Quick Question, Mark - which link for the Configurator is the up to date, latest? I see one on the first page of this thread, but also a couple of others within the thread. At least one of the deeper into the thread links is larger than the one linked from the first page. Is 1.1 the latest? What about that error correction version - a new full install along with just the .exe?

Sorry for any confusion, and thanks for all your good work.

Eugene, my links on this board are a jumbled mess!

Links was the last section of my PDF Help I had to finish, and tonight I've been reorganizing my website (also a jumbled mess) to match a much better organized listing of links in my PDF. When I'm done with that (sometime tonight) I'll update my "Links" thread here which will be much simpler (no more linked threads to follow just real links). I took the informational threads [with pics] and cleaned them up for my PDF.

I think I'm less than 24 hours of having it all posted, and I think the confusion I created will disappear.
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Mark

Thanks, Mark! It's such a valuable tool, I want to make sure I've got the proper version. Also, is the mods zip file current, or are there new ones that are outside of the file?

One other question on usage - using the extracted files version of TAW, is there a way to not enable the enhanced HUD/HMD - in the Configurator? I'm not liking the appearance of the HMD graphics overlaying the HUD itself. Might be a simple toggle in-game? I'm just getting back into TAW after a period away.

Everything is done, still organizing the website links (website itself is not viewable yet). Also updating a few downloads.

Check it out...
http://198.65.10.229/DID/TAWC.pdf

I just have to clean up the last page "Links" a little and make sure all the links in the PDF work. Note that you can download directly from the PDF links (i.e. go to the Installing and Extracting Total Air War bookmark to the left and click a link on the page). The links should be working by this evening.

The Configurator update was thoroughly tested again last night. Again, no new big features in this update, just many enhancements to make it easier to use. This update is meant to be a better and polished base to continue with, not an end to anything. I have lots of ideas for the future though...

Anyway, just the User Manual PDF includes most everything anyone needs to get TAW up and running (the most important thing right now). I really think I'll be releasing the program tonight and all links will have been thoroughly tested when I do.

EDIT: Eugene, I'll get back to you with details, but you won't have to reinstall and the update includes new HUD display options that address your HUD issues.
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Mark

Not yet tested in Vista and not yet 64-bit compatible!

TAW Configurator 1.2 is released:
http://198.65.10.229/DID/TAW/TAWC.zip

Without re-installing (see the Readme.txt, very simple):
http://198.65.10.229/DID/TAW/TAWC_Files.zip

Note that mods haven't been updated completely, new mods include a TAW Patch mod (to easily switch between D3D and Glide) and a HUD display mod (resets the HUD back to stock while using extracted files). More are coming...

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Eugene, I think I better understand your question about the HUD/HMD now and I don't think we can change the way the game displays the HMD on the HUD glass.

From the Strategy Guide...
http://198.65.10.229/DID/HUD_SG.jpg

The best I think you can do is to turn some HUD objects off if you want, just select the object and change Style to No Display. So you don't have to have two compass ribbons, for example.

Not much more we can do with the couple of extracted HUD text files, things like having the ladder bars float like in Falcon 4, or even raising the weapon range bar higher in the HUD is all in the executable. At least that's how it seems so far.
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Mark

Splendid! I'll be trying it out later, when I get home.

I appreciate your dedication. It must be about 5AM there.

Nice work MG. Thank you.

Thanks, Mark! Always great work on your part.

I realize my HUD question has been unclear. Perhaps I'm confused - I had thought the community HUD modifications altered the appearance of the HUD from the stock version (or maybe the HMD?). My sense when initially using the extracted version of the sim was that, differently from the stock cockpit, the HMD or the HUD graphics were now overlapped at different image scales, making the whole thing hard to sue when looking straight forward. I don't recall this being the case in the stock sim. So my original question was about whether the entire HUD community modifications could be turned off, as can the other mods, from within Configurator.

Sorry if this is still clear as mud! And if I'm misunderstanding or misperceiving the cockpit situation.

Hey Mark,

I just tested your new release on my Vista x64 by downloading the raw files without any installation.

The configurator does not run natively because tabctl32.ocx is missing. I don't know if it is included in Vista x86, but either way I found a valid version and a way of installing it successfully, now the configurator runs perfect

You should include the file in your installer or append the download link. If you need any further information, just ask me.

Thanks, guys. I won't pretend it was fun, who likes writing support docs? But it's over (at least the bulk of it, I won't mind adding a page or two for a new feature, etc.) and that feels good. BTW, if you see an error or if you think something's missing or could be written more clearly, please don't hesitate to say so! I'm my own worse critic and nit-picker, I just want it right and the best I can make it.

Eugene, I may not be understanding you but I'm going to use this opportunity to show a couple new features in the upgrade...

First let me say that the extracted download is a completely unaltered game that's never even been run. I did notice I was using a game.cfg file from another install to get the patch settings included, but even that's been replaced by the freshly installed stock game.cfg as I wanted it to be a completely "virgin" game. So the HUD in the extracted download is stock, regardless if you're running extracted or not.

And that may be the answer to something you didn't ask but the following should clarify things...

If Use DAT File is checked in the File pull-down menu, you're not running extracted, thus you'll always have the stock HUD...




TAW Configurator monitors your DID.DAT file and knows if you have a DID.DAT or not, which of course determines if you're running extracted or not. BTW, the Warning in the status bar is telling you that you're not running extracted so that after applying a mod, you're not going to see the effects until you choose Use Extracted Files.

So select Use Extracted Files from the File pull-down menu and notice the Options with the HUD Display mod:

Default: Gives you the same HUD as the default settings when using the HUD Options feature (see pic below).
Original: Gives you back the stock HUD, even when running extracted.

I think you wanted to run extracted but with the stock HUD, the Original option gives you this. Try it, your HUD should look exactly the same as using the DAT file (stock game).

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I remember some time ago you asked about removing the duplicate compass ribbon (Heading Bar). Here's how...



Select it (in the pic it's selected at top, highlighted in yellow) and set Style to No Display, which will turn it off in the HMD. Alternately, you can move it to a more inconspicuous location and even shrink the width (looks cool IMO, the numbers are tighter, although not shown on display), even move it to the side text area.

I hope this answers your questions and if not, please give me one more chance, we'll take it to video.
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Mark