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So, the plugin I am talking about is called VR Tools. Now, this plugin has a few different features built in, however the one I want to focus on is the view adjustment.
Essentially with this plugin, you can add view hotspots to your plane. This allows you to adjust the position, and height of all of the current seating positions. It also allows for custom positions. For example, I created a custom position that allows me to get nice and close to my gauges.
Just like if you were leaning in to get a good look, this lets you lean in nice and close without having to knock things over with your face. This works great if you run a lower resolution VR headset and are trying to read the smallest gauge. You can easily switch to this view and then hit the default pilot view to bounce back into your chair.
View Transport
When you set up a hotspot, you can go to that hotspot by using the transport function on your VR Controller. On the Oculus Rift, this is the small thumb stick on the VR controller. This would really come in handy when flying a large airliner, where you want to view your flight from the passenger’s point of view.
Adjust Default Views
My favorite feature of this program is that you can adjust the default cockpit views. This allows you to adjust the pilot position. You can essentially adjust the seating position to properly reflect your height and position. You can then hit Update and commit to confirm that selection.
When you do, that seating position is now saved. So when you use the default reset for the pilot view, it automatically places you in the proper position.
How I Used this Plugin to Fix the Douglas C-47
The Douglas C-47 is a freeware plane that I recently downloaded, however it has a problem with it’s seating position. When you use the default seating, it places you back so you are too far back in your chair. With this tool, I have been able to move my seat position forward, and to the left. I also adjusted the height to make it fit me properly. When I did this, I now feel like I am sitting properly in the Douglas C-47. This makes for a much better experience and I no longer have to worry about changing this everytime I reset my view.
How to Install VR Tools
The plugin is easy to install. All you need to do is download the plugin from X-Plane.org. I will include the link in the description. You will have to sign into the forum in order to download this, however I highly recommend making an account because there are so many great freeware applications that you can get for your X-Plane 11. Then unzip the download file and place it in your X-Plane 11 plugins folder.
Once it is in the plugins folder, it should be good to go.
How to Use VR Tools
To access it, use your menu system and go to the advanced menu. Click on Plugins and then go to VR Tools. Here is where you will find Hotspots. Click on the Hotspot editor to begin adjusting your view hotspots.
Other Features of VR Tools
Now, this plugin does a few other things as well, such as it allows you to view and edit a text document. My other favorite part of this plugin is the fact that you can place the FPS in the cockpit. This is a small box that can easily blend in with your cockpit, allowing you to see the FPS while taking a flight. To add this, go back to your VR advanced menu and find VR Tools. Instead of clicking hotshots, click on Data Display. You will then see that you can add the FPS as well as many others.
Bonus Learning Available
Ff you are like me, then you may be the type of person who is looking to learn real world flight. Or maybe you just want your flight sim to be as realistic as possible.
Well, I have stumbled across two amazing websites that can help you with this. The first one is Rod Machado, as he has amazing books and all kinds of great products to make you a better pilot. Rod has been flying for about 50 years and has an amazing way of teaching flight . If you want to check this out and want to support VR Flight World at the same time, please check out VRFlightWorld.com/Rod. That will lead you directly to his website. Please note that this is an affiliate link, which means that any purchase you make could result in a small commission for me. The link won’t affect your price or purchase in any way and it helps me to keep VR Flight World running strong.
The last thing I will mention, is an even more in depth method of learning flight. This is actually one on one instruction from a qualified flight instructor. If you go to VRFlightWorld.com/zerosideslip
This is technically not an affiliate link, however if you do sign up with zero side slip, please let them know you came from VR Flight World. If you tell him this, I will earn a small commission, which again really helps us to grow VR Flight World.
Thanks and I hope you guys have a great day!
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