Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Terrain Editor => Topic started by: LLv34_Camouflage on November 16, 2000, 12:15:00 PM
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Hi guys!
I was just putting my nose into the files in the terrain folder in the AH terrain editor.
There is a file called ****.wca in the folder, where **** is the name of your terrain. If you open it with Notepad, this is what it looks like:
#CloudCnt);
#CreateSeedTime);//Hours
#CreateSpacing);//Hours
#MinType);
#MaxType);
#MinPnt.x);//Miles
#MinPnt.y);Feet
#MinPnt.z);//Miles
#MaxPnt.x);//Miles
#MaxPnt.y);Feet
#MaxPnt.z);//Miles
#Range.x);Feet
#Range.y);Feet
#Range.z);Feet
#MinSize);Feet
#MaxSize);Feet
#Vec.x);//Miles
#Vec.y);Feet
#Vec.z);//Miles
#Speed);mph
16,0.08,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.16,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.24,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.32,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.40,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.48,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.56,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.62,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16,0.08,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.16,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.24,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.32,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.40,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.48,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.56,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
16,0.62,7,0,0, 0,15000,75, 30,15000,75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-150, 25
It looks like this file has something to do with the clouds, their amount, location, speed etc.
The formatting is quite clear, but what the actual effect these settings is needs to be found out. I haven't yet done any experimenting with the file, so if someone is eager to try, go ahead. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
I'll see if I have time to look into this.
Camo
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Camouflage
XO, Lentolaivue 34
www.muodos.fi/LLv34 (http://www.muodos.fi/LLv34)
Brewster into AH!
"The really good pilots use their superior judgement to keep them out of situations
where they might be required to demonstrate their superior skill."
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Yep, indeed you can control the clouds with this! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
This is what I found out so far:
Each row of numbers gives parameters to a single cloud bank.
Remarks are in italic. Remarks with a question mark are just educated guesses. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
#CloudCnt); How many clouds in the cloud bank
#CreateSeedTime);//Hours When do the clouds spawn (AH time)?
#CreateSpacing);//Hours When does another loop begin?
#MinType);
#MaxType);
#MinPnt.x);//Miles x-coordinate where first cloud in bank spawns?
#MinPnt.y);Feet Alt of first cloud
#MinPnt.z);//Miles z-coordinate where first cloud in bank spawns?
#MaxPnt.x);//Miles x-coordinate where last cloud in bank spawns?
#MaxPnt.y);Feet Alt of last cloud
#MaxPnt.z);//Miles z-coordinate where last cloud in bank spawns?
#Range.x);Feet
#Range.y);Feet
#Range.z);Feet
#MinSize);Feet
#MaxSize);Feet
#Vec.x);//Miles
#Vec.y);Feet
#Vec.z);//Miles Cloud bank direction?
#Speed);mph Cloud bank speed
It would be nice to figure out the coordinate system, so you could create clouds to where you want them.
I already managed to create a nice overcast to very low altitude, with some higher clouds too. Pretty cool. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
This is going to be great! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Camo
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Ok, I'll try to explain what the first line in that default file means.
These are just guesses, so you might want to verify these!
16,0.08,7,0,0, 50,15000,-75, 80,15000,-75, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,150, 25
16: 16 clouds in this bank of clouds
0.08: Cloud bank spawning starts 0.08 hrs after arena startup (4.8mins)
7: The spawning loop starts all over after 7hrs
0: Cloud type??
0: Cloud type??
50: X-position coordinate of first cloud (miles from center?)
15000: Altitude of first cloud
-75: Z-position coordinate of first cloud (miles from center?)
80: X-position coordinate of last cloud. (Other clouds in between)
15000: Altitude of last cloud
-75: X-position coordinate of last cloud
5000: Range??
1000: Range??
5000: Range??
4000: Cloud size??
9000: Cloud size??
0: x-vector?
0: y-vector?
150: z-vector?
25: Cloud bank speed
It seems that the coordinate system origins in the map center. X- positive is east, Z-positive is north.
The vectors definately give the direction to the cloud bank. Maybe the vector is kinda like the "trail" the cloud bank moves, showing the end point.
By adding more lines to the file you add more cloud banks and can create bigger areas of cloud cover. If you want puffs here and there, increase the spread of the clouds within a bank. Remember that more clouds equals less frames per second!
