How to?

[hsth]

Hi,

 

Because I couldn't find any thread on this subject I'll put my question here.

 

How do you add stationary targets like planes to a mission? That is, I've added 4 planes from the blue side on a field for shooting practice. After the mission they all show up as "buildings" being hit.

No matter what I try I simply cannot get them counted as "planes".

The manual isn't helpful on this :book:, at least I could not find it.:dunno:

 

I apologize upfront if there is a thread somewere else for these questions.

[Boberro]

Static objects will be counted as buildings. To get "planes" hit place active objects.

[EtherealN]

To clarify: "static aircraft" are treated by the engine as a "building", as opposed to placing a non-static aircraft on a field and just not giving it any orders which would be treated as an aircraft. The reason why this difference is implemented is that the "building aircraft" can be loaded without AI, flight models and so on which alllows for great performance savings in larger missions.

[Boberro]

Do static objects cast shadows? I noticed they don't and it looks unrealistic (that object).

[hsth]

Thank you for your replies. The one thing I do not get is how to put (active) planes on a field, stationary. I mean, what is the first waypoint then? If I put the first waypoint on zero meters ands zero speed then the planes are shown in the result as crashed and pilot killed. And they still count as buildings.

Also, if planes are put there as "buildings", why not active vehicles? I've tested it with some Tanker M978 and they show as such on the result list after the flight. Or has that to do with the more "simple" model of these against planes?

[Moa]

Do static objects cast shadows? I noticed they don't and it looks unrealistic (that object).

 

Hi Bob, I think you must have a graphics setting of "Active Planar" shadows. If you choose "All Planar" or "Full" that should change it. I haven't looked recently myself (too busy coding stats), so could you please confirm this is true.

 

This is described on page 15, "Graphics Settings" of the (English) Flaming Cliffs 2 GUI Manual.

[Boberro]

If so it'd be good - I've been using uber Low settings since ages and didn't think about that... so nevermind :)

[nomdeplume]

Thank you for your replies. The one thing I do not get is how to put (active) planes on a field, stationary. I mean, what is the first waypoint then? If I put the first waypoint on zero meters ands zero speed then the planes are shown in the result as crashed and pilot killed. And they still count as buildings.

 

You can't, aircraft can only be placed as static or with orders. You could see what happens if you give a plane only a single waypoint of either the 'takeoff from ramp' or 'land' type, but I don't think either of these will result in a parked plane.

 

The only way to get parked, non-moving aircraft on an airfield is to place them as static objects.

 

Also, if planes are put there as "buildings", why not active vehicles? I've tested it with some Tanker M978 and they show as such on the result list after the flight. Or has that to do with the more "simple" model of these against planes?

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but the answer is probably yes. Active vehicles are designed to be able to be immobile, but aircraft are not. A static vehicle and a vehicle with a single "off road" waypoint are similar, except the static vehicle will have no AI (won't shoot at enemies), and if you play with labels enabled, static objects don't have any labels (since they're essentially scenery).

[hsth]

Well, yes, you have answered my question. Thanks :thumbup:.

 

Now I can make practice missions like the ones in the videos (shooting C-130's in a field) and know I did not make a mistake in the mission editor as they show up as buildings in the debriefing.