Keybinding hell RANT

One thing that FD should have done ages ago is have a 'master control' tab where you set pitch/yaw/roll/select/back'. If you dont set these controls in the rest of the settings, it will default to what you set here. So gal map, FSS, camera mode, crew turret, SRV, SLF and all of that will be auto-set to what you want it to be. If you want to specialize it per topic, go nuts. But most of us dont, so it is a bit silly to have us bind the same axes over and over.

This is a great idea. Please put this in the suggestions forum.

I would not be surprised if FDev would implement pragmatic ideas like this.
They know that the plethora of keybindings are a bit of a problem for many of their fans.
Perhaps they should assign a few people to redesigning keybindings and add some smart and user friendly improvements.
 
.........

So I now have to assign the "honk" to a fire group? ..
.......)

You always did. It is just the addition now of the FSS mechanic to populate the system map but with the bonus that you get the same info and reward as the old detailed surface scan but without the need to travel to each body. You now only need to travel to a body if you want to play space darts map it.
 
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Every few weeks I return to this game, hoping I'll be able to figure this ever evolving keybinding hell out. But no. Things just don't add up.

I tried defaulting settings (Thrustmaster Hotas X), but this only sets the bare minimum. So I'm left to map the rest myself.

  • Some features I don't know the name of, so what am I looking for
  • Some hardware (button) prefixes I have no clue where are on the HOTAS (U axis anyone?)
  • Some features overrule each other
  • Some keys can hold multiple functions, some not

God I feel old...

WHERE DID THE "HONK" GO?!

This is called the discovery scanner still, right? Hidden in the FSS menu now? Apparently I now have to enter FSS to honk the discovery scanner? What the...

I used to just map it to L1 (secondary fire) because the game could differentiate between supercruise and normal flight, but no more apparently.

I find this keybinding mess infuriating. I can't even get the basics to work as I want any more.

The game is practically unplayable for me now. I must be losing it.

Keybindings has become a non-sensical chore for me, and I just can't suss it. Damn.

I need a drink.

/rant
Sorry bud, but yeah, you are losing it a tiny little bit! ;)

But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

It might look like a wall of text incoming, but bear with it - there’s only a few lines of things to do in terms of the keybindings and most of it is explanation of what the controls do, and how you use them in the game.


Step 1. The honk can still be done as it’s always been done - it’s via Fire Groups not keybinds.

While you’re in fire groups, check the others and make sure you’ve got a Fire Group assigned for the Composition Scanner - you’ll need to use it for close up scans of POIs (geological sites, biological sites, things found in Notable Stellar Phenomena, etc.)

If you have a DSS (or if you buy one), then you will also need to assign it to a Fire Group.


Step 2. Go to Controls. Go to Mode Switches. Assign a key for ‘Switch HUD mode’. Assign a key for ‘Night Vision’ You will need to find a new keybinding for these or replace an existing keybinding.


Congrats, at this point you’ve done the hard bit! After this point you can re-use controls that you’re already using for other bindings.


Step 3. Go to Controls. Go to FSS controls (it’s second from bottom).

3.1 Set the directional controls to whatever feels natural (i.e. use exactly the same ones you use for flight unless you really want to do otherwise.)

3.2 Set Tuning Increase and Tuning Decrease.

These will move the tuner right and left respectively on the signal bar (The FSB) at the bottom of the screen. Use whatever feels natural - maybe right and left on the hat (that’s just an idea as I don’t have a HOTAS myself)

What this is for: - You’ll use this to select particular signal frequencies to look for. When near a body matching that frequency, arrows will appear around the reticle and to help you find the exact location. This will also happen for nearby frequencies and you may need to make slight adjustments to the tuning. When you’re pointing at a location and at the right tuning, then you’ll see a solid circle in the reticle.


3.3 Set Zoom In and Zoom Out.

These will zoom in on a correctly tuned location in major steps. Multiple steps may be involved, and these may resolve to multiple signals or you may need to adjust the location as the view becomes more precise. When you are fully zoomed in a location, you will get a view of it, and the results of the scan. If you’re scanning a body, the numbers of major POIs (if there are any) will appear in the top right. You may need to wait for a ‘Scanning’ message to resolve to show the POI numbers.

Up and Down on the hat might work for these, but again that’s just an idea.

3.4 Set Stepped Zoom In and Out.

Once zoomed in at least one major step, these will allow you to zoom in and out in small increments. You can use this if two signal sources are very close together and you want to separate them slightly so you can zoom in on a particular one.

No suggestions for the control to use for this on HOTAS from me I’m afraid, but I’ve barely used it since the Beta, so you might be able to get away without binding anything to it.


Step 4. Go to Controls. Go to DSS (it’s at the bottom) controls. Set the directional controls. Again just use whatever directional controls you normally use, unless you really want to do differently for some reason.

