DirectLink for TelemFFB
TelemFFB renders force feedback from simulator telemetry: hundreds of aircraft profiles, a deep effect library, and per-effect tuning for each of them. It has traditionally been limited to the VPforce Rhino joystick and the DIY FFB devices built on VPforce electronics, such as pedals, collectives, and trim wheels.
DirectLink removes that limit by enabling TelemFFB to connect to force feedback devices from any manufacturer. With DirectLink installed, a generic DirectInput force feedback device appears in TelemFFB's device selectors and can be assigned to any role: joystick, pedals, collective, or trim wheel. The device then receives the full effect suite including dynamic spring forces, trim and autopilot following, buffeting, weapons effects, and much more. Every aircraft profile, tuned effect, and simulator integration in the TelemFFB manual is enabled for DirectInput devices.
DirectLink is not a standalone application. TelemFFB computes the effects; DirectLink carries them to the device.
What you need
- Windows. DirectLink is a Windows component; it installs for your user account and needs no administrator rights.
- DirectLink itself, a free download. See Installation.
- TelemFFB, extracted and working - a free download. TelemFFB with DirectLink support is currently in beta; join the VPforce Discord to obtain the beta TelemFFB version. This manual covers only what DirectLink adds; the TelemFFB manual covers everything else.
- A DirectInput force feedback device. DirectLink drives any device that exposes force feedback through DirectInput.
- For DCS, IL-2, and Falcon BMS: the DirectInput Tap. The Tap is bundled with TelemFFB, which installs and configures it for you. MSFS and X-Plane need nothing extra.
Limitations
TelemFFB was developed as the companion software for VPforce devices, and several of its features are exclusive to that integration. They are listed under What is different from VPforce hardware.
| Simulator | Limitations |
|---|---|
| MSFS 2020/2024, X-Plane 11/12 | None. Neither computes force feedback of its own, so TelemFFB generates every force from telemetry. |
| DCS, IL-2 Great Battles, IL-2 Korea, Falcon BMS | The DirectInput Tap must be set up for each game to carry its native force feedback effects. |
Everything else is supported in all six, including TelemFFB's overrides of the game's own effects: its spring modes in place of the game's, and a gain control for each captured effect. In IL-2 Korea the Tap carries pedal forces as well as joystick.
Why DCS, IL-2 and Falcon BMS are different
No other vendor-agnostic, DirectInput-based companion software supports DCS, IL-2, or BMS.
Via DirectInput, these simulators take exclusive control of a force feedback device when they load, so an external application cannot reach the device to add effects. Device vendors work around this by speaking to their own hardware through private protocols, a route that does not exist for generic DirectInput hardware.
DirectLink combined with the DirectInput Tap TelemFFB feature solves that limitation. The Tap captures the force feedback the game computes, and TelemFFB renders it on the device alongside its own effects, with per-effect controls the games themselves do not offer.