Voice Activated Commands (VAC) Profile

[WhiskeyBravo]

In the everlasting search for that extra bit of immersion I try to use voice comms whenever possible with my sims and SHIV is no exception. I've created a profile for Shift_E's excellent Voice Activated Commands (VAC) software (http://www.dwvac.com/) which allows me to speak the sort of commands a sub skipper would have been able to do for real.

I mention it here so that others can give it a go if you desire, PM me with your email addy and I'll forward it on. If its any good maybe I can get it hosted hereabouts for other Subsim members to benefit.

A few notes:

I have not included ALL the key commands available, just the ones likely to be spoken by a skipper ie manoevering commands and firing commands. The beauty of VAC is the ease with which aditional commands can be added so feel free to edit the profile as you see fit.

I'm no sub expert and most of my limited knowledge of 'sub speak' comes from Hollywood and the in game voices themselves so apologies in advance for any querkiness.

The 'All Stop' command may vary depending on your keyboard setup: the keycard shows it as being the `/¬ key at the top left of the kbd but on my UK kbd it is the '/@ key near my return key.

The up scope command is assigned to the attack periscope only as there is no kbd shortcut for the obs periscope. Also the raising/lowering of the attack scope is accomplised by holding down the 'page up' or 'page down' key - to facilitate this I have programmed a 10 second keypress into VAC for the relevant key to allow the scope to raise/lower the full distance. When the scope is lowered you will automaticaly be returned to the comand room.

When firing torpedoes I have included a cycle tubes command into the process so that the next tube is automatically selected for firing. This allows you to say 'Fire one', 'Fire two' etc even though the command is the same. I've also included the 'Open Tube Door' command so that this can be done before firing. The 'Cycle Tubes' command will allow you to select different tubes if you get out of sequence for whatever reason.


QUESTION: One command that is only accessible from the menus in the General Quarters/Battle Stations command. I would like to add this to my profile so does anybody know if a kbd shortcut can be assigned to this command?


Listed below are the actions and phrases I've completed so far, any suggestions for amendments and corrections will be greatly received.

Action: Up Attack Periscope
Phrase 1: Up Scope
Action: Surface
Phrase 1: Surface the Boat
Action: Silent Running
Phrase 1: Rig for Silent Running
Action: Secure Silent Running
Phrase 1: Secure from Silent Running
Action: Rudder Amidships
Phrase 1: Rudder Amidships
Action: Periscope depth
Phrase 1: Take her to Periscope depth
Action: Open Tube Door
Phrase 1: Open Tube Door
Action: Hard to Starboard
Phrase 1: Right full rudder
Action: Hard to Port
Phrase 1: Left full rudder
Action: Fire two
Phrase 1: Fire two
Action: Fire three
Phrase 1: Fire three
Action: Fire six
Phrase 1: Fire six
Action: Fire one
Phrase 1: Fire one
Action: Fire four
Phrase 1: Fire four
Action: Fire five
Phrase 1: Fire five
Action: Emergency Surface
Phrase 1: Blow Main Ballast Emergency Surface
Action: Down Attack Periscope
Phrase 1: Down Scope
Action: Dive
Phrase 1: Dive Dive Dive
Action: Cycle Tubes
Phrase 1: Cycle Tubes
Action: Crash Dive
Phrase 1: Crash Dive Crash Dive
Action: Back two thirds
Phrase 1: Back Standard
Action: Back one third
Phrase 1: Back slow
Action: Back Full
Phrase 1: Back Full
Action: Back Emergency
Phrase 1: Back Emergency
Action: All stop
Phrase 1: All stop
Action: Ahead two thirds
Phrase 1: Ahead Slow
Action: Ahead Standard
Phrase 1: Ahead Standard
Action: Ahead one third
Phrase 1: Ahead one third
Action: Ahead full
Phrase 1: Ahead full
Action: Ahead Flank
Phrase 1: Ahead Flank


Happy Hunting,

WB.

[melin71]

this sounds realy cool. VAC...what is that for program?

[WhiskeyBravo]

@Merlin 71 - Visit http://www.dwvac.com/ to find out about VAC itself.

After a little more testing and some accidental torpedo launches :oops: I've added a Push to talk key. So now all commands have to be spoken while holding down the 'h' key. I rationalise this by imaging the skipper speaking into the intercom phone when passing commands.

