I was new to VoiceAttack until a few weeks ago and found Dizzy B. High's tutorial and samples very useful: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?p=800992
He suggests creating a layer of 'keybind commands' which perform the actions that you have set up in the Elite Dangerous bindings file using the Controls panel on the main menu. Then, when you want to do something in VoiceAttack, you create a command which executes one or more of these lower level keybind commands. It's all explained in his tutorial.
As an example, you could create a command in VoiceAttack called '((BalancePower)) - Keybind', using Dizzy B's terminology, and then create a second command which is triggered when you say 'Balance Power'. This command executes the '((BalancePower)) - Keybind', which hits the key that you've mapped to <ResetPowerDistribution> in ED.
The idea of separating what you want to do from the binding that does it is a powerful one. It means you can change your key bindings without finding and replacing all of the places where you use them; you only need to edit the 'keybind command'.
This got me thinking that it would be useful to be able to extract the key bindings directly from an ED .binds file and create from them a set of VoiceAttack commands. These commands, and nothing else, could be stored in a VoiceAttack profile which could be imported to a new or existing profile which holds all of your clever VoiceAttack sequences.
Where I'm up to with this is only part of the way there. I have extracted from my ED bindings file the names of all of the elements that can have keyed input, and I've created a Voice Attack profile containing them:
The Spoken Commands have a different format from Dizzy B's. I've used the node names from the .binds file and prefixed them with 'kb'. By setting the Minimum Confidence Level in the VoiceAttack command editor to 100, I've found that VA does not recognise these commands when I speak them. If you have a vocal system that involuntarily emits a sound like 'kb' then that's a different story.
I've given each command a description and category that matches what you see in ED's Controls UI. If, like me, you are not an experienced VoiceAttack user, and are just starting out with setting up your commands, then I think there are several advantages to:
This approach should also make sharing VoiceAttack techniques easier. I envisage a process in which the key binding profile is loaded first into a new profile, followed by merging in the higher level commands.
If you think you might find any of this useful, I've attached my Personal Keybindings file to this post as a .txt file. It contains all of the VoiceAttack commands inside the spoiler above. It would make sense to rename it to .vap before importing it to VA.
Fly Dangerously, Commanders!
He suggests creating a layer of 'keybind commands' which perform the actions that you have set up in the Elite Dangerous bindings file using the Controls panel on the main menu. Then, when you want to do something in VoiceAttack, you create a command which executes one or more of these lower level keybind commands. It's all explained in his tutorial.
As an example, you could create a command in VoiceAttack called '((BalancePower)) - Keybind', using Dizzy B's terminology, and then create a second command which is triggered when you say 'Balance Power'. This command executes the '((BalancePower)) - Keybind', which hits the key that you've mapped to <ResetPowerDistribution> in ED.
The idea of separating what you want to do from the binding that does it is a powerful one. It means you can change your key bindings without finding and replacing all of the places where you use them; you only need to edit the 'keybind command'.
This got me thinking that it would be useful to be able to extract the key bindings directly from an ED .binds file and create from them a set of VoiceAttack commands. These commands, and nothing else, could be stored in a VoiceAttack profile which could be imported to a new or existing profile which holds all of your clever VoiceAttack sequences.
