Italy, Southern Europe (1963-1991) Terrain
September 13th, 2022 (1st Release)
by Menrva and tiopilotos

>For Strike Fighters 2, Recommended Full-5 Merged
I am very proud to release a long awaited, brand new terrain made from scratch! The result of many years of dedication and sweat starting in 2017, it features thousands of manually placed tiles reproducing Real World river courses and lakes, not to mention tons of cities all accurately placed in their correct locations. This terrain portrays a pretty complex area, no wonder it never got made properly in two decades of Strike Fighters modding. It is my hope you realize the amount of time and hard effort that I have put to reproduce it with much care and detail.
The terrain completely covers Italy (with the exception of Sicily, which is included in my Libya terrain), Yugoslavia, Albania, Corsica (France), Liechtenstein and nice portions of Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Greece and even a bit of Romania. The tileset, based on one of Stary's GermanyCE tilesets, has been recoloured and expanded with needed transition tiles and features beautiful, unique tiles by tiopilotos which reproduce real islands. Expect long and very accurate river courses, all major and some minor lakes, and tons of islands in the Adriatic Sea. Numerous target areas have been added in order to expand playability, targets of opportunity and year range; those include more than 140 airports, more than 100 SAM sites and more than 70 EW-GCI sites, all placed accurately in their correct locations as shown by well-made SAM site datasets for Google Earth.
This terrain features a fresh new 250m resolution heightmap (instead of the stock 500m resolution), allowing for greater details and precision in elevation changes; overall it provides the whole terrain with a better look.
The terrain spans from April 7, 1963 (the day the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was introduced) to June 24, 1991 (the day before Slovenia and Croatia declared independence). This terrain is adapt for Cold War scenarios pitting NATO forces against the combined Red Side forces of Yugoslavia, Albania, Hungary and Romania. Airfields in Austria and Switzerland have been set to Neutral, so the AI and the player will never spawn on those by default.
Targets reflect Real World events as accurately as possible. Having SF2NA is a must, as I have enabled naval ops; if your mod folder contains American, French and Italian aircraft carriers, sometimes you'll see fleets being generated in single missions.
NOTE: The terrain is not fully finished. It currently misses targets for cities, such as bridges, warehouses, factories etc. If time will allow, maybe someday it will be completed properly.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-tiopilotos, for working on very well done island tiles which offer more unique sights in the Adriatic Sea.
-swambast, who provided me with invaluable help in tracking and fixing common and uncommon bugs.
-gerwin, whose TFDtool has proved to be essential in today's terrain making. If the terrain is pretty accurate to RL it's also because of him. I included his very nice Airfield 7+8 Addon Pack, too.
-mue, for the improved shaders he made, which I have included and reworked for the terrain, and for the tools he made for SF2 modding.
-JSF_Aggie, for his Hi-Res Runway Textures package which I have included and slightly reworked.
-Coupi, for his Soviet style repaint of the stock Runway3 airfield.
-luk1978, for the waternormal bitmap he shared at the SF2 screenshots thread. Your mods are very interesting!
-Stary, for an old version of his GermanyCE tileset included in the Anatolia v1 terrain by PureBlue.
-Gepard, for his great tutorials about terrain making, in the SF1 Knowledge Base at CombatACE. It's a gold mine!
-krfrge, who has produced a tutorial for recreating SF2-like planning maps, which prompted me to work on templates and my own high quality planning maps. Thank you very much!
-comrpnt, for his Approach and Airfield Lighting Pack mod packages for SF1 series, which I reworked and included.