Firing the probes is done via a Fire Group so just use whatever you’ve assigned for the DSS.


There you go, that should cover most of it.

Hope that helps!
 
Do you remember when you started playing this game? Like when you sat in your Sidey and opened up the keybinding options? I guess that was a similar feeling. But then you learned to fly and I am pretty sure you needed a lot of those bindings and it was pretty cool to be able to have so much control over your ship. Well, you're basically back there, just that it's a lot less to learn.

You can do this. :D

Cheers.

Short temper and convoluted, non-sensical piling of features don't mix.

I think I'll grab that pint now.
 
I sadly admit to avoiding these gameplay mechanics entirely, as I simply can't seem to get past getting to grips with the basics. Pathetic.

You really should try this stuff. The improvements to mining are great.
There are lots of cool tutorial videos out there made by fellow cmdrs.
They are even fun to watch.
 
Sorry bud, but yeah, you are losing it a tiny little bit! ;)

But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

It might look like a wall of text incoming, but bear with it - there’s only a few lines of things to do in terms of the keybindings and most of it is explanation of what the controls do, and how you use them in the game.


Step 1. The honk can still be done as it’s always been done - it’s via Fire Groups not keybinds.

While you’re in fire groups, check the others and make sure you’ve got a Fire Group assigned for the Composition Scanner - you’ll need to use it for close up scans of POIs (geological sites, biological sites, things found in Notable Stellar Phenomena, etc.)

If you have a DSS (or if you buy one), then you will also need to assign it to a Fire Group.


Step 2. Go to Controls. Go to Mode Switches. Assign a key for ‘Switch HUD mode’. Assign a key for ‘Night Vision’ You will need to find a new keybinding for these or replace an existing keybinding.


Congrats, at this point you’ve done the hard bit! After this point you can re-use controls that you’re already using for other bindings.


Step 3. Go to Controls. Go to FSS controls (it’s second from bottom).

3.1 Set the directional controls to whatever feels natural (i.e. use exactly the same ones you use for flight unless you really want to do otherwise.)

3.2 Set Tuning Increase and Tuning Decrease.

These will move the tuner right and left respectively on the signal bar (The FSB) at the bottom of the screen. Use whatever feels natural - maybe right and left on the hat (that’s just an idea as I don’t have a HOTAS myself)

What this is for: - You’ll use this to select particular signal frequencies to look for. When near a body matching that frequency, arrows will appear around the reticle and to help you find the exact location. This will also happen for nearby frequencies and you may need to make slight adjustments to the tuning. When you’re pointing at a location and at the right tuning, then you’ll see a solid circle in the reticle.


3.3 Set Zoom In and Zoom Out.

These will zoom in on a correctly tuned location in major steps. Multiple steps may be involved, and these may resolve to multiple signals or you may need to adjust the location as the view becomes more precise. When you are fully zoomed in a location, you will get a view of it, and the results of the scan. If you’re scanning a body, the numbers of major POIs (if there are any) will appear in the top right. You may need to wait for a ‘Scanning’ message to resolve to show the POI numbers.

Up and Down on the hat might work for these, but again that’s just an idea.

3.4 Set Stepped Zoom In and Out.

Once zoomed in at least one major step, these will allow you to zoom in and out in small increments. You can use this if two signal sources are very close together and you want to separate them slightly so you can zoom in on a particular one.

No suggestions for the control to use for this on HOTAS from me I’m afraid, but I’ve barely used it since the Beta, so you might be able to get away without binding anything to it.


Step 4. Go to Controls. Go to DSS (it’s at the bottom) controls. Set the directional controls. Again just use whatever directional controls you normally use, unless you really want to do differently for some reason.

Firing the probes is done via a Fire Group so just use whatever you’ve assigned for the DSS.


There you go, that should cover most of it.

Hope that helps!

Nice.
Sometimes I wish I could give more rep.
 
Sorry bud, but yeah, you are losing it a tiny little bit! ;)

But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

It might look like a wall of text incoming, but bear with it - there’s only a few lines of things to do in terms of the keybindings and most of it is explanation of what the controls do, and how you use them in the game.


Step 1. The honk can still be done as it’s always been done - it’s via Fire Groups not keybinds.

While you’re in fire groups, check the others and make sure you’ve got a Fire Group assigned for the Composition Scanner - you’ll need to use it for close up scans of POIs (geological sites, biological sites, things found in Notable Stellar Phenomena, etc.)

If you have a DSS (or if you buy one), then you will also need to assign it to a Fire Group.


Step 2. Go to Controls. Go to Mode Switches. Assign a key for ‘Switch HUD mode’. Assign a key for ‘Night Vision’ You will need to find a new keybinding for these or replace an existing keybinding.


Congrats, at this point you’ve done the hard bit! After this point you can re-use controls that you’re already using for other bindings.