Where I'm up to with this is only part of the way there. I have extracted from my ED bindings file the names of all of the elements that can have keyed input, and I've created a Voice Attack profile containing them:
| Spoken Command | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| kbUseAlternateFlightValuesToggle | Toggles input between regular and alternate flight controls | key binding - Alternate Flight Controls |
| kbDeployHeatSink | Deploy heat sink | key binding - Cooling |
| kbToggleButtonUpInput | Silent Running | key binding - Cooling |
| kbBuggyToggleReverseThrottleInput | Reverse thrust input when Forward Only selected | key binding - Drive Throttle |
| kbDecreaseSpeedButtonMax | Deceleration for SRV | key binding - Drive Throttle |
| kbIncreaseSpeedButtonMax | Acceleration for SRV | key binding - Drive Throttle |
| kbAutoBreakBuggyButton | Apply handbrake in SRV | key binding - Driving |
| kbBuggyPitchDown | Pitch SRV down when airborne | key binding - Driving |
| kbBuggyPitchUp | Pitch SRV up when airborne | key binding - Driving |
| kbBuggyPrimaryFireButton | Fire SRV weapon | key binding - Driving |
| kbBuggyRollLeftButton | Roll left in SRV | key binding - Driving |
| kbBuggyRollRightButton | Roll right in SRV | key binding - Driving |
| kbBuggySecondaryFireButton | Operate datalink scanner | key binding - Driving |
| kbHeadlightsBuggyButton | Turn SRV headlights on/off | key binding - Driving |
| kbSteerLeftButton | Steer left in SRV | key binding - Driving |
| kbSteerRightButton | Steer right in SRV | key binding - Driving |
| kbToggleBuggyTurretButton | Toggle SRV turret | key binding - Driving |
| kbToggleDriveAssist | Toggle drive assist | key binding - Driving |
| kbVerticalThrustersButton | Provides temporary lift to the SRV | key binding - Driving |
| kbEjectAllCargo_Buggy | Jettison all cargo currently onboard the SRV | key binding - Driving Miscellaneous |
| kbIncreaseEnginesPowerBuggy | Divert power to engines | key binding - Driving Miscellaneous |
| kbIncreaseSystemsPowerBuggy | Divert power to systems | key binding - Driving Miscellaneous |
| kbIncreaseWeaponsPowerBuggy | Divert power to weapons | key binding - Driving Miscellaneous |
| kbToggleCargoScoop_Buggy | Deploy/retract SRV cargo scoop | key binding - Driving Miscellaneous |
| kbFocusCommsPanel_Buggy | Focus on the expanded communications panel | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbFocusLeftPanel_Buggy | Focus on left side panel interface | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbFocusRadarPanel_Buggy | Directly focus on the sensor interface | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbFocusRightPanel_Buggy | Focus on right side panel interface | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbGalaxyMapOpen_Buggy | Open and close the galaxy map | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbHeadLookToggle_Buggy | Enables the ability to look around in the SRV | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbQuickCommsPanel_Buggy | Open minimised version of the communications panel | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbSystemMapOpen_Buggy | Open and close the System Map | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbUIFocus_Buggy | Navigate cockpit UI in SRV | key binding - Driving Mode Switches |
| kbSelectTarget_Buggy | Selects the highlighted target | key binding - Driving Targeting |
| kbBuggyTurretPitchDownButton | SRV turret pitch down | key binding - Driving Turret Controls |
| kbBuggyTurretPitchUpButton | SRV turret pitch up | key binding - Driving Turret Controls |
| kbBuggyTurretYawLeftButton | SRV turret yaw left | key binding - Driving Turret Controls |
| kbBuggyTurretYawRightButton | SRV turret yaw right | key binding - Driving Turret Controls |
| kbBackwardThrustButton_Landing | Digital input for controlling backward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbDownThrustButton_Landing | Digital input for controlling downward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbForwardThrustButton_Landing | Digital input for controlling forward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbLeftThrustButton_Landing | Digital input for controlling left manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbPitchDownButton_Landing | Digital input for pitching the ship up | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbPitchUpButton_Landing | Digital input for pitching the ship up | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbRightThrustButton_Landing | Digital input for controlling right manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbRollLeftButton_Landing | Digital input for rolling the ship left | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbRollRightButton_Landing | Digital input for rolling the ship to the right | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbUpThrustButton_Landing | Digital input for controlling upward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbYawLeftButton_Landing | Digital input for yawing the ship to the left | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbYawRightButton_Landing | Digital input for yawing the ship to the right | key binding - Flight Landing Overrides |
| kbHyperspace | Enable FSD for hyperspace jump | key binding - Flight Miscellaneous |
| kbHyperSuperCombination | Engage/Disengage Frame Shift Drive | key binding - Flight Miscellaneous |
| kbOrbitLinesToggle | Toggle display of orbit lines | key binding - Flight Miscellaneous |