>Trivia:
Some statistics of the amount of work that went into it, gathered thanks to gerwin's TFDtool. I placed manually one by one: more than 8600 rivers tiles, more than 1100 road tiles, more than 2000 city related tiles! This is just the tip of the iceberg, not counting other thousands of tiles that have been placed manually on the tilemap to better reproduce coastlines, islands and lakes, and not counting the endless hours of research since 2017 into adding all possible airports with much accuracy.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; you are NOT allowed to redistribute it without my prior explicit consent.
Any changes to the terrain package's files and/or any copy-and-paste attempts of their contents are NOT authorized if you plan to release them in other mods. But permission might be granted to those who request it to me at CombatACE.
This terrain may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

realSKY Environment
January 13th, 2019 (1st Release)
by Menrva

>For Strike Fighters 2 games
This is my sky enhancement mod. It also combines the work of many other modders, in order to provide a realistic, better looking sky. Here below a quick summary of the changes:
-Tweaked sky colours, something in between Cellinsky's widesky and the stock SF2 colours.
-More realistic Night colours, sky and ambient are much darker.
-More atmospheric, reddish transition from Twilight to Night.
-New "dark blue" High Altitude colours (fly near space with a NF-104).
-Moon produces a yellowish light instead of the default purple.
-Sky is "wider" much like Cellinsky's widesky mod (background horizon clouds are bigger and more noticeable).
-Added beautiful cloud graphics made by Cellinsky and ShrikeHawk, tweaked for each weather type.
-Added a low number of stray clouds to Clear weather.
-Added noticeable clouds to Overcast weather and Inclement weather, "fixing" a known SF2 "bug".
-Combined various mods to produce a more interesting Rain Effect under Inclement weather.
-Added Stary's lens flare effects from the SARCASM 2 mod, in place of Cellinsky's widesky effects.
-Added Cloud Layer graphics by Stary, Fubar512 and Brain32.
-Reworked secondary atmospheric effects, such as contrails and wingtip vortexes.
In addition, the package includes alternative environment configuration files in the Alternative Weather folder; they enable different effects for the Inclement weather. You can choose between thunderstorm (default, adapt for most terrains), snowstorm (for cold, icy terrains) and sandstorm (for hot, desert terrains).
For those who wish not to change the effect globally, I highly suggest to try the included terrain-specific environment example provided for stock SF2 terrains; the default global effect is thunderstorm, while terrains with their own environment file either use sandstorm or snowstorm as appropriate. Use this as a basis to customize other terrains.
By setting the Effects to Unlimited, the game makes use of a DirectX 10 post processing effect; the stock game's post processing shader generates a pointless and horrible bloom effect which excessively blinds the player during twilight transitions.
By default, realSKY includes a reworked post processing shader (TWPOSTPROCESS.FX) which provides more contrast, more vignetting, minor color correction and a daytime-only bloom effect, so it's miles better than what the stock game offers. Alternative post processing tweaks are included in the Alternative Shaders folder; choose the one you wish to try (check the included screenshots for fast comparisons) and overwrite the default one in your mod's Flight folder.
If you don't care about the post processing effect, you may want to set the game's Effects to High in the Options menu.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-Cellinsky, for his fantastic widesky mod from which I borrowed some tweaks.
-Stary, for his Thunderstorm and Heavy Snowfall weather mods, and his SARCASM 2 beta mod from which I borrowed some effects.
-PanamaRed, for tweaks in regards to Clouds (especially the Broken weather ones).
-Fubar512 and Brain32, for their Cloud Layer Top bitmaps, which I have smoothed for a better looking effect.
-ShrikeHawk, for his CloudSkins mods, from which I took the spectacular cloud graphics.
-BearGryllis, for his Thunderstorm Pack With Enhanced Lightnings 2.0b package.
-Orsin, for his Improved Rain Effect and Heavy Rain 0.8 mods.
-luk1978, for his interesting WeatherEffect package.
-ArmedLightning, for his Special FX v2.2 mod for the GTR 2 game, from which I borrowed a lens flare effect.
-baffmeister, for the idea of recreating sandstorm weather effects.
-tiopilotos, for suggesting improvements on other subjects.
-Eagle114th, for his Improved Wingtip Vortex mod which I have reworked.
-JosefK, guuruu and Coupi, for their interest and support.
I included the original readme files from the mentioned mods, where available, to the end of giving proper credit to everyone involved directly or not.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; yet it can be redistributed ONLY in other CombatACE mods/mod packages.
This mod may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

