F-22A Raptor mod enhancement mod

[RaptorFighter]

Until I could figure out if it was better or worse. I made a clone of the F-22A and named the F-22C. Now I'm comparing different options for drawing the radar... Maybe I'll leave both one and the other...)

Edited January 17, 2022 by RaptorFighter
Исправление

[Nightstorm]

3 hours ago, RaptorFighter said:

Until I could figure out if it was better or worse. I made a clone of the F-22A and named the F-22C. Now I'm comparing different options for drawing the radar... Maybe I'll leave both one and the other...)

 

That seems like overkill considering I explained in detail what files affect the additional RADAR graphics above and exactly what to do if you don't want them.

It's literally two texture files or one lua.  You could simply make a backup copy of the new lua file with the lines commented out.  To comment out a line you just put "--" in front of it.

"However, if someone doesn't like them there are two options.  Edit the radar_page.lua located in .\Mods\aircraft\F-22A\Cockpit\Scripts\PMFD_CENTER and comment out the lines that load the textures;"

 

Commented out they would like this:

--local RDR_BASE                = MakeMaterial(LockOn_Options.script_path.."../Scripts/IndicationTextures/RDR_base.dds", WhiteColor)--SYSTEM TEST
--local RDR_RING                = MakeMaterial(LockOn_Options.script_path.."../Scripts/IndicationTextures/RDR_ring.dds", BlueColor)--SYSTEM TEST

Or remove the textures from .\Mods\aircraft\F-22A\Cockpit\Scripts\IndicationTextures.

RDR_base.dds

RDR_ring.dds"

 

It can't load the textures if they're not in that location.  You could just move them.  An entire second copy of the mod doesn't seem practical for such a small change.

[RaptorFighter]

Yea, thank you, Nightstorm. For the F-22A, I left the silhouette of the aircraft on the radar screen and the values on top. For the F-22C, I left the full version proposed by You. So let's have both variants for now. Until I decide...

Edited January 17, 2022 by RaptorFighter
Дополнение

[Nightstorm]

I'll add a backup copy of the Radar Page lua that leaves off the changes in the next version.  So far, I'm liking the added stuff on the RADAR screen.  I do wish we could what you suggested to edit the other lines but no way to do that currently that I'm aware of.  As I've said before, the beauty of being able to mod this stuff is that everyone can change what they like to suit their own preferences.  I don't expect everyone to like what I like.

Edited January 17, 2022 by Nightstorm

[RaptorFighter]

I like almost everything that you offer as additions and changes. I have a high degree of trust in your view of aesthetics when making changes, to quality and scrupulousness in work. In rare cases, when, in fact, something is controversial for you, you bring it up for general discussion. And I am very impressed with you. The fact that you are thinking about other people's views on what you have proposed. I want to say thank you.

[Nightstorm]

Thank you for the feedback.  I view this enhancement mod as a community effort.  I don't want to simply impose my preferences on folk's w/o some feedback.  At the same time, I don't want to maintain more than two versions of the mod  Logistically, that would become a nightmare.

 

Both versions updated with an _Alternate folder that contains a backup of the RADAR page w/o the silhouette or the blue circles.  No other changes.

 .\Mods\aircraft\F-22A\Cockpit\Scripts\PMFD_CENTER\_Alternate is the path.  

Edited January 17, 2022 by Nightstorm

[RaptorFighter]

17 часов назад, Nightstorm сказал:

Thank you for the feedback.  I view this enhancement mod as a community effort.  I don't want to simply impose my preferences on folk's w/o some feedback.  At the same time, I don't want to maintain more than two versions of the mod  Logistically, that would become a nightmare.

I'm agree with you.

Edited January 18, 2022 by RaptorFighter

[RaptorFighter]

Flew using VR. Conclusion: the updated graphics of the radar looks quite good and does not interfere with the task.

[Nightstorm]

20 minutes ago, RaptorFighter said:

Flew using VR. Conclusion: the updated graphics of the radar looks quite good and does not interfere with the task.

Yea, I think the blue circles look good and matches nicely with the other displays.

