Drone keystrokes

[jimjones]

Drone Keys

Pause/Break Pause
Shift + X Toggle Drone

Key(s) Drone Movement
W Forward
S Backward
D Right
A Left
E Up
CTRL + Q Down
Up arrow Rotate Up
Down arrow Rotate Down
Left arrow Rotate Left
Right arrow Rotate Right
F View Down
R Return to rear of plane
R B B Zoom Forward when not viewing down
Repeated B's show random views

Some key combinations found by trial and error.

 

[modelr]

Why can't we just use a POV hat for all these views???

 

[Javis]

Why can't we just use a POV hat for all these views???

You can have that but you have to set it up on your peripheral hat yourself. Bit of work but you'll love it ! (same goes for all other camera views, if it's like msfs2020 you have to do it both for internal and external views. Haven't got round to it myself, i'm gathering stamina.. ;-)

An Xbox controller can do wonders here too.

 

[modelr]

You can have that but you have to set it up on your peripheral hat yourself. Bit of work but you'll love it ! (same goes for all other camera views, if it's like msfs2020 you have to do it both for internal and external views. Haven't got round to it myself, i'm gathering stamina.. ;-)

An Xbox controller can do wonders here too.

I just spent 2 hours trying to reprogram my xbox controller just to control the "character" (me, the pilot) in the walkaround. I managed to get it to walk around, but every time I try to walk forward, the camera goes to the sky, straight up view, unless I push and release forward 2-3 times, and just barely touch the button. I have turned the sensetivities down to almost zero, but in real life, I wouldn't be able to keep up with him. I have even turned off the "run" command, no help. I did finally get to fly the Optica, but I had to land right away, as I did not remove the cover on the pitot tube. Turns out, I couldn't grasp it wwith the mouse. Another 1/2 hour getting that to work. My peripheral hat, on my X-56 works fine, after having to reverse all axis. I was just wondering why there are so many key binds available for said hat, which is also available on the xbox controller, which I spent an hour deleting.

And I still can't find a suitable screenshot button or program that works. I know there's one out there, because of all the beautiful shots on here. Yes, I know the artists retouch a lot of them, but what do they use to do the capture? I've been told the xbox app has one, many times. Well, I don't. Also, I don't play games on here, I just use two simulators, MSFS and American Truck Simulator. And I can't remember what half the buttons do on either one, beyond the very common tasks.

So, what I'm getting at, is my hanger is full of aircraft that I love to watch in R/L, but I can't fly in the sim, because of the complexity of operating IN THE SIM.

BTW, my GAME timer for this simulation, shows over 25 hours sim loaded, but only 1 3/4 hrs flight time. that's because I have to constantly reset or change something in my controller settings. I have only hooked up my X-56, and set up a general setup for single engine aircraft. I remember when it took 10 minutes, and we were good to go for weeks or months!

I love the visuals, I love the flight physics of the 4 aircraft I've flown, so far. Especially the feeling of the tires actually gripping the pavement until actual take-off, and being able to generally keep the tail behind the prop on the warbirds. Flight Replica's P-40, which is one of my MP auto transfers. I could not take-off with that aircraft in MSFS2020, but my first try in 2024 was a resounding success, even keeping it on the centerline.

Sorry, I'm rambling, but I know why Cazzie, jmmig, an most of the other old-timers, age wise, on here are getting frustrated with this sim. As soon as we learn how to do what it is each of us enjoys, M$ "updates" it, either with a major change in the going version, or a new sim that is nowhere near ready for primetime, and they completely change how to do everything. Us oldies just want to fly! Not spend weeks learning how to do what used to take minutes.

Off my soap box for this thread. Ugghhh

 

[Javis]

And I still can't find a suitable screenshot button or program that works. I know there's one out there, because of all the beautiful shots on here. Yes, I know the artists retouch a lot of them, but what do they use to do the capture? I've been told the xbox app has one, many times. Well, I don't. Also, I don't play games on here, I just use two simulators, MSFS and American Truck Simulator. And I can't remember what half the buttons do on either one, beyond the very common tasks.

Don, you didn't get MSFS2024 via Steam, right ?