Step 3. Go to Controls. Go to FSS controls (it’s second from bottom).

3.1 Set the directional controls to whatever feels natural (i.e. use exactly the same ones you use for flight unless you really want to do otherwise.)

3.2 Set Tuning Increase and Tuning Decrease.

These will move the tuner right and left respectively on the signal bar (The FSB) at the bottom of the screen. Use whatever feels natural - maybe right and left on the hat (that’s just an idea as I don’t have a HOTAS myself)

What this is for: - You’ll use this to select particular signal frequencies to look for. When near a body matching that frequency, arrows will appear around the reticle and to help you find the exact location. This will also happen for nearby frequencies and you may need to make slight adjustments to the tuning. When you’re pointing at a location and at the right tuning, then you’ll see a solid circle in the reticle.


3.3 Set Zoom In and Zoom Out.

These will zoom in on a correctly tuned location in major steps. Multiple steps may be involved, and these may resolve to multiple signals or you may need to adjust the location as the view becomes more precise. When you are fully zoomed in a location, you will get a view of it, and the results of the scan. If you’re scanning a body, the numbers of major POIs (if there are any) will appear in the top right. You may need to wait for a ‘Scanning’ message to resolve to show the POI numbers.

Up and Down on the hat might work for these, but again that’s just an idea.

3.4 Set Stepped Zoom In and Out.

Once zoomed in at least one major step, these will allow you to zoom in and out in small increments. You can use this if two signal sources are very close together and you want to separate them slightly so you can zoom in on a particular one.

No suggestions for the control to use for this on HOTAS from me I’m afraid, but I’ve barely used it since the Beta, so you might be able to get away without binding anything to it.


Step 4. Go to Controls. Go to DSS (it’s at the bottom) controls. Set the directional controls. Again just use whatever directional controls you normally use, unless you really want to do differently for some reason.

Firing the probes is done via a Fire Group so just use whatever you’ve assigned for the DSS.


There you go, that should cover most of it.

Hope that helps!

Good lord... [hotas]

:)
 
The game is practically unplayable for me now. I must be losing it.

the moment you use a hotas you should reckon you are a rare freak and you should be used to these kinds of chores.

Keybindings has become a non-sensical chore for me, and I just can't suss it. Damn.

I need a drink.

lots in the game is left to improvisation, and it shows. but that's what there is, man. they're not gods, dude, just a bunch of techies bidding time in a company whose boss wants to get filthy rich.

i hope you know the drink will do you good, but won't solve a thing. for my part, a resounding cheers with marqués de cáceres, 2014 (nothing special, a regular rioja just to accompany some veggie paella).
 
the moment you use a hotas you should reckon you are a rare freak and you should be used to these kinds of chores.



lots in the game is left to improvisation, and it shows. but that's what there is, man. they're not gods, dude, just a bunch of techies bidding time in a company whose boss wants to get filthy rich.

i hope you know the drink will do you good, but won't solve a thing. for my part, a resounding cheers with marqués de cáceres, 2014 (nothing special, a regular rioja just to accompany some veggie paella).

Well hell. We don't usually see eye to eye, but I appreciate the support. :)
 
I think, in part, it's because I did all the binding I needed years ago, and now this new stuff comes along and messes everything up. And the keybindings just aren't intuitive in any way.
^^ This. Very much this.

I tend to sort out key bindings a bit at a time, rather than the whole lot in one go. Cos half the time I don't know what I need, and the other half I don't know what the bindings actually refer to. I do love my Warthog, but it's tricky sometimes, especially when I get...

"JOY24 is already bound to this, are you sure?"

How the hell do I know whether I'm sure? Where the hell is JOY24 anyway? If I knew where it was, I might remember what I bound to it.

But I really appreciate you guys. We can argue and bicker till dawn, but help each other when needed. I swear, this community is half the love I have for this game. :)
It's a great forum. Even when people are arsey, they're somehow not as completely and utterly arsey as on a few other forums I frequent. Snide is fairly rare around here, or so it seems.
 
Good lord... [hotas]

:)

Ha ha ha! You should have seen what it was like at the start of the Beta! 😉

Give it a shot with the version I’ve given you there though, as when it boils down to it in that version, there’s only actually 6 new controls that you need to bind. And if it’s only 4 if you consider the + & - versions as part of the same control.

Everything else is just having to go through the chore of duplicating things you’ve already set previously.

You can do it mate!
 
And another thing!

I assume that the xbox and ps controllers are fully configured to use every single feature in the game? Am I right?

So as we (the monster race) have default presets for different pc hotas available in the controls menu, why aren't they fully configured?

And yes, I know that would mean configuring all the controllers/hotas that Elite: Dangerous supports. But isn't that to be expected? How hard can it be? It's their game.

FD is basically saying; here's a game. You figure out how to control it.
 
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