OK,

I've started digging into the graphics a bit more here and will post any graphical improvements I'm able to make in this thread. Rather than bore non-modders with the details, I will be updating **EECH Central** with the technical discoveries so anyone else who wants to can have a crack at it.

Please keep in mind what I'm able to do is restricted mostly to artwork--which means I'm very constrained by what the game code allows. If I'm able to coordinate with our friendly EECH code-modders, I will attempt to go further.

[Correction: as noted in a later post below, Firebird's CSV data files allow much more control than merely replacing art files, so better effects can be achieved with some extra work.]

The goal is to make the graphical effects more true-to-life--not flashier ones, and not ones that bog down your FPS. Please contribute desired references to **this thread**.

Cheers,
Olds

Improvements I'd like to make (and the code might even allow):
*Improved cannon impact explosions
*Improve the all-purpose explosion animation (the expanding magma sphere)
*Better rocket trails
*More subtle dust puffs/trails

I'd like to do some random art improvements as well (e.g. cleaning up the robotic in-cockpit crew animations, various skin improvements, etc.) but we'll save that for other threads. This one is for (sprite) FX.

First on the list is the improved cannon explosions. Should have something very soon.

-Olds

A few tips:
For explosions correspond 3 effects: cannon_flare001.bmp missile_flare001.bmp and bomb_c001-c006.in general or animation directory.
If you want to disable the standard explosions just do-bmp texture 32x32 black and save as cannon_flare001.bmp missile_flare001.bmp and
bomb_c001-c006.(sample texture in Annex change jpeg to bmp)
BUT These two textures also have responsibility for other effects- cannon_flare for cannon impact explosions,missile_flare for missile fire ball.
If for a test want to disable the original cannon impact explosions just do this black texture cannon_flare.
And delete all lines except the first in the file #\animation\CANNON_FLARE.txt
bomb_c001-c006 responsible for the balls of fire after the explosion.
linked explosions cannon and missile are responsible for the effect of the explosion.
For cannon tracers are responsible CANNON_SHELL.bmp CANNON_SHELL_BLUE.bmp _green _orange _purple _red _white
as I understand do not you will need this information because you work in Lightwave, but writes:
In smokes.csv you can change all the graphics in-game effects such as flames, dust, smoke trails (such as size,
the display, speed).
In explos.csv you can change Everything that relates to the explosion - duration, delay,Initial time, final, and so on.
In metasmok.csv you have additional options regarding all smoke, smoke trails, and fires in the game.
A brief description file smokes.csv:


0;GREY_TRAIL;SMOKE_TRAIL; its missile smoke trail

2;ADDITIVE_TRAIL;ADDITIVE_SMOKE_TRAIL; its missile fire smoke trail

4;FIRE;SMOKE;its smoke plumes
8;SMALL_PARTICLE_TRAIL;SMOKE;trails before explosion

good luck

Fantastic information--thank you Banita!

Remember this,that the same files are not duplicated in different directories.
If you have any file in \general check to make sure he is not also in another.
Because the effect will be such that you do change, and you will not see the effects in the game.because the same file will interfere in another directory.All copies and catalogs with backup Transfer OUT directory of the game.
It caused me a lot of problems,so now it writes

OK, cannon impact update. This is less than satisfactory due to the heavy code constraints but here is a modestly more realistic cannon impact/explosion effect. At least it doesn't look like a starship laser welding torch anymore, right? (Little side bonus: this replacement shaves 5 MB off the original).

This'd be much better with less transparent smoke and big puffs of residual dust, but that's not possible yet.

[Actually some of this may be possible by working with Firebird's CSV's so stay tuned for further improvements]

***OLD***




***NEW***



-Olds

Look good, you can do dds files (Like to Smoke Plumes SMOKE001.dds-005)

Reference for this by the way (tho we're still a ways away from matching it):

Wow... now that I've started digging into the FX CSV's that Firebird exposed, the potential to do better and more realistic effects is really opening up. More later...

Seriously sweet work Firebird (as if it wasn't already obvious)!

Well be carefull with these Kind of Vids they are done at a range and probally plant explosives for Effect and not really realistic..so basically when it hits the target a small explosion might be set off for effect..

I been trying to Find Live action shots where the effect is Real and not manfactured..With my vids, I mean besides the Tank explosion most of them nothing much has happened just the initial Missile explosion then Poof, a Cloud of Smoke and dust Not Some HollyWood type explosion..