NovaLogic Terrains
July 13th, 2021 (1st Release)
by Menrva and gerwin

>For Strike Fighters 2, Recommended Full-5 Merged
This package was born after the discovery of similarities between the terrain engine of Strike Fighters and that of NovaLogic's flight sims from the late nineties. Upon my initial idea, gerwin helped make it true with his incredible programming skills; without him, these terrains wouldn't even exist for use on Strike Fighters. This package features not one, not two, but all thirteen terrains converted from all NovaLogic's flight sims. Due to differences between game engines, these terrains are smaller in scale in Strike Fighters compared to how they are in NovaLogic's games. Here below a summary of what's included:
NL01_IslandGreen (Region: Meadow) from F-22 Lightning II
NL02_IslandSnowy (Region: Tundra) from F-22 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor
NL03_Desert1 (Region: Arid) from F-22 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor
NL04_Jungle1 (Region: Forest) from F-22 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor
NL04_Jungle2 (Region: Jungle) from F-16 Multirole Fighter and MiG-29 Fulcrum
NL05_Savannah1 (Region: Woodland) from F-22 Raptor
NL05_Savannah2 (Region: Savanna) from F-16 Multirole Fighter, MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-22 Lightning 3
NL06_Desert2A (Region: Brush) from F-22 Raptor
NL06_Desert2B (Region: Desert) from F-16 Multirole Fighter and MiG-29 Fulcrum
NL07_Steppe (Region: Steppe) from F-16 Multirole Fighter and MiG-29 Fulcrum
NL08_Scrub (Region: Scrub) from F-16 Multirole Fighter, MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-22 Lightning 3
NL09_Glacial (Region: Glacial) from F-16 Multirole Fighter, MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-22 Lightning 3
NL10_IslandJungle (Region: Tropical) from F-22 Lightning 3
These terrains feature 500m resolution heightmaps and original low-res tilesets (tweaked for the Strike Fighters engine). Each terrain is meant to represent a generic region of the world. Nations are properly limited to ones coherent with each setting, and island terrains enable the use of naval fleets and aircraft carriers. As such, these terrains are meant to be used in a full-5 merged mod folder of all SF2 titles. At this stage very few target areas have been added to each terrain, providing basic support for all mission types, so just enjoy quick missions against the enemy; hopefully these terrains will be completed with more details one day.
About development, gerwin took care of reverse engineering NovaLogic's files and converting them to SF2 format, plus writing the tools for that. Me and him manually fixed most water alpha channels and adjusted colors in few tiles. Design choices such as target areas, routes, terrain height and surroundings, are mine; if you have any suggestions about this package, contact me.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-gerwin, for converting these terrains to the Strike Fighters game engine and for expanding his awesome tools with new features. I included his very nice Airfield 7+8 Addon Pack, too.
-Wrench, for permission to upload this package which is based on outdated assets from old games.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; yet it can be redistributed ONLY in other CombatACE mods/mod packages.
Any changes to the package's files and/or any copy-and-paste attempts of their contents are NOT authorized if you plan to release them in other mods. But permission might be granted to those who request it to me at CombatACE.
This mod may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

