Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: earl1937 on August 26, 2014, 02:15:37 PM
-
:airplane: I know this has been asked for before, but really Hi Tech, how much trouble would it be for a player posting a mission, to select aircraft skin to be used in mission, just like he does with fuel and ammo load outs? I realize we have the "default" skins now used in mission planning, but to be able to select the squadron colors for a mission is just one of those "little" things which would make the game more attractive to players!
-
You could always take a baby step and ask for a mission info sheet popup from the mission planner. It tells you the plane, load out, and skin the mission planner would like to see everyone in when you click on the plane you would like to use in the mission. But, then everyone gets the default skin anyway.
In theory your request is not complicated. Once you join the mission, then you also accept the skin change for that ride. Error control would happen upon finding that skin is not in the player's skins folder so the default skin is changed to. Some might argue that being forced into a skin other than the default would cause some players to avoid missions. Others might argue there would be problems even privacy concerns with the game program having to run local inventory scans of your hard drive.
I've always wondered why we end up in the default skin versus, we launch in whatever skin our ride is currently sporting. Then my baby steps recommendation would be more likely while Hitech wouldn't need to scan your hard drive to enumerate the skins you have.
-
You could always take a baby step and ask for a mission info sheet popup from the mission planner. It tells you the plane, load out, and skin the mission planner would like to see everyone in when you click on the plane you would like to use in the mission. But, then everyone gets the default skin anyway.
In theory your request is not complicated. Once you join the mission, then you also accept the skin change for that ride. Error control would happen upon finding that skin is not in the player's skins folder so the default skin is changed to. Some might argue that being forced into a skin other than the default would cause some players to avoid missions. Others might argue there would be problems even privacy concerns with the game program having to run local inventory scans of your hard drive.
I've always wondered why we end up in the default skin versus, we launch in whatever skin our ride is currently sporting. Then my baby steps recommendation would be more likely while Hitech wouldn't need to scan your hard drive to enumerate the skins you have.
:airplane: As usual, you make a good point! Maybe if he could just list "5" skins as default and the mission planner then could select which he would like to use!
-
Yes but, does he then inventory each mission member's skins directory, and have a special server cache with skins that those who don't have that skin on their PC get a download when they accept the mission. Who decides what skins will be in that cache?
It could be if you the mission planner have that skin on your PC, when you build the mission you have an upload to perform like squad nose art to a temporary cache on the server. Then say 10 minutes after the mission launch a house keeping polling cycle flushes your uploaded skin. You are still left with a server side inventory of each mission member's skins folder on his PC.
So back to KISS. Hitech makes it possible that whatever skin your ride currently has on is your skin when the mission launches. Then the mission planner fills in the info screen message with the skin he would like each ride in the mission to have as the current skin. Like FSO where your briefing also gives you the skin for the current event.
You would not get 100% compliance but, probably better than 75% due to players feeling like they have a choice. And Hitech doesn't have to implement something with unintended consequences.
-
Yes but, does he then inventory each mission member's skins directory, and have a special server cache with skins that those who don't have that skin on their PC get a download when they accept the mission. Who decides what skins will be in that cache?
It could be if you the mission planner have that skin on your PC, when you build the mission you have an upload to perform like squad nose art to a temporary cache on the server. Then say 10 minutes after the mission launch a house keeping polling cycle flushes your uploaded skin. You are still left with a server side inventory of each mission member's skins folder on his PC.
So back to KISS. Hitech makes it possible that whatever skin your ride currently has on is your skin when the mission launches. Then the mission planner fills in the info screen message with the skin he would like each ride in the mission to have as the current skin. Like FSO where your briefing also gives you the skin for the current event.
You would not get 100% compliance but, probably better than 75% due to players feeling like they have a choice. And Hitech doesn't have to implement something with unintended consequences.
