MODS: could you sticky this for a while? Thanks
Hi folks,
Well, it's been a while, but it's finally ready!
Sorry about the wait, but I lost the source code and had to pretty-much re-build the whole thing from scratch.
There are two versions, a
regular install version, and a
non-install version that will run from inside its own folder, or even from a memory stick or CD.
Here's where you can find it:Regular full-install version. Stand-alone non-install version. The new Opera browser has a cool feature which lets anyone host their own files, so there 's no need to rush to provide mirrors (I'll keep these links up for a few days, so feel free to mirror it anytime before then if you want).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a screenshot:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the ReadMe:ReadMe for HardBall's Aircraft Viewer for IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 - Version 4.09
By Flight Lieutenant HardBall
----------------------------------------------------------
Introduction:This program will allow you to compare data from aircraft in the IL-2 series of flight simulators side-by-side. You are not currently able to do this with the in-game object viewer.
For the most part, the data in this demo has been taken from the IL-2/FB in-game object viewer and IL-2 Compare (thanks to Ross Youss), with the permission of Oleg Maddox.
Where that data has been unavailable or insufficient I have made an effort to obtain the most accurate alternative data possible. For example, I have used LesniHU's "Autopilot" program to manually derive maximum speeds from some aircraft that were not in IL2 Compare, such as the Me-262 HGII.
There may be potential for debate as to the accuracy of some aspects this data, so it is presented here on an "as is" basis. Having said that, my program relies heavily on data from IL-2 Compare Version 4.09, which frankly is the closest you will get to actual in-game performance without exhaustive manual testing. Thanks to Ross Youss, only a very few aircraft still have the odd data item and comment missing so if you can fill those gaps, please let me know!
Special thanks to Martin Kubani from Team Daidalos for providing me with IL2Compare data for the new 4.09 aircraft.
I would also like to thank Vincent Trelut for his helpful advice and support.
----------------------------------------------------------
Changes: (Version 4.09):Added aircraft from IL-2:1946 version 4.09, namely:
Avia B-534-IVCurtiss CW-21 B “Demon”
Fiat G-55 “Centauro”, Series I
Fiat G-55 “Centauro”, Series I Late
Fokker D.XXI (Danish Version)
Fokker D.XXI-2 (Dutch Version)
Fokker D.XXI-3 Early (Finnish Version)
Fokker D.XXI-3 Late (Finnish Version)
Fokker D.XXI S4 (Finnish Version)
Polikarpov I-15 bis (I-152)
Polikarpov I-16 Type 5
Polikarpov I-16 Type 6
Letov S-328-II Smolik
Reggiane Re-2000 “Falco”
SIAI Marchetti SM.79-I “Sparviero”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed to flyable:
Macchi MC-200 VII FB “Saetta”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re-worked some aircraft performance data to come in-line with IL-2 Compare v4.09, as provided by Team Daidalos
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added data items for some aircraft as information became available, or was able to be extrapolated from existing data.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added more icons which display an aircraft's "special features", namely:
If an aircraft can tow gliders in-game;
If an aircraft has skis on winter maps. Note: Some ski-equipped aircraft are player-selectable
regardless of which map is used in-game, whilst others will only have skis on winter maps.
This may be useful for users who are not aware that these features are available in-game. It is also useful as a quick reference for mission builders. This feature can be turned on or off by clicking on either aircraft picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added ordnance data for new weapons available in-game, namely:
250 kg bomb (Italy)
500 kg bomb (Italy)
2 kg bomblets (Italy)
Type W 170/450 Torpedo (Italy)
Paraflare (Slovakia)
10 kg Bomb (Slovakia)
20 kg Bomb (Slovakia)
50 kg Bomb (Slovakia)
100 kg Bomb (Slovakia)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated start-up parameter data to include the codes for the new aircraft in version 4.09 so that this program can interface with such programs as IL-2 Shturmovik Stab. See the information below from version 4.04 for more details on this feature.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the request of many users I have split aircraft types with a boosted version in-game so that they had separate entries in the program, namely;
BF-109 K4-C3
FW-190 A5 with 1.65 ATA boost
FW-190 D9 Late with MW-50
P-38 L Late “Lightning”
P-47 D-27 Late “Thunderbolt”
Spitfire LF Mk.IX C with 25lbs. Boost.
