Recommendation on Keymapping?

[inkle 0]

i'm currently using the default key map for mouse+keyboard.

is there any sites or config styles that is more efficient?? a guideline that i can look through and adjust to my specific needs??

Thanks!

[.kju 3244]

Try these. :)

[hoak 0]

Good question! The ArmA, ArmA II, VBS 1&2 bind system is so configurable I've never spent enough time with it that I've ever had a bind setup I was 100% satisfied with. However, those features I did customize I was more satisfied with then any other game I've played.

The bind system made to allow you to 'do it your way'; what I can offer is that it's worth the investment of some time to think about how you like to use a keyboard and mouse and go from there.

Keep in mind that ArmA II will let you 'stack binds' by double tapping, and alt key binding. So for example you can use a certain key for lean, and double tap the same key for a sticky lean (where you stay leaned over) -- you can do the same thing with sprint, and posture changes, or anything...

Some of my personal preferences include:

I recommend keeping the default aiming binds, because the press and hold feature for aiming and aim/zoom is a little tricky to rebind and get as handy a setup as the default, don't hesitate to experiment though you can always get the default back...

I like to put prone and crouch on my mouse wheel, ArmA II doesn't bind as nicely as some games in this regard giving you the feeling of a smooth posture change but it's very fast and natural to go to the mouse wheel and quickly be able to change your posture.

The ArmA bind setup can be tedious to setup, so if you are frustrated with something and want to reset defaults but want to save other binds you've tinkered with and like, you can save you default cfg file, and cut and paste from that after you reset defaults to get binds back you've spent a lot of time setting up and testing.

The ArmA bind system rewards your thought and effort so don't hesitate to experiment, again anything that doesn't work you can get your defaults back. I'll be as interested in what others have to offer here as you!

Have fun!

:)

[Maddmatt 1]

First thing to change is the "hold breath" key. Change it to Tab or something. Not good for it to share a key with 'zoom'.

[Chill xl 10]

Try to map / bind keys you can access instantly to functions you need to access immedeatly without having to stop / move fingers away from movement controls. Map keys to functions that you can use when you are able to stop or use when you're behind cover etc.

For example: having instant access to your compass makes navigating on the move much easier without having to stop. Furthermore when targets are being called out using compass directions, instant access to the compass and being able to know imedeatly where they are can be a life saver. I have my compass on my middle mouse button which i can access quickly at all times. Access to the NVG or Binos keys are not needed to be instantly, you use these functions now and then and only in a relative safe situation where you have some time to press the appropriate keys.

Using "shift" functions you can double your keys you can instantly access.

I have modified my key bindings to quite an extend. I'm using an xbox 360 controller for movement together with a mouse for aiming, i have instant access to all functionality i need often and quick. These are all mapped on the controller and the mouse. Functions i need not so often, like putting on NVG, are still mapped on the keyboard.

Keys that are often needed and accesed quickly:

* Movement

* Lean left/right

* Sprint (You can use a shift/ctrl function with movements, like Shift + W )

* Walk / Run

* Evasive left/right/front (You can use a shift/ctrl function with movements, like Ctrl + W / Ctrl + A etc)

* Crouch, prone, stand up (You can make a toggle, so you stand when you hit crouch or prone again, using "go prone" or "go stand up")

* Optics (Bind to the mouse so you can use it while moving)

* Zoom (Bind to the mouse so you can use it while moving)

* Jump over

* Compass (Bind to the mouse so you can use it while moving)

* Press to talk (Bind to the mouse so you can use it while moving)

* Hold breath (Not needed on the mouse, you only use this when you are not moving)

* Reload

* Switch weps

* Switch fire (You can use a shift/ctrl funtion with Switch Weps, Ctrl + F)

* Commanding menu (You can use a shift/ctrl funtion with sec. mouse button, Ctrl + sec. mouse button)

Keys you not need instantly:

* Binos

* NVG

* Map

* Gear

* GPS

Edited June 17, 2009 by Chill xl

[wipman 1]

Hi, my recomendation will be that BIS enable the Right CTRL key to be mapped, i've always

played using the arrows and don't be able to assign the Right CTRL key for some certain

actions, is a big fuck. Let's C ya

[Jorge.PT 10]

@wipman: You have to loose that habit! I did that also for a long time, now I'm surrendered to the w,a,s,d, it's really easier to have more keys around your fingers. You have to leave those old school controls behind!

@inkle: I leave all the controls as default, besides the hold breath as already suggested, but what you really want to do is bind the Von key to one in your mouse. It really helps when you want to shout contacts, or quickly give orders/reply.

[bravo 6 0]

..but what you really want to do is bind the Von key to one in your mouse. It really helps when you want to shout contacts, or quickly give orders/reply.

Why i never thought of that? It will be very useful indeed.

Specially when you have a Habu mouse with those lateral buttons.

Thanks for the enlightenment. :D

[MachineMadness 0]

I keep most controls the same, except stance keys, a few item keys and flight controls.

[okarr 10]

some really good mapping ideas in that link. cheers. one part i disagree on though is that leaning/rolling is less important. especially rolling left right is absolutely essential for me.

