JEFX

Hi Druid and thanks for those very inspiring examples… I really believe that ED should have given many more of those examples for us to start mission editing from! I want to ask your help because, even if I have read all the necessary tools in the GUI manual and I have studied your mission in details… there still is one topic that I really want to setup and cannot program it to work the way I dream: Goal : set a CAP group at a WP (say no 1, which is its actual # 0…) and let it wait there doing a circular orbit. Then, assign it some more WPs, say no 2 to the east and no 3 to the west and call upon their help via the F10 menu if one encounters enemy air threat. My goal is to set up a complex randomized mission in which I can meet some surprise air threat and call the friendly CAP to help me, and do it to a specific area (thus the various WPs). I made it this way : New Airplane Group : F-15s, CAO, WP 1 (0) is starting point WP 2 (1) is in the north WP 3 (2) is in the west WP 4 is a last WP since it seems that there needs to be another WP after the one that interests us??? I did assign the following triggered actions (which by the way should be named actions TO BE triggered… : Command : SWITCH WAYPOINT from current to WP 1 (which means 2…)… condition is user FLAG 1 Command : SWITCH WAYPOINT from current to WP 2 (which means 3…)… condition is user FLAG 2 And I made the following triggers: ONCE…Random (100)… Radio Item add (GO TO STP 2)… FLAG 1 ONCE…Random (100)… Radio Item add (GO TO STP32)… FLAG 2 Switched… FLAG is true (1)… AI TASK (new airplane group/switch WP from current to 2) And also action : FLAG OFF (1) Switched… FLAG is true (2)… AI TASK (new airplane group/switch WP from current to 3) And also action : FLAG OFF (2) And it is not working… I even tried to assign the New Airplane Group a SET FREQUENCY command at the start of its flight plan to make sure I call upon its help on the right frequency (but I don’t think that it is a must ???) What am I doing wrong? It is not working.. Thanks JEFX

Alt-B was added in .08 and I made the jump from 08 to 09 with only the partial patch instal and it kept everything fine. I am just curious for the future, is ED intending to make the next few patches as easy to add without loosing our assignements? (it is nice and quick, while it was a pain when one had to remap everything, including axes tuning, curves, etc...) JEFX

ouf.... I am kind of happy to hear that Olgerd, because I was checking the same on my own and I was beginning to think that I didnt understand anything right... Looking foward to this correction! If I may also suggest, I really think that the manual could give more practical exemples of the functionning and the use of those nav modes (To-To, To-From, etc... ) and how do they work practically. thanks Jean-Francois

Thanks Nomdeplume I thought of it that way also, but I thought I remembered that at some point in the recent patches, it was not necessary anymore to delete the Users folder and on the instal instructions on the website it still says it... I always feel that patching is a pain since one has to remap everthing... (perhaps a dread leftover from 'the dance' in Falcon 4...:))

Can someone remind me how to keep our keyboard and axis assignements while patching (I havent patched to 1009 yet, I was away...). When one reads on the official DCS website, it says please do a full re-installation. To do so: 1. Uninstall A-10C 2. For Windows 7 users, look in your /Users/(name)/Saved Games/ and delete the A-10C folder. 3. Reboot 4. Defrag the drive that A-10C will be installed to 5. Install 1.1.0.9 full version 6. Reboot Now, if one deletes the whole A-10C folder, it will delete all personal files, therefore Keyboard assignements. Is it advisable to keep it??? Is it different when patching from, say, 1008 TO 1009 , and from doing a complete reinstall (which seems to be better in terms of stability?) thanks! JEFX

Thanks for asking, thats really too bad... I think that one of the great thing about this community (and I am proudly part of it since almost the beginning), is the fantastic generosity from everybody. Sharing documents, experiments, results, experiences, and even sheer real-life knowledge like our friend Paulrkiii, helping out people, etc... this is what makes this community strong and very different from mainstream gaming forums... (and the generosity of presence and listening starts with the very DEVs themselves... a very rare team of people). anyways... sad

