The ultimate comms-tab

AndyHill · 08-23-2006, 11:35 PM

Here's a concept I thought of a while ago while flying Il-2. I don't know if this can be done with the present version, but I think the next one should have all the necessary details.

In many simulators you get a comms menu that looks something like this:

1. Wingman
2. Flight 1
3. Flight n
4. Ground Control
5. Mom
6. Exit

Then if you choose [1] for example you get another menu something like:

1. Cover me
2. Don't cover me
3. Attack something
4. Go away
5. Back

Again, if you choose for example [3] you'll get further menus.

Since this is a rather popular model for comms menus I think it begs for a tab construction kit. The main idea, of course, is to display the actual comms menu items on the touchscreen as buttons. Adding all the menu options will require some effort, but might be worth it. There are a few extra details that might become handy.

First of all, some options will not be available to the player in a given mission and there's no way TB can know which ones they are. That's why a "REMOVE ITEM" -button could prove handy. You push the button and click an option, which then disappears from the list. In addition there would be a "RESET REMOVE" button, which would return the list to its original status.

There might also be a "CANCEL" button that exits the comms menu in the simulator and in TB. You'd also have to consider doing something about the sim and TB getting out of sync at some point, this might be somehow connected to the cancel feature or perhaps not.

The actual COMMS-tab could have a set of pre-defined macros and the "COMMS MENU" -button that would open the aforementioned menu.

Feels like a neat idea. Now someone just needs to create such a tab for every sim and perhaps a construction kit.

Vegas · 08-24-2006, 02:35 AM

Andy, not trying to rain on your parade, but have you tried "Shoot!" for voice comms w/ wingmen in-game? It's free and it has worked well for me (of course you have to have a microphone, but that's only a few bucks). It's kinda fun and immersive too!

ruggbutt · 08-24-2006, 03:03 AM

I couldn't use Shoot, it was too buggy and I did all the voice training.

Andy, my upcoming F15 profile will have all commands available for each wingman. No more picking one button for which wingman, then another for what you want him to do. Just hit one button and it sends all the commands.

AndyHill · 08-24-2006, 09:59 AM

I've tried some voice recognition programs, but had a lot of problems. They're not infallible under the best of circumstances and since I'm not a native English speaker I'm in a lot of trouble if the program relies on proper pronounciation.

It'll be interesting to see what Rugg has come up with. Sturmovik has something like 60-70 different radio commands and I'm not sure Lock on would have much less than that.

zorlac · 08-24-2006, 10:50 AM

this sounds like a job for the "select_tab" option (v1.0.2 release option), that allows a button press to move you to a named tab. The button can have macros attached, so:

Quote:

1. Wingman
2. Flight 1
3. Flight n
4. Ground Control
5. Mom
6. Exit

button macro sends "1" then selects the tab for those radio commands.

Quote:

1. Cover me
2. Don't cover me
3. Attack something
4. Go away
5. Back

button macro sends "3" and selects the tab for "attack something" commands.

does that sound like it would work? I already use this feature to bring up the radio tab in EECH, which is just a number pad i can press the correct options on, then use the "tb:previous" on select_tab to go back to the tab where I was previously.

AndyHill · 08-24-2006, 11:36 AM

That's sort of what I thought. The possible problem is that I don't want these extra tabs cluttering the tabs list. They'd have to appear from nowhere and go back to the same limbo after the operation.

Snake_Eyes · 08-24-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruggbutt

I couldn't use Shoot, it was too buggy and I did all the voice training.

Andy, my upcoming F15 profile will have all commands available for each wingman. No more picking one button for which wingman, then another for what you want him to do. Just hit one button and it sends all the commands.

Rugg you should seriously consider giving VAC (Voice Activated Commands) a go.

I have used it for well over 6 months. BF2, Lock On, Falcon AF, GRAW, FEAR, Silent Hunter III. Without any problems whatsoever (I didnt even bother training it).

