What are we limited to with maps...?

[+SayethWhaaaa]

When modding maps, what exactly are we limited to? Is it possible to add fires, smoke plumes, localised weather etc to a map? If so, is this limited to singular scripted missions? What I'm thinking is that I'd like to add fires and smoke to give more of a feeling of conflict to a particular area by having fires in urban areas, installations, airfields etc. But having rarely altered maps before, I'm not too sure what can and can't be done. Lil' help anyone?

[Guest Charles]

You can associate effects (such as a smoke plume) with terrain objects quite easily, by editing the terrain _Types.INI file.

 

For example, in the EuroWW2 terrain there is a factory:

 

[TargetType118]

Name=BBFactory

FullName=Ball Bearing Factory

ModelName=BBFactory.LOD

TargetType=AIRCRAFT_FACTORY

ActiveYear=0

TargetValue=650

UseGroundObject=FALSE

DamagePoint=50.0

ArmorValue=150000.0

ArmorType=1

RepairRate=0.150

StartDetectChance=50

StartIdentifiedChance=0

IncreaseDetectChanceKey=0

MaxVisibleDist=12000.0

DamagedModel=

DestroyedEffect=LargeFire

DestroyedModel=BBFactoryD.LOD

SecondaryEffect=AmmoDumpExplosion

SecondaryChance=30

Effect=SmokeStackEffect

EffectOffset=2.5,0,33.5

 

You can add any stock effect you like, or create a new one, but the SmokeStackEffect is a good one for this purpose. There might be a frame-rate hit if you add in too much smoke around the map, though.

Edited September 12, 2007 by Charles

[+SayethWhaaaa]

Thanks C.

 

I was thinking more like spot fires nearer the target, maybe near opposition airfields in order to give that feel of earlier hits against them. It would also create a sense of urgency for interceptions, scenario based scripts etc. Is there any way to make the fires a little more perminant? It'd produc the same effect, only for night time sorties.