Otherwise it all seems to work really well.

Off for some more testing off the coast of Honshu.

WB.

[WhiskeyBravo]

I've found that using the 'ctrl' key with the 'pg up' and 'pg dn' will raise/lower the attack periscope to its full extent. This may not be well known as it's not in the manual and most players probably use the icon in the periscope screen.

I have amended the profile accordingly.


Does anybody know if it's possible to assign a key command to the Battle Stations icon?

Bumping this post as well because not many people seem to be into VoiceRec around here. :o

It really is a great immersion enhancer.:yep:

Cheers all,

WB.

[DirtyHarry3033]

Does anybody know if it's possible to assign a key command to the Battle Stations icon?
Yep, you can either edit "Commands.cfg" manually with notepad, or use SetKeys if you don't like writing code. SetKeys is for editting SH3 key commands but works with SH4 also. It's in the SH3 download section. Good thing about SetKeys is it will tell you if the key you chose is already in use.

I used SetKeys to bind "Toggle Battle Stations" to Ctrl-B and it works perfect :D If you don't want to mess with SetKeys and if Ctrl-B works for you, replace this code:

[Cmd436]
Name=Toggle_battle_stations
Ctxt=1

with this:

[Cmd436]
Name=Toggle_battle_stations
Ctxt=1
Key0=0x42,c,"CTRL B"

in the "Commands.cfg" file. HTH!

[WhiskeyBravo]

Excellent, thanks DirtyHarry, that did the trick nicely. :up:

WB.

[The Sweeper]

Just tell me how to use it with sh4 i didnt figured out how u can configure this?

Thx

[The Sweeper]

I have to say where was i before?????????

I have succesufully binded all keys and tested it and it was unbealivablen.

I have been playing all sub sims but never used this, this is great fun i had never had this much fun playing sub.

All that end up on this sticky this is a must try thing !!!!

Thx for opening mine eyes.

[KingBerk]

Just a comment for those using the profile (unless it has been updated):

"Rudder Amidships" should be bound to '
"All Stop" should be bound to `/~ (iirc)

Also I changed the phrases for rudder from "right/left full rudder" to "hard to port" and "hard to starboard" because that is what the crew says back.


Anyway, my aft torpedo compartment is partially flooded, i've got two torpedos left in the fore, and there is a warship under 3 miles away, and planes go overhead five times a freaking minute... I'm in trouble.

[WhiskeyBravo]

Just a comment for those using the profile (unless it has been updated):

"Rudder Amidships" should be bound to '
"All Stop" should be bound to `/~ (iirc)

Also I changed the phrases for rudder from "right/left full rudder" to "hard to port" and "hard to starboard" because that is what the crew says back.


The issues with the Rudder Amidships and All Stop keys seems to depend on your keyboard. As mentioned in my post above, on my UK keyboard the location of the relevant key is different.

As for the right/left full rudder, that's the way I prefer it based on my own experiences of the 'movies'. I'd be interested to hear what the actual commands were during the period.
Anyway, the beauty of VAC is that it's very easy to adjust the profile to anything you see fit. I offer the profile as a starter to save you some time.

Regards,

WB.

[Snouff]

Hi all,

i have just a question,i have installed VAC and the profile,that run fine,but,i can't say nothing,coze when i open the VAC builder,i have a problem with package .msi.

i have looking on google for that,but,duno if i need some package or what i can do for that,anyone have a idea:cry:

[KingBerk]

Hi all,

i have just a question,i have installed VAC and the profile,that run fine,but,i can't say nothing,coze when i open the VAC builder,i have a problem with package .msi.

i have looking on google for that,but,duno if i need some package or what i can do for that,anyone have a idea:cry:

Try reinstalling with the full install. Dunno if it will help.

[Arkon]

Do's one have to put each command in seperatly or can one put them in there in bulk as in all at once :-?

[WhiskeyBravo]

Hi all,

i have just a question,i have installed VAC and the profile,that run fine,but,i can't say nothing,coze when i open the VAC builder,i have a problem with package .msi.

i have looking on google for that,but,duno if i need some package or what i can do for that,anyone have a idea:cry:

Have you installed the MS SpeechSDK package? Look here: http://www.dwvac.com/vactips.htm to find out if you have the MS Speech Recognizer installed.

Hope that helps,

WB.