Main website (with Link to support page & review) is here:

http://www.dwvac.com/

zorlac · 08-24-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyHill

That's sort of what I thought. The possible problem is that I don't want these extra tabs cluttering the tabs list. They'd have to appear from nowhere and go back to the same limbo after the operation.

hmmmm... "hidden tabs"... i`ll take a look and see if thats possible, not promising anything though

AndyHill · 08-24-2006, 11:54 AM

Yay hidden tabs in hte next release! Together with full Lua export and free Black Shark for all TB users!

zorlac · 08-24-2006, 11:57 AM

you are SOOO going to get barred

08-23-2006, 11:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
AndyHill Junky Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 97	The ultimate comms-tab Here's a concept I thought of a while ago while flying Il-2. I don't know if this can be done with the present version, but I think the next one should have all the necessary details. In many simulators you get a comms menu that looks something like this: 1. Wingman 2. Flight 1 3. Flight n 4. Ground Control 5. Mom 6. Exit Then if you choose [1] for example you get another menu something like: 1. Cover me 2. Don't cover me 3. Attack something 4. Go away 5. Back Again, if you choose for example [3] you'll get further menus. Since this is a rather popular model for comms menus I think it begs for a tab construction kit. The main idea, of course, is to display the actual comms menu items on the touchscreen as buttons. Adding all the menu options will require some effort, but might be worth it. There are a few extra details that might become handy. First of all, some options will not be available to the player in a given mission and there's no way TB can know which ones they are. That's why a "REMOVE ITEM" -button could prove handy. You push the button and click an option, which then disappears from the list. In addition there would be a "RESET REMOVE" button, which would return the list to its original status. There might also be a "CANCEL" button that exits the comms menu in the simulator and in TB. You'd also have to consider doing something about the sim and TB getting out of sync at some point, this might be somehow connected to the cancel feature or perhaps not. The actual COMMS-tab could have a set of pre-defined macros and the "COMMS MENU" -button that would open the aforementioned menu. Feels like a neat idea. Now someone just needs to create such a tab for every sim and perhaps a construction kit.

08-24-2006, 02:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vegas Dealer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Las Vegas Posts: 225	Andy, not trying to rain on your parade, but have you tried "Shoot!" for voice comms w/ wingmen in-game? It's free and it has worked well for me (of course you have to have a microphone, but that's only a few bucks). It's kinda fun and immersive too! __________________ Setup: Core2 Duo, 7600GT, XP Pro, TM-868 touchscreen, local mode, latest version of TouchBuddy... Oh, and a DETROIT TIGERS paint job (that makes it run FASTER!!!)

08-24-2006, 03:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
ruggbutt Dealer Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 693	I couldn't use Shoot, it was too buggy and I did all the voice training. Andy, my upcoming F15 profile will have all commands available for each wingman. No more picking one button for which wingman, then another for what you want him to do. Just hit one button and it sends all the commands. __________________

08-24-2006, 11:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
zorlac Creator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,612	you are SOOO going to get barred __________________ (Setup: XP Pro, classic mode, LinITX 8" touchscreen (Client/Server), 19" touchscreen (Local), latest development version of TouchBuddy)

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08-24-2006, 09:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
AndyHill Junky Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 97	I've tried some voice recognition programs, but had a lot of problems. They're not infallible under the best of circumstances and since I'm not a native English speaker I'm in a lot of trouble if the program relies on proper pronounciation. It'll be interesting to see what Rugg has come up with. Sturmovik has something like 60-70 different radio commands and I'm not sure Lock on would have much less than that.

08-24-2006, 11:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
AndyHill Junky Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 97	That's sort of what I thought. The possible problem is that I don't want these extra tabs cluttering the tabs list. They'd have to appear from nowhere and go back to the same limbo after the operation.

08-24-2006, 11:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
AndyHill Junky Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 97	Yay hidden tabs in hte next release! Together with full Lua export and free Black Shark for all TB users!