Playing in Free View Mode

[Hawkei]

Hello all,

I discovered this feature almost entirely by accident when I installed a new mouse. It has some function keys on it, and one of these is bound to (Ctrl + V). Which in Supcom is the shortcut for freeview mode. This allows the player to adopt any view angle at any extent of zoom.

Another remarkable feature is that when freeview is turned off (Ctrl + V again). The strategic icons are returned but the view angle is locked in that position. This means the game can potentially be played from any angle of view. I find this incredibly useful. By tilting the camera to a more horizontal angle of pitch, and rotating the camera to face the enemy. I can be working with unit micro in the foreground while at the same time seeing what is happening over a much larger field of vision. I also gain a more intimate understanding of the terrain features as I am playing. I am able to identify blocking terrain and get the best positioning.

I now spend half my time playing in free view and I don't get tunnel vision at all. Am I the only one who likes playing from this POV - or have players always been doing this? I simply find it remarkable that after 6 years of playing the game, I've only just discovered this feature.

Some of the maps look absolutely gorgeous in 3D when zoomed out. It feels like a different game.

[Flynn]

This is a well known feature that everyone (apart from some noobs) have known about since the game was released. Unfortunately it is impossible to play competitively from that viewpoint, which is quite a shame. Which is why some people dislike the strategic zoom, it's such a shame the amazing graphics go unappreciated for the most part.

[Ze_PilOt]

You can also change the angle/pitch when zoomed in and zoomed out.

Code: Select all

cam_DefaultLOD default value for camera level-of-detail scaling factor
cam_DefaultMiniLOD Default LOD for mini-map
cam_EntityBoxExpand How much to expand the entity box when targetting entity
cam_FarFOV FOV to use for perspective camera at farthest zoom, in degrees
cam_FarPitch Pitch of camera at farthest zoom, in degrees
cam_Free Allow the camera to remain rotated
cam_HighLOD
cam_LowLOD
cam_MediumLOD
cam_MinSpinPitch The min pitch resulting from a spin
cam_NearFOV FOV to use for perspective camera at nearest zoom, in degrees
cam_NearPitch Pitch of camera at nearest zoom, in degrees
cam_NearZoom Closest mouse can zoom in to terrain
cam_PanSpeed How fast the camera pans.
cam_SetLOD Set the lod scale factor for a camera
cam_ShakeMult How much camera shake to allow.
cam_SpinSpeed How fast mouse spins camera, in degrees across screen size
cam_TrackProjectileTimeout Delay after tracking a projectile.
cam_ZoomAmount How far to zoom in response to the mouse wheel.
cam_ZoomSpeedLarge How fast the camera actually moves in response to a large zoom.
cam_ZoomSpeedSmall How fast the camera actually moves in response to a small zoom.

You can use console+ to add any of these command automatically when starting a game (or do your own mod setting them).

[Hawkei]

Thanks Ze_PilOt,

That was most helpful. I generally like a different POV depending on the relative position of the enemy base. I actually spin the map so I can see them in the far field of view... I don't know why this isn't used competitively. It takes a bit of getting used to, but, I've found it hugely beneficial for my macro.

When I beat ZLO in GW. I was playing from this POV.