How To Repair Dcs Installation

Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) is the preeminent simulator for fighter jets. It'southward astonishingly realistic in terms of aircraft physics, environments, and flight controls. I love the attention to the picayune things as well, similar the mode the dominicus hits the aircraft awning and illuminates scratches on the surface, or the signs of article of clothing on the controls. DCS in VR takes you to a new level of immersion; it actually feels like flying.

But with such realism comes immense complexity. Though there is a lot of data on the web (east.k. the Hoggit subreddit/Discord server and endless videos on YouTube) about how to brainstorm, information technology's often diffuse and overwhelming.

Starting upwards, I scoured the internet and spent lots of time trying to answer the following questions in roughly this order:

• Do you need to dabble with a keyboard while you're in a VR headset?
• What's the recommended hardware to play DCS in VR? Tin my PC handle it?
• How should you become DCS on your machine?
• What do I need a DCS login for?
• What plane should you choose first and what's the best fashion to learn it?
• How do you access new aeroplane modules?
• How do yous set up your controls?
• How should I set up my system, in-game and Nvidia graphics settings for maximum performance in VR?
• How does VR zoom work and how practice y'all set it up?
• How do I create custom missions (like a 1v1)?
• How do yous tape yourself in VR?
• What is Tacview and why would you lot want it?
• When and how should I try multiplayer?
• How do I install mods like the F22?
• How exercise I learn better strategy and tactics?
• What are other skillful resources?

Below, I'll share what I constitute and where to go for deeper dives.

First, a give-and-take on how to approach DCS

With patience and humility. If you lot desire quick activeness without the steep learning curve, there are other games for that. For VR, for instance, I messed around with State of war Thunder , which seemed okay. In that location are many other non-VR sims, however, like Ace Combat vii (which has no VR option for PC gamers at the time of this writing) and the like. But if you desire the closest approximation to beingness a real fighter pilot, buckle in, become a student, and commit to the idea that it's simply going to take a while to effigy out the basics, permit solitary to go adept. Every bit my dad, who flew real F-15s and F-4s, told me: "Even in DCS you're actually skipping alee years. Real fighter pilots spend an entire year in flight school just learning the nuts of how to maneuver a trainer aircraft. Combat is a long way down the line."

For a look at why people cull DCS over other gainsay sims, look no further than this video.

Do y'all demand to fiddle with a keyboard while y'all're in a VR headset?

The answer is yes, sometimes, only you lot can reduce or eliminate keyboard usage altogether with some awesome workarounds.

Coming from a fully-native VR flight sim like VTOL VR, where you can interact with all of your controls with the Oculus Bear upon controllers, I found the need for extra hardware and keyboard inputs initially disappointing. Withal, while VTOL VR is an excellent game and an boggling accomplishment for a single developer, DCS outdistances the entire sim market in terms of graphics and availability of actual high-fidelity aircraft and controls by miles.

Peradventure one twenty-four hours Eagle Dynamics volition discover a way to let your virtual hands control everything in the cockpit (they already let you do quite a bit). But even if they did, there are other problems to contend with, like the fact that the Oculus Touch controllers have a very limited set of buttons, and real fighter throttles and sticks are jam-packed with inputs designed to be used without looking anyhow. Every bit far as I can tell, most DCS pilots apply the VR headset and ignore the controllers. Personally, I opt for the mouse when I need fine-grain control to select missions or other bill of fare items.

Voice Set on is a game changer

Until very recently, my solution was to peep through the nose gap in my headset at the keyboard to select commands there, but this is a large damper on the game'southward immersion. Vocalisation Set on is the best $ten you can spend to upgrade your DCS feel. It lets you lot map keyboard inputs to voice commands. So, now, I can only say "gear downward" into the microphone on the Oculus to drop the landing gear, "bvr" to switch to Beyond Visual Range (BVR) mode, or "wingman attack ground targets" to sic them on tanks. I probably went a fleck overboard, but I have 30 commands configured to fully eliminate my use of the keyboard in-game.

All the commands I have bound to Voice Attack

One thing that really helps is if you become through a couple rounds of preparation the Windows Oral communication Recognition congenital-in vox analyzer. Without that, information technology didn't work that well for me out of the box.

The developer lets you trial a version of Voice Attack with up to 20 commands. But, actually, information technology's worth every penny. I tin can't recommend information technology enough.

Deeper dive : I followed this tutorial from the Grim Reapers channel to get a sense for how to set it up. Pretty intuitive.

