Camera Definition Additions for Aerobatic Flight
-
silentsage
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:12 pm
Camera Definition Additions for Aerobatic Flight
I've been practicing aerobatics (actually, Blue Angel and Thunderbird maneuvers) in the F4-E and F-4J, and put together a set of additional camera views that helpful during maneuvers. There may be other ways to do this, but I wanted views that could be used in the virtual cockpit, were persistent, and which supported panning, zooming, and eye-point modifications. I have these mapped to various hat-switch positions and buttons on my HOTAS throttle.
These can be added to the aircraft.cfg files for the F-4E and the F-4J. The F-4E versions work with the F-4J models that come with the F-4E purchase, and the F-4J versions are for the stand-alone F-4J package that is purchased separately.
Before doing anything, make back-up copies of your aircraft.cfg files! Then copy these to the aircraft.cfg file and insert them after the existing CameraDefinition.001 block ("Aft Cockpit") (just like adding aircraft, but in a different place for a different purpose).
The views are mapped to hot keys so they can be, in turn, mapped to whatever switches or buttons you like.
The "Look Left" view looks directly to the left from the VC, is useful for keeping track of the horizon during vertical maneuvers, and is mapped to hot key 4. Using FSUIPC, this is mapped to "View Camera Select 4".
The "Look Right" is mapped to hot key 5.
The "Look Up" view allows you to look up and acquire the horizon as you come over the top in a vertical maneuver. Mapped to hot key 6. The mirror looks big, but in an F-4, when you look up, that's what you see.
The "Look Left Forward" and "Look Right Forward" are 45 degree left and right views that I've found useful in landing patterns and with TacPack. They are mapped to hot keys 7 and 8 respectively.
All the views are support panning, scaling, and eyepoint changes, so you can adjust to suit your needs.
If you want to get an appreciation of how good the MILVIZ F-4s are, watch the documentary "Threshold - The Blue Angel Experience". These camera definitions are similar to the video camera views used for the documentary, and the similarity between the sim and the video is remarkable.
I have similar views for the F-100, and I can post those if folks want them.
The four entries below are for the F-4E TacPack. They should work for the F-4E without TacPack, but they have not been tested with the non-TacPack version.
[CameraDefinition.0]
Title = "Look Left"
Guid = {3A09FD6C-D406-4d8f-A5CD-FA4F5E0A88ED}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 260
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 4
[CameraDefinition.1]
Title = "Look Right"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64A}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 100
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 5
[CameraDefinition.8]
Title = "Look Up"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64E}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= -60, 0, 0
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 6
[CameraDefinition.9]
Title = "Look Left Forward"
Guid = {D8D67951-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 310
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 7
[CameraDefinition.10]
Title = "Look Right Forward"
Guid = {D8D67952-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 45
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 8
The next four entries are for the stand-alone F-4J that is purchased separate from the F-4E.
[CameraDefinition.0]
Title = "Look Left"
Guid = {3A09FD6C-D406-4d8f-A5CD-FA4F5E0A88ED}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 260
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 4
[CameraDefinition.1]
Title = "Look Right"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64A}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 100
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 5
[CameraDefinition.8]
Title = "Look Up"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64E}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= -70, 0, 0
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 6
[CameraDefinition.9]
Title = "Look Left Forward"
Guid = {D8D67951-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 310
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 7
[CameraDefinition.10]
Title = "Look Right Forward"
Guid = {D8D67952-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 45
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 8
These can be added to the aircraft.cfg files for the F-4E and the F-4J. The F-4E versions work with the F-4J models that come with the F-4E purchase, and the F-4J versions are for the stand-alone F-4J package that is purchased separately.
Before doing anything, make back-up copies of your aircraft.cfg files! Then copy these to the aircraft.cfg file and insert them after the existing CameraDefinition.001 block ("Aft Cockpit") (just like adding aircraft, but in a different place for a different purpose).
The views are mapped to hot keys so they can be, in turn, mapped to whatever switches or buttons you like.
The "Look Left" view looks directly to the left from the VC, is useful for keeping track of the horizon during vertical maneuvers, and is mapped to hot key 4. Using FSUIPC, this is mapped to "View Camera Select 4".
The "Look Right" is mapped to hot key 5.
The "Look Up" view allows you to look up and acquire the horizon as you come over the top in a vertical maneuver. Mapped to hot key 6. The mirror looks big, but in an F-4, when you look up, that's what you see.
The "Look Left Forward" and "Look Right Forward" are 45 degree left and right views that I've found useful in landing patterns and with TacPack. They are mapped to hot keys 7 and 8 respectively.
All the views are support panning, scaling, and eyepoint changes, so you can adjust to suit your needs.
If you want to get an appreciation of how good the MILVIZ F-4s are, watch the documentary "Threshold - The Blue Angel Experience". These camera definitions are similar to the video camera views used for the documentary, and the similarity between the sim and the video is remarkable.
I have similar views for the F-100, and I can post those if folks want them.
The four entries below are for the F-4E TacPack. They should work for the F-4E without TacPack, but they have not been tested with the non-TacPack version.
[CameraDefinition.0]
Title = "Look Left"
Guid = {3A09FD6C-D406-4d8f-A5CD-FA4F5E0A88ED}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 260
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 4
[CameraDefinition.1]
Title = "Look Right"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64A}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 100
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 5
[CameraDefinition.8]
Title = "Look Up"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64E}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= -60, 0, 0
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 6
[CameraDefinition.9]
Title = "Look Left Forward"
Guid = {D8D67951-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 310
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 7
[CameraDefinition.10]
Title = "Look Right Forward"
Guid = {D8D67952-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 45
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 8
The next four entries are for the stand-alone F-4J that is purchased separate from the F-4E.
[CameraDefinition.0]
Title = "Look Left"
Guid = {3A09FD6C-D406-4d8f-A5CD-FA4F5E0A88ED}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 260
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 4
[CameraDefinition.1]
Title = "Look Right"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64A}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 100
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 5
[CameraDefinition.8]
Title = "Look Up"
Guid = {D8D67955-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC64E}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= -70, 0, 0
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 6
[CameraDefinition.9]
Title = "Look Left Forward"
Guid = {D8D67951-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 310
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 7
[CameraDefinition.10]
Title = "Look Right Forward"
Guid = {D8D67952-2E9B-4e75-9D8B-8EFFBBFAC12B}
Description = Preflilght inspection
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.3
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz= 0, 0.0, 0.0
InitialPbh= 10, 0, 45
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
ClipMode=Minimum
HotKeySelect = 8