Leaderboard

Hello everyonem, My wfie and I are contiuning with our excellent health recover. Ther is onething I have been wondering about and that is DLL files. The reason why I am asking about DLL files editing / modding; SF2 is not maintained nor update for many years. It is modders that have been keeping it alive. I am in the wonderful community that have passions as I do for Jane's combat simulation series and weare modding it. Even though I am on break from SF modding, in order, to allow my eye recover, I was wondering if it is possible to edit one of ancient simulation file, such as Jane's Fighter Anthology .exe files, because of awesome active modding community. We honor the ethics by keeping mods free and sharing our hobbies, as we do in here combatace. So I was wondering how can exe be understood? Out of curiousity, I took a look at HEX editing and then used x32dbg diseassebly and realized that the codes coudl be read in an assemlby langauge. However, I am not that experienced nor famliar with it yet. At the same time, by using AI to interpret the codes (Whiel being well aware that AI is currenlty still flawed and alwasy give geneic responses, still now is good time to experiment with it, due to the rapid advancement of AI technologies.) However, there is one thing that came up as an idea; What if we could edit the codes in DLL files that allow us to have unlocked moddability of avionics, enabling Gs limiters, and something like that. But again, I am concdenred about it becauser I do not know what combatace community feels about it. This is precisely why I haven't touched DLL files yet. I want to ensure it is done in ethical ways. If we contiune on the very limited methods of modding (Only iini. editing and adding 3D models), then we are stuck with the same limitatino of moddings. The community is currently small. We want for communty to be alive and become bigger again, therefore is why I want to ask about it. There is no another simulations out there that did excellent jobs as Thirdwsire did with Strike Fighter 2, as well as Jane's combat series did, what they managed to create; - Low Fidelity simulation that is semi-realistic This means we do not worry bout 'study sim', but we are required to learn about the limitations and characters of each aircraft, weaopns, avionics, etc.. IT is not arcade like ace combat nor too hardcore like "Study sim" DCS. It is just golden balance. Even though SF2 is missing air to ground radar veatures in avionics aspect. - Moddiblity, SF2 in heart, is desigend to be most moddable sim out there, it would be wasted potiental if DLL wasn't studied to allow expanded modding in ethical ways. EDIT #1: I talked with oen of modders, he / she gave me an excellent ideas. What I understand is that historically, TK do not mind the modding, however as long his files wasn't shared. So the idea is to create the installer that would modify the DLL files and allow us to add an external files that would enable DLL to read? EDIT #2: I realized we also could use Wrapper DLL, it intercepts calls to the original DLL and modifies them as needed before passing them on. I would like to know what combatace feels about this. Eagle114th

But then, I'm also partial to the Brazilian Mirage III's

Thank you for posting your thoughts, and I can understand your frustration. It is perfectly normal to be skeptical and it is understandable. We all have been there. However, you will probably be quite surprised when I say this: There are still community that are still modding simulation that are even older than SF2, they are Jane's series simulatoin, as wel as IL-2 1946. Jane's Fighter Anthology came out in 1996, and IL-2 1946 came out after 2000 (Please correct me if I am wrong about the year IL-2 was first released). It is true that vast numbers of modders moved on or no longer are in this world. And yet, some of us still come back and start modding the old simulation again because, no matter what age we are, we stil miss the genius designs of these simulations. Now I think about it, I remembered the people saying "It's time to move on, we have to drop the old sims, no one is coming back" with the Jane's series sim and IL-2 1946, and yet they come back to it later on. About BMS and other simulation, regrettably I have to disagree with you due to this reasons: I am not fan of 'study' sim, that requires me tons of hours just to fly one aircraft. I am 'low fidelity" simulation guy that loves semi-realism / semi-complex sim like Jane's series simulation and Thirdwire SF2. There is no another sim like this, therefore I stick with Jane's series sim, IL-2 1946 (With complex engine management turned off), and SF2. If you know another sim that are like SF2 that is moddability and is low fideity, please let me know and I will happily check it out. I forgot to mention, Jane's series sim, Il-2 1946, and SF2 have captions and other features that are user-friendly for my sensory disabiliites. For now there is none after good sim that matches my desires and needs in the sim after searching for long times. The only one I can find that have potient to become like SF2 and that is TCA (Tiny Combat Arena). We will have to see how TCA develops through time. However, the life taught me one thing, life is filled with surprises, just like the community that still mods Jane's Fighter Anthology. My jaw was dropped and I did a small modding with them for sakes of nostaglic. Even though the community here is shrinking, it does not prevent us from having passions for SF2, despite how TK handled the community and his alcking of communication with us. This is why I want ot bring this up and see if anything comes out from it. It does not hurt to at least try. I have the hopes that this community always stay alive from now on to the future. I want to add one more thing, if this ideas do not come out as I hope it would, then I have no regert. It mean I would try again in the future until something greater eventualy appear. Cheers!

