MSFS Utility to keep your HandOnMouse for easier/better flying
"MSFS virtual cockpits are wonderfully immersive but can become challenging when flying requires to actuate critical knobs and levers quickly.
Takeoffs may require to quickly retract gear and/or flaps before critical speeds are reached.
Landings may require to adjust flaps or throttle (or even gliders' spoilers) and/or trim without delay.
Touchdown on short runways may require prompt and precise use of reverse throttle.
Even with dedicated hardware such as quadrants, having to leave your mouse may badly delay other actions such as preparing the aircraft (lights, accessories), completing checklists, answering ATC, etc. I guess using VR mode makes all of these even more challenging.
The solution I use for quite some time now is this small utility that connects to MSFS to map critical actions to mouse moves combined with dedicated buttons pressed."
Quick Start Guide
- Extract all files from the archive to a folder
- Run the MSFS_HandOnMouse application
- Test the mouse sensitivity and adjust as required (depends on mouse resolution and desired range, beware that sensitivity will be reduced in interactions with MSFS)
- Use the default mappings or click "..." to select mappings more adapted to your plane
- Connect to MSFS and check that you can actuate the chosen controls with the mouse
- Either hide the application window with "-" button or keep it on top in a reduced form with "=" button
Since many mouse are equipped with forward/backward buttons and these are not mapped by default to anything, the utility comes with preconfigured mappings suited to various aircraft types using these buttons:
Mouse Button(s) : MSFS Control
- Forward button alone : Throttle (forward-backward mouse move) and Reverse Throttle (protected by use of orthogonal mouse move)
- Backward button alone : Flaps (forward-backward move) and Landing Gear (left-right move) OR using mapping files with trim Elevator & Aileron Trim (forward-backward and left-right move)
- Forward+Backward buttons : Propeller or Mixture or Spoilers (for jets and gliders)
NB: Controls with few positions such as flaps and gear are configured to wait for the buttons to be released before actually doing anything so you can revert an inadvertent move.
Otherwise, you can edit a documented Custom.ini mappings file to use other buttons, control other Simulation Variables, etc.
Smart Trim
"When you already have a good way to actuate flaps and ailerons, and a spring-centered stick/yoke, you should try to trim with the mouse as this will save you previous time during your approaches. Trimming is essential to a stabilized approach but it is difficult to simulate due to the variety of trimming implementations and the sparsity of force-feedback hardware. In MSFS it is more complex than it is in real life, at least in GA aircrafts and gliders. So, the utility implements it in a more efficient way so you can concentrate on all the other things to do during an approach."
When you need to apply too much effort to maintain your stick/yoke in position:
- Use the mouse to grab the trim control (press Backward button)
- Gently center back your stick/yoke (you can also move the mouse forward/backward to maintain a perfect attitude)
- Release the trim control (Backward button)
- If trimming is not perfect, you can adjust it with the mouse, or with stick/yoke (back to #1)
NB: The default smart trim sensitivity works well for most default aircrafts but not all, so, you can adjust it in a custom mappings file (use the "..." button)
Smart Reverse
"When the runway is short, reverse throttle need to be used as soon as the aircraft touches the ground but not before! In real life, the reverse range is protected by detents. The utility simulates this by using the same button but a mouse move orthogonal to the direction chosen for forward throttle."
Just before the flare:
- Make a large mouse move toward idle throttle
- Wait to touch the ground
- Move the mouse to the right to apply reverse
On a sloped runway you can quickly revert to forward throttle to make sure you reach the platform:
- Move the mouse forward to get out reverse range and apply the necessary power
NB: Move the mouse backward/forward in the reverse throttle range in case you configured forward throttle in a left/right direction
Advanced features: MouseOnly / vJoy / Aerosoft CRJ
A dedicated Thr+Yoke+Pedals.ini allows to replace a yoke or pedals with the mouse. Aileron, rudder and brakes automatically return to a centered position when button/s is/are released. Brake SimVars cannot be used for precise braking, so brakes are made available with a virtual joystick driver named vJoy.
vJoy axis can also be used to increase sensitivity to mouse movements since changes coming from MSFS are ignored. Using any vJoy mapping requires to:
- Download vJoy driver: https://sourceforge.net/projects/vjoystick/files/Beta%202.x/2.1.9.1-160719/vJoySetup.exe/download
- Install it by running: vJoySetup.exe
- Map vJoy axis displayed by HandOnMouse to desired MSFS functions
For instance:
- Select vJoy.ini possibly editing it to remove axis or features you do not need (say, rudder, brakes)
- Map MSFS controls to vJoy device as in:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/arnaud-clere/MSFS_HandOnMouse/main/vjoy_msfs.jpg
(beware to select "reverse" for the appropriate axis) - To use reverse throttle with CRJ, you must use its tablet, access last "options" page and "calibrate throttle" to enable reverse range and set an Idle value close to the one in:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/arnaud-clere/MSFS_HandOnMouse/main/crj_reverse.jpg
Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
Cheers, Arnaud
Is it possible to assign the mouse wheel to trim wheel axis?
