Enable and Disable the HUD
To turn ON and turn OFF the HUD, press the H key.
HUD – Your Ship Speed
Your Ship Speed
Your ship speed is displayed in the upper-left corner of the HUD. See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
HUD – Target Information
About Your Weapons Target
Data regarding your Weapons Target object is displayed along the top of the HUD. See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
If this data appears RED the target is HOSTILE.
If this data appears GREEN the target is FRIENDLY or neutral.
"ST=" indicates the SPEED of your target.
"R=" indicates the distance (RANGE) to your target.
"TGT=" indicates the NAME of your target.
"TYP=" indicates the TYPE (manufacturer and model) of your target.
"AFL=" indicates the political AFFILIATION of your target.
HUD – Targeting Symbol
Targeting Symbol
Your Weapons Target object is identified with a BOX symbol in the HUD. See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
If the BOX symbol is RED the target is HOSTILE.
If the BOX symbol is GREEN the target is FRIENDLY or neutral.
"R=" indicates the distance (RANGE) to your Weapons Target object.
HUD – Off-Camera Targeting Symbol
Off-Camera Targeting Symbol
When your Weapons Target object is Off-Camera, it is identified with an ARROW symbol in the HUD. See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
If the ARROW symbol is RED the target is HOSTILE.
If the ARROW symbol is GREEN the target is FRIENDLY or neutral.
If the ARROW symbol has a THICK bar along its base (as shown in this image), the Weapons Target object is inside the REAR hemisphere of space
in relation to your ship's current position and orientation.
If the ARROW symbol has a THIN bar along its base (not shown), the Weapons Target object is inside the FORWARD hemisphere of space
in relation to your ship's current position and orientation, but the target is not far enough forward to have entered the camera's
field of view.
"R=" indicates the distance (RANGE) to your Weapons Target object.
HUD – Autopilot Symbol
Autopilot Symbol
Your Autopilot Target object is identified with a BLUE CIRCLE symbol in the HUD. See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
Generally speaking, you can have an Autopilot Target object (for example object-X), and a different Weapons Target object (for example object-Y).
The image below shows that condition, where the Autopilot Target (BLUE CIRCLE) is one object, and the Weapons Target (RED BOX) is a different object.
However, your Autopilot Target object can be the same as your Weapons Target object. In that case the two HUD symbols
would appear over the same object, and the combined symbols would look like a Box (red or green) inside a Blue Circle.
"R=" indicates the distance (RANGE) to your Autopilot Target object.
HUD – Autopilot Information
About Your Autopilot Target and the Autopilot Mode
Information about your Autopilot Target and the Autopilot Mode is displayed in BLUE along the bottom-left of the HUD.
See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
"ATGT=" indicates the NAME of your Autopilot Target object.
"TYP=" indicates the TYPE (manufacturer and model) of your Autopilot Target object.
"AFL=" indicates the political AFFILIATION of your Autopilot Target object.
"AUTO=" indicates the Autopilot MODE currently selected.
"STAT=" indicates the STATE of the currently selected Autopilot mode.
HUD – Camera Information
About Your Selected Camera
Data regarding your selected Camera and the Camera Mode is displayed along the bottom-left of the HUD.
See the yellow highlighted area in this image:
"CAM=" indicates the NAME of your selected Camera.
"MOD=" indicates the MODE of your selected Camera.
"FOV=" indicates the Vertical FIELD-OF-VIEW (in degrees) of your selected Camera.
Sound and Music
Voice Assistant
An automatic Voice Assistant gives you vocal hints to help you play the game more effectively.
Among many of its notification services, the Voice Assistant automatically warns you when new hostiles enter your area,
it warns you when hostiles lock your ship with their radar, and it tells you when your ship's systems suffer damage.
You can turn the Voice Assistant ON and OFF by pressing the B key,
or by clicking the VOICE item of the In-Game Menu.
Sound Effects
Automatic Sound Effects are provided as audio background for explosions, the launching of weapons, and other similar events.
