A-20 Bombsight Keyboard Commands

[SFC_Scott]

After experimenting with the bombsight keyboard commands in game, and searching this forum, I am still at a loss. Are there no keyboard commands to manipulate the bombsight controls in the A-20??  The Bombay doors and bomb delay/mode work fine. I'd like to assign the other controls to my flight controllers but have been failing...

Edited October 26, 2022 by SFC_Scott

[Jade_Monkey]

You have to use the mouse

[DD_Crash]

Yes it would improve things for bombers

[SFC_Scott]

21 minutes ago, Jade_Monkey said:

You have to use the mouse

Well that is truly disappointing.   Thanks to both of you.

[R33GZ]

That's weird.... not that I've used them, but I thought there are key bindings for bombsight commands, sight velocity/altitude etc. No idea if they actually work, or maybe they are tank controls? Will have another look tonight

 

[Hotaru_Ito]

3 hours ago, R33GZ said:

That's weird.... not that I've used them, but I thought there are key bindings for bombsight commands, sight velocity/altitude etc. No idea if they actually work, or maybe they are tank controls? Will have another look tonight

 

I think those are for the bombsights in-cockpit, like the Stuvi sight in the Ar-234 and Me-410. Don't think they work for the actual level bombsight. Haven't checked though.

[R33GZ]

That would make sense, you kinda need to be in the mombsight mode to effectively level bomb, which kinda makes key bindings a bit redundant

[SFC_Scott]

1 hour ago, Hotaru_Ito said:

 

I think those are for the bombsights in-cockpit, like the Stuvi sight in the Ar-234 and Me-410. Don't think they work for the actual level bombsight. Haven't checked though.

They do not work for the level bombsight.  It gets a bit tedious having to move the mouse cursor from the lower left to the upper right....basically moving the cursor all over the screen (at least if you use the mouse for the bomb delay, mode and Bombay door)..in order to index data on the different bombsight controls. And then it is often difficult to be precise with the mouse as it is easy to over adjust the dials in any given direction.  The option of key commands would just make using the level bomb sight less cumbersome.  But I suppose the developers figured medium level Bombing in the A-20 wasn't going to be popular and probably not worth the trouble...

Edited October 27, 2022 by SFC_Scott

[Strewth]

14 hours ago, SFC_Scott said:

After experimenting with the bombsight keyboard commands in game, and searching this forum, I am still at a loss. Are there no keyboard commands to manipulate the bombsight controls in the A-20??  The Bombay doors and bomb delay/mode work fine. I'd like to assign the other controls to my flight controllers but have been failing...

It is indeed carried out with the mouse.
Which actually makes it a lot easier in VR.

 

[Trooper117]

I'm not really a bomber type chap, but the few times I've used the bomb sight view for level bombing I thought it was quite easy to use... (I still can't hit a cow in the arse with a banjo using it mind)...

Having said that there are numerous videos out there that helped me get the hang of it that were very useful.

[DD_Crash]

I use VR and would rather have buttons mapped for the sight controls

[Strewth]

Each to their own.
I find the mouse in VR very simple and straight forward.
You want a setting on a dial? You drag the dial to the location.
You want to move a lever? You drag it across.
You want to press a button? You put that little mousey finger over it and press away.

But, as I say.
Each to their own.

[JG4_Moltke1871]

From time to time some commands find the way in the settings they not ready. Like the settings for the fuel system. Seems experimental or work in progress. I would appreciate can set level bombsight commands on keys/buttons. Time will tell we get it or not ?

[SFC_Scott]

15 hours ago, Trooper117 said:

I'm not really a bomber type chap, but the few times I've used the bomb sight view for level bombing I thought it was quite easy to use... (I still can't hit a cow in the arse with a banjo using it mind)...

Having said that there are numerous videos out there that helped me get the hang of it that were very useful.

It's not difficult to use by any means. But that doesn't t mean it couldn't t be streamlined a bit more.  In situations where one might find he doesn't have a lot of time to index the data, assigned keystrokes to a controller would certainly make indexing that data go a lot faster.  Just because something is good, doesn't mean it couldn't be better.

15 hours ago, Strewth said:

It is indeed carried out with the mouse.
Which actually makes it a lot easier in VR.

 

I'm a TrackIR guy myself, but I'd think that having key commands would be even more beneficial to a VR user. The key commands could be assigned to your flight controller eliminating the need to release your flight controller and go fumbling around for a mouse.  I don't expect the developers to actually change anything.  They have key commands for literally everything else. I'm just a little surprised they didn't incorporate them into the bombsight.  I'll live.

[Trooper117]

Well, if they never get around to allowing bomb sight key commands, our SFC Scotty, an E-7, will just do what any good airborne soldier would do... 'Adapt and Overcome' that little obstacle...  

[Strewth]

10 hours ago, SFC_Scott said:

It's not difficult to use by any means. But that doesn't t mean it couldn't t be streamlined a bit more.  In situations where one might find he doesn't have a lot of time to index the data, assigned keystrokes to a controller would certainly make indexing that data go a lot faster.  Just because something is good, doesn't mean it couldn't be better.

I'm a TrackIR guy myself, but I'd think that having key commands would be even more beneficial to a VR user. The key commands could be assigned to your flight controller eliminating the need to release your flight controller and go fumbling around for a mouse.  I don't expect the developers to actually change anything.  They have key commands for literally everything else. I'm just a little surprised they didn't incorporate them into the bombsight.  I'll live.

