Ok, don't jump on me, this is a rudimentary QMB for dogfights mostly, it has more limitations than features, but here it is, hope it works on your machines too

Link: RoF Quick Dogfight Generator

( or search for it on this page: http://www.filefront.com/user/GabiLaser )

The mission will be named (always) 'Dogfight.Mission', that's because i didn't want to mess with the Unicode saving of the '*.eng' file so it was much simpler this way.

Of course, you can open a generated mission in RoF Mission Editor to modify it in any other aspect.

Salute!

-------------------------
UPDATE: Version 2 (BETA): http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2871488/Laser_s_Dogfight_Generator_Bet.html#Post2871488

Hey cool Laser.

:-)

Jason

Very cool Laser.

You've been busy!

Nnnnice! Thank You!

Wow, Thanks Laser! What a great tool. Works like a charm. Maybe now I can improve my dogfighting.

This might be the tool that carries my interest in RoF while we wait for MP to come alive or the SP campaign to get better.

Thanks SO MUCH!

Very nice work Laser ... now if you can just set it up for Multiplayer

We're just never satisfied are we.

WH_JoeBob

Very good mate!...prob the best thing yet made for ROF ...makes you wonder though if you could make this yourself...WHY didn't Neoqb have one already in the game???

Many thanks to Laser of course but I have to agree.

This is all the IL2 QMB does and people seemed to be happy enough with that.

Ought to have been in RoF from the outset for sure.

Very nice indeed. Now next version could have also weather and time of the day (hint, hint)

Thank you Laser! Nicely done sir. Looking forward to checking it out during lunch today. Keep up the good work!!

Awesome work Laser. Thank you so much for this.

Some suggestions for future versions (some already previously stated):

* Weather and time of day.
* Ability to pick an airfield/city over which to fight. Doesn't have to be every airfield, just a few with varying terrain so there's some variety.
* Ability to pick a skin for your own fighter.
* Ability to pick a weapons loadout for your flight
* Ability to generate more than one flight for each side - for instance, you can make quick-n-dirty bomber escort missions by creating a flight of two-seaters and a flight of fighters on one side, and a flight of enemy interceptors on the other.

I'm really happy to see this app. At the same time, it frustrates me that this wasn't already in the game. I mean, really, Neoqb couldn't create one of these on their own?

The skin and loadout are selected after you start the mission. I dont think you can set them in a mission except for AI.

I downloaded and it runs but I dont get the Generate Mission button at the bottom. Any ideas what is wrong?

Strange. No idea why. What OS? I used wxwidgets GUI toolkit if that's any help.

Windows XP SP3, All the fields are there to fill in just no Generate Mission button at the bottom.

congo, try to download and run the program again (still shows as version 1.0). i made just a minor change, but i hope that was it. Otherwise, i'll have to make you a kind of beta tester (i.e. i'll send you modified programs till it will work).

thanks for this Laser...how easy was it to do and do you think you will be able to add the other thing that people want?

Great job Laser! It works without errors for me. I hope you'll add some advanced options later, like other mentioned above.

Some days to look through the mission format, some days before playing with the mission editor, some days to think how to do it fastest, and one full day to make the program.

For next version, i intend to rewrite the base so it will take more time to do, but hopefully will allow then for faster developments - i still don't know if necessary, what if NeoQB comes up with something nicer and better - they made the mission editor after all, which is a marvelous editor.

So some possible TODOs are:
- To add weather, time&date - is not too difficult
- To add additional groups - not too difficult, it depends if user also wants to specify position and distance to other groups ...
- To put skins on AI planes - not too difficult (but, as for plane types, i should allow for extensibility - future planes, future skins)
- Different locations - i'm thinking about some 'mission templates' from which one can choose - as location populated with objects (buildings, trains, bridges etc.). For the quick user, that would be: i want to fly there or there. Could be an option to have the objects in game or not, to save FPS.
- Saving settings between restarts of program, also latest selected paths

So what would help would be some areas nicely populated, either as missions without nothing happening in them, or exported groups from ME if possible (i haven't used the feature yet, do they remember their location - probably yes). Each such populated area could appear in a quick dogfight mission builder as the selected location. So if someone wants to make such 'templates' (i think it resembles with the IL2 term here) with nicely arranged mills, bridges etc. that would help me.

well...i sure you make it sound easier than it is ...but it just makes it more strange why neoqb havnt done it ....maybe they have been working on a all singing dancing version and we will see it in a later patch.

anyway great stuff and look forward to later versions.

Just got to check it out and you've done a brilliant job! Great start and I'm looking forward to your next release. Hopefully, you'll be able to include all those things you just mentioned above as that would make me a very happy camper for a long time with what I have now. Thanks again!

The dogfight generator works great for me, thanks. Will give me much enjoyment. It's nice to be able to set the altitude and have a fight higher than 1000 ft, makes a big differance.

