Assigning Zoom to an Axis

[No.615_Digby]

Hello guys,

Sorry if this has already been suggested as a feature (and if it has also been ruled out as not possible). What I am referring to, is the ability to assign an axis (for example the Warthog's throttle friction) to zoom much like what is possible in BoX/DCS. For me personally, this would be very handy and I am sure others would find it useful too!

Let me know what you think!

Thanks,

Digby

[Erpr.Gr.210_Mölders]

Maybe impossible for the RAF teabags not for the Luftwaffe technical crews!


Easy to be done. Simply edit accordingly your ConfUser.ini file ( remember to make a backup of the original file first! ).

Every key/axis on your joystick/throttle have a specific ID number followed by the key\axis ID ( Sample based on my Thrustmaster joystick: TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key8, TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key7, TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_RZ, TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_Z ).

Go to game options/controls and make a note of the various ID numbers linked to each key/axis you are using. Once you know the ID number you can easily edit the ConfUser.ini file using Notepad accordingly to your preferences.

Sample ( Here I have assigned the zoom in/out function both to my mouse buttons ( used with the right hand ) and to two throttle keys ( used with the left hand thumb ). Highlighted in black are the keys\axes used in these samples:

[HotKey viewSet]
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key8=fov+
Alt MouseLeft=DashBoard
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key7=StartStop
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key6=fov-
MouseFour=Reset
MouseMiddle=fov-
MouseLeft=fov+

Reference image about keys used in the sample above on mine Thrustmaster throttle and what you get in game menu Options/Controls/Camera ( Left-click the image to enlarge it )

* Ignore the " Field of view 30° " field, I've made an error while editing the image and I've included it in the sample red highlighted box

In the sample below instead I have edited the ConfUser.ini file in the same way but using joystick axis ( In this example the axis used is the " Butterfly " lever in front of my Thrustmaster throttle ):

[HotKey viewSet]
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_RZ=fov+
Alt MouseLeft=DashBoard
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key7=StartStop
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_Z=fov-
MouseFour=Reset
MouseMiddle=fov-
MouseLeft=fov+

Reference image about axis used in the sample above on mine Thrustmaster throttle ( Left-click the image to enlarge it )



*Final note: If you have a key/axis working in the game, it is forced to have an unique ID number assigned to it. If you know the ID number then you can edit any key/axis you want following your preferences.

IMPORTANT TIP:: Before making your modifications to the file keep in mind that some axis buttons\levers\pedals are equipped with a re-center position mechanism! A tipycal example about this, is assigning an axis equipped with a re-center position mechanism to the propeller pitch...until you will keep pressed the axis chosen all ok...but soon as you will stop applying pressure on it or when you will be " hands-off " from it, the selected axis, thanks to the re-center position mechanism, will return automatically to its middle position. In this example you will see your propeller pitch decreasing drammatically to about 5:30 o' clock position with the peril of damaging your aircraft's engine or, even worst, being caught in a danger situation with your engine almost out of power! So be careful in your axis choice!


I hope this is what you were searching for! See you in the skies!

[ATAG_Snapper]

I’ve tried this - it works and it can be a real time saver.

Thanks for posting this, Mölders.

Thread stickied.

[Kendy for the State]

I'm confused by this... It looks like you have 2 axes assigned to the view zoom; one for zooming in, and one for zooming out. Wouldn't one axis do the trick? rotate one direction to zoom in, and the other direction to zoom out? I've tried this on my joystick, a Cyborg Gold that has an axis called "U" with the command "CYBORG_3D_USB-A4C0F12D+U=fov+" and it doesn't do anything, so obviously I'm not understanding how this works.

[Bonditaria]

In Control Options/Camera you can assign a hotkey to: "Hold to Adjust Field of View", then in-game you hold that key and drag the mouse to change FOV.
If you can make your axis send mouse signals with some software this may work for you.

FOV.jpg

[Kendy for the State]

In Control Options/Camera you can assign a hotkey to: "Hold to Adjust Field of View", then in-game you hold that key and drag the mouse to change FOV.
If you can make your axis send mouse signals with some software this may work for you.

FOV.jpg

Thanks, but that is not convenient or easy at all! You're suggesting that I use one hand to hold down a modifier key, then take my other hand off the joystick to move the mouse wheel. Not going to happen.

