http://www.dangerdogz.com/forums/tutorials/category/4-mods/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:45:58 +0000 1800 Tutorials specific to the installation and use of Mods for IL2 http://www.dangerdogz.com/forums/tutorials/article/12-skin-folders-part-1/
To create a Skin Folder that the game will see, you will first need to know the EXACT name that IL2 uses for that aircraft.

The exact name will be in the air.ini file. To find the air.ini file, go into your IL2 root folder and then look in files\com\maddox\il2\objects. There you will find the air.ini file.

Look in the air.ini file until you find the aircraft that you want to create a Skin folder for.

I will use the Spitfire MkI as an example.

In the air.ini file, it will be listed as:
SpitfireMkI air.SPITFIRE1 1 NOINFO gb01 SUMMER


Make a careful note of the first part of the aircraft name up to the: air.SPITFIRE1 part.

That name is what you will want to use in order to create a Skin folder that the game will see.

So for the Spitfire MkI, you would want a Skin folder named SpitfireMkI


As near as I can tell, these the are folder names of the aircraft that I think we will all be using. I’m not sure which version of the Spitfire MkII we’ll be using, so I’ve listed them both.

In QMB I can find a Hurricane MkI 12 Lbs '40

That corresponds to folder named: HurricaneMkI_BoB

That's the only aircraft description that I can find in QMB that mentions 12 Lbs. So until someone sets me straight, these would be the other folder names.

HurricaneMkIIa

SpitfireMkI

SpitfireMkIb

SpitfireMkIIa

SpitfireMkIIb]]> Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:11:09 +0000 12 Tribunus 4 http://www.dangerdogz.com/forums/tutorials/article/11-skin-folders/ How to change the default skins.

The ability to be able to change default skins along with 6dof, were the 2 reasons i first decided to first use mods, everything else has just been a bonus since then, imo they were and still are the 2 mods i'd hate to fly without most.

Right to do this, you need to download this mod first off,

Vpmedia's skinmod

I would upload mine which i customised but its currently 820 megs with all the defaults i've added into it, lol. This download is only 22 megs!

This wonderful mod allows you to set the default skin for all planes (almost, i'll come to that later), and not only one default, it lets you set,

summer default
winter default
desert default

Which of these defaults appears is due to the map thats loaded, because every map has a file called the load.ini, and one of the commands in that file is 'CAMOUFLAGE = SUMMER' If it is set as summer as in the example, the default 'summer' skin will appear, if the camouflage is set to winter in the map such as in moscow winter say, winter default skins will appear etc... There are three different camouflage settings for maps, summer, winter and desert. (a some of pacific maps are set to desert (but not many), so for US planes you can set a ETO and PTO version of the default skin for these maps.)

With this mod you can also set default skins by nationality as well, say for example i've set it up so i have a different default skin for a RAF mustang, than my default skin for the equivalent mark of US mustang.

These skins will also be applied to any static aircraft that have been placed by a mission builder as well which really adds to the immersion in campaigns and co-ops alike, as it turns for example this,



into



and this



into this




First, for this mod to work you must make sure that in the conf.ini the parameter "ClearCache" is set to "0", If you don't have this line add it to your [game] section.

Next download and extract to your IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 folder. It will create a Mods folder for you if you don't already have one in your UP install, or just add the skinmod to your mods folder if you already have one just click merge, when prompted.

You will now be able to start changing default skins

Right, to use the mod now!

This will appear much more complicated than it really is, once you've done it once its easy, probably takes me about 30 secs to change a default skin

So here is a step by step guide of how to change the default skin of in this case a A6M5b, something i hadn't got around to, so now was as good as time as any.

first go into the QMB, and in the enemy flights section select 1 A6M5b to be flying against you as shown below,



and go into the arming,



as you can see the 'current' default is the stock skin. Select the skin you wish to use as the new default,



and then quit the game.

Navigate to your 'cache' folder found in your paintschemes folder, and scroll down through all the weird named folders until you come across a A6M5b folder, as shown below



In that folder are 4 files, which are the files that determine the new default skin, copy these files.