Laser,

Just tried again but no dice. Same problem all the fields are there but no Generate button. I assume this program should run from the desktop or does it need to be intalled elsewhere? The window where all the input fields appear is smaller than what is shown in your first post for the GUI. Otherwords minus the Mission Generator button.

Congo

Argh. Could you send me a PM with your email address? If you want, i mean, i will send you some links for test versions of the program, although i don't know yet what to try - perhaps to replace the button with some other control etc.

Hmm, using vista and keep getting error 5 when trying to install a mission into mission folder.

Tried using a custom folder in mission folder also; so same by me no dice.

mfg Scott

That means - access refused. Perhaps directories are protected (UAC?) - no Vista here.

Thats what I was thinking too. Not the brightest on PCs but i have read turning the UAC off on vista is a very very bad idea. I think I also read once you turn it off you cant turn it back on.

Also if I was able to turn it off and on, I would try that. Not really sure where to find it on a german pc.

mfg Scott

For games IMHO, it's better to install them in other directory than C:/Program Files, this directory is often 'too protected' under Vista. In IL2 was almost mandatory.

FYI - haven't tested it yet, but to convert the planes to coop seats, you could simply open the .mission files using wordpad, do a "replace" on all instances of "CoopStart = 0" with "CoopStart = 1" and save it, including the .list and .eng file types of the same filename (example Dogfight5SpadXIIIv5AlbDVa.mission) in your Multiplayer/cooperative directory.

At least until Laser includes the coop checkbox on the next version

Edit: whoops, I think you need to change the mission type as well. Within "options", make sure you set: MissionType = 1; (versus the MissionType = 103; it is now)

About UAC. I don't know the specifics of how much this helps with security. However, it bothers me so I have had it turned off since I got Vista and have had no problems at all.

Also, It can be turned back on.

one question...do i need to point it to the mission folder each time i generate a new mission or am i missing something?

Yes, for now you need to, not nice i know. What you can do, though, is to copy the directory path: e.g. "C:\Games\Rise of Flight\Missions\Dogfight" in memory and paste it each time in the lower part of the dialog when it pops up, it will work.

I really do wanna try this out. I think when I turn the UAC off it will work as it does stop you from modding a file.

But DARN IT I cant figure out how to turn it off on a only german language pc. I understand german but the tech words lose me alot. (from the states)

Any help please?. Also thanks Laser for doing this!

mfg Scott

Whoa! This is a great little function- thanks so much!!!

Stupid question...How does this work? I ran it..pointed toward the missions folder and I get nothing

Excellent work Laser.

Downloaded, installed and flying missions in 5 mins!! An absolute blast, first mission, 2 Spads vs 2 Albs, went for 15 mins starting at 3500m and ended up at treetop.

This has filled a huge gap in terms of CONTENT, practising flying/dogfighting planes at different altitudes, and of course it's loads of FUN, IMO.

Cheers

Pretty awesome having a dogfight at 5000 meters! The mod worked perfect for me.

Ooooo that is a good thing... I cant wait to see the evolution of this puppy..

You're probably best to make a folder called "QDG" inside the "Missions" folder (keeps things tidy). Then when you generate a mission using the generator just browse for that folder. Click OK and it will inform you that the Dogfight.Mission was generated successfully. Now when you start ROF just look for Missions and then QDG and the Dogfight.Mission. Load it up as you would any other mission.

Laser, Neoqb owe you a huge debt of thanks!

BTW, what is this coded in? VB? Just wondering how many others would like to contribute towards the evolution of this puppy?

I did that but when I go to the Dogfight mission, the "next" dosent go white so I can load the mission..

Thanks Laser.

If the future of ROF is user made addons. Then I say, BRING IT ON!

If the mission is there, try to open it using the RoF mission editor once, perhaps change the name of the mission, save it and try again. Also you could try to run the QDG as administrator - sorry no Vista here.

Thanks Laser, great job.
Just waiting now for a MP Dogfight Genarator
That Mission Editor in RoF is just way too complicated for me.

Love this, thank you so much Laser.

One additional suggestion, if no one has mentioned it. Would it be possible to have a random AI skill option. Sometimes it's nice to not know what you're facing, until it's too late and he's on your tail.

Anyway, great great work.

renaming it did it..thanks

This made the sim worth playing ..Looking fwd to you next version .

Thanks Laser. We all needed a tool like this.
Now lets just wait for the next version.

Great app, Laser!

Its really a cool gadget to start and then edit (add stuff, change time and wheater, etc) in Mission Editor!

Cheers!

Gabi, you're freekin' awesome.

Nice work Laser.

Couple of little bugs.

1). It seems to always assume you are allied, regardless of what aircraft you pick.
2). The Mission seems to always end in defeat.

I've noticed that the mission files in ROF are basically a script file. That really opens the door for people to develop apps such as this.

Good work! Managed a 20v20 scrap, and some smaller ones this evening. Was able to fly both sides. Setup was quick and easy-peasy.

