Visuals zoom, eyepoint, and viewpoint help

[fsaviator]

Hi all,

I've been busy working on the visuals for my 737. It's at the point where I've done all I can do with the Nthusim Demo. Just paid for the Plus version and I'm waiting on my activation.

Here's my issue that is driving me crazy. It wasn't a big deal when I had my GA cockpit as I had free use to my RW plane to make sure I got the views right.

With my 737 though, I can't just plop into the right/left seat and get the viewpoint and eyepoint right. I can play with zoom all day long but I have no clue if I'm close.

Does anyone have a good starting point for me to set or a link to a post that will help out? Unfortunately, the one place I was using for a reference has disappeared off the net (www.insitesolutions.au).

Here's the current setup:


FS9.1
3 x BenQ 772ST projectors
TH2GO at 3072x768
Five maximized windows showing Front, left and right front, and left and right views in non-windowed mode on five screens wrapping around the cockpit.

Surprisingly, I'm getting 25-30 FPS with everything maxed out over Seattle (with Megascenery NW) even with the non-windowed mode and five cockpit views (actually six if you count the base one).

Thanks, and once I get it close I promise to post pics.

Warren

[Sean Nixon]

Hi Warren

I'm not sure I understand your problem. My setup is similar to yours, the main difference being I am using one outside view - straight ahead - and zoomed out to 0.25. In that configuration the outside view is acceptable from either seat.

If I'm being honest, I haven't experimented with the visuals as much as I probably should, my priority was to get flying quickly and tinker later.

I'm keen to try the multiple window setup you have, how do I quickly set that up?

Sean

[fsaviator]

I'm trying to get a good starting point for the following:

eyepoint/viewpoint - the vertical and horizontal location of where FS9 should have the viewpoint for the most realistic view out of the windows. For instance: If you just remove the panel and global views, the outside view that remain is very artificially pointed toward the ground. I know from experience in my Cherokee that you really can't see that much of the runway over the glareshield. I'm imagining that it is the same with the 737.

Zoom - you've answered that one... I never thought to actually manually change the value, and .31 was not getting it.

[Sean Nixon]

I think hitting the space bar causes the viewpoint to 'look up'

[fsaviator]

Hi Warren

I'm keen to try the multiple window setup you have, how do I quickly set that up?

Sean

It works in both windowed and non-windowed mode.

1. right-click on your current view and undock.
2. drag the undocked current view down to it's smallest size (just part of the title bar showing, basically) and move it off to the edge of your screen and out of the way.
3. open a new cockpit view.
4. Undock it, and go into view options (make sure you click on the window to gain focus)
5. In view options, assign it a direction (forward, forward-left etc). Work the Zoom to where you want it.
6. Drag it where you want it.
7. Repeat for the other views.
8. Here is where quickly ends as you try to match up edges.

I remember reading this somewhere in one of the forums... unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced the link. I was oping someone else had an idea of where I read it. So much info, such a small brain I can't retain it all.

[fsaviator]

I think hitting the space bar causes the viewpoint to 'look up'

I know you can change the values for lateral position, zoom, etc in the panel.cfg. Someone had done up a very thorough write-up I just can't remember who/where.

[Sean Nixon]

...and once the edges are lined up, hitting Alt-Enter puts the whole lot into Full Screen Mode??? Obviously this is needed for Sol7 to work.

[fsaviator]

...and once the edges are lined up, hitting Alt-Enter puts the whole lot into Full Screen Mode??? Obviously this is needed for Sol7 to work.

Actually, from what I've seen, Nthusim (and I imagine SOL7) works either way. In windowed mode (non ALT+ENT) all you have to do is drag the windows edges so that it encompasses the whole screen. The individual cockpit views within that window can be moved at will.

I'm going from memory right now, and getting ready to head to work. I'll mess with it tonight. I do know that non-windowed mode is a framerate hog. In windowed mode, I'm pulling about 120FPS while in Non-Window (ALT+ENT) I'm down to 25-30 or so (still very acceptable)

[Sean Nixon]

I've not tried Nthusim yet, but Sol7 only works in Full Screen Mode.

[fsaviator]

Got it! Found the document I was looking for. I had downloaded it when I was in Iraq, and luckily it was still on my laptop...

It's Ian Cameron's "Simulator Visuals - Three Projector Setup" for his Level-D 767 Cockpit. I believe it's available here in the downloads or tutorials, and it's also available through Niko Kaan's site.

Warren