Aces High

[2Otter]

Hi all I am new to the CH-Pro (sticks).. I have used TM gear..
I am trying to get a good working set of files for the
Combatstick and Pro Peddals...
if anyone has one please let me know... also need some help with
scripting and setting up the buttons.. (old dog can learn new tricks)

ty in advance...

Tommy aka 2Otter

[Revvin]

You can find my Aces High profile for the Combatstick/Pro Throttle/Pro Pedals setup here (http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=133). You can download that and load it into Control Manager then highlight the Pro Throttle tab and hit the 'delete' button http://www.ch-hangar.com/SiteFiles/Images/faq/cmdeletebtn.jpg to remove the Pro Throttle from the map, just re-save that profile and download it to your stick using the 'Download' button http://www.ch-hangar.com/SiteFiles/Images/faq/cmdownloadbtn.jpg. If you'd like help creating a more personalised setup for your stick then give me a shout I'd be happy to help. That profile includes a .cmc file that includes all the commands for Aces High much like TM's two part file setup (.m50, .tmm etc) To isert commands on your profile just click on a joystick button and instead of pressing a key to insert a keypress for that joystick button you just right click and select 'Insert Command' and a pop up window appears listing all the commands available in the cmc file. For more help on using cmc files take a look at the FAQ here (http://www.ch-hangar.com/content.php?content.1#cmcfiles).

[Hyrax]

Revvin,

I just purchased this combo (CombatStick/Pro Throttle/Pro Pedals) and have been playing around with assignments within AH 2. I am a total newbie with regard to mapping keys although I have been playing around with this sim for a few years and Air Warrior before that.

Questions:

1. Why am I mapping anything to these controllers with CHCM if I have to map/assign them inside AH 2 anyway ? Or am I missing the point ?

2. I downloaded the latest ver. 4.1 of the CM and generally understand what the map mode and download stuff is all about. I have read the CM for Dummies.

3. Is there a step by step, blow by blow AH 2-specific instruction on how to properly setup and use these controllers to their best advantage in these forums ?

Thanks !

Hyrax
81st Krewsaderz

[Hyrax]

Revvin,

Found the thread where you helped describe how this is supposed to work. I understand now that I can download your CSTK/PT/PP profile for AH and tweak the buttons as I like. I also understand that I should setup NOTHING in the AH mapping/assignments except the 3 controllers axes and calibration...

Thanks !

Scott

[Hyrax]

OK... confusion still reigns.

I used Revvin's profile to map my controllers. Everything looks good in testing within the CHCM. I load AH 2 it sees my controllers and I can map/calibrate the Axes of all 3 devices.

After that, I have no functionality within the game. Zero. Nada.

If anyone has some hand-holding experience with AH2, I would appreciate it. Until then, I am direct mode within the game and mapping the functionality within AH2 to use this equipment.

'Rax

[Revvin]

Welcome to the CH Hangar Hyrax :salute: I've not played Aces High online for a few years but have it installed on my system as this question seems to come along quite often despite this new controller setup menu in AH supposedley being easier than the old one. First download the map to your CH devices from the Control Manager software by clicking the load button http://www.ch-hangar.com/SiteFiles/Images/faq/cmdownloadbtn.jpg and then load up Aces High II and map your controls, if you have mapped them correctly the values next to the axis should change as you move those axis.

857

[Hyrax]

Hi Revvin,

The steps I took before were:

1. Ran CHCM.
2. Loaded your profile (which automatically turned mapped mode on).
3. Calibrated all 3 controllers and tested button functionality.
4. Downloaded the mapping to the controllers.
5. Exited the CHCM.
6. Ran AH 2
7. Went to Options/Controls/Map Controllers.
8. Saw all 3 controllers and mapped their respective axes to the pedals, throttle and stick.
9. Calibrated the 3 controllers again in AH2 and also enabled scaling setting
deadbands and damping sliders.
10. Go into offline or online game and I cannot shoot, fly, move left or right or anything else in planes/boats/vehicles.

I think I understand the point of mapping my controllers with CHCM to be that I have control over what various games choose to use for different in-game control keys. This would allow me to have a consistent setup for my sticks without having to relearn what each game wants me to "hit" to do simple tasks.

If I only play AH 2, do I gain any extra benefit from the CHCM ? or should I just rely on AH 2's own mapping process ?

Thanks for your earlier reply !

Hyrax

[snomhf]

Hello Hyrax,
I am an AH2 player and have spent much time developing maps for AH and helping others with theirs. I agree that setting these devices up can be a bit tricky.

You might want to look at the Readme that I've included with my map:

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3481

as I outline carefully the steps involved with setting things up. [I'm not trying to get you to use my map, just look at the Readme; I'd say stick with Revvin's map.] It sounds like you have done a pretty thorough job of working through everything but you've obviously missed something important.