Regardless of outcome, the ending is always a 'defeat' with primary objective a failure, but I get that with career and PvP missions as well from time-to-time, even after seeing a 'subtitle' indicating success at the primary objective.

The little bugs - yep, that's what quick'n'dirty means: how it was made, and how the result is :P. About first point, it was much faster this way, especially because both groups can have for example same aircraft, so one of the groups must be flying 'captured' ones In this case, the Order does it

Yeah I realise its quick and dirty, I thought you wanted to be advised of bugs?.

It strikes me that in the dogfight.mission file

OppositeCountries
{
501;
502;
}
OrderCountries
{
101;
102;
103;
104;
105;
}

this section deals with the countries.

Then in the aircraft definitions:-

Country = 102;

sets which side the aircraft is on. Having a radio button type control for Player Allied or German would make sorting this out pretty easy.

Thanks so much, Laser! I’m having so much more fun with RoF now!

Laser, from the looks of the mission parameters you have set up in your first post, you're a masochistic fellow if I do say.

Haven't tried the generator yet but intend to this weekend. Thanks for your efforts.

What is it about 'Order' and 'Opposite'? That has to be the dumbest thing I've heard for a while...

For an English Language/French POV, you should have the Central Powers, and the Entente Cordial for the Western Front, with possibly some variations of that for the Eastern and Southern Flanks (unsure?)

These have no 'good/bad' connotations, as 'Order/Opposite' have, and are not historically 'loaded' either as Axis/Allied are during WW2.

For Colloquial terms you could use 'Boche' or 'Hun' for the Germans, and I'm sure there are similar terms for the EC flyers. This 'Order/Opposite' stuff is just stupid though.

If think in mission design terms "Order" is the defending and "Opposite" is the attacking team. But I agree that it's confusing, serves no real purpose and just sounds "off".

There should be "Entente (Cordiale)" and "Central Powers" - end of story.

I downloaded the editor last night and unfortunately received the same permission "error 5" while trying to save the mission.

Has anyone verified a resolution for this yet? I just got a new rig with Vista...know my way around XP well, but still stumbling around in Vista. Is there anything to the UAC idea, and if so, would someone be kind enough to point me in the right path to access it? I went through various folder options and permission GUIs and couldn't find any reference to it.

If this is still unresolved, maybe I would be better to reinstall ROF into another non-programs directory? I don't believe that would waste any activations on the same system, correct?

I really want to try this if for no other reason that I like the idea of being able to start 4 or 5000 meters up without spending a 1/2 hour just getting up there! Love these old birds, but the climb rates are excruciating.

Thanks in advance for any help / advice.

Works for me like a charm!
Perfect.

Now i would like to add all stuff which is in the "normal" edtor.
Hopefully this will come.That would be very cool......

Keep up the good work, thank you.

It is because you have ROF in Program Files.

I have been using Vista for about a year. I do ALOT of modding. One thing I have learned, if you ever intend to go into an installed program to copy/paste/edit/save any files then you should not put it in Program Files. It is because PF is set to read-only on Vista. You can change it of course, but as soon as you close the window it will revert to read-only. You can save files elsewhere then paste them into your install but that becomes a hassle.

I put all games into a C:\Games directory. I am able to save QMB missions with UAC on with no trouble. If it is a new rig and not a big hassle I suggest re-installing all games out of Program Files.

Also, there are NO activation limits with ROF. Were you fortunate enough to own 10 gaming PCs you could have it installed on all 10 at the same time. You could however only be logged onto your account through one computer at a time.

Thanks for the input / advice. I actually got things working today by changing the permission to creator/owner and unchecking read only, which seems to be staying that way.

Glad I got it working because the generator is definitely a nice addition to the sim.

Many thanks Mr. Laser!

Will there be a final version? If so, what will it include?

For version 1 you mean? Nope, that was the final (otherwise it won't be dirty anymore). But version 2: http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2871488/Laser_s_Dogfight_Generator_Bet.html#Post2871488 is still in beta and you can add in its config files new planes and skins as they appear, without needing a change in the program itself.

Gabi,

Thanks a bunch - this is a great addition. I'm having a blast with it!

Te

Just installed the dogfight generator. Set my path to the main ROF folder. When I try to select planes for my flight, nothing exists.

Any ideas ?

Thanks!

Hi, well there's no point in updating this program since there is a quick mission generator right inside RoF now You can use that instead, it also has much more options. You just stumbled upon a little piece of history (once upon a time, when RoF had no quick ... )

Salute,
Gabi/Laser

Hi, I've downloaded the quick mission builder and the quick dogfight builder and can't seem to get either to work. One sets up my side but doesn't seem to put the opposition in (QDB) and the other (QMB)doesn't do anything, I've made a QMB folder in the missions folder and send the mission there but when I go to open it there is nothing there. Any idea what I'm doing wrong????? Thanks.

Hi, there's no need for these tools now, there is a QMB inside RoF now. So the external tools are now unsupported.

Ahhh, found it, thanks.