:airplane: I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to computers and how they work, but what I am saying is, at present, when I post a mission, a "skin" is already "canned" for the aircraft listed in the "planner" when posting, I am just saying why couldn't he pre-load 3 or 4 other skins, just like he does the default skin now! I guess its really no big deal as to what skin we use in missions, just be kinda nice to have a option!
-
Selecting a skin wouldn't make it available, the player has to have it already. The default skins are the only ones you can be sure all the players have downloaded on their computers.
-
Thus my comments previously.
1. - Hitech has to violate the privacy of your HD and run an inventory to see what skins you have. Still this can be reduced a bit by every time you logon to the arenas, the AH client application we call the "game program", runs an inventory into a results file that the mission application backend on the server looks at to determine your skins. Then you get a forced download if you are missing a skin for the mission in your local inventory file.
2. - The Mission planner person could be required to temporarily upload the skins he requires for the planes in his mission. Then when you select a plane the inventory runs and if you don't have it, you incur a down load and forced to wear that skin. Uploading, down loading, so much band width spent transferring files. Yes you could require Skuzzy in his spare time to maintain a mission skins master download area for forced downloads. I would rather roll in broken glass and douse myself in cheap vodka before forcing Skuzzy to do anything.
3. - Hitech changes the mission itself so that your current skin is your mission skin. Then the mission planner application is changed so the person filling it out can place a message in it recommending the skins he would like players to change into for the aircraft they choose in his mission.
Forced down loading of a skin can be problematic for some players. Insulting to others in the "informal" MA.
Who knows, maybe Hitech might change it for the FSO CM's and the new process subsequently dove tails into the MA mission planner process. The CM's would only need a limited number of skins available to the players per scenario.
-
Thus my comments previously.
1. - Hitech has to violate the privacy of your HD and run an inventory to see what skins you have. Still this can be reduced a bit by every time you logon to the arenas, the AH client application we call the "game program", runs an inventory into a results file that the mission application backend on the server looks at to determine your skins. Then you get a forced download if you are missing a skin for the mission in your local inventory file.
2. - The Mission planner person could be required to temporarily upload the skins he requires for the planes in his mission. Then when you select a plane the inventory runs and if you don't have it, you incur a down load and forced to wear that skin. Uploading, down loading, so much band width spent transferring files. Yes you could require Skuzzy in his spare time to maintain a mission skins master download area for forced downloads. I would rather roll in broken glass and douse myself in cheap vodka before forcing Skuzzy to do anything.
3. - Hitech changes the mission itself so that your current skin is your mission skin. Then the mission planner application is changed so the person filling it out can place a message in it recommending the skins he would like players to change into for the aircraft they choose in his mission.
Forced down loading of a skin can be problematic for some players. Insulting to others in the "informal" MA.
Who knows, maybe Hitech might change it for the FSO CM's and the new process subsequently dove tails into the MA mission planner process. The CM's would only need a limited number of skins available to the players per scenario.
:airplane: I guess what I am having trouble understanding is just this: If anyone, who joins the mission, is going to automatically be placed in an aircraft with the designated default skin, why can't other skins can't also be used by the mission planner....maybe if we just had an option for say, 2 skins. I guess what I don't understand is why would my computer or anyone's else have to be interrogated by Aces High, when the default skin is there when you download the game. Not arguing the point, if everyone who has downloaded the game can now receive the default skin, why can't they also receive any other skins.
-
:airplane: I guess what I am having trouble understanding is just this: If anyone, who joins the mission, is going to automatically be placed in an aircraft with the designated default skin, why can't other skins can't also be used by the mission planner....maybe if we just had an option for say, 2 skins. I guess what I don't understand is why would my computer or anyone's else have to be interrogated by Aces High, when the default skin is there when you download the game. Not arguing the point, if everyone who has downloaded the game can now receive the default skin, why can't they also receive any other skins.
people have other skins disabled. and they also may not have all the skins downloaded. you have been asking this same wish for a couple of years now. but you fail to understand that you will never see every plane in your mission with the same skin.
