I'm overwhelmed!

[atuhalpa 0]

Good God! Where does one start? I have FE and FE2 and am overwhelmed by all the mods and patches. Is there anyone out there who could give me a general list of what to download? I would like to have the ground war more realistic and to have a few more of the popular planes. A zeppelin would be nice and a mission editor so I could make my own missions. I think primarily FE2 to start. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[+peter01 2]

Not surprised your overwhelmed atuhalpa. Too much too quick - and FE1 has been heavily modded for some time, and FE2 is a little different.

 

How about a few steps at a time? The main stuff first. I'm assuming you want to play and mod FE2?

 

First, download a couple of the good terrains that work for FE2.

 

Edwards Flanders terrain http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=4424

 

Gepard's Vogesen terrain http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=5933

 

After installing these terrains, download and install Jan Thurma's terrain mod that completely transforms Flanders, Vogesen, as well as the stock Cambrai and Verdun fields superbly. It is a big download! http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=10549

 

Second, download plane models.

 

Most plane models are here at Combat Ace: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showcat=360

 

The rest are the A-Teams (Skunworks) site. You need to register to get access. They have a process to follow, we all have done this, it takes a few days but well worth doing:

 

"Our team model files are in a restricted Web Site.

 

http://cplengineeringllc.com/SFP1/

 

You need to apply via email to get a username and password, you also need to read and acknowledge our User Agreement before you are allowed to download our files. If you do not hear from us in one week try again, some email providers may be blocked.

 

Please send an email to

 

capun1950 (at) Yahoo (dot) com

 

The instructions are to provide your first and last name, forum username(s), City & State/Country. Also Provide a username and password of your choice, be sure it meets the naming conventions as stated in the User Agreement

 

For free mail services (Hotmail, GMail, Yahoo, etc), we require the name of your ISP (Internet Service Provider)"

 

Plane models were developed for FE1. There are some differences and some problems. You will have to fix them yourself. Laton wrote how to do this for his models on this forum here under topic "FE2 converting my models": http://forum.combatace.com/topic/53119-fe2-converting-my-models/

 

What Laton explains is true of other models too. Eg, the gunners will look white for some other modellers work, but if you follow Laton's guide it will fix those too.

 

Lastly, the flight models.

 

These change in nearly every version/patch of the game, sometimes considerably.Tthe FMs that are available when you download the plane are usually three years old, and would hardly work.

 

To get the most current FE1 ones (that I did) that work well enough for FE2 as well go here "UPDATED FE Plane FMs for Nov 2008 Patch" (be carefuly ONLY to install plane folder stuff not the rest, it will not work for FE2): http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=8064

 

for some more general issues (plane models, FMs, bomb and rocket loadouts, pilots etc) see my post #2 this thread http://forum.combatace.com/topic/52929-new-guy-to-fe2/page__fromsearch__1.

 

This will take a while. When you have more questions come back but give it some time for someone to answer. Turn around time on this forum can sometimes take a few days.

Edited February 24, 2010 by peter01

[+peter01 2]

Just thought I'd add some thoughts as your new to FE maybe.

 

There isn't one download that does everything, either for FE1 or FE2.

 

There is a lot to download, nearly all here at this site. But you do need to have some knowledge about how and where to install or mod. If you have questions/issues, ask.

 

In addition to terrains, models and FMs (the main ones I think, the above is really about 80-90%), there are mods for effects, skies, ground objects, hangars, menus, sounds, campaigns, missions, cockpits and much more. But you have to pick and choose, and you do need to start with the main things first: terrains, plane models etc.

 

Yes, there are mission editors and multiplayer.

Edited February 24, 2010 by peter01

[+peter01 2]

Just responding to your question to me on the campaign thread a few minutes ago.

 

There are two mission editors. Don't know which is best.

 

One is KMD available here: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=2678

 

The other is Le Missionneur. Not sure where this is located (maybe Goggle or maybe someone else can provide a link). There is a Le Missionneur Mission Editor tutorial here: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=5092

 

Hope that helps ...

Edited February 24, 2010 by peter01

[atuhalpa 0]

Just responding to your question to me on the campaign thread a few minutes ago.

 

There are two mission editors. Don't know which is best.

 

One is KMD available here: http://forum.combata...s&showfile=2678

 

The other is Le Missionneur. Not sure where this is located (maybe Goggle or maybe someone else can provide a link). There is a Le Missionneur Mission Editor tutorial here: http://forum.combata...s&showfile=5092

 

Hope that helps ...

 

Thank you so much Peter. I will take my time and go methodically through your suggestions.

[atuhalpa 0]

Vogesen terrain crashed to the blue screen..............?!?

[jg1234 0]

Hi,

 

I purchased and loaded FE Gold ( patched to Nov 2008 ) on my machine ( PIIII 3.4, 2GB Ram, Nvidia 7600GS 256 MB Video ).

 

I am not as overwhelmed thanks largely to this community. I found this post very useful.

 

I have one question.

