Target visibility

[zapatista]

Originally Posted by 6S.Tamat

That is the problem of the people like me that have a 21 inches monitor... i should be attached to the monitor for seeing in real dimensions..

Tamat,

so when you set the correct FoV for your monitor size, do you now see distant objects correctly ? (like planes and ground vehicles). your original argument was well put and legitimate, but your monitor must be set to the right FoV to make any observations to determine how well visibility is simulated in CoD/BoB. so far this has not been closely examined in BoB/CoD since its release (and it was a major problem in il2 with 30% of normal visibility distance)

with the documentation and facts presented in this thread we have the basic facts now to determine if this is still a problem for BoB/CoD.

some basic points before comparing observations from different users
- have your monitor set to correct FoV for monitor size
- if possible at least use some basic software monitor calibration (several available for free on the web)
- be aware that cheaper 6 bit color monitors (TN based technology) in il2 had a significant advantage in dot/LoD spotting ability compared to the medium/higher end 8 bit color monitors (MVA/PVA and IPS based technology). this might not be relevant anymore in BoB/CoD, but good to be aware of in case major difference in spotting/tracking ability arise btw different users.
- differentiate between spotting an object at a certain distance, being able to track it once spotted, and object identification
- differentiate between spotting/tracking against sky background, and seen against the ground or water

note: since oleg/luthier now have increased the LoD models from 3 (in il2) to about 8 or 10 in CoD/BoB, and the "LoD to dot transition point" is at a much greater distance (it was 1.5 km approx for a small fighter, and around 3-5 km for a larger bomber in il2), and the fact LoD models now have "volume" (represented as small 3D object "blobs", versus a flat cluster of moving pixels as was the case in il2), this means that spotting/tracking of distant aircraft and ground objects should be significantly improved in CoD/BoB (but is it close to realistic now ?)

what are peoples observations now in BoB/CoD ? it would be good to have some feedback on observations from different users. lots of good facts already presented in this thread, lets standardize the observation variables now, and then compare peoples findings.

to keep it simple initially:
- set monitor to correct FoV (see earlier formula)
- try and record at what distances you can spot or track very distant planes (as dots, anywhere from 3 to 10 km), or closer planes at about 1000 to 3000 meters (most of whom would be LoD models). for ex, if you are tracking an enemy fighter agains terrain background, how easy/difficult is it to keep track of him while ?
- try and observe from what altitude you can locate/spot individual ground vehicles (on open roads or in fields), either with them stationary or moving. allied pilots in normandy described spotting them in fields or on open roads from 1200 to 1500 meters (in il2 this was extremely poorly "simulated", and you needed to be at 250 or 300 meters)
- dont use zoom views to look for these object, stick to the right FoV setting determined for your monitor so a correct comparison can be made between users.

note: in early preview video's of CoD it was clearly visible that oleg/luthier had given the smaller LoD (level of detail) models "volume" to make them stand out more against the background, as an attempt to improve visibility. this was a pretty ingenious method, and i dont think the effect was caused by simple bump mapping features from the gfx card. i havnt seen the same effect as strongly visible since release in user posted video's, and i hope oleg/luthier havnt turned that down again while they were dealing with gfx engine problems (because it was pretty effective at making these distant objects/targets stand out more).

what are your observations ?

[SharpeXB]

It would be great if the game allowed the zoom view axis to be mapped. Last I tried it, it was set on the mouse axis which is pretty much unusable.

[Insuber]

Originally Posted by SharpeXB

It would be great if the game allowed the zoom view axis to be mapped. Last I tried it, it was set on the mouse axis which is pretty much unusable.

I have it mapped on my X52pro, but distant dots are much less visible in zoomed view, at high res. Pretty much like 1946.

[SharpeXB]

So far I haven't been able to find a simple zoom command in the settings that just allows you to zoom your view from the cockpit. This should be available as; zoom in, zoom out, toggle zoom, reset and also an axis which is the best way to use it if you have an extra wheel or something, I prefer using the toe axis on the pedal to keep my hands free. Being able to zoom in and out easily solves much of the target visibility problems. That is how it works in Rise of Flight.

[Insuber]

Originally Posted by SharpeXB

So far I haven't been able to find a simple zoom command in the settings that just allows you to zoom your view from the cockpit. This should be available as; zoom in, zoom out, toggle zoom, reset and also an axis which is the best way to use it if you have an extra wheel or something, I prefer using the toe axis on the pedal to keep my hands free. Being able to zoom in and out easily solves much of the target visibility problems. That is how it works in Rise of Flight.

Maybe I misunderstand your problem, but in Options>Controls>Visual Settings (I go by heart), you find the zoom controls, ranging from the classic 30°/70°/90° views to the various continuous zoom in - zoom out.

Cheers,
Ins

[SharpeXB]

Originally Posted by Insuber

Maybe I misunderstand your problem, but in Options>Controls>Visual Settings (I go by heart), you find the zoom controls, ranging from the classic 30°/70°/90° views to the various continuous zoom in - zoom out.

Cheers,
Ins

I see under "camera" the FOV commands for 30/70/90 and a "hold to zoom" which by default is a mouse button which I can't get to work.
but I'm looking for a way to smoothly zoom in and out with an axis (a wheel or stick)
under "Axes" there are settings for all types of axis controls like ailerons and throttle but I don't see a "zoom" there.