However, looking at it again today, the Raptor icon at the bottom in white does interfere with B-Sweep of the RADAR.  For the same reason I didn't put it on the RWR screen I've taken it off the RDR screen too.  It can be uncommented if desired as I just commented the line out.  I think it looks cleaner w/o the Raptor icon, though I wish there were a good way to keep it.

*EDIT* I also set the HSD RADAR cone to remain blue regardless of Master Arm status to match the RDR and RWR pages.

Both versions updated.

 

Edited January 17, 2022 by Nightstorm

[Nightstorm]

Hey all!  @Texac 's weathered F22 liveries are live on user files:  F-22A Raptor Weathered Textures (digitalcombatsimulator.com)

 

After the template is cleaned up, he said he would provide it to me for additional liveries at a later date.  Go grab these!

[Thunder Chicken22]

I'm just an idiot but I can't seem to get this to work.  I installed a clean copy of Grinnelli's original V2 F-22 mod, then downloaded the SP version and dropped into the Mods folder.  I do see the fuel gauge change, the original F-15C internal fuel in the ME but can't see these new additions to the avionics.  You can DM me if needed.  Thanks

[Nightstorm]

@Thunder Chicken22 I'll DM you.

[Nightstorm]

"AIM-120D's will not lock on and give "shoot" command?? It worked up until my last DCS update."

@KillerHorsefly

I presume you're talking about the AIM-120D's from the multi-Player version?  I posted this on page 23.  I also posted it in the F22 Discord, so they are aware of the problem.

"The multi-player version doesn't make any changes to the original mod weapons or F22.lua file from the original release.  The weapons.lua from the original release contains that information but is encrypted.  The file date is 2/19/21 and 6kb in size.  It hasn't been updated to take the December DLZ changes into account. 

Even if I could decrypt the file and make the corrections, which may or may not be possible, that would go against the idea of having a multi-player version that ONLY has changes that affect the player.  If you had a version of the multi-player that had such changes and someone else didn't then there would be a disparity.  As it currently stands, every multi-player version of the F22 won't have the proper DLZ information for those missiles."

The single-player version doesn't have this issue as I've corrected the DLZ information for the additional missiles.

Edited January 18, 2022 by Nightstorm

[RaptorFighter]

Hello Nightstorm! I did not quite understand how the white silhouette of the aircraft interferes with the radar screen in B-sweep Radar. Could you post a screenshot of this problem. I haven't been able to figure it out myself yet. Thank you.

[Nightstorm]

6 hours ago, RaptorFighter said:

Hello Nightstorm! I did not quite understand how the white silhouette of the aircraft interferes with the radar screen in B-sweep Radar. Could you post a screenshot of this problem. I haven't been able to figure it out myself yet. Thank you.

The screenshot a few posts above shows the B-Sweep in the middle of the silhouette, and one with a target.  The green and white obviously overlap and there's nothing I can do about that.  It would be easy enough to put it back if that though is that it looks better with it.

I'd also toyed with changing the color of the silhouette, but it's white on every other display so if we keep it, it should be white in my opinion.  I actually like both.

Edited January 18, 2022 by Nightstorm

[RaptorFighter]

Yeah. Found.)

[Nightstorm]

9 minutes ago, RaptorFighter said:

Yeah. Found.)

Are you thinking that it looks better with it?

[RaptorFighter]

1 час назад, Nightstorm сказал:

Are you thinking that it looks better with it?

Well, if the silhouette of plane did not create a hindrance, then, of course, this would give the appearance of the radar a certain belonging to the Raptor. But, sacrificing functionality for the sake of beauty is unreasonable in my opinion.

[Nightstorm]

Updates for 1/18/22.

For the multi-player version, I've included the AIM-120D model and textures so that when you fire an AIM-120D it doesn't say that it's an AIM-120C.  This of course has no effect on its performance.

I've restructured the downloads to match OvGME format.  They are still in 7z format to save space, but they can be extracted and re-added to OvGME if desired.

Other news on the multi-player version.  I've decided to reconstruct the Weapons.lua file for the AIM-9XX and AIM-120D missiles used in the stock release.  The values are all exactly the same as before except that the DLZ information now works.  I've encrypted it in keeping the Grinnelli's original desire to prevent cheating.  No one can just tweak the values.  I've also provided an unencrypted copy of the file to Grinnelli to do with as he pleases. 

