External camera views

[Mannawar]

OK, don't laugh, because I'm so new at this.............How do I access external camera views???    I have the cameras set to default, and I'm pressing buttons, but nothing is happening.   (I can hear you laughing)         ie)  F3 is a flyby,  F2 - external view of player plane,  etc.  I've also tried LAlt+F2 to switch to external.   I've read all kinds of stuff in the forum, but it's all more complex than what I'm looking for.  

Does it matter what kind of mission, or aircraft I'm flying??

So when you're done laughing and shaking your head, could you please help me out.  Your patience is appreciated. 

[curiousGamblerr]

I'm assuming single player and not multiplayer: In your difficulty settings, make sure the option about "allow spectator views" is turned on. I believe Expert difficulty turns it off, so you will probably need to use Custom and check the box manually. 

 

On multiplayer, its a server setting and disabled on basically all servers for realism.

 

Hopefully that helps!

 

(PS I didn't even laugh... because I'm at work   happy flying!)

[DD_Arthur]

I understand and I'm not laughing.

 

Go into the Quick Mission Builder screen and down the bottom right is the select realism button.  Click on it, select Custom Mode and then make sure the Allow Spectators is checked.

 

 

Edit; yep, Gamblerr beat me to it    

Edited July 27, 2017 by DD_Arthur

[Mannawar]

Hey  there "Gambler",    Brilliant!   Clear and simple.  Ta very much, and thanks for not laughing.)        And, umm, what are you doing here while you're at work.............heh, heh

Hi Arthur,  I appreciate your reply.....fast too!  Glad you're not laughing;  there's a lot to figure out.

[Cpt_Cool]

I know its in the name of realism, but its a bummer that no "Allow Spectators" diminishes the beauty of this sim somewhat.

Edited July 27, 2017 by Cpt_Cool

[anomejackblackaust]

Thank you Gambler  - I had the same problem. As for Cpt_Cool:  No diminution of the 'beauty' of the sim occurs, and scalability only strengthens it.  If the sim is accessible only to 'experten', it will fail.

[CAFulcrum]

If you're using a laptop you might need to push the 'fn' button while pressing f1...etc otherwise it reverts to a special button bar or something (ie f4 and f5 change brightness instead of acting as Function buttons).

[Stoopy]

For multiplayer servers that disable external views (which is most),  record the flight & play back later, then you can get those external views as well as cycle through friendly/enemy aircraft & ground objects to get a better sense of what was going on during your flight.