[WhiskeyBravo]

Do's one have to put each command in seperatly or can one put them in there in bulk as in all at once :-?

As far as I am aware you have to input each command seperately. For this SHIV profile it took me about an hour starting from scratch. However, you can create your own profile in considerably less time once you have a basic profile to work from - and that's where my profile may be of use to you. :yep:

WB.

[Lognoreng]

Trying to set it up for SH3, Seems to work fine, exept that i can not find the All stop button, (Swedish keyboard), I think i have tried everything now..

[bobo]

Not sure about the Swedish Keyboard thing......

but I thought I'd share a bit of news on Vista support concerning VAC. I'm not the author of this software but I have been helping in terms of Vista64 beta testing and it's functional, just needs some minor clean up. If anyone hasn't tried this software you should at least give it a once over. There really is nothing quite like ordering your crew around with actual speech rather than keypress's :up: I have an old sidewinder Game Voice (not supported in Vista) I used to use with multiple games that had a lot key commands and this software does the same thing. Makes sims a lot more immersive.

[Snakeeyes]

Request this be stickied in the SHIV folder.

[Sceptre666]

Where does one find the SH4 package for the VAC program?

[Snakeeyes]

I personally use the program SHOOT! which is the easiest one to use I think. :cool:

[Ilpalazzo]

wow this thing is fun. I remember a year ago I tried this with sh3 and 'shoot' but got so frustrated and gave up because I couldn't get shoot to work. Really wish I knew about VAC back then.

Anyway this seems to be working very well and thanks to DirtyHarry for telling about setkeys.

I just love saying something and having that helmsman look at me, confirm the order and then relay to the other guy. Still wish he would stop staring at me with that crazy "im gonna kill you" look. lol anyway this has been so fun I am going to use VAC for other games. Like for voice macros and whatever else saves me time or looks cool. Hmm wonder if coh can get any use out of this thing.

Really, super thanks for letting me in on this program. My friends think it's silly talking to my game yet they can't deny how neat it is. Same people that think I am dumb for buying a nintendo wii, "it's just a gimmick man."

[Kungfuchee]

Well, I really don't care if my friends think it's lame or nerdy for me to enjoy so much
Using voice commands, it's just adds one more factor to the realism and enviroment that just, well, makes me happy :p Thanks!

[Snakeeyes]

Well, I really don't care if my friends think it's lame or nerdy for me to enjoy so much
Using voice commands, it's just adds one more factor to the realism and enviroment that just, well, makes me happy :p Thanks!

Not only is it realistic it can save you vital time in a fight!

[Rafter11]

Does anybody know if it's possible to assign a key command to the Battle Stations icon?
Yep, you can either edit "Commands.cfg" manually with notepad, or use SetKeys if you don't like writing code. SetKeys is for editting SH3 key commands but works with SH4 also. It's in the SH3 download section. Good thing about SetKeys is it will tell you if the key you chose is already in use.

I used SetKeys to bind "Toggle Battle Stations" to Ctrl-B and it works perfect :D If you don't want to mess with SetKeys and if Ctrl-B works for you, replace this code:

[Cmd436]
Name=Toggle_battle_stations
Ctxt=1

with this:

[Cmd436]
Name=Toggle_battle_stations
Ctxt=1
Key0=0x42,c,"CTRL B"

in the "Commands.cfg" file. HTH!

I am new to this, how do I find the downloads website you mentioned in SH3?

Thanks

[sniperpr1]

Is there a way to add more commands to fire the aft tubes (7 - 10)? I've wanted to program those too, but I don't know how to do it. Thanks.

[Kender]

Hi people , im new int the forum and i have read about this incredible application , it's a really great idea to use the commands with voice . Can anyone send me his profile for SH4 please?
I know that it's my first post and i start asking for help but i think that this application is soo nice and if i had this profile would be fantastic so thank you very much.

Sorry for my english kameraden :D:D:D

[ciprico]

could you please send the file thanks in advaance

[Snakeeyes]

Could I have you most current profile? Thanks!

[Snakeeyes]

Whiskey Bravo! Dude! Where are you?!

You've got guys PM-ing you wanting to take advantage of your offer to try out your VAC work! YOU ALIVE MAN?!!

Well... guys I just went on and read the help files with the program and made me a rudimentary profile for SHIV. I tested it today for about and hour and I think there is more I can do to improve it.

