Jump to content

MigBuster

ADMINISTRATOR
  • Content count

    9,096
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    27

Everything posted by MigBuster

  1. Official Game Patches, Service Packs and Updates from Thirdwire Note: Since 2007 ThirdWire call Patches and Service Packs "Updates" IMPORTANT: If you have modified your game back it up completely before installing any patches or Service Packs. It’s likely that Patches and Service Packs will delete or replace some of your modded files. When a major Service Pack is released it is often best practise to backup your existing game and then start again with a clean install. You can then drag and drop mods from your old game into this fresh install. Please see the knowledgebase on how to back up your game (this can actually be done by making a COPY of the entire game folder – i.e. C:\program Files\Strike Fighters\) Content 1. What is a Patch? 2. What is a Service Pack? 3. Should I install patches and Service Packs? 4. Doesn’t the modding community provide these types of fixes? 5. How do I tell what Patch version I need? 6. Okay so where do I download these Patches from? 7. Thirdwire does not have the earlier Patch I need to run a Mod! 8. How do I install a Patch / Service Pack? 9. Should I install patches before or after adding my Mods? 10. Help a Patch has overwritten my Mods! 11. I Get a .dll error after patching. 12. Installing Patches over already Modded installs 13. Known Patch and Service Pack History 1. What is a Patch/Update? From October 2007 the naming convention was changed by Thirdwire - all patches are of the simpler format "Oct 2007", "Oct 2008" etc and are called "Updates" A patch (sometimes called a Hot-Fix) is a small update that fixes bugs with your game. By installing patches you make your game more stable (better). Patch versions are named by release date – so v02.19.07 is the same as 19th February 2007 2. What is a Service Pack? From October 2007 the naming convention was changed by Thirdwire - all Service Packs are of the simpler format "Oct 2007", "Oct 2008" etc and are called "Updates" Basically it’s a large patch – ThirdWire call major patches “Service Packs” The differences to a patch were: Game improvements and new features are included (i.e. SP4 included clouds) Every single fix from every previous patch and Service Pack is included. The actual service Pack file will be much bigger in terms of Mega Bytes Service Pack versions are also named by release date also – so v02.19.07 is the same as 19th February 2007 3. Should I install patches/Service Packs/Updates? It is a must that you install updates. Most of the time you will want to install up to and including the latest Patches / Service Packs. The only exception to this is if you intend to run a Mod that only works with a previous Update. You only need to install the latest update unless specified in the Updates README file, because the latest update includes all the previous fixes for the game. IMPORTANT: If you have modified your game back it up completely before installing any patches or Service Packs. It’s likely that Patches and Service Packs will delete or replace some of your modded files. When a major Service Pack is released it is often best practise to backup your existing game and then start again with a clean install. You can then drag and drop mods from your old game into this fresh install. Please see the knowledgebase on how to back up your game (this can actually be done by making a COPY of the entire game folder – i.e. C:\program Files\Strike Fighters\) 4. Doesn’t the modding community provide these types of fixes? The type of fixes in a patch can only be carried out by Third Wire because they are the only people with access to the games engine code. 5. How do I tell what Patch version I need? First check the game version you have already by loading up your game. On the first main menu screen look at the bottom right hand corner and note the number (which is actually a date) i.e. v06.30.07 is 30 June 2007. (NOTE: from October 2007 the naming convention for game version was changed to a simple date ie "Oct 2008" ) Then you just go to Thirdwires downloads section, select your game version, then see if there are any patches with a later date – that is the one you need - easy hey! 6. Okay so where do I download these Patches from? From Thirdwires Web site http://www.thirdwire.com/ or from the Downloads section here at CombatAce. IMPORTANT: If you have modified your game back it up completely before installing any patches or Service Packs. It’s likely that Patches and Service Packs will delete or replace some of your modded files. When a major Service Pack is released it is often best practise to backup your existing game and then start again with a clean install. You can then drag and drop mods from your old game into this fresh install. Please see the knowledgebase on how to back up your game (this can actually be done by making a COPY of the entire game folder – i.e. C:\program Files\Strike Fighters\) 7. Thirdwire does not have the earlier Patch I need to run a Mod! The downloads section here at Combat Ace should have it. 8. How do I Install a Patch / Service Pack? IMPORTANT: If you have modified your game back it up completely before installing any patches or Service Packs. It’s likely that Patches and Service Packs will delete or replace some of your modded files. When a major Service Pack is released it is often best practise to backup your existing game and then start again with a clean install. You can then drag and drop mods from your old game into this fresh install. Please see the knowledgebase on how to back up your game (this can actually be done by making a COPY of the entire game folder – i.e. C:\program Files\Strike Fighters\) 1. Save the file to your Desktop (not required but easy to find) 2. (AFTER BACKING UP YOUR GAME ) Double click on the file 3. Select the Next button 4. Next select the path: If you only have 1 install then leave it as default. If you have multiple installs of the same game you need to manually set the path by using the “Browse” button and going to where the game folder for that install is. NOTE: The path must be set to the main top level folder for the game. 5. When set – hit the “Install” button 9. Should I install patches before or after adding my Mods? Ideally this is the best practise: 1. Install the Game. 2. Install only the Patches and Service Packs you need in the correct order. 3. Make copies of the game for each install you require. For example: For campaigns you need separate installs for each one, and you may want to leave one install unmodded for online gaming! 4. Start adding the Mods. 10. Help a Patch has overwritten my Mods! Restore from a backup or download and install them again. IMPORTANT: If you have modified your game back it up completely before installing any patches or Service Packs. It’s likely that Patches and Service Packs will delete or replace some of your modded files. When a major Service Pack is released it is often best practise to backup your existing game and then start again with a clean install. You can then drag and drop mods from your old game into this fresh install. Please see the knowledgebase on how to back up your game (this can actually be done by making a COPY of the entire game folder – i.e. C:\program Files\Strike Fighters\) 11. I get a .dll error message after patching my game In 95% of cases errors after patching (involving d3dx9_28.dll or .30.dll ) means you need to also update your version of Direct X which is part of Windows. This update (or patch) will also be available via the Thirdwire web site which should point you to the correct version (Currently Direct X 9.0c (april)), or just go direct to www.Microsoft.com and get it from there. 12. Installing Patches over already modded installs IMPORTANT: This is done entirely at your own risk and is only recommended for advanced users - because there is no guarantee that everything will work after you have carried this out. Procedure 1: (Author: USAFMTL) You want to patch and not worry about add ons? Do this. 1. Make a fresh/new/vanilla install of WOE/SF/WOV. Yes you can have more than one install. 