Tracers Rounds (From SimHQ)

[choctaw111]

Originally Posted by ChrisDNT

"What doesn't match is the length. In reality, they would appear shorter when close to the observer (that is, when leaving the barrel) and almost immediately "shrink" to the size of a dot, just like the ones in the 110 picture."

Once again, this is a perfect description on how it shows in reality.

A tracer that is viewed from directly behind will appear as a dot, yes, BUT a tracer viewed from the side or even a little off center, just like machine guns or cannon in the wings from a pilots perspective, will appear enlongated and also appear to have the same thickness for the entire length, just as appears in Cliffs of Dover.

I don't see anyone who has actually seen tracer fire complaining in this forum about how they look in CoD but rather saying how good they look. Doesn't that really say it all?
I have seen and fired hundreds of thousands (estimated) during my time as a Paratrooper and the CoD tracers look great!

[Robotic Pope]

Originally Posted by choctaw111

A tracer that is viewed from directly behind will appear as a dot, yes, BUT a tracer viewed from the side or even a little off center, just like machine guns or cannon in the wings from a pilots perspective, will appear enlongated and also appear to have the same thickness for the entire length, just as appears in Cliffs of Dover.

I don't see anyone who has actually seen tracer fire complaining in this forum about how they look in CoD but rather saying how good they look. Doesn't that really say it all?
I have seen and fired hundreds of thousands (estimated) during my time as a Paratrooper and the CoD tracers look great!

yes, although if viewed side on from a distance away the same tracers would appear to that person as dots. If that person started videoing the tracer it would then appear on the film as lasers.

The laser effect you see with your eyes is caused because your brain cannot percieve detail at that speed just like waving your hand infront of your face. While the camera Laser effect is caused by long exposure to the light and nothing to do with speed. Two separate phenomanons.

[choctaw111]

Originally Posted by Robotic Pope

yes, although if viewed side on from a distance away the same tracers would appear to that person as dots. If that person started videoing the tracer it would then appear on the film as lasers.

The laser effect you see with your eyes is caused because your brain cannot percieve detail at that speed just like waving your hand infront of your face. While the camera Laser effect is caused by long exposure to the light and nothing to do with speed. Two separate phenomanons.

Yes, from a distance and viewed from the side, they would look like dots, in film also.
The closer you are, the more the apparent speed seems to be and they will look more like streaks than dots both on film and the naked eye. When I say film, I am not talking about digital film, as many digital cameras may film 30 fps or more, but have extremely short exposure times which are NOT consistent with the sensitivity of the human eye.
I am not so sure what so many people cannot understand about this seemingly easy to grasp concept.

Edit...
I wanted to mention that when Ilya says the tracers are perfect, he is referring to the fact that from the observers viewpoint, apparent speed and distance are taken into account and therefore the tracers will appear as dots from behind and at a distance from the side view, or as streaks as you move closer and the tracer moves across your field of view at a faster rate.

[Robotic Pope]

Originally Posted by choctaw111

Edit...
I wanted to mention that when Ilya says the tracers are perfect, he is referring to the fact that from the observers viewpoint, apparent speed and distance are taken into account and therefore the tracers will appear as dots from behind and at a distance from the side view, or as streaks as you move closer and the tracer moves across your field of view at a faster rate.

Agreed, This is how it should be.

[The Kraken]

Originally Posted by choctaw111

I don't see anyone who has actually seen tracer fire complaining in this forum about how they look in CoD but rather saying how good they look.

You should check again then. For me, who never had the pleasure of firing tracers or witnessing them in real life, it's quite confusing that some who apparently have real-life experience, are saying CoD's tracers look perfect, and some say the opposite. But then again we've already had this with flight models and what have you

Anyway, maybe through those "virtual camera settings" mentioned by Oleg the effect is customizable enough that everyone is happy in the end. As in the image I linked above there seems to be quite some difference in rendering (and we've also seen pictures where the tracers are indeed only small points even from the side). Then again this setting may affect the prop rendering at the same time...