| kbSupercruise | Enable FSD for supercruise | key binding - Flight Miscellaneous |
| kbToggleFlightAssist | Toggle Flight Assistance System | key binding - Flight Miscellaneous |
| kbUseBoostJuice | Temporary boost to main drives | key binding - Flight Miscellaneous |
| kbPitchDownButton | Digital input for pitching the ship up | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbPitchUpButton | Digital input for pitching the ship up | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbRollLeftButton | Digital input for rolling the ship left | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbRollRightButton | Digital input for rolling the ship to the right | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbYawLeftButton | Digital input for yawing the ship to the left | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbYawRightButton | Digital input for yawing the ship to the right | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbYawToRoll | Hold or toggle to convert all yaw input into roll | key binding - Flight Rotation |
| kbBackswardKey | Decrease Throttle | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbForwardKey | Increase Throttle | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeed100 | Directly set speed to 100% | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeed25 | Directly set speed to 25% | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeed50 | Directly set speed to 50% | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeed75 | Directly set speed to 75% | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeedMinus100 | Directly set speed to 100% reverse | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeedMinus25 | Directly set speed to 25% reverse | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeedMinus50 | Directly set speed to 50% reverse | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeedMinus75 | Directly set speed to 75% reverse | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbSetSpeedZero | Directly set speed to zero | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbToggleReverseThrottleInput | Toggle between forward and reverse when throttle axis is forward only | key binding - Flight Throttle |
| kbBackwardThrustButton | Digital input for controlling backward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Thrust |
| kbDownThrustButton | Digital input for controlling downward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Thrust |
| kbForwardThrustButton | Digital input for controlling forward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Thrust |
| kbLeftThrustButton | Digital input for controlling left manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Thrust |
| kbRightThrustButton | Digital input for controlling right manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Thrust |
| kbUpThrustButton | Digital input for controlling upward manoeuvring thrust | key binding - Flight Thrust |
| kbCamPitchUp | Pitch up in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateBackward | Pan backwards in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateDown | Pan down in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateForward | Pan forwards in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateLeft | Pan left in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateRight | Pan right in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateUp | Pan up in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamTranslateZHold | Sets the y axis to function as the z translation axis | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamYawLeft | Rotate left in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamYawRight | Rotate right in the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamZoomIn | Zoom in on the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbCamZoomOut | Zoom out on the galaxy map | key binding - Galaxy Map |
| kbHeadLookPitchDown | Look down within the cockpit | key binding - Headlook Mode |
| kbHeadLookPitchUp | Look up within the cockpit | key binding - Headlook Mode |
| kbHeadLookReset | Reset current view to centre and forward | key binding - Headlook Mode |
| kbHeadLookYawLeft | Look left within the cockpit | key binding - Headlook Mode |
| kbHeadLookYawRight | Look right within the cockpit | key binding - Headlook Mode |
| kbCycleNextPanel | Select the next panel in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbCyclePreviousPanel | Select the previous panel in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbUI_Back | Go back in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbUI_Down | Move down in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbUI_Left | Move left in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbUI_Right | Move right in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbUI_Select | Select current item in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbUI_Up | Move up in the cockpit interface | key binding - Interface Mode |
