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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning

Staying in or go outside... ??

Staying In or go Outside... ??

  • I never use External Views

    Votes: 2 1.4%

  • I sporadicly use External Views

    Votes: 35 25.4%

  • I often use External Views

    Votes: 75 54.3%

  • I never view my take-off/landing in Replay mode

    Votes: 2 1.4%

  • I sometimes view my take-off/landing in Replay mode

    Votes: 16 11.6%

  • I always view my take-off/landing in Replay mode

    Votes: 8 5.8%
  • Total voters
    138
  • Poll closed .
I use both, of course. I love watching takeoffs and landings using the external views. To me, one of the most graceful parts of flight is seeing an aircraft, no matter what size, slipping in for a landing.

A couple of things maybe someone on this board could help me with, though, is that in flyby view, my scenery goes straight into the crapper! Also, is there a way that "my" viewpoint can be made stationary in relationship to the a/c? Presently, it seems as if I am in a slower plane, not at a fixed point in space. (Wondering if the latter may be causing the former?)
 
I stay outside the plane....a lot! So much so that the seat should be on the wings! The only time I'm in the pit is take-off and landing.
 
Odie said:
I stay outside the plane....a lot! So much so that the seat should be on the wings! The only time I'm in the pit is take-off and landing.
Click to expand...

Same here. I often add auto-pilot to aircraft that don't have it so I can sit outside (gradual transition of course) and soak up the plane and scenery...I have no ambitions to be a virtual pilot.
 
My friends and I go to both extremes. We record each of our flights using FS Recorder, and then play them back.

For example, last night, we flew four Section F8s F-86 in four different korean war paints. We synchronized the start of our recorders, and flew the entire flight from the VC with our graphics turned down. We flew out of George AFB over to Barstow field and did some formation passes in a diamond and finger-four. We then flew back to George in an echelon and broke into a landing.

After the flight we all left multiplayer (staying in a teamspeak) and jumped into single player to play back our flight in synchronization with one another. We set up at Barstow and watched the F-86s peek over the horizon and (now with our settings on high) we could enjoy the scenery and 3d models without having to worry about low frames while flying. Because our FS Recorder files were started at the same time, we can advance and rewind them in synch with one another and comment on exactly what we are seeing. It's like having a warbird air show every night.

We view the replay from the ground using a VC-less aircraft and a slight modification to the camera.cfg file... but you could just as easily watch it from the tower view or from spot view. Throw in some AI sounds and some of your favorite music on a play-list and you really have something beautiful.

I highly recommend FS Recorder for this sort of thing. Some people use it to practice formation flying off of themselves, but for me the best use is to see these wonderful aircraft from the ground. The best part is that we have a record of each flight and can watch particularly exciting flights over and over.

in short.... I think flying is best done from the VC..... but in FSX we can have total concentration on the flying, and then a total appreciation for the aesthetics of the model using FS Recorder.

Chris Eells
 
cajj1 said:
This is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. So many FS developers both free and payware make amazing internal and external models. If I've paid 20 odd quid for a model why wouldn't I want to use the external view as well as the internal?
Click to expand...

I've seen people asking how to remove the external model.... they fly only with a panel or VC and think the external is just a waste... ( not here, mind you... :d )
 
Thanks for all interesting replies,guys. It seems like External view is pretty much in favour here as opposed to our Avsim collegues ( atleast a couple years ago, i do not frequent Avsim that much anymore) but then again they probabely ain't anticipating the next Grumman Cat, Spitfire or P-51 iteration like we do overhere. What's the fun in viewing another Airbus or Boeing SoandSo,'eh ?.... :p: ( just kidding, actually the sight of a 747 or 777 taking off or landing in 'Approach View' is something truly spectacular ! :icon_eek: )

While it seems that it's only Falcon and me really missing Active Camera in FSX, something i was interested in to know and one of the reasons i posted this poll ( i should've added " did you use Active Camera in FS9 Yes/No " but it's my first poll so i hope i am excused ) i believe now that you all might be interested in this little mod to the FSX Cameras.cfg.

It gave me back my beloved AC 'Approach View' and it was the first thing i added to my freshly installed FSX on my brand new monster machine.I just can't enjoy FSX without it.

It is actually setup by a clever young guy by the name of Tom i met at Avsim, already a few years ago. As you probabely know there is a totally useless default Camera setup by the name of 'Runway' and it's this view that Tom modified to serve as 'Approach View'. Yep, and, at some points it is even better than AC's 'Approach View' as you have not only one camera at hand but as much cameras as there are runways at any particular airport. Even if there is only one runway you still have two cameras at your disposal.

And they are not 'static' like AC's Approach View but you can move yourself along the runways (or any place around an airport) to your heart's content. You can do this by using the Ctrl/Shift/Enter/Back key combinations and will probabely take some effort to get used to.

