FastCargo

This has been discussed elsewhere: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?showtopic=20246 FastCargo

Actually, this is technically not true. I found out recently you can in fact have more than 6 groupings...however, only 6 will be accessible from the loadout screen. Which can make things interesting if you have entries in the loadout.ini for those points outside of the 6 accessible loadout groups. You can basically have the computer always load specific things for those points which aren't visible by the user...but only if those aircraft were in the original tasking. An example: Lets say for an F-4, I make the centerline station part of StationGroupID=7 (assuming there are already StationGroupIDs 1 through 6). BTW, the sim doesn't care how you number the StationGroupIDs...you could number them 4 to 9, and they would still show up in order as if they were numbered 1 to 6. Trust me, I've experimented with 0 and skipping numbers. Then, in the loadout.ini, I make that particular station (not the stationgroup) always have the 600 gallon tank in all configurations. Now, when you go to a mission, the loadout screen would show that centerline station as not accessible...doesn't even show up. If you flew that mission, all your flight would have centerline tanks, assuming the loadout.ini covered that specific type of mission (air to air, recon, strike, etc). With one exception, if you add to the crew roster. You know how when you add wingman in the crew roster screen, then go back to the loadout screen, the new wingman initially have no weapons at all? Guess what, they won't have centerline tanks either, and there will be no way you can add them in the loadout screen. It makes for some interesting possibilities. Try it, see for yourself (make backups FIRST). FastCargo

Except the movie isn't a stinker from what I can tell...seems to be getting good box office returns. This kind of logic as to why to pull licensing is usually pretty stupid. Unless the movie specifically disparages a particular product, any exposure is good exposure. FastCargo

No problem. Glad we could help. For all you folks new to simulations and modding. Believe it or not, the old heads (I'm not one of them yet) do in fact like to help. However, sometimes we get a bit testy because a lot of the same questions get asked by folks time and time again. Sometimes it feels like people want to get the easy answer instead of doing the legwork with the search engine and the knowledge base. Also, when you're doing a mod, if someone gives advice, don't just do it by rote, but ask yourself 'Why is it being done this way?' If you can understand that, it usually helps if it doesn't quite work the way you expect. And finally, with the Thirdwire series of sims, most of the modding is simple text based, and a lot of the lines in the .ini files are self explanatory. Take a close look at those lines, and a lot of times, you can figure out exactly what to do there on your own. Yes, it takes a bit more legwork on your part, but the upside is that you can customize to your hearts content once you learn. I've fixed a lot of issues, and in doing so, have been able to build my own campaigns, adding carriers, making aircraft modifications, etc. So feel free to ask questions...once you can't find the answers on your own. It takes some skull sweat sometimes...but the rewards can be worth it. FastCargo

Okay, I see the issue. I'm using PSP 6. There should be a menu that says Mask, submenu New, submenu Hide All. You should then get a new mask that covers everything. Then in Masks again, you should have the option to 'Save to Alpha Channel'. That's where you can delete the old alpha channel and save the new one (the mask you just created). Then save the tga file. In PSP 6 it gives you a warning about the limitations of the tga format and that it will save only one alpha channel and save it as a merged image. Also, the mask (the alpha channel) actually has to be completely opaque, NOT transparent (ie that's why you make it as Hide All). The reason the alpha channel is opaque is simple...yet complicated. Think of the alpha channel as a stencil. The 'background' or primary layer of the tga file simply provides color for the tga image. The alpha channel has 'holes' that have the outline of what you want to see. If you look at some other aircraft, open up a TGA file. You usually just see a block of color which makes no sense...until you open the alpha channel 'mask' and have it overlay the background...then you'll see what you were expecting. That's why the alpha channel has to be opaque...so that none of the background shows up...which makes the tga file effectively transparent. Clear as mud? Try that and see if it works. FastCargo

Thanks for the info. I was able to find a hex editor, and make the appropriate changes...I now have 2 different CFTs :). As a side effect, I was able to finally figure out where I could mount my RWR set for the late version of the F-8FN. :) I keep learning stuff every day with this sim... FastCargo

Okay, you didn't accidently delete the TGA file did you? That's what it tends to look like when you do. Also, make sure when you make the new alpha channel as a mask that 'Hides all' that you save the alpha channel, then save the file (at least thats the way Paint Shop Pro does it). FastCargo

As far as I know there is no B-36 available for the thirdwire series of sims. The Yak-28P is around somewhere though...I have it so I downloaded it somewhere before. FastCargo

Actually, I'd be curious to see a F-16E/F (Block 60) cockpit. Of course, it would have to be in UAE colors... Also, just for my clarification, the external color of the CFTs are 'hardwired' into the LOD file...so there is no way to have multiple color schemes of the CFTs...correct? FastCargo

