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FSX How is outside view Zoom calculated?

rpmc

rpmc

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Other than this doesn't really belong here, what's the best forum to catch a response to the following question about view zoom? Already posted in Terrain Design General

__________

When looking at an outside view like the Cockpit View, one can change the "Zoom" using the - and + keys.

When this is done, Flight Sim shows a Zoom number that appears to be a ratio of something to do with the current view compared to, or divided by, the original one. But, what is it comparing?

What is being measured to calculate the Zoom number ... how is Zoom calculated?

Thanks,

Bob
 
As I understand it, without the line WideViewAspect=True in the fsx.cfg file (it's normally set to false), FSX behaves the same as FS2004. In this case the zoom value of 1.0 is set to be the "normal" view (i.e. the view you would see in real life) when using an old 4:3 square monitor. When you have a monitor with a different proportion, a zoom of 1.0 will provide a view with the same objects visible at the left and right edges of the screen. This however for a wide screen monitor leads to an actual zoom value higher than when using a 4:3 monitor. Thus to provide the same view out the window using a wide screen monitor you need to use a lower zoom value (and thus you will have a wider view out the window). For example, using a 16:9 wide screen monitor requires a 0.75 zoom value. Why? Nine divided by 16 equals a 0.5625 ratio, while an old 4:3 monitor has a 0.75 ratio. If you divide 0.5625 by 0.75 you get 0.75. Thus, you end up with a 0.75 ratio between the two screens. If you set the zoom at 0.75 you will have the same relative view out the window on your wide screen monitor.

This is all you can do in FS2004, but in FSX there is that WideViewAspect line available. If you set this to True, FSX now handles screen proportions differently. Now the view out the window stays at the same zoom value, and as your screen becomes wider you see more and more to each side - just what is needed. So the other option is to set this value to true in the fsx.cfg file and then always use a zoom value of 1.0.

Much of this is described in more detail in my FSX Propliner Tutorial, which has nothing to do with Propliners and everything about setting up FSX to get good views out the window:

http://www.calclassic.com/propliner_tutorial_fsx.htm

In this tutorial is also a link to the Simulation Control Interface Tutorial which will give you even more details on setting the zoom values for 2D panels and the VC.

Hope this helps,
 
ronh said:
There is a thread on Prepar3d that I thought might be of interest. The videos are interesting.

http://www.prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6312&t=115325
Click to expand...

Tom and Ron,

Thanks for the great information ... I'll go through the tuts and vids in detail when I get home.

Tom - your response and tut are interesting and useful. The Sim Control Interface tutorial seems to have a lot of empirical observation and conclusions. I need time to soak it in, I think.

Ron - the thread on the prepar3d forum .. it's exactly my question, only stated better. I would like to know Field of View and Focal Length as a function of Zoom.

I should check out the prepar3d forum. I never visited it until you provided the link.

ขอบคุณมากมาก ครับ

Bob
 
Glad to help.
There are only a few golden nuggets of information on the P3D forum. Mostly complaints on downloading, installing and add-on compatibility issues. Development stuff is probably better asked here.
 
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