Outer Space Terrains
July 13th, 2021 (1st Release)
by Menrva and nuni

>For Strike Fighters 2, Recommended Full-5 Merged
This package was born out of fun while working on the realSKY Environment enhancement mod. It features two experimental terrains, Moon and Mars, each with own environment data files which allow different gravity acceleration values and custom skies. Due to various hardcoded factors of the stock game, the Moon terrain shows contrail effects at very high altitude like any other terrain, as well as overcast/inclement weather layers which cannot be disabled in any way; enjoy these custom environments by taking such and other game engine limitations into account. It is suggested to install the realSKY Environment mod, since the custom environment data references extra details from that package.
Both terrains feature fresh new 250m resolution heightmaps (instead of the stock 500m resolution), allowing for greater details and precision in elevation changes; overall they provide each terrain with a better look. Given that these are extraterrestrial terrains, different types of source data had to be used in their creation; for this and other limitations, altitudes of geographical features are inaccurate.
The Moon terrain spans from 2040 to 2070, while Mars is available from 2060 to 2090; both are designed for fictional clashes between Red forces (Russian Space Forces and People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force) and Blue forces (United States Space Force and French Space Force). Both terrains contain only two bases, one for Friendly forces and one for Enemy forces, fully populated with custom objects created by nuni. Few target areas have been added so that users can easily discover features such as craters, plateaus and valleys. At this stage, only the Recon mission type is available, so just have fun by flying over these barren terrains. Off Map bases have been added to both terrains and long range AI flights could be generated from them.
An Orion MPCV created by nuni in three different variants has been added as a flyable aircraft as well as a terrain object in points of interest. In addition, custom skins have been created for it so that all AI-only space forces spawn with at least one terrain-specific aircraft; I would have liked to include other feasible and realistic spacecraft, but none are available at this stage. If you wish to contribute to this end, just contact me. The idea is to create plausible space warfare and exploration scenarios, so alien and sci-fi stuff should not be involved. Of course, you're free to alter the original scenario for your own personal use.

>Credits (in no particular order):
-nuni, for creating the Orion MPCV and all featured space terrain objects.
-gerwin, whose TFDtool has proved to be essential in today's terrain making.
-mue, for the improved shaders he made and for the tools he made for SF2 modding.

>Disclaimer:
This is a freeware; yet it can be redistributed ONLY in other CombatACE mods/mod packages.
Any changes to the package's files and/or any copy-and-paste attempts of their contents are NOT authorized if you plan to release them in other mods. But permission might be granted to those who request it to me at CombatACE.
This mod may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions.

New painted Soviet style airfield for SF2 Desert terrain v1.0.0
Based on an old mod (2005) for the early Strike Fighters game.
This pack of tiles replace the parking and runways for the Thirdwire Desert airfield3.lod (P3 terrain for exemple).
You put the content into the "StrikeFighter2" directory: StrikeFighters2/Terrains/Desert.
If you are not satisfied you could delete the tiles from the Desert terrain folder.
Important ! Only used with the Desert terrain of SF2 by Thirdwire.
PM me if needed.
Best regards,
Coupi.

This is an AI remastered tileset for the great NovaLogic Terrains released by Menrva. 
This is tilesets only. You will need the full terrain from here to get it working.
NovaLogic Terrains - Full Terrains - CombatACE
 
AI zoom tool based on Realesrgan was used in the tileset with GPU computing to reproduce 512 x 512 tilesets with richer details from the original 128 x 128 tilesets. Due to limitation of the AI algorithm, there are still part of terrain remain blured. So the tilesets are all reduced to 256 x 256 to produce a more consistent feel. 
We have noticed some other AI anti-blur algorithm can produce better results on the new 512 x 512 tile set and may include that in the future release.
 
----------------------------/Installation/----------------------------------
0. You must have the NovaLogic Terrains from Menrva. This is a tileset only. Download and install from the link provided above.
1. Backup is a must. this mod will overwrite your existing Novalogic terrain tilesets. Just in case you are not happy with the outcome;
2. extract the Terrains folder under your SF2 mod folder and overwrite the files (about 2950 files)
 
Enjoy!
 
 

Improved Rain Effect by China Insky Team
===========================
 
Installation
------------
For SF1 series, put in your Effects Folder;
For SF2 series, put in your Effects subfolder in your mod folder.
 
