Is there any chance that 'realistic' looking smoke can be added in a future update?

[Romanator21]

Oh really? Can I have $600 please?

[vpmedia]

Originally Posted by Romanator21

Oh really? Can I have $600 please?

maybe you should get a job or something...

[Romanator21]

Very funny. Maybe you should get a life.

[Mysticpuma]

Now chaps, lets get away from personal insults, please?

This is now whether someone has a job or money, it's about adding a 'simple' effect to a 2D sprite to make it look like 3D smoke. The FPS hit on any system is really minimal

The problems in the past have come from large columns of smoke on the ground or huge fires, but that is what I am requesting TD experts could look at and overcome, so that at-least we will have a decent (which is already evident and available in MODS) representation of smoke effects as the 2D 'staircase' effect when you fly through trailing smoke, must surely be put to bed now and retired?

Please do not turn this thread into a flame-war, this is for mature discussion regarding a simple 2D sprite, there is no-need to get on anyone's case about their personal funding, thanks, MP

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

Originally Posted by Mysticpuma

This is now whether someone has a job or money, it's about adding a 'simple' effect to a 2D sprite to make it look like 3D smoke. The FPS hit on any system is really minimal

I'm taking this from this discussion as a honest request.

And also this:

Originally Posted by Romanator21

I don't know if it's the best use of DT's time, but they've surprised us before

Its surely our main problem: manpower!
So we often have to postpone or even quit the considering of such projects.

On the other side I wonder, why there is only a small part in the modding scene, that even care for something, like Mysticpuma askes (compatible and FPS friendly rework, suiteable for also weaker systems).
It would help us a lot, if the thinking wasn't only 'bigger = better'.

[Mysticpuma]

Hello Casper, thanks for the reply and I think you get the point I am trying to make.

Due to the fact that you are making official updates, I appreciate that you have to take into account that not everyone has a fast computer.

The specific request I was asking for was the engine damage smoke and fire that trails after they are hit.

I can also appreciate that those who want big explosions, big smoke, big effects can download Mod packages and that is fair enough.

However getting back to Official updates, as much as I would like to see lots of fire and smoke/explosion effects incorporated, I do understand that once they go through quality control they may have too-much of a hit on performance, which is why Mod packs can be installed and taken out if they don't work for individuals. However as an official update, that is not practical to do and so it needs to work as the removal procedure would mean another patch!

What I am wondering is if the 2D sprite of striped smoke and the 'bubbles' of fire can indeed be swapped out for a low FPS version that gives the much better impression of flying through smoke that is easily visible in most mod packs now?

I wonder if such a mod exists that is FPS friendly, but maybe only affects the plane model smoke and fire, rather than the ground and bomb explosions?

I just hope that this far in there is a chance it can be looked at, as we have had the old striped stair-case effect for so-long now that maybe it could be fixed?

Cheers, MP

[EJGr.Ost_Caspar]

I really doubt, that there could be a version of i.e. smoke, that looks like in those videos from earlier in this thread and has an equal effect to framerates like the stock one. In fact I beliefe, that it is in any case increasing the needed calculating power by a few times. Why that?

One of the still most FPS-killing things in visual effects is gradient transparency, even worse in combination with Antialiasing and even more worse with overlapping transparent objects. So now look at what we have in stock game: two crossing sprites of gradient transparency (animated too but thats to be taken out of thinking for now) - two pieces overlapping in the worst case.

Now what about those mod versions... many sprites of gradient transparency, allways facing the camera. Seen from side this may be ok, but as soon as you go behind a damaged plane and into a smoke trail, the number of overlapping pieces grows immediatly. Thats why I cannot beliefe, that it can be made equally to stock version, in case of FPS...

However, I am talking about weaker systems... on actual rigs, you probably won't notice the difference. But we can not be so superficial to ignore the 'poor guys'.

Lets say, your suggestion is worth of investigation, but probably not suitable.