I've managed to identify the source file that provides the texture for the tracer bullets effect: redflash2_add.dds, in the TextureMap folder.
As a result I've been able to try out different colours (as were used in real life for various purposes) instead of the default white/yellow. Changing the file has varied results-
Red: The tracers are red against any surface, although against the sky they are a bit more towards the pinkish end, and against the ground and water towards the orange.
Blue: A colour used by the Luftwaffe, but oddly in BoB2 a blue texture results in the tracers being invisible against all surfaces
Green: Greenish-white was a standard British .303 tracer colour up until the war, but here even a dark shade of green is just about overpowered by the original white against the sky. Against the ground/water there is some difference from yellow, but not that much.
So it seems that the only strong alternative in the standard game is red, at least without rewriting the code.
Here is the modified file I'm using:
I've left yellow around the edge since I think it gives a nice touch of ignition to the image, and brings to mind the incendiary rounds that were included in the bullet load. (But of course anyone who prefers one solid colour is free to change it.) It can be downloaded here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?b6nmezb4dbxel9o
Usual warning: Don't forget to back up the original first!
Alternative tracer colours
- ShadowShooter
- Senior Airman
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Re: Alternative tracer colours
Interesting. I learned something today.
-
- Airman
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Re: Alternative tracer colours
Looks incredible ShadowShooter! I'll be sure to try it out soon.
- DHenriques_
- A2A Chief Pilot
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Re: Alternative tracer colours
Just a passing note on tracer;stickman wrote:Interesting. I learned something today.
It's a lighter load in the belt thus replacing a ball or an AP bullet that packs a much heavier punch in the killing mil cone on the target. The Brits did try a few variations including the deWilde slug in 1940 and they did help a little by showing the hit but denying the bullet stream path to the bandit.
Many of the top fighter pilots on each side opted not to use tracer. The advantage it gave walking into the target air to air was offset by telling the target pilot where the stream was coming from giving a break advantage to the target as the shooter closed. And when Fighter Command finally got rid of the Dowding spread and started using better formation section and flight tactics the situation got even better for the Brits.
Just rambling here passing through.
Enjoy the sim!
Re: Alternative tracer colours
stickman wrote:Interesting. I learned something today.
Me too. good find, ShadowShooter.
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- PieceOfCake
- Airman First Class
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 19 Nov 2013, 20:31
Re: Alternative tracer colours
Nice! But do you know what the file for the smoke that comes after the tracer is called?
I am trying to play without tracers. Or maybe just tone down the smoke file a bit.
I am trying to play without tracers. Or maybe just tone down the smoke file a bit.
- ShadowShooter
- Senior Airman
- Posts: 141
- Joined: 10 Mar 2011, 11:50
- Location: Queensland, Australia
Re: Alternative tracer colours
Hi, PieceOfCake.
According to my old notes I used to use "contrail.dds", located in the TextureMap folder, to modify my own tracer smoke seen from the cockpit. [Hope that's correct! ] If so, then perhaps the next file, "contrailside0", is used for other views?
According to my old notes I used to use "contrail.dds", located in the TextureMap folder, to modify my own tracer smoke seen from the cockpit. [Hope that's correct! ] If so, then perhaps the next file, "contrailside0", is used for other views?
- PieceOfCake
- Airman First Class
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 19 Nov 2013, 20:31
Re: Alternative tracer colours
Thanks! I will try that. Also if you want to remove the yellow tracer (or the colored part) just pain the whole file black.PieceOfCake wrote:Nice! But do you know what the file for the smoke that comes after the tracer is called?
I am trying to play without tracers. Or maybe just tone down the smoke file a bit.
I used Gimp to open the ddr file. You need a ddr plugin though for Gimp.
- ShadowShooter
- Senior Airman
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Re: Alternative tracer colours
Might be a combination of files.
- PieceOfCake
- Airman First Class
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Re: Alternative tracer colours
Yeah, and it was really genius of you to find what color was used for tracers. Because it doesn't look like it would be used for that when you open the image.ShadowShooter wrote:Might be a combination of files.
Seeing all this also reminds me how long time it must have been to create this sim.
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