I did and like with MSFS2020 (and every FS version before) Steam provides a special folder for screenshots. Just hit F12 in any game from Steam and you'll find your screenies in that particular folder. Not sure how it works but you can nevertheless try this :

In MSFS2024 hit F12 and notice if a small thumbnail appears in the right-bottom corner of your screen. It appears just for a second mind you. If it works you have to find where exactly MSFS2024 stores the screenshots. If it doesn't work (most likely but you never know until you try....;-) try hitting F13.

You don't get an indication that you shot a screenie like the Steam version does but it might just be that a screenshot HAS been taken by hitting your F13 key and you could then view it in your paint program by selecting 'Paste as new picture'. (just keep your paint prog running next to MSFS2024)

Like i could with MSFS2020 I can use both methods in MSFS2024 as well. With the F12 method i get hundreds of screenies in that particular screenshot folder and they'll stay there until kingdom come or i delete them. With the F13 method it's 'one shot only'. If you hit F13 again the shot you took earlier will be overwritten. Hit F13, go into your paint prog, paste and save it and then go back in MSFS2024 and take another shot etc., and so on.

I just tried the key combo's for screenshots from the MSFS2024 Keyboard Shortcuts listing i posted here earlier, "Photo Mode Toggle: Shift + V ; Take Picture: Space " but that didn't work. It may work afterall because when i tried it i couldn't get anything to work in MSFS2024..... Seemed dead as a dodo..... Dunno why... So try that Shift+V and SPACE anyway.

Good luck !

 

[modelr]

Don, you didn't get MSFS2024 via Steam, right ?

I did and like with MSFS2020 (and every FS version before) Steam provides a special folder for screenshots. Just hit F12 in any game from Steam and you'll find your screenies in that particular folder. Not sure how it works but you can nevertheless try this :

In MSFS2024 hit F12 and notice if a small thumbnail appears in the right-bottom corner of your screen. It appears just for a second mind you. If it works you have to find where exactly MSFS2024 stores the screenshots. If it doesn't work (most likely but you never know until you try....;-) try hitting F13.

You don't get an indication that you shot a screenie like the Steam version does but it might just be that a screenshot HAS been taken by hitting your F13 key and you could then view it in your paint program by selecting 'Paste as new picture'. (just keep your paint prog running next to MSFS2024)

Like i could with MSFS2020 I can use both methods in MSFS2024 as well. With the F12 method i get hundreds of screenies in that particular screenshot folder and they'll stay there until kingdom come or i delete them. With the F13 method it's 'one shot only'. If you hit F13 again the shot you took earlier will be overwritten. Hit F13, go into your paint prog, paste and save it and then go back in MSFS2024 and take another shot etc., and so on.

I just tried the key combo's for screenshots from the MSFS2024 Keyboard Shortcuts listing i posted here earlier, "Photo Mode Toggle: Shift + V ; Take Picture: Space " but that didn't work. It may work afterall because when i tried it i couldn't get anything to work in MSFS2024..... Seemed dead as a dodo..... Dunno why... So try that Shift+V and SPACE anyway.

Good luck !

Javis, I know the Steam button works, and where they are stored for it. My ATS is on Steam. I bought MSFS2024 through the XBox app. The F13 (Print screen) button works, kinda. Each time I have to choose whether I want "rectangle, full window, or free form." then two other buttons to "take the screenshot." Thank you WIN11! My "SnapShot" from Stage Soft worked fantastic up through WIN10, then WIN11 & NOPE! 1 button, could take them in quick succession, went to folder where I told it to, and saved in any of the many formats in use at the time. WIN 11 won't even open half those formats anymore. F12 does nothing. Yes, it works in Steam, but not WIN11.

 

[Javis]

Javis, I know the Steam button works, and where they are stored for it. My ATS is on Steam. I bought MSFS2024 through the XBox app. The F13 (Print screen) button works, kinda. Each time I have to choose whether I want "rectangle, full window, or free form." then two other buttons to "take the screenshot." Thank you WIN11! My "SnapShot" from Stage Soft worked fantastic up through WIN10, then WIN11 & NOPE! 1 button, could take them in quick succession, went to folder where I told it to, and saved in any of the many formats in use at the time. WIN 11 won't even open half those formats anymore. F12 does nothing. Yes, it works in Steam, but not WIN11.