Lighten Up

Personally speaking, I certainly hope that SF2 can improve like BMS.

This line from the Vampire Wiki page caught my eye; In total 3,268 Vampires were built in 15 versions, including twin-seat night fighters, trainers and carrier-based Sea Vampires. The Vampire was used by 31 air forces. Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. were the only major Western powers not to use the aircraft. Well, let's put that right!!

That's right! I love this quote. This is very true especailly in my life experiences when going through many challenges. I always live by thiese quotes "Alwasy have hope", "Never give up", "have faith, even if thing seem not to work out." Thank you for the quote. Cheers!

Ten years ago... the ultimate TW update ! Updating the current avionics shouldn't be a disgrace given the time our community members spend supporting and improving this game from 20 years. P.

That is noted. I stil have the hopes in this and that the misunderstanding would be solved. It is understandable that they want to protect the ethical ways of doiing things and this is what we are dong and bring this up in an ethical way. However, thank you for the head up about what can happen. By the way, thank you for the supports in this, SF2 deserve to be given another chance to shine even brighter if we maange to mod the DLLs files, in order to allow us to add more features to it.

I want to add one more thing, if we are going to start looking into DLL files, we should create seperated theads that discuss about modifying each DLL files, such as avionics60.DLL, avioncis70.DLL, HUD.DLL, and any another DLL related to flighht model (like adding Gs limiters as an example), AI and etc... If we discuss about all DLLs in one thread, it would get quite chaotic.

Agreed wholeheartedly! Just to show what I see from x32dbg (Please note, there are x32dbg and x64dbg, if we want to look into 32 bit software, then we use x32dbg) when opening Avionics60.dll This could be hlepful to the modders when looking at DLL files.

I personally don't have an issue with it myself of course. Any fixing/adding stuff is always welcome.

brief flight for the hell of it. somehow wound up getting two gun kills on MiG-23MLAs (after 8 Falcon shot between me and my wingman to get the very first one)

For me, this is a good idea. I see that SF2 is already, rather, an abandonware. But now the moderators will wake up and they'll hit you on the hat with a hammer . And we will continue to play the outdated game by ethically way. Ones has tried many times to discuss editing dlls and it always ended like this.

Scissors! Scissors! Scissors!

too quiet in here. needs some MO pics

Excellent suggestions for DLL editing, theoretically (I use word "theoretically" for now until it DLL editing experiment is actualy start being done by modders here.) I want to add more as well! Every avionics that is available in SF2 should be expanded and be experienced immersively in SF2. For example, when flying variants of A-4s, right now, it feel like they all are almost the same except for perfomance and cockpit. Now imagine, if having computer / avionics that is actually installed in different variants of A-4s? For example, computer level bombing guidance for specific variants of A-4 that have it? CCRP in F-100s? Being able to do extra tasks when using ECM? Actually being able to take photo when using recon pod? A bit more challenging when using radar, such as ground clutter if diving toward ground? More realistic technical limitation and issues when using radar in certain situations. WIth that, each variants of aircraft and their avionics upgrades actually can be experienced more depths, immersive, and details differently.