You can turn Sound Effects ON and OFF by pressing the N key,
or by clicking the SOUNDFX item of the In-Game Menu.
Music
A Music track is provided to accompany your game play.
You can turn Music ON and OFF by pressing the M key,
or by clicking the MUSIC item of the In-Game Menu.
In-Game Menu
Pointer Operated In-Game Menu
An In-Game Menu is displayed along the bottom-right of the HUD when you hover your pointer over that area.
See the yellow highlighted area in this image.
The Menu in this image indicates that MUSIC is turned OFF, but
that VOICE and SOUNDFX are turned ON.
EXIT clicking this item ends the game.
VOICE clicking this item turns the Voice Assistant ON and OFF.
SOUNDFX clicking this item turns the Sound Effects ON and OFF.
MUSIC clicking this item turns the Music ON and OFF.
Flight Controls
Pitch Control
To PITCH UP press the UP ARROW key.
To PITCH DOWN press the DOWN ARROW key.
Roll Control
To ROLL LEFT press the LEFT ARROW key.
To ROLL RIGHT press the RIGHT ARROW key.
Yaw Control
To YAW LEFT press the DELETE key.
To YAW RIGHT press the PAGE DOWN key.
Speed Controls
Speed Controls
To ACCELERATE press the D key.
To SLOW DOWN press the A key.
Zero Speed Control
To STOP press the Z key.
Weapon Controls
Gun Controls
To fire the GUIDED CANNON press the S key.
To fire the BALLISTIC CANNON press the X key.
Missile Controls
To fire a LOW POWER GUIDED MISSILE press the Q key.
To fire a MEDIUM POWER GUIDED MISSILE press the W key.
To fire a HIGH POWER GUIDED MISSILE press the E key.
Weapon Targeting
When you fire one of the guided weapons, the munitions you fired will guide automatically to the selected target,
whether that target is a hostile target, or a friendly or neutral target.
When you fire one of the ballistic weapons, the munitions you fired will not guide to the selected target,
so you must aim the ballistic weapons much more carefully than the guided weapons.
Firing Weapons at Off-Camera Objects
When the targeting symbol is an ARROW, the targeted object is off-camera. However, you can fire guided weapons
at off-camera objects and the fired munitions will automatically guide towards the targeted object.
Munitions Endurance
The Ballistic and Guided munitions have limited endurance. Ballistic munitions will fly in a straight
line after being launched, until their fuel is exhausted. Guided munitions will continue to track their target after
being launched, until their fuel is exhausted.
Targeting Controls and Indicators
Target Selection
To target a HOSTILE (foe) object press the F key.
To target a FRIENDLY (or neutral) object press the G key.
Targeting Indicators
When you target a HOSTILE object a RED targeting indicator appears on the screen.
When you target a FRIENDLY (or neutral) object a GREEN targeting indicator appears on the screen.
Targeting Indicator is Not Visible
If you do not see a targeting indicator when you target a friendly or a hostile,
your HUD (Head Up Display) is turned OFF.
To turn ON your HUD press the H key.
Targeting Symbols
When the targeted object is INSIDE the camera view, the targeting symbol is a BOX centered on the object.
When the targeted object is OUTSIDE the camera view, the targeting symbol is an ARROW pointing to the object.
Targeting Off-Camera Objects
When the targeting symbol is an ARROW, you can maneuver your ship in the direction of the arrow,
to bring the targeted object into camera view.
Navigation Controls and Indicators
Navigation Target Selection
The navigation system uses the same targeting controls and indicators as the weapons system.
To navigate in relation to a HOSTILE (foe) object press the F key.
To navigate in relation to a FRIEDLY (or neutral) object press the G key.
Navigation Indicators
When you select a HOSTILE object a RED navigation indicator appears on the screen.
When you select a FRIENDLY (or neutral) object a GREEN navigation indicator appears on the screen.
Navigation Indicator is Not Visible
If you do not see a navigation indicator when you select a friendly or a hostile,
your HUD (Head Up Display) is turned OFF.
To turn ON your HUD press the H key.
