Falcon BMS
Tacview supports Falcon BMS 4.34 and above. Starting with Falcon BMS 4.38, native Tacview ACMI files are generated default. All you need to do is press the F key, while flying, to start data recording.
There is no feedback in Falcon BMS to confirm that recording is happening. Check the ACMI file recording folder C:\Falcon BMS 4.38\User\Acmi\ to verify that a file is being created:
After the flight, find the resulting ACMI file in that same folder.
Open it in Tacview. Also make sure you have selected Options → Terrain → Auto or Falcon BMS
To add terrain texures and elevation files, follow the instructions of oakdesign who so kindly prepared these files for the community: Tacview Skyvector Map tiles and high res Heightmaps for 4.38
Importing a DTC File into Tacview
When you open a VHS file, Tacview automatically tries to open a corresponding DTC INI file with the same name.
You can also load any DTC file afterward by using the File → Merge feature or drag-and-dropping the file into the 3D view.
You can load and visualize multiple DTC INI files within the same mission.
Airports and Navigational Aids
Many airports on the South Korean and Israel maps have been added to Tacview. However, because this is a long process, some airports may still be missing from your favorite region. You can add your own airports by following the instructions provided in the documentation about Static Objects.
For the Korea theatre, you can also try the popular BMS 4.34 KTO AIP v2.1.0 (by Windblow).
Real-Time Telemetry
To connect Tacview to Falcon BMS 4.38 in real-time telemetry, first check the User\Config\Falcon BMS User.cfg and add or configure the line set g_bTacviewRealTime 1. The following other options are also available:
Fly in Falcon BMS 4.38 (or above) and press the F key to start recording.
Open Tacview and go to Recording → Real-Time Telemetry (Do NOT go to Recording → Falcon 4.0 Legacy Real-Time Telemetry, this is a legacy option)
Tacview will display your flight in real time.
Large files
If you are struggling with a large file which takes a long time to open and does not run smoothly, try opening it in tacview and then saving it through Tacview, in.zip.acmi format. Usually this will result in a much more compact, usable file.
Legacy
Before about Falcon BMS 4.38, only VHS files were generated by Falcon BMS. These files were and still are supported by Tacview.
See Falcon 4.0 to learn more about VHS files.
When opening VHS files, make sure you select the correct theatre from the File → Open dialogue box.
Tacview already includes the most popular Falcon BMS theaters. You can also add your own database and terrain by modifying the file C:\Program Files (x86)\Tacview\Data\Xml\Data-Falcon4Theaters.xml. Detailed instructions are provided in this very file. Tacview natively supports Falcon BMS database and terrain format.
Legacy Real-Time Telemetry
Real-Time Telemetry is possible with VHS files.
In a version of Falcon BMS which generates VHS files, start a flight. Press F to start recording.
In Tacview, go to Recording → Falcon 4.0 Legacy Real-Time Telemetry.
Tacview will display your flight in real time.
If the objects are grey, press F to stop recording and F again to re-launch recording and the correct colors will appear.
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