What this means for multi-player:  The DLZ ranges and "SHOOT" notifications will work again.  If you're fighting an adversary in another F22 and you have this update and they don't, the difference would be you'll get range data on your DLZ and they won't.  Thier missiles will function the same, they just won't be able to tell if they're in range or not.

I don't know if that would be considered a cheat or not, but feel free to share the Weapons.lua file or this enhancement mod.   If an official update comes out with the same fix, then the results would be the same between someone who upgraded and someone who didn't.  So, I guess I really don't see the harm in fixing it.

Both versions updated but no changes to single player aside from the file structure.

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by Nightstorm

[Nightstorm]

Additional update for both versions.  It always bugged me that the pilot didn't have any patches on his flight suit.  Now he does.

Both versions updated.

If you want to customize the patches, there is a layered PDN file (Paint .Net format) located in \Mods\aircraft\F-22A\Textures\_Pilot.  Paint.Net is a free download.

Place the F22A_PILOT.DDS file in the livery of your choice and uncomment the following line in the livery description.lua.

"    {"F22A_PILOT",                     DIFFUSE,                "F22A_PILOT", false};  "

 

The last picture is an example of a custom livery.  The default will be US Flag and Raptor driver patches.

 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Nightstorm

[Nightstorm]

Update 1/19/22

Both versions updated.

I've created pilot flight suits for nine of the squadrons in the liveries downloads.  They are located in the same path mentioned before like so:

.\Mods\aircraft\F-22A\Textures\_Pilot

Place the F22A_PILOT.DDS file in the livery of your choice and uncomment the following line in the livery description.lua.

"    {"F22A_PILOT",                     DIFFUSE,                "F22A_PILOT", false};  "

 

The options are:

 

The layered PDN has all of the patches I've added and can be customized as you see fit in Paint.Net.   

Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing (getpaint.net)

As I said Paint.Net is a free program but in order to export to DDS format you'll need the plugins for that.  I'm not sure where to get them any longer so here's a copy of them.  These are the free NVIDIA DDS plugins, and they still work with the current version of Pain.NET.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/quv6evc18sno4le/DDS Plugin.7z?dl=0

They install here:

Edited January 19, 2022 by Nightstorm

[Nightstorm]

Update 1/20/22

Both versions updated.

Adjusted Fuel Pages, added AAR door controls to OSB 18 and 19 along with status message.  Rearranged the BINGO fuel setting and message on the right side.  It's too bad there isn't a way that I know of to adjust the BINGO fuel setting.  That'd be a nice feature to add.  I know it turns on at 3500lbs, but as far as I can tell that must be in the F15.dll.

 

[RaptorFighter]

Hello Nightstorm! I propose to make the inscription ECM and MASTER ARM NOT SAFE red color.  And at second: the inscription TANK JET (and STORES JETT) after the drop of external fuel tanks remains on the screen in the same form as before the drop. I would like(if it's possible) it to either change in meaning or disappear. Thank you.

*I think the second is impossible.

*I have already made the inscriptions (ECM and MASTER ARM NOT SAFE) in red for myself.

 

Edited January 20, 2022 by RaptorFighter
Дополнение

[Nightstorm]

@RaptorFighter

Yea I change it to Red.  Since it only shows up in the air and when Master Arm is armed.  That makes sense to me.

As you suspected your second ask would depend on data from the SMS portion of the F15 avionics.  There's no way to get information on if the tank has been jettisoned or not.  The only place it shows is on the SMS page.  The colors for the jettisons are based on the Master Arm state (which we can read) and since it has to be armed to enable jettison the color change works.  Green = Safe (can't jettison) Red = Armed (can jettison)

I tried to make a secondary qualifier on the stores jettison since the bay doors must also be open, but it didn't work.  I might try that again.  However, I can't make the option disapear once the tanks or weapons are gone as there's no way for me to read that status.

 

*EDIT* Color change on the checklist page uploaded.   Both versions updated.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Nightstorm

[RaptorFighter]

Thanks! All the most important and tasty remains in f15.dll, unfortunately...

Edited January 20, 2022 by RaptorFighter