besides there's some people like me who always fly with the same skin. it is my signature skin and I wont change it unless it is a scenario or a fso. If the requirements to join your mission were to fly a different skin I wouldnt join.
semp
-
:airplane: I guess what I am having trouble understanding is just this: If anyone, who joins the mission, is going to automatically be placed in an aircraft with the designated default skin, why can't other skins can't also be used by the mission planner....maybe if we just had an option for say, 2 skins. I guess what I don't understand is why would my computer or anyone's else have to be interrogated by Aces High, when the default skin is there when you download the game. Not arguing the point, if everyone who has downloaded the game can now receive the default skin, why can't they also receive any other skins.
Having 2 skins per aircraft as default doubles the size of the skins folder in the initial download. If we had 2 skins the next request would be for 3 etc.
The current system where people choose which skins to download and use keeps the basic game download smaller and lets each player choose for themselves. There is generally downtime in the tower before mission start for skins to be suggested for those players who have them.
-
WHAT IF joining a mission does NOT change your fovorite skin that you fly in ?
However, would it be possible to add a line to the mission box where the mission poster could put in what skin he would like to see, on each type of plane used ?
That way skins could be changed by each participant that does have that skin dowloaded.
This would be a plus for those that like to post videos of missions.
LtngRydr
-
1. - Hitech has to violate the privacy of your HD and run an inventory to see what skins you have....
How is this any different than when you log into an arena, it is determined your machine doesn't have the map loaded, and it downloads the new map automatically?
-
I fully support ET's request, and have made it a few times, myself, over the years.
The beauty of missions is that you set everything up for all the participants. As the mission leader, you're not constantly ( and I do mean CONSTANTLY ) having to repeat the field, loadout, runway, skin, launch time.. etc ad nausem, for the insanely numerous requests ( even if you type it in text!!! ) :bhead It truly is frustrating having to repeat the same thing over and over.
Unfortunately, and I cannot understand this priority, but I accept it, there are those that despise the default skin of missions and will not join missions for that very reason. Also, if you launch in a mission with the default skin, you have to go reset that skin in the hangar the next time you fly that plane. ( another particularly annoying PITA aspect of missions )
I understand there are those who do not load/desire to have extra skins on their machine, so forcing people to use them to be in the mission may not be the result you desire..
With that in mind, I propose that a skin can be set as 'optional' in the mission builder, thus giving the builder the option of allowing non-specified skins in the mission.
(http://www.airmageddon.com/ClaimJumpers/MissionSkin1_LR.jpg)
Another change, to go with this, is that the mission launcher should NEVER change the skin that is set in the hangar for a particular plane.
-
How is this any different than when you log into an arena, it is determined your machine doesn't have the map loaded, and it downloads the new map automatically?
:airplane: I appreciate your comments and support in this matter! I am just having trouble getting my head around what some of these guys are saying! I have never seen one player spawn out in one of my missions, who did not have the default skin!
The point I am trying to make is, if Aces High can have one skin designated as default, then why not let the mission planner select the skin he wants...I have guys join the mish all the time, go ahead and select the skin they want to use, spawn out on the runway and wait until mission launches...I realize I could request everyone do that, but as I said, don't understand why the mission planner does not have that option, just like bombs and gas!
-
The only skins you download with the game are the default skins. In order to see different skins on other aircraft or on your own aircraft, you need to download the different skins. If your PC struggles with AH then having more skins can reduce your performance. It can be a good idea to only have the skins you use yourself.
Are you asking for the mission planner to list the selected skin or to provide it?
-
The only skins you download with the game are the default skins. In order to see different skins on other aircraft or on your own aircraft, you need to download the different skins. If your PC struggles with AH then having more skins can reduce your performance. It can be a good idea to only have the skins you use yourself.
Are you asking for the mission planner to list the selected skin or to provide it?
:airplane: Provide it just like it does the default skin! But let the mission planner, (one who is setting up mission), select which skin should be used!