| kbEjectAllCargo | Eject all cargo | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbFireChaffLauncher | Releases a cloud of sensor-distorting chaff | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbHMDReset | Reset Head Mounted Display | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbIncreaseEnginesPower | Increase power to the engines | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbIncreaseSystemsPower | Increase power to systems | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbIncreaseWeaponsPower | Increase power to weapons | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbLandingGearToggle | Toggle raising and lowering of landing gear | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbMicrophoneMute | Toggle muting your microphone | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbPhotoCameraToggle | Toggles the classified camera | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbRadarDecreaseRange | Zoom sensors to view a narrower range | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbRadarIncreaseRange | Zoom sensors to view a wider range | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbResetPowerDistribution | Reset the power balance | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbShipSpotLightToggle | Toggle the ship's lights on and off | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbToggleCargoScoop | Toggle cargo scoop | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbUseShieldCell | Dedicated input to use a shield cell | key binding - Miscellaneous |
| kbFocusCommsPanel | Open up and focus on the expanded communications panel | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbFocusLeftPanel | Directly focus on the left side panel interface | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbFocusRadarPanel | Directly focus on the sensor interface | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbFocusRightPanel | Directly focus on the right side panel interface | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbGalaxyMapOpen | Open and close the galaxy map | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbHeadLookToggle | Enables ability to look around via the dedicated inputs | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbPause | Bring up the game menu (without pausing the game) | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbPGScoreSummaryInput | Show CQC scores | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbQuickCommsPanel | Open up a minismised communications panel | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbSystemMapOpen | Open and close the system map | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbUIFocus | Initiate cockpit UI action | key binding - Mode Switches |
| kbMouseReset | Instantly centres the mouse | key binding - Mouse Controls |
| kbCycleNextHostileTarget | Cycle forwards through the list of known hostile targets | key binding - Targeting |
| kbCycleNextSubsystem | Cycles forwards through the current target's subsystems | key binding - Targeting |
| kbCycleNextTarget | Cycles forwards through the list of known contacts | key binding - Targeting |
| kbCyclePreviousHostileTarget | Cycles backwards through the list of known hostile targets | key binding - Targeting |
| kbCyclePreviousSubsystem | Cycles backwards through the current target's subsystems | key binding - Targeting |
| kbCyclePreviousTarget | Cycles backwards through the list of known contacts | key binding - Targeting |
| kbSelectHighestThreat | Select the target of highest threat | key binding - Targeting |
| kbSelectTarget | Selects the highlighted target | key binding - Targeting |
| kbTargetNextRouteSystem | Target the next system in your planned route | key binding - Targeting |
| kbTargetsTarget | Select target for currently selected ship in your wing | key binding - Targeting |
| kbTargetWingman0 | Selects the first ship in your current wing | key binding - Targeting |
| kbTargetWingman1 | Selects the second ship in your current wing | key binding - Targeting |
| kbTargetWingman2 | Selects the third ship in your current wing | key binding - Targeting |
| kbWingNavLock | Slave your Frame Shift Drive to the selected wingman | key binding - Targeting |
| kbCycleFireGroupNext | Cycles forwards through your fire groups | key binding - Weapons |
| kbCycleFireGroupPrevious | Cycles backwards through your fire groups | key binding - Weapons |
| kbDeployHardpointToggle | Deploy/retract hardpoints | key binding - Weapons |
| kbPrimaryFire | Fire primary weapons/modules | key binding - Weapons |
| kbSecondaryFire | Fire secondary weapons/modules | key binding - Weapons |
I've given each command a description and category that matches what you see in ED's Controls UI. If, like me, you are not an experienced VoiceAttack user, and are just starting out with setting up your commands, then I think there are several advantages to:
- Creating the keybinding layer, described above.
- Using a complete set of keybind commands. When you want to create a new sequence in VA the relevant key bindings will already be there (although they may be empty).
- Using the same names for your keybind commands as used by Elite Dangerous (with the 'kb' prefix to make it harder for VA to recognise them). When the second part of my project is complete, it should be straightforward to take an updated .binds file and port it to VoiceAttack.
This approach should also make sharing VoiceAttack techniques easier. I envisage a process in which the key binding profile is loaded first into a new profile, followed by merging in the higher level commands.
If you think you might find any of this useful, I've attached my Personal Keybindings file to this post as a .txt file. It contains all of the VoiceAttack commands inside the spoiler above. It would make sense to rename it to .vap before importing it to VA.
Fly Dangerously, Commanders!
