The above in the default VC "from the cockpit seat", a little bit zoomed it looking down at the two FMCs... 

 

The right side CDU isn't "mine," it's the "FO's," so I don't routinely interact with it. If I do, I pop it up (2D - the NGX, 777 and 747 all have this feature) to set a page and then leave it for the rest of the flight (usually PROG).

 

The left side CDU yoke interference can be eliminated by 'lowering' the yoke, as I referred to earlier in the thread. Click on the top of the yoke, where the index is, and it will lower, which is a nice compromise of realism versus the functionality in the sim. There are other tips that you might find helpful in the Intro Manual.

 

To be clear:

We treat the terms "2D panels" and "2D pop ups" independently. "2D panels" is a term used to indicate an entire representation of the flight deck in flat 2D panels like the older iterations of Flight Sim had. "2D pop ups" are still 2D panels, strategically chosen to assist with functionality in the VC. As an example, clicking the MIC button in the 777 will bring up a mini radio panel to help in making the appropriate changes. Similarly, clicking on the screen of the CDU will give you a 2D pop up of the CDU you clicked on. The NGX, 777, and 747v2 all have, or will have 2D pop ups.

 

Each product's Intro Manual describes how to access these mini-panels, and stow them when you're finished with them.

 

 

Not sure what the "hatswitch" is that has been referred to.

 

The hat switch (sorry, should have been two words) is an 8-position switch on many game controllers that quickly lets you pan around the VC. Both FSX and P3d will even assign the "View (pan)" function to the hat switch by default if your controller has one.

The right side CDU isn't "mine," it's the "FO's," so I don't routinely interact with it. If I do, I pop it up (2D - the NGX, 777 and 747 all have this feature) to set a page and then leave it for the rest of the flight (usually PROG).

 

The left side CDU yoke interference can be eliminated by 'lowering' the yoke, as I referred to earlier in the thread. Click on the top of the yoke, where the index is, and it will lower, which is a nice compromise of realism versus the functionality in the sim. There are other tips that you might find helpful in the Intro Manual.

 

To be clear:

We treat the terms "2D panels" and "2D pop ups" independently. "2D panels" is a term used to indicate an entire representation of the flight deck in flat 2D panels like the older iterations of Flight Sim had. "2D pop ups" are still 2D panels, strategically chosen to assist with functionality in the VC. As an example, clicking the MIC button in the 777 will bring up a mini radio panel to help in making the appropriate changes. Similarly, clicking on the screen of the CDU will give you a 2D pop up of the CDU you clicked on. The NGX, 777, and 747v2 all have, or will have 2D pop ups.

 

Each product's Intro Manual describes how to access these mini-panels, and stow them when you're finished with them.

 

After all my years of using PMDG, that's the first I hear of the yoke lowering...  :blush:  VERY helpful in deed, and yes - that solves a lot of my problems.  When I load up my AC, I use the FO's CDU basically for fuel & payload information (FS controls such as doors, P/B, etc), whilst I use the captain's CDU of course for the rest of the programming.  It's just helpful to have the information available without having to go out of the FMC, and back in afterwards...  Lowering the yoke of course solves that problem entirely, as the throttles are idle on the ground and not in the way of the FO's CDU at that point in time... 

 

Suggestion, and please feel free to even disregard if deemed rubbish... Is this not a case of TOO MUCH documentation?  Honestly again, this is a game to me, and whilst I understand and respect the "as real as it gets" aspect completely (and I enjoy it too, to a certain degree), studying a 300+ page manual is a bit much lol.  Perhaps a quick reference guide, say 10 at most pages, of the most useful / important information?  

 

I'm not going to argue with the 2D popups either.  Very useful, and I am sure it is more than likely somewhere, in that monster manuals of yours....   Easy to find things in a manual when you know what you're looking for - not so easy going through hundreds of pages of text, not knowing what you're looking for though.... 

 

It does help quite a bit however!  Thnx for all the help.