Hardware

If you're gearing upwardly from nothing to play DCS in VR, exist prepared to drop a chunk of change. Y'all'll want a performant PC, a VR headset, and a HOTAS (easily-on throttle and stick).

PC specs

For a not bad experience in VR, make sure you're sporting a high-grade CPU and GPU to render the graphics on their best settings. I currently play on lower settings because of my specs, which are:

• CPU: Intel Cadre i7–7700, iii.60GHz
• GPU: Nvidia GTX 1070 (I have a 1080Ti on the way)
• SSD: 250 GB ( I have the Windows OS and DCS installed here. )
• HDD: 1TB (C ame with my automobile. I apply information technology to shop other games and files. )

The GTX 1080 seems to exist the recommended lower spring for a graphics card for DCS. With my 1070, the game will periodically freeze for a 2d or ii and drib frames regularly.

Frame dropping makes information technology experience like the game is skipping forward similar a record. If it happens plenty in VR, it can as well make you feel a scrap nauseous, considering the environment in the game doesn't keep upwardly with your physical movements.

Deeper dive : I found this guide on organization specs to exist helpful for pointers on hardware, but as well on how to optimize the in-game settings for your car.

VR headset

I have the Oculus Rift CV1. I'd love to bump up to the Rift S, which promises higher pixel density, less screen-door effect, and a slightly wider field of vision, just it's currently completely sold out in the U.Due south. due to people snapping upwardly gear for the Coronavirus quarantine. I refuse to pay the 100%+ premium over retail on Amazon or eBay.

I haven't considered other brands because I already have a sizable library of Oculus games, merely they practice be and people like some of them. For example, Valve (the maker of Steam) released its own headset and controllers that rails individual finger movements. Pretty cool.

Deeper swoop : There are alternatives to Oculus! Here's a comparison.

HOTAS

Now for more of the aviation-related, fun stuff. I discovered that HOTAS setups are their own secret universe. A collection of vendors, like Thustmaster, Logitech, and others, make mass-market place devices, merely some hobbyists take it to the absolute extreme.

"F18C inspired VR cockpit for DCS."Source

My HOTAS is a touch more humble. I originally wanted the Logitech X-56, which is a pricier, high-end setup, merely, similar the Rift S, joysticks appear to exist a hot Coronavirus article and this ane was sold out most places (although looks like eBay may exist a good bet).

My local Best Buy had one fix for choice-upward, and then I opted for the Thrustmaster T.Flight X. This one has the advantage of beingness both more than widely-available and a smaller investment if you're just testing the waters. The only thing I would say, having played DCS a chip now, is that I practise wish there were more buttons on it. In particular, I notice that I want more four-way swivel-y inputs, for more than set access to weapon changes, trim, radar slewing, or scan adjustments.

Deeper dive : I referenced this piece while picking out my HOTAS.

How should you go DCS on your auto?

There are ii ways of doing information technology: Download an installer from the DCS website, which torrents the files onto your machine, or install through Steam. Torrenting the files is very slow-going, so I used Steam considering it was quick and I use it for other VR games.

Advantages and disadvantages to each, according to the DCS site:

Steam Version:
- Car-Update without launching the game (as long as steam is open)
- Faster Download/Update Speed
- Steam In-Game Overlay
- Steam Friend Listing Notifications
- Quick Repair
- DLCs not present on Steam are unsupported

Standalone DCS World:
- Get all the modules as soon as they are released
- Does not crave whatsoever extra program to be launched
- Has every single modules[sic] available

Exist mindful that you lot can transition purchases from Steam to standalone, but, according to this forum post, it doesn't expect like Steam lets you actuate modules with keys purchased straight from Hawkeye Dynamics or other not-Steam vendors. So, if you're starting on standalone, you probably want to stay at that place if you've bought anything.

What exercise I need a DCS login for?

2 things: Accessing multiplayer servers and purchase management.

Multiplayer server list.

To get a DCS business relationship, get to the DCS site and click "Login" on the peak bar. This will pop up a modal with a "Annals" link on information technology. Prepare up an account and then click "Profile" when yous've logged in. Click "edit" next to "Personal Information" and you lot'll run into a section chosen "Steam Account." This is where you can bind your Steam business relationship with DCS. If always you lot want to transfer the licenses for any DLCs or modules you've purchased on Steam, you can "Become Licenses" to get bring them over.

Deeper dive : DCS FAQ on Steam hither.

What plane should you choose first and what'southward the best way to learn it?