Go into your mods folder and the skinmod folder then into 3Do and then into plane, and you will see something like this,



Find the A6M5b folder, and as you can see above, theres a couple, one marked (multi1) and one marked (ja) The difference between the 2 is how you can set specific skins for nationalities/airforces. In this example i'm just going to copy the files into the A6M5b(ja) folder, so this new default skin will only show up when either the IJN or IJA is selected for country to illustrate a point. The multi1 folder is used for the default skin of all nationalities save ones specifically with there own folder, in the case A6M5b(ja).

Go into the A6M5b folder and there will be a folder marked 'summer'. This is where you can add winter and desert default skins by adding a 'winter' or 'desert' folder or both, here in the mod and you would copy the 4 files from the cache that you had selected to be said skin,, not really applicable for the zero, but say a 109f4 its very useful. IMPORTANT, the 4 files in the cache will always be the LAST skin that you looked at for a plane.

Copy the four files from the cache that you copied earlier into the summer folder,



Restart the game, now when you go to the arming screen in the qmb a select a A6M5b, it will appear as,



as soon as i change to IJN/IJA the default skin changes to,



job, done ]]> Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:01:59 +0000 11 fruitbat 4 http://www.dangerdogz.com/forums/tutorials/article/2-ultrapack-setup-guide/ DangerDogz UltraPack Setup Guide and Recommendations

PLEASE POST/UPDATE WITH ANY HELPFUL INFO AND CHANGES IN THE SUPPORT TOPIC LINKED BELOW:


UltraPack Setup Guide Support

This is just a Summary, Guide, and Recommendations for using the UltraPack mod package. Much of this was copied from different sources. And some suggestions and recommendations from some of the Dogz. If any of this is incorrect please post a correction. And also if you know of any new information that would be helpful in using this package, feel free to post or update this guide.

All help is appreciated!!

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GENERAL GUIDELINES

For a good quick guide for installing the game and the mods, checkout Pappy's UP 2.01 Installation Guide thread on the UltraPack site.

Installing the Game:
First, install the game. Then install the 4.08m & 4.09m patches.

If you are installing on Vista or Windows 7, you probably should NOT install the game in the default location (Program Files). This is because these OSs have a new security feature called UAC (User Account Control). In general: "It aims to improve the security of Microsoft Windows by limiting application software to standard user privileges until an administrator authorizes an increase or elevation." So, you may have problems enabling mods, since they copy files around in your game folder. Basically, your mods may not work.

To avoid this, just create another folder (I created C:My Programs) to install the game into that is not in your Program Files folder.

Or, just disable UAC altogether. You do this at your own risk. I did this, but I do still have a router firewall, software firewall, and antivirus running. To disable UAC, read this.


Installing the Mods:
1) Check our Vault, or download the mods here.
2) Make sure your download files are not corrupted. If you have problems with the game, you can use HashCalc to check the MD5 CheckSums of your download to ensure it downloaded correctly and is not corrupted.
3) Run the UP installer. It will first extract it's files to a temporary location and this takes several minutes, so just wait for it. Then it will ask were your game is installed. Select your game folder. If it asks you if you are installing a Client or Server game, select Client.
4) Also download and install any UP patches that the Dogz are currently using.

Flying Online: Be Compatible with the Host
To connect to the host to fly online there are just a few mods that are required to match the host. If the host is using these mods, you also must have them enabled.

- Any Zuti_DSMod Mod version.
or
- 00_Stock_4.09m

All other mods will not help in your compatibility with the host as far as I know.


Does the order of Enabling Mods matter?
Also, some mods may overwrite files that other mods are using. When this happens, the Mod Enabler program (jsgme) will ask you if you want to overwrite the other mods files (Yes or No). If you click yes, then that mod is the one that has all of it's files enabled correctly. If you click no, then it does not. Usually this does not make a big difference, as you may have one cloud mod versus another. But I would suggest it may be safest to enable the most important mods last and let them overwrite the others.

That would be the 6DOF Tracker mods or Client_Executable mods (only use one of these) and the Zuti mod if you are using it. Sid has pointed out that the 00_HUDConfig_v1 mod actually says that it should be enabled 'after' the Zuti mod and you will only lose some Zuti HUD functionality. But that is the only exception that I have heard of, but read the readme or tooltip that appears over a mod in jsgme for more info.


