Using the SideWinder 3D Pro for Macintosh with Flight Simulator

ID: Q167401


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro for Macintosh, version 1.0


SYMPTOMS

The SideWinder 3D Pro for Macintosh does not work with Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh.


CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh is incompatible with the SideWinder Game Device Editor software included with the SideWinder 3D Pro.


RESOLUTION

To work around this issue and enable you to use the SideWinder 3D Pro with Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh, follow these steps:

  1. On the Apple menu, point to Control Panels, and then click the Mouse Control Panel.


  2. Adjust the Mouse Tracking setting to Very Slow. This should help to reduce or prevent drifting problems.


  3. Configure the SideWinder 3D Pro as a mouse. To do this, move the switch on the front of the SideWinder 3D Pro under the word "Microsoft" to the position with two black dots.


  4. On the Edit menu, click Mouse As Yoke. This enables you to control the yoke with both the mouse and the joystick.



MORE INFORMATION

The joystick control mode in Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh is designed to operate with joysticks that plug into the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) and have specific driver programs written for them.

Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh does not support the driver for the SideWinder 3D Pro. However, the SideWinder 3D Pro is also designed to function as a mouse. When you configure the SideWinder 3D Pro to function as a mouse, Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh recognizes it as a mouse.

The recommended method to use the SideWinder 3D Pro with Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh is to use the joystick for typical yoke control functions, such as the ailerons and elevators. Use the mouse (pressing and holding the button down) to control the throttle and brakes.

NOTE: If you use the SideWinder 3D Pro to control the throttle, the joystick may remain in an off-center position when you release the button and go back to elevators.

Make any sensitivity adjustments in the Mouse dialog box instead of in the Joystick dialog box. Set the Null Zone to Full Narrow.

The mouse and the joystick typically have different sensitivities at different airspeeds. When you move the joystick to the far left at one airspeed and then center it at another airspeed, the ailerons may not return to center. This is usually unnoticeable on a mouse, but may be quite noticeable on the joystick.

To keep your ailerons centered, follow these steps:

  1. Press the 5 key on the numeric keypad.


  2. Make a trim adjustment on your joystick.


  3. Move the mouse to the left or right (this makes a good trim adjustment on joysticks without trim adjustments).


For additional information about configuring your Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro to run with Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh, refer to the Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for Macintosh Read Me file.

Additional query words: 1.00 side winder mac flightsim fltsim

Keywords : kbenv kbhw kbinterop 3dpromac kbimu
Version : MACINTOSH:1.0
Platform : MACINTOSH
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: March 8, 1999
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