Note: I-153 and I-153P whilst selectable separately in-game remain as a single record in my program because the only difference between them is the gun loadout.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added some aircraft types that had previously not been included in my program, but which are selectable in-game.
I originally felt that these were so similar to other types that it was un-necessary to note them separately, but I have since changed my mind. These aircraft are as follow:
DB-3B
DB-3F
DB-3M
DB-3T
IL-4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerous minor typographical corrections and enhancements.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added an option to donate via Paypal. Of course this program is totally free for you to use. If you like this program, then maybe you could “help a brother out”. A dollar, a quid or a Euro from you would go a long way if I can use it to take my wife out to dinner- maybe she’ll let me sit at the computer and work on a further update! Or perhaps I can take my little boy to an air show and inspire him to love IL-2 as much as I do! It’s up to you- there’s no pressure at all. In any case, please enjoy this program with my compliments.
To donate, click on “Donate” on the menu bar at the top of HardBall’s Aircraft Viewer. On the “Donate” form, click on the “Donate” button. This will copy a link to my Paypal account into your computer’s clipboard. Open your Internet browser, and paste the link into your browser’s address bar (right-click and select “paste”, or use “Ctrl-V”), then hit “Enter” or click “Go”.
If you don’t have a Paypal account you can still pay by credit card or via your bank in some countries. Alternatively, make a donation in my name to your favourite charity.
----------------------------------------------------------
Installation:
There are two versions available in 4.09- a regular install version (HardBall_409.zip), and a non-install version (HardBall_409_Non-Install Version.zip). The regular install version is for people who have had no problem installing the program in the past, and the non-install version is for those who have...the non-install version will run from within its own folder, or even from a USB memory stick, or CD/DVD, so you won’t have any compatibility problems installing files to your System32 folder, etc. Choose the one that works best for you. If you’re not sure, try the regular version first.
Regular install version:
Windows XP and earlier:
1. Unzip the contents of the downloaded file “HardBall_409.zip” to a temporary folder - NOT the desktop!
2. Run SETUP.EXE. The Installer will guide you through the installation. A Shortcut will be created in the Windows Start menu.
Note: The default installation interface that came with the programming package isn't that pretty or user-friendly - it's easy to miss the button which starts the install - It's the BIG one at the top!
Note: Vista users may need to right click the “Setup” program, select “Properties”, click on the “Compaibility” tab, and select “Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 2)”. To run the “Setup” program, right click on it and select, “Run as administrator.” The rest of the install process should proceed normally as above. Once the program has been installed change the compatibility mode settings for the HardBall_409.exe file in the same way as listed above for the “Setup” file, and select “Run as administrator.”
Note: In Windows XP you may get an error message "Invalid command line parameters. Unable to continue." If this happens you will need to do the following:
a: Right-click on the "setup.exe" file and select 'Properties';
b: Select the 'Compatibility' tab;
c: Check the 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:', and select 'Windows 98 / Windows ME'.
Windows 7:
Follow the instructions as above for Vista.
----------------------------------------------------------
Non-Install Version:
This version bypasses the packaged installer because several users have experienced problems with it. The program seems to work quite happily when it's simply unzipped into a stand-alone folder. So... extract the files into a separate folder on your hard drive, or USB memory stick, or burn it to a CD/DVD. (I wouldn't recommend using the Desktop, however). Vista and Windows 7 users will need to set the compatability mode, as per the “Windows Vista” section mentioned above.
Caution:
Some of the system files that my program uses may be older than the ones on your system so it would be best to keep all the "HardBall" files in the stand-alone folder that you created. I wouldn't recommend copying any of the "HardBall_409" files to any other place in your system.
Creating a Desktop short cut:
You can manually create a short cut to your desktop by right-clicking on the "Hardball_409.exe" file and selecting "Send to" / "Desktop as short cut".
Running the program:
The program can be run by double-clicking on the HardBall_409.exe file (identified by an icon depicting a Fokker D.XXI in front of a Dutch orange triangle).
----------------------------------------------------------
So, here ya go. Knock yourselves out! Murphy's Law being what it is, what's the bet Team Daidalos will release 4.10 tomorrow?!