Haha, to me, it can be said that it is almost all, BMS has improved a game produced around the millennium (like those novalogic classic) into a modern game close to DCS. For SF2, what I hope for is as you said before, some new features. The BMS project itself is Falcon 4.0, which has opened up its original code on a large scale, and programmers and retired pilots in the entire community have passionately participated in the development.

Ah i see, that is noted. My apologize for misunderstanidng. That is a good point. I agree with this. Same thing happened with Il-2 1946 that became IL-2 1946 B.A.T.S. If you don't mind me asking, I like to learn new thing severyday; What is the biggest leap or changes from Falcon 4.0 to BMS?

I apologize for the skepticism, but in my opinion, it’s too late to try to pull the SF2 game out of the river of oblivion Lethe, because those who were full of enthusiasm to program something have already died of old age. I remember the times when there were programmers here who, among other things, offered reverse engineering. Now no one will seriously engage in this, because the average age of the player is 50+. It was necessary to give us as a gift the game game in 2015-2016. Then this game would be better than Falcon BMS. And now... So.. Oldmans, lets fly with what we have. PS but if you want and you feel the strength to fight against the system and Peace, order, and good government try to do.

I am glad you bought this up, this is what we, combatace modders, intend to do: - Do this in ethical and non-commerical ways, combatace always stand on being free mods. This is why I love combatace, we always share the mods freely. - While we find a way to either ehtically share modified DLL files only or create installer / DLL wrapper that would modify the DLL and have it read an external modder created files, it still honor the most important condition: it requires a legal copy of SF2, therefore honoring the copyright. This is ilke situation with SAS 1946 and another communiteis that goes deep into core of IL-2 1946 engine, they stil require people to have a legal copy of IL-2 1946, in order, to run the mega mod packs such as B.A.T.S as an example. They respect the copyright of IL-2 1946 / properities. Thank you for bring this up, in order, to ensure we do not forget to respect the properities of TK simulation.

hope never dies

de Havilland F-74A Vampire - 44th Aggressor Fighter Squadron, Ash Fork AFB, North Arizona, 1952 In the opening weeks of the Korean War in 1950 the various UN air forces encountered a wide range of North Korean aircraft and the rather pedestrian looking Yak-17 (later codenamed 'Feather') was an early surprise being tough, agile and available in large numbers. Despite its modest speed the lightweight Yak-17 could turn on the proverbial sixpence and the heavily laden UN piston-enginned fighter-bombers soon fell prey to its twin 23mm cannon armament. Of course, even more of a shock was the MiG-15 and the USAF soon became increasingly concerned at the steadily worsening kill to loss ratio. Whilst better equipment was on its way, most notably in the shape of the superb F-86A Sabre, visionaries within the USAF quickly realised that better training and tactics were also required. Led by Colonel Irwin J. Reinhard, 'Project Gunsight' was quickly created to provide air combat training and tactics for USAF fighter pilots and an important aspect was dissimilar air combat training as most USAF fighter-jocks learned by training against their own aircraft type or by the occasional 'bounce' against (or by) another USAF aircraft type. Project Gunsight was formed at Ash Fork AFB in Northern Arizona and whilst, initially at least, nothing could effectively simulate the MiG-15 Reinhard reckoned that the British de Havilland Vampire would make an ideal Yak-17 simulator. Accordingly, 12 ex-RAF Vampire aircraft were quickly dispatched to Ash Fork to form the 44th (Aggressor) Fighter Squadron in February 1951 and these were used until November 1952 when it became apparent that the numbers of Yak-17's being encountered had dwindled to zero. However, the F-74A remained a popular 'check ride' aircraft at Ash Fork for a few years after its operational role had ended. The circle is complete. The student is now the master...

