2D vs. 3D cockpit

[s0cks]

Does anyone still use 2D cockpit? I will confess that I never used to use VC.. then I found the "shift+enter" and "shift+backspace" keys!

Now I hate 2D! So unrealistic. I only use it for switching stuff that is hard to get to in VC mode (like some switches). Its annoying in some respects though, because some great freeware aircraft have no VC, which is a shame but I just can't live without it.

[Charl]

Don't forget <Ctrl><Shift><Enter> and <Ctrl><Shift><backspace> !

[AlisterC]

I pretty much only fly 2D when flying IFR flight. it's just so much easier to see, and use, all the panel functions. In FS9 I love the 2d, and not so keen on 3d for anything other than screenshots. FSX, i'm ok in 3d in the general aviation aircraft, but still fall back on 2d for the jets

[Alex]

A bit of both for me. Usually 2D cockpit when I want to do some 'serious' flying, and the 3D (i.e. VC) when I want to have a bit of a look around, or get a better view out of the window.

Alex

[Q300]

Yea same with me dude im 100% VC user never use 2D panels anymore and I actully find flying from the VC easier too gives a much more real perspective of flying the plane.
I dont think ill ever go back to 2D again

[ardypilot]

See the 'Preferred View?' poll.

I only use the 2D during IFR flights

[benwynn]

Depends on the Aircraft and Flight.

I always switch between both for IFR- When actually taxying, and takeoff/landing always VC but on decent etc when im flicking switches and programming the FMC, 2D. Only Exception to this would be flying somthing that cuts the frames heaps in the VC.

VFR, the whole thing in VC.

[creator2003]

If it doesnt have a VC i dont have it in my sim ,if i need anything from the panel i just hit "Shift + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 " i also have the added bonus of a trackIR4 ,but even before that it was only VC ,
its a 3d sim so i guess that says it all

[Q300]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Mar 10 2008, 09:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If it doesnt have a VC i dont have it in my sim ,if i need anything from the panel i just hit "Shift + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 " i also have the added bonus of a trackIR4 ,but even before that it was only VC ,
its a 3d sim so i guess that says it all

Couldent have said it better!!

[s0cks]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Mar 10 2008, 09:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If it doesnt have a VC i dont have it in my sim ,if i need anything from the panel i just hit "Shift + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 " i also have the added bonus of a trackIR4 ,but even before that it was only VC ,
its a 3d sim so i guess that says it all

Yes, anything I need that is hard to get to can usually be found with Shift+1,2,3,4,5,6,7, or 8. So I have to use 2D even less. I have almost removed all non-VC aircraft. You hit the nail on the head. When you pull up the 2d cockpit it totally ruins the realism. Its just a fancy 2d interactive painting overlayed on a fully 3d world!! I admit it is hard for IFR with all the twidly bits on big jets and stuff, but I mainly fly VFR partly because of that reason. Its far more fun to enjoy the sights as you fly

[Peppermint]

I mainly fly with 2d panels. If there's a plane I have that has a good VC and 60% or more of the switches/buttons are clickable, I'll use VC. Mainly with everyone else though.

Smaller planes I fly with VC as often as I can, the big tubes I fly with the 2d panel. Mil jets differ, 50/50 on that one.

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

Oh man this is such a good subject starter!!!!!! should have thought of this yonks ago....Yea i totally agree with mike on his comments, i will only fly aircraft that have a VC. Once i purchased my TrackIR4 there is just no other way to fly. And that is pretty true when there are some really nice freeware aircraft but just no VC, e.g the visterliners 737, man oh man how i love the ANZ paint on that but its only the 2D. if somehow i could put my PMDG 737 VC in there i would be a happy chappy...mmm...if only . but apart from all that all my aircraft i fly all have a VC.

[Timmo]

Im VC all the way too...Although if MS could tweak one thing it would make the experience soooo much better- The ability to click/roll a switch when in mouse look mode!

Ive set a button on my joystick to activate mouse look which means I can quickly look around the cockpit using the mouse and zoom in and out using the scroll wheel (Also use the joystick hat for more basic looking) but, when in mouse look mode it isnt possible to click on buttons or use the scroll wheel on VC knobs etc so I have to unclick the mouse look and then twiddle the knobs.....a bit annoying.
Using a VC and being able to look around it quickly is pretty important when flying helos...

