Assign [CameraDefinition.002] to keyboard key

[n99wb 10]

Can I assign these to a keyboard key?

The ones I want to assign are in the aircraft.cfg file

for the TFDi 717.  Here is the format:

[CameraDefinition.002]
Title = "Virtual Cockpit (Jumpseat)"
Guid = {BEC36D3A-1788-4D3F-9359-43A5593D34DD}
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
MomentumEffect = False
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = False
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = False
Track = None
ShowAxis = YES
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.70
SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
XyzAdjust = TRUE
ShowLensFlare=FALSE
Category = Cockpit
PitchPanRate=30
HeadingPanRate=75
PanAcceleratorTime=0
InitialXyz=0.5004, 0.0, -0.55
InitialPbh=0, 0, 0

 

Thanks!

[Lorby_SI 2,036]

Hi,

Add "HotKeySelect=x" to the end of the list. x can be any number from 1-10 and by default it corresponds to the top row of numeric keys on your keyboard. Be aware though that 1-4 are already assigned to the default cameras (in cameras.cfg). 6-9 usually works best. You trigger them with CTRL & (0-9)

You can see those assignments in the "Controls" dialog in P3D, event category "Views",  named "View camera x", where you probably could assign other keys too.

Best regards

[n99wb 10]

10 hours ago, Lorby_SI said:

Hi,

Add "HotKeySelect=x" to the end of the list. x can be any number from 1-10 and by default it corresponds to the top row of numeric keys on your keyboard. Be aware though that 1-4 are already assigned to the default cameras (in cameras.cfg). 6-9 usually works best. You trigger them with CTRL & (0-9)

You can see those assignments in the "Controls" dialog in P3D, event category "Views",  named "View camera x", where you probably could assign other keys too.

Best regards

CTRL + (0-9) doesn't do anything, but now my button on my

joy stick for virtual cockpit brings up the jumpseat view.

Here's the entry:

CameraDefinition.002]
Title = "Virtual Cockpit (Jumpseat)"
Guid = {BEC36D3A-1788-4D3F-9359-43A5593D34DD}
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
MomentumEffect = False
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = False
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = False
Track = None
ShowAxis = YES
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 0.70
SmoothZoomTime = 2.0
ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
XyzAdjust = TRUE
ShowLensFlare=FALSE
Category = Cockpit
PitchPanRate=30
HeadingPanRate=75
PanAcceleratorTime=0
InitialXyz=0.5004, 0.0, -0.55
InitialPbh=0, 0, 0
HotKeySelect=1

[Lorby_SI 2,036]

For whatever reason, in some simulator installs the hotkeys aren't pre-configured in C:\Users\...\AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4\Controls\Standard.xml and you have to add them manually. To edit this file you need Notepad++, the standard Windows editor won't cut it, because the file is encoded in UTF8 with BOM.

Look for entries like this one:

Quote

        <Entry>
            <Key>F11</Key>
            <Down>VIEW_CAMERA_SELECT_3</Down>
        </Entry>

By copy&pasting this entry, you can assign <Key> values to camera views. VIEW_CAMERA_SELECT_x goes from 1-10 I think.

As a reminder:1-4 are already assigned to the standard views, you cannot use them unless you alter the cameras.cfg.

There probably is a proper way to do this, but that is how I do it - unless I use a camera addon.

Best regards

[n99wb 10]

Thanks. I'll give it a look see. . .

[Lorby_SI 2,036]

50 minutes ago, n99wb said:

Thanks. I'll give it a look see. . .

Example:

Lets assume that you are using "HotKeySelect=5" in the camera definition

Then you open the standard.xml with Notepad++, find one of the existing assignments like the one above, "<Down>VIEW_CAMERA_SELECT_3</Down>" then insert your new key (I am using Ctrl&5 here:

Quote

....        

</Entry>
<Entry>
 <Key>F11</Key>
 <Down>VIEW_CAMERA_SELECT_3</Down>
 </Entry>   
<Entry>
<Key>CTRL+5</Key>
<Down>VIEW_CAMERA_SELECT_5</Down>
</Entry>
<Entry>
.....