So i understand it's more like W11 is the culprit of your screenshot blues rather than it is FS24... I almost transferred to W11 too because of FS24. I read that W11 was mandatory to install FS24, wouldn't work with W10 because of another mandatory 'TPM' gadget. I hit the Play Now button at the Steam MSFS2024 page just for the heck of it, expected no install, but it *did* install, in a jiffy and works fine and looks great on my W10 system without anything like TPM. I guess all that W11/TPM business was just a load of bull.

So, do you recommend W11, Don ? Or do i just stay alive with W10 and MSFS2024..... I have it only a couple days now, with the few amateurish tests i could manage it looks and performs pretty good, i'd say much better than MSFS2020. Can take easy screenies too. ;-)

So it's not like you can't take an FS24 screenshot at all, right ? Just a bit cumbersome because of W11.. With all the testing, investigating, assigning buttons, learning and a bit of flying on the side, i bet you don't even have time to take screenshots, right ?

Oh, btw, did you try that " Photo Mode Toggle: Shift + V" and then take a screenshot by hitting SPACE ?.... Did it work ?....

 

[modelr]

So i understand it's more like W11 is the culprit of your screenshot blues rather than it is FS24... I almost transferred to W11 too because of FS24. I read that W11 was mandatory to install FS24, wouldn't work with W10 because of another mandatory 'TPM' gadget. I hit the Play Now button at the Steam MSFS2024 page just for the heck of it, expected no install, but it *did* install, in a jiffy and works fine and looks great on my W10 system without anything like TPM. I guess all that W11/TPM business was just a load of bull.

So, do you recommend W11, Don ? Or do i just stay alive with W10 and MSFS2024..... I have it only a couple days now, with the few amateurish tests i could manage it looks and performs pretty good, i'd say much better than MSFS2020. Can take easy screenies too. ;-)

So it's not like you can't take an FS24 screenshot at all, right ? Just a bit cumbersome because of W11.. With all the testing, investigating, assigning buttons, learning and a bit of flying on the side, i bet you don't even have time to take screenshots, right ?

Oh, btw, did you try that " Photo Mode Toggle: Shift + V" and then take a screenshot by hitting SPACE ?.... Did it work ?....

Yes, WIN11 is the culprit. I hate it! Very few, if any, of the apps/programs we used, and liked, the most before WIN11 are even available, let alone don't work as advertised. The biggest problem, for me, is adding all the multiple keystrokes to the most basic and/or most used actions, make doing anything those of us with little to no finger dexterity nor programming basic skills extremely problematic.

Do I, personally recommend WIN11? No, not personnally. However, you have programming knowledge, and are comfortable using the keyboard. If you have any friends with WIN11 nearby where you might be able to play with it on their machine, try it out. There are a couple people on these forums who like it, check with them. Me, I liked WIN10, but I HATE WIN11! When I built this new rig, I installed WIN10, and within 2 days M$ saw a new rig that met their WIN11 specs and updated it without my permission, and deleted the WIN10 backup folder contents! I called them and was told, in so many words, "We"re sorry, but there is nothing we can do about it. And no, you cannot reinstall WIN10, it will just reupdate again."

Where did you find that "Photo Toggle" mode command? Yes, it worked, but I have NO idea where the image is. I found the one that my AMD Riva Tuner program is, once, and now I can't find it again. And even it is a multiple key/multple keystroke command. Nothing is a single keystroke and done anymore. These darn high school programming wizz kids that all these companies are hiring to program these programs don't think twice, or even once, that their "apps" might be used/REQUIRED by someone who grew up using a dial telephone, and a tv with only 3 channels and that WE WERE the Remote Control, controlled by a thump on the back of the head and a verbal command from the dad saying "channel ?" Typing class was for those who wanted to work in the news or office working profesions. It was not mandatory. I trained to be an auto mechanic. 1966-67 cars did not have any wiz gadgets. My mind still cannot grasp all this stuff, but I enjoy flying, as I grew up around aircraft, both full size and model / U-control, and graduated to R/C as soon it became mainstream available. But I still can't program the advanced capabilites of my R/C transmitter, even though I've been flying R/C since 1981. I started U-control at my grandfather's and father's knees, literally. Aah, I'm rambling and getting off topic, again.

