1946 - where to start?

[Orpheus]

'Lo chaps, bought IL2-1946 in the Steam sale because CloD has given me the bug (and is a bit too clunky atm for my tastes)... what should I be looking for in terms of updates & mods to get the best out of the game?

Cheers!

[Romanator21]

I would recommend to hold off on mods at least for a little bit until you get comfortable with the game and how it works. The big modpacks are HSFX 5 and UP 3.0 and SAS.

If you just got 1946 you're probably running 4.07. Currently everyone is running 4.101, so you need 4.08, 4.09, 4.09 skinpack, 4.10, 4.101. They can be found at Mission4Today if you register.

Everyone connects online using Hyperlobby, and you can download this for free. Just be sure to have the latest version of the game.

Lastly, invest in a stick. It will make control much smoother and easier.

Have fun!

[MadBlaster]

I just upgraded to UltraPack 3.0 last night. Seems great so far.

How to get there:

First install the stock game you bought and direct2drive patch so game is at version 4.07m and dvd free (i.e., direct2drive patch or whatever). Run the game and check the version at the opening screen. Should say in red "4.07m".

Second, find the "megapatch" at Mission4Today to upgrade to 4.10.1m (latest version of stock game from TD). It's in the downloads section. There's instructions on how best to download and install it. Make sure you extract the runme.exe patch to a temp folder first, then run it and point it to the IL-2 game folder. After installing the megapatch, run the game again and check the version. Should say in red 4.10.1m. At this point if you want to be safe, make a backup of the entire IL-2 game folder in case the next step, installation of the mod pack, goes bad. Then if it does, you just copy the folder and contents over the bad install.

Third, go to Ultrapack and get the torrent file for the full install of UP 3.0. Download it and install on top of your clean install of 4.10.1m. Follow the directions. You need a torrent client like utorrent on your machine to download by torrent. I'll assume you know how to do that. Also, UP recommends in the instructions that you back up four dll files in your game folder for some reason. I don't know why. I guess in case something goes wrong down the road. Easiest way for me was to just do a copy/paste of each of these files in the game folder where they are located. Each backup copy will say "copy of blah, blah.dll", etc. So now you have two copies of each file, but named different and the game will ignore the "copy of" ones, unless you rename them and delete that part of the name. You'll probably never need to use them though. Anyway, when you start the game after the install, it should say up 3.0. Ultrapack says there are a few bugs to be fixed in about a month. They are taking bug reports now. Only thing I noticed so far is 109's running rich and smoking.

Start playing. Stop. Forgot to mention. Before you try to play 3.0, you first have to go to the JSGME icon and open that. The JSGME mod tool will open up. Move the UP 3.0 mod over to the active mods section with your mouse, save it and close out the JSGME tool. Now start playing. The splash screen will say IL-2/UP 3.0. Also, there is a little menu that opens up when you first play. Configure it based on your setup. If you don't want to see it again, there is a radio button to make it go away once you have it configured to your liking.

[Asheshouse]

If you are new to IL2-1946 then you will have lots to explore just with the game patched with the official patches to v4.101, as per links above. No need to worry about ModPacks until you have got familiar with the stock game.

The quality of content in the official game varies considerably. Which reflects the length of time the game has been around. The latest maps like Slovakia are works of art, while some of the older ones are a bit lacking in detail IMO.

Try them all and you will soon find what you like.

The same can be said of some of the aircraft, the later released versions generally being better looking than the early ones.

An essential addon to the stock game is to download some missions and campaigns from Mission4Today. These often come packaged with new aircraft skins.

[ACE-OF-ACES]

what should I be looking for in terms of updates & mods to get the best out of the game?
The un-official HSFX 5.0 Instructional Download Installation and Operations Tutorial (http://flightsimtesting.com/my/documents/il2/HSFX/HSFX5.0_HOWTO_MANUAL.pdf)

HSFX 5.0 download (http://www.242sqn.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2544)

HSFX 5.0 Hotfix 1 (patch) download (http://www.242sqn.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=30)

[Porksmuggler]

The Steam version is already 4.09m, so your ready for the newest 4.10 and 4.10.1 patches.

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1358851

[MaxGunz]

I would recommend to hold off on mods at least for a little bit until you get comfortable with the game and how it works. The big modpacks are HSFX 5 and UP 3.0 and SAS.