1. to get save 2. to roll flat the grass infront of you so you acctually see something :D

[Jorge.PT 10]

Why i never thought of that? It will be very useful indeed.

Specially when you have a Habu mouse with those lateral buttons.

Thanks for the enlightenment. :D

What would you do without me bravo... :D

EDIT: What happened to your old ball mouse? :p

Edited June 17, 2009 by Jorge.PT

[Bad Pilot 0]

My method is to unbind ALL the controls and add them in as I require them.

One thing to not neglect is the ability to use double-tap as a bind and also CTRL. Can't remember if Shift and Alt work too.

With double tap you do stuff like E for Get Out and double-tap E for Eject. There're loads of related commands that follow that logic.

I overload some bindings so one key does multiple tasks e.g. my Numpad 8 does sprinting and vehicle 'turbo'.

Don't use Left and Right turn on your joystick.

[bravo 6 0]

What would you do without me bravo... :D

EDIT: What happened to your old ball mouse? :p

I framed it. Its right beside me, for the good old memories. ;)

I have some questions:

Is it possible to zoom out and keep the zoom out if we want in ArmA2, like while in tank gunner position?

Per example:

while using binoculars can we zoom in and out and maintain the desired zoom?

This question also applies to pilots, drivers, when we zoom out a bit, can the image stay with the desired zoom?

[the unknown 0]

I think ill end up doing the same as I did for arma delete everything set up the old ofp keyboard layout and change it a bit to fit my needs.

[killaalf 0]

Hi, my recomendation will be that BIS enable the Right CTRL key to be mapped, i've always

played using the arrows and don't be able to assign the Right CTRL key for some certain

actions, is a big fuck. Let's C ya

Works fine here, I've mapped the slow movement to the right CTRL key, double-tapping as a toggle.

[walker 0]

Hi all

If you have a 5 button mouse program the thumb button to be push to speak for coms.

If you have one of those keyboards with one of those fancy programable key systems here is your chance to use it.

Of course this is what you realy want:

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This is the company that sell them:

http://www.ideazon.com/

My own favourites are the Fang and Merc keyboards I am sure their will be an ArmA keyboard out soon.

Kind regards walker

Edited June 17, 2009 by walker

[Deadfast 43]

Once I gave the ESDF combination a try and I never looked back since then.

The major advantage is it gives you the access to more keys to the left.

The major disadvantage is that most games comes preconfigured with WASD and remapping keys for a game as complex as ARMA 2 can be a major pain...:(

[dale0404 5]

I have only removed the 'hold breath' sec mouse button toggle thingy, everything else I keep the same.

[Typheus 10]

lmao, that Zboard is awesome. I'm being reminded of the Intellivision with the telephone style controllers that came with overlays.

[bravo 6 0]

The Z Board looks interesting, though i fear how the keys will feeling when touched and their proper functionality.

[galzohar 31]

Once I gave the ESDF combination a try and I never looked back since then.

The major advantage is it gives you the access to more keys to the left.

The major disadvantage is that most games comes preconfigured with WASD and remapping keys for a game as complex as ARMA 2 can be a major pain...:(

Tell that to people like me who use the mouse with the left hand... I used to play with the numpad but games just have too many keys required so I switched to IJKL. Pretty much equivalent to RDFG, which is slightly better than ESDF. WASD is still a lot better than using the arrow keys, though. Anyway, it's highly recommended you rebind pretty much everything, as default bindings generally keep important actions far and unimportant actions close, not to mention WASD simply doesn't have as many "close" buttons as ESDF not to mention RDFG or IJKL.

I also try to use as similar key bindings as I can between all FPS games.

[privateguba 0]

Lately I've seen some cheap mouses with 5 buttons and switching resolutions; 800 or 1600 dpi. Is that enough for adapting aiming speed on OFP/ARMA1/2? Or do I need more options? For ex. 600/1000/1800 dpi?

[frederf 0]

One of my favorite tricks is to bind 2xA and 2xD to "Get Out" which is a really handy way to get out of vehicles. You probably don't want to do it if you're the driver of a tracked vehicle though (use the action menu) since you'll start the engine and begin the vehicle spinning.

[no use for a name 0]

Hi, my recomendation will be that BIS enable the Right CTRL key to be mapped, i've always

played using the arrows and don't be able to assign the Right CTRL key for some certain

actions, is a big fuck. Let's C ya

same here, but I use my right-ctrl to switch between weapons. I like the arrows because it's easier to find keys...you have several different sizes that you can feel. I've tried wasd and 90% of the time hit the wrong key cause I can't tell where my fingers are (unless of course I look and that just defeats the purpose)

I've been playing games like that since DOOM and never had a problem (except for some companies that think the arrow keys are obsolete and don't let you map them or keys around them.)

[ollem 4]

I have a Logitech G15 keyboard which has a number of programmable keys.

I've tried to find a ArmA mapping file, but couldn't find one....

Anyone using a G15 keyboard for ArmA(2) too?

(Thanks for some very useful tips in this thread!)