Load a file[]
Load a supported file into Tacview by dragging and dropping it into the 3D view, or by going to File -> Open.
To open multiple files at once, use File -> Merge, or drag and drop all the files into the 3D view at the same time.
To merge more files into files that are already open, use File-> Merge.
Moving the Camera[]
Satellite View (F7)[]
Choose F7 for Satellite view. This is a 2D overhead view. Click & drag to move the camera. Scroll to zoom in and out.
Free Camera (F8)[]
Press F8 for Free Camera. Click & drag to tilt the camera. Use W,A,S,D,E,C to move the camera. Holding down SHIFT at the same time will move the camera faster.
Selecting an Object & More Ways to Move the Camera[]
Selecting an Object[]
Select a primary object by choosing it from the top left drop-down menu or CTRL + Left Click on it in the 3D view. Select a secondary object by choosing it from the top right drop-down menu or CTRL+Right Click on it in the 3D view,
External View (F6)[]
With an object selected, press F6 for External View. The camera is centered on the primary selected object. Scroll to zoom in and out. Click & drag to rotate around the object.
Cockpit View (F5)[]
With an object selected, click F5 to enter into Cockpit View. Click and drag will move the camera as if you are the pilot moving your head.
Time Control[]
Press Play to launch the replay.
With the 3D view in focus (click on the 3D view to give it focus), use the following controls:
- Mouse Wheel + Drag OR Mouse Left + Mouse Right + Drag to move Backwards/Forward in time.
- Left Arrow / Right Arrow to move Backwards/Forward in time one data point at a time
- Up Arrow / Down Arrow to enter fast forward x3, x5, x10, x20, x60 or slow motion x0.5, x0.25
TIP: If the arrows aren't working, make sure the 3D view is in focus - click on the 3D view to give it focus.
Check out our video tutorial on this subject: Time Control
Labels, Vectors and Scaling[]
Play with the buttons on the bottom of the screen to adjust what information is visually represented in the 3D view.
Click on the button to enable or disable it and click on the little black arrow next to the button to open drop-down menus with even more options.
Telemetry[]
NOTE: Not every feature is available in every version of Tacview, although all features are enabled for the first 21 days, as a demo. Check the features list for more information.
To access telemetry values, select a primary and, optionally a secondary object.
Go to Analysis -> Telemetry 1 to see the telemetry of the primary object (and Telemetry 2 for the secondary object). These values are calculated by Tacview based on the raw telemetry provided by the file. To see the raw telemetry itself, go to Analysis -> Raw Telemetry 1 / Raw Telemetry 2.
To export the telemetry, go to File -> Export Telemetry and choose which recorded and/or calculated properties you want included in the export in addition to the basics. You can also choose whether you want all objects, the main object or the selected objects only, and you can also choose the sampling rate.
Now, you can use your own favorite data analysis software and methods to crunch the numbers.
Flight Log[]
When applicable, Tacview will make its best effort to determine when Events have occurred, such as when an object has fired a weapon, has taken off from or landed at an airport, or has been destroyed.
Go to Analysis -> Flight Log to view the log.
TIP: Double-click on an event in the log to be taken to that time.
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