But the steel plate in my head does!

Then you’re protected. I mean shielded. Just extra curly hair on your head, that’s all ...

The older Thunder and Lightning mod really did a number on your FPS when the lightning would strike, have you resolved that or will that still be an issue?

I imagine this will have roughly the same impact, performance wise. However, I haven't really focused on that, so I may be able to at least provide options for those whose systems can't handle the lightning. I can't promise any miracles, however.

I'm 99% sure that the lightning is hardcoded into the game engine. There is a lightning texture that I have edited a hundred times and it makes 0 difference to its look in game. You can even delete the lightning texture, yet it still shows up in game. You can edit the ini file relating to the size of the lightning shown, but regardless of what crazy values you use, the look of the lightning never changes. I never noticed any performance hit using Panama red's mod personally. If you ever work out how to change the lightning texture, please let me know. I have spent hours looking at that bloody thing!

Hi 4L0M. Haven't seen you around much lately. Do you get any stick time?

I have to admit I haven’t noticed any performance drops with the lightning either. I do get a performance hit when near artillery barrages though. Anyone else gets that?

Good to hear from you again, 4L0M. I have noticed the same thing about the lightning, at least in regard to the lightning.xml file. I have not touched the texture file. Nevertheless, there are a few things in the lightning.xml file that can be altered, such as strike duration and strike frequency.

In my testing on my relatively slow rig, I have noticed a brief drop in framerates just before or after a strike. However, I'm not sure whether it is due to the lightning graphic, the thunder sound file, or something else.

I also get the same frame rate loss near an artillery barrage, Fullofit, so that may point towards the thunder sound file, or how sounds in general in the game are handled, as the culprit.

This is what the lightning looks like in game. I came across this screenshot earlier when looking for something else :



I would love to know how to change it, but I never had any success.

I wish I could help you out, but I haven't had any success, either.

I guess changing the lightning.dds file doesn't make any difference?

I agree that the Bolt Texture and Bolt Width seem to be hard coded in the part of the program that creates the random branching shape.

The code does include a routine that dims the lightning with distance, but the lightning does not seem to create any visual effect on the surrounding environment.

The timing, and duration of the lightning can be adjusted in the Lightning.xml, as well as switching the Flash Texture that is used on the top of the bolt at the base of the cloud.

The size of the flash in game is independent from the size of the texture being called for in the xml.

There does not appear to be anything in AnKor's Shaders or the Effects.xml related to lightning.

Thanks, Major. I can confirm everything you said. The only thing I have been able to control in version 2.9 of the cloud mod is the frequency and duration of the lightning flash.

Version 2.9 of the cloud mod is finally available, now with optional thunder and lightning!

I am particularly proud of this release, not because of any major changes, but because it resolves a few niggling problems and inconsistencies in previous versions.

Overall, there should be more consistency in cloud conditions during a single mission than before. This means there is less of a chance of running into cloud types that seem inconsistent with the current weather conditions. In other words, clear skies should stay mostly clear, partly cloudy skies should remain partly cloudy (for the most part), etc. I also added a few lighter medium to medium-heavy cloud types for a little more variety in "Heavy" weather conditions.

Finally, I have enabled thunder and lightning in this version without the user having to overwrite any files (you will have to overwrite a few files if you wish to disable thunder and lightning, at least until JJJ65 releases an update to the ME in a few days that will automate this process). I have included a folder in the .zip file named "WOFF UE OCM 2.9 No Thunder Option" that users can activate as a temporary measure if they prefer not to have this feature.

As always, it has been a pleasure to serve my fellow members of the WOFF flying community. If you have any questions or comments about this update, please feel free to ask.

Please find a link to version 2.9 of the OCM at the end of the first post of this thread. Happy flying, whatever the weather!

Bob, you are an example of excellence in service objectivity Sir. Something to be proud of and often sorely missing these days.

Great news BuckeyeBob! Thank you for all your work. Will have that baby installed right away, lightning and all. Wish I could reward you somehow for your efforts, but all I can do is post here with praise and my thanks. Oh and maybe squeeze another Aldi report in DiD in your name. Deal?

Thanks Buckeye..downloading now.

Thank you, everyone.

Robert, you are too kind. Yes, good service seems to be sorely lacking these days.

Fullofit, enjoy the thunderbolts and lightning! You will like it even more when Jara comes out with his next update. I will take another Aldi update at any time, new clouds or not! Plus, a dram of your favourite single-malt scotch whiskey, if you please!

Adger, as a long-time supporter of the cloud mod, thank you.

BuckeyeBob, you’ve got it! I’m partial to the smokiness of the Islay region offerings, so one dram coming up. Enjoy!

Excellent choice! My thirst is officially slaked!

( I've always wanted to say "slaked!")

Sounds like something one would say in 1917