nierop

Hi all, What I want to use in my map is the animation of "Flagtaking" while the player is in a dialog. My problem is that the animation is ended after 4 sec. so my character returns to his normal stance (what i dont want him to do as he is still in the dialog). So now the question; is there a way to stop the animation half way? I know for sure it is possible, as it is the same animation used for rearming at ammocrates; you only stand up again after walking away from the crates. I really would appreciate some help. Cya, Pimmelorus [ZEUS]

Hmmm, seems that when I end the animation by using: player switchMove "" I do not regain control over the character. I do when I use playMove instead of switchMove, however, I hav to wait for the whole anim sequence to stop (takes about 10 secs.). Does anyone knwoa way to regain control over my character immediately after the {player switchMove ""} bit? Or how to end a playMove command immediately? Thnx, Pimmelorus

Ah no, I think I got it. I tried putting the switchMove command in a a 1 sec loop. This keps the character in the animation. Thanx Bratty for reply.

Goldmember, You mentioned that a plane still leaves smoke after crash in water even when deleted after destroying. When i was working with Terox on the EFL competion template Terox mentioned to me that smoke after deletion of the vehicle can be avoided when repairing the vehicle in steps back to setDammage 0. I mean like this: _vehicle setdammage 0.9 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.8 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.7 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.6 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.5 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.4 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.3 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.2 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0.1 ~0.1 _vehicle setdammage 0 ~0.1 deleteVehicle _vehicle I think it is at least worth a try. Good luck, Pimmelorus [ZEUS spartans]

If you use a trigger plz do not forget to put a line in the trigger field or heli_dust.sqs that makes the SERVER not running this script. It will kill the game as the server will run the straining dust effects, whereas it has no need for such visuals. Nice that you pulled it off. In our EFL map template we did not use a trigger but a PublicVariable for each vehicle that is newly created by the server side respawn script. As a rule we do use as little triggers on a map as possible as our experience is that these will cause lag (or desync, dont know the proper name).

Another aspect that has always bothered me is that Vulcans/Shilka's gunned by human players are useless without visual contact with the target. Despite the fact that these weapon systems have lead targeting computers, targets quickly get out of sight due to the relatively small viewdistance. AI controlled gunners of vulcan/shilka's, on the other hand, do no seem to suffer from aiming beyond viewdistance. I say, at least make the lead targeting computer functional in imilar units.

Is it a multiplayer map? Then I suggest you get hold of maps of the EFL (euro flashpoint league) that use the newly designed competition template (available on many servers, just look for the "EFL" in map names). This template is made mostly by Terox, but one of the things I contributed was the smoke, dust and fire effects on newly created (respawned) vehicles. My suggestion is you look at the "vehrespawn.sqs" and "effectsclient.sqs" scripts in this template. If you have no clue how to read and write scripts I suggest you abandon the project as scripting knowledge and knowledge about the server/client relation are essential to pull this off.

Fantastic! Thnx.

Hi Certa, I really apprciate the work that you put into this tool as it might solve lots of problems for addon servers. Thousand time thank you! A question that I would like to ask it whether your tool also work like the OFP addon manager? I mean, does it inactivate addons that are not required for a particular server? The benefits for this are obvious: 1. Free system memory 2. Likely, no incompatible addons are loaded simultaneously (as addon packs are tested by the server admins/owners) Does this tool already consider this? Thnx, Pimmelorus [ZEUS addon server]

I am making my own soundpack out of addons that are available. I came across some very nice M2-50.cal sounds in the OPGWC demo. Problem is that these sounds are samples of a single gun shot. The original M2-50.cal sound is a sample of 3 shots in sequence. In the OPGWC demo the single gunshot sounds are nicely timed with the rounds that are fired. But when I put this sound into my custom sound addon, this does not happen (you hear 1 shot for a couple of rounds fired). Has the OPGWC demo changed something in some config-file to make this happen or am I doing something wrong? Should i make a 3-shot sequence out of it to make it work in normal OFP? BTW. I am not releasing this addon to the public, so i think i can take the sounds without arousing people. If you think not let me know. Thnx, Pimmelorus [sHoP]

For answer see: OFPEC forum Bye,

...but dont dismiss the idea of auto-updating completely. Apparently, autoupdate tools are already in far stage of development, as I was told (something I did not know before, but Lt Damage works on one). But if, such tools will be availble this does, however, not likely mean we will do it as some have suggeste; going as fast as addonmakers release new versions. Still a interval period (of yet undertermined time) will have to be applied. In the meantime, we are bussy evaluating the possible contents of the addon pack. It turns out that the SES addon pack is already accepted by a number of servers and squads. Currently the ZEUS and SES addon lists are available, the wait is for benu to provide a list of FGG. Then I will put them together and our discussion can start.

