Gunsight = the device that you look through.
Reticle = the image projected onto the reflector glass that you aim with.
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If you want to create reticle that have fixed properties directly related to aircraft size at distance. Building them in a 512x512 mask is programed by Hitech to result in the following:
1Mil = 2pixel
100Mil = 30ft wingspan at 100 yards.
Most gunsight rings were 30, 35, 50, 70, 100, 105 or 120Mil in diameter. The main ring was used primarily for range estimation. Secondairly for lead hold off calculation. Most pilots could not eyeball calculate lead in WW2. But they knew their convergence point matched the center "pipper" or dot of the projected reticle(gunsight). And most shooting was from the rear within convergence range.
I favor historic reticle for each aircraft since this is a WW2 simulation. The newer generation of players seem to want what they are used to from other games that look abit more Jet fighter HUD, SiFi or FPS style. Ultimatly many are looking for the "Holy Grail" of bits and peices that will make their masterpeice a semi-AimBot.
Here is a link to one of the better articles explaining WW2 gunnery using the reticle in our aircraft and the Historick Pac I've linked for you at the end of this post.
Fundamentals of Gunnery: http://www.simhq.com/_air10/air_312a.html----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How To Mak a Gunsight
1.}512x512 8-bit bitmap file.
1Mil=2pixel
2.}For 512x512 you will need a (.mil) file with 256 in it. (Gunsight.bmp+Gunsight.mil) Open a text file, name it (Gunsight.mil.txt), place 256 in it and save. Rename that to Gunsight.mil. Put in sight directory with Gunsight.bmp. Aces High does not seem to recognise a file saved as Gunsight.mil in text format. It has to start out saved as (whatever.mil.txt).
If your reticle shows up too small check to see that the names of the two files match, or that you have not forgotten the (.mil) file, or that you have created the (.mil) file correctly. The game defaults the mask area to 128x128 or 256x256 bmp file size without needing a (mil) file. 512x512 allows better resolution from my experience.
For each GunsightWhatever.bmp it needs a GunsightWhatever.mil file in the "Sights" directory to show corrrectly.
3.}Black background MASK. Open a new art file as 512x512, fill with black then save as (whatever.bmp) in 8bit.
4.}The best colors in the game I've found for the reticle are orange, yellow and cyan. Use the grid feature in your art program to help you keep circles centered and structures bisymmetricaly even. To pull a 100Mil circle using (256, 256) as center. Delete 100 from 256 and your pull point is (156, 156).
1Mil = 2pixel
50Mil radius = 100pixel
5.}Keep lines and circles to 2pixel width to start out. If you use any 1pixel llines, they are only usable at 50-100% zoom. If you are adept at your art program. Try making your reticle in 1pixel circles and lines, then use blurrs to increase the size and enhance the color. Even 2pixel circles and lines but, they will get thick fast applying blurrs to them. If you are not adept at an art program, keep your circles and lines to 2pixel wide untill you gain experience with the programs features.
Center dots are whater ever works for your eyes. 8 to 14Mil diameter seems to be the range. Or you can use a center cross or "X". I've even used small circles which on zoom allow me to see through to the con.
Bomb and rocket ladders or aimpoints are up to you. Go offline, set the screen capture to a button. Enable the dive bombing lead computing green cross sight. When you make your attack run be on full zoom. Watch the green cross line up on your target and hit the screen capture button instead of the fire button. Then review those screen captures to decide where you want to place aimpoints for bombs and rockets. Lots of trial and error.
6.}Most gunsights will accept a main circle of 100Mil diameter in the game. On some you may have to move the default FOV forward or up and down to make it fit. Smaller main rings like 30-50Mil will focus your eye into a smaller shooting area. Aim small miss small........
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Here is a package of my latest historic reticle for some examples. There are readmes in each folder.
Remember to include the same named (.mil) file with each gunsight (.bmp) file in your sights directory.
File Downlad Link ===>> http://www14.zippyshare.com/v/14750957/file.html 