On the old IL2 I could use one finger to smoothly zoom in and out with an axis, on CLOD I have to use switches. In my case I use the hat switch for changing FOV and zooming in and out, and it works fine, but is not nearly as smooth or controllable as using an axis. There used to be a confuser.ini setting to adjust the zoom speed, but that doesn't seem to work any more, so zooming with the hat switch is very jerky, and because it zooms in and out so fast it is hard to get the zoom just as I want it. I believe BOS also uses an axis to zoom.

No matter, it works well enough as it is. Not worth getting into a tizzy over, I am used to it now.


Regards!

[1lokos]

I'm confused by this... It looks like you have 2 axes assigned to the view zoom; one for zooming in, and one for zooming out. Wouldn't one axis do the trick? rotate one direction to zoom in, and the other direction to zoom out?

I notice the same, example show that used rocker and throttle axis of TWCS - IMO too much axis expense for achieve the same operation than using keys/buttons.

I've tried this on my joystick, a Cyborg Gold that has an axis called "U" with the command "CYBORG_3D_USB-A4C0F12D+U=fov+" and it doesn't do anything, so obviously I'm not understanding how this works.

I have the same negative result using VKB Gladiator throttle and twist axis, no practical resulting in game, tested by curiosity.

Bonditaria
In Control Options/Camera you can assign a hotkey to: "Hold to Adjust Field of View", then in-game you hold that key and drag the mouse to change FOV.
If you can make your axis send mouse signals with some software this may work for you.

In CloD early days this are used for have "zoom" control in buttons, using JoyToKey buttons to emulate mouse movements and an simultaneous pressing "Hold to Adjust Field of View" - for override "independent mode", the "click'pit".

But after TFS add Fov+ and Fov- options (for key or buttons) the mouse emulation option became obsolete, because the result is the same and require use external software for mouse emulation (JoyToKey, XPadder...)

The thing is, wort have zoom assignable in axis?
Too few controllers have a axis practical placed for use for this, I remember of Cougar TQS "antenna" and "range rotaries under index and thumb finger an VPC T50 throttle rotarie/slider under ring finger.

[Kendy for the State]

The thing is, wort have zoom assignable in axis?
Too few controllers have a axis practical placed for use for this, I remember of Cougar TQS "antenna" and "range rotaries under index and thumb finger an VPC T50 throttle rotarie/slider under ring finger.

I'm working on several variations of a joystick where I would like to add a thumbwheel next to the hat switch for zooming...it would be nice if it worked with CLOD.

[Erpr.Gr.210_Mölders]

I notice the same, example show that used rocker and throttle axis of TWCS - IMO too much axis expense for achieve the same operation than using keys/buttons.

As said above that was just a sample, that's not the settings I am using

In addition take in mind that I use the double zoom in/out configuration ( Sample #1 ) due to the fact I fly mostly the Bf 110 ( so becomes very handy having the chance to have the zoom available to both hands usage, especially when manning and occupying the rear gunner position ).
When I fly the Bf 109, for example, I use simply one key for zoom in and another to zoom out.

[Erpr.Gr.210_Mölders]

I have the same negative result using VKB Gladiator throttle and twist axis, no practical resulting in game, tested by curiosity.

Can you please report the relevant section of your ConfUser.ini file ( [HotKey viewSet] section )? ( Just curious to check if you edit it correctly )
Just to be sure re-check also that the CYBORG_3D_USB-A4C0F12D+U is effectively the corrrect ID of the axis. If the axis is detected by the game correctly you should have two axis ID displayed for it ( something like CYBORG_3D_USB-A4C0F12D+U and CYBORG_3D_USB-A4C0F12D+UZ ) depending on the direction of movement of the axis ( one for the up/down position or one for the right/left position depending on the axis movement of your throttle/twist ).
It's just a guess but I presume that you inserted the axis ID when it was in the center position or not moved at all, that's probably why it didnt work. Try to, when setting up the axis of choise in the Options/Controls menu, to move it up and down ( or left/right ) and check if you get 2 different IDs depending on the movement done.

