last updated December 23, 2004
1. Installation methods...
There are many ways to setup your TrackIR for Falcon 4. Three installation methods are described here :
All patches are available at :
www.simmersworld.com/default.php?page=Patches
Straight SP4.x (non BMS exe)
- Install Falcon 4.0 from CD then install 1.08 US patch.
- Install Falcon SP4.
- Install the latest TrackIR 3 Pro software (version 4 or later)
- Make Default setting for Falcon
- Check box for “Exclusive-load”.
- Install TIRF4 file to desktop (download here - 72 KB).
- Change the FalconSP shortcut properties to point to the directory where Falcon4 is installed, with a "-head" modifier.
(example : C:\MicroProse\Falcon4\FalconSP.exe –head)
- Start FalconSP from the modified Desktop Shortcut.
- Activate TIRF4 file on Desktop (toggle out of Falcon).
- Return to Falcon by clicking F4 on taskbar.
- Load a Tactical Engagement/Takeoff.
- When you are in the pit of the F-16 aircraft, depress the 3# key to go to the 3D pit.
- The blue and green LEDs should be working to indicate TrackIR is working properly in enhanced mode.
- Move head to verify that TrackIR is tracking properly.
BMS 2.0 or Cobra 1
BMS 2.0 exe is installed as an addon to SP4. Free Falcon 3 ("FF3") includes a BMS 2.0 exe in it's installer (so you if you're running FF3 these directions are for you!). Cobra 1 (a free add on for Free Falcon) works the same as the BMS 2.0 method.
The BMS 2.0 patch is not aproved by ATARI and therefore not available or linked on this website.
- Run the (latest) TrackIR software.
- Run Falcon
- Click on the setup menu
- Click on the controllers tab
- Click on the the advanced box
- Click on the the "Enable 2d cockpit TrackIR" and "enable 3d cockpit TrackIR" boxes under the view control tab (which should be the first tab that pops up by default).
That is all you really need to get it working but to customize the 2d cockpit cockpit panning (which isn't the best system in the world) you can run the config editor (preffered method) or manually edit the .cfg entries for freqency and dead zones (advanced users only!). Note that these options ONLY effect the 2D panning of the cockpit.
BMS versions earlier than 2.0
(1.03 being the most popular)
1.03 did not have an advanced controllers screen, so a config edit is needed to enable the TrackIR.
You can either run the config editor (there should be a shortcut on your desktop after the install of the BMS.exe).
- You will need to check the options under "Settings Benchmark Sims" folder
- and check the "enable 2d cockpit" and "enable 3d cockpit" trackIR support options.
- Then hit apply.
Change the options under TrickIR Pitch and Yaw deadzone percentages, and the sample frequency, to your liking.
Or if you like the manually edit to your falconbms.cfg you can add these lines:
- To turn on 3d cockpit panning:
Set g_EnableTrackIR 1
- To turn on 2d cockpit panning:
set g_bTrackIR2DCockpit 1
- To adjust how fast the 2d cockpit panning is:
set g_nTrackIRSampleFreq 512
(this is about 1/2 pause between 2d view changes, note it must be in multiples of 128)
- To adjust the deadzone in pitch and yaw:
set g_fTIR2DPitchPercentage 0.5
set g_fTIR2DYawPercentage 0.5
(You can set from 0.0 being no deadzone to 1.00 being a complete deadzone making that axis completely unusable.)
Now start the latest TrackIR software and run Falcon4.
See if it works in the 3d cockpit by pressing 3 and moving your real head around. It should rotate the view smoothly and precisely.
If you enabled the 2d cockpit, press the 2 key to test it out. Your head will be kind like a POV switch, the longer you hold your head in a certain direction the more your view will change in that direction.