We do similiar to what you do...though I knew about the fan's vs A/C thing way back in the 70s (a byproduct of the energy crisis and an asian mom), so all our rooms have ceiling fans. A nice side effect of my job is that I don't drive nearly as much as a normal '9 to 5' person...so our fuel bill is pretty low since I take 'public' transportation when I 'commute' to work. Also, knowing that number 2 son is on the way, when we looked at getting a new vehicle, we decided on a minivan. However, I was annoyed that most minivan's are almost as big and heavy as what used to be regular vans back in the day. Also, how much (with only 4 people) do you use the 7 passenger plus cargo capacity of a modern minivan? It just wasn't elegant. So we decided to buy (found it used even) a Mazda5, a 6 passenger 'nanovan'. It's actually shorter than our previous sedan, and can hold 6 people with a little bit of cargo, or less people with more cargo. We figured when relatives come to visit, we can just drive a second vehicle to haul everyone around. Hybrid cars are still not cost effective in terms of overall life cost (ie the gas you save doesn't offset the increased cost of ownership and additional enviromental impact of long term disposal of the batteries). It's still better to just get a fuel efficent similar sized regular car. Let's see, turning lights off when not in the room, not turning lights on if I don't need them, haven't switched to the compact fluorescent ones due to mercury issues with breakage and disposal. We have our own compost heap/container and do some of our own gardening. FastCargo

Tantobot, All of the information you need to correct the problem has been said in this thread and in the knowledge base. You need to have a basic understanding of a 2-D coordinate system, negative numbers, and be able to read English clearly. The problem is very easy to fix, just takes a little trial and error. I honestly don't know what else we can do for you. FastCargo

Actually, I tried that with my 1993 WOE campaign using the EA-6B, adjusting the missions to very little strike and mostly SEAD. Using these numbers: MissionChance[sWEEP]=0 MissionChance[CAP]=0 MissionChance[iNTERCEPT]=0 MissionChance[ESCORT]=0 MissionChance=20 MissionChance[CAS]=0 MissionChance[sEAD]=90 MissionChance[ARMED_RECON]=10 MissionChance[ANTI_SHIP]=0 MissionChance[RECON]=10 Yet, 9 out of every 10 missions has been strike. There have been a very few SEAD missions in there...I wonder if the campaign engine doesn't do much SEAD... FastCargo

Here's what I used: [HUD] HUDColor=0.36,1.0,0.82,0.7 BoresightOffset=0.0,0.0 ViewportTopLeft=-0.105,-0.160 ViewportBottomRight=0.105,0.105 Also, this will give you the 'Harrier Blue' color you see in the screenshot. FastCargo

Campaigns mostly as well, mainly because I can fly off carriers, test loadouts, and let the campaign engine come up with some of the better battles... FastCargo

A bit overkill for the campaign... But then again, a B-1B could carry 24 of them... FastCargo

Jug, Yea, somewhere in the forums...also I think wrench provided a download of some sort... FastCargo

Now that's beautiful! A prime example of disadvantage tactics...exploiting your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses, especially against an inexperienced opponent. Some points in this example need to be brought up: 1. Know yourself - know what your aircraft can and can't do. 2. Know your opponent - know what your opponent can and can't do. 3. These lead to - fight your fight, not his fight! You fight his fight, you won't be the one telling stories at the squadron bar. Excellent story paul! FastCargo

Worm-sign. FastCargo

Is this what you are looking for? Did this today since we were talking about it. FastCargo

"Roger Chilly Willy Milli Vanilli!" Couldn't base a campaign off it...but a single mission would be fun. FastCargo

No. The first number is left/right position. Negative numbers move it to the left, positive numbers move it to the right. The second number is up/down position. Negative numbers move it upward, positive numbers move it down. FastCargo

Here are my suggestions - taken from my modded 1979 WOE campaign: US Navy - blantently ripped off JSF_Aggie's Harrier campaign idea preview Royal Navy - Using the HMS Ark Royal and the HMS Hermes French air force and navy - HMS Ark Royal deck repainted to simulate French Navy carrier Foch German Air Force Tornado USMC Harriers off the USS Tarawa F-111s...but of course! FastCargo

Well, I guess I shouldn't mention the QF-4s then... :) FastCargo

Because that's what happens in real life. Has to do with the way the HUD is projected onto the glass. I don't know all the technical reasons...also, you tend to lose parts of the HUD in real life as well. FastCargo

Now, lets get rid of the old HUD stuff. HUDs use TGA files, so you have to have a program that manipulates TGA files...I use Paint Shop Pro. First, make sure you delete references to the old HUD files in the cockpit.ini file...look for Instrument[xxx]=HUDxxx lines and delete. But you have to renumber the Instrument [xxx] lines. If you want to cleanup the cockpit.ini file, you can also delete the [HUDxxx] paragraphs the Instrument [xxx]= lines reference. Now, some of the older aircraft that used Avionics60.dll cockpit HUDs have TGA files that are attached to them. For instance, in the Tornado cockpit directory, there are a few files, including torn_hud.tga, that are not referenced in either the avionics.ini or cockpit.ini files. That means the TGA is referenced by the cockpit.lod file directly. So if you just delete the TGA file, you'll end up with a big white spot in the HUD. What you need to do is make the TGA file completely transparent. This is actually pretty simple. You need to open the specific TGA file, then delete the old alpha channel, which just is a 'mask' to allow the background to shine through the specific parts. Make a new alpha channel as a 'mask' that hides all. Then save the TGA file. And that's it. The new TGA file will 'hide' all the lettering...effectively making it invisible. Try it! I did it just now and it works fine! FastCargo