DCS World
Supported Aircraft:
F/A-18C
F-16C
F-15E (FLIR currently not exported)
F-14B
T-45C
A-10C
A-10C II
Please note:
*Configuration guidance provided is for Windows Operating Systems. Mac OS X testing in process.
*It is recommended to set your desktop background to solid black since your HUD monitor becomes
an extension of your desktop area. Not all HUD images fill the HUD's internal monitor screen completely
and desktop background images & colors will be visible around exported HUD images.
Introduction
DCS is more complex to configure for exporting of HUDs than other supported simulators.
It utilizes LUA programming language and requires modifications of certain files to properly export HUDs to additional monitors. Heads Up View provides basic instructions and the files needed to achieve this for the supported aircraft listed above on a 2-monitor system: Main monitor + DT1, SC1 or SC2-6. It is important to note these instructions do not account for 3+ monitor setups where additional exports are desired (MFDs, RWRs, DDIs, etc.). This guide will get you started with your DT1, SC1 or SC2-6 in conjunction with your main monitor. Links to helpful resources regarding configuring DCS for multi-monitor setups can be found at the bottom of this page.
Note: HUD (display) export modifications provided by Heads Up View LLC may not pass multiplayer server Integrity Checks and
are not guaranteed to as multiplayer servers have varying degrees of Integrity Check settings.
Configure Display Settings
1. With your DT1, SC1 or SC2-6 connected, right-click on your desktop and choose 'Display Settings'. Note your main monitor's resolution in pixel width and height (needed in Step 7 and Step 13).
2. Move your HUD monitor to the upper right side of your main monitor as shown (monitor 2 in this example). .
3. Click 'Apply' to save the monitor positions.
DCS Configuration
The configuration provided in these steps is for a 4K monitor (3840x2160 resolution) with a DT1, SC1 or SC2-6 HUD in the arrangement shown above. If your main monitor is set to a different resolution you will need to edit the provided monitor configuration file with your main monitor's resolution (Step 7).
1. Click the 'Camera+HUD' button below to download the Monitor Configuration file DCS requires for your HUD to work properly.
2. Unzip the downloaded file 'Camera+HUD.zip'.
3. Place the unzipped file 'Camera+HUD.lua' into your main DCS installation folder's Config\MonitorSetup folder. In the following example, the 'Camera+HUD.lua' file would be copied to 'C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Config\MonitorSetup'.
4. Download the HUD export files for the aircraft you wish to fly by clicking the corresponding button below.
5. Unzip the downloaded file(s) to your preferred location and follow the installation instructions (text file) included within each aircraft folder. It is recommended to make backup copies of your files prior to replacing them with the ones provided in our modifications.
6. Download and install the free utility ' Notepad++' for editing LUA files.
7. (If your main monitor resolution is already set to 4K @ 3840 x 2160 resolution, skip to step 11)
Using Notepad++, open the 'Camera+HUD.lua' file that you placed into DCS's MonitorConfig folder and edit lines 11, 12 & 15. Adjust your main screen resolution to the pixel width, height and aspect of what your main monitor is set to. The red arrows denote the 3 lines to be edited.
8. Within the same file, scroll down to your preferred aircraft's section and locate the 'HUD =' line. Below is an example for the F/A-18C. This tells DCS World the position of the HUD using 'x' and 'y' coordinates where 'x' is the coordinate/position in pixels from the left side of your main monitor and 'y' is the position from the top.
Calculate 'x' using the following formula: ((1024 - 'HUD width') ÷ 2) + your main monitor width in pixels.
Example: (1024 - 376 = 648) ÷ 2 = 324. This example is for a 4K main monitor therefore 3840 + 324 = 4164.
9. Enter the value on the 'x =' line as shown below. The 'y' value and 'width' and 'height' do not need to be adjusted at this time (this will be done in Calibration and Alignment below).
Apply the same calculation for each aircraft you will be flying in their respective 'HUD =' section.
10. Save the file (leave this open in Notepad++ as you will be making adjustments outlined below).
11. Launch DCS and go to the Options, System tab.
12. Under 'Resolution', select your new combined monitor resolution width and height in pixels. The first value is width which is your main monitor width + HUD monitor width of 1024. The second value is height which is your main monitor's height.
13. Under 'Monitors' select 'Camera + HUD' from the drop-down menu then click the green 'OK' button at the bottom. DCS will restart and the new monitor settings will take effect.
Calibration and Alignment
This process assumes you have your default forward view saved according to your preferences (F.O.V., camera position, zoom, pitch, etc.) and your real HUD from Heads Up View is in position in front of your main monitor or screen. In the following steps, both HUD images (your main monitor's HUD and your real HUD) are made visible. The goal is to align both HUD images on top of each other when looking through your real HUD. This is accomplished by editing your real HUD's position and size. Once alignment is achieved and the main monitor's HUD is removed, your HUD symbology is properly calibrated and you are ready to fly.
1. Make your main monitor's HUD image visible:
-
For the F-14B, A-10C and A-10C II, use the 'L-Alt + F1' keys to bring up the cockpit view with HUD.
-
For the F/A-18C, F-16C, T-45C and F-15E, open (with Notepad++) the LUA file(s) listed below:
F/A-18C: 'AVQ32_init.lua'
Default location- C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Cockpit\Scripts\Multipurpose_Display_Group\HUD_AVQ32\Indicator\
F-16C: 'HUD_init.lua'
Default location- C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\F-16C\Cockpit\Scripts\Displays\HUD\Indicator\
T-45C: 'init.lua'
Default location- C:\Users\(your user name)\Saved Games\DCS\Mods\Aircraft\VNAO_T45\Cockpit\Scripts\Displays\HUD\indicator\
Locate the line "collimator_default_distance_factor =" and change the last value in the line to '0'.
Example: Change "math.rad(-4), 0.58}" to "math.rad(-4), 0}". Save and restart DCS.
F-15E: 'HUD_init.lua'
Default location- C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\F-15E\Cockpit\HUD\
Locate the line "collimator_default_distance_factor =" and change the middle value in the line to '0'.
Example: Change "{0.6, 0.58, 0}" to "{0.6, 0, 0}". Save and restart DCS.
2. Launch a flight (preferably 'Ready on the ramp'). 2 misaligned HUD images will appear similar to the example below.
3. Using Notepad++, edit your 'Camera+HUD.lua' file (in your main DCS World folder\Config). Make position and size adjustments to your aircraft's HUD section.
-To move the HUD image left or right adjust 'x' value
-To move up or down adjust 'y' value
-To change the width or height of the HUD image adjust 'width' and/or 'height' values
4. Save the file and restart DCS World for the new settings to take effect.
5. Launch a flight, check for alignment and make changes to position and size as necessary. Repeat Steps 4 & 5 until both HUD images are aligned on top of each other as shown in the example below.
6. Make your main monitor's HUD image invisible:
-
For the F-14B, A-10C and A-10C II, use the 'L-Alt + F1' keys to bring up the HUD Only view.
-
For the F/A-18C, F-16C, T-45C and F-15E, open (with Notepad++) the LUA file(s) listed below:
F/A-18C: 'AVQ32_init.lua'
Default location- C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\FA-18C\Cockpit\Scripts\Multipurpose_Display_Group\HUD_AVQ32\Indicator\
F-16C: 'HUD_init.lua'
Default location- C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\F-16C\Cockpit\Scripts\Displays\HUD\Indicator\
T-45C: 'init.lua'
Default location- C:\Users\(your user name)\Saved Games\DCS\Mods\Aircraft\VNAO_T45\Cockpit\Scripts\Displays\HUD\indicator\
Locate the line "collimator_default_distance_factor =" and change the last value in the line to '0.58'.
Example: Change "math.rad(-4), 0}" to "math.rad(-4), 0.58}". Save and restart DCS.
F-15E: 'HUD_init.lua'
Default location- C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Mods\aircraft\F-15E\Cockpit\HUD\
Locate the line "collimator_default_distance_factor =" and change the middle value in the line to '0.58'.
Example: Change "{0.6, 0, 0}" to "{0.6, 0.58, 0}". Save and restart DCS.
Your HUD is now calibrated for DCS World and you are ready to fly!
Resources
For editing LUA files it is recommended you use a good script editor such as Notepad++.
Wiki Hoggit World has a helpful article which describes in detail configuring multiple monitor setups in DCS World.
3rd Wing.net has created a PDF document to assist DCS World users with multiple monitor configurations.
Many helpful resources can be found on the DCS forums such as the 'Dummies Guide for Monitor Setup.lua'
The T-45C Mod by VNAO (freeware) can be downloaded at either of the following links.