Falcon BMS offers a lot of parameters through the UI but there are a couple more hidden in the launcher.
By clicking on “Configuration”, you'll land on the Falcon configuration editor.
You'll have some options you'll want to interact with in order to influence UI.
We we will now guide you through some essential section on the configurator for you to be ready.
Note:
Most features are documented in manual for more information. You can also see a description in the right section of the window!
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
Cursor Speed | g_fCursorSpeed |
Set Cursor speed from 50 to 200%. Default is 100%. Available options: 0.5 – 0.75 – 1.0 – 1.5 – 2.0 |
|
High Contrast MFDs | g_bMFDHighContrast |
Disable or Enable High Contrast MFDs to help colour recognition. Default is 0 (Disable). Possible setting 0/1. |
|
Radar Scale | g_fRadarScale |
Change the size of the radar blips. Default is 75% (0.75). Available options: 0.25 – 0.5 – 0.75 – 1.0 – 1.5 |
|
Smaller HSD Symbols | g_fHSDSymbolSize |
Sets size of the HSD symbols. Default is 0.025 which might be too small for lower resolutions, in which case set to 0.05. |
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
No Barcap vs Barcap in 2D | g_bBarcapNoBarcap |
If set to 1/true, AI BARCAP flights will not react against other BARCAP flights anymore. Default 0/false. |
|
No DTC for Ramp Start | g_bNoDTCForRampStart |
With this option enabled the DTC will not be automatically loaded during Ramp start; the user will have to load it. Automatic DTC load always happens at Taxi & Takeoff start. Possible options: 0/1. Default: 1 (not auto loaded at Ramp). |
Yes (leave ON) |
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
Briefing Output to File | g_nPrintToFile | Enables output of detailed briefing data to "briefing.txt" file located in \User\Briefings. That file may then be externally printed. Available options: 0/1 | |
Append New Briefings | g_bAppendToBriefingFile | When enabled this option adds briefing data to the same Briefing.txt. When disabled it overwrites the briefing data. so Briefing.txt only contains the last brief. Available options: 0/1 | |
HTML Briefings | g_bBriefHTML | Enable HTML format for briefing. The HTML files are stored in \User\Briefings. One file per briefing. Naming is done with date_time_briefing.html. Please note when this option is enabled the briefing.txt files are not generated anymore. | |
Debriefing Output to File | g_bLogEvents | Enables output of detailed debriefing data to "debrief.txt" file located in \User\Briefings file. Newest debrief are always added at the end of the file. Available options: 0/1 | |
Displacement Camera | g_bEnableDisplacementCam | Enable or Disable Displacement Camera that simulates camera instability in the Orbit view. Available options: 0/1. | |
Enable Anchored Mouse Cursor | g_b3DClickableCursorAnchored | When enabled, the mouse cursor in cockpit is anchored on a hotspot while moving view. Available options: 0/1. | If you are annoyed by the sticky mouse, you should remove it… |
Field of View (FOV) | g_fDefaultFOV | Sets Cockpit Field Of View Angle. Available options: 40° – 45° – 50° – 55° – 60° (default) – 65° – 70° – 75° – 80° | If you intend to have a FOV higher than 80° don't forget to change: g_fMaximumFOV (in Falcon BMS.cfg file) |
Full Screen NVG's | g_bFullScreenNVG | Enable or Disable full screen NVG. When disabled the FOV of the NVG will more realistically implement the tunnel vision effect. Available options: 0/1. | |
No Padlock Boxes | g_bNoPadlockBoxes | If set to 1/true, there will be no box at all around padlock objects. Default 0/false. | |
PNG Screenshots | g_bPngScreenshots | If enabled the screenshot and prettyscreenshot callbacks generate .png format images. If disabled both callbacks generate .jpg format images. Available options: 0/1. | |
Padlock Box Size | g_nPadlockBoxSize | Adjusts the size of the padlock box (if padlock is enabled). Available settings: 0/2. Default option: 2. | |
Play Intro Movie on Start Up | g_bPlayIntroMovie | Plays intro movie if enabled. Go straight to UI if disabled. Available options: 0/1 – Default is Enabled (1). | |
Taxi Start at Ramp | g_bRampTaxiStart | If set to 1/true, TAXI spawns on RAMP instead of taxiway. Default 0/false. | Recommended to be ON |
Use Hg Altimeter | g_bCalibrationHg | Determines unit of atmospheric pressure in general and cockpit altimeter in particular. Available options 0/1. When set to 0 units are SI: hPa (millibars). If set to 1, units are Imperial (inHg). | Always make sure before flying MP that you this parameter set accordingly to the Host |
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
Clouds Density and Number of Cells | g_nFairCloudRestriction | Make Clouds density and number of cells displayed configurable, that will override all sliders settings or map settings. This offers the possibility to save a lot of FPS for small configurations. | Try different settings if you have a low end PC |