If you just got 1946 you're probably running 4.07. Currently everyone is running 4.101, so you need 4.08, 4.09, 4.09 skinpack, 4.10, 4.101. They can be found at Mission4Today if you register.

Everyone connects online using Hyperlobby, and you can download this for free. Just be sure to have the latest version of the game.

Lastly, invest in a stick. It will make control much smoother and easier.

Have fun!

+1 -- UP 3 is over 6 gigs. You need that right away before you even know how to fly the sim? Just to use the trim at all correctly takes time.

At least check your 4.101 install and if you have room, copy the folder somewhere to have a working backup.

As far as stick, either get rudder pedals (highly desireable) or make sure that the stick is a twisty-stick for rudder control. Ability to control rudder well makes a large difference in how fast and well you will fly. Other things to look for in a stick are hats and buttons, sliders and/or rotary dials. More -is- better but budget... online you can get a cheap minimal but workable twisty stick for about US$25, less on special maybe.

Look into TrackIR but also check into Cachya (Google the name).

[Porksmuggler]

^ I've not tried Cachya yet, because it's trial software, so I can't give a comparison, but I do recommend FaceTrackNoIR. It's free, and only requires a webcam.

http://facetracknoir.sourceforge.net/home/default.htm

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

If you just got 1946 you're probably running 4.07. Currently everyone is running 4.101, so you need 4.08, 4.09, 4.09 skinpack, 4.10, 4.101. They can be found at Mission4Today if you register.

The 4.09 skinpack is not mandatory (but recommendable).
But it is not possible to install it later (over 4.10 i.e.).

There are not multiplayer problems between version with and without skinpack installed.

Pro: it brings new, better looking default skins to many planes (mainly VVS and Germany)
Contra: its large for a download

[Orpheus]

Thanks for the tips chaps, I'm patched to latest and have installed HSFX 5.0, and an RAF campaign I found at Mission4today... one of which seems to have set all my in-game text to Russian! Updating the conf.ini to eu didn't fix it, on the plus side the downloaded RAF campaign is still in English!

Enjoying it so far. :)

[Ze-Jamz]

Dont forget Ultrapack3.0 too mate..Just as good as HSFX

[Orpheus]

Does it force my text into russian? LOL if not I might give it a go ;)

EDIT: does anyone know how to fix this russian text problem?

[Bearcat]

'Lo chaps, bought IL2-1946 in the Steam sale because CloD has given me the bug (and is a bit too clunky atm for my tastes)... what should I be looking for in terms of updates & mods to get the best out of the game?
Cheers!


I would say patch the sim to 4.10.1 then once you patch it to 4.10.1 copy that entire stock install to another drive or an 8 G thumb drive as a back up.. after that fly it stock for about a week or two.. then get HSFX 5.0 & The Hot Fix.

If you want UP 3.0 you can coy that 4.10.1 stock that you backed up to another location over to your active drive.. for instance my UBI folder has two 46 installs.. one I call 46 UP and the other 46 HSFX ... and then add 3.0 to that stock install .... Make sure you leave your back up stock sim on the other drive you originally backed it up to.. Also once you get your stick configured the way you want it on your working install.. copy the Users folder over to your stock backup.. that way if you ever do have to reinstall for any reason you wont have to resetup your stick.

[Orpheus]

Going to wait for UP3 full release I think. The HSFX mod, when activated in JSGME turns all the briefing text etc into Russian, making it a bit useless for me, which is a shame as I like the sound of the detailed flight models.

Thanks for all the help chaps.

[Romanator21]

That's why you start with the stock game first...but oh, well. If this isn't falling on deaf ears, always be sure to make a backup.

[Orpheus]

It's not falling on deaf ears - I'm familiar enough with the game that I've had no troubles flying whatsoever. If it weren't for the Russian text it would be fine, and spending a few weeks flying 'vanilla' isn't going to change this one (and only) problem! ;)

[Romanator21]

If you backed up the game before rushing to download mods you wouldn't have that one (and only) problem.

[Porksmuggler]

yeah, because backing up your game will magically make the text not set to Russian, lol.

Here's a real fix, if you are running the Steam version of 1946, the EnjoyrPatch for NoAddons v5.2 should do the trick.

http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=1972

did you install the HSFX 5.01 hotfix?
http://www.242sqn.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2567

[MaxGunz]

Because copying your backup over the botched version takes a few minutes.