-
Earl the mission planner doesn't provide the default skin, you have those already from the game download.
Because custom skins can create performance issues and to keep the game download file smaller, the choice to use any or all custom skins has been left to each player.
-
Earl the mission planner doesn't provide the default skin, you have those already from the game download.
Because custom skins can create performance issues and to keep the game download file smaller, the choice to use any or all custom skins has been left to each player.
FLS.. Earl means the single 'default' skin per plane.. the one that is set in the hangar for each plane when you first start playing. That is the skin that the mission launcher always uses for the plane that launches from a mission.
Earl ( and I ) would like to see the ability to change the skin that the mission launcher uses, so you could assign, say, the 390th BG skin for B24s and the 4FG skin for P51s.
These are skins that are approved and part of the skins provided by HTC, available to everybody.
-
I believe the reason for that is that the default skin is the only one you have unless you choose to download the other skins. That's why I asked if Earl wanted another skin listed as a suggested choice. The mission planner currently cannot provide skins. If Hitech thinks it's a good idea he'll put it on his list if it's not already there. It just seems like a lot of work for something the players can do themselves while they wait for the mission to start.
-
I believe the reason for that is that the default skin is the only one you have unless you choose to download the other skins. That's why I asked if Earl wanted another skin listed as a suggested choice. The mission planner currently cannot provide skins. If Hitech thinks it's a good idea he'll put it on his list if it's not already there. It just seems like a lot of work for something the players can do themselves while they wait for the mission to start.
:airplane: Why should the "skins" be treated any differently than say, the bomb load or fuel load? There are options to the planner on both of those items! If I can request 25, 50, 75 or 100% fuel load out, why can't I also select the skin?
-
You'll notice you can select a skin in the hanger only if you have it already downloaded to your computer.
If the mission planner was going to select the skin for a mission every player would have to have the skin already downloaded on their computer.
The bomb or fuel load does not need to be downloaded. Just like the default skin, everything you need for fuel and weapons is already downloaded to your PC with the game.
It's possible that HiTech could rewrite the mission planner so that it causes a selected skin to be downloaded for players in the mission who don't have it but that would be a big change from their current position that players get the default skins only with the game download and each player gets to choose the additional skins they want to have on their computer.
-
The game downloads one default skin per aircraft because they HAVE to. Otherwise you'd see the plane shape with no paint.
Each additional skin download takes additional space on your hard drive. Some players may not want to give up that drive space, much less have it forced upon them by every joe shmoe mission planner.
Each skin downloaded can be not only used by, but seen by the player. Without downloading them players can't see them. They see the default. The reason for this is that every skin that resides on your computer needs to be pre-loaded into texture memory in case you run across it in the game. For those with older, slower computers this WILL cause a degradation in performance/frame rate. Every skin loaded will exacerbate the problem. HT has allowed for a solution to this of sorts; it's the option to "turn off other players skins", therefore you only have to load your own into memory.
Even though my computer is fast enough to handle skins, I like to keep a lean and clean machine running at the peak of performance. I DO NOT download skins outside the defaults and always turn off other peoples skins. The only exception I make to this is scenarios where I allow for the skins my own squad is flying.
Your request essentially allows you and any other mission planner to take partial control of my computers resources. I would be a very, very unhappy subscriber if HT were to allow this.
I'm exaggerating for effect but it would be like me saying, "Hey Earl, let me just place this 2Gb file on your computer and slow you down by 15 fps. You don't mind do you?"
-
The game downloads one default skin per aircraft because they HAVE to. Otherwise you'd see the plane shape with no paint.
Each additional skin download takes additional space on your hard drive. Some players may not want to give up that drive space, much less have it forced upon them by every joe shmoe mission planner.
Each skin downloaded can be not only used by, but seen by the player. Without downloading them players can't see them. They see the default. The reason for this is that every skin that resides on your computer needs to be pre-loaded into texture memory in case you run across it in the game. For those with older, slower computers this WILL cause a degradation in performance/frame rate. Every skin loaded will exacerbate the problem. HT has allowed for a solution to this of sorts; it's the option to "turn off other players skins", therefore you only have to load your own into memory.