View File Echoes Across the States: KC-135E Stratotanker's First 15 Years Echoes Across the States: KC-135E Stratotanker's First 15 Years This skinpack is a remod of the TMF KC-135E done years ago. While utilizing the same model, it now features a greatly improved texture set, ini performance enhancements and each of the skins is researched to be as accurate as is possible with current knowledge. Included * two KC-135E versions, (82) and (92) sixty (yes 60!) skins between the two versions. most Shamu based skins also feature nose arts Cockpit and ini edits to make player flyable drogue "weapon", addable in the loadout screens Required a legal functioning install of any SF2 version Installation unzip this mod, then install new mod folder categories to your mod folder (Aircraft to aircraft etc) allow overwrites fire up game, take off and go pass gas Known Issues -This is meant as eye candy. unfortunately, SF2 doesnt support air to air refueling so the best to be done is set up a recon mission and then park it in an orbit. - Also, the C-130 cockpit is not too accurate. it is included mainly so that it can be player selected (i had to test it somehow). remember that there is no air to air refueling in game, so these are more eye candy than operational birds - dont manuever aggressively. aggressive manuvering will cause a deep stall. its a huge pain to recover from as a player (firewall the throttle, set flaps to landing, yank stick back and hold). any AI wingmen wont make it trying to follow you *Wagner CD not included Credits BPAO (Olivier Anguille, RIP) - original model Dave- head of original released original project Dels- C-130 cockpit guruu- E8engine sound for the TF33s yakarov79- drogue basket model, original skin templates PeacePuma- research assist, tga work on FACH skin Menrva- data ini edits(mainly collision boxes) Wrench- tech advice, approval master extrodinaire daddyairplanes- research, ini edits, texture and tga work, new additions to templates TK- the overall game in all its modability ************************************************************* This is freeware; it CANNOT be distributed unless permissions are granted by myself. The original readmes, if any, and all other pieces of the package MUST remain intact. The names of all contributors, modders, suppliers, etc =MUST= be listed in any new readmes. This package and any part of it may NOT in any way, shape, or form be used in any payware additions. See the original readme documentation, if any, for further allowances and restrictions Any persons wishing to make further modifications, contact me first. Any persons wishing to make further modifications MUST remember to put everyone's name in it. ************************************************************* THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEBSITE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION, OR USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN THIRDWIRE FLIGHT SIMULATORS, AND MUST NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE BY ITSELF OR WITH ANY OTHER FILES OR MODS. ************************************************************* Submitter daddyairplanes Submitted 10/12/2023 Category Other  

View File Improved Dassault Rafale C3 Hello and thank you for downloading my work. https://gkabs.net https://gulfknights.net What's included: Dassault Rafale C3 with Qatar texture. improvement on the Beta in 3ds Max by me: I fixed the cockpit to almost the correct size. New Pilot with modern French helmet New Rafale MK16 ejection seat added pilot ladder and engine cover and remove before flight tags Added miner addon to the model and fixed some model miner 3ds model imperfections ejected and added the hitboxes New Qatar texture and decales. All my files should include the Strike Fighters 2 Series game file (.LOD) and the texture required. (tested and work only for SF2) Installation: Copy files to their proper folder //Please add to Soundlist (If you don't have the WAV sound added) under the Flight directory Shift+1 Open the pilot canopy and deploy the ladder Shift+2 Deploy Damocles Intake sensor on/off Shift+3 Remove Before Flight tags If you need any further help, please read the Knowledge Base at: https://combatace.com/forums/forum/268-thirdwire-strike-fighters-2-series-knowledge-base/ Virgin 1.0 LICENSE: You are allowed to use this model and everything included for personal non-profit use for Strike Fighters 1 and 2. You need to contact me for permission for use outside of this scope. gkabs@gkabs.net Credit goes to the following: Compufat for working on the texture, Decals, and testing the model. Coupi for fixing hitboxes and testing Pilots: GKABS (3D models) and Ludo.m54 (texture) JAT (JAT81500) for making this beautiful Rafale model ravenclaw_007 for sending me the 3ds Max file (Big thank you) Original Beta credit form JAT81500 readme file: Export Rafale Mod "3D model: Heberth/CadeteBRA, aleks, 76.IAP-Blackbird, ravenclaw_007, JAT. Templates: ravenclaw_007, JAT. Cockpit: Gux, Marcfighter, Heberth, ravenclaw_007, JAT. Legs skin: Centurion-1. pilots: Amokfloo, JAT. Weapons: ravenclaw_007, JAT. Seat: aleks. Loadout tga: JAT. Skins: ravenclaw_007, JAT. Decals: Many modders!!!, JAT. Hangar and loading screens: JAT. Special advisor: peyo." Finally not to forget the wonderful site of https://combatace.com and all the nice members and their dedicated support for this game. Software used: 3d Max 2009 UVLayout v2 Pro Substance Painter Adobe Photoshop Mixamo If you need any assistance please get in touch with me at gkabs@gkabs.net gulfknights.net Submitter GKABS Submitted 10/09/2023 Category Rafale  

