Spotting

[Eagle7907]

I know lots of us have different monitors and display capabilities. My request is for the labels function be designed to only include air contacts and only help in visual contact between 2-7 miles. It seems that is the hardest distance players have to tally bandits.

 

Also, possibly make the labels only visible when the player could see the object. Not with x-ray vision. Ie. Labels popping up through canopy rails, floor, panels, etc.

 

 

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[Harlikwin]

I think the last topic like this got nuked by 9L...

 

But yeah everyone wants it.

[Eagle7907]

I think the last topic like this got nuked by 9L...

 

But yeah everyone wants it.

 

 

 

Great.

 

Anyways, FWIW, I don’t play MP. So I don’t intend to ruin anyone else’s experience. Just saying there are areas to improve or at least add the option to improve to make it less of one person having a significant advantage over another person or bot, to level the playing field.

 

Technology changes, so DCS should adapt to those changes.

 

Nuke away nine.

 

Kaboom.

 

 

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[Shahdoh]

Labels can already be made to whatever custom range you desire and also if you only want 1 type of target. This can also be implemented on MP servers IF they choose to do so, so there is nothing to add in this respect. The capability already exists.

 

What WOULD be a MAJOR improvement for the labels is if they were to set the label to the same "Layer" as the object it is representing. Thus, if behind the "Cloud layer" or "airframe layer" it would not be seen.

 

People disagree on the view distances all the time, but as long as there is a graphic system that allows for an a/c to be seen at 15+nm WITHOUT labels, I will set the label file to match that so those WITHOUT that type of system have a chance of seeing the same thing.

[Eagle7907]

Spotting

 

Labels can already be made to whatever custom range you desire and also if you only want 1 type of target. This can also be implemented on MP servers IF they choose to do so, so there is nothing to add in this respect. The capability already exists.

 

What WOULD be a MAJOR improvement for the labels is if they were to set the label to the same "Layer" as the object it is representing. Thus, if behind the "Cloud layer" or "airframe layer" it would not be seen.

 

People disagree on the view distances all the time, but as long as there is a graphic system that allows for an a/c to be seen at 15+nm WITHOUT labels, I will set the label file to match that so those WITHOUT that type of system have a chance of seeing the same thing.

 

 

 

Oh I wasn’t aware. Where would I make such changes to the distance? Is it something simple to do? Can you direct me to that information?

 

I would like to change it to around 10 miles. I usually can’t spot traffic while flying until about 10 miles anyways. 15 is pretty difficult to do, unless there is a major contrast. Like if there is nothing but a big white cloud behind it. The problem is I have a high res monitor and well, you know. Without labels, dogfights are about a 5% success.

 

My point on the labels cheating argument. I don’t think that completely holds water. I still lose sight of the opponent sometimes with labels on. It all depends on how big the label is and other variables. Anyways, I play SP. MP is too choppy for my system and ISP.

 

 

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Edited May 28, 2019 by Eagle7907

[Shahdoh]

I am not aware of any post to link to you on that regard, but I am sure if there is one, someone will point it out. I am busy today or I would post some info. If no one else has pointed it out, will try to get something together in the next couple of days.

[Tippis]

Oh I wasn’t aware. Where would I make such changes to the distance? Is it something simple to do? Can you direct me to that information?

It's not complete since it doesn't explain how to set up and deal with different label style settings (full vs dot vs none) but…

https://www.airgoons.com/w/DCS_Reference/Labels

[Shahdoh]

It's not complete since it doesn't explain how to set up and deal with different label style settings (full vs dot vs none) but…

https://www.airgoons.com/w/DCS_Reference/Labels

 

Good link!

 

And take note, files with .LUA is a type of code. Do NOT use standard notepad/wordpad or any other word processor to edit the file. They can put in invisible control characters that will mess up in the LUA code. As it says, use NOTEPAD++ (Free download/use) or similar text editor suitable for program code.