This is a controversial topic among DCS fans. Some argue that there's plenty to learn with the SU-25T (close air support role) and the TF-51D (no guns), which come free with the game, and you lot should stick with those until you've accomplished some level of mastery with them before moving on to other planes.

My view: I started DCS considering I wanted the air-to-air modern fighter combat experience. I doubt I am alone here. So, I almost immediately purchased the Flaming Cliffs 3 pack ($50), which comes with the F-15C, MiG-29A, MiG-29S, A-10A, SU-27, SU-33, and Su-25 "Frogfoot." This bundle is designed for entry-level DCS pilots: Many of the aircraft are "depression fidelity," meaning that they don't have fully clickable cockpits and are simpler to wing than others similar the A-10C Warthog.

You may find yourself asking why are DCS plane modules and so pricey ? Frankly, it'southward astonishing that they're not more expensive. I listened to a podcast here with Matt Wagner, senior producer with Hawkeye Dynamics, where he talks about the corporeality of research and development work that goes into faithfully replicating something similar an F-18C. It is staggering. It tin be years for a squad of engineers and artists to produce a single virtual aircraft at full allegiance, including its unique flying physics and handling.

A Ukrainian Su-27. Source.

And so, if y'all purchased Flaming Cliffs 3, what plane should you showtime with? I'd recommend the Su-27 Flanker for a few reasons:

1. Most of the training missions that come up with Flaming Cliffs use the Su-27. I repeated each mission until I fully understood the lesson and watched YouTube videos for specifics I still didn't become.
2. The Russians know how to make an intuitive ready of controls. I found the startup time to larn the HUD, radar, radar alert organization, and other aspects to be less than NATO planes like the F-xv.
3. It is supermaneuverable, very fun to wing, and, in my opinion, is one of the sexiest-looking planes in the game.

When learning any new aeroplane, I would focus first on takeoff, landing, and working the sensors, so move on to aircraft-specific tactics. When y'all go to gainsay, it helps too to read up on the shipping's competitive advantages. For case, Su-27s are superb in close-in fights, whereas the F-15C dominates at beyond visual range gainsay.

How exercise you admission new plane modules?

If you use Steam, it's equally easy as purchasing a module in the store seeing it appear in DCS. Y'all may accept to reboot the game, but whichever airplane(south) or DLCs you purchase should simply appear in the "Instant action," "Missions" and "Campaigns" menus.

If you purchase a DLC or a new module in the standalone version, you should see information technology if you click the module manager icon on the top of the home screen.

Source.

Deeper swoop : The DCS FAQ here.

How exercise you set upwards your controls?

Once you have a HOTAS, it's time to map controls to it. Simply showtime, install the right commuter. For my T.Flying X, I had to go to the Thrustmaster back up site for my model and download the package. It tells your PC which inputs to look for. Earlier I did this, DCS wasn't recognizing any of my throttle axis motion.

Deeper swoop: I used some other Grim Reapers tutorial here (for the SU-27/33, MiG-29, J-11 — he has many others bachelor). I believe he uses a Logitech X-56, and so he'southward working with more input options, simply you tin can by and large map the equivalents on a simpler device like mine.

The control mapping setup is a bit time-consuming, but in that location's a big payoff to having functions configured in a manner that makes sense to you. I find it'due south even more immersive to follow the types of controls real pilots tend to have available for each mitt. For instance, countermeasures like chaff and flares on the throttle on the left, trim adjustments on the stick on the right.

How to assign multiple functions to the same buttons: If you're running out of HOTAS inputs, I'd recommend adding a modifier button. You sacrifice one to gain many. In the controls menu, if you click the "Modifiers" grayness button at the bottom, you can designate a button on your HOTAS. I use the 1 circled in red beneath as my modifier. Once you've created i, you can edit the other controls to apply information technology. Past default, my iv-way button on the joystick is trim. With the modifier, I slew the target designator effectually.

My modifier button

How should I set up my organisation, in-game and Nvidia graphics settings for maximum performance in VR?

With no adjustments, DCS ran smoothly for me on single player in VR, but became very choppy on multiplayer. Afterward a big series of both hardware updates (run across my setup above) and settings tweaks below, I've seen some big improvements to my average frames-per-second (FPS).

Information technology helps a lot to know precisely where your auto is struggling. Track your in-game functioning with FpsVR from Steam. It costs a few bucks, but it volition help you monitor your GPU and CPU when you've got the headset on.

