4.13 development update discussion and feedback

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by ElAurens

You do realize that smoke and fire effects like you are asking for would grind most computers to a standstill, yes?

Yes. That's the problem. But, I wonder if there aren't different ways to create large smoke effects.

For example, rather than having smoke from a static source generated by sprites to create dynamic smoke (which kills frame rates if duplicated or enlarged), perhaps it would be possible to create a "static smoke" effect which consists of a simple rectangle or inverted conical polygon which is "skinned" with a series of series of static images to create the illusion of roiling smoke from distance. If done right, it could look good.

At a distance, it might be possible to simulate large fires using 2-d images (like the old smoke trail effects from IL2 4.10 or earlier), changing to 3-d sprite-based dynamic smoke only when planes get close.

For overcast smoke or haze, it would be easy to just change the color of an existing cumulus or light cloud object and allow mission builders to place it at ground level. The option of allowing mission builders to place clouds to recreate cloud conditions over a target or in a dogfight area would also be nice to have.

For haze

[IceFire]

We have some nice new smoke effects in 4.12... Smoke12 is particularly good at simulating large scale smoke effects... the sprites are large but look good enough both at close range and at a distance. They can be seen VERY far away.

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by IceFire

We have some nice new smoke effects in 4.12...

Agreed, and thanks to DT for them! I guess if you place enough of them together you can get Ploesti-like effects. Several on a large ship give "close enough" "Franklin-like" effects. I've certainly had trouble targeting certain areas of tank farms or ships due to the thick black smoke, which is quite realistic.

Of course, come to think of it, a lot of the big smoke and explosions on the Franklin were due to secondary ordinance and av-gas explosions from the Franklin's own stores. Giving mission builders the ability to place a delayed explosive, fire or smoke effect on a ship would simulate those things. Realistic for simulating carriers like the Franklin and the Japanese carriers at Midway that got caught with their planes rearming and refueling, as well as tankers and ammo ships.

[spiteful21k]

This going to sound strange but I'd like to see some improvements in Camera views.

Firstly I'd love to be able to cycle through the ships in the game, the same as with aircraft.

And have like a "Battle Cam" which jumps from firing aircraft to firing aircraft. Those that play Strike Fighters would be familiar with this when pushing F12.

[Fighterace]

Any updates on the new P-40 series???

[DuxCorvan]

Originally Posted by Fighterace

Any updates on the new P-40 series???

Yeah, curious about that, too. And I'm really hoping for the once-coming fixed-wing models.

[ECV56_Guevara]

Hey guys bombing changes are wonderfull!!! Most of them are a dream come true. Thanks boys!
Are you still working in triggers and Airborne radar? ship debries? Thanks again!
Happy new year for you!

[ImpalerNL]

Originally Posted by DuxCorvan

Yeah, curious about that, too. And I'm really hoping for the once-coming fixed-wing models.

Maybe a fueltank gauge for the p-40?

[SPAD-1949]

Originally Posted by IceFire

We have some nice new smoke effects in 4.12... Smoke12 is particularly good at simulating large scale smoke effects... the sprites are large but look good enough both at close range and at a distance. They can be seen VERY far away.

Not really.
On Approach its just about 4 km until visibility starts.
In vicinity it looks a bit thin.
Departing visibiolity range ist about 9 km.

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by SPAD-1949

Not really.
On Approach its just about 4 km until visibility starts.
In vicinity it looks a bit thin.
Departing visibiolity range ist about 9 km.

You can see them grids away...10+km for sure.