[Eagle7907]

Solution

 

It's not complete since it doesn't explain how to set up and deal with different label style settings (full vs dot vs none) but…

https://www.airgoons.com/w/DCS_Reference/Labels

 

 

 

Thank you Tippis, much appreciated.

 

 

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Edited May 30, 2019 by Eagle7907
added title for easy solution for next reader

[Eagle7907]

Good link!

 

 

 

And take note, files with .LUA is a type of code. Do NOT use standard notepad/wordpad or any other word processor to edit the file. They can put in invisible control characters that will mess up in the LUA code. As it says, use NOTEPAD++ (Free download/use) or similar text editor suitable for program code.

 

 

 

Ah okay. I’m not a very good coder. But as long as I create a backup, I should be okay. Correct?

 

 

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[Tippis]

As long as you're just editing the one in your Saved Games\DCS folder, you can do whatever — worst-case scenario is that it just fails to load properly and you can just delete it and start over. That is, after all, the whole point of that whole directory. With labels, there's never any need to do any actual modding of the default files in the DCS install folder, so you can always just make a new copy of the file there and build a new personal version.

 

Sure, even if you're fiddling with Saved Games\DCS files, backups let you go back to an earlier known working state more easily, but it's not nearly as necessary to worry about it.

[Eagle7907]

As long as you're just editing the one in your Saved Games\DCS folder, you can do whatever — worst-case scenario is that it just fails to load properly and you can just delete it and start over. That is, after all, the whole point of that whole directory. With labels, there's never any need to do any actual modding of the default files in the DCS install folder, so you can always just make a new copy of the file there and build a new personal version.

 

Sure, even if you're fiddling with Saved Games\DCS files, backups let you go back to an earlier known working state more easily, but it's not nearly as necessary to worry about it.

 

 

 

Excellent. That boosts my confidence. Thanks again!

 

 

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[Shahdoh]

Lua is a pretty simple code, and the code in the label.lua is already laid out for you, you just need to adjust some values to your liking. The biggest thing wanted to point out was the need for a code specific editor like Notepad++.

[Eagle7907]

Lua is a pretty simple code, and the code in the label.lua is already laid out for you, you just need to adjust some values to your liking. The biggest thing wanted to point out was the need for a code specific editor like Notepad++.

 

 

 

Nope, I understood that as well. I thought I had to write the whole file. Super simple. Just carefully read the directions.

 

 

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[Rennes]

What I would like to see for labels is an option for a neutral color, so that you can use them to spot an aircraft but not to identify it as friend or foe.

[Shahdoh]

What I would like to see for labels is an option for a neutral color, so that you can use them to spot an aircraft but not to identify it as friend or foe.

 

That is also possible with the labels customization. You have full RGB range of color you can set to either Neutral, Axis and Allies labels. Set them all the same and there is no distinction.

 

 

The BIGGEST problem with labels is that they are on the very foremost layer displayed, which means you can see it through your airframe, clouds, sun glare, EVERYTHING. If they could just move the label displayed to the same layer that the object is actually on, it would solve this problem. Apparently this is not that easy for whatever reason, or you would think they would have done it already.

Edited May 29, 2019 by Shahdoh

[Rennes]

That is also possible with the labels customization. You have full RGB range of color you can set to either Neutral, Axis and Allies labels. Set them all the same and there is no distinction.

 

 

The BIGGEST problem with labels is that they are on the very foremost layer displayed, which means you can see it through your airframe, clouds, sun glare, EVERYTHING. If they could just move the label displayed to the same layer that the object is actually on, it would solve this problem. Apparently this is not that easy for whatever reason, or you would think they would have done it already.

 

Yeah, I just discovered the color settings, thanks.

 

However, labels are blocked by terrain. I'm no game designer, but it seems it can't be as simple as layers. Labels are blocked by terrain, airframe blocks the terrain, but airframe does NOT block labels.

Edited May 29, 2019 by Rennes

[Shahdoh]

Well, I understand it is not as simple as layers, but used it as more of a descriptive aspect of what seems to be happening.