 

[Javis]

Yes, WIN11 is the culprit. I hate it! Very few, if any, of the apps/programs we used, and liked, the most before WIN11 are even available, let alone don't work as advertised. The biggest problem, for me, is adding all the multiple keystrokes to the most basic and/or most used actions, make doing anything those of us with little to no finger dexterity nor programming basic skills extremely problematic.

Do I, personally recommend WIN11? No, not personnally. However, you have programming knowledge, and are comfortable using the keyboard. If you have any friends with WIN11 nearby where you might be able to play with it on their machine, try it out. There are a couple people on these forums who like it, check with them. Me, I liked WIN10, but I HATE WIN11! When I built this new rig, I installed WIN10, and within 2 days M$ saw a new rig that met their WIN11 specs and updated it without my permission, and deleted the WIN10 backup folder contents! I called them and was told, in so many words, "We"re sorry, but there is nothing we can do about it. And no, you cannot reinstall WIN10, it will just reupdate again."

Where did you find that "Photo Toggle" mode command? Yes, it worked, but I have NO idea where the image is. I found the one that my AMD Riva Tuner program is, once, and now I can't find it again. And even it is a multiple key/multple keystroke command. Nothing is a single keystroke and done anymore. These darn high school programming wizz kids that all these companies are hiring to program these programs don't think twice, or even once, that their "apps" might be used/REQUIRED by someone who grew up using a dial telephone, and a tv with only 3 channels and that WE WERE the Remote Control, controlled by a thump on the back of the head and a verbal command from the dad saying "channel ?" Typing class was for those who wanted to work in the news or office working profesions. It was not mandatory. I trained to be an auto mechanic. 1966-67 cars did not have any wiz gadgets. My mind still cannot grasp all this stuff, but I enjoy flying, as I grew up around aircraft, both full size and model / U-control, and graduated to R/C as soon it became mainstream available. But I still can't program the advanced capabilites of my R/C transmitter, even though I've been flying R/C since 1981. I started U-control at my grandfather's and father's knees, literally. Aah, I'm rambling and getting off topic, again.

Do you still fly RC, Don ? You've got quite a big and beautiful F-4 model there in your avatar. Did you build it ? Kudos if you did ! ( do you know 'Real Flight' ? An RC sim by Horizon that works on your computer thru an exact digital version of an RC Controller. I used to fly RC too but i loved the building more than the flying. I hated that typical crash sound that said start over again. Not so with 'Real Flight', hit a button and you're good to go again ;-)

Sorry to hear about your troubles with W11. I was preparing to unwillingly trade my beloved W10 for W11 as well just because of MSFS2024. Read that it was mandatory but much to my surprise and luck i coincidently found that FS24 runs just fine on W10 so i'll stay on the W11 fench for a while, maybe who knows forever.. ;-)

Now that you verified that the 'Shift + V Photo Mode Toggle' actually works i'll try it again and see if i can find that screenshot. It didn't work the last time i tried it because a whole bunch of stuff didn't work, couldn't even get an engine started. Dunno what happend. It's Ok again now.

When i searched for 'U-control' i was presented with an USB/Audio Interface....Since you started U-control at your grandfather's knees i figure that's not what you're talking about.. ;-) Do you perhaps mean flying an aircraftmodel thru a control line ?... ( i did that too, great fun ! )

 

[modelr]

Do you still fly RC, Don ? You've got quite a big and beautiful F-4 model there in your avatar. Did you build it ? Kudos if you did ! ( do you know 'Real Flight' ? An RC sim by Horizon that works on your computer thru an exact digital version of an RC Controller. I used to fly RC too but i loved the building more than the flying. I hated that typical crash sound that said start over again. Not so with 'Real Flight', hit a button and you're good to go again ;-)

Sorry to hear about your troubles with W11. I was preparing to unwillingly trade my beloved W10 for W11 as well just because of MSFS2024. Read that it was mandatory but much to my surprise and luck i coincidently found that FS24 runs just fine on W10 so i'll stay on the W11 fench for a while, maybe who knows forever.. ;-)

Now that you verified that the 'Shift + V Photo Mode Toggle' actually works i'll try it again and see if i can find that screenshot. It didn't work the last time i tried it because a whole bunch of stuff didn't work, couldn't even get an engine started. Dunno what happend. It's Ok again now.