That said, a huge overcast layer at 2000ft is pretty cool. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Gotta do some more experimenting. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Camo
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So what your saying is, you should be able to thin the cloud out and drop it to ground level and we could have fog fights.
Would be cool | (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Dog out.
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Well ground level is cool, tough to see the runway though! Get 50 feet from a hanger & your lost like a North Dakota Blizzard!!! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Camo you deserve a promotion for this IMO.
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Warning! These settings also effect smoke from burning hangers etc! Found out the hard way. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Originally posted by Ghosth:
Warning! These settings also effect smoke from burning hangers etc! Found out the hard way. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Good to know!
Which settings did you change and what happened?
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WTG camo!
this is awesome
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Very interesting!
Now if we can just up the min spec machine for AH to a 450mhz (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) Maybe we can start getting realistic clouds in the game.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
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Darn I knew I should have taken notes! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
Ok was playing with the clouds last night in a test terrain. (small map, 1 airfield)
First I pulled the alt down from 15k & tried various settings. The #'s I changed that effected the smoke were I think the cloud size min/max. I'd pumped them way up trying to get a thin layer (& got a huge cloud of fog on the ground) Then the smoke idea came to me so I upped osty & killed the VH.
Far as I could see the cloud of black smoke covered the entire airbase.
Will try to duplicate later today to test exactly which setting did what.
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Rgr Ghosth, keep us posted on the smoke!
I did some experimenting with the clouds, I think I have the cloud settings figured out now. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) (Except for cloud type, any clue about that?)
Here's my educated guess of what they do:
Thanks to HiTech for telling us about the Min/MaxType variable!
#CloudCnt); Number of clouds in the bank
#CreateSeedTime);//Hours Time when the first cloud bank appears (clock starts ticking at arena start time)
#CreateSpacing);//Hours When does another bank spawn
#MinType); Cloud type: 0,1 or 2.
#MaxType); Cloud type: 0,1 or 2.
#MinPnt.x);//Miles Start x-coordinate of first cloud in bank (W-E, east is positive. 0 is map center)
#MinPnt.y);Feet Alt of first cloud
#MinPnt.z);//Miles Start z-coordinate of first cloud in bank(N-S, north is positive. 0 is map center)
#MaxPnt.x);//Miles Start x-coordinate of last cloud in bank
#MaxPnt.y);Feet Alt of last cloud
#MaxPnt.z);//Miles Start z-coordinate of last cloud in bank
#Range.x);Feet Cloud bank variation in W-E direction
#Range.y);Feet Cloud bank variation in altitude
#Range.z);Feet Cloud bank variation in N-S direction
#MinSize);Feet Minimum size of each cloud
#MaxSize);Feet Maximum size of each cloud
#Vec.x);//Miles End point of cloud x-coordinate (W-E) in relation to start point. When the cloud bank reaches that point, it vanishes
#Vec.y);Feet End altitude of cloud bank in relation to start point
#Vec.z);//Miles End point of cloud (z-coordinate= N-S) in relation to start point
#Speed);mph Speed of cloud bank
A few comments:
Type: The MinType MaxType are fixed type of clouds. Currently there are 3, so valid numbers are 0 1 and 2. If you wish all clouds to be of the same type, set min and max to the same number. Thanks HT!
Range: Use this to get a little variation into the cloud bank, so that they are all not so perfectly aligned.
Size: If you place clouds low, don't make the clouds so big that they clip the ground!
Vector & speed: For all of you who have read math, you know what a vector is. Basically, it is a line that is drawn from the start point to the finish. In this case, those vector coordinates define the cloud end point in relation to the start point. The clouds travel that line at the given speed, and when they reach the end, they vanish.
So if you want the clouds to disappear in a specific point, you have to do some adding and subtracting of coordinates. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Any other observations?
Have fun! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
Camo
[This message has been edited by LLv34_Camouflage (edited 11-18-2000).]
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From what i've been able to determine, the only time smoke got out of hand was when I pumped the cloud min/max size way up.
I've doublechecked most of what you've posted so far, looks to me like your batting 1000.
Keep up the good work camo!
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Rgr Ghosth, that makes sense! Thanks!
I'm eager to find out what that cloud type thingie means. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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On the cloud type #'s, I've tried inputing various numbers into there & got no discernable changes.
Let me know if you come up with something different.
BTW great shots in the other thread. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Eureka! I have it!