Credit
-------
Creator: HoneyFox, Orsin
Beta Tester: HoneyFox, Orsin, F-16CJ, XIAOHANI
 
Update History
----------------
V1.0 Initial Release
V1.1 Much improved resource utilization
V1.2 Resolve the effect disappear issue with SF2 series

Socotra 1.0
*****************************************************
This terrain is written for SF2NA and SF2 Israel.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. Short description:
Socotra is a relativly big island on the shores of the Horn of Africa. It belongs to Yemen.
Socotra is an ideal position to control all shipping lines between the Mediterranian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The power who controls Socotra can easily block the oil support from the Gulf to Western Europe.
Socotra is the cork in the bottle neck, like Djibouti, the Suez Canal or Gibraltar.
From mid 1960th to the fall of the Soviet Union, the soviets had an airbase on Socotra. In the 1980th on the base one regiment (squadron) of Su-24 bombers was active on Socotra.
This terrain is made for a scenario that the Americans must defeat the soviet forces on Socotra island. They had to operate from carrier positions in the Gulf of Aden. For all guys who love to fly Air Force planes i made a temporary american airfield in Somalia.
In the timeframe, where the soviets have no own carriers the single missions are focused on Socotra island. When the soviets field carriers the terrain is mostly focused on carrier vs carrier battles. So, if you prefer carrier vs ground battles you must choose missions before 1976. After that date you will have to fight Kiev carrier battle groups.
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
II. INSTALLATION:
To run this terrain you need SF2NorthAtlantic and SF2 Israel or SF2 Europe.

Unzip all files into your saved game folder ...ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2XXXX

Thats it.

If you have SF2Israel installed you must do nothing more.
If you miss SF2I and have SF2Europe you must open file
Sokotra.ini
with Notepad editor and look for the lines:
CatFile=..\IsraelME\IsraelME.cat
//CatFile=..\GermanyCE\GermanyCE.cat
change the entry into:
//CatFile=..\IsraelME\IsraelME.cat
CatFile=..\GermanyCE\GermanyCE.cat
save the file
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
III. Credits.
Tileset            made by Stary (SF2 Israel enhanced tileset)
GK-P-14            Tall King Radar, made by GKABS
GK-D-30NVA        D-30 howitzer made by GKABS, modded by me.
Shelter1            circular aircraft shelter taken from AirfieldDevKit_v1.1, made by Pureblue
TOD-Trees        taken from Angola Terrain, made by ??? Stary???    
ZIL-157 Sam Trailer        made by ???, taken from SF2_SAMs_Pack,
EWalls 500,100 and 50 m    taken from AirfieldDevKit_v1.1, made by Pureblue
D_Bunker            taken from AirfieldDevKit_v1.1, made by Pureblue
BTR-60             made by Pasko, taken from SF2_Panzer_Pack , skin modded by me
SA-5 + SquarePair        made by FastCargo, taken from SF2_SAMs_Pack, radar modded by me
formation.ini        Soviet tank attack formation modded by me
T-54 and T-55        Fla-MG added, tactical numbers added, modded by me
T-55 destroyed        taken from SF2_Panzer_Pack, made by Suicidal
T-72 destroyed        taken from SF2_Panzer_Pack, made by Suicidal
KS-60            made by me
FireCan Radar        made by Juhlhelm
Spoonrest        made by FastCargo, taken from SF2_SAMs_Pack,
ControlTower.LOD        made by RussoUK
M38 Jeep            moded by me
Fahrer            Jeepdriver, must be placed in Weapons folder!!!!!!!
I hope i have not forgotten someone.
.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
IV. This Terrain is Freeware. Commercial use is not allowed.
And i say it again for the YAP, YankeeAirPirates file thiefs, the use of this terrain and parts of  the terrain for commercial use is not allowed.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
V.
For remarks, comments, bugs, etc please use CombatAce forum or send me a PM.
Hope you enjoy it.

Michael (Gepard)

Made in Germany
26. Dezember 2021