This EXPERIMENTAL hook patches some DCS UI files to relocate the command menu and radio messages containers to other position (usually to the center of the viewport).
    
Passes the multiplayer integrity check.

«DESCRIPTION»

This script allows to freely reposition and resize the command menu and radio messages. By default it packs both containers to the center but editing the configuration file you are free to move the containters according to your preference. The size of the display window is dynamically collected, so the script automatically adapts the containers position if the resolution is changed or if you switch to window mode.

«BACKGROUND»

I wrote this hook because I have a 57'' ultrawide monitor with a horizontal resolution of 7680px, and having the command menu and radio messages at the extreme edges of my field of view forced me to constantly turn my head to the right and left like a fool to give commands or read messages, losing focus on what is happening in the middle.

«INSTALLATION»

Copy the content of the zip file to your "Saved Games\DCS\Scripts\Hooks" folder.

«USAGE»

This hook comes with a preconfigured configuration file (with sane defaults) to relocate the command menu and radio messages to the center of the viewport as in the attached screenshot, but which can still be customized to your preferences.

Unfortunately, hooks are executed AFTER the UI has been initialized, so each time you change the configuration file you need to start DCS twice: the first time for the hook to notice the changed parameters and modify the UI files according to the new configuration, and the second time for the new configuration to be loaded.

This is annoying, but I think it is acceptable considering that after you have found your optimal configuration you will most likely not change it again.
    
I am considering providing a graphical utility to edit and activate the configuration without having to launch DCS twice any time you change the config, but I am not sure if it is worth having an additional graphical tool on top of all the utilities you probably already use (mod managers, kneeboard builders ect etc). Let me know your thoughts on this.

«CONFIGURATION OPTIONS»
    
- defaultCommandMenu = false
    This boolean parameter controls whether to apply the custom configuration to the command menu
    or restore the default positioning

- commandMenuOffset = 0
    Positioning of the left side of the command menu container relative to the vertical axis of the
    DCS window. A negative value indicates a left shift relative to the axis, a positive value a
    right shift relative to the axis. For example, an offset of 0 will align the left side of the
    menu container with the middle vertical axis.

- defaultRadioMessages = false
    This boolean parameter controls whether to apply the custom configuration to the radio messages
    or restore the default positioning
    
- radioMessagesOffset = -500    
    Positioning of the left side of the radio messages container relative to the vertical axis of
    the DCS window. A negative value indicates a left shift relative to the axis, a positive value
    a right shift relative to the axis.

- radioMessagesWidth = 450
    The size of the radio messages container.

«NOTICE»

There are no checks for potential overlaps between the command menu and radio messages because I don't know how to notify the user other than through an error in the log file, but I doubt many people read it.

I should also warn you that I am a complete novice to both DCS and Lua programming and have not had a chance to test this script as extensively as I would have liked/needed to, so please report any problems or suggestions in the comments below or via email to <annibale.x@gmail.com>.

«NOTES»

This hook automatically applies the patch after each DCS update or after any modification of the config file.

«TODO»

Add support for tutorial containers

«CHANGELOG»

2024-06-15 v0.04 - Fixed typo error
2024-06-13 v0.03 - Full rewrite to manage the position and size of the command menu and radio message containers via config file
2024-06-08 v0.02 - Minor fix
2024-06-08 v0.01 - First release