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[WxTech]

In a nutshell:
- Expands the range of head panning when using head tracker hardware.
- Includes Storbror's smooth zoom mod, with some tweaks by me (you may disable this, or use Mike's original mod.)

Get it here:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/ioifd4lsevgnk05/00_WxTech_HeadPanIncrease_SmoothZoom.7z/file

Detailed readme file included, and reproduced below....



This is for 4.12. I'm not certain if it's compatible with other game versions, but I *suspect* it should be.

If you use any other mod(s) built upon or relying upon one or both of HookPilot.class and CmdFov.class, you may suffer conflicts. After installing, you could run a utility called ClassCheck.exe, or any such program--if it exists--which will identify class file repetition, to at least see where any conflict might arise.

Note that the code in CmdFov.class has been tuned for MY OWN PREFERENCES!!! The scheme is based on making the stock default FoV 70 degrees, which upon selecting in the game becomes the default value set in conf.ini (in my case, 105 degrees, which is the maximum possible as defined by me in code.) The aim is to have FoVs of 30, 70 and 105 (also the default upon mission start), as well as being able to step-zoom down to 5 degrees, by using just 3 precious HOTAS switches.

To use this mod most effectively, I recommend setting 3 HOTAS switches for FoVs of 30 (for the mozt zoomed), 60 (for the intermediate) and 70 (for the widest). You'll see why after further reading. I use the index finger, 4-way switch on my CH Throttle; push forward for wide, push left for middle, and pull back for wide.

Otherwise, you can certainly elect to use Storbror's original smooth zoom FoV mod instead. If so, delete or rename with a preceding "-" these two class files:

19EF8DC806613AE4
E5D3C09810641348


--------------------------

This is two mods, really, one by Storbror and further tweaked by me, and my own small original one:

1) Storbror's smooth zoom mod (CmdFov.class), and
2) my own mod to increase the range of angles over which the virtual pilot's head swivels when using head tracking, such as TrackIR (HookPilot.class).

The old FoV mod originally increased the range to 5-175 degrees. I reduced the limit to 105, because beyond this gnomonic distortion becomes awful, and gaps in skins on wings also become horribly apparent.

Storbror cooked up a marvelous way to smoothly transition between FoV commands by smoothly zooming. One can adjust the rapidity or slowness of the zoom rate with a conf.ini entry in the [Mods] section for "FOVSpeed". His default was 100, if I recall; I like 50. The fps you get will have an impact, as this rate is tied to the game's tick rate. That is, for slower fps, the zoom action will take longer to complete. Furthermore, the conf.ini line "FOVLog" sets whether you want to see the values appear on screen *and* also in log.lst. (The latter file can grow pretty big after a while!) Finally, the "FOVDefault" value is for your preferred FoV when starting out upon loading a mission.

[Mods]
FOVLog=0
FOVDefault=105
FOVSpeed=50

In my own useage, I have established 3 HOTAS switches (on my CH Throttle) for FoVs of 30, 60 and 70 degrees. In code, 60 commands a 70 degree FoV, and 70 commands 105 degrees. (I know, this is strange, and to be honest I've kind of forgotten how I got there during all my fiddling around! But it works, and I've never bothered to refine it to a more logical scheme.) This means that I actually have FoV switch values for 30, 70 and 105 degrees. I spent some time settling upon these particular FoVs for my 16:9 display (2650x1440), they giving what I thought to be the best quick-set wide, medium and zoomed set of views.

After setting to the 30 degree FoV, further presses of that key decrease the FoV (smoothly, as always) in 5 degree increments, until the minimum limit of 5 degrees is reached. But one cannot reverse this small incrementing when going wider; the other keys will command a smooth zoom all the way out to the FoV appropriate for that key, either 70 or 105 degrees. If you wish to make smaller incremental jumps of 5 degrees when zooming back out, reserve a switch for "fovInc". (For that matter, reserving another switch for "fovDecr" will permit the same 5 degree jumps when zooming in.) My scheme involves the fewest number of precious HOTAS switches; 3.

Here are my relevant FoV commands in il2/users/doe/settings.ini, which of course you define however you like:

Ctrl 9=fov90          (not actually used by me)
Ctrl 7=fov70          (game stock default in code, which becomes the conf.ini "default" setting of 105 degrees)
Ctrl 6=fov60          (becomes my preferred 70 degrees)
Ctrl 3=fov30          (as expected)

CloseBracket=fovDec   (I've not set HOTAS keys for this and the next; they require to tap the keyboard)
OpenBracket=fovInc


--------------------------

My own little mod alters the range of angles over which head trackers swivel the virtual pilot's head:
- In azimuth (left and right), from the original 155 degrees to 180.
- Looking down, from the original -60 degrees to -75.
- Looking up, from the original 89 degrees to 135 (head back at a 45 degree angle beyond vertical.)

This means you hardly ever hit hard limits to panning any more, making for a more immersive experience in that respect.

======================================================================================

Storbror's smooth zoom mod, with my tweaks, involve this class and its hashed files:
il2\engine\cmd\CmdFov.class

19EF8DC806613AE4  (originally just this one)
E5D3C09810641348  (created by the smooth zoom mod)

CmdFov.Java included, for 4.12

Again, you can elect to use Storbror's original mod instead. If so, deactivate these two class files.

======================================================================================

WxTech's head tracker panning angle range increase mod involves this class and its hashed files:

il2\engine\hotkey\HookPilot.class
  C1ABD46AC30A7EF6
  65A9E2D846D578F2
  AED23A24CF06FFE0
  6EABC2640E2C18C4

HookPilot.Java included, for 4.12

======================================================================================

I include the java code so that other modders can incorporate my changes, if desired, into other game versions, or existing modded versions, or their own alterations of these classes. Or to further refine my stuff.

For non-coders (of which group I still mostly belong, ha ha) the included Java files can be read with any text editor. If you have Notepad++, the text will be nicely formatted with color keying of certain words, and more. I actually use this when doing my own crude coding--it's that handy.

Lines of code, either singly or in groups, which are bracketed by /*     */ are ignored when compiled. I leave these lines in place to show original code, or my earlier tried out alterations.

======================================================================================

This work may be used or modified by anyone for any purpose, without restriction. I.e, consider this the DTFWYWWI (or is it DTFWIWYW?) license.

WxTech
Nov 25, 2019

[WxTech]

Anyone give this a try? Is it working for you?

Mods involving class file alterations are a bit more fraught for me than more 'universal' stuff like repaints and 3D meshes...

[shardana]

I’ll try it with my bat install tonight

[ben_wh]

WxTech.

Tried your head tracker panning angle range increase mod - it works in HSFX7.  It helps in getting a better view when checking six.  Thank you very much.

Cheers,

[WxTech]

Ben,
Thanks for the reply. I just needed to know that it worked for others. I have so many mods in operation over a good number of classes that I've been fiddling with for the past year that I feared I might have overlooked some little dependency.

Even more than the benefit of a gain in virtual head swivel angle, I find the essentially eliminated hitting against hard limits to be the more enjoyable aspect. (Of course, the hard limits to *translation* are appropriate for an enclosed cockpit.)

[karo]

It is nice! Thanks a lot.