THanks, Lunatic, It would certainly be for the benefit of all, especially mission makers... :thumbup: Jean-Francois

Thanks Lunatic It is always good to know! In a way, despite our legendary love for precise simulation and everything that is real life... in the simulator, the only thing that counts is the ACTUAL lethal envelope of a threat... I would love if ED could provide those numbers for all units... I have been asking it since prehistorical times (Lockon 1.0). By teh way, have Skeptic and you worked out other interesting numbers like that that you wouldnt mind sharing? thanks

By the way, I made another experiment tonight, and I overflew a pair of OSA (SA-8) at Angels 30 (approximately 30k feet above them actually) and they didnt succeeded to shoot me down. I managed to send them some GBU-31 JDAMs from that altitude and I killed them, that means that the missile that is modeled in the game is neither the old 9M33 that had an altitude envelope of 16000ft nor the newer 9M33M3 that has a max alt of 39000 ft because I was engaged at 20k feet and not at 30k .... Unfortunately, in the encyclopedia, only the 9M33 is described (and it corresponds to the physical aspect of the SA-8's missile...) but the performances are not coherent with any of the types...

Yes, thanks Viper, I read that on the net, but I didnt know that it was the missile that is effectively modelled in the game... Especially that, unfortunately, in the encyclopedia, many engagement altitudes and ranges are not clearly given, ex the SA-8 (I really would have loved if all ranges and altitudes of engagements were given for all units...) I remember doing experiments with BritRadarDude for hours just to try and find out what are the engagement ranges of some of the ships and artys and so on, already in the Lockon time... Sadly, the enclyclopedia of DCS-A-10 has the same flaws as Lockon's... Sometimes the ranges are not given, sometimes the ranges are more like those in real life but not exactly those in the game, etc... for the mission maker it makes life very difficult... anyways, pardon my ranting, I usually am full of praise and I really love everything DCS, and I am a fan forever!

Yes this is a great package, but I want to correct the SA-8 OSA altitude engagement : I was hit a few minutes ago by a SA-8 flying at 20000ft AGL, so there are still some numbers to correct ??

Power5, you can still find the great document (without the last corrections that we all eagerly ait for) on post #32 of this thread clic here : http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1250792&postcount=32 JEFX:)

Dear Paul, Any chance of you updating your great Threats document? I based my Threats checklist on it and, yes, you are right, there are some wrong figures taht I discoverd later (engagement altitudes or distances, for example). But still, it was the best document of the sort in both Lockon and A-10C and I am looking forward to see your update? Perhaps, you can start by making a definitive statement of the real engagement altitudes and distances (I am meaning in the SIM and not in the realworld...). Anyhow, thanks for all your great contributions.:thumbup: JEFX

Hey TAIPAN Thanks, that was fun to watch! Never tried it with NVG. I find it more fun in the half-darkness (specially the explisions on the way back) but definitely well done! Thanks! JEFX

I agree with you Groove, that there could be more details. Actually, it is a bit repetitive and certainly not litterature... But it is a good insight from real life of what we play with in our simulation... And I must say, what made me feel so in awe was the work of the pilots!, the rapidity and precision of their reaction, the level of SA needed to follow all those very precise demands... Spotting mere soldiers on foot, in the woods, keeping track of where they are and all, while flying an F-15 or even an A-10C, and lining up for very precise attacks, from very precise azimuth, etc, all in a couple of seconds... They have all my admiration! Jean-Francois