[Porksmuggler]

wow, that would be a great post, if it were an actual botched install.

which it isn't.

sure, i backup my install, but that's not the fix here.

he obviously knows how to use the JSGME, so copying the backup would be a waste of a few minutes.

[tk471138]

yeah, because backing up your game will magically make the text not set to Russian, lol.

Here's a real fix, if you are running the Steam version of 1946, the EnjoyrPatch for NoAddons v5.2 should do the trick.

http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=1972

did you install the HSFX 5.01 hotfix?
http://www.242sqn.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2567


this should fix your thing, and give you a few more campaigns i suffered from the same issue did with the russian briefing, their are actually a few fixes, and for this issue floating around... and if you want the detailed flight models you must enable the thing in jsgme called 'expert mode...' and then that will put the updated flight models in, they say its a work in progress so hopefully they will add more soon...

it appears someone has already directed you to a fix for your language problem, but here is alink for a read me file for hsfx
http://warwingsart.com/HSFX/HistorySFX_50_readme.rtf

[Orpheus]

this should fix your thing, and give you a few more campaigns i suffered from the same issue did with the russian briefing, their are actually a few fixes, and for this issue floating around... and if you want the detailed flight models you must enable the thing in jsgme called 'expert mode...' and then that will put the updated flight models in, they say its a work in progress so hopefully they will add more soon...

Ah, that's done it! The Enjoyr patch for no addons solved the russian text problem, thanks very much Porksmuggler & TK!

[z0ttel]

@Orpheus: Did you also install the skins mentioned for the EnjoyrPatch at mission4today?

@All: Does anyone knows what's the root cause for the text being shown in russian only? I installed HSFX into a clean 4.10.1m folder, added the hotfi and then used JSGME to enable the mod. After that, all briefings where shown in russian.

[MaxGunz]

I've had drives quit over the years, I'll keep my backups.

[WWFlybert]

+1 -- UP 3 is over 6 gigs. You need that right away before you even know how to fly the sim? Just to use the trim at all correctly takes time.

At least check your 4.101 install and if you have room, copy the folder somewhere to have a working backup.

As far as stick, either get rudder pedals (highly desireable) or make sure that the stick is a twisty-stick for rudder control. Ability to control rudder well makes a large difference in how fast and well you will fly. Other things to look for in a stick are hats and buttons, sliders and/or rotary dials. More -is- better but budget... online you can get a cheap minimal but workable twisty stick for about US$25, less on special maybe.

Look into TrackIR but also check into Cachya (Google the name).

Highly recommend ThrustMaster TM 16000 Flight Stick .. the best simple *twisty* stick I've ever had .. about $30 from Tiger Direct

[Mysticpuma]

There is of-course the Legendary "Nuggets Guide" which can be found here:

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/9121094645

Cheers, MP

[Orpheus]

@Orpheus: Did you also install the skins mentioned for the EnjoyrPatch at mission4today?

Actually no, I think because I'd already patched to 4.10.1 and the EnjoyR patch (iirc, it's early and I'm not certain lol) stated 4.09, so I didn't to avoid any further conflicts, and because I couldn't be bothered doing it all again. ;) As the patch didn't cause any issues with my 4.10.1 install I'm tempted to try though.

[koivis]

The 4.09 skinpack is not mandatory (but recommendable).
But it is not possible to install it later (over 4.10 i.e.).

Actually, you are wrong here. I recently installed it over 4.10. I checked beforehand whether there are any files overwritten from the newer patch, and there were none. So it's definitely safe to install 4.09 skins over 4.10. About 4.10.1 I'm not sure, though.

[Orpheus]

Hi chaps another question - I've just installed UP3 RC, which is great - but when I play the RAF quick missions (which are supposedly over places like Manston etc), it puts me over some Finnish map instead of the Channel. I guess I'm missing a Channel map... any thoughts? :shock:

[tk471138]

Read me file for HSfx
http://warwingsart.com/HSFX/HistorySFX_50_readme.rtf

and i also installed the skin patch into a hsfx5 install and it worked fine...

[Bearcat]

Dont forget Ultrapack3.0 too mate..Just as good as HSFX

That's debatable.. Highly.

Enjoy the sim Orpheus.. and I hope ypu made your stock backup. All it will take is having to reinstall the sim once to help you see the plusses associated with doing that.

