Double Your Control in DCS World In Every Single Aircraft Module

Once Players get this, they will need 10 minutes to x2 their HOTAS controls using default ingame settings. Nothing to buy or download either - Just good old info!
Everyone has a keyboard with a row of numbers and pressing shift makes these numbers turn into symbols... Well, wouldn't it be great if we could make DCS world do the same?? "Ahhh!" I hear you say, "Yes, but then you'd have to let go of the HOTAS one 1 side, to hold SHIFT to do this."
Well I found a way around this, and I since have it setup on every single module I own, including Jets, Warbirds and Helicopters!
Contents:
00:00 - Intro Skit w Apache Info
00:51 - Addressing Concerns de la Impossible
01:11 - Into DCS Control Menu
03:21 - Binding to HOTAS
05:00 - The Switch On Off Method
07:21 - Demo the Result
08:09 - The "Hold" Method
09:07 - Final Test... TADA
09:58 - Quick Recap
10:42 - A Little Idea to Go
--------------
I think the control tips in this video is super useful to everyone in DCS, especially those people who are either unable to afford a bigger better HOTAS, or those who maybe can, but keep finding stores are out of stock. Either way, ensure you like and share it around with others, I'm sure they will find it useful. Also, no idea why, but this video took several hours to make, and how do you show double the controls in a thumbnail that most people view the size of a postage stamp?
Well, you draw 1 wire that glows up, then split in 2 - that's the best I could come up with, I'm sure most people would have had a better idea.

[@mururoa7024]

Mind blown! I had no idea you could define your own modifiers! Thanks!

[@cloud_1688]

incredibly helpful, I already knew that but for everyone who didn't this opens so many possibilitys, thank you for the video

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Yeah it's a super useful option - and the controls page since about 12-18 months ago is so crowded with additional menus & buttons - I imagine there's more than a few that find it a little daunting, I know I did

[@Corsair8X]

Had to set up a shift key on a new joystick I bought. Very glad for the second time that this video was made.

[@thunderace4588]

Thank you for providing us with this very helpful advice.

[@christopherpatrick957]

I've been missing this functionality on my WW Orion (coming from a Foxy programmed TM Cougar Hotas). What a huge help. Now I have to go back in and see what functionality I can add back in to my keybinds. Thanks for this!

[@patrickasrouch6164]

That may have been word salad, but I've been playing for years and never even noticed the modifier button. Just never really looked that close. That is awesome.

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

real glad to have been able to help so many like you with this, especially with Apache now.

[@Vandal50001]

Thank you , for letting me ride your back, and use your hard work~~ You really did help this Rookie out!

[@rentaspoon219]

That's so cool about the Apache give away, my dad and I use to play Comache with my dad as a kid so I get it

[@remingtonsteele3493]

Absolutely awesome 🤩 I never thought about this before. Thank you very much for this great video 👍🏻😊

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

My pleasure 😊

[@AdrianFourie]

After 5 years in DCS, I never understood the modifiers clearly. Tx, now it is all clear, all systems go. Just to add onto how to get more buttons, I have a set of racing pedals that I use. The right pedal is set up for 2 zoom levels, the middle pedal is my brake for the Hornet. The left pedal Im using with JoytoKey program. I made that Axis a Button input (Left Shift). Im thinking about gettting what they call a USB Foot pedal. Then program that to be a left/Right/Shift/Ctrl/Alt button. Again, awsome video, keep em comming.

[@SsgtHolland]

Absolutely fantastic! I overlooked this feature for 14 years...Instead of calling myself stupid..I call you brilliant, sir! (edit: instant TEDAC-stress relief!)

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

It's certainly a little hidden away within the array of menu options

[@willswings]

thanks ! at last someone who explain those f.... modifiers well ! congrats ! thanks a lot !

[@Adrian3712]

Very helpful vid! THANKS again for the Apache brother! I appreciate the shoutout!

[@alenomer3968]

Very good tip, that will really help me thank you !

