Zoom / eyepoint conflict in FSX VC

[delta_lima]

This is a problem I've simply "dealt with" in FSX - it really bugs me, so I'm going to see if there's a fix.

Basically, I'm trying to see if there's a way to disassociate my zoom from where I'm sitting in the VC. So, for example, I'd like my "zoom" to always be 100%, and be sitting in a "normal" eyepoint position. I find though, that when I zoom into 100%, it's as if my chin is sitting atop the cockpit coaming. Conversely, if I set my zoom out to where I usually fly eg:



... that results in a zoom setting of something silly like 40%. This makes the runway, and other details "forelengthened" (if that's a word!).

I get that moving your head fwd/back a foot will MILDLY change your field of view - but not +/- 50%!

Is the only solution to zoom in to 100%, and then manually dolly my eyepoint backwords? I find massive eyepoint adjustments will bugger up how the cockpit polygons look, so I'm not thinking that's the solution. Plus, I'd want to do this for every plane I fly - sounds like a lot of work.

I'm sure I can't possibly be the only who deals with this ... anyone smarter than me figured this out yet?

Thanks!

[Daube]

Zoom at 1.00x is not meant to be used on a single computer screen. Such a zoom is meant to be used for multi-monitor setups, because one screen is not enough to display everything.
If you use only one screen, like 99% of the simmers, then the best balance that you can get is 0.50x. That's what I use on my wide screen and I'm pretty happy with it.

[PRB]

The way I've finally chosen to deal with this issue, and I agree with you, BTW, is to fly at 80 or 70% (most planes) and "scooch" the seat back and up a bit. When I started with FS9, I thought I wanted to be at 100% in the VC, but I'm starting to agree with Daube, to a point. 100% now seems "too close" and unrealistic. I don't think there is a way to acomplish what you're wanting to do. 100% is what it is, your chin is on the gun sight.

[OleBoy]

I always thought that the viewpoint distance was based on how the modeler set it up. I say this based on every aircraft seems to be at a different seat height, and distance back from the panel.
I find I'm always having to fiddle with the settings. Unless, once I get it set-up, I save the flight. Then the next time I fly that particular aircraft (via "saved flight"), the settings are all good.

[falcon409]

I'm going to say this without knowing if anyone has actually tried this and just hasn't mentioned it. . . .but this is how I do all my aircraft. I tweak the "eyepoint" in the aircraft.cfg file. You can do it on the fly by simply refreshing the aircraft after each adjustment. This way, every time I load a particular airplane, the seat height and distance from the panel is already set and it's permanent. Admittedly, I use TrackIR, so the "zoom" is of little consequence, but adjusting the distance "fwd and back" for the eyepoint would eliminate having to zoom at all.

[Daube]

100% now seems "too close" and unrealistic.

Let's be clear here: Zoom 1.00x is the ONE and ONLY realistic zoom. It's the zoom that provides no distortion at all, no fish-eye effect at all, etc... It is the only one that reproduces the human vision. Smaller zoom value produce fish-eye effect and distortion of the perception of distance. For example, when I fly at 0.50x, and I try to do some formation flying, I often end up with the wing of the other plane hitting my cockpit, even though the other plane still appears far enough. When zooming at 1.00x I understand why I hit it...

I don't think there is a way to acomplish what you're wanting to do. 100% is what it is, your chin is on the gun sight.

No you chin is still at the same exact place as it was before. Don't confuse the zoom and the eyepoint. When you zoom (or unzoom), you head in the cockpit doesn't move at all. Things "appear" closer because your single computer screen is not enough to draw the full picture.
If you want to use the 1.00x, you MUST swith to multi-monitor setups, because the 1.00x zoom shows you the scenery in real dimensions, which means that what is on your right should be displayed on a screen located on your right, while the screen in front of your eyes displays ONLY what is located in front of your eyes.
If you want to use the zoom 1.00x, you'll have to get something like this:


Or like this:

[Naismith]

All those CRT's look really dated now we are in the era of flat screens.

[Daube]

All those CRT's look really dated now we are in the era of flat screens.

Indeed :D
But it was just to put a picture on my words.