 

 

Suggestion, and please feel free to even disregard if deemed rubbish... Is this not a case of TOO MUCH documentation?  Honestly again, this is a game to me, and whilst I understand and respect the "as real as it gets" aspect completely (and I enjoy it too, to a certain degree), studying a 300+ page manual is a bit much lol.  Perhaps a quick reference guide, say 10 at most pages, of the most useful / important information?  

 

Do keep in mind that this is a study sim. In order to give people a basic understanding of things, the 130-ish page Intro Manual is more than necessary (if anything, the page number is exaggerated, too, due to the use of an A5-ish page size, which is common in aviation). When combined with the tutorial(s), you can easily avoid having to dive into the thousands of pages of the FCTM and FCOMs if you'd prefer not to. Simulated detail does require written detail, though. Ten pages won't cut that. If you're in a rush, use the tutorial as a guide and then read through the Intro Manual at cruise. It's list and picture heavy, so it's a lot quicker to get through than you'd think.

 

The Intro Manual is also bookmarked, hyperlinked, and fully searchable.

 

 

 

It does help quite a bit however!  Thnx for all the help.

 

Welcome!

Oh well...

 

Then this is the end of PMDG for me 

 

Thnx.

 

 

So Dramatic...

 

Regards,

 

Matt

I hated the idea of VC-only as well after starting with MSFS 2002 and spending so many years in FS9.  The issue is really simply: Adapt or move on.  When FSX first came out I was completely against the VC culture and removed FSX for a few reasons.

 

Now that I'm on FSX and have installed add ons with VC cockpits, I'm good with it.  Older VCs didn't look very good and it was sometimes hard to use them.  Now that they're high resolution, there's little difference.  The NGX looks like a 2D panel in clarity.  You can use the cycle views mentioned or use EZCA (EZDOCK).  EZCA was impossible for me to understand in the beginning, but once I figured it out it's been awesome.  I have several presets I cycle through using my yoke rocker switch.  It's a little cumbersome compared to the 2D pop up from the past, but still the same concept.   Plus I find many things can be done with EZCA mouse look view.  Not that many things are blocked from view.

Never liked 2D panels, it just kills it for me. EZCA and VC never looked back. If you are having problems with EZCA your doing something wrong in my opinion. 

 

 

After all my years of using PMDG, that's the first I hear of the yoke lowering... 

 

And if you don't want to lower the yoke and instead "lean forward" a bit to see those lighting controls blocked by the yoke.....try holding the CTRL key and then hold the BACKSPACE key and watch your "eye point" magically move forward....WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to get your view back to where it was....CTRL+SPACEBAR!  My won't the wonders ever cease!

Want to move your eye point to the right a bit to see the FMC (either one).....CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER....CTRL+SHIFT+BACKSPACE moves you back to the left....BaZinga!

Need to see a bit more over the instrument panel? (Raise your seat as it were).....SHIFT+ENTER.....back down...SHIFT+BACKSPACE.  OMG this is incredible!  

 

Oh....and ..."Just sitting on the ground in the B738 playing with the WX radar now, and turning around and the need to move my head around to just be able to READ things up right... My neck is completely toast already. "

Press "A" 4 times....there it is right in front of you...no head turning at all.  2 more quick A presses and your back at your default view...OR...SHIFT+A 4 times (the SHIFT key cycles the viewpoint in reverse).  

 

Hope those few tips help you get around the VC without it frustrating you to the point of wanting to quit.  

 

 

If you need the view point change, just hit 'A' a couple times. We have pre-built views to assist, where necessary, which are cycled through via the 'A' key. Three taps on the 'A' key will .

 

In FSX there is the ability to assign function keys to three or more of the VC views built into FSX aircraft, including the pre-built 777 and NGX VC views.  It takes minimal editing of the aircraft.cfg file to have instantaneous access to pilot's panel, pedestal and main overhead panel.   It's covered in the FSX SDK.