[@B0bik]

Good video as always.

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Thanks Bob - lemme know on Discord if you're up for a flight in the next days?

[@HEATER_]

You sound like my friend Rob. Very well done! Thank you. LIKE #650

[@cragar55]

Great advice-thank you!

[@DepartmentOfResults]

I feel awakened. I can have twice the dials in the Viggen now.

[@Despiser25]

Excellent tutorial mate, really appreciate this!

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Glad you liked it!

[@cameronhepburn925]

Thank you so much this was very helpful

[@dopebogey]

NO WAY!!..HAHA...I've been trying to figure out how to do this for years...This is perfect for VR. This is awesome. Thanks Fox 3!!!👍👍

[@frogisis]

Whoa, crazy... My eyes always just slid over that portion of the screen without ever thinking about it, like "well that doesn't apply to me, that's for like crazy simpit API stuff or weirdos playing with like a Guitar Hero controller," but at the same time back when I had an X52 I used the shift function of all kinds of stuff... I haven't really thought about it since I got the Warthog, but I definitely missed that ability. Thanks for putting this info out there. Man, I don't even know where to begin binding new controls, the possibilities are endless...!

[@neo13254]

This tip is surely one from heaven. I thank you, very very very and very much!

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Glad it was helpful!

[@testthepest6259]

@@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator Any idea how to use it for Radio(The F1 to F12 ones)? I always only change the view.

[@jui79]

This comes in really handy

[@sloppydog4831]

Cool man. I have a control with modes, but it does not work anymore because its software is outdated. Now I can use the joystick modes easily. Also, it will be very useful for the Apache with its 1000 buttons needing configuration.

[@Mightymoose02]

The "SWITCH"-mode will be golden in the Apache. By toggling a button, you can choose either "flying"-profile or "gunner"-profile in if you are in the gunner seat.

[@Malfoy95]

My thoughts exactly, I can't believe I didn't know this technique after all this time.

[@MAYDAYSIMULATIONS]

If it's like the f14 it'll have separate bindings anyway. But maybe they'll combine it. I hope not

[@Mightymoose02]

@@MAYDAYSIMULATIONS Yes, but unlike the copilot/gunner (CPG), the RIO can not fly the plane…So in essence if you plan on being able to fly from the front seat, you need LOTS of bindings. SHIFT-button is perfect (same as CAPS LOCK on a keyboard).

[@SDsc0rch]

been using this technique for years the entire time I've been working with DCS but I use the pinky switch just more intuitive and quicker

[@HeloHounds]

I was wondering why I couldn't use a joystick button for a modifier! Now I know how to get one to be used as a modifier!! Thanks!!

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Glad I could help! It's great to get comments like this, and hear the videos are making a positive difference to people like you

[@erikvanbever9820]

excellent, thanks

[@Tuuvas]

To add to this, modifiers is what allows even modest console controllers to work in DCS without too many issues. Of course it won't be perfect out-of-the-box until ED introduces some vital changes to DCS, but this can be worked around using 3rd party programs to introduce things like right stick mouse control and shoulder button mouse clicking. When set up right, you can do everything you need with only a gamepad. No mouse. No keyboard. No head tracker. No HOTAS.

[@faelwolf1177]

Something I have found a lot of people who know about modifiers don't know is that you can also bind modifier+Snap View key to have quick access to snap views and it not only overrides the LCTRL+0 and requirement, it will override trackIR directly as well. Pretty handy for taking a close look at a MFD for a moment, or getting awkward controls within easy reach without having to fiddle around with the keyboard.

[@mitch_the_-itch]

Too bad it isn't this easy in VR.

[@faelwolf1177]

@@mitch_the_-itch Nothing is easy in VR in DCS, unfortunately. One of several reasons I am holding off on VR until they get things properly sorted out, and I also won't have to push my system to it's limits just to get a barely playable frame rate. I feel for the VR users in this sim, optimization is long overdue.