A couple of things noteworthy about Aces High and CH gear:

1. Get your axes set up and working correctly within Control Manager first before attempting to do anything within Aces High. Even if you don't plan to ever use an axis, go ahead and enable it anyway within CM just in case you change your mind later. Aces High has problems when you have everything set up and come along later and add a new axis. Also, I recommend staying away from "Map all your controllers as one device." This is a hold over for old games that only work with a single controller. There is no need to do this and if you do set things up this way, it makes it very confusing which axis you are working with. Plus, you can end up not having enough axis assignments for all the controllers you have. Always, set up your map to use seperate controllers. Now you are ready to begin to assign your axes. Get your X & Y axes on your FighterStick functioning properly inside CM by bringing up the "Test and Calibrate" utility and make sure you see the stick move there before continuing on. You should see all your axes (FS X& Y, Pro Throttle throttle axis (Z usually), Pro Pedals left brake (X axis usually), right brake (Y axis usually), and rudder (Z axis usually) along with your PT ministick. If you do not see all of these functioning properly, AH certainly will NOT be able to see them either. You must get everything working at the CM level BEFORE moving on to programming your controllers from within Aces High. You should realize too that you cannot calibrate your devices while they are in "Mapped Mode." Simply click the "Direct Mode" icon and then bring up "Test and Calibrate" and you will be able to calibrate all your devices. Once you are done calibrating, click the "Mapped Mode" icon and you are back to working with the map.

2. AH is bad about deleting your controller assignments if you alter the axes in your map within Control Manager. For example, I was working with a friend on his setup and he wanted to begin using the throttle wheel on his FighterStick for analog elevator trim. He had not assigned the throttle wheel to anything before. When he enabled that axis within CM and downloaded it, AH deleted ALL the axes assignments from within the game (Options->Controls->Map Controllers) and he had to enter them all back in. That's really a bug in AH that you need to be aware of.

3. If you are going to use CM then do as much there (opposed to assigning things within AH) as possible. Some guys assign some buttons in CM while assigning other buttons within AH. This is a bad idea. Because of the problem I cite in #2 above, you risk having your assignments deleted. Let CM do it all as best you can. Of course, you still have to assign your various axes within AH but that should be all you do.

4. Work through your devices one axis at a time. For example, if your FighterStick shows up as "CM Device 1" in AH, start with the "X" axis (aileron roll) and get that working before you move on to another. What I do is go to the Offline Practice Arena and launch an airplane. While the plane is sitting on the runway, bring up your kneeboard and go into the controller mapping option. Select "CM Device 1" (or whatever) and move the axis you want to assign (e.g. aileron roll). Watch for the numbers to change as you move the control. This will assure you that you are working with the correct axis. Once you are sure, then assign that axis to whatever function you want it to have. You should "calibrate axis" after each assignment too so that Aces High gets the full movement of your control. I never use the "Calibrate Joystick" as that calibrates all your axes at one time. I always do them one at a time using the "calibrate axis" command. (That's just a preference of mine.) After assigning the aileron roll axes to your FS "X axis", you should be able to look left and see the aileron move when you move your stick. If you don't see this then you did something wrong. Work progressively through all your axes that way rather than trying to set them all up at once. One thing I have noticed here is sometimes I have to return to the tower and then come back out on the runway to get some axes to take effect. I think this may be another bug in AH. I've noticed this behavior especially when setting up analog trim controls.

General comments:

Be very methodical when working with CM. For example, if you are setting the main trigger on your FS to "f" (just an example) and are assigning it with the GUI inside CM, always save your map and then "download." A lot of people get confused with "saving" and "downloading." Saving the map simply saves the map on your computer so you can get back to it when you want to use it again. Nothing happens with the controllers until you "download" the map. Downloading the map actually writes the code from your map out to your devices and programs them. Always get in the habit of "saving->downloading" as a standard sequence. If you forget to download than whatever change you make to your map will not take effect. After doing this, use the "Key check" utility within CM to test the button and see if it is sending out the command you expect. If it does, then exit CM and go into Aces High and test the button there as well. Progress one function at a time like that until you get confident with your programming skills.

Always be aware that everything starts with the CM. Go there first to make sure an axis shows up (in "Test and Calibrate") or a button is functioning properly (with "Key Check"). If things aren't working there, there is no way they are going to work in Aces High.

Hope that helps.
-mark

[Hyrax]

Thanks man !

Have been out of pocket and not looking in on this thread but I printed off your comments and linked to the thread you recommended to take a look at your readme outline of the step-by-step approach.

I'll check back in later this week to post my results !

Thanks again...

Hyrax