2D panel -versus- VC in FSX... I want both.

[Russell]

In FS9, ( FS2004 ), I would scroll through my camera views, beginning with 2D panel. Next view would be VC, followed by the external views of the aircraft. In FSX, it seems I'm forced to choose between the 2D panel view, or the VC, ( and I can only get the one I've chosen ). I know I'm at fault here. There's no way FSX is less versatile than FS9 used to be. So, can you PLEASE tell me "how" to get all my camera views back, and in the same order that I had them before? Please? I am comfortable modifying config. files, if that's what I need to do. Thank you very much. You see, I fly from both panels. My Garmin GPS is visible in my 2D panel only. In my VC panel, I have greater visibility, and the opportunity to look around. When I'm forced to insert a GPS into my VC panel, it never disappears, ( as you know ). It just floats there, and remains visible, even when you scroll to your external views of the aircraft. That's a "No-No". So, I need both panels, ( 2D, and VC ). So, could some of you "pros" out there, please take the time to teach me what I'm doing wrong, or what it is that I'm overlooking, or have forgotten? I need some help..... Thanks.

[Fozzer]

In my FSX, I have to decide which panel type I wish to use for my flights:
Menu > Views > View Mode > "Choose" Cockpit OR Virtual Cockpit.

I mostly/always prefer the 2D cockpit, so I just pre-select that one in the Menu.

Once I have selected my preferred type, I retain it for my flight.

(Maybe in FS 2002/FS 2004 your could scroll through BOTH Cockpit types during flight...but I forget now!)

Paul....I like 2D cockpits*.... ...!

* They can be modified with "FS Panel Studio".... ...!

[Hagar]

The FSX default key commands are F9 for VC & F10 for 2D panel. Hope this is what you want to know.

[EVVFCX]

Hi Russel, you should be able to go thriugh and select the external views by using the s key or shift+s to go backwards through the views, this will include the external views setup in the camera config.

the behavour maybe slightly different when in slew mode.

regards

Steve

[Russell]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your help. What I'm trying to do, ( if my rambling request was unclear ), is to use both panels, ( the 2D panel, and the VC panel ), during the same flight. I want to fly from both panels, ( switching panels ), during a single flight. I don't want to limit myself, by having to choose one panel, or the other panel. I'd like to be able to switch back and forth between them. I'm hoping the suggestion I received, that the F9 keyboard key, and the F10 key, will switch the panels back and forth from 2D to VC will work for me. And, "yes", in FS9 you could automatically scroll through the 2D panel view, then to the VC panel view, followed by the aircraft's external views. Ultimately, I'm trying to find out how to do this in FSX. Still looking for help with that one. Thanks......

[BlueSkies]

Hi Russell,

Don't know if this will help you, but if I want to use both the 2D and VC panel during a flight in FSX, I just tap on the "A" key on my keyboard.
This takes me from the 2D panel if that's the one I'm using at the time, carrying on to all the views of the VC panel, and back to the 2D panel again.
Happy days.

[Fozzer]

Like Blue Sky says.... ...!

Just tried it with my copy of FSX. It works fine!... ...!

Tapping the "A" key cycles between the 2D Panel and the VC Panel.

(Its all done by magic!).... ...!

Paul.....Prefer cycles with engines between the wheels!.... ...!

[Hagar]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your help. What I'm trying to do, ( if my rambling request was unclear ), is to use both panels, ( the 2D panel, and the VC panel ), during the same flight. I want to fly from both panels, ( switching panels ), during a single flight.

As per my previous reply, toggling panel views with F9/F10 should do what you want.

[G.K.]

With the stock aircraft there should be a VC and 2d panel which can be cycled through as the above posts describe.

Not all addon aircraft (payware and freeware) will have both panels so you're stuffed with those.

If you want to exclude a view that appears with the cycle keys then add this line to the bottom of the specific camera definition in "cameras.cfg" using notepad

CycleHidden=Yes

It's a waste of time cycling through views you don't use so I add this line to the locked spot view as I don't use it. The excluded view can still be accessed using the drop down menu at the top. It won't appear when cycling through the views though.

[BlueSkies]

Nice tip GK.

Like you, I never use Locked Spot View, or Fly By for that matter.
They say you learn a new thing everyday, and even though I've been simming for some 18 years now, I'm still picking up little tips here and there.

[garymbuska]

Nice tip GK.

Like you, I never use Locked Spot View, or Fly By for that matter.
They say you learn a new thing everyday, and even though I've been simming for some 18 years now, I'm still picking up little tips here and there.

Indeed same here. My main reason for coming here was just that no matter how long you have been flying you can still find things that you did not know,
As I was not aware of that tidbit of information.

[G.K.]

It works in P3D as well.

Don't forget to back up the original camera.cfg file in case it all goes belly up.


I assume (but I've never bothered) views that are excluded from cycle by default, like nearest runway, can be added to cycle by deleting the line I mentioned.

[Azframer]

I am like Fozzer on this, I like flying in 2D, it is usually the easiest to deal with auto pilot in most cases, but I like to land manually in 3D VC cockpit. I use the "A" key to switch between the 2D and 3D cockpit to look for traffic during my flights when flying airlines, I love the Polsky 777's and scrolling the auto pilot dials do not work so well with some type of blink rate going on in VC, and the 777's are the only planes that I have been able to do a CAT III landing landing full auto in zero visibility.
But with most military planes that have a VC that is how I fly those.

Rick

[Russell]

Thanks guys. Everyone has been so helpful, and taught me so much. I guess, I should have mentioned, that I scroll through my camera views using a button on my Logitech Wingman Extreme 3D Force Feedback joystick. Not my keyboard. But, using my keyboard to press "A", or "F10" and "F9", is a small price that I will gladly pay. I would like to modify the config. file to include, ( not exclude ), the VC panel, as I scroll through all my camera views, while flying with my joystick. Any thoughts? Or, additional ideas? How about config. edits or hacks? Thanks to everyone..... I'm grateful..... aviation1972