HI all! I dont know if many of you saw this advice from the BIGBOSS (Jim Mack) but he said in some thread that one should definitely read this book : ''Fire strike 7/9'' by Paul Boomer Grahame... it describes the life and work of a real JTAC in the field in Afghanistan. Well, I am reading it now, and I must say that it should make all of us, desk fighters, very humble... http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Strike-7-9-ebook/dp/B003KVKQVE/ref=pd_rhf_p_img_1 And I am not even talking about the danger of death or the shells an bullets coming by... I am talking about the incredible professional skills needed to work in such an environment... In a way, it is a book about stupid war heroes testosterone, yes (we like that!) but it is also a book about cunning intelligence and fast reflexes, and a relationship with incredibly gifted young pilots! In the light of flying your favorite A-10C, fumbling with the buttons and switches in the cockpit, making your way with understanding what JTAC wants, SA and attacking the right way, etc... all from a split second perspective... A very humbling book for the casual simmer... Thanks JIM! Jean-Francois

Thanks Yo-Yo, It was my pleasure. Talking about people doing art-music as you said or, for me, the orchestra-conductor relationship... I often think that what goes on in the mind of orchestra players and especially of the conductor (of course, I favor my own profession...) is almost of the same nature as what goes on in the mind of a fighter pilot... Things go so fast, driven by incredible sharp reflexes, and the potential for failure is always looming above your head (although, you dont get killed for it...). The only way to survive (this is an image of course) is by incredible training, therefore, instinct. Especially that, usually, as a guest conductor, you get a day or two of rehearsals, at the most, if not only a couple of rehearsals... One has to do most of the communication with the musicians (instruction on how you want things done) in real time at the concert... It is pretty scary, and yet, very exciting! JF

Hello Yo-Yo, It is so nice to talk about music with ED people, thank you! My whole life is about music (except when I fly simulators...). Forgive me for not answering very quickly, I am very busy with work right now (I am at the Staatsoper in Munich, as assistant conductor to Kent Nagano for a big production of St-Francois d'Assise by Messiaen, first time here, and there are lots of rehearsals...) But, to answer your question, as a conductor, I must be very careful not to do prejudice to anybody... Viola jokes are so common (violists are by tradition the fools of the orchestra), but actually, there are as many great viola players as there are players for any other instruments... (and the good ones are the ones not only not minding the jokes but even telling them...) but still, the jokes are pretty good ::D Q.: What is the difference between the first stand of the viola section and the last stand in an orchestra ? A.: One measure… Q.: How do you make a violist play tremolo? A.: You put a long note in his part and write solo besides it… Q.: What is the difference between lighting and the fingers of a violist? A.: there is no difference : they never strike at the same place… Q.: How do you park your car in spaces reserved for handicapped people? A.: You put your viola case clearly seen on the dash… Q.: How do you tell the difference between premature ejaculation and a viola solo? A.: There is no difference : both you know WHEN they come and both you CANNOT do anything to prevent it… But my favourite is: Q.: This violist goes back home after a concert and stops by a store (accommodation) to by cigarettes. He forgets to lock his car and his viola case is on the back seat. When he comes back he thinks ‘shit I forgot to lock the door, I hope nobody stole my viola!’ and he runs to the car and looks through the window and Lo! There are two viola cases on the back seat… But if you want more, here are some famous sites : http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/jokes/viola.html http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/jokes/viola2.html That clearly shows that there might be some truth behind those… Cheers JEFX

Hi! Yo-Yo, Glad to see that one of our genious dev is also interested in music! I was wondering, in this quote of yours, were you referring to a violist by any chance? somebody who plays the viola instead of the violin? Because in the professional musical world there are so many jokes about violists.... at least in symphony orchestras... I like your song! Jean-Francois

Fantastic shots! You have a great photographer's eye. Makes me realize that one of the best new aspect of this sim (compared to older DCS titles) is the realism of light and shadows. And you used both brillantly in those shots. Sure, if I didnt already own DCS A-10C, after those shots, I would die to get it! thanks Jean-Francois

Give it a try, it is fun. Hi! Cibit, I am going to Munich for my music work (next 2 weeks) and then to another summer music festival in Canada for 6 weeks, thanks! Yeah Redfish, I added this for the spice at the end, when you think you are safe and back, it is not easy to avoid it. I could even suggest that when you hear on the radio that an F-15 is engaging him, get back to cover in the canyon for a minute and let the F-15 do the job... If you want more fun (and danger), try and fly the canyon run a bit higher (say 500 feet AGL), many more SAMs will engage you. One can also manage the Chaff and Flare himself so they are not all expanded in the middle of the action... anyways, thanks for trying it, it was fun to build it.