2. Patch it {with Direct X if need be yada yada yada} 3. Copy the .DLL and .CAT files ONLY to your add on (modded) version of SF/WOV/WOE. Example there is a folder called SYSTEM, copy the contents of that folder to your add on (modded) install. Then look at the FLIGHT folder, MENU folder etc and do the same. 4. Make sure you copy over the new terrain files to your add on install. I.e. GermanyCE etc. 5. In the install of your SF/WOV/WOE you will see the exe’s, a few .dll's an options.ini and other loose files. You will need those also copied to your add on install as well. {you will have to reset your graphic and gameplay settings but that take a minute} DO NOT copy your CONTROLS folder over if you have it set up for your joystick or you will have to reset your stick. Finally burn a copy of the vanilla install for future patching. New patch, drag and drop burned install to your desktop or directory of choice, patch it, follow the above procedures. Procedure 2 (Author: Spook 27) I do this with SFP1/WoV and IL2FB/AEP/PF and LOMAC and FS9 - Make a Spare empty folder next to your Original Sim and name it accordingly eg: Wings Over Vietnam_Shunt and put into it a copy of your WoV.exe (or whatever else it is your are patching). When you execute the patch direct the install to the spare empty folder. The patch will see the correct .exe and then create all subfolders and add the new files. You can then examine the files that are added and see where they all go. You are free to drag 'em individually across to the real sim folder and see what it is that the new files replace, giving you the choice of what to use. It may be stating the obvious, but I would never let anything get directly at my highly modified Sims, all of which are many Gigs in size, too big to back up without another PC! As indicated this works for all of the above. 13. Known Patch and Service Pack History NOTE: Later games are released with earlier Patches and Service Packs already installed, which is why there are less of them listed. NOTE: There are several patches listed after SP4 was released that you won’t find at the Thirdwire site. This is because they have just been incorporated into the latest Patches. Windows 98 and XP releases Strike Fighters Project 1(SFP1) 2002 vN/A(Service Pack 1) vN/A(Service Pack 2) v11.05.04 (Service Pack 3) v05.13.05 (Patch) v07.05.05 (Patch) v05.15.06 (Service Pack 4) v05.25.06 (Patch – includes some SP4 fixes) v07.10.06 (Patch) v08.30.06 (Patch) Oct 2008 (Patch) - Can be used over any version (TW say last patch for SFP1) Support Ended Strike Fighters Gold (SFG) 2004 vN/A (Patch) v05.13.05 (Patch) v07.05.05 (Patch) v05.15.06 (Patch) v07.10.06 (Patch) v08.30.06 (Service Pack 4) v05.25.06 (Patch – includes some SP4 fixes) Oct 2008 (Patch) - Can be used over any version (TW say last patch for SFG) Support ended Wings Over Vietnam (WOV) 2004 vN/A (Patch) v05.13.05 (Patch) v07.05.05 (Patch) v05.15.06 (Service Pack 4) v05.25.06 (Patch – includes some SP4 fixes) v07.10.06 (Patch) v08.30.06 (Patch) Sep 2008 (Service Pack 5) Oct 2008 (Patch) - Can be used over any version Support Ended Wings Over Europe (WOE) 2006 v08.30.06 (Patch) Sep 2008 (Service Pack 5 ) Oct 2008 (Patch) - Can be used over any version Support Ended First Eagles (FE) 2006 v12.27.06 (Patch 1) v02.19.07 (Patch 2) Oct 2007 (Expansion Pack 1) Apr 2008 (Patch 3) - Can be used over both a plain FE install, and FE with the Expansion Pack 1. Oct 2008 (Patch 4) - Can be used over any version Nov 2008 (Patch 5) - Can be used over any version Support Ended First Eagles Gold (FEG) 2008 (This combines the Original and Expansion Pack into 1 Game) Nov 2008 Support Ended Wings Over Israel (WOI) 2008 Note - These patches are NOT for Combat Over Israel Apr 2008 (Patch 1) Aug 2008 (Patch 2) Sep 2008 (Patch 3) Oct 2008 (Patch 4) - Can be used over any version WOI Expansion Pack due 2010(This will be the last 1st Gen update) Combat Over Israel (COI) 2008 None released yet Windows XP/Vista/Win 7 The Strike Fighters 2 Series and First Eagles 2 games have replaced those above and are being supported with the latest updates
  2. Adding Aircraft Skins