Dogfight / Missile Override Self-Cancel | g_bHotasDgftSelfCancel | For DX programming joysticks. When enabled the Dogfight/Missile Override callbacks (DGFT/SRM/MRM) will call "override cancel" automatically upon release. This can be used for joysticks like the TM HOTAS Cougar, where the override switch on the throttle is a 3-position switch, but only the 2 outwards positions actually create a DX button input. This option enables the center position in case of DX programming. If set to disabled, the center position will need to be programmed with callback. Available options: 0/1. | Might be important if you have a 3 way switch (e.g. HOTAS Warthog) |
Enable Virtual Rudder | g_bUseVirtualRudder | This option is only useful for people who use racing wheel pedals and are NOT able to combine them into one axis via the wheel's drivers. By activating this option AND assigning the pedals to Brake and Right Toebrakes axis in the UI, the sim will emulate a rudder axis by combining the inputs of these two devices. Available options: 0/1 - Default is disabled. | If you don't have a rudder, check that option. |
High Resolution Textures | g_bHiResTextures | This option enables higher resolutions DDS for object skins and miscellaneous textures. When enabled, the content of both the misctex_HiRes and KoreaObj_HiRes will be used rather than the misctex and KoreaObj folders. If there is no HiRes texture available in these folders it will use the default texture instead. Available options: 0/1. | Try this setting to OFF if you have a low end PC |
Idle Cutoff | g_bUseAnalogIdleCutoff | This option when enabled suppresses the need for the idle detent callback. The detent is simulated by the course of the throttle axis. The idle point must be declared with a right click on the SET AB button in the SETUP > CONTROLLER page of the UI. Enable this option if you have a strong physical detent at the idle point of your throttle. Available options: 0/1 – default is 0. | Might be important if you have an idle position (e.g. HOTAS Warthog) |
Low Resolution for Clouds | “No parameter” | Low resolution for clouds (512 instead of 1024/2048). | |
Reduce Particle System | g_bReducePSFires | This option when enabled reduces by 50% (average) the number of some main PS effects like ground units and features like smokestacks and explosions in order to reduce the FPS hit caused by the Particle System. Available options: 0/1. | Try this setting to ON if you have a low end PC |
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
Glass Environment Mapping | g_bEnvironmentMapping | Enable (1) or disable (0) Environment Mapping for glass. | |
HDR Lighting |
g_bHdrLighting g_bHdrLightingStar |
Enable (1) or disable (0) High Dynamic Range (post-processing) lighting effects. This option is relevant only when HDR lighting is enabled. When Enabled (1) this option renders bright lights with a ‘star’ effect, i.e. light rays originating from the light source. Available options: 0/1. |
|
Jet Heat Exhaust | g_bUseHeatHazeShader | Enable (1) or disable (0) Jet Heat Exhaust effects. | |
Far Rain | g_bShowFarRain | Enable (1) or disable (0) rendering of additional rain. | |
Rain Drops | g_bShowRainDrops | Enable (1) or disable (0) rain drops on camera (outside view) and canopy (internal view). | |
Rain Rings | g_bShowRainRings | Enable (1) or disable (0) rain rings on the ground. | |
Shadow Mapping | g_bShadowMapping | Enable (1) or disable (0) shadows for the cockpit and a small area around the viewer. Disabling this option will make the submenu options unavailable. | |
Shadows on Smoke | g_bShadowOnSmoke | Enable (1) or disable (0) shadows on particle system effects. | Huge FPS impact (use really if your config can support it) |
Water Environment Mapping | g_bWaterEnvironmentMapping | Enable (1) or disable (0) environment mapping for water. Disabling this option will make the submenu options unavailable. | |
Cloud Reflections | g_bEnvMapRenderClouds | Enable (1) or disable (0) rendering of the clouds into the water environment map. | |
Focus Object Reflections | g_bEnvMapRenderFocusObject | Enable (1) or disable (0) the rendering of the focused object into the water environment map. |
Note:
If you have a low end PC, make sure you disable most options in this section…
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
TrackIR Controls External View | g_bExternalTrackIR | When this option is enabled the TIR will slew the external view, replacing the mouse. Vector expansion will control zoom in external view as well. When this option is disabled the TIR is not active in external view and slewing is done with the mouse. Available options: 0/1. | |
TrackIR External View Inverted | g_bInvertExternalTrackIR | Relevant only when External TrackIR is enabled. If enabled TIR azimuth slewing will be inverted. Available options: 0/1. |