Well.... You remembered games with a long history, culture and traditions of making modifications that go back centuries. Moreover, serious parts of the game affecting the engine were immediately modified. Just don’t take my words as me dissuading you. If you make new DLLs, I will happily download them and thank you. I myself once wanted to deal with the repacker and DLL. But at that time no one was interested in this. SF2 Great game. One of my favorites. I will even ask to make the line “here lies a SF2 player, devoted and played every day” on the stone of my crypt, and future generations of archaeologists will try figure out what this inscription means.

For the 'front line' that really is quite late isn't it?

and here i thought you'd go the easy route, with the 86th Fighter Wing in Germany scrambling to reequip with jets during the Berlin Airlift (in RL they flew F-47Ds until 1950)

I am a modern scripts enjoyer, and I would like to add some more to this, lol - JHMCS/HMD ,this is almost a must for most fourth/fifth generation fighters, especially the F35, which has even removed the HUD . We can rely on the HMD to do a lot of very interesting things when fighting. It would be cool, and it would be very convenient to find targets when you have the data link. - Datalink ,we all know that in SF2NA, when conducting naval campaigns/missions, there will be an AWACS hovering in the sky, although they are more like the atmosphere group in a nightclub,it will only answer our inquiries mechanically and provide inaccurate information. I think this is more of a design that enhances the immersion.If we have a data link, AWACS will become very useful. For example, hollow icons on the radar represent targets in the radar blind spot, and these targets can be displayed when there are early warning aircraft in the sky. - Horizontal Situation Display/Tactical Awareness Display, needless to say, the MFD has an optional display mode that can read almost all battlefield situation information.

Hey, I think you're a little misunderstood on this one. What I mean is that it is not necessary to simulate like DCS or BMS, but to see how they evolved from the original Falcon4.0 to F4 BMS.

I agreed with you! It is like you said, there are huge passions that the communty have poured into SF1 and SF2 for many years and is still modding it to this very day. As I have stated before and will state it again, SF2 deserves to be given another chance of being expanded further with moddability.

Just chiming in... If you go that direction, there are two ways to distribute this kind of mods that won't go against TK's intellectual rights : - Distribute replacement DLL/EXE using only new code. (What OpenTTD is to Transport Tycoon Deluxe, even though the "new" code on early versions was questionnable) - Distribute a patcher and patches. (What TTDPatch was to Transport Tycoon Deluxe) The reverse engineering is, in most jurisdictions, not illegal, so long as what you're reverse engineering has been obtained legally, and you're not illegally redistributing what you obtained from it. Then there is the contractual issues, by installing SF2 we agree to a long forgotten EULA, does that EULA prevent reverse-engineering ? Is that EULA legally enforceable ? Is TK still willing to defend it ? Mods tend to frown upon it because allowing it would open a can of worm, with many people not understand what they can and can't do, exposing the site to legal consequences for facilitating it. I don't agree with the heavy handed approach at times on these topics but I completely understand why as it could turn into a shitshow extremely fast.