[@mitch_the_-itch]

@@faelwolf1177 The problem is VR plays some things very well and shows it is ready for prime time. I waited a few extra years for VR. IL2 for example runs a treat in VR. DCS actually runs VR great if you don't add hardly any other assets, lol. We are so close. VR is great but for DCS its not. Supposedly DCS has been working on the "Render Graph" in the API for both Vulcan and DX12. Hopefully we will at some point see this in the light of day.

[@faelwolf1177]

@@mitch_the_-itch I've heard VR is great in IL2, but I don't currently own or play it. I keep hearing such good things about it, that I'm considering picking it up. But there are so many iterations of it, that I've been hesitant, not wanting to grab the wrong "version" and being left out of MP. If they would do a Pacific version, I'd be all in on day one though. :) I'm keeping an eye on the new headsets coming out, but so far the prices given for them is outside of my budget, but should bring the prices of the current gear down quite a bit, especially on the used market, so may pull the trigger on VR, but for things other than DCS for the time being. I don't want to spend a lot of money to find it lackluster in other games as well. I personally think the lack of multithreading is the biggest holdback for DCS, in either mode. They really need to modernize their engine. A big plus for VR is now I have seen YT vids of people getting mixed reality working in DCS, though it's still in the early stages. Full cockpit build and you can see everything in it live, but everything outside the cockpit is full 3D VR. That would be amazing and really push me off the fence for VR in DCS, honestly. Once I figured out how to get the project past the wife of course.... lol So obviously, I have a strong interest in moving to VR in DCS, but don't feel the time is quite there yet, for me. If I ran across a good used headset cheap enough, I'd likley give it a try though.

[@mitch_the_-itch]

@@faelwolf1177If youre not looking for the ultimate sim experience Id recommend IL2. Its great fun but the flight model is feeling very old.. I hear they are looking at "new technologies" as we speak. Its a great way to play in VR. Its actually even deeper than simply multi-threading. VR requires two pipelines. One for each eye. So even if we could use another cpu core it would still be doing twice the work of the 2d version. It would help but not the panacea. The newer headsets are all the $1500 range. Thats simply insane. I paid $499 for the Samsung Odyssey and $499 for the G2 and I think both were still way over-priced, lol. I've had quad monitor setups with TiR and it doesn't come close to what VR offers. VR is like "magic," lol. Everything is just "right." The world is the correct size and feels like the real World to a degree you just can't explain without you seeing it. Interested in a couple hours used Samsung Odysee plus? I could make a deal.

[@Travis_125]

Brillant!

[@kamranbegakafr3ak]

been using modifier since i started with dcs i use same hat switch(only have one) for Look(no head trackking) TDC, Sensos Control Designater , Zoom in/out

[@stefanie_m466]

use the modifier lower left and fill in a switch modifier, it latches instead of keeping it pressed. so u can use a latch modifier. 05:17 you make me remember school time, it was soooo slow that i never be able to understand anything, because i was in dreamland when the real explanation came. I'm a different breed, i understand things quickly, not slowly

[@paristo]

It would be even nice that DCS would support every covered switch with two ways: 1) (Current) Press a one button under the cover to open cover + press button. 2) Have two or three buttons to do all, one to open/close cover and another to press button. Or one to open, one to press and third to close. If going route 2, you have always the actual cover working as intended. But it is not always possible in every module.

[@SeeFue]

Awesome tip. Now, if only there were a way to add a modifier that turns my 3d Extreme joystick into a full Hotas setup. :)

[@frogisis]

There is, sorta! Before I got a HOTAS, I customized all the keyboard controls to create a kind of poor-man's throttle quadrant centered around on the WASD keys like for an FPS game, and then just rested my hand there during the mission. I used the bare WASD for slewing, and then used different modifiers to make it work as the different hats I was missing, with Q and E as the throttle, etc. It actually worked really well, such that when I did finally get a HOTAS it actually slowed me down a little as I got used to it (though it was a definite improvement in the end). It takes some patience and creativity to come up with and test the bindings, but if you don't have a full HOTAS and don't expect to get one soon it's absolutely worth setting up.

