Author Topic: AHII suggestion regarding TrackIR implementation (Read 966 times)

jodgi · « **on:** December 08, 2003, 11:12:33 AM »

I hope I'm not stepping on any toes by suggesting something I've seen in another sim? (hehe)
I'm a self appointed member of the AH cheerleader fanboys.
The reason i start out like this is that I wish to make a friendly suggestion to something I already like... and NOT do it in a whiny tone asking the dev. team to move mountains on my command (as is quite common on these boards).

With that out of the way...

I love the mouse look feature in AH2, as it bears promise of future support for TrackIR (http://www.trackir.com) enhanced mode. We can currently use the mouse emulation mode, which is fine, but....

I've had some concerns with giving up the current head position views in favour of TrackIR view. The current system is simply too good to let go of, even in favour of headtracking.
As it is now in AH2 beta we can just press the view buttons and that will override the mouselook. The best of two worlds?.. almost.
I doubt that it will be possible to override TrackIR in full enhanced mode, but then, what do I know?

I saw the light when trying TIR in IL-2FB, and now I've seen another light:

TargetWare has a similar mouselook view in virtual cockpit as that of IL-2 and AH2 beta. But with one significant twist. I hope that I can persuade HTC to look into this as this will "preserve" most of the headposition functionality with the mouselook/TIR view system.

What happens in TargetWare when you use your mouse to look around in cockpit is that the headposition changes gradually to give you optimal view all around the cockpit, including six view. This without any jerking or any annoying side effects. I actually had to double check what happened because it was so smooth.

This would make us able to stick with mouselook/TIR view without having to occasionally revert back to the HAT/keyboard views.

There you have it, the best of both worlds!

btw:
I've flown the beta online and I suck

I think that means you are doing something right with it. The flightmodel seems "richer" and of higher fidelity. I think we will be able to better sense the differences between the different planes. That is one of the things I like best about AH as it is now, and it seems this will go deeper and further with AH2.

Keep up the excellent work!

Cobra412 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2003, 06:43:31 PM »

I have a TrackIR setup now but have an issue with it getting lost or out of calibration very easily. Not sure if it's just me or what but it seems all it takes is a few head movements and it's nowhere near center when my head comes back to center.

I'm curious if anyone has had the original version and has upgraded to the TrackIR 2. If so how would you compare the two.

Chairboy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2003, 07:59:22 PM »

If AH2 supports the enhanced mode, then it shouldn't lose position. Enhanced mode is an absolute mode where the TrackIR drivers sez 'he's looking center NOW' versus the relative (mouse look) mode where it says 'well, he's starting to look right.... now he's looking upwards, now sort of to the right. I hope you've been keeping notes, because he just passed the center. No? Well, you may wish to pay closer attention, old pal'.

jodgi · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2003, 01:08:59 AM »

Like Chairboy says, centering "problems" will exist in relative mode (mouse emulation), and will go away when enhanced mode is supported.

And while we wait for TIR support in AH2:

I'll make a post in the general forum on how to get enhanced mode support with TIR in the current AH.

No troll, no fishing, just a few tricks involved.

I just found out myself

Cobra412 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2003, 01:18:57 AM »

I'd appreciate that info Jodgi...this TIR is just sitting here collecting dust now...Seemed way too sensitive and could rarely get the thing to line backup when I needed a shot in IL2 so I stopped using it.

Looking at making one of those bigger reflective devices for it. I heard that helps out alot with the losing track issue.

jodgi · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2003, 03:17:13 AM »

I have mounted 5 dots in a cloverleaf pattern on a convex surface and mounted that on a homemafe headset device. The trick is to mount the dots so that they "stand out" from your head to get some more "leverage". Use a mic boom, glasses, baseball cap or whatever you find useful and practical.

Secondly, try get close to the TIR device.

I had some minor issues with the original TIR, but I now have TIR2 and I haven't had any hiccups with it whatsoever. You really feel the improvement of the higher refreshrate with the new hardware (100 Hz as opposed to the original 60Hz).

For the line up for the shot issue. I've set a healthy amount of "deadzone" in the TIR software, when I center my head - the view doesn't move. I also thought about putting a enable/disable toggle in stick button profile, but the deadzone option works fine with me.

It takes a little effort to get used to TIR, not much but still...
Once you're used to it you'll just sit there with a great big smile

Good luck!

btw: the post I announced is now up.

Obehave · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2003, 05:35:59 PM »

I've been using IR Tracker for about a year and a half in Fighter Ace and IL-2 as well as the last five weeks since I started playing Aces High. It works great for me in mouse emulation mode as long as I don't recalibrate my joystick (who knows why).

I set it up as follows: Using Tracker I mapped a key to toggle my right mouse button on and off. Then using my joystick keymapper I made a joystick button activate the same key. then in Aces High I mapped the same keyboard button to be 'gunsight zoom toggle'.

Sorry if that sounds confusing, but here's what happens: When I click my joystick button for 'Gunsigt zoom', Tracker is disabled and I get a steady firing view. When the target leaves the zoom view I toggle out of 'Gunsight zoom' and Tracker is working again. I works great and I like it much better than a large 'dead zone', which gave my head movements a jerky feeling.

Tracker seems much easier to use in the Beta versions, even in mouse emulation mode. I have to say the hat viewing system in Aces High is the best I've ever seen and I enjoy playing with and without the Tracker-- unlike Il-2 or Fighter Ace.

jodgi · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2003, 06:23:56 AM »

I've stuck with the deadzone thing for a while, but have left it now. I too turn off TIR for the shot now.

jodgi · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2003, 12:49:35 AM »

maik · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2004, 12:48:18 PM »