 

I have the stock game, some terrain files, a sound pack and and an effects back. I just want to add the Nieuport 28 add on plane. Do I also need to install the Flight Models also?

 

I am playing on easy settings mostly - so was assuming that the flight models may not make a big change but wasn't sure.

 

Thanks - jg1234

[+peter01 2]

Vogesen terrain crashed to the blue screen..............?!?

 

Works fine on mine. You may have installed it incorrectly. Make sure you install the original Vogesen terrain to the My Documents/ThirdWire/FirstEagles2 folder in a directory called (or created by you) Terrains (NOT Terrain, without the "s", this is one of the changes in FE2 to FE1), then install Jan's mod directly into the same directory.

[+peter01 2]

Hi,

 

I purchased and loaded FE Gold ( patched to Nov 2008 ) on my machine ( PIIII 3.4, 2GB Ram, Nvidia 7600GS 256 MB Video ).

 

I am not as overwhelmed thanks largely to this community. I found this post very useful.

 

I have one question.

 

I have the stock game, some terrain files, a sound pack and and an effects back. I just want to add the Nieuport 28 add on plane. Do I also need to install the Flight Models also?

 

I am playing on easy settings mostly - so was assuming that the flight models may not make a big change but wasn't sure.

 

Thanks - jg1234

 

 

Just install the plane and FM package and try it. You won't break the game.

 

If you install an updated FM, which you will want to, it is simple. In this case the FM file is called N28_data.ini (they are all called ***_data.ini), and it goes in the "N28" plane directory under the "Objects/Aircraft" folder. To install and/or change is that simple.

 

BTW, all 3rd party FMs done that work with FE Gold are for the Hard Flight Model though they work more or less I guess in other modes too - sorry, so many differences in roll/pitch/rudder between Easy/Normal/Hard it is impossible to design FMs that work well for all three modes. And Hard ain't that hard - try it maybe?

Edited February 25, 2010 by peter01

[jg1234 0]

Thanks Peter01,

 

That is good information. I am going to install things this weekend.

 

I appreciate your help and all the work you have done with this game.

 

-jg1234

[atuhalpa 0]

Works fine on mine. You may have installed it incorrectly. Make sure you install the original Vogesen terrain to the My Documents/ThirdWire/FirstEagles2 folder in a directory called (or created by you) Terrains (NOT Terrain, without the "s", this is one of the changes in FE2 to FE1), then install Jan's mod directly into the same directory.

You are right Peter, I didn't install the scenario file correctly,it works fine now and I love the Vogesen terrain. I had one other anomaly though. I set up a single mission and was flying the DR1 with four others in the flight and we bounced a flight of SE5a's and at the end of the engagement there was one SE5 that was acting strangely. It was just flying around randomly and seemed invulnerable to my guns. I emptied my guns into it at close range, no visable damage no parts falling off, and it just kept flying?!? Any thoughts? Other than that I installed your FM's and really like them a lot.

[atuhalpa 0]

You are right Peter, I didn't install the scenario file correctly,it works fine now and I love the Vogesen terrain. I had one other anomaly though. I set up a single mission and was flying the DR1 with four others in the flight and we bounced a flight of SE5a's and at the end of the engagement there was one SE5 that was acting strangely. It was just flying around randomly and seemed invulnerable to my guns. I emptied my guns into it at close range, no visable damage no parts falling off, and it just kept flying?!? Any thoughts? Other than that I installed your FM's and really like them a lot.

Also when I tried to fly a mission with the DVa I got da blue screen blues. I suspect I have to copy something and rename it but I am not sure what. Can you help? Jeez I feel like I am taking way too much of your time but I don't know ahat else to do.

 

Don

[+peter01 2]

I had one other anomaly though. I set up a single mission and was flying the DR1 with four others in the flight and we bounced a flight of SE5a's and at the end of the engagement there was one SE5 that was acting strangely. It was just flying around randomly and seemed invulnerable to my guns. I emptied my guns into it at close range, no visable damage no parts falling off, and it just kept flying?!? Any thoughts?

 

No, no idea.

 

Also when I tried to fly a mission with the DVa I got da blue screen blues. I suspect I have to copy something and rename it but I am not sure what. Can you help? Jeez I feel like I am taking way too much of your time but I don't know ahat else to do.

 

I think Jan's new terrains may require resetting graphics options - it is certainly the case for FE1 and may be the case for FE2. See this thread .... http://forum.combatace.com/topic/52979-help-wanted/

 

For FE1 I now have the following, tripling default values, and it seems to have solved similar problems I had.

 

MaxModelType=6144

MaxMeshPerScene=12288

MaxModelPerScene=12288

Edited February 25, 2010 by peter01

[+peter01 2]

Thanks Peter01,

 

That is good information. I am going to install things this weekend.

 

I appreciate your help and all the work you have done with this game.

 

-jg1234

 

 

FE is quite a complex game, because it is modded heavily. In fact, the mods make a huge difference to the game.

 

I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to make a few suggestions. Don't ask why, it will take some explaining, but my strong advice is:

 

Make a copy of FEG, ie, have two installs (and create a shortcut to the second copy WWI Campaign.exe on your desktop, maybe rename to indicate it is a modded game). Keep first one reasonably pristine, maybe add terrains, effects, sounds, but not many or any plane models or FMs. Stock FMs and third party FMs do not mix and match well, either the flight model or the AI (AI parameters are in the FM files).

 

In the second install, install everything you like. You will be using my FMs if you add planes (nobody else does them, older FMs don't work), and install FMs for ALL the planes you have, including replacing the stock plane FMs. Make sure you install all the "game files" too - loadouts, pilots, Le Prieur rockets, some guns will only work if you do this. Play Hard FM mode. The download is here http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=8064. The ones I'm uploading on forum now are far better, so you could add these too - it is simple to update, once you do it a few times.

 

Also, it is very likely that you will need to adjust the sensitivty of your joystick differently for the two games - again the FMs are quite different.

 

Try both installs/games out, and decide which you like. They will be quite different. If you don't like the second install, just delete it.

[atuhalpa 0]

Peter I have no flight engine ini in my flight folder. Where do I get it?

[+peter01 2]

Peter I have no flight engine ini in my flight folder. Where do I get it?

 

Yeah, you need to unpack the FlightData.cat file using the cat extractor http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=10458. The FlightData.cat file is in your main FE2 directory (not the one where mods are), in the Flight Folder.

 

Once extracted move a copy of the flightengine.ini to your Flight Folder where the mods are - and make the changes.

[jg1234 0]

FE is quite a complex game, because it is modded heavily. In fact, the mods make a huge difference to the game.

 

I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to make a few suggestions. Don't ask why, it will take some explaining, but my strong advice is:

 

Make a copy of FEG, ie, have two installs (and create a shortcut to the second copy WWI Campaign.exe on your desktop, maybe rename to indicate it is a modded game). Keep first one reasonably pristine, maybe add terrains, effects, sounds, but not many or any plane models or FMs. Stock FMs and third party FMs do not mix and match well, either the flight model or the AI (AI parameters are in the FM files).

 

In the second install, install everything you like. You will be using my FMs if you add planes (nobody else does them, older FMs don't work), and install FMs for ALL the planes you have, including replacing the stock plane FMs. Make sure you install all the "game files" too - loadouts, pilots, Le Prieur rockets, some guns will only work if you do this. Play Hard FM mode. The download is here http://forum.combata...&showfile=8064. The ones I'm uploading on forum now are far better, so you could add these too - it is simple to update, once you do it a few times.

 

Also, it is very likely that you will need to adjust the sensitivty of your joystick differently for the two games - again the FMs are quite different.

 

Try both installs/games out, and decide which you like. They will be quite different. If you don't like the second install, just delete it.

 

 

 

Hi Peter01,

 

I don't mind at all. I really appreciate all the information and time. I made a second copy this weekend but didn't have time to do much with it. I actually flew a mission in the stock game to play around.

 

I am going to give your suggestions a try.

 

I have a few more questions if that is okay:

 

1. Besides putting the FM in the Objects/Aircraft folder is there anything else I need to do ?

2. In the stock game I find the landings a little to easy even on hard - do your FM files make landings different as well?

3. Last I have an old CH Flightstick - analog - it's 10 years old but brand new and I have it hooked up with a nice new analog USB adapter. Using it in the stock game seems good - I was just wondering if you see any probelms with that since you mentioned possibly adjusting the joystick sensitivity ?

 

Thanks again - I appreciate all your help.

 

-jg1234

[+Tailspin 3]

Hi jg. Just to be clear, the FMs (***data.ini) go into each plane's individual folder not generally in the Aircraft folder. IMHO you should use HARD settings for everything but Visual Targeting and Hud Display (set those to Normal) to start with. HARD isn't really that much harder and since Peter's FMs are designed for the Hard FM you will get the full benefits of those FMs. I've never found landing difficult with FE either. Perhaps its because stall characterists are still a bit "off"? Not sure about your question re: analog sticks. Years ago, I had some problems with Rowan's Battle of Britain. I replaced my analog with a digital, fixed the problems and I have been using digital since then. However, that doesn't mean an analog stick won't work and work well with FE.

[jg1234 0]

Hi jg. Just to be clear, the FMs (***data.ini) go into each plane's individual folder not generally in the Aircraft folder. IMHO you should use HARD settings for everything but Visual Targeting and Hud Display (set those to Normal) to start with. HARD isn't really that much harder and since Peter's FMs are designed for the Hard FM you will get the full benefits of those FMs. I've never found landing difficult with FE either. Perhaps its because stall characterists are still a bit "off"? Not sure about your question re: analog sticks. Years ago, I had some problems with Rowan's Battle of Britain. I replaced my analog with a digital, fixed the problems and I have been using digital since then. However, that doesn't mean an analog stick won't work and work well with FE.

 

 

Thanks Tailspin,

 

That is good information. i appreciate the post. I am going to work some this weekend to get that all setup.

 

Cheers - jg1234 :)