Yes, you are probably right in that in most cases the maps are still functioning. I think I worry too much... No, I was thinking more at the set intervalls of the pack-updates so map makers know when to check their maps for other addons. With an auto- updater they have no clue. Well, you are working on the auto-updater then? That would be cool; a very nice initiative. But i recon it will be finished long time from now? As mentioned, as soon as this tool becomes reality we are all ears... Thnx for your input.

Ok is clear, but how do you (i) change maps that mapmakers made (ii) test the functionality of the map automatically? If this would be done, problem solved.... ...if not we still dont have this update utility. You see, without that these nice plans cannot be applied in reality. As mentioned by many, we dont know people that have the skill/time to do this. Finally, can we agree on the following? 1. Formulation of an addon-pack/-selection that will function as standard for all servers/mapmakers that want to participate (after a standard selection of addons is what we ALL desire) 2. We seek a person willing to make the update tool so updating can be done via this method 3. As long the update tool is not available we proceed the way it is done now; a sectioned download from the participating servers. Is this maybe a concensus everyone can live with? Or did I miss a point here again? Let me know... Pimmelorus

Ok, nicely put benu. After reading all mails again I feel that people are indeed talking about different things. And in part that is our own fault by not being clear enough. Lolsavs first mail, indeed, mentions a widely used addon-pack that is commonly accepted which might give the idea of an "Uberpack" (but was nuanciated 3 posts later by Joltan). And also, if people were in the assumption that the idea was completely open to discussion, i am sorry about that, but the idea for ZEUS was not to get involved in very NICE, but ambitious ways of distribution or update synchronization (auto-update tools). Call it lazy or unambitious, but we just dont have the manpower and computer skills to pull of such cool project. OK, if someone offers his talent and energy to o this, sure, but we are too pratical and realistic to be tempted by such nice ideas. So in view of these limitations that we see imposed, this discussion for ZEUS was not all the way open. The discussion I have here is NOT about whether we should have a pack at all and is NOT about the way of distribution. I am having a discussion to inventarize MP servers that want, in pricipal, to join the initiative. I am having a discussion to get input to this idea given the restrictions of the system there is now and given the lack of available initiatives (if someone stood up and said "Hey, I got an update tool", we are all ears). I am having a discussion here to hear what addons people might want into the addon-pack, what physical form of the pack might be (e.g., "themed downloads"), etc. Ok, I hope that clearifies the intentions and expectations of ZEUS in this discussion. I regeret any harsh words that have been said by the lack of this clearity. Also I want to mention again, that no definitive descisions have been made regarding the, apparently, important subject of the update-frequency of the pack. To me that IS still open to discussion. I have heard intervals of 6 months (too long) to 1 month (too short). SO we can discuss this, with the restriction that it will not be realtime without availaility of a working software implementation to do this. Just good friends <sticks out his hand for shaking> Pimmelorus

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I think these packs have the oppurtunity to be very succesfull, but only with correct managment, being carefull not to cause conflict [becuase some one wil want to cause trouble] BUT I also think they are only gonig to acheive what you want them too on a newer game. If you dont agree, I have no problem with it, but i am not going to look at this topic anymore so dont bother posting your outrage. [not that i flamed anyone at all during this entire topic, i thank you very much]<span id='postcolor'> But Jaguar, if you think in principle this initiative is a good idea (i) what are exactly your objections, and (ii) what are the solutions for those problems you propose keeping in mind maintainance of MP compatibility. I of course want to listen, but have the feeling that you just have comments, but no solutions that server owners can accept. And they, in the end, are the persons that do this all. I know that some just ARE NOT going to do high-frequencey-updates of their servers (like they dont do now -> no problem). Of course players should like ik too, but if not, the server owners will notice straight away as people stay away from their servers and to to others. @KottE </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">My friend had an idea, and I'll tell you about it as well. Each server admin is able to generate an .xml file containing the addons and modules that he has installed on his server (using this system) and that is uploaded as a module on the central server for this system. So I can opt to download the ServerX module and get all addons used by ServerX.<span id='postcolor'> Sure, but we dont have such tool and I do not hear anyone offering to make on. So do we stop MP server standardization by lack of this? NO. As already mentioned somewhere up this thread, it will be less sexy than might be ideally the case. @Major Fubar </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Sounds like a lot of work, but I'll see what I can do...anything for a cause as worthy as a standardized addon pack!<span id='postcolor'> Ha ha, I know that is a lot of work, thats why I ask you Also it is difficult to do an correct interpretation of the results, and implementation into the composition of the addon pack (100 different people, 100 different addons). But a direct link towards players should be established. Make sure this initiative concerns MP games only (involving only a subset of servers), as i have a feeling that MP players view from a different angle then than other players. In the end the goal is a MP server addon pack, and I am afraid that people feel that this addon pack concerns an all-spanning initiative.

