My Control Scheme Adventure

[[TWB]Sauerkraut-]

I use a T.Flight HOTAS 4, which is a stupid product that I would recommend to no one on the PC. (Not because it's cheap, but because it make no sense in Thrustmaster's product line) I have already make a rant about it here: 

 

 

Because the HOTAS 4 is severely limited in the button department, I have had to use my keyboard for quite a few commands. It has worked alright so far, using WASDQE for engine related controls, the numpad for trim, and some other random controls for misc. things like selecting bomb release mode. However, It has felt a bit unsatisfactory for me. Then,  I had an idea. What if I used some of the buttons on my HOTAS as modifiers, allowing me to have multiple different functions for each key?

 

I ran into my first problem: how to assign controller to keyboard macros. Thrustmaster doesn't have any software for the HOTAS 4, so I would have to use something third party.

I found this AMAZING piece of software: "Universal Control Remapper". This is basically the ultimate bridge between any kind of controller and a keyboard/mouse, the possibilities with this program are MASSIVE.

Link: https://github.com/evilC/UCR

 

Now I had the means. Now, how should I set up my controls? Here is what I have currently, but I'm still tweaking things a bit to find what works the best:

(Also, I've still kept all of my old keyboard commands just in case I reach to use them out of habit, or forget one of my new controls)

 

 

With no Modifier:

Gun Trigger: Machine Guns Only

Weapons Release: Bombs

Misc. 4: Activate Boost

Misc. 10/9: Increase/Decrease Propeller RPM & Decrease/Increase Propeller Pitch

Hat Up/Down: Zoom In/Out

Hat Left/Right: Rudder Trim

 

With LShift:

Gun Trigger: All Guns

Weapons Release: Rockets

Misc. 4: Switch Supercharger Gear

Misc. 10/9: Flaps Down/Up

Hat Up/Down: Elevator/Stabilizer Trim

Hat Left/Right: Aileron Trim

 

With LCTRL:

Gun Trigger: Cannons Only

Weapons Release: None (I didn't want to bind anything else to this button for fear of accidentally dropping bombs)

Misc. 4: Change bomb release mode

Misc. 10/9: Increase/Decrease fuel mixture

Hat Up/Down: Open/Close water radiators

Hat Left/Right: Close/Open oil radiators

 

With LWIN:

Gun Trigger: None

Weapons Release: None

Misc. 4: Change rocket release mode

Misc. 10/9: Brakes/Tail wheel lock

Hat Up/Down:  Increase/Decrease target range (In anticipation of *hopefully* getting gyro gun sights in Bodenplatte, and for the Spitfire)

Hat Left/Right: Decrease/Increase target wingspan

 

With LALT:

Gun Trigger: None

Weapons Release: None

Misc. 4: Switch between man/auto prop pitch

Misc. 10/9: Navigation/Landing lights

Hat Up: Control all Engines

Hat Down: Control Engine 3

Hat Left: Control Engine 1

Hat Right: Control Engine 2

 

With RALT:

Gun Trigger: None

Weapons Release: None

Misc. 4: Stuka Siren

Misc. 10/9: Cockpit/Formation Lights

Hat Up: Auto/Man water radiators

Hat Down: Gear

Hat Left: Prop Feathering

Hat Right: Air Brakes

 

The rest of the controls are fine staying on the keyboard simply due to how infrequently I use them. With this control scheme, I have essentially everything I could possibly need to do in a flight except for bailing out mapped on my cheap HOTAS. I made this post to share my idea with anyone who may benefit from a setup like this, or to hear ideas on rearranging my controls to something a bit more sensible. I'd love to hear your ideas!

[Leon_Portier]

Nice one!

Gotta check that remapper out, I have the same joystick and broke many buttons already, so I´m using a gamepad as button panel, I do feel the need too to put modefiers on it.

[Sokol1]

Quote

Weapons Release: None (I didn't want to bind anything else to this button for fear of accidentally dropping bombs)

 

You can do the inverse - add a "safety cap" (modifier - LShift...) for bombs release and use the button only for, e.g. fire rockets. Drop bombs is not something that you use all time, even with "unlimited ammo" enabled.

Edited April 23, 2018 by Sokol1

[[TWB]Sauerkraut-]

18 minutes ago, Sokol1 said:

 

You can do the inverse - add a "safety cap" (modifier - LShift...) for bombs release and use the button only for, e.g. fire rockets. Drop bombs is not something that you use all time, even with "unlimited ammo" enabled.

 

Hadn't thought of that, thanks for the suggestion!

[-TBC-AeroAce]

Lol good ingenuity!!!! Always feels good to get work arounds in place. I personally could not work with that.

 

I would also defo change "fire only mg" with no modifier to "fire all guns" with no modifier. You do want to have to think to do max damage.

[[TWB]Sauerkraut-]

34 minutes ago, AeroAce said:

 

I would also defo change "fire only mg" with no modifier to "fire all guns" with no modifier. You do want to have to think to do max damage.

 

I used to have my controls set up in this way, but I find that the way I have it now helps me be more disciplined with my cannons, especially on planes that have quite limited cannon ammo like the spit or yak.

[-TBC-AeroAce]

Each to their own bru

[angus26]

I find that the separate buttons to fire machine guns and cannons can be very useful, especially with aircraft like the aircobra, where different situations call for different weapons. 

[Flamboyant_Flamingo]

4 hours ago, itsthatguy said:

I use a T.Flight HOTAS 4, which is a stupid product that I would recommend to no one on the PC. (Not because it's cheap, but because it make no sense in Thrustmaster's product line) I have already make a rant about it here: 

 

 

Because the HOTAS 4 is severely limited in the button department, I have had to use my keyboard for quite a few commands. It has worked alright so far, using WASDQE for engine related controls, the numpad for trim, and some other random controls for misc. things like selecting bomb release mode. However, It has felt a bit unsatisfactory for me. Then,  I had an idea. What if I used some of the buttons on my HOTAS as modifiers, allowing me to have multiple different functions for each key?

 

I ran into my first problem: how to assign controller to keyboard macros. Thrustmaster doesn't have any software for the HOTAS 4, so I would have to use something third party.

I found this AMAZING piece of software: "Universal Control Remapper". This is basically the ultimate bridge between any kind of controller and a keyboard/mouse, the possibilities with this program are MASSIVE.

Link: https://github.com/evilC/UCR

 

Now I had the means. Now, how should I set up my controls? Here is what I have currently, but I'm still tweaking things a bit to find what works the best:

(Also, I've still kept all of my old keyboard commands just in case I reach to use them out of habit, or forget one of my new controls)

 

 

With no Modifier:

Gun Trigger: Machine Guns Only

Weapons Release: Bombs

Misc. 4: Activate Boost

Misc. 10/9: Increase/Decrease Propeller RPM & Decrease/Increase Propeller Pitch

Hat Up/Down: Zoom In/Out

Hat Left/Right: Rudder Trim

 

With LShift:

Gun Trigger: All Guns

Weapons Release: Rockets

Misc. 4: Switch Supercharger Gear

Misc. 10/9: Flaps Down/Up

Hat Up/Down: Elevator/Stabilizer Trim

Hat Left/Right: Aileron Trim

 

With LCTRL:

Gun Trigger: Cannons Only

Weapons Release: None (I didn't want to bind anything else to this button for fear of accidentally dropping bombs)

Misc. 4: Change bomb release mode

Misc. 10/9: Increase/Decrease fuel mixture

Hat Up/Down: Open/Close water radiators

Hat Left/Right: Close/Open oil radiators

 

With LWIN:

Gun Trigger: None

Weapons Release: None

Misc. 4: Change rocket release mode

Misc. 10/9: Brakes/Tail wheel lock

Hat Up/Down:  Increase/Decrease target range (In anticipation of *hopefully* getting gyro gun sights in Bodenplatte, and for the Spitfire)

Hat Left/Right: Decrease/Increase target wingspan

 

With LALT:

Gun Trigger: None

Weapons Release: None

Misc. 4: Switch between man/auto prop pitch

Misc. 10/9: Navigation/Landing lights

Hat Up: Control all Engines

Hat Down: Control Engine 3

Hat Left: Control Engine 1

Hat Right: Control Engine 2

 

With RALT:

Gun Trigger: None

Weapons Release: None

Misc. 4: Stuka Siren

Misc. 10/9: Cockpit/Formation Lights

Hat Up: Auto/Man water radiators

Hat Down: Gear

Hat Left: Prop Feathering

Hat Right: Air Brakes

 

The rest of the controls are fine staying on the keyboard simply due to how infrequently I use them. With this control scheme, I have essentially everything I could possibly need to do in a flight except for bailing out mapped on my cheap HOTAS. I made this post to share my idea with anyone who may benefit from a setup like this, or to hear ideas on rearranging my controls to something a bit more sensible. I'd love to hear your ideas!

 

Did you try plugging the printer in?