[@lanejohnston934]

I have the thrustmaster t16000m and I just use the pinky switch on the throttle. It's so easy to use as a modifier.

[@Bronco-1776]

I didn't think there was anybody who actually doesn't know this stuff.

[@airspro5666]

Thanks

[@mewpmonkey1143]

So in the Spittfire as used in your Vid what are you using for the Wheel Brake Lever, now that you have asigned that lever as the modifier button ??

[@hullukana214]

Not sure why Im watching this video as I can map 86 functions + 10 axis to my throttle and 22 funtions + 4 axis to my stick, but nice video anyways.

[@Mightymoose02]

You probably need it if you are planning on flying the Apache from the front seat 🙂

[@hullukana214]

@@Mightymoose02 Maybe. Im not planning to play helis so propably no need. But I allways also have keyboard to bind some functions if needed.

[@TexasGreed]

Any clue why the pinky switch on my X52 HOTAS doesn't seem to do shit? Like if I pick any command and try to click the button to bind it nothing happens.

[@chrissullivan7963]

So what do you use as wheel brake now?

[@charlieh2492]

Excellent explanation thank you. Can you expalin how to configure the on/off switches on the Warthog HOTAS to make them true on/off i.e 2 switched positions and not switch to on then switch again to off. Apologies if this is obvious but i am a novice.

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Hey there, I'm pleased you found this useful, and I know what you mean with your question - and it's not obvious either, so don't worry about feeling silly. All I knows, is to use them as 2 switch positions (rather than 1 switch toggling like you described) you need to use the ThrustMaster T.A.R.G.E.T software (not DCS). I'm no expert on that at all, but as far as I understand, you create profiles in the TM Target software, that allows you to get all creative with what switches and buttons do what, including making the toggle switches behave like the way you said. Have you tried searching for any videos on it? Even if its none dcs specific?

[@Hosscoller]

Use TARGET GUI.... IN/OUT and UP/MIDDLE/DOWN functions. So OUT/MIDDLE is default, and your mode options are OUT/UP....OUT/MIDDLE then IN/MIDDLE...UP...and DOWN. the in out button can be toggled or untoggled, meaning you press then release and it stays pushed, or push and hold... untangled.

[@davido1953]

smart guy

[@deetwodcs4683]

I thought you meant double your control as in double your precision (as in curves), but it's about modifiers. Which I allready knew about reaaaally well, because I have only one old thrustmaster wingman joystick and that's it. Feels bad man.

[@andrewfranson4756]

Worthy advice! But now I have to remap everything ;[

[@Lochaby]

When I upgraded from a T16000 to virpil, I told myself "no more modifier buttons" is this just silly?

[@vicseth5556]

You could quadruple it by using "shift", "control" and "control+shift", even "alt"....sqme steps as above...

[@philohan95]

5:16 for the entire point of this video.

[@MAYDAYSIMULATIONS]

This would have been far easier to understand if there wasn't 10 min of how not to do it.

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

You make a really good point. With hindsight, there's 2 major things I would have done differently with this video, the main one being the disjointed way I tried to create & gather all the clips up, made for a very wordy explanation of something, if I'd just taken in 1 would have been quicker and easier to listen to. I've learnt my lesson from this video, and comments like yours help keep me aiming in the right direction. Next time I make a how-to type vid, if you happen to see it, please let me know if I did any better

[@MAYDAYSIMULATIONS]

@Fox 3 Simulations no biggy, don't take it as a knock. It was a great topic to cover and was still well done. Your channel is packed with great info, keep it up👍

[@plarek1]

So dirty stick

[@CrazyRussianPilot]

#crazyrussianpilot :- > cool СУПЕР👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Kiwoeoe]

Holy shit the first tip man is not a tip, ITS OBVIOUS using mod keys is nothing new wtf

[@smashingblouse6]

Thanks

[@DCSDigitalCombatSimulator]

Thank you too :)