One more question...

[amariani 4,951]

Any reason why some decals show in the .lod viewer but not in game?

[+dtmdragon 2,715]

There is a maximum number of decals per node but I'm not sure what it is. Also there is some weird things when it comes to decals. For instance changing the order of the decals in the decal.ini file can make them suddenly appear when they didn't before. On the standard TW F-8 the BU numbers added to the vertical stab show up fine but on the DLC F-8K they suddenly don't but when I moved them to the front of the decal.ini list they did. Go figure 🤷

[Blade 354]

Could you share more details and post the decals.ini?

It could be a typo in the decals.ini which the lod viewer can overcome (but the game cannot) or an alias.lst interference (if it is a stock decal).

Or you simply reached the number of decals per node (as dtmdragon mentioned). You can have a maximum of 4 decals per node.

[+daddyairplanes 10,519]

15 hours ago, amariani said:

Any reason why some decals show in the .lod viewer but not in game?

check the RLE compression. if you dont uncheck the box in GIMP it keeps it. does exactly what youre talking about (dont recall how to address this in PS)

quickest way to diagnose is file size; if its stupidly small (single or small double digit kb) then RLE compression is probably on

 

 

Edited December 15 by daddyairplanes
realized side comment was on wrong post

[amariani 4,951]

Here's the deal:

Same decal.ini. The VF-114 is in the F-14A, the VF-143 is in the F-14A_77. Markings on the F-14A appear as they should. On the F-14A_77 the fuselage stripes are missing.

Already checked compression, mesh names, all that. Still nothing.

[amariani 4,951]

14 hours ago, Blade said:

Could you share more details and post the decals.ini?

It could be a typo in the decals.ini which the lod viewer can overcome (but the game cannot) or an alias.lst interference (if it is a stock decal).

Or you simply reached the number of decals per node (as dtmdragon mentioned). You can have a maximum of 4 decals per node.

It's just the stock decal.ini from USNGREY1 on the F-14A_77 with the following entries added:

[Decal034]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQFuselage
Position=4.15,-0.05
Rotation=0.0
Scale=8.0
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal035]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQFuselage
Position=4.15,-0.05
Rotation=0.0
Reverse=TRUE
Scale=8.0
DecalMaxLOD=3
 

[+daddyairplanes 10,519]

how many entries total? i wonder if Decal035 is entered another time with another filename entered

also try playing with the decalmaxlod. not a hard set solution, but sometimes works for me

----------------------------------

just tried out the same skin in a vanila install of mine, and i have no stripe either. so are you sure it has one stock?

[+Cliff7600 1,161]

Hello

I would set "DecalLevel=0"

Otherwise it has to refer to the squadron list and the decal name (F14ASQFuselage) have to match the number of the squadron (there must be a F14AASQFuselagexxx decal for the VF-143 squadron with the xxx number in the squadron.ini list (IIR)

Also the "FilenameFormat=" line must indicate where the decal is. As it is the decal is in the decals folder or it's a stock decal.
If it's a new decal it has to be in a folder like "F-14A/VF143/stripes" or something like that (I guess you already know)

Edited December 16 by Cliff7600

[PeacePuma 573]

On 15-12-2024 at 2:43 AM, Blade said:

Could you share more details and post the decals.ini?

It could be a typo in the decals.ini which the lod viewer can overcome (but the game cannot) or an alias.lst interference (if it is a stock decal).

Or you simply reached the number of decals per node (as dtmdragon mentioned). You can have a maximum of 4 decals per node.

I put this in case someone is useful, in the F-16 team viper I can put 7 decals to get to that detail in the same mesh: 4 on the left side and 3 on the right side .... I guess the round number would be 8 per mesh.

[+daddyairplanes 10,519]

you sure the front three arent all one?

cause theres plenty of iterations of that marking set for Vipers thats just one whole set (begging my other question of why they are 3 seperate?)

[amariani 4,951]

Thanks for the replies.  Like I mentioned in one of my previous post, the same decal.ini works fine with the F-14A.  It's when I use it in the F-14A_77 that it doesn't work properly for some reason.

[+Gepard 11,565]

Some decals are connected with the squadrons. IIRC the fuselage stripe of the F-14s is such a decale. You should check, if there is such a strip for VF-143 available. Search in the cat files.

[+daddyairplanes 10,519]

i dont think stock Pukin Dogs has that stripe

front is F-14A, back is F-14A(77). in my very vanilla install

[amariani 4,951]

On 12/18/2024 at 2:37 PM, daddyairplanes said:

i dont think stock Pukin Dogs has that stripe

front is F-14A, back is F-14A(77). in my very vanilla install

I made both the VF-114 and VF-143 decals.

[+daddyairplanes 10,519]

ok, if you made them then were back to  a modder ini/tga issue

would you mind posting the whole decal ini?

also if the two entries you posted above are it, then its gonna call the stock stickers, not the ones you made

[+Cliff7600 1,161]

16 minutes ago, daddyairplanes said:

then its gonna call the stock stickers, not the ones you made

I don't want to answer for Amariani, but if the names of the home made decals are the same as the stock ones and if they're placed in the decals folder it will work. I did it for insignia and finflash decals.

Another thing is the decals are showing in the LOD viewer, it's the start of the thread. The LOD viewer finds them and places them, but not the game (as far as I understood the issue).

[+daddyairplanes 10,519]

1 hour ago, Cliff7600 said:

I don't want to answer for Amariani, but if the names of the home made decals are the same as the stock ones and if they're placed in the decals folder it will work. I did it for insignia and finflash decals.

should work. any time you do a modded decal thats based on the stock stuff, its more likely to go wonky. if im doing modded decals, im going all the way in a decal folder and not using any native resources (decal wise)

but also youd have to place it in the main "Decals" folder for that to work. rather messy way of doing business (although as you said it would then work)

[amariani 4,951]

Here's the decal.ini. Again, it works with F-14A but not with F-14A_77 (it's the exact same for both).  Only the two last entries were added to the stock .ini from USNGREY1:

// fuselage stripes
[Decal001]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQFuse
Position=4.39,0.45
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.85
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal002]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
Reverse=TRUE
FilenameFormat=F14ASQFuse
Position=4.39,0.45
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.85
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal003]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=InsigniaFuseR
Position=4.57,0.25
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal004]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=InsigniaFuseL
Position=4.57,0.25
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal005]
MeshName=wing_L
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=TOP
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingL
Position=-4.03,-4.95
Rotation=60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal006]
MeshName=wing_R
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=BOTTOM
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingL
Position= 4.03,-4.95
Rotation=60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal007]
MeshName=wing_L
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=BOTTOM
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingR
Position=-4.03,-4.95
Rotation=-60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal008]
MeshName=wing_R
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=TOP
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingR
Position= 4.03,-4.95
Rotation=-60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal009]
MeshName=wing_outer_L
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=TOP
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingL
Position=-4.03,-4.95
Rotation=60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal010]
MeshName=wing_outer_R
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=BOTTOM
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingL
Position= 4.03,-4.95
Rotation=60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal011]
MeshName=wing_outer_L
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=BOTTOM
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingR
Position=-4.03,-4.95
Rotation=-60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal012]
MeshName=wing_outer_R
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=TOP
FilenameFormat=InsigniaWingR
Position= 4.03,-4.95
Rotation=-60.0
Scale=1.50
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal013]
MeshName=fuselage_underside_L
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=NationName
Position=-4.87,-0.41
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.20
DecalMaxLOD=2

[Decal014]
MeshName=fuselage_underside_R
DecalLevel=0
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=NationName
Position=-4.87,-0.41
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.20
DecalMaxLOD=2

// left vertical tail outside
[Decal015]
MeshName=vertical_stabilizer_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailOL
Position=-7.05,2.012
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

[Decal016]
MeshName=rudder_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailOL
Position=-7.05,2.012
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

// right vertical tail outside
[Decal017]
MeshName=vertical_stabilizer_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailOR
Position=-7.05,2.012
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

[Decal018]
MeshName=rudder_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailOR
Position=-7.05,2.012
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

[Decal019]
MeshName=vertical_stabilizer_flange_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQVent
Position=-7.831,0.749
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1
DecalMaxLOD=3

// left vertical tail inside
[Decal020]
MeshName=vertical_stabilizer_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailIL
Position=-7.05,2.014
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

[Decal021]
MeshName=rudder_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailIL
Position=-7.05,2.014
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

[Decal022]
MeshName=vertical_stabilizer_flange_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQVent
Position=-7.831,0.749
Rotation=0.0
Scale=3
DecalMaxLOD=3

// right vertical tail inside
[Decal023]
MeshName=vertical_stabilizer_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailIR
Position=-7.05,2.014
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

[Decal024]
MeshName=rudder_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQTailIR
Position=-7.05,2.012
Rotation=0.0
Scale=4.8
DecalMaxLOD=4

// ventral tail fins
[Decal025]
MeshName=ventral_fin_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=SqName
Position=-4.80,-0.96
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.3
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal026]
MeshName=ventral_fin_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=SqName
Position=-4.80,-0.96
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.3
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal027]
MeshName=ventral_fin_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQVenL
Position=-5.60,-0.864
Rotation=0.0
Scale=2.95
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal028]
MeshName=ventral_fin_R
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQVenR
Position=-5.60,-0.864
Rotation=0.0
Scale=2.95
DecalMaxLOD=3

// usn fighter numbers
[Decal029]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=2
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=USNFighterNum
Position=7.087,0.384
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.1
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal030]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=2
DecalFacing=RIGHT
FilenameFormat=USNFighterNum
Position=7.087,0.384
Rotation=0.0
Scale=1.1
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal031]
MeshName=flaps_L
DecalLevel=2
DecalFacing=TOP
FilenameFormat=USNFighterNum
Position=-2.801,-5.274
Rotation=51.9
Scale=.95
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal032]
MeshName=flaps_R
DecalLevel=2
DecalFacing=TOP
FilenameFormat=USNFighterNum
Position=2.801,-5.274
Rotation=-51.9
Scale=.95
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal033]
MeshName=ventral_fin_scoop_L
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQVenV
Position=-5.50,-0.91
Rotation=0
Scale=1.0
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal034]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=LEFT
FilenameFormat=F14ASQSTRIPE
Position=4.15,-0.05
Rotation=0.0
Scale=8.0
DecalMaxLOD=3

[Decal035]
MeshName=Fuselage_Front
DecalLevel=1
DecalFacing=RIGHT
Reverse=TRUE
FilenameFormat=F14ASQSTRIPE
Position=4.15,-0.05
Rotation=0.0
Scale=8.0
DecalMaxLOD=3
 

[+Cliff7600 1,161]

To test what's happening :

You could replace the decals 029 and 030 entries (USNFighterNum) by the decals 034 and 035 (renaming them 029 and 030) and see if the stripes show in game.
If yes, there's too many decals for the same "Fuselage_Front" mesh / If no, it's another issue.

Your modded decals "F14ASQSTRIPE" has a number in its name ? to match with the VF-143 squadron entries in the squadronlist.ini.
I really think it should have a number (like "Insignia025" tga is for Japan as a nation) to be selected by the squadron settings as VF-143.

Just ideas...

[amariani 4,951]

42 minutes ago, Cliff7600 said:

To test what's happening :

You could replace the decals 029 and 030 entries (USNFighterNum) by the decals 034 and 035 (renaming them 029 and 030) and see if the stripes show in game.
If yes, there's too many decals for the same "Fuselage_Front" mesh / If no, it's another issue.

Your modded decals "F14ASQSTRIPE" has a number in its name ? to match with the VF-143 squadron entries in the squadronlist.ini.
I really think it should have a number (like "Insignia025" tga is for Japan as a nation) to be selected by the squadron settings as VF-143.

Just ideas...

Only four decals per mesh.  Squadron sequence number is "Squadron142" per the stock squadronlist.ini, which is what I'm using.

Again, the same decal.ini works just fine in the F-14A (VF-114) but not on the F-14A_77 (VF-143).

[+Cliff7600 1,161]

8 hours ago, amariani said:

the same decal.ini works just fine in the F-14A (VF-114) but not on the F-14A_77 (VF-143)

then, still as a test, make the VF-114 decals show on the F-14A_77 model and the VF-143 decals show on the F-14A model.
It may reveal if the issue is the decals setting or the 3D model.

8 hours ago, amariani said:

Only four decals per mesh

It depends if you count the different decals used or if you count the entries that applies on the same mesh.
I count 8 entries for the "Fuselage_Front" mesh.

[+yakarov79 11,220]

as a side note, the number of decals per mesh decreases by one if you have assigned specular maps in the 3d model and another one for bumps.

[+EricJ 4,291]

10 hours ago, Cliff7600 said:

then, still as a test, make the VF-114 decals show on the F-14A_77 model and the VF-143 decals show on the F-14A model.
It may reveal if the issue is the decals setting or the 3D model.

 

That's been my opinion the whole time this discussion has been going on. I think the model is shit, and amariani is doing things right, just that the model is borked. SF2NA hasn't been total quality since it came out.