That would be interesting, and I would like to add my persepctive here. I lvoe discussing something like this! I would ike your thoguhts on this: I believe it would be great if we could add more features to it while keeping it in the scope of being 'low fidelity' with semi-complex / semi reallism to it. For eample, what I believe is truy needed for SF2: - Gs limiter (FInaly no more going over 10 or even 12= Gs or over -4 Gs, even for AI - More details / depths in air to ground targets radar operation (We need air to ground lockable targets and other features, thhat is as details, if not more detailed than Air to Air radar. However, keep in mind, we do not want to turn this into DCS "Study sim' with millin butotns, BUT we can stay in between where SF2 iis now and add a bit more spices to it. :) - moveable / controlable FLIR / TV in MDF -> this have been very needed for a long time! - no more gunsight / CCIP going beyond glass panel / HUD - More to list

Interesting "story" and atristic pictures as usual. Thanks.

Personally you need a good stick, preferably a new one. But if it works then it works. I got a spare joystick since I don't use the Warthog (Thrustmaster Hotas One).

i found the problem , in the warthog stick base i found a brocken wire ; looks like somebody cut it , so i soldered the wire and put a shrink tubing above the soldering the computer is recognizing the joystick and all buttons and switches are working on the game controller settings , but if i start the game not only the joystick is not working also the rudder and the throttle is no longer working after removing the joystick rudder and throttle is working again what i´m missing

done monkeying around. E models are uploaded and waiting approval for everyone thats been waiting on the Numbah One Buzzards... anywho, enjoy when it actually goes live......

meanwhile, this one is up and waiting approval....

one more update

Excellent job!

Aerodrom Beaumont le Roger. (WIP) The placement of the parking planes is not correct. It will come later. Okay the Rafale does not fit in the timeframe of the terrain. But i think GKABS made a very good job with this bird.

New PLAAF wings in high flight...

I can relate to that: https://combatace.com/forums/topic/93840-strike-fighters-2-meets-flightgear/ I'm still working on and off on this project/experiment: currently working an a script that automatically converts SF2 flight models into the FlighGear (JSBSim) flight models.

I'm a core contributor to FlightGear, responsible for the the F-15, F-14 in FlightGear, have made aero models for the Mirage2000, Tornado F2, SupermarineSwift and a member of OPRF (opredflag) which is the biggest FlightGear military community. OPRF aircraft can damage each other, we have automated enemy aircraft, SAMS and we have work in progress that will hopefully one day allow a full combat scenario. I've also got experience building computational aerodynamics models for FG using the excellent OpenVSP http://chateau-logic.com/content/using-vspaero-generate-aerodynamic-model-jsbsim-flightgear and https://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=30832 http://zaretto.com/f-14 http://zaretto.com/f-15 http://zaretto.com/a320 http://zaretto.com/Panavia-Tornado https://github.com/Zaretto/fg-aircraft https://github.com/Zaretto/Supermarine-Swift https://github.com/Zaretto/Aircraft/tree/master/Mirage-2000 http://chateau-logic.com/content/emesary-nasal-implementation-flightgear http://chateau-logic.com/content/deferred-rendering-rembrandt-performance http://chateau-logic.com/content/flightgear-using-canvas-3d-instrument I'm posting here to state my interest in assisting with anything FlightGear military related; and I can also provide assistance on "how things work" In FG.

Minor update: -Creation of a generic prop taildragger flight model. It really doesn't resemble a P-51D! -Animation of (primary) control surfaces -Animation of gauges (although some gauges need some tuning) -Animation of the propeller Test flight video: This can be achieved *without* patching FlightGear. I only had to add the LOD file loader plugin DLL to the plugin directory. However for the planned support of the LOD keyframe animations (landing gear, ...), FlightGear must be patched. If anyone wants to know, how the configuration files in FlightGear look like: p-51d-model.xml contains the control surface and propeller animations. In SF2 that data is in the <aircraft>_data.ini. vc.xml contains the gauge animations. In SF2 that data is in the <aircraft>_cockpit.ini. My todo list for the SF2-FG project: -Re-creation of the SF2 systems and flight model -Support of keyframe animations -Gunsight -Weapons -Decal support -Normal and specular map support