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
ALE-50 on F-16CM/DM | “No Parameter” | This option lets you choose between 16S300/LAU-129 or ALE-50/LAU-129. Please note that the ALE-50/LAU-129 is eye-candy only and will add 6 points of drag. | This option will break MP compatibility (leave it checked) |
Windows DPI | “No Parameter” | Fit communication menu box to windows DPI setting. Leave both disabled for 100%. | |
Fly F-16's Only | “No Parameter” | Allows the player to fly only the F-16's in KTO Campaigns and Tactical Engagements. |
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
Freeze Allowed | g_bAllowMP_Freeze | Allows the MP host to specify whether "freeze" pause can be used (default = 0/disabled). Available options: 0/1. | |
NVG Allowed | g_bAllowMP_NVG | Allows the MP host to specify whether NVGs can be used by clients or not (default is 1/enabled = NVGs can be used by clients). Available options: 0/1. | As a host, Strongly recommended ON |
NVG in Fullscreen Allowed | g_bAllowMP_NVGFullscreen | Allows the MP host to specify whether NVGs can be used in full screen mode by clients or not (default is 1/enabled = client able to choose either option through his own config file). Available options: 0/1. | As a host, Strongly recommended OFF |
Same ACDATA Files Required | g_bRequireSameAcdataMP | Anti-cheat option: Allows the MP host to specify whether ACDATA and MISDATA files need to be the same in MP (default = 0 disabled = files can be different). This option was created mainly as a way for larger MP event servers to ensure tweaks to aircraft or weapons are not permitted. | As a host, Strongly recommended ON |
Same Tileset Required | g_bRequireSameTileSetMP | Allows the MP host to specify whether clients have to use the same tile (default is 1 = enabled). Available options: 0/1. | As a host, Strongly recommended ON |
Smoke Allowed | g_bAllowMP_Smoke | Allows the MP host to specify whether Smoke can be used (default = 1/enabled). Available options: 0/1. | |
Startup Restricted | g_nMPStartRestricted |
Allows the MP host to specify which start-up options are allowed:
|
As a host, I would recommend “2” |
Other recommended options you should consider as part of the Falcon BMS.cfg
file:
Name | Config file parameter | Description | Important |
---|---|---|---|
g_nHotasPinkyShiftMagnitude | Enable DirectX shifting and specifies button offset. DX button numbers can now be shifted outside the DX device limit, making it essentially possible to use all 16 DX devices with DX shifting. To do so, change offset to 512 (default is 256) in the config file (and adjust your key file accordingly of course). | ||
g_fMaximumFOV | Limits the maximum angle that the FOV can be increased. Default value = 80°. | ||
g_bPrettyScreenShot | If enabled (1) PrtScr key will make pretty screenshots (without text overlays) instead of normal screenshots with overlays. Available options: 1=pretty, 0=normal. Default = 0. | ||
g_bExportRTTTextures | This enables the shared texture memory area for HUD/MFDs/ HMCS/RWR/DED/PFL. This is independent from BMS external window usage. Available options: 0/1. Default = 1. | Mandatory for MFDs Extractions | |
g_fSmartScalingThreshold | If SmartScaling is enabled via the UI it sets the distance in nautical miles from your own POV where Smartscaling will start, for pilots who want to use SmartScaling for better visual identification at far distances, but do NOT want any scaling in very close proximity, i.e. to make sure close formation or HUD cues are not distorted and tires sit on the taxiway. | Try a setting of 1.0 minimum | |
g_bOnlinePlayersDisplayDefault | Specifies whether the OnlinePlayersDisplay overlay should be ON (1) or OFF (0) by default when entering 3D. Default 0/false. | Useful for Dedicated Servers | |
g_bShowFrameRateDefault | Specifies whether the frame rate overlay should be ON (1) or OFF (0) by default when entering 3D. Default 0/false. | Useful for Dedicated Servers |
The first part you should before launching a flight in Falcon BMS is to create your profile!
You should hit the “New” button and start creating your unique “callsign”.
It will be useful to retain some preferences bound to your user (especially if you are sharing your BMS install with another user or if you wish to maintain separate pilot activities.
Once this is done, make sure you select the right pilot and hit “OK”.
Now, most setup parameters will be bound to your specific "pilot".
We would strongly recommend to go for a 100% realism setting.
It is the best way to benefit from Falcon BMS experience!
Checkboxes on the right should have the following parameters selected to benefit from the best experience:
Here is a proposed setup for sounds to have a better realism in game:
Without getting too much in details (because it is highly dependent on your setup) here are a couple hints you can apply…
This section will be described in an other chapter…