It is not a tool
To try to simplify the concept suppose there is a line in the program that reads "Y = X/7"
The line is modified to read "Y = X/Z"
Elsewhere in the program the value of Z is set as 7, and immediately after that the exe is programmed to look for an external file (like "Tracer.mpf") containing the value of Z.
If the file exists the value of Z in the file is read and used.
If the file does not exist the default value of 7 is used.
This way we can easily change the value of Z in the external file to see what effect it has on the game.
Currently I am experimenting with the three values read from "Tracer.mpf" to see how they effect the number of tracers that you see, and the lengths of the coloured lines that you see, particularly from machine guns.
Different code may apply to the display of cannon fire, depending on some of the "eaw.ini" settings.
Thanks for the response. And the explanation, as well.
The duration of the trace element, be it Early War smoke, or later visible trace, is an element of the
particular round being used. The larger the caliber of the round, all things being equal, the more trace compound it could carry; but this can be carried too far if comparing similar rounds being used by different countries. IOW, a German 20 mm cannon shell, due to lack of proper resources, might have less of a trace, or a shorter one, than a directly comparable one mfd in America, which did not lack resources. To explain further, a 50.cal Tracer round might contain "X" amount of tracer compound, while Armor-Piercing, Tracer (APT) and Armor-Piercing, Incendiary, Tracer) , (APIT) rounds might have a different weight/volume of tracer compound. The trade-off always involved the terminal ballistic effect of the particular round (effect it had on the target), and the ability of the pilot to see the trace in order to aim the rounds.
As far as
duration of trace, IOW distance over which it is visible goes, this all was specified in original ammo specs, by country. US and Brit wartime specs are presumably fairly stable, although subject to revision. Soviet specs are highly questionable, as are all their stats. German and presumably other European Axis countries stats are
highly questionable as the components for tracer compounds became scarcer for Axis powers as time went by, and German Chemical industry came under bomber attack. IOW, what they started out with for aircraft ammo was not likely what they ended with. Not to mention that the preferred calibers of the ammo expended increased considerably. IOW, the Germans went towards cannon (and other projectiles) in an attempt to shoot down the bombers. Presumably the fighters accompanying the bombers were dealt with by fighters whose armament was configured to deal with the more vulnerable allied fighters.
On further inspection, I have found the Trace-Range/distance of WWII 50 cal rounds It is 1969 Yds (1800M) Source:
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/mg/50_ammo.html That's a long ways. Note also that this stat concerns [I]only[/] WW II tracer rounds, and is not necessarily the trace duration of the other WW II rds which included Tracer compounds in their "mix".
It's fair to think that smaller rounds, such as .303 Brit, and .30-'06 American tracers would necessarily have shorter trace duration/range. I will investigate, as time allows.