Missing Balloons!

[Mike463 0]

Had to re-install FE with patches, however at present there are no observation balloons at the front.

There are balloons for balloon busting missions, but only in the target area. Otherwise the map is empty.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

Yours, Mike

[+Tailspin 3]

In the Options/Graphics menu, check and see what you have Ground Objects set to. Lower settings limit the number of ground objects the game displays.

[Mike463 0]

Tailspin,

Appears to have helped. I remember seeing a lot more balloons around, I probably edited the target.ini years ago and added them to some locations. Thanks for the help.

 

Yours, Mike

[Mike463 0]

Tailspin,

I modified your "First Eagles Verdun Bridges and Airfield AAMGs" mod by adding a balloon and three MG's to each target. Most of the references I've read state that most balloons were located near the front lines (but it adds to the immersion factor- it's a pain in the *** trying to avoid ground based MG's and AAA over enemy territory).

 

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autoc...p;showfile=6169

 

I highly recommend this mod (different download for Expansion Pack). With a little copying and pasting, you can add a balloon and ring of three MG's around each target (took me about 45 minutes to modify my wwiverdun target ini file). Make sure you review the "readme", and back up your original file.

 

Yours, Mike

[+Tailspin 3]

Thanks Mike. Once you figure it out target and ground object placement is not difficult its just a bit tedious. :yes:

[OlPaint01 0]

Hello Mike

 

Would you mind posting your _targets.ini file when you finish editing it. I started to add more balloons and missing bridges with AA protection awhile back. But lost interest in the project when I could not get the alignments right. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. I hope you don't mind sharing.

 

OlPaint01

[Mike463 0]

The target ini would be too long to post, but here is an easy explanation on how to do things (feel free to correct me, Tailspin). Took me about 30 minutes to cut and paste everything.

 

First, download the mod here-

 

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autoc...p;showfile=6169

 

Follow the directions for installation. BACKUP your original files!

 

I added the following line to each target (Axis and allies), you have to change the weapons for each side if copying and pasting-

 

Target[001].Type=Balloon

Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00

Target[001].Heading=0

Target[002].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00

Target[002].Heading=90.00

Target[003].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00

Target[003].Heading=0.0

Target[004].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00

Target[004].Heading=270

 

 

EXAMPLE ENEMY

 

[TargetArea001]

Name=Amagne

Position=72626.00,162874.00

Radius=100

ActiveDate=01/01/0001

Location=1

Alignment=ENEMY

Target[001].Type=Balloon

Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00

Target[001].Heading=0

Target[002].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00

Target[002].Heading=90.00

Target[003].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00

Target[003].Heading=0.0

Target[004].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00

Target[004].Heading=270

 

 

EXAMPLE FRIENDLY

 

[TargetArea047]

Name=Châlons

Position=62945.00,101704.00

Radius=100

ActiveDate=01/01/0001

Location=1

Alignment=FRIENDLY

Target[001].Type=Balloon

Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00

Target[001].Heading=0

Target[002].Type=VickersAAA

Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00

Target[002].Heading=90.00

Target[003].Type=VickersAAA

Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00

Target[003].Heading=0.0

Target[004].Type=VickersAAA

Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00

Target[004].Heading=270

 

Note that alignment is ENEMY with German ParabellumAAA MG's. I've varied the Type with AAA or ParabellumAAA or VickersAAA depending on side. I've noticed in testing that the target AAA will vary- in some instances the target will have an Archie and some AAA guns or all guns.

 

Also note that each target has three parameters per entry, these must be in numerical order if you add them to a city or near an airfield. I've also added significant quantities of ammo to the MG's in the gundata file.

 

Yours, Mike

[+Tailspin 3]

That should work. Just remember, as you said, that if you add the balloons and MGs to an existing target area the target numbers have to follow in sequence from the last entry. Also with the format given as examples you should be able to place a defended balloon anywhere on the map by making it a separate target.

 

[TargetArea001]

Name=Amagne

Position=72626.00,162874.00

Radius=100

ActiveDate=01/01/0001

Location=1

Alignment=ENEMY

Target[001].Type=Balloon

Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00

Target[001].Heading=0

Target[002].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00

Target[002].Heading=90.00

Target[003].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00

Target[003].Heading=0.0

Target[004].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00

Target[004].Heading=270

 

Rename it something like Observation Balloon. Determine the coodinates where you want to put it either by using a mission editor or by flying around in "debug" mode. Then adding it to the Targets.ini like so:

 

[TargetArea001] <---- Change to next Target Area in sequence

Name=Observation Balloon

Position= <---- Add new map coords

Radius=100

ActiveDate=01/01/0001

Location=1

Alignment=ENEMY

Target[001].Type=Balloon

Target[001].Offset=0.00,0.00

Target[001].Heading=0

Target[002].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[002].Offset=-210.00,175.00

Target[002].Heading=90.00

Target[003].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[003].Offset=-100.00,-240.00

Target[003].Heading=0.0

Target[004].Type=ParabellumAAA

Target[004].Offset=240.00,-80.00

Target[004].Heading=270

 

The only other thing you mention, Mike, is that the game subsitutes Archie for the MGs. Thats not supposed to happen. Make sure its says GroundObjectRole=RECON in the Parrabellum and Vickers Data.ini and you've added both guns to the Types.ini using the data provided in the download. Of course there should be some Archie around balloons too so unless you want to add it in addition to the MGs you can leave it like it is. ;)