Graphics Settings:
For Older PCs (or PCs with 2gig or less memory) it is Recommended that you enable S3TC compression in your graphics card setup!!! The mods have increased the amount of textures and their sizes considerably and this really helps those with older PCs and graphics cards to avoid a CTD during mission loading or game launch. For example a few have had trouble loading the new Korea (KTO) map, but after turning on this compression, it was able to load and play just fine.

Launch IL2Set.exe (in the game folder), select Video tab, Choose Custom. Check ARB texture compression box and then select S3TC compression. This will update your conf.ini file in the game folder.

-or-

Open conf.ini in Notepad and set TexCompress=2 under the Render_OpenGL section like this:

[Render_OpenGL]
TexCompress=2

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New Identification Tag for Planes (UP 2.01):

In UP 2.01 ALL the former AI flyables and the new Slot Planes are marked with either "*" or "~".
* - Planes which Flight Model is created/fixed/tweaked by Kwiatek or any other person from our community.
~ - Planes which FM is created by other individuals and members of other modding communities: "SAS, HSFX, aaa, C6, etc..."

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ABOUT MOD PREFIXES:

About the "00", "01" and "02" prefixes in front of the mod names.

The mods starting with "00" can be activated in either UP or HSFX.
The mods starting with "01" can be activated only in UP (I haven't fully tested if MDS 1.1 can be used over HSFX, you can experiment though).
The mods starting with "02" can be activated after the HSFX switch.

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MOD SUMMARY:

The game is considered 'modded' even when no mods are enabled. To fly just the stock 4.09m game, you need to enabled just one mod: 00_Stock_4.09m

These mods are mutually exclusive of one another. Each of them is a separate game executable file (il2fb.exe). Never enable more than one of these at a time.

00_Stock_4.09m
00_1GB_CLIENT_Executable
00_4GB_CLIENT_Executable
00_6DOF_Tracker_1GBVersion
00_6DOF_Tracker_4GBVersion
00_6DOF_Tracker_2_0_sHr
00_USL_ADDONS
00_WarBirdsOfPrey
Exe_xxxx (anything that starts with this prefix)


MOD LIST:

Mod Name	Mod Description
00_1GB_CLIENT_Executable	1GB il2fb.exe max mem heap for clients
00_4GB_CLIENT_Executable	1GB il2fb.exe max mem heap & 4GB max mem usage for clients
00_6DOF_LookAround	6DOF il2fb.exe, look around version for your Mouse Only!
00_6DOF_Tracker_1GBVersion	6DOF, TrackIR version 1GB max mem heap executable.
00_6DOF_Tracker_2_0_sHr	6DOF, TrackIR version.
00_6DOF_Tracker_4GBVersion	6DOF, TrackIR version 1GB max mem heap executable & 4GB max mem usage.
00_6DOF_XY_Axis	6DOF, XY axis version for your Mouse Only!
00_Advanced_Engine_Management	Advanced Engine Management AOC.
00_Atm_modv3.1Wind_Turb&Prop	Wind turbulence and prop-wash simulation.
00_Atm_mod_Original	Configurable wind gusts.
00_Bullets_IntermittentSmoketrail	Intermittent bullet smoketrail.
00_Default_SOUNDS	Revert to Stock sounds
00_DFServers1.25GB_Executable	1.25GB max mem heap executable for DF servers
00_DFServers1.2GB_Executable	1.2GB max mem heap executable for DF servers (last Wine version compatible)
00_Ecran_Wide	Wide screen menus mod. NOTE: On Dogfight Maps, you must click below and just a little to the right to select your Homebase. Look for your cursor to change to an +
00_EFFECTS_High	High visibility - effects. All new Affects plus Full Josse's clouds. Smoke and fire and explosion view distances are MUCH greater so that these are visible from much further away. The most visually satisfying.Competitive Online players and those with older PC's may wish to avoid. (Even with stock clouds)
00_EFFECTS_Low	Low visibility - effects Default IL2 effects and Clouds plus a few new additions required by new aircraft/bombs etc. This is the fastest option and is recommended for people with old PC's or the very competitive online. NOTE: The Default Effects (without using any effects switcher option): Use new effects and Josse's Clouds (but limited to default resolution) without increased view distances. Optimisation of new effects with cloud density & view distances the same as stock. (A balanced option for those that don't really think about these things very much).
00_FMBPlus	Full Mission Builder +. Useful for map makers.
00_H&P_Effects_Uranium_Edition	Latest H&P effects. Note: This should be enabled 'after' whatever other effects you choose.
00_Hakenkruz_Enabler	Enables the Hakenkruz (Swastika) on german and finnish planes
00_HSFX_Switcher	Enables the HSFX client and/or Server version. Keep in mind that you have to rename the Filessamples directories after enabling this so you will be able to join a HSFX crt=2 server without problems.
00_HUDConfig_v1	This is the Hud config addon.
00_ModdedClouds(light)	These are modified clouds baed on flushy's clouds. Very nice and more FPS friendly.
00_Pat_MOD	This is the PAT mod. Very useful for movie-making.
00_Perfect_Map_Textures	This enable's VPmedia's perfect textures for stock maps
00_QMBPro_PAL	QMBPro4 by benitomusso and josse at SAS. An advanced QMB with many extras. Don't forget to read the ultra docs folder regarding this.
00_RealisticBomb&TorpedoFusing	Relistic bombs and torpedoes behavior.
00_Safe_DLLs	These are the "older" and more "safe" .dlls. Activate this if you encounter game crashes.
00_SmallerFonts	This enables smaller fonts.
00_StockClouds	This reverts to stock clouds. This option is included so that you can use the effects (Default setting or Effects High) but with Stock Clouds.
00_Stock_4.09m	This reverts to te Stock game.
00_USL_ADDONS	USL addon for use within the USL leaque: Visit the USL Website
00_ZloyPetrushkO_AAAmod_fast	More realistic aa behavior: -AAA can't see through the clouds above the fog (cloud type>= 4) -AAA can't see in the night without searchlights -AAA in the night starts shooting with a much smaller distance without searchlights. Distance depends on the illumination. -AAA don't shoot in bad weather, if friends planes are near -AAA has new firing logic from ships -AAA is now shooting up to 1 meter above the ground -AAA now you can "scare enemy AAA" (AAA don't shoot about 3-4mins.if you scare AAA humans will be run out.
00_Zuti_DSMod_v1.01_UP	This is ZUTI's MDS version 1.01
01_MOD_SLOT_COOP	This enables the hidden coop slots addon.
01_TougherBridges	Bridges are tougher to destroy.
01_TougherTrains	Trains are tougher to destroy.
01_Zuti_DSMod_v1.1_UP	The last MDS version from |ZUTI|.
02_CarrierTakeoffMod_5.3.3	Carrier take off mod.
02_DgenOfflineCampaigns(Hsfx)	For use with HSFX and off-line campaigns.

---

TIPS FOR CONTROLLING SOME MOD SETTINGS:

Bomb Bay Doors
- Assign a key command to the new key command in your controls!
- Or, disable this feature and have the Bombs drop automatically like before by adding these lines to the bottom of your conf.ini

[Mods]
BombBayDoors=0

---

CUSTOMIZING YOUR MODS - ADDING MORE MODS
If you don't know what you are doing, you probably should not do this. Even if you do know what you are doing, you should probably make a complete backup of your game folder.

But if you are both brave and a little daring (crazy), take a look at Fruitbat's Guide to adding, tweaking, and just understanding how the mods work under the hood.

---

COMMON PROBLEMS:

Game Lockups/Crash to Desktop:
- If you are using one of the 1GB or 4GB CLIENT_Executables, try either enabling or disabling it.
- If you are using one of the 00_6DOF 1GB or 4GB Tracker mods, try either enabling or disabling it.


Mission Loading Errors / Errors connecting to a Host:
- Wrong Version: Make sure you are using the same version of the Zuti MDS mod as the host. Or if they are hosting the the Stock 4.09m mod, make sure you only have that one mod enabled.


- "Mission Loading Failed: MESH 3do/Humans/Paratroopers/Russia/mono.sim not created"
Use S3TC compression
(If that does not work, try this in your OpenGL section: TexFlags.TexCompressARBExt=1)

Mods just don't seem to work!:
- See the section at the top about Installing the Game. If you are using Windows Vista or 7, your system may not let the mods enable themselves.

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DANGERDOGZ SOLUTIONS:

CHKMODS - Mod Verification program:
Checkout FootTrottle's ChkMods program here. It can verify your mod installation and fix any missing files.]]> Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:21:25 +0000 2 Snacko 4