1. MP SERVER ADDON PACKS ARE ALREADY AROUND! 2. THEY FUNCTION PERFECTLY! 3. DOWNLOADING OF ADDON PACKS AS A SECTIONED DOWNLOAD WORKS ALREADY PERFECTLY! 4. ALL WE SEEK IS A STANDARDIZED ADDON PACK AGREED UPON BY A NUMBER OF SERVERS SO MAPS CAN BE EXCHANGED! Sorry for shouting, but maybe people can SEE AND REMEMBER the background of this initiative. That the way of distribution IS NOT a problem. That we are NOT seeking an addon UBERPACK that spans the complete world of OFP (in the words of DKM-Jaguar) and of which the succes is very questionable, but just a pack common between a limited amount of participating servers. If you dont want to play on these few servers you are not forced. The update frequency is not set yet, but will be on the 2-4 month time scale. This update system is also applied already and the community functions without problems despite some accidental flawed addon versions in the ultimate case solved by patches. Now i stop as i feel that our ideas are put on an scale of impact that is ono where near the goal of our initiative. Especially I dont want to start arguing about ways of distribution yet, as this is not one of our problems. If it is your problem, fine, but dont trouble us with it (and dont start complaining that I descriminate 56K modem users, because I do not, these peeps are perfectly capable of downloading or getting a cd from friends) *EDIT* Uberpack were Deadmeats words not Jaguars, sorry for that.

For starters I am going to compare all addon packs of the participating servers. From this a proposal will be made. I propose: 1. Addons used by all servers will be included (e.g., BAS addons). The general use of such addons are in fact already a measure of quality and popularity. 2. Other addons will be discussed together with addon server representatives. Factors like quality or good use oin missions of, apparently,not so well known addons will be discussed. 3. A final proposal will be made. 4. Public will have opportunity to give feedback. Understandably, the whish of EVERY individual player cannot and will not be satisfied after this stage. I hope people understand... PS. I still would like to receive a list of addons that are in the addon packs of participating servers for comparison (nierop@bio.vu.nl). These lists will not be revealed to the public yet in order to get discussion between the right people at the right time. Only a final proposal made by the addon server owners will be made public. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There really needs to be some sort of vote on what addons are to be included.<span id='postcolor'> Major fubar, you feel like organizing such a poll? You got an opinion thread running already...

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And it saddens me to say, but really I think this is coming too late.<span id='postcolor'> Jaguar, plz read things carefully, it still is not clear to you... (i start wondering whether you have ever played with addons on big servers). Every addon-server ALREADY HAS an addon pack. This discussion is about getting a STANDARDIZED addon-pack for all these servers. If you keep opposing to addon-packs you are trying to defeat history. Sounds like Don Quichot..... @CD on magazine covers This will not work. For me that is period...

Hi KTottE, thnx for your thinking along with this discussion. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">One hour later, there's a huge bug discovered, and the BAS team work like crazy to fix the bug, and in only a few hours past release-date, they have version 1.1 out (have happened before, and I love BAS for being so quick to respond to those problems). What happens then?<span id='postcolor'> Well, the way I see this is that this wont be much of a likely problem as, something discussed and agreed upon, the addon pack WILL NOT be updated real-time with new versions. As put forward by different peeps this (i) is required for standarization between servers (admins cant spend their lives only with updating), (ii) is more convenient to players (also dont have to udate every day), and (iii) will avoid those exact problems you state here. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also, I think we need an auto-update system. <span id='postcolor'> As real-time updating is not likely to be applied this would be very fancy, but not essential. However, I don't want to discourage anyone that would like to take up this task. In the end, players with little computer skills (believe me, they exist) will benefit from such a tool. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also, one further note is to have the pack addons in a mod-folder.<span id='postcolor'> Good idea, I was thinking in that direction too. I fact, the SES-addon pack already has such a MOD-folder construction, and this is an very elegant way to go about... </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Of course, there could be a starter-kit for everyone, shipped on a CD <span id='postcolor'> Well, that requires someone offering his job at the least to burn and ship CD's... Not feasible, I think. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I think many of the people here subscribe to some PC game magazine<span id='postcolor'> Have you any support for this notion? I, on the other hand, CAN support the notion that everyone wanting to play MP games has an internet-connection. Downloading, therefore, seems the logical choise for the addon pack. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Cons with manual: Likelyhood of getting the wrong version is larger than with an automatic system<span id='postcolor'> See above, the convention addon-pack seeks standardization. Thats why we do not seek the way of "manual" updating you have in mