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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.

From Veltro2K's Cargo Planes... All FM ini files are mostly the same... All credits to the original creators in the original readme (below)...I just polished it... v.1.0 New\Updated 4096x skins, Actual Decals & B52 Cockpit... Added 1920x Hangar, Loading & Loadout Screens... Actual Serial Numbers, Randomized... New sounds... v.1.1 Converted Command Wing emblems to lo-viz as pointed out by daddyairplanes - Thanks! Original skins with color emblems are optional in the "Extra" Folder... Fixed the wingtip NAV light positions... Reduced the size of the US AIR FORCE markings Moved the side door and emblems... Fixed loadout - has Jeeps and Pallets in the cargo hold... Used one tail decal from daddyairplanes Euro C-5A Galaxy (for his ecellent work see below)... * Please note - The INI files may be different, so you will get the INI files from the last pack you install. v.1.2 Added White over Gray MAC C-5A... Converted some skin markings to decals... ------------------------------------------------------------- Installation: ------------------------------------------------------------- >>> Please backup and delete in your mod folders: "C-5A" in \Objects\Aircraft and \Objects\Decals folders...or don't know what will happen... Copy the contents of the uncompressed "To_Mod_Folder" folder into your Saved Game mod folder. Overwrite any conflicts... Enjoy! Viper 01/18/2019 ------------------------------------------------------------- Original Readmes: ------------------------------------------------------------- SF2 USAF/NATO/Western Cargo Planes by Veltro2K 3/20/2013 -For SF2, Any and All- This is a re-release of these aircraft, as some have stated a desire to have them again. This pak includes all my reskins, decals, ini tweeks from the various "upgrade paks" I'd released before the aircraft were disappeared. This pak contains =ONLY= those aircraft used by the USAF, our Allies and other NATO powers. The Soviet/Warsaw Pact transports are someplace else.... Included in this pack are: C-141A Starlifer C-141B Starlifter C-5A Galaxy C-17 Globemaster III G-222 Spartan (called such in USAF service) Some may be more complete than others, with regards to decals and such. Some are fairly 'untouched', and will need further decaling, etc. Some hangar and loading screens are NOT in SF2 format, and will need redoing (meaning: I never got around to them!). All the original readmes from the Upgrade Paks (I could find!) are included within this main folder. I'd reccomend reading them, just for fun! Skin and some decal templates (again, when I could find them!) are included. The decal template is for the "ttag" decal, that is for USAF AMC usage. This pak is quite large, as the skins remain in their bmp format. You can convert to jpg at you convience. As always, fairly easy to follow, yet detailed install instructions are included. PLEASE read them!!! PLEASE read the "Notes" section for other important notations. Also, the Legal Statement has been changed with regards to this aircraft. For those that still have the original releases, you may not need to reapply this package. But, to be safe, PLEASE check over your aircraft to be sure. Thank You :). **These aircraft herein are released in "AS IS" Condition. There are/may be some issues with the LOD that may not/cannot be resolved. Period. Any and all issues/problems that cannot be solved via ini edits will exist forever, as new models are unlikely to be created. For now.** ------------------------------------------------ =TO INSTALL: As I always reccomend, unzip the "sf2_veltro2k_cargoplanes_pak.zip" to a temp folder or your desktop or somewhere else that's easy to find Then, simply, copy/paste the Objects folder supplied directly =OVER= your existing /Objects folder. Copy/Paste the supplied Sounds folder directly OVER your existing /Sounds folder You'll probably be asked "OVERWRITE?", just say Yes. I've already seperated out the various folders (Aircraft, Decals, etc), so they'll drop right where they're supposed to be. ---------------------------- Notes: Again, as these are considered "heavies", they are best left under AI control, even though they all have cockpits. What can be done with them, I've not too many clues...however, with the SF2 mission builder, they can be inserted into campaigns, single missions and a host of other opportunities that present themselves. Use you imagination. If there is a HUGE hugh and cry, perhaps I can be moved to locate all the Soviet transports Veltro did....if I can find where I put them! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Credits: Veltro2K for the aircraft me for varioius and sundry other stuff StephanP for the C-17 chaff/flare tweek Dels, iirc, for the c130 engine sound Sources: see the enclosed original readmes seriously --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any problems, questions, comments, I can be reached in the usual places; CombatAce, SimHQ, or via the email addy below. Happy Hunting! Wrench Kevin Stein kjstein@ca.rr.com -------------------------------------------- Legal BS: This is freeware, with limited/controled re-release; it CANNOT be redistrubuted, or posted on other sites even if the original readmes and all other pieces of the package remain intact. The names of all contributors, modders, suppliers, etc =MUST= be listed in any new readmes. This package may NOT in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions. Bribes are accepted; ask for the day's going rates... ------------------------------------------- SF2 Upgrade Pack For Western Transports, Airliners and AWACs by Veltro2K 6/1/2018 = For SF2, Any/All (Full 5 Merged RECCOMENDED!) = This is a remod pack for Veltro2k's Western/NATO Transport, Airliner and AWAC aircraft. This package =ONLY= contains the data inis for the aircraft listed below. You will still need to locate the original aircraft. It is highly suggested (read: REQUIRED) that you have SF2NA as part of your merged installs, as several of these reference the stock 3W Tu-95 Bear destroyed model. Some reference the stock 3W An-12, Tu-16 or B-52D (SF2V) destroyed models as well. Flight Models remain "as issued"; they've not been touched by me. All New Data Inis Included in this pack are for: C-5A Galaxy C-17 Globemaster II C-141A Starlifter C-141B Starlifter G-222/C-27 Spartan E-767 KC-767 (KC-46) Nimrod MR.1 (RAF ASW/Martime Patrol) Br.1150 Atlantique (ASW/Martime Patrol) PB-1W Navy Fortress (USN 1940s/50s AEW - B-17) DC-8 * B-747 Pan Am"Jumbo Jet" *The DC-8 mods are for the package by Daddyairplanes* All aircraft have had their data inis reworked to correct, add, move, remove or generally "fix" all the hit boxes, relocate components (ie: fuel tanks, as best as possible inside the airframe) and in general clean up many things that simply escaped notice. The exception here is the Pan Am 747, which gets a partly repainted skin, with all new 100% accurate civil registration number decals (18) AND their matching "Clipper" names. Decal Randomization is "TRUE". The 747 and DC-8s also get an avionics upgrade (GM radar). Some sounds are included; you may have them alread, or not; but I like "to be sure". Please note, some of these aircraft may NOT be in the SF2 downloads section; one will need to Search the SF1/Wo* (1stGen) downloads. Equally important, is to HAVE the aircraft installed =BEFORE= installing this Upgrade Pack. Kinda makes sense, right? <gr> As is always reccomended, unzip to a temp folder or your desktop to give easy access to the rest of this readme for it's install instructions. Happy Landings! Wrench Kevin Stein ========== To Install: Another reminder: ****HAVE THE AIRCRAFT INSTALLED TO YOUR SF2 MODS FOLDER OF CHOICE =BEFORE= INTALLING THE UPDATE/UPGRADE PACKAGE.**** As always reccomended, unzip the "sf2_v2k_western_heavies_upgrade_pak" to a temp folder or your desktop or somewhere that's easy to find. Copy/Paste the /Objects folder DIRECTLY into the SF2 game install of choice's /Objects folder. It's already divided into the /Aircraft and /Decals sub-folders. You'll asked to "Overwrite?" , just say yes. It'll change nothing. Copy/Paste the included /Sounds folder DIRECTLY over you existing Sounds folder. Allow the "Overwrite". I've included sounds you may already have, but wanted to be sure that (nearly) everything was available to the End User (tm). That should cover it, go fly! ----------------------------- Credits: Veltro2k for the aircraft themselves MUE for the Lod viewer Me, for taking on the job. TMF for the destroyed 707, used with the DC-8s Sources: see original readmes ------------ Other Notes and Nonsense: Included are the original Data inis, already backed up, in case you End Users (tm) don't appriciate all the hard work that goes into creating, giving, and keeping up the Mods we do. Remember, these mostly exist for "Eye Candy" and Targets (tm), but I felt it was well worth the effort to try and correct the hit boxes. Also, remember they're really not to be Player Usable, even with cockpit, as the Game Engine has no coding for their proper usage. But, have fun anyway! A note about the destroyed model usage: While not 100%, we work with what we have, after all, it's just a burning, dead wreck on the ground. If a 3d Modeler (tm) wants to build crashed birds; go for it, I says! I know the "Clipper **" name decals are in the wrong font, but after spending an hour and half trying to FIND the correct one, just chose to use one of my script fonts. Deal with it <g>. At present, there are NO plans whatsoever to update the individual aircraft packages. End Users are on their own to locate the aircraft in the CombatAce downloads sections and apply this fix-it pack. --------------------------- If you have any problems, questions, comments, I can be reached in the usual places; CombatAce, SimHQ, or p0rn sites. Happy Hunting! Wrench Kevin Stein -------------------------------------------- Legal BS: All the aicraft herein remain the intellectual property of their respective Manufactures, Design Bureaus and Veltro2k This is freeware, it =CAN= be redistrubuted, or but =NOT= posted on other sites even if the original readmes and all other pieces of the package remain intact. The names of all contributors, modders, suppliers, etc =MUST= be listed in any new readmes. This package may =NOT= in any way, shape or form be used in any payware additions. Bribes are accepted; ask for the day's going rates... ------------------------------------------- ==========