a control has a SHIFT attached to it? For example I want TMS up moved from SHIFT + Home to 0 on the num keyboard, but it seems it always need the SHIFT attachemnt. Any idea?
I would advise you to read the BMS Key File Manual.pdf under \Falcon BMS 4.33\Docs\Key Files & Input and it will show you how to add modifier keys… or remove them for that matter. Page 15 onwards, and modifier keys are on page 18.
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Whatever edit method you choose, keep a “last known working” copy as backup or youuuu’lll beeee soooorrrryyy.
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I keep my stuff saved, in several places in fact, thanks for the advice anyway, always better to be overcautious than sorry.
Will check that manual Ice, and will try your entries too Fish44
BTW, I’m at work for a long shift, can someone please upload the BMS Key File Manual.pdf under \Falcon BMS 4.33\Docs\Key Files & Input so I can start learning please?