[chickenman]

I mainly use 2D panel, but will use the VC for the likes of checking for A/C before entering active or generally looking around. 2D especially for take off, landing enginne starts, FMC etc

Jamie

[SteelBlades]

QUOTE (Timmo @ Mar 11 2008, 08:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Im VC all the way too...Although if MS could tweak one thing it would make the experience soooo much better- The ability to click/roll a switch when in mouse look mode!

Ive set a button on my joystick to activate mouse look which means I can quickly look around the cockpit using the mouse and zoom in and out using the scroll wheel (Also use the joystick hat for more basic looking) but, when in mouse look mode it isnt possible to click on buttons or use the scroll wheel on VC knobs etc so I have to unclick the mouse look and then twiddle the knobs.....a bit annoying.
Using a VC and being able to look around it quickly is pretty important when flying helos...

Wow, I can only imagine your frustration! X-Plane lets you do exactly what you are asking for here:) Many X-Plane users exclusively use aircraft with 3D Cockpits (often with their Track-IR headsets) - in fact some aircraft only come with them: http://myvirtualhanger.com/DC3.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Comanche.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Cessna195.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Snipe_Pics.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Clipper.html . There are loads more examples as many X-Plane aircraft have both 2D and 3D cockpits - http://www.c74.net/xplane/ - pretty much all on this site have both, as do my own Pilatus PC-6 aircraft http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?autoco...p;showfile=2884 & http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?autoco...p;showfile=2751 although I must confess to having been the junior member of two man team that built the PC-6.

[s0cks]

QUOTE (SteelBlades @ Mar 11 2008, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow, I can only imagine your frustration! X-Plane lets you do exactly what you are asking for here:) Many X-Plane users exclusively use aircraft with 3D Cockpits (often with their Track-IR headsets) - in fact some aircraft only come with them: http://myvirtualhanger.com/DC3.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Comanche.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Cessna195.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Snipe_Pics.html , http://myvirtualhanger.com/Clipper.html . There are loads more examples as many X-Plane aircraft have both 2D and 3D cockpits - http://www.c74.net/xplane/ - pretty much all on this site have both, as do my own Pilatus PC-6 aircraft http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?autoco...p;showfile=2884 & http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?autoco...p;showfile=2751 although I must confess to having been the junior member of two man team that built the PC-6.

One problem I noted was in widescreen mode the 2D panels did not "stretch". Instead I had a panel 1024 pixels wide on a 1440 pixel wide monitor! Very strange. Also, for those without TrackIR the joystick hat is a MUST yet in X-Plane I am only able to assign pan-up, down, left, and right? I want to use all 8 directions on my hat, not just 4!

[SteelBlades]

So0ks, email Austin (the X-Plane developer) austin@x-plane.com and explain the panning problem.

As for stretching, you have two solutions: 1) don't use aircraft with only 2D panels or 2) set the monitor resolution to stretch prior to loading X-Plane. In X-Plane 9 there may be another solution, as panels can be twice as tall and twice as wide (four times bigger). We'll have to see what X-Plane aircraft developers can do with the new panels.

[s0cks]

QUOTE (SteelBlades @ Mar 11 2008, 03:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So0ks, email Austin (the X-Plane developer) austin@x-plane.com and explain the panning problem.

As for stretching, you have two solutions: 1) don't use aircraft with only 2D panels or 2) set the monitor resolution to stretch prior to loading X-Plane. In X-Plane 9 there may be another solution, as panels can be twice as tall and twice as wide (four times bigger). We'll have to see what X-Plane aircraft developers can do with the new panels.

OK, I sent an email. I tend not to use 2D panel either, but it seems like a very strange problem that should be easy to fix. Almost everyother game I know can stretch textures to a resolution beyong that of their native one.

[jetplane]

I prefer 3d Cockpit view, however I used to use 2D. I find it easier to land in 3d and taxi.

Does anyone know if you can add a V.C to a plane in FSX. As I find it anoying to download an aircraft that takes about 2
hours to dLoad and find it only has a 2D cockpit?

Thanks.

[Charl]

QUOTE (jetplane @ Mar 11 2008, 06:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...Does anyone know if you can add a V.C to a plane in FSX...

VC is integral to the model, and often takes as much effort as the rest of the model put together.
You cannot just add 'em in after.