Sludge Hornet Modifications

[Razgriz]

Theres a file in SimObjects/Airplanes/CS-FA18D called FA-18.AIR, rename that it FA-18.old.AIR or something of the sort, and copy the one from the Sludge Hornet's folder to the CS-FA18D folder.

[Razgriz]

Oh also there are some aircraft.cfg tweaks we've done to the Sludge. It should be an easy conversion of Sludge is willing to do it.

[Sludge]

Raz...

Thanks for the backing.  But now on to other things, as I promised.  When I get home from work, I'll try to get some pictures out of the newest G-vapor effects.  I used those pics from BZ's San Fran Blues' Fleet Week to base them on and I split the effects at the LEX Fence, so you'll have to let me know what you think.

Iron...

Yes, Raz is right, you can do it and it's not that hard.  I have the CS FA-18 and have done all the "Sludge Hornet modifications" to it.  Actually, Paco mentioned that if the Sludge had weapons and drop tanks, it would be really cool... and I had already done it with success.  One thing I would suggest keep your DEFAULT FSX Hornet installed as-is 'til after the CS delta-Hornet is installed, then you can choose which Sludge mods you want to install.  I dont have an "install guide" per se for the CAPT SIM delta-Hornet, but once I get the time, Ill try to make one up from scratch sometime this week, if you want?  Also, since this effects work is yielding ALOT more than what I though possible but creating more work than I expected, the newest Sludge will be delayed.  If you want the current work in progress that is checked good, PM me your email and when its ready, Ill send you a link to the latest Sludge updates MINUS EXTRA FX (hi-G vapor, chaff/flares, high humidity landing vapor); but with current working effects (better single G-vapor, better EG Smoke, ALA lights).  Sludge v1.2 will not be finished anytime soon, definately not for a month, since Ill be working to integrate chaff/flares, combining/integrating/maximizing gauges, and cleaning up the Sludge Hornet mods as a whole.

CAPT...

I tried the "fuel dump" FX with limited success.  I like the longer duration of the effect, as it will leave a good trail, but the effect itself is too limited to be effective.  Also, its based on "fx_smoke.bmp" which doesn't lend itself to good modding as a thin, blocky texture.  It did get me a few more tips tho, as I learned how to make the current effect trail longer with with a transparent start, thicker at the end and tapered fading, so thanks for the idea.  Will get some pics of that as well, so you can tell me what you like and dont like.

ALL...

As I told Iron, the latest Sludge will not be done anytime soon.  So by the end of this week, I will TRY to have a new Sludge download location where everyone that wants can fly the integrated and tested newest Sludge Hornet mods.  Please be understanding that I may not get to that point, as it's a full work week and I only have two days where Im not double-banged (2 or more sims a day) and working late.  But I will do my best to get this out, as I'd like feedback on some of the things Ive done.

Later
Sludge

[IRONDAN]

Have you just said that you were able to put external load on the default acceleration hornet ?

[Razgriz]

Have you just said that you were able to put external load on the default acceleration hornet ?

No.

[Sludge]

Iron...

No, more like the other way around.  If you get the CS FA-18D, you can put the Sludge mods on it.

Later
Sludge

[Orion]

No, more like the other way around.

So we can put the default Acceleration Hornet on an external load !

Okay, okay, really lame, I know .  And it doesn't make sense either .

...

*crickets chirping*

[Sludge]

OK, fellas...

As I said, I would get you some G-vapor and EG Smoke pics, so I'll post those in a second.  Also, just to keep you updated, I was able to get everything crossed over to the Sludge Basic from the Sludge FX (my test platform), like the ALA lights in the [smoke] section and reordering the gauges... so unless something unforeseen comes up, I should be able to get it out to everyone for testing feedback by Friday.  Stay tuned.

Thanks
Sludge

[Razgriz]

Looks good but IMO the vapor is longer on the real blue jets.

[GOONIE]

Thanks Sludge, the effects are looking real good.

Capt

[Mickey_Techy]

Hey Sludge,

I had done a few repaints for the default F/A-18C model. I tried porting those repaints on to the Sludge basic but the cockpit looks all black after that. All gauges and everything works, but everything else in the cockpit (and also the undercarriage) is completely black.

Am I doing something wrong, or is it that 'repaints' are not possible on the Sludge (if at all it is possible to remove this functionality).

I added the textures just like I have always done. Added the Texture folders to Sludge Basic root folder, and then added suitable [fltsim.xx] entries in the aircraft.cfg file. But it doesn't seem to work at all.

Sooner (lol),

Mickey

[Johan]

Someone knowledgeable helped me with this one before...The solution is to copy any texture.cfg from any texture located in the Sludge hornet and overwrite the texture.cfg file in your repaints texture folders.
Your repaints probably only cover certain elements on the F-18 and rely on the texture.cfg to fall back to the default textures you didn't edit. If you use your textures on the Sludge, your texture.cfg file will point to fallback textures in the wrong location and therefore not display them. That solved my problem.
Johan

[Razgriz]

Its because a lack of fallbacks.

[Sludge]

Mickey...

Repaints are possible in the Sludge.  Yeah, I had the same problem in my pre-NUKE install of the Sludge "Grunge" paints.  I would get all the problems you talked about...  My solution was to make the "grunge" as the 13th aircraft in the default folder, then installed the paints on the Sludge with the texture.cfg fallback referencing the new aircraft paint folder in the default folder. 

If I read your post correctly, you ALREADY have your paints installed on the default, so I would suggest inside your "ported" folder in the Sludge, making the texture.cfg aliased to your new folder inside the default Hornet.

Hope that helped.  If you have any questions, PM or email me and Ill try to help.

Later
Sludge

[Sludge]

Raz...

OK, so the effect is good just needs to be longer?  You're probly right, so I'll work on adding two more emitters/particles per side to enlongate it.  But the color, the starting edge, and the flow of the effect are looking about as right as it can get?

CAPT...

Thanks.  Any criticisms?  Smoke color, smoke length?  Or are you gonna wait til the release on Friday for any criticisms?

Later
Sludge