There is a fair amount of confusion surrounding key bindings and aliases.
An alias is essentially a command or string of commands that are assigned a specific name. Once an alias is created, you can bind it to a key by citing that name.
Key bindings are the settings that tell UT which commands or aliases are activated by specific keys.
It will all (hopefully) become clearer as you read on but, essentially, if a command already exists, you do not need to create an alias to bind it to a key. If you want a new command or a string of commands available at the touch of a button, you need to create an alias.
The first step in creating an alias is to get to the Advanced Options window. You can do this by opening the console (~) and typing "preferences".
From here, expand the Advanced menu and click on "Key Aliases". You will see all of the aliases UT is currently using. You will have to scroll down to find and line that currently has no entry and will look like this:
(Command"",Alias=None)
When you click on a vacant line, a field will become active that will allow you to type. The commands that you want activated by the alias will go between the quotes. The name of the alias will replace "None".
For Example: You hate being fragged while you type, so you want to create an alias that allows you to communicate (more or less) safely in games and save you a key stroke.
Change the alias entry to:
(Command"feigndeath|talk",Alias=feigntalk)
This will allow you to feign death and activate the communication screen with a single keystroke once "feigntalk" is bound to a key.
For an alias that allows you to do the sniper zoom with any weapon, see below.
You can set aliases using any of the console commands or, for more technical folks, command line options and C++ commands (see Epic's Unreal Technology site for a complete list).
Go to the Advanced Options window (open the console and type "preferences").
Expand the Advanced menu and click on "Raw Keybindings".
You will see a list of all of the keys that UT recognizes and the commands and aliases that are currently bound to them.
When you click on a key, a field across from that key becomes active, allowing you to enter the command or alias you would like that key to activate.
For example: You want a key that will automatically type "gg" after an online game.
Click on the line of the key you would like to use (note that the keys on the 10-key pad are under NumPad) and type:
"say gg" (no quotes, of course)
Simple! To bind the above alias feigntalk to a key, click on the key you would like it bound to and type:
"feigntalk"
It is also possible to bind keys directly from the console by using the "set input" command.
Eg. "set input B say gg" or "set input B feigntalk" would bind the above command to the B key.
Moving at Double (or Triple) Speed - This one was contributed by Mac-arena.
You'll need to create two aliases for this one:
(Command="Axis aBaseY Speed=+600.0",Alias=WarpForward)
(Command="Axis aBaseY Speed=-600.0",Alias=WarpBackward)
Changing the value to higher multiples of 300 will make you move even faster (900 = triple speed, 1200 = quadruple speed, etc).
You'll then need to bind two keys:
WarpForward
WarpBackward
The first key will make you move at double (or more) speed forward, the other backwards.
Universal Zoom - The following will allow you to use the sniper rifle zoom with any weapon. Handy, eh? It is considered a cheat though and most servers admins have their servers set up where it cannot be used, so don't expect to use it in anything but practice sessions.
Alias:
(Command="SetDesiredFov 20",Alias=Zoom)
Keybinding:
Zoom | OnRelease SetDesiredFov 90
Translocator/Weapon Autoswitch - This alias allows you to automatically swith to your best weapon after translocating. To use it, hit the key you bind it to (this will bring up the translocator). While holding the key down, fire the beacon, then translocate. Release the key and you will automatically switch to your best weapon.
Alias:(Command="GetWeapon BotPack.Translocator | OnRelease switchtobestweapon",Alias=transwitch)
Keybinding:
transwitch
Dropping a Relic - Ever pick up a relic then see another one that you want even more? Keybind the following to a key and toss unwanted relics so you can pick up the more useful ones.
Keybinding:
mutate TossRelic
For more information and a larger list of useful keybindings, visit Cleaners guide to keybindings and aliases.