 

Mike

One of my EZCA (Ezdok) views.  My "jumpseat" view gives me a complete panel look and access to the entire MCP, displays, FMCs, and brightness dials.

 

 

 

My standard PIC view, where I can use mouse look if needed.  Nice of that ramp worker to leave his truck in my way.

 

 

Mouse look with EZCA, gives a pretty good look and access to the panels from PIC view.

 

 

 

 

A look at one present I can change to with EZCA.  I have one for the overhead (shown here), aft overhead, comm panel and throttle quadrant, in addition to the standard PIC view, and "jumpseat" view.

 

 

 

 

No idea why people even bother 'setting up' views in ezca. just turn the panning speed up and go wherever you want in the cockpit very quickly. With a new aircraft like the forthcoming Jumbo, all I do is set a camera in the VC and call it 'djejcnvnfjfj' and set an outside camera and just randomly type again. easy. takes about 5 minutes, if that, and the whole inside and outside of the aircraft is there for you to explore.

 

By the way Chris, why does your pressurisation cruise altitude readout look like that? It should be a digital numerical readout like the numbers on the MCP

 

 

By the way Chris, why does your pressurisation cruise altitude readout look like that? It should be a digital numerical readout like the numbers on the MCP

 

If I may, this could be caused by using FSX:SE.

 

I had the exact same issue, until I installed the required font manually.

No idea why people even bother 'setting up' views in ezca. just turn the panning speed up and go wherever you want in the cockpit very quickly. With a new aircraft like the forthcoming Jumbo, all I do is set a camera in the VC and call it 'djejcnvnfjfj' and set an outside camera and just randomly type again. easy. takes about 5 minutes, if that, and the whole inside and outside of the aircraft is there for you to explore.

 

By the way Chris, why does your pressurisation cruise altitude readout look like that? It should be a digital numerical readout like the numbers on the MCP

 

Problem with EZCA for me is more a matter of I don't know how to use it.  Will have to spend the time to RTFM there I'm afraid.  I know it makes moving around real easy, but I'm just not quite sure how to achieve that.  That being said, I've done a couple of flights in the B738 strictly VC, and strictly 'pilot in command' seat, and I am starting to get the hang of it now though.  Must admit, haven't gotten to the point yet where I prefer the VC over 2D but I suppose it will come.  As I become more and more familiar with the VC as to where things are located and what not, it is coming easier.  

 

No idea about the read-out.  I use normal FSX, not SE.  I haven't actually even noticed it to be honest.

Problem with EZCA for me is more a matter of I don't know how to use it. Will have to spend the time to RTFM there I'm afraid

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxMZT84FWo4

 

 

If  you do a search  there  some  good  tutorials   on how  to set  it  up  this  is  one  I just found

If you'd give it an honest shot, I think you'd change your mind honestly. EZDok is notoriously difficult to set up and work with, so I'm betting that only made the impression worse for you. As I mentioned earlier, simply hold the spacebar and move your mouse around, and you can look around quite easily. From there, it's simply a matter of actually pretending you're a pilot, and not kinda pretending you're a pilot. Things that are tough to see in the VC - without the false, direct head-on 2D view - are about that tough to see and get to in the real plane, too.

 

From what it seems, you have the NGX. Try the VC out in there for a while by using the mouse method. No money to spend that hasn't already been spent. Nothing to lose. I promise you that after a few flights (that will, admittedly be odd and slow-going), you will not want to go back.

I think I know Chris' feelings, I too had an enormous resistance in migrating from the 2D to the 3D. The reasons may be summed up in 2: low quality of the first 3D ones and absence of an efficient means of changing the views. Fortunately with the years passing both issues have been resolved (I use OpusFSI together with PMDG) and today I think I can't live without the 3D. Now, the real pain in the butt is the swinging PoV bug of FSX (and as I've been informed P3D too). When that eventually get resolved it's going to be only bliss!