FSX Cockpit Default view Position (Guide)
This guide has been written to hopefully walk a novice through the process of improving the default cockpit view position that each aircraft gives you in FSX.
This guide has been written for FSX STEAM EDITION on Flyinside but should work with any FSX edition (just file locations will be different)
File Locations
By default Steam installs itself into…
C:\Program files\steam\steamapps (on 32bit Windows)
Or
C:\ C:\Program files (x86)\steam\steamapps (on 64bit Windows)
However you can install steam in any custom folder you wish. Therefore in this guide I have shown the file locations from folder “steamapps” onwards. Obviously the first of the file location should be adjusted for your specific circumstance.
Aircraft Config files
Each Aircraft in FSX has its own folder which contains a config file called “Aircraft.cfg”. To alter the default 3D view position of an aircraft you need to alter this config file. Therefore I recommend you always backup this file before you edit it in case you make a mistake.
The file can be edited simple with Windows “Notepad”
Game Settings
As you change the settings you will need to test the changes. Therefore before you begin you will need to ensure that you have got the following controls configured (within the game) to be able to test your settings.
FSX Settings
Within the FSX main menu go to….
Settings > Controls > Button/Keys
Scroll down until you find “Aircraft (reload)”
Ensure you have a button assigned for this function and take a note of it (as you will be using it)…Traditionally this has been Ctrl + F11
FlyInside Settings
When you first fly a plane – go into the flyinside settings (from your 3D cockpit view) and ensure you have buttons mapped for the following functions…
Settings > Head Position > Reset Orientation
Settings > World Scale > Increase World Scale
Settings > World Scale > Decrease World Scale
Settings > World Scale > Reset World Scale
My Suggested settings
Posted below I have listed each of the default Steam edition aircraft and the file location of its config file.
I have also posted my suggestions for the config file and the world scale (more on this in a bit)
At the moment I have only done this for the Cesna’s but I will slowly do the rest and update as I go.
I welcome any suggested settings from other people to help complete the list!
The two changes needed to get your view right
The Default view is decided by two things…
A) The settings you specify in the “[Views]” section of the aircraft.cfg (which is the main thing)
B) The world scale (some cockpits look too squashed or too longated by default) so you may need to adjust the flyinside world scale
Therefore in some aircraft you need to both alter the aircraft.cfg and then alter the world scale.
World Scale
Unfortunately where the cockpit view position can be defined in the aircraft.cfg, the world scale can only be changed (as far as I can tell) by pressing a button. Not only that I do not of anyway to define the change of world scale other than the amount of clicks increase or decrease you need to do. Hopefully this will be made more configurable per aircraft in later versions of FlyInside. However for now I can only recommend (in my settings below) the amount of clicks increase or decrease.
The Config File settings
The only bit you are interested in the config file is the line called “Eyepoint” .. under the [View] section. This is usually found three quarters of the way down the config file. (example below)
[Views]
eyepoint= -3.0, -0.95, 1.7
The eye point consists of three figures and it is referencing your eye point in relation to usually somewhere in the nose of the plane.
The figures brake down like this..
The First number is your forward/back position
0 usually equals in the nose cone. Any positive figure will put you in front of the plane
Therefore the number this number is always a minus figure.
The Second Number is your left/right figure
Again as the reference point is usually in the middle of the plane, if you sit on the left this will be a minus figure.
The Third number is your height reference.
As the reference point is usually around the floor area this is usually the only positive figure.
Generally
The figures you type in usually only need tiny changes to make big movements. Increasing a number by 0.05 maybe all you need. Changing a figure from 1.7 to 2.7 will quite often put you out the plane
Instructions on how to change your view
(Please ensure you have got your game buttons as advised above)
1) Start FSX/Flyinside
2) Choose the plane you want to alter and start a free flight
3) Once you are flying pause the game (press the “P” key)
4) Oculus off the eyes
5) On the desktop of your PC browse to location of the aircraft.cfg
6) Locate the “eyepoint” setting in the file
7) Either change to my suggested settings or try your own
8) Save Config file (but you DO NOT need to exit out of it – you can leave it open in notepad)
9) Click back onto the FSX screen on the desktop (to go back in the game)
10) No need to unpause game… leave it paused
11) Oculus back on
12) Perform the “Aircraft Reload” function in FSX (Usually Ctrl + F11)
13) You should see the default view change to reflect your changes.
14) Double check by performing a Oculus reset Orientation (to confirm position)
15) If it’s still not right, go back to step 4 and try changing the cfg file again
16) Once everything looks ok (position wise) you may need to slightly adjust the world scale by clicking on the world scale buttons as recommended for each aircraft.
That’s it done.
Now when you start a game or reset the rift view the default view should be correct (except for world scale which may need adjusting each time you try a new aircraft).
Please advise me if I have made any errors