Navigation Symbols
When the selected object is INSIDE the camera view, the navigation symbol is a BOX centered on the object.
When the selected object is OUTSIDE the camera view, the navigation symbol is an ARROW pointing to the object.
Navigating to Off-Camera Objects
When the navigation symbol is an ARROW, you can maneuver your ship in the direction of the arrow,
to bring the selected object into camera view.
Autopilot Controls and Indicators
Autopilot Target Selection
The autopilot system uses the same targeting controls and indicators as the weapon system and the navigation system.
To select a HOSTILE object as the target of the autopilot, press the F key.
To select a FRIENDLY object as the target of the autopilot, press the G key.
Autopilot Indicators
When you engage an autopilot mode a BLUE autopilot indicator appears on the screen.
Autopilot Indicator is Not Visible
If you do not see the BLUE autopilot indicator when you engage an autopilot mode,
your HUD (Head Up Display) is turned OFF.
To turn ON your HUD press the H key.
Autopilot Symbols
When the autopilot target object is INSIDE the camera view, the autopilot symbol is a BLUE CIRCLE centered on the object.
When the autopilot target object is OUTSIDE the camera view, the autopilot symbol is a BLUE ARROW pointing to the object.
Autopilot ModesTRACK: press the T key.
Automatically track and fly to the selected target object.
HOLD: press the U key.
Fly an automatic holding pattern relative to the selected target object.
ORBIT: press the O key.
Orbit automatically around the selected target object at your current distance to the object.
JINK: press the J key.
Fly evasive maneuvers automatically, but remain in the general vicinity of the initial point where jinking was enabled.
Camera Controls
Camera Selection
Nine different cameras are available.
Most cameras have a single mode, but some cameras have multiple modes.
To select a camera, press a number key (1 to 9)
along the top row of the keyboard.
Camera-1
Press the 1 key to select this camera.
Camera-1 is located at a fixed position near the center of the politically neutral zone. This camera tracks the movement of your ship.
Camera-1 has two modes. Mode-1 is an automatic zoom. Mode-2 is a manual zoom.
Press the 1 key to switch between the two modes.
In manual zoom mode, press the + (=)
key to zoom-in, and press the - (_) key to zoom-out.
Camera-2
Press the 2 key to select and launch this camera.
Camera-2 is a robotic flying camera that flies behind and follows the selected target object.
Camera-3
Press the 3 key to select this camera.
Camera-3 is a forward looking camera mounted on the rear of your ship.
Camera-4
Press the 4 key to select this camera.
Camera-4 is a forward looking camera mounted on the front of your ship.
Camera-5
Press the 5 key to select this camera.
Camera-5 gives an external view from your ship towards your selected target, and your ship is visible in this camera.
Camera-5 has two modes. In Mode-1 the view is from your ship towards your selected target.
In Mode-2 the view is from your selected target towards your ship.
Press the 5 key to switch between the two modes.
Camera-6
Press the 6 key to select this camera.
Camera-6 gives an external view from your ship towards your selected target, but your ship is not visible in this camera.
Camera-7
Press the 7 key to select this camera.
Camera-7 is the view from a launched guided missile towards its target.
Camera-8
Press the 8 key to select this camera.
Camera-8 is a robotic flying camera that your ship drops and leaves behind as a remote video and audio sensor.
Camera-9
Press the 9 key to select this camera.
Camera-9 is a robotic flying camera that observes your ship, your weapons target, and your autopilot target,
from a roving "Eye in Sky" perspective.
Camera-9 has three modes. In Mode-1 the view is focused on your ship.
In Mode-2 the view is focused on your weapons target. In Mode-3 the view is focused on your autopilot target.
Press the 9 key to switch between the three modes.
Camera Zoom
All of the cameras can be zoomed-in and zoomed-out.
Most of the cameras are automatically in Manual Zoom Mode. Camera-1 must be put into Manual Zoom Mode before it can be manually zoomed.
When a camera is in Manual Zoom Mode, press the + (=)
key to zoom-in, and press the - (_) key to zoom-out.
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