    Adding Skins to Aircraft Adding skins to aircraft is very easy to do, although be careful when working on your games folder structure. Content 1. What is a skin? 2. My planes already have skins why should I download others? 3. In the Aircraft skins download section are these actual planes or just the skins? 4. I have a skin but I have no idea what model it goes on! 5. Adding a skin (Quick Version) 6. Adding a skin (Detailed Version) 7. How to make the skin the default skin for the Aircraft 8. I installed a skin and changed the .ini file so it’s the default skin but I still have to select it manually! 1. What is a skin? 3D models for this game are created in only a single colour. So although it looks like the object, it will have no detail on it. Therefore the detail is added separately using a skin – which is mapped out by the modeller to fit the model in the form of a template. The template is distributed out as a set of bitmap files which are then painted using programs such as Photoshop and GIMP to create the actual detail you see on objects in the game. 2. My planes already have skins why should I download others? Yes the default game objects come with their own skins and 3rd party downloaded objects from Combat ace come with skins also. The reason for downloading skins may be that you want a different colour scheme for your favourite Jet, or you may want to fly in a particular squadron, or for a different nation, or you may want to create another version of a plane for a different nation, or your green jet may stick out a bit too much on that snowy terrain etc. 3. In the Aircraft skins download section are these actual planes or just the skins? They are just skins only. 4.I have a skin but I have no idea what model it goes on! Get in touch with whoever posted the model or ask on the forum. However the person that put the skin up should really put the exact model the skin was tested on. 5. Adding a skin (Quick Version) 1. Download the skin to your desktop 2. The skin will be in a compressed format (either .zip or .rar) so extract the files (For .rar files you may need to install WinRAR) to your desktop also. 3. Copy the folder with the skin you want into the folder for the plane object you want to place it in, so that it sits at the same level as other skins already in there. 4. The skin is now installed and can be selected from the loadout screen. To make the skin default for that object open up the objects .ini file (i.e. F-4E.ini) and change the skinning order. 6. Adding a skin (Detailed Version) When you have chosen a skin you want at the download section at www.combatace.com, click on the download button (you must be registered at Combat Ace). Make sure you SAVE the file to your desktop (so you can find it easily). Once the download is complete you will have a file on your desktop in either .zip or .rar format. These are compressed files so you need to “extract the contents”. Note: You can extract files from .zip archives using Windows XP and Vista. If you have older Windows versions install Winzip. For .rar archives you will need to download and install WinRAR from the WWW. Extract them to your desktop (It’s easier to find) - You will then get a folder with the extracted files inside them. If there is a README.txt file – then read it – because this will give you the install instructions. However in general you just need to copy the folder and files to the plane folder that the skin is for. So using “Windows Explorer” (don’t confuse this with Internet Explorer) Note: Be careful not to move any files or folders when navigating round the games folder structure! 1. Navigate to where on your hard drive you have installed the game: I.e. C:\program files\Wings Over Vietnam (This is an example I don’t know where you have actually installed your game) 2. Open the “Objects” folder 3. Open the Aircraft folder (the Aircraft are held in here) 4. Open the folder of the Aircraft you wish to place the skin in then “Paste” the folder in. The skin is now installed If it is installed properly you can close Windows Explorer and start your game up. You should now be able to select the new skin from the weapons loadout screen. If it is not there then it hasn’t been installed properly – so you need to check the skin sits at the right level in the game folder. That means: Navigate back to your games file structure using Windows Explorer. Open up other skins in the aircrafts folder and you will see that inside is a set of .bmp files and a file called textureset.ini, and one called decals.ini. Now open up the skin you just installed – does it have that layout too? If not then you may need to pull out a subfolder. (Basically get your new skins folder at the same level as the stock ones – otherwise it won’t work) For example Here is where the A-4F is: WingsOverVietnam\Objects\Aircraft\A-4F\ One of its stock skins sits here: WingsOverVietnam\Objects\Aircraft\A-4F\USNGrey1 If I open the folder "USNGrey1" I will see the set of files I described above! Now your new skin should be sitting here: WingsOverVietnam\Objects\Aircraft\A-4F\<NewSkin> And when you open (whatever your skin is called) you should see a set of .bmps files etc. An example: 7. How to make the skin the default skin for the Aircraft 1. Open the Aircrafts main .ini file using Notepad (i.e. A-4F.ini) which will also be found in the main Aircrafts folder using Notepad. 2. Open up the skins "textureSet.ini" file that you have just installed from the skins folder. 3. Copy the entire contents. 4. Paste it into the main ".ini" file above the other TextureSetxxx entries. 5. Alter the following: [TextureSet001] <---------------Change this to TextureSet001 Name=USN Grey Directory=USNGrey1 <----------------Add this line for “your” skin directory (folder) Nation=USN Squadron=VA55 Specular=0.500000 Glossiness=0.750000 Reflection=0.000000 6. The numbers must run in sequence so make this [TextureSet001] to be the default skin then change any other entries accordingly (i.e. [TextureSet002] [TextureSet003] etc) Note: this only works if the skins nation is the same as the actual planes. In this case either change the nation of the skill to the same as the Jet - or you will need to manually select it in game from the loadout screen. 8.I installed a skin and changed the .ini file so it’s the default skin but I still have to select it manually The nation of the skin needs to be changed. 1. Open the planes .ini file (i.e. A-4F.ini) in Notepad: [TextureSetXXX] Directory=ROCAF_1 Name=ROCAF_1 Nation=Taiwan <----------------------Change this to a valid in game nation Squadron=21st_TFS Specular=0.200000 Glossiness=0.200000 Reflection=0.150000 Valid nations are held in Nations.ini (hidden in a cat file somewhere) however – it’s also easy just to look at the .ini files of other planes you have.