While you're at it, add the others too (6,7,8,9), then they will all show up in the P3D contols assignment dialog as described above. Maybe they are in that dialog from the beginning, just not assigned. I can't remember. Might be worth taking a look into the dialog before you start editing the cfg.

Best regards

[joepoway 241]

16 hours ago, Lorby_SI said:

Hi,

Add "HotKeySelect=x" to the end of the list. x can be any number from 1-10 and by default it corresponds to the top row of numeric keys on your keyboard. Be aware though that 1-4 are already assigned to the default cameras (in cameras.cfg). 6-9 usually works best. You trigger them with CTRL & (0-9)

You can see those assignments in the "Controls" dialog in P3D, event category "Views",  named "View camera x", where you probably could assign other keys too.

Best regards

I use the added HotKeySelect feature also when I create custom views for FlyInside even external views by moving the InitialXyz position outside of the aircraft.

One thing to be aware of is that ChasePlane uses camera assignments 1, 5, 6 and 8. If you use any of these and launch ChasePlane it will comment them out in your aircraft.cfg file just like it comments out camera 1 in your camera.cfg file.

So when I assign HotKeySelect=n  I only use 0, 7 and 9 and assign those cameras in the P3D keyboard assignments section to whatever I desire  Also note that that camera 0  is coupled to HotKeySelect=10

Joe

 

 

[n99wb 10]

6 hours ago, Lorby_SI said:

Example:

Lets assume that you are using "HotKeySelect=5" in the camera definition

Then you open the standard.xml with Notepad++, find one of the existing assignments like the one above, "<Down>VIEW_CAMERA_SELECT_3</Down>" then insert your new key (I am using Ctrl&5 here:

While you're at it, add the others too (6,7,8,9), then they will all show up in the P3D contols assignment dialog as described above. Maybe they are in that dialog from the beginning, just not assigned. I can't remember. Might be worth taking a look into the dialog before you start editing the cfg.

Best regards

OK, here is what I came up with after you clued me into the Cameras.cfg.

[CameraDefinition.002]
Title = "Virtual Cockpit (Jumpseat)"
.

.

.
HotKeySelect=2

This assigned my "cockpit" joystick button "jumpseat".

That's perfect because the 717 doesn't have 2D and my

VC joystick button has gone back to as it always was.

So right now, I'm happier than a

Colorado pot store owner.

 

Thanks!

[riccardo74 36]

Hy guys I'd like to use this feature to don't use anymore EZCA, I own V2. To be clear EzDok is a great software, I create my cameras in a second, it's very simple for me. But I think sometime it's a bit cpu intensive and btw it's an external app to the sim. I'd like to maintain sim simple and light with not too many app running around it.

So...is there a way to create my custom cameras for example 1st for Jumpseat, 2nd for throttle, 3rd for overhead and so on assign a key? I don't understand how to create a camera inside p3dv4 and fine tuning it, with EZCA it's simple and fast, but here? Many thanks for your help, very appreciated.

Edited July 11, 2020 by riccardo74

[newtie 533]

1 hour ago, riccardo74 said:

Hy guys I'd like to use this feature to don't use anymore EZCA, I own V2. To be clear EzDok is a great software, I create my cameras in a second, it's very simple for me. But I think sometime it's a bit cpu intensive and btw it's an external app to the sim. I'd like to maintain sim simple and light with not too many app running around it

Hi Riccardo-

I gave up EZCA for the same reasons.

Anyway, I'm using SimpleCam from AivlaSoft (along with their great EFB) in the A2A Cherokee which is my current flavor of the month. 

Ten bucks I think.Free trial.  Works perfect for me and no system hit.

Cheers,

Mark

Edited July 11, 2020 by newtie
sp

[riccardo74 36]

Thanks Mark, I was just inquiring about SimpleCam and seems very simple and focused on cockpit camera.

Is it possible to assign key different from 1-9 such as CTRL+1 or via FSUIPC?

[newtie 533]

Try the free trial.