Make sure that you have trained your MS Speech at least ONCE (I prefer the War of the Worlds but that's just a personal classic favorite of mine) to ensure that it runs ok. Twice or more is better.

Also... I've found that you might want to disable any settings on your sound card that are supposed to clarify microphone speech. I was spontaneously jumping from places on the boat back to the conn without asking a lot until I disabled my anti-echo and other settings on my sound card.

For now, a weird bug occurs that jumps me from the attack scope to the conn randomly... DAMN IRRITATING during a fight. If I can't resolve this I'll have to dump VAC. If I get it working more reliably you guys are free to ask me for my profile but I'm pretty sure WB is the master.

[JREX53]

minsc-tdp has a voice recognition program in the mods forum. Take a look at the following link:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=119430

Hope this helps.

Jim
IC1(SS)

[Snakeeyes]

minsc-tdp has a voice recognition program in the mods forum. Take a look at the following link:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=119430

Hope this helps.

Jim
IC1(SS)

He sure does. 1.6 is out. I had trouble installing the sucker with all the tweeks you have to do but I got all ZEN last night and managed to get a good successful install. I'm going to compare it to the VAC one I made last night. I'll try out both and see what fits my fancy the best.

[minsc_tdp]

Huh, I never saw this thread, but if anyone is still using VAC, it's probably time to check out my stuff. Supports the mouse functions and has had almost 24 revisions to reach a very stable state. Install is much easier now, just extract and run the EXEs (no more Perl/Python BS.) Uses MS SAPI as well and has optional Push To Talk so the recognition should be similar to VAC.

[Dennus]

Hi guys,

As soon as I read about the possibility of voice activated commands I got all excited. So I downloaded VAC and SHspeech.

I found out that I had to install Microsoft Speech 5.1 or 6.1 first.

And that, my friends, is where the problem lies. I installed v 5.1 but when I go to the control panel and select Speech, I only get the ' text to speech' tab and can select some dude called Sam to be my computer voice.

So allthough I installed Microsoft Speech 5.1 succesfully, I don't get any of it's aplications like the Microsoft English Recognizer.

I'm running Windows XP x64 and have installed the latest Realtek Audio driver.

I really don't know what's the problem and I was hoping some of you could help me out on this one.

Thanks in advance,

Dennus.

[tomoose]

Dennus;
check out the SHIV Speech thread that might help you out. There's a MS program called SDK (I forget the version) which perhaps you're missing. Perhaps Minsc_tdp will respond and give you some assistance (he's the author of SHIV speech). Prior to using SHIV Speech you have to let MS know your speaking voice and there's some practice paragraphs you read so that it "understands" your voice. That's only required once.

For what it's worth, stick with it, SHIV Speech is worth it. There is little to no requirement to "map keys" etc. Any changes I've made have been to type in my preferred phrase into an Excel style file and save it and bingo, good to go.

good luck.

[Seminole]

I have never considered any type of voice command SHIV operations...well....mainly because I would feel so danged self conscious sitting alone in my computer room talking to a machine...:oops:

I have this mental image of me sittng in front of the computer repeating over and over ...clock go away...clock go away..clock go away...'til the wife sends the kids to the neighbors and calls 911...:shifty:

[Dennus]

Thx Tomoose, I'll check that thread out.

[Kirby_TFS]

I use the VAC all the time as it is much easier to program than Shoot. I made a profile for TM, so if you want the profile PM me and I'll send it to you.

[wetwarev7]

I have never considered any type of voice command SHIV operations...well....mainly because I would feel so danged self conscious sitting alone in my computer room talking to a machine...:oops:

I have this mental image of me sittng in front of the computer repeating over and over ...clock go away...clock go away..clock go away...'til the wife sends the kids to the neighbors and calls 911...:shifty:

I felt the same way till I gave my first order and the computer said "Yes Sir! Engines ahead slow!". I got all goosebumply.

I've been using VAC ever since. :up: I hide my keyboard in the drawer and it adds quite a bit to the game having to remember the correct commands to give and to remain calm and speak clearly lest I frighten the crew. I have to admit I've taken my fair share of damage because things got hairy and all I could think to say was "Ummmmm....."

"Depth Charges in the water!"
"Uhhhh...."
"We're taking damage!"
"Ummmm....."
"Hull damaged! We're taking on water!"
"Oh! Uh, Hard to StarPort!?"