2D or Virtual Cockpit

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On Fri, 05 Mar 2004 19:19:54 GMT, RichR wrote:


Hi Rich,

I can't give you comprehensive expert definitions, but I'll give you
some of my impressions. The following comments are assuming that no
customized "eye point" options have been invoked. Also, in reading my
comments, you should know that my computer wasn't built with graphics
intensive gaming in mind. My CPU is not so great (Intel Celeron 2.4
ghz), there's minimal memory (512 mb), and my graphics card is
marginal at best (ASUS GeForce2 MX/MX 400, with 64 mb video RAM).
With a more powerful computer, I'm sure that overall performance
would be better. I have to be pretty careful with some of my scenery
settings in order to get decent, smooth performance (though it is
possible in all but the most intensive weather graphics). That said,
here are my impressions...

The default 2D panel views usually show more of the gauges, switches,
buttons, etc., at the expense of "outside" view screen area when
looking over the panel. When you use the hat switch to "pan" in 2D
panel view, the views are the indexed, 8 point views (no smooth
panning). Some of the payware planes I have offer the option to view
the 2D panel in such a way that it takes less screen space, yet all
the essential flight controls are still visible (takes up about the
same space as the corresponding virtual cockpit view).

The default virtual cockpit view usually shows all the essential
flight controls, yet it takes up less screen space than the default
2D panel, so you can see more scenery over the panel. In most of the
default planes, the virtual cockpit graphics/textures are not as
clear and/or realistic as seen in the 2D panels. However, I'll note
here that with my payware add-on planes, the textures and clarity of
the virtual cockpit graphics are quite good. In the virtual cockpits,
panning with the hat switch is smooth, rather than being limited to
the 8 point indexing of the panning in 2D panel view. I do a lot of
view panning when I fly, so I really prefer the smooth panning of the
virtual cockpit.

The virtual cockpits can, however, drop your frame rate a bit. Also,
gauge movements in the 2D panel are generally a little smoother than
they are in the virtual cockpit.

With most of my favorite planes, I'll generally use the virtual
cockpits, though I'll switch to 2D view at certain moments. For
example, when I'm flying VFR (my usual preference), before I take
off, I'll set up the 2D panel with a carefully placed/resized GPS, so
that if I want to, I can check that view to quickly see terrain
features and nearby airports in the GPS.

- --
Melissa

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Hi Melissa,

Any comments/thoughts re why the graphics are so lousy in virtual
cockpits, and why they look like "I'm in a fishbowl in the pilot seat
headrest, and everything looks elongated"?

Regards,
John
"Melissa" <willkayakforfoodREMOVE_THIS@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:61mh4097nfsajg66h65ff13unkanj5rf28@4ax.com...

John Ward wrote:
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John,
I don't find that to be the case. Maybe you have been using the virtual
cockpit with the sun in the wrong position! One of the realistic benefits of
this view is that the shade moves as you turn of course. I know I have my
three screens, so that does make a difference, but with a high definition
such as 3840 X 1024, the guages are as clear as the 2D panel. I also find
that using Ctrl -Enter and Crl -Backspace etc. I can quickly get any view I
want. The scenery always looks more convincing from the 3D cockpit to me as
a RL pilot. I also find that using NumLock and the number pad to take very
quick views to the side or rear is much more like the real thing. It doesn't
stop you keeping the cockpit panel ahead.
Just a few thoughts anyhow.
The Virtual cockpit is very useful in choppers, but I think one needs to
experiment with the + and _ keys and all the other combinations to get it
right. A litle tweaking of the aircraft .cfg file can also make a big
difference.

Hi Quilljar,

Rats!!! I need a Parhelia and more monitors. :-))

Many good useful comments in your post, so I'll have to do some
experimenting.

Also, I suppose FS9 VCs may be better than FS2K2 ones, as part of the
natural process of evolution?

Regards,
John
"Quilljar" <stay@home.today> wrote in message
news:c2avuj$d6s$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
of
I
as
doesn't

John Ward wrote:


Set the view to 1x magnification and it will be in proper perspective. The
eyepoint is likely set back too far, or else you have the Zoom level at .75
or less!

Bill
--
Fr. Bill Leaming
n4gix@comcast.net
ICQ 12881426

"Wisdom has two parts: 1) Having a lot to say. 2) Not saying it."

In article <404949FE.68391D1F@comcast.net>, Fr. Bill Leaming
<n4gix@comcast.net> wrote:


Ah, I was just about to make the same point - it's definitely the view
magnification. I don't like flying at 1x mag, however - it feels like
I've got my nose pressed against the controls, and panning around just
takes ages.

I'd recommend a level of .75, or even .5, which feels 'realistic'; from
the description 'fishbowl' I'd say his mag was set to the widest (.31).

YMMV

Neil

"John Ward"

By the time you get close enough to see the dim, lousy low res gauges it's
pretty much just like the 2-D panel anyway, so why not just use the 2-D
panel?

I think the graphics are fuzzy because they use low resolution images to
keep the system from bogging down in the more demanding 3D environment.
That's just a guess as to why they are so lousy.

fishbowl - It's just like a camera lens... in order to get a panorama onto
a little rectangle you have to use a wide angle "fisheye" lens and that
distorts everything. In order to fit things in, the outside world has to be
reduced to 75%-35% magnification which destroys your ability to seen
anything of value out the window.

Other than the first 15 minutes of a new aircraft's ownership to see the
interior, I find the Virtual Cockpit in it's current evolution useless.

Dallas

Dallas wrote:



Hey Dallas ..... I think I'm on to something..... Uncle Dudley got me
to thinking and I started looking at things different when using the
Virt panel. It's fuzzy and out of focus and doesn't look as good as the
2D panel (on the Aero Commander I downloaded today) but it makes me look
outside more for flying and landing cues. At altitude it's 6 of one,
half.. you know. But down low it keeps my eyes outside more since I
can't quickly get an overall picture of the situation by looking at the
Virt panel. Melissa, or was it Tina, posted some screen shots of an
aircraft they purchased that had an outstanding Virt cockpit. If I'd
just shell out a little money for a decent 3D panel I'd probably like it
even more. But maybe with the virtual panel people might spend more
time looking outside, like the real thing.

--


boB

Flying FS2002 in Texas

P4
2.66G
512 Ram
Ti4200-128
__________________________________________________ _______________________
Bob, Gabriella, Kuma, Chica, Balto, Blitz, Gussie, Costa and Tiger
Kempner, Central Texas
__________________________________________________ _______________________

> By the time you get close enough to see the dim, lousy low res gauges

Now Dallie,
I know that you have the lovely Cessna Cardinal. How can you say that the VC
panel in that is lousy low res? Shame on you!

If you have your monitor set up nicely, that aircraft and many others have
beautiful VC panels and you can still look out and see the runway or the
scenery. From RL point of view, I will defend the VC every time. Nowadays I
hardly ever use the 2D panel.

Mind you I am only talking about GA aircraft. I never enter a heavy; ugh
horrible things. Who wants to be a bus driver?

Dallas wrote:
In your FS9.CFG file under the [PANELS] section add the line
VIRTUAL_COCKPIT_TEXTURES_SCALE=2.0 as below. Also make sure you are not
zoomed out to far and turn the panel lights on as needed. you can use
active camera (link below) addon to easily pan around using your mouse.
http://www.anticyclone.be/active2004.html

[PANELS]
VIRTUAL_COCKPIT_TEXTURES_SCALE=2.0

Sel ........