[MadBlaster]

Hi chaps another question - I've just installed UP3 RC, which is great - but when I play the RAF quick missions (which are supposedly over places like Manston etc), it puts me over some Finnish map instead of the Channel. I guess I'm missing a Channel map... any thoughts? :shock:

Lol. Hi Orpheus. Your probably not missing the channel map. If that is a mission you got from mission4today, it might be an older mission made by someone before the channel map was created by the modders. So, they picked a map at that time that simulated the geography as best as possible for the scenario. I remember running into this a while back. If it is a DGen scenario, that doesn't use the mod maps at all as far as I know. I think there are some DT single missions with their maps in there? Some with the HS129 I remember off hand.

To be sure about the map, you can check by going into full mission builder. You should see the channel map in the list and be able to load it up. If you are missing it, you can report it at UP website and maybe they can help you figure it out. The word is that the final release is coming out in a few weeks. When you get up to speed, join the party online at WoP!

[Orpheus]

That's debatable.. Highly.

Enjoy the sim Orpheus.. and I hope ypu made your stock backup. All it will take is having to reinstall the sim once to help you see the plusses associated with doing that.

Sure have, it's already saved me once or twice ;)

Lol. Hi Orpheus. Your probably not missing the channel map. If that is a mission you got from mission4today, it might be an older mission made by someone before the channel map was created by the modders. So, they picked a map at that time that simulated the geography as best as possible for the scenario. I remember running into this a while back. If it is a DGen scenario, that doesn't use the mod maps at all as far as I know. I think there are some DT single missions with their maps in there? Some with the HS129 I remember off hand.

To be sure about the map, you can check by going into full mission builder. You should see the channel map in the list and be able to load it up. If you are missing it, you can report it at UP website and maybe they can help you figure it out. The word is that the final release is coming out in a few weeks. When you get up to speed, join the party online at WoP!


Hmm, ok. It's not a downloaded mission as far as I know, I wiped my whole install (Steam version), patched it to 4.10.1 or whatever the latest version is and installed UP3 RC. These missions look like an entire campaign, but listed under 'bob' under RAF side single missions.. pretty sure it's stock (steam version has all the expansions I think) as I seem to remember this happening when I first started trying the game.

In the QMB I don't have an option for a UK Channel map at all, not looked in the FMB yet. Something wonky going on though.. suppose I'll need to download one but which one to get - and will it be the version the mission is looking for? I have no clue about the FMB at all I'm afraid!

[MadBlaster]

I'm probably totally off base. I do remember there is a BoB campaign at M4Today. It was a 2 part. The first part was the luftwaffe side, the second part was "spit & fire" and used the Kuban map to mimic Great Britain topography and the english channel because there was no channel map to use, so the mission maker used that instead. Anyway, you would have saved it to RAF/bob folder if that was the case. That is what I was going off of. So I was thinking that somehow was included in your steam version, or left from a previous installation somehow.

The QMB doesn't have any of the channel maps as far as I know. Only the ones listed in the drop down menu.

The FMB, you go to file\loadmap...then you see a list of a bunch of maps...scroll down to western front...you should see a whole mess of channel maps available.

[Orpheus]

I'm probably totally off base. I do remember there is a BoB campaign at M4Today. It was a 2 part. The first part was the luftwaffe side, the second part was "spit & fire" and used the Kuban map to mimic Great Britain topography and the english channel because there was no channel map to use, so the mission maker used that instead. Anyway, you would have saved it to RAF/bob folder if that was the case. That is what I was going off of. So I was thinking that somehow was included in your steam version, or left from a previous installation somehow.

The QMB doesn't have any of the channel maps as far as I know. Only the ones listed in the drop down menu.

The FMB, you go to file\loadmap...then you see a list of a bunch of maps...scroll down to western front...you should see a whole mess of channel maps available.

Thanks Madblaster... yeah you're right, no channel maps in the QMB (seems odd but hey ho). They're definitely there in the FMB though, several versions date-coded (e.g 1941-43 or similar, I forget exactly what now) with winter/normal variants.

The BOB mission set.. I have no idea. I did install an RAF campaign from M4T the first time around but I've had a full wipe/reinstall for UP3 so I'm sure it's not that. The missions themselves seem to be exclusively piloting Hurricanes. I did see a few forum posts after a bit of googling that seemed to state that this campaign (if it was the same one!?) used the Finland map for the first mission only, then reverted to the Channel map for the others... but after a bit of playtesting (first 2/3 missions), each mission has been on the wrong map. I kinda planned to just give up on the SP and try MP but I assume the mods mean online with 1946 is a no go (and that's half the fun!), and I have no idea how hyperlobby works or what it is.