Even though my computer is fast enough to handle skins, I like to keep a lean and clean machine running at the peak of performance. I DO NOT download skins outside the defaults and always turn off other peoples skins. The only exception I make to this is scenarios where I allow for the skins my own squad is flying.
Your request essentially allows you and any other mission planner to take partial control of my computers resources. I would be a very, very unhappy subscriber if HT were to allow this.
I'm exaggerating for effect but it would be like me saying, "Hey Earl, let me just place this 2Gb file on your computer and slow you down by 15 fps. You don't mind do you?"
Good explanation, BaldEagl.
Until this thread, I wasn't aware that people would specifically prevent skins from downloading, and I've been playing for awhile. And, yes, I agree that forcing a skin download would not be cool.
However, if you did have the skin on your machine, then it would be nice for the mission launcher to use it. Otherwise, the mission launcher should use whatever skin you have assigned to that aircraft in your hangar.
-
You'll notice you can select a skin in the hanger only if you have it already downloaded to your computer.
If the mission planner was going to select the skin for a mission every player would have to have the skin already downloaded on their computer.
The bomb or fuel load does not need to be downloaded. Just like the default skin, everything you need for fuel and weapons is already downloaded to your PC with the game.
It's possible that HiTech could rewrite the mission planner so that it causes a selected skin to be downloaded for players in the mission who don't have it but that would be a big change from their current position that players get the default skins only with the game download and each player gets to choose the additional skins they want to have on their computer.
:airplane: Thanks! I am starting to get a "clearer" picture of the skin problem....I appreciate your comments, they are always very helpful to an old guy like me that is a computer "dummy"....now for another question about that "frame rate" which you or someone mentioned!
When I joined the game 5 years ago, I enabled "auto skin download" and of course, even to this day, when a new skin is put into the game, my computer receives it and I get a message in red or orange which announces for which aircraft the skin is assigned! Does having all the skins which are available for all aircraft in the game, slow my computer down? I constantly run 60 to 70 on the frame rate on my pc when playing the game and it always has. Someone made the statement that the more skins you have "saved" in your PC, it would slow down the speed at which you can play the game. Now, I have always had trouble killing anything with .50 cal ammo....I can be 200 behind someone and firing a hail of bullets and sometimes, nothing happens! Could the skins in my hangar folder have anything to do with my ability to kill aircraft with .50 cal ammo?
And BTW, thanks to you and everyone in here who answers my "dumb" questions!!!!
-
Good discussion going here as I have never given this any thought since I've been here playing this game.
The game downloads one default skin per aircraft because they HAVE to. Otherwise you'd see the plane shape with no paint.
Each additional skin download takes additional space on your hard drive. Some players may not want to give up that drive space, much less have it forced upon them by every joe shmoe mission planner.
Each skin downloaded can be not only used by, but seen by the player. Without downloading them players can't see them. They see the default. The reason for this is that every skin that resides on your computer needs to be pre-loaded into texture memory in case you run across it in the game. For those with older, slower computers this WILL cause a degradation in performance/frame rate. Every skin loaded will exacerbate the problem. HT has allowed for a solution to this of sorts; it's the option to "turn off other players skins", therefore you only have to load your own into memory.
Even though my computer is fast enough to handle skins, I like to keep a lean and clean machine running at the peak of performance. I DO NOT download skins outside the defaults and always turn off other peoples skins. The only exception I make to this is scenarios where I allow for the skins my own squad is flying.
Your request essentially allows you and any other mission planner to take partial control of my computers resources. I would be a very, very unhappy subscriber if HT were to allow this.
I'm exaggerating for effect but it would be like me saying, "Hey Earl, let me just place this 2Gb file on your computer and slow you down by 15 fps. You don't mind do you?"