Sample

TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_RZ= The lever of my throttle pushed left

TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_Z= The lever of my throttle pushed right

[Erpr.Gr.210_Mölders]

I'm confused by this... It looks like you have 2 axes assigned to the view zoom; one for zooming in, and one for zooming out. Wouldn't one axis do the trick? rotate one direction to zoom in, and the other direction to zoom out? I've tried this on my joystick, a Cyborg Gold that has an axis called "U" with the command "CYBORG_3D_USB-A4C0F12D+U=fov+" and it doesn't do anything, so obviously I'm not understanding how this works.

In this case just one axis will not do the trick no because the axis I've used have a re-center position mechanism so that's why I have had to set the 2 axis ( Note that was just a sample, that's not a configuration that I use actually ).
If you have troubles in let it work, copy and paste your ConfUser.ini file here and I'll edit it for you.

[1lokos]

In this case just one axis will not do the trick no because the axis I've used have a re-center position mechanism so that's why I have had to set the 2 axis

Can try set the rocker ("Butterfly") axis for Zoom in and out creating two new virtual axis with the function "Split" of Joystick Gremlin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcCyq4aDpM8

So rocker for right - one axis = zoom in
Rocker for left - other axis = zoom out

[charle3]

Maybe impossible for the RAF teabags not for the Luftwaffe technical crews!


Easy to be done. Simply edit accordingly your ConfUser.ini file ( remember to make a backup of the original file first! ).

Every key/axis on your joystick/throttle have a specific ID number followed by the key\axis ID ( Sample based on my Thrustmaster joystick: TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key8, TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key7, TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_RZ, TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_Z ).

Go to game options/controls and make a note of the various ID numbers linked to each key/axis you are using. Once you know the ID number you can easily edit the ConfUser.ini file using Notepad accordingly to your preferences.

Sample ( Here I have assigned the zoom in/out function both to my mouse buttons ( used with the right hand ) and to two throttle keys ( used with the left hand thumb ). Highlighted in black are the keys\axes used in these samples:

[HotKey viewSet]
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key8=fov+
Alt MouseLeft=DashBoard
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key7=StartStop
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key6=fov-
MouseFour=Reset
MouseMiddle=fov-
MouseLeft=fov+

Reference image about keys used in the sample above on mine Thrustmaster throttle and what you get in game menu Options/Controls/Camera ( Left-click the image to enlarge it )

* Ignore the " Field of view 30° " field, I've made an error while editing the image and I've included it in the sample red highlighted box

In the sample below instead I have edited the ConfUser.ini file in the same way but using joystick axis ( In this example the axis used is the " Butterfly " lever in front of my Thrustmaster throttle ):

[HotKey viewSet]
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_RZ=fov+
Alt MouseLeft=DashBoard
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+Key7=StartStop
TWCS_Throttle-1126EC41+AXE_Z=fov-
MouseFour=Reset
MouseMiddle=fov-
MouseLeft=fov+

Reference image about axis used in the sample above on mine Thrustmaster throttle ( Left-click the image to enlarge it )



*Final note: If you have a key/axis working in the game, it is forced to have an unique ID number assigned to it. If you know the ID number then you can edit any key/axis you want following your preferences.

IMPORTANT TIP:: Before making your modifications to the file keep in mind that some axis buttons\levers\pedals are equipped with a re-center position mechanism! A tipycal example about this, is assigning an axis equipped with a re-center position mechanism to the propeller pitch...until you will keep pressed the axis chosen all ok...but soon as you will stop applying pressure on it or when you will be " hands-off " from it, the selected axis, thanks to the re-center position mechanism, will return automatically to its middle position. In this example you will see your propeller pitch decreasing drammatically to about 5:30 o' clock position with the peril of damaging your aircraft's engine or, even worst, being caught in a danger situation with your engine almost out of power! So be careful in your axis choice!


I hope this is what you were searching for! See you in the skies!

Thankyou so much for sharing the details Mölders

[hnbdgr]

Hey everyone!

just checking - is the above still the best way to use an axis zoom? I have a slider on my WW f18 throttle that's perfect for it in DCS and BOS, but can't get it to work with Blitz...

cheers

[Bonditaria]

Some things have changed since this thread was written for an older version of the sim. For example, the control menu options are now called "zoom in" and "zoom out" instead of "field of view +" and "field of view -", and the internal view zoom and external view zoom are separated into two Control menus: View and Camera.

In general nothing is different, zooming in and out is still controlled by keystrokes in the sim, but of course you can program an axis to send keystrokes either in your hotas firmware or with external software.