  3. Open up a .lod with the hex editor Dont change anything Do a Search for ".bmp" that will hopefully stick you next to the name of a texture (ie texture1.bmp) Note that name down - then look for others Think you can set terrain inis to look in particular cats - apart from that i dont know You may be best to wait till the new patches come out to see if that saves you the work :)
  4. There a file called Nations.ini - open it and set the UAE entry to [NationXXX] ....... Alignment=ENEMY <----------------- ....... Hope this works in WOI - the file should be in one of the cat files in the flight folder
  5. If you are using SF Gold with the last patch then the previous weapons editor should work dated 240406 - so not sure why yours isnt. You havnt got 2 weapondata.dat files in the objects folder in different subfolders have you? Open up the single weapondata.ini which should be in your SFG "weapons" folder - check all your weapons are listed - then hit save. that should create the new weapondata.dat in the weapons folder. Any problems then I would expect a dll error - have you tried different jets to see if they come up with any of them?
  6. Havnt lived there myself but thought it may change a bit - was more in line of whether the new Patches for WOE/WOV would allow it?
  7. Any plane beaming a pulse doppler stands a great chance of breaking your lock (especially pre 1980s tech)- I dont know whether the real Sparrow would still be able to guide after the lock has been broken for a certain amount of time and you locked the plane up again.
  8. The flight control system cant prevent everything - although a flat spin is certainly something you cant do in Falcon
  9. Does WOI come with changing seasonal terrains now like the FE expansion pack?
  10. Reinstall the Service pack and patch only (in the correct order) then try it.
  11. Windows itself has been updated a lot since WOV came out initially - so it would have worked back then - but have never tested an unpatched version since.
  12. 1. Saw a thread about that at thirdwire the other day - TK did research the subject and took it off - I think the majority of F-4s didnt have it or something 2. Would have thought you can stick the hangar music back in if you miss it that much :)
  13. Is there a reason for not adding any patches? raises the question if WOV actually works in its distributed form. Suggest you install the patches - assumed you had
  14. Hows everyone finding the AI in WOI? Was thinking of dling it today but http://www.thirdwire.com/ seems to be down at the mo Had to reinstall my graphics drivers yesterday - and tested WOV out to check it ran ok. Have the Uber AI mod and new lethal flak mod - but they didnt stop me - even decided to down 3 x Mig 21s on my way home - they were all turning as well and trying to fight (in the best way they can) but I guess my stock A-7B was just to agile and fast for them. 2 with guns - 1 after firing both winders from the tail How did I get on his tail! - I should have been easy meat for those chumps! wasnt even using trackIR
  15. Its a radar guided missile - You need to get a radar lock first There is an article here - hope you can read it: http://www.simhq.com/_air/air_061a.html The Sidewinder is a heat seeker which is why you dont need the radar for that.
  16. Ahh the joys of 50s/60s jets - like the F-100 and F-104 practise, practise, practise and forget trying to just pull the stick back and trying to turn in a d/f Theres an article on A-G weps techniques from Andy Bush here that may help you http://www.simhq.com/_air/air_055a.html
  17. You need another version of Direct X - see the knowledge base. Or you have installed new weapons with the wrong weapons editor.
  18. This ones made the national news here - think its more to do with the amount of money they actually cost though! Lets hope this is the first and last B2 - there arnt that many of them anyway
  19. Didnt use the F-15 in WOE much - was just unfair on the poor Migs - sounds like things may have changed in that regards
  20. LOL - that would be a refreshing change - got an Airmedal in just about every completed mission in the others.
  21. That used to happen in Strike Fighters - though it used to bug and go white if you shot down too many - forget what the threshold was
  22. The Last Falcon?

    Nice thanks man - was this on the Lockheed Martin Site?
  23. Flight nights...

    Yes - it you mean this: One way is to install the game, Patch it fully, Make a copy of the entire game folder, Call it something like WOV_SP4_Modded or whatever, Then run your extra add on game from the .exe from within that new folder you have just created The game doesnt use the registry much so you can create as many installs from the original as you like You have to do this for any campaigns you want to install anyway btw
  24. Ah brings back memories - I was disapointed when the SFP1 manual said I could deploy a drag chute and it wasnt implemented Actually the Mig 25s deploy their chutes automatically when you land - which is much better in someways because you dont forget to deploy them and you dont deploy them to early.
  25. Looks as good as the Payware set - million times better than the stock terrain - have you got many lines at the tile edges?
×

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..