Tweaks I made that helped:

• Moving the DCS install to a solid state disk (SSD) bulldoze. Rookie mistake, but initially I had DCS on my mechanical hard disk. Moving to SSD fabricated an immediate deviation to my load times for games and my in-game FPS.
• Overclocking my GPU. I downloaded MSI afterburner and followed the tutorial hither. I happen to have an MSI GPU, but it as well works for other graphics cards. A circumspection here: Make sure that you have a good cooling system on your carte and in your PC case or you lot risk getting things besides hot and reducing the life of your graphics carte du jour.
• RAM: Running DCS in multiplayer with VoiceAttack and OBS for recording was maxing out my 16GB of RAM. I installed sixteen more and that seemed to help a bit.
• Turn off Windows Game Manner in Windows Settings > Gaming.

These are my electric current progam settings in the Nvidia command panel:

• Virtual reality pre-rendered frames : iv
• Texture filtering — Trilinear optimization : On
• Texture filtering — Anisotropic Sample Optimization : On
• Power Management Style : Prefer Maximum Operation
• FXAA : On

I inverse these things in DCS itself:

• VR > Pixel Density : 1.0
• Textures : Loftier
• Terrain textures : Low
• Civ. traffic : Off
• Visible range : Medium
• Heat Blur : Off
• Shadows : Medium
• Resolution : 1260x768
• Aspect ratio : 1.666
• Monitors : 1 screen
• Res. of cockpit displays : 512
• MSAA : Off
• Depth of field : Off
• Lens effects : None
• Motion blur : Off
• SSAA : Off
• Clutter/grass : 0
• Trees Visibility : 85%
• Preload Radius : 15000
• Chimney smoke density : iv
• Gamma : 1.9
• Anisotropic filtering : 8x
• Terrain Object Shadows : Apartment
• Cockpit Global Illumination : Off
• Messages font scale : 1.fifty

Deeper dive : I devoutly followed the instructions in the two videos here and here from Lukas S. / Wolta for optimizations.

How do you zoom in VR?

There are some situations where yous'll want a closer look at your gauges or the horizon to search for targets. In VR, zooming is a little intense, but useful.

Select "UI layer" in the shipping listing.

To find the "Toggle VR Zoom" control, you'll become into the controls menu and click on the dropdown containing the list of your available shipping. At the very bottom of this bill of fare is a selection called "UI Layer." Click this. Y'all should meet a new set of controls, including "Toggle VR Zoom" toward the bottom. I accept a button on my throttle that I use with the modifier to toggle the zoom.

How practice I create custom missions (similar a 1v1)?

Many missions come with the game and with the Flaming Cliffs three module, just it helps a lot to learn the basics of the mission editor in DCS to make exactly what yous want.

With the Su-27, I just wanted a 1v1 fight with an F-15C to test out new tactics, only there isn't one readily available in the Flaming Cliffs pack. And so, I created a 1v1 mission for the Caucasus map. If you'd similar to use it, just download it by clicking the Google Drive link below and store the file in C:\Users\{username}\Saved Games\DCS\Missions\. You can play the mission as-is by opening DCS and going into Missions > My Missions. Alternatively, you lot can open the file in the mission editor can bandy around your opponent for some other type of airplane.

Deeper dive : This is an fantabulous two-part serial on how to set up up a mission from the basis-up, including waypoints for navigation.

1v1 Su-27 vs. F-15C mission download

How do you record yourself in VR?

OBS Studio.Source.

Download OBS (Open up Broadcaster Software). Information technology'due south a solid, free program that lets y'all both stream and record. It'due south quick to larn, merely took me a little while to dial in the quality settings and the view for something that looked practiced for VR. I output at 1080p and the "High Quality, Medium File Size" quality setting and that seems to put out a decent-looking video for sharing on YouTube. I window capture the "Steam VR View" window and information technology picks up the in-game sound like a charm.

Deeper dive : This is a great walkthrough of how to go it going with DCS.

What is Tacview and why would you lot desire it?

Source.

Tacview is a flight analysis tool used by civilians and militaries alike for debriefings or real-time analysis. It works seamlessly with DCS and it's an fantabulous way to sympathize what you did correct and wrong in a given mission. Yous can use information technology to track all of yours and your opponents' maneuvers, missiles, countermeasures, speed, altitude and more. I've found it incredibly useful equally a beginner.

Tacview Standard is $27.99, only another complementary piece of software that is well worth the money if you intend to play DCS often.

Deeper dive : Here is another Grim Reapers tutorial on how to fix Tacview.

When and how should I endeavour multiplayer?