Ok useing the following line as an example
32,0.001,22,10,10, 0,4000,0, 15,4000,0, 1000,1000,3000 ,3000,7000, 0,0,30, 15
we have 32 clouds, the min/max refers to the cloud size variables. IE it makes clouds as small as 3000 feet, and as large as 7000.
Useing the "Mintype/maxtype" variable tells it how many small clouds to make, and how many large ones.
In the example above, there would be 22 small clouds, and 12 large ones.
Just another control variable actually. Simple! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
[This message has been edited by Ghosth (edited 11-18-2000).]
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The MinTyp MaxType are fixed type of clouds
current we only have 3 so valid numbers are 0 1 and 2, if you wish all clouds to be the same set min and max to the same number.
Btw Ive been working on a full editor for the cloud banks to make them quicker to set up. It's just low on the list at the moment.
Also the are limits to how many cloud banks you can have total . And more importantly how many you can have active at once.
HiTech
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Oops, Ghosth? (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) Great effort, nonetheless! <S!>
HT, thanks for the valuable comments!
Originally posted by hitech:
The MinTyp MaxType are fixed type of clouds
current we only have 3 so valid numbers are 0 1 and 2, if you wish all clouds to be the same set min and max to the same number.
Excellent info, thanks. I will try it out.
Btw Ive been working on a full editor for the cloud banks to make them quicker to set up. It's just low on the list at the moment.
[/b]
Maybe even implement it to the CM/Host settings so that clouds could be changed for scenarios? (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Also the are limits to how many cloud banks you can have total . And more importantly how many you can have active at once.
I noticed something like this, when I set the seed time very short. The cloud spawning stopped at some point... Thanks for clearing this up! Anyway, when the cloud limit has been reached, fps is somewhere near 15-20 so it is nearly unplayable anyway...
Thanks!
Camo
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List of cloud parameters updated above.
[This message has been edited by LLv34_Camouflage (edited 11-18-2000).]
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15-20 fps is unplayable ????
Man..that is what my normal framerate is. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
For me that would translate to 3 fps. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/eek.gif)
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Hi again!
I've managed to get pretty good results with my latest experiments. Not surprisingly, my approach to setting up the clouds is very close to the way HTC did it.
I started editing the default AH cloud layer numbers, moved the clouds around the map and lower. I also spread them around a bit more and reduced their size a bit.
Here's my latest .wca file. If you want to try it out, please do. I get decent frame rates with it offline, comparable to cloud fighting in the standard AH maps. I will do some online H2H testing this week.
#CloudCnt);
#CreateSeedTime);//Hours
#CreateSpacing);//Hours
#MinType);
#MaxType);
#MinPnt.x);//Miles
#MinPnt.y);Feet
#MinPnt.z);//Miles
#MaxPnt.x);//Miles
#MaxPnt.y);Feet
#MaxPnt.z);//Miles
#Range.x);Feet
#Range.y);Feet
#Range.z);Feet
#MinSize);Feet
#MaxSize);Feet
#Vec.x);//Miles
#Vec.y);Feet
#Vec.z);//Miles
#Speed);mph
# Large cloud cover 8000ft. Start: -25,5 ... 60,5 -> South 25 miles, 100mph
16,0.0001, 0.18,0,2, -25,8000,5, 60,7000,5, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
8,0.02, 0.18,0,2, -25,7000,5, 60,9000,5, 4500,1000,4500 ,3000,8000, 0,0,-25, 100
21,0.04, 0.18,0,2, -25,8500,5, 60,8500,5, 8000,2000,3000 ,4500,8000, 0,0,-25, 100
11,0.06, 0.18,0,2, -25,8100,5, 60,9200,5, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
4,0.08, 0.18,0,2, -25,8600,5, 60,7700,5, 4000,1000,5000 ,3000,4000, 0,0,-25, 100
12,0.10, 0.18,0,2, -25,7000,5, 60,8000,5, 5000,1000,5000 ,6000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
14,0.12, 0.18,0,2, -25,8100,5, 60,7900,5, 5000,500,8000 ,6000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