When i searched for 'U-control' i was presented with an USB/Audio Interface....Since you started U-control at your grandfather's knees i figure that's not what you're talking about.. ;-) Do you perhaps mean flying an aircraftmodel thru a control line ?... ( i did that too, great fun ! )

In order:

Yes, I still fly R/C. Have since 1981. I have around 30 aircraft in my trailer that goes to the field with me. there are another 8-10 down in my basement awaiting repair or finish building.
That F-4C is an electric Ultra(8cell) powered 90mm ducted fan foam model, made by Freewing, and sold by Motion R/C here in the USA. "https://www.motionrc.com/products/f...ltra-performance-8s-90mm-edf-jet-pnp-fj31231p" It is finished in the markings of Lt. Col Joe Latham, Ret. who lives in Marshalltown, Iowa, where my club's flying field is, 1bout 15 miles from where I live. He and his wingman each shot down the first 2 MiG 21s in the Vietnam conflict on Nov 11, 1966. He sent me pictures of his aircraft's scheme on one on display at Seymore Johnson AFB. His actual aircraft was destroyed on the ground in a rocket attack right after he returned to the states. Unfortunately, the model I'm holding was also destroyed late last year because I had replaced the radio receiver, and forgot to do a range check. Everything worked properly during preflight and pre-take-off control check, but soon after take-off, it performed an un controlled slow roll to the left and went in on it's top in a shallow dive. When I retrieved the jet, everything was working, but when I walked away with the radio about 50', it quit working. If I had performed the proper range check, that would have been found. Strickly my fault.

Yes, I have the RealFlight Sim. I have had it since version 2, way back. I have upgraded each time the sim did. I have the Steam version now, with all the add-ons. The R/C controller is actually an almost exact copy of my radio, the Spectrum NX-10, 10 channels, so I use it to keep the thumbs working over the winter.


Staying with WIN10 is what I would have prefered, especially if I had known how WIN11 works.

Please post where the Shift+V Photo Mode folder is when, and if, you find it. Maybe the keystroke can be assigned to a button on the controller. I've had my sim go crazy and not work properly also, but not really since the last update. Although, I still have trouble with control setup menu. Seems each time I try anouther aircaft, I have to redo all my buttons/switches. The default mapping for the X-56 does not make any sense, and it has some things assigned to button numbers I can't get to show up.

Speaking of trying different aircraft, I can't get my sim to recognize my community folder, at all. I've done the user.cfg thingy, and put some of the aircraft that have been listed as compatible for use in freeflight, but none of them show in the sim.


As for "U-Control" you are correct with "control line." It is known by both terms here in the USA. My grandfather and father owned a large hobbyshop in San Diego, California in the late 30's through the mid '60s, and were big innovators in the aircraft hobby, both models and full-sized. My grandfather was a designer at Ryan aircraft and helped in the design of Charle's Lindberg's ""Spirit Of St. Louis" as well as other aircraft when Ryan became "Consolidated" and then Convair. So, I've been around aircraft, in one way or another, my whole life. Computers I started learning in 1995, and my first sim was FS95, along with some Jane's and the F-16 Sim. Don't remember the original names, but I still have the disks and manuals in a box upstairs. No, I never mastered any of them. Still haven't.

 

[modelr]

I found the screenshot folder when using the Shift+V Spacebar command.
C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Screenshot

Don't worry about having your external HUD on, when you hit shift+V, it pauses the screen, gives you camera movement and focus ability and takes a full screenshot.

I took a series of cloud flying in Hawaii in late afternoon, early evening. Javis, you will love it! I will post some over in the screenshot forum.
I also finally got my community folder working. When you change the location of your community folder, do not point to the community folder, but rather to the main folder where you want the community placed. Otherwise, the sim will keep installing a new, empty community folder inside yours.