This is the part I struggled with most. Starting out, I didn't know anyone who played DCS . Browsing through the multiplayer servers intimidated me because I felt like I was missing a lot of context on what was going on. Many of them ask that yous join a vocalism conversation through Discord, which is a trivial scary if y'all haven't done it before. I pictured them total of hard-core gamers who say mean things to each other. But that's really not the case.

It's like shooting fish in a barrel to just keep putting off multiplayer, but, from what I can tell, DCS becomes amazing when you lot start getting to know and flight with other players. There are a surprising number of people who dedicate themselves to helping newbies like yours truly into the game. The thought existence that as the customs grows, the game will only go improve for anybody.

My recommendation : Join the Grim Reapers Discord here and follow the instructions in this video on how to get set upward. Later on this, jump into the GR training server voice chat on Discord where kind folks will help yous figure out things like communications in-game, how to coordinate with other players, how the missions work, etc. There's an instant community to be had hither. Information technology'southward a nifty resource if you want to play multiplayer but don't know anyone.

How to host a multiplayer server for DCS with friends : When you want to play privately with other people, the best affair is to prepare a new server. One thing I discovered is to *make sure that you and your friends are on the aforementioned build of *DCS, otherwise it doesn't seem to work:

• Selection a mission to play. You lot can create these in the mission editor.
• Brand it public.
• Put a password on the server.
• Share the IP address in the "IP"+ ":" +"Port number" format with the other players, e.g. "12.345.678.91:1234"
• Click commencement and go into the waiting room. Your friends should be able to join.

Deeper dive : Meet the video here for a look at how to set a server.

How do I install mods like the F-22?

Source.

At that place are two pre-requisites for many of the 5th-generation aircraft mods:

1. The Flaming Cliffs pack purchase. Since mods are built around an existing, officially-supported shipping similar the F-15 or the SU-33, you lot need to take those in your inventory in guild to get the mods working.
2. Run the DCS Open Beta. I institute out that the standard Steam DCS version, at the time of this writing, is 2.v.five and the 2 mods below seem to just work with ii.five.6, which is withal in beta. To get the beta, it depends on your platform:

• Steam DCS : Right-click on the game in your library and click "Properties," select the "Betas" tab, then click "Openbeta — Public beta versions." Doing this will crusade Steam to download the beta package. For me it was effectually ix.four GB.
• Standalone DCS : Go here to download the beta and and so follow the installation instructions.

In one case you've done this, y'all're ready to get the mods. Steps for installing the Grinelli Designs F-22A:

1. Download the cypher folder here.
2. Double-click into the downloaded folder and copy the the "F-22a" binder into C:\Users\{your username}\Saved Games\DCS\Mods\Aircraft\ and paste it here. If the "Mods" or "Aircraft" folders do not be, create them.
3. Boot DCS and you should at present run into the F-22 every bit selectable in the mission editor nether U.Due south. aircraft.

Deeper swoop : Here's a video step-by-footstep walkthrough from Grim Reapers.

How practise I learn better strategy and tactics?

Check out Growling Sidewinder's matchups and these videos from Jabbers on F-Pole and radar notching. According to my dad, the all-time fashion to start learning tactics is to showtime with basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) and then progress to BVR.

My dad showed me this crawly video from 1993 that is wonderfully cheesy, but also comprehensive.

Deeper swoop : This is a solid playlist to larn more than about BFM.

What are other good resources?

The Fighter Airplane pilot Podcast

To larn more virtually fighter jets in general, check out The Fighter Pilot Podcast. Its host, Vincent "Jello" Aiello, a former F-18 pilot, interviews active-duty pilots of various aircraft and makes quite a few references to DCS. I detect it'southward a swell mode to learn more about the strategy and history behind some of the earth'due south about iconic planes. It does have a aptitude toward the U.S. military machine, merely I suspect they'll explore more strange aircraft every bit time goes on.

Expert Youtube channels to subscribe to

• Matt Wagner
• Jabbers
• Spudknocker
• Growling Sidewinder
• Ralfidude
• Tricker

Hoggit

Join the Hoggit discord to find other players and get into multiplayer here.

Check out the Hoggit subreddit here for tips and communication.

Cheers for reading

I'll continue to update this piece equally I come across more questions and breakthroughs. Please consider subscribing if it was useful to you. Happy flying!

Source: https://nickrroberts.com/a-beginners-startup-guide-to-dcs-world-in-vr/

Posted by: pattonpreritch.blogspot.com

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