6,0.14, 0.18,0,2, -25,5000,5, 60,7000,5, 5000,100,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
# 5000ft clouds east. Start: 10,35 ... 21,35 -> South 55-75 miles, 100mph
8,0.0101, 0.18,0,2, 10,5000,35, 21,4000,35, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-55, 100
6,0.03, 0.18,0,2, 10,5000,35, 24,5000,35, 4500,1000,4500 ,3000,8000, 0,0,-55, 100
11,0.05, 0.18,0,2, 13,5000,35, 23,5500,35, 8000,2000,3000 ,4500,8000, 0,0,-65, 100
6,0.07, 0.18,0,2, 13,3100,35, 24,5200,35, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-55, 100
8,0.09, 0.18,0,2, 12,2600,35, 23,5700,35, 4000,1000,5000 ,3000,4000, 0,0,-75, 100
9,0.11, 0.18,0,2, 11,5000,35, 24,5000,35, 5000,1000,5000 ,6000,9000, 0,0,-55, 100
7,0.13, 0.18,0,2, 12,5100,35, 22,4900,35, 5000,500,8000 ,6000,9000, 0,0,-75, 100
9,0.15, 0.18,0,2, 9, 5000,35, 24,5000,35, 5000,100,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-55, 100
# 5000ft clouds west. Start: -10,15 ... 1,20 -> South 25 miles, 100mph
8,0.0101, 0.18,0,2, -10,5000,15, 1,4000,20, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
6,0.03, 0.18,0,2, -10,5000,15, 4,5000,20, 4500,1000,4500 ,3000,8000, 0,0,-25, 100
11,0.05, 0.18,0,2, -13,5000,15, 3,5500,20, 8000,2000,3000 ,4500,8000, 0,0,-25, 100
6,0.07, 0.18,0,2, -13,3100,15, 4,5200,20, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
8,0.09, 0.18,0,2, -12,2600,15, 3,5700,20, 4000,1000,5000 ,3000,4000, 0,0,-35, 100
9,0.11, 0.18,0,2, -11,5000,15, 4,5000,20, 5000,1000,5000 ,6000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
7,0.13, 0.18,0,2, -12,5100,15, 2,4900,20, 5000,500,8000 ,6000,9000, 0,0,-35, 100
9,0.15, 0.18,0,2, -9, 5000,15, 4,5000,20, 5000,100,5000 ,4000,9000, 0,0,-25, 100
# 25000ft cloud sprinkles. Start: -45,40 ... 45,51 -> Southeast 85 miles, 400mph
7,0.0001, 0.02,0,2, -45,25000,40, 45,24000,51, 6000,5000,8000 ,8000,11000, 15,0,-82, 400
# Low local cloud cover. Start: -17, -5 .... -12, 8 -> South 5 miles, 10mph
8,0.0001, 0.501,0,2, -17,5000,-5, -12.2,4000,-8, 5000,1000,5000 ,4000,6000, 0,0, -5, 10
6,0.00012, 0.501,0,2, -17.2,5200, -8.5, -12,5000,-9.5, 4500,1000,4500 ,3000,4000, 0,0,-5, 10
7,0.00014, 0.501,0,2, -16.9,4900, -10, -12.1,5500,-11, 8000,2000,3000 ,4500,8000, 0,0,-5, 10
As you can see, there are basically 5 different cloud layers.
The first is a large cover at around 8k that spans across the east side of the 128x128 map laterally. It is not too dense, but will provide cover for aircraft. Great for middle-alt furballing. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
The second and third are low altitude clouds, pretty dense. If they are below you when you try to bomb - tough luck. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) These are excellent for low alt fights, since the lowest clouds are at 50ft. Don't dive too steeply into the clouds, you might not get out of it alive. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) These are also the life insurance of every pilot. You can dive into these and get rid of your pursuers.
The fourth cloud group are high 25k clouds, spread across the whole map. About one cloud per 15 miles. They move fast across the map.
The fifth and last cloud group is what I will do more experimenting on. It is a small local overcast, covers about 5x5 miles and is very dense. It is currently at about 5k, with lowest clouds around 100ft. I could take some clouds off the other layers and spread a few of these local overcasts over the map. I think that would be a good way to do this... These would be nice to spread over the strategic targets, moving across them slowly. The bombers would have to wait for an opening in the layer to be able to bomb. Or optionally come in lower. Or send Jabos. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) If you have a tank battle map, put these over the battlefield so the Jabos will have a hard time pinning you down.
Go ahead, try them out!
Create a new text file into your aheditor/terrains/*** -folder, copy that above quote there and rename the file ***.wca, where *** is the name of your terrain. Be sure to take a backup copy of your old .wca file first!
Have fun!
Camo
[This message has been edited by LLv34_Camouflage (edited 11-21-2000).]