Cheers for trying... I should try the UP forums but I swore I'd stop signing up for new forums (lol), and since the moderators over at the Cliffs of Dover forums have now restricted any dissenting opinions to a 'naughty corner', my enjoyment of both games and respect for 1c as a company has dropped through the floor. Bit of a shame after only managing one online flight in CloD and none in 1946, but I no longer want to support either 1c or Maddox games as a matter of principle. CloD is permanently shelved and 1946 is just... confusing.. if I can't fly a RAF campaign over a Channel map then it doesn't give me a huge amount of hope for the rest of the game. :(

Thanks to all those who helped and offered hello's and advice, and many years happy flying to you all. Maybe see some of you in another sim one day.

Salut!

[Bat*21]

Thanks Madblaster... yeah you're right, no channel maps in the QMB (seems odd but hey ho). They're definitely there in the FMB though, several versions date-coded (e.g 1941-43 or similar, I forget exactly what now) with winter/normal variants.

The BOB mission set.. I have no idea. I did install an RAF campaign from M4T the first time around but I've had a full wipe/reinstall for UP3 so I'm sure it's not that. The missions themselves seem to be exclusively piloting Hurricanes. I did see a few forum posts after a bit of googling that seemed to state that this campaign (if it was the same one!?) used the Finland map for the first mission only, then reverted to the Channel map for the others... but after a bit of playtesting (first 2/3 missions), each mission has been on the wrong map. I kinda planned to just give up on the SP and try MP but I assume the mods mean online with 1946 is a no go (and that's half the fun!), and I have no idea how hyperlobby works or what it is.

Cheers for trying... I should try the UP forums but I swore I'd stop signing up for new forums (lol), and since the moderators over at the Cliffs of Dover forums have now restricted any dissenting opinions to a 'naughty corner', my enjoyment of both games and respect for 1c as a company has dropped through the floor. Bit of a shame after only managing one online flight in CloD and none in 1946, but I no longer want to support either 1c or Maddox games as a matter of principle. CloD is permanently shelved and 1946 is just... confusing.. if I can't fly a RAF campaign over a Channel map then it doesn't give me a huge amount of hope for the rest of the game. :(

Thanks to all those who helped and offered hello's and advice, and many years happy flying to you all. Maybe see some of you in another sim one day.

Salut!

If you don't want it anymore I'll take your CloD off your hands ;)

[Artist]

[...]no channel maps in the QMB (seems odd but hey ho). They're definitely there in the FMB though, several versions date-coded (e.g 1941-43 or similar, I forget exactly what now) with winter/normal variantsWhat maps show up in the QMB is configured in some .ini-File (cannot remember which and where just now), which you can edit... If I remember I'll post it here...

Artist

Edit. Look here
http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=17089.0
and google "(IL-2 OR sturmovik) maps QMB ini" (http://www.google.de/search?sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=%28IL-2+OR+sturmovik%29+maps+QMB+ini&btnG=Search)

[MadBlaster]

I kinda planned to just give up on the SP and try MP but I assume the mods mean online with 1946 is a no go (and that's half the fun!), and I have no idea how hyperlobby works or what it is.

Salut!

Okay. In case you change your mind.

For online play, I would highly recommend here http://www.warbirdsofprey.org/ There's at least one channel map mission going on at least once a day, if not more. The missions swap out every two hours. The guys there do a good job putting together missions and it is very popular place to play online. They currently run UP3 RC4 on two mod servers (ETO and PTO) and one stock game server 4.10.1m. The mod servers are the most popular though. It's all objective based, but you can do what you want. So if you just want to furball, you can to that. But you can't perch/vulch the bases, per server rules.

Hyperlobby, you don't really need it. Just put in the IP address box directly to connect. Hyperlobby is a nice tool though. If you like to chat and ask questions and like to see all the servers that are hosting and the settings they use. But certianly not required for online play.

For offline, I think probably over the next few months, the guys that are still into offline play (e.g., M4Today) will eventually be updating their missions and campaigns for UP3. The problem is UP3 is not quite yet finalized (Beta). They are working out the final bugs and the final version should be due out in few weeks or so.

CLoD, a lump of virtual earth. I've lost interest. But mod 46', that's still a very good game and only getting better imo.;)