Hi! everyone, I am pretty sad because today I will leave for the rest of the summer and will have to let my Hog behind... But, before I leave, I wanted to share a new mission that I have made that I think is quite entertaining... It is tested with 1.0.0.8 and works fine. get it here : DEATH CANYON.miz Here is the briefing : 0500 AM, bad weather, Black Sea coast. You are in very dangerous territory surrounded by SAMs. The only way to win is to destroy the ennemy's CCC situated on the bank of a mountain lake at the end of a very deadly canyon run (at waypoint 11). Take off in real bad weather and stay very very low to reach the canyon and fly low through the whole flightplan. Be careful to not take a wrong turn, there are SAMs in all lateral valleys. (manage your wingman so that it stays in trail, as close as possible). Once you reach the lake, you will have to turn right very quickly and you will have a split second to lineup for a MK-82AIR delivery on the big smoking factory that houses the ennemy's CCC (Waypoint 11) If you miss or you want to make a U turn, be very careful because there are more SAMs on the other side of the lake's valley and the cloud ceiling is at 6000'. Once the factory is destroyed, you turn back the way you came in and make your way through your waypoints in reverse order (dont take a wrong turn!). If you did destroy the factory, most ennemy units on the way back will explode when you pass them! Get back to base flying very low. Suggested avionics : prepare everything before takeoff because things will be happening very quickly! DSMS : select Mk-82AIR bombs. ARM all systems right away. TAD : if you whish, select TAD on both MFCDs to have a easier look at each turn. Coutermeasures : put on full auto. Alt Alert : select a 200' altitude alert in order to fly real low. Be ready for real action! THERE ARE ABOUT 200 SAMS there, most of lower threat but still... (please, turn off labels for more suprise and fun!)

Hey, welcome aboard! One more advice I would like to give you : if this is your first flight sim, there are a lot of things that are not specific to the A-10C that you will need to learn (for example, those of us who have flown sims before look at the HUD and find it quite easy to read, when if it is your first time, you need a detailed explanation of every symbol, which is in the manual by the way). One of the best way to learn quickly and with simplicity is to learn how to set-up simple custom missions yourself (you would be surprised how many people jump into learning this sim and just try and do campaing missions...). The mission editor is not the most user-friendly tool on the planet, but you get to know each other pretty quickly : read the GUI manual and get familiar with how to make simple missions. One of the most important piece of info that newcomers might overlook is that : when you put one A-10C in the map and you want to be its pilot (instead of AI), you need to set its SKILL to PLAYER (on the right pane). You can start by just simply add one or two aircraft, start from the runway, jump in the air and enjoy the beautiful scenery before you move on to trying each system, one at a time. If you have always dreamt of it, you can cheer because this is a blessed moment of SIM history : the best ever (the only time I felt so good was when I studied Falcon 4 in its original big bound manual...) and this is way better and looks lightyears better! have fun and never hesitate to ask, people here are quite nice and helpful to everybody. Jean-Francois

OK sorry, that was really stupid... I realized that this is not a SP mission but a MP mission. Then In MP, you TYPE what you want to SAY... (in chat) Will give it a try later, there seems to be some people there already! thanks

HI! SPEED I need your help because I dont understand how to interact with the mission... Yesterday I printed everything and put my bird in the air towards the mission, making sure all the systems were up and running but I realized that I dont understand how to get the info??? I heard some voic saying : new tasking available... but where do I see it? I looked at all radio menus, incoming messages on MFCD, etc... no luck And when you say : What do you mean? How can one SAY something with or without quotes? Do I have to say it in a microphone, type it somewhere? I dont understand how to get the tasking, :(:(:( Thanks for clarifying JF