So if you have checked the box under Graphics Details to "turn off other players skins" then the only skin you will see is the default skin for that particular plane which is downloaded on everybody's box when you first start the game.....only the additional skins are the ones that you won't see unless you allow them to be downloaded when the game FE detects them being used during gameplay..................... .......correct?
So it is this action that causes the frequent writes back & forth to HDD & mem.......ie paging? Or causing stuttering if the box isn't fast enough to seamlessly do this in the background while during gameplay....................
Learn something here every day if you stick around long enuff........................
:salute :D :aok :old:
-
Good discussion going here as I have never given this any thought since I've been here playing this game.
So if you have checked the box under Graphics Details to "turn off other players skins" then the only skin you will see is the default skin for that particular plane which is downloaded on everybody's box when you first start the game.....only the additional skins are the ones that you won't see unless you allow them to be downloaded when the game FE detects them being used during gameplay..................... .......correct?
So it is this action that causes the frequent writes back & forth to HDD & mem.......ie paging? Or causing stuttering if the box isn't fast enough to seamlessly do this in the background while during gameplay....................
Learn something here every day if you stick around long enuff........................
:salute :D :aok :old:
If you've downloaded a skin you will see it on any plane in the MA that's wearing that skin. Every other plane will show the default skin unless you've downloaded other skins, then they will also show on any plane using those skins.
Don't show other players skins will default all planes to the default skins except your own, which will show the skin you've chosen.
As I said, I don't download or enable other players skins except in scenarios. In that case, once I know what skin my squad is flying I jump out of the game, download it, jump back in, choose it for my plane then enable other players skins. Because this is only skin I have on my hard drive, outside of the defaults, it's the only non default skin I'll be able to see but I'll see it on any other plane in the scenario that's using it (typically only the squad I'm flying with).
Stuttering can be caused by any number of things. Automatically downloading skins in the background on low powered machines and having to load skin textures on machines without sufficient memory resources to pre-load them are among them.
Earl, as long as your machine runs a steady 60 fps then you have no issues downloading or preloading skins. Most monitors have a refresh rate of 60 Mhz and most do and should enable VSync so the frame rate doesn't exceed the refresh rate. Exceeding the refresh rate may cause graphic anomalies known as screen tearing.
-
Earl as long as Aces High looks normal you don't need to worry about loading skins. If you notice pauses, choppiness, or stutters, then you can try turning skins off to see if that makes a difference.
-
You can already spawn any skin, or any plane for that matter into any mission.
-
You can already spawn any skin, or any plane for that matter into any mission.
:airplane: Please explain how, so we all will know! There is no "pull" down window for selecting which skin I want to use for a mission which I am posting....right now, the only thing the "mission editor" will allow is the default skin for any of the aircraft which I have posted in the mission. What I have been asking for in this post is just to have the same selection option that I have for fuel and bomb load outs. If a player does not have all the skins downloaded, then the default shows up, as that is part of the download when you install the game!
-
Pick a slot in the mission. Then go into the hanger and pick the ride you will use in the mission. Pick your skin and your loadout. Then spawn on the runway and wait for the mission to start. I believe you can do this and pick a completely different ride.
-
Pick a slot in the mission. Then go into the hanger and pick the ride you will use in the mission. Pick your skin and your loadout. Then spawn on the runway and wait for the mission to start. I believe you can do this and pick a completely different ride.
Bingo. However I have a barely slightly better method.
Go to mission field, pick a plane and loadout, wait for mission to launch in F5 view.
Wait for mission to launch so you can see which runway they're on.
When it asks how to score, launch your plane first, then select how to score it.
-
Pick a slot in the mission. Then go into the hanger and pick the ride you will use in the mission. Pick your skin and your loadout. Then spawn on the runway and wait for the mission to start. I believe you can do this and pick a completely different ride.
:airplane: Players do that all the time, when they want a certain skin on their aircraft. Still do not know why the skin selection could not be a option, just like fuel and ord load outs!