My mouse sits patiently just to the right of my joystick. Since the aircraft is on a form of level flight, I just gently slide my right hand down to caress my mouse and place its little finger thingy on all the parts that I want to see move. It really is quite rewarding and instantaneous. Well. For me at least.

But seriously. It really is simple and convenient. Every item moves with a simple touch. It all works without fumbling for keys.

Cheers.

[DEDMANcjp]

I use a track ball mouse and love it.

Once you get used to it - super  easy.

[SFC_Scott]

8 hours ago, Strewth said:

My mouse sits patiently just to the right of my joystick. Since the aircraft is on a form of level flight, I just gently slide my right hand down to caress my mouse and place its little finger thingy on all the parts that I want to see move. It really is quite rewarding and instantaneous. Well. For me at least.

But seriously. It really is simple and convenient. Every item moves with a simple touch. It all works without fumbling for keys.

Cheers.

I use a track ball.  It also is located where I can easily reach it.  I don't regard this as some insurmountable obstacle.  I've been using computers and gaming for a long time.  All I'm saying is that I was surprised they didn't incorporate key commands for the level bombsight (in addition to the mouse functionality) because they created key commands for everything else.  As simple as using the mouse is with the bombsight, being able to assign key commands to a flight controller would have made it even better. That's it.

[DEDMANcjp]

I see your point.  That's a great rig.

Edited October 28, 2022 by DEDMANcjp

[Strewth]

3 hours ago, SFC_Scott said:

I use a track ball.  It also is located where I can easily reach it.  I don't regard this as some insurmountable obstacle.  I've been using computers and gaming for a long time.  All I'm saying is that I was surprised they didn't incorporate key commands for the level bombsight (in addition to the mouse functionality) because they created key commands for everything else.  As simple as using the mouse is with the bombsight, being able to assign key commands to a flight controller would have made it even better. That's it.

I was only trying to place a little humour into the subject with the beginning of my last post.

For me the mouse works and works well.

I have no problems if there are keys assigned and I am not arguing against it.

[SFC_Scott]

15 hours ago, Trooper117 said:

Well, if they never get around to allowing bomb sight key commands, our SFC Scotty, an E-7, will just do what any good airborne soldier would do... 'Adapt and Overcome' that little obstacle...  

Always!!  But your SFC Scotty, the E-7 (Retired) is always looking to improve economy of motion in order to maximize efficiency for optimal performance.  ?

3 hours ago, DEDMANcjp said:

I see your point.  That's a great rig.

Thanks! It was a little project I started at the beginning of the pandemic shenanigans.  It has gone through a number of evolutionary changes, but I've almost got it layed out the way I want it.  I may finish it up this weekend.

26 minutes ago, Strewth said:

I was only trying to place a little humour into the subject with the beginning of my last post.

For me the mouse works and works well.

I have no problems if there are keys assigned and I am not arguing against it.

I see! Humor is good and sadly often misinterpreted in this format.  I actually designed my flight sim/gaming rig to be as ergonomic as I could while fitting into my budget....which was zero dollars.  That is what led me to create this thread in the first place.  Assigning bombsight key commands to my flight yoke was going to be my last step! The best economy of motion I was going to achieve!  I was no longer going to have to let go of the flight yoke to manipulate the bomb sight.  When I realized I couldn't do that, I had a WTF moment. ?

[DEDMANcjp]

14 hours ago, SFC_Scott said:

Always!!  But your SFC Scotty, the E-7 (Retired) is always looking to improve economy of motion in order to maximize efficiency for optimal performance.  ?

Thanks! It was a little project I started at the beginning of the pandemic shenanigans.  It has gone through a number of evolutionary changes, but I've almost got it layed out the way I want it.  I may finish it up this weekend.

I see! Humor is good and sadly often misinterpreted in this format.  I actually designed my flight sim/gaming rig to be as ergonomic as I could while fitting into my budget....which was zero dollars.  That is what led me to create this thread in the first place.  Assigning bombsight key commands to my flight yoke was going to be my last step! The best economy of motion I was going to achieve!  I was no longer going to have to let go of the flight yoke to manipulate the bomb sight.  When I realized I couldn't do that, I had a WTF moment. ?

SFC_Scott  I am not an experienced sim pilot.  If I may ask about the multi gauge screen you have set up below your monitor. I would love that if I could purchase it.

Also is that a 4K screen.   Thanks

 

[[CPT]Crunch]

Bout time the bomber guys got a little lovin, all in favor of more keys, more control, all around.  I too have the ability to integrate more into my set up but can't.  Eventually that forces many of us to move on to the place that will. 

[SFC_Scott]

12 hours ago, DEDMANcjp said:

SFC_Scott  I am not an experienced sim pilot.  If I may ask about the multi gauge screen you have set up below your monitor. I would love that if I could purchase it.

Also is that a 4K screen.   Thanks

 

The guy developing the app is right here on this forum!!!  It's free!!!  It is the IL-2 version of Air Manager. It's called IL2 Dials. You need the client and the server. The developer is also on Discord.  I don't have the link right handy, but if you search IL2 Dials in this forum, and follow the link I posted, you'll be on the right track! The monitor on my desk is not 4K. The television on the wall is.

 

https://dellywelly.itch.io/il-2-dials-client-windows

[SFC_Scott]

I'm no craftsman.  I'm just a guy that had a bunch of crap laying around and some extra time on his hands. I decided to put together a flight sim table and chair.  For something that I put together with scrap wood and my grandson's POS gaming chair that was sitting in my shop collecting dust, it works well.  I know I created this thread for the A-20 bombsight, but maybe these pictures will give someone an idea for their own project.