SO if you like to give it try ( highly recommended) open up your FSX Cameras.cfg ( might wanna make a copy of it first) and find [CameraDefinition.009]. Cut that and replace with this :

[CameraDefinition.009]
Title = Facilities Runway
Guid = {607C4520-CA6F-4135-AE10-8BF28838068F}
Description = This is the description of the runway view.
Origin = Fixed
InstancedBased = Yes
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = False
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = False
TargetCategory = Container
Track = Track
ShowAxis = Yes
AllowZoom = Yes
InitialZoom = 1.0
SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
ShowWeather = Yes
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Transition = No
ShowLensFlare=FALSE
Category = Runway
CycleHideRadius = 7
ClipMode = Spot
CycleHidden=Yes

Don't forget to save it.

At your next landing ( or take-off) go into Replay mode (check Repeat Replay Continuously) and view first from the Tower View ( just so you can appreciate what's coming next ) when next Replay starts right click your screen and select 'Runway' from the pop-up menu. Click the runway that corresponds with the airport ID and Runway nr. you're landing at or taking-off from.

Et voila, you're walking around in the neighbourhood of the chosen runway, use Ctrl/Back, Ctrl/Enter, or Ctrl/Shift/Back,Ctrl/Shift/Enter to get closer or move to the other side of the runway so you'll have 'the sun' in your back. If you keep pressing the key combo you'll go very fast, you can always use Ctrl/Space to stop the motion instantly. If you want to make yourself taller: Shift/Enter, sit down on your knees and pray : Shift/Back.

Also try all other runways available, you can use those to setup more cameras along the runway and just hit 'A' to cycle through all cameras as your plane comes in and settles down on the runway. Just like in the movies.

If you've got some aircraft spotters blood running thru your vains you wouldn't want to miss this. RW spotters will be totally envious ! :ipepsi2:

Btw, Tom is not only making clever changes to the FSX Cameras.cfg or flying his beloved P-51 virtually only. Some extra nice videos here of his tutorial flight in the back seat of 'Crazy Horse', a TF-51D Mustang flown out of Stallion 51 in Kissimmee Florida. I'd say a must for all P-51 aficionados here ( if you haven't seen those 20 times already of course :d ) :

Part 1 : http://youtu.be/0vapvp_YvSc
Part 2 : http://youtu.be/eoUF2MfDSiI
Part 3 : http://youtu.be/xpaGwxdvs74

Cheers,
Jan
 
Not a waste at all! Even if you don't fly formation, the external model is critical for those who fly on multiplayer at all. I can't imagine what virtual air lines would do without external models to know who was taxing where and to be able to spot folks in the pattern.
 
While actually flying, the majority of time is spent in the cockpit. However, after each flight I view 120 seconds of the replay to watch the landing, from outside. Very cool. Also, when online, it's fun to get screen shots of your plane and the rest of the gaggle, in formation, well, a loose formation, well ok, we're just all flying in the same general direction, winging toward adventure and generalized skulldugerry and mayhem.
 
as FSX Aerobatic Pilot I often Fly plane from external views or Tower Spot view like a RC Plane which is lot of fun


Best Regards
Tom
 
Jan,

Is there a way to configure that approach camera so that it does not move, but rather stays fixed on the runway?

I like it very much, but with time it spirals away from the field and I am unable to control it with the keys you suggested using.

Chris
 
skyblazer3 said:
Jan,Is there a way to configure that approach camera so that it does not move, but rather stays fixed on the runway? I like it very much, but with time it spirals away from the field and I am unable to control it with the keys you suggested using.Chris
Click to expand...

Hey Chris,

You mean nothing happens when you use any of the key combo's ?...

They are the same as the default VC eyepoint movement keys. ( check if they are set correctly in Settings/Controls/Buttons-Keys/Views/Eyepoint ) Do they work for you ?....

After you have used any of the key combo's to move around it is important to hit Ctrl/Space. It should stop all motion of the camera ( default reset eyepoint )

Cheers,
Jan
 
Jan,

It turns out that my head-tracking software was to blame.... If I disable free-track then I can stop the motion and all works out. Thanks for the information -- it is a very nice feature.

Chris
 
Seems like two polls in one. I picked that I use the instant replay but I also spend a lot of time in external view. I love watching the aircraft move against the background. That's why I paint them.
:ernae:
 
skyblazer3 said:
It turns out that my head-tracking software was to blame.... If I disable free-track then I can stop the motion and all works out. Thanks for the information -- it is a very nice feature.
Click to expand...

Ok, good to know, Chris ! :)

cheers,
jan
 
fsafranek said:
Seems like two polls in one. I picked that I use the instant replay but I also spend a lot of time in external view. I love watching the aircraft move against the background. That's why I paint them.
:ernae:
Click to expand...

Yeah, i know, Frank, sorry, my first poll.... can't edit these things, atleast i don't think so... :redface:

cheers,
jan
 
When I pilot the plane, I stay in the virtual cockpit.
When I take screenshots, I use both the virtual cockpit and the various external views, but with the simulation paused, so that I can take my time to get a good angle of view.

I never use the Replay functionnality, at least not the native one. I use FS Recorder, but only for formation flights.
 
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