1 years ago
Sorry no, not for the moment but I am thinking about it... As a pilot glider I find that adjusting trim with a mouse move and/or joystick centering move is faster, more precise and more "realistic" (gliders have trim knobs, not wheels). Using the mouse wheel would require to coordinate the mouse wheel change with the joystick centering move which seems unrealistic to me. But I am curious as to what would be better for you in using the mouse wheel as a trim wheel? Arnaud
1 years ago
arnaudclere
Bartul
I even love you just for the smart trim alone <3
2 years ago
https://github.com/nmeier/fscode/wiki/Realtrim
is there any way to make something similar to this?
2 years ago
Azorath
Azorath
One more thing, sorry but i don´t understand, how the "auto" features work, like auto-trim... Please explain it like for a 7 yearold kid, maybe THEN i´ll finally get it...
😊
3 years ago
Arf, trim by itself is not simple to explain :-/
The "smart trim" is not actually fully automatic, but once you press the mouse button mapped to trim axis, not only the mouse moves will set the trim, the opposite joystick moves too...
So, when you release the pressure on the joystick (move it to center) it also moves the trim in the opposite way removing most of the tediousness that comes from inefficient trim increments in MSFS (at least for most GA aircrafts). It is still necessary to adjust trim with the mouse to precisely trim the aircraft though.
Hope it helps!
3 years ago
arnaudclere
Scooty
Thanks a lot, this is so very much that, what i was looking for for quite a long time.
Using the mouse to trim, set mixture and prop is a fantastic thing to have, as it´s much more accurate than pressing a key or so...
I have a question:
I would like to get the following configuration, but i seem to be too stupid to understand, how to edit one of the settings files.
I also have 2 mouse buttons for my thumb, but i can´t press 2 at once... it don´t work with my fingers.
I am looking for a config like this:
maybe it´s better to have
Could you please create a preset for this or tell me in detail, how to do it on my own? I really have no idea of programming things, so i really need a helping hand.
Is there a way to create settings like "Joystick button 8 + mouse forward/backward" too, to use joystick buttons? i think the very best would be, if we could use just mouse forward/backward, no sideways, to totally avoid "handling errors". But we would need a couple of buttons to use for each and every mapped command. Can this be done?
I think the tool is very good already. It doesn´t need much to get totally perfect for me...
😍
3 years ago
Hi, thanks for our appreciation ! Actually I am starting tests of a v2 that will allow you to customize any axis so you will be able to change the default "trigger" to use keys or joystick buttons to suit your needs... stay tuned! Arnaud
3 years ago
arnaudclere
Scooty
Love it, and huge thanks to Arnaud! I love the smart trim especially. Is there any way to map this trimming technique not only to mouse button, but to a button on joystick? It would be a life-saver, since while flying a Cub in mountains you just have no time to grab your mouse, it's all stick and rudder.
3 years ago
Hi, thanks for your kind remarks. Unfortunately, accessing Joystick buttons would require quite a lot of work since they are diverse and the API is complex. Unless SimConnect enables input events including joystick in the future, that is unlikely, sorry.
Looks like we share the same passion for landing in the wilderness ;-)
https://youtu.be/a1UVHKWQTKQ
Trimming and throttle were indeed key to land there...
I have never been bothered having the throttle and trim with the same hand. Is that what bothers you with having to trim with the mouse? Or are you trying to have the trim on the stick as it is in the XCub? One advantage to trim with the mouse is that once you get used to it, you can adjust it very precisely even while getting back a spring-centered joysticks to the centre. As a previous glider pilot, that really gives me the control I used to have in real life.
Arnaud
3 years ago
arnaudclere
lexmirnov
3 years ago
3 years ago
arnaudclere
freekill
3 years ago
3 years ago
arnaudclere
backboneone
Is their a way to configurate reversers ?
3 years ago
3 years ago
arnaudclere
Davanant
3 years ago
JB886
When you pause the game the throttle moves to 0%. Cheers
====================
Airfield request: https://flightsim.to/request/scenery/1307/ontur-airfield
====================
3 years ago
3 years ago
arnaudclere
Socorrista22198
Other thing, the sensitivity cut's almost half after conecting.
3 years ago
3 years ago
arnaudclere
Hasmodai
It really come handy in FS2020. Thank you for your work.
3 years ago
Hasmodai