Display MoreI have just downloaded Aerofly FS 2 for the Macintosh, and discovered there is no way to set up the mouse as the controller for flying, as was possible in Aerofly FS. One forum said you could get the mouse to work by "binding" it to the keyboard, whatever that means (no explanation was given, and the term "bind" does not appear in the controller options offering under Settings).
In my other flight simulators, the mouse controller input can be interpreted as joystick controller input. Both are analog devices, so aileron and elevator inputs can be implemented the same way (rudder input uses keys). That is, moving the mouse forward is the same as pushing a joystick forward, and moving it back the same as pulling the joystick back. Moving the mouse left is the same as moving the joystick left, and moving it to the right the same as moving the joystick right. The app shouldn't care whether the X,Y inputs come from a mouse or a joystick because they are logically equivalent.
So why doesn't this work in Aerofly FS 2 for the Mac? And please don't say "Get a joystick, because it is a better experience" -- I've flown aerobatic aircraft with real stick and rudder controls and a joystick is a lame imitation of the real thing. (Possible exception: fly-by-wire fighter jets and the like, which I have no interest in flying.) The mouse is actually more natural as a controller, and takes up less real estate on your computer desk.
So does anyone know how I can get the mouse to work as a flight controller?
TIA,
Adak
Yes! Thank you for articulating this question concisely and clearly! I struggle with explaining the same thing, but feel the exact same as you. It isn't just Mac users that suffer in Aerofly FS 2, I am on Windows, and the same issue occurs.
I agree completely, the majority of users always just offer the (less than helpful) advice of "just go buy a joystick, your experience will be WAY better". Or as mentioned, say keys can be used on the keyboard/mouse, but never offer a clear explanation of how this can be done.
I have never found using a joystick to be the better option over a mouse and keyboard for any flying-themed game, as I find most computer joysticks don't really give the impression of flying a real-world aircraft in the first place, coupled with the fact that most of us don't have $1000s of dollars worth of other gear to go with it, like pedals, throttles, control panels, multiple monitors, high end gaming systems etc etc.
Couple this with the fact that most commercial or civilian aircraft don't even use joysticks, rather yokes, makes buying a joystick seem every bit as realistic as using a mouse and keyboard.
Also I couldn't agree more with Adak, why can a mouse's multiple axis control not simply be used as replacement for a joystick's multiple axis control?
In my case, I am relatively new to flight SIMs, so maybe I am not understanding something very fundamental. But to me, I would just like simple keyboard and mouse support so that I can familiarize myself with the game first, using a familiar control device(s). In this way I can decide if flight SIMs are even something I want to continue playing. I'm new enough to the genre, that I don't even know if I will like them anymore than just to fly in a casual way. I don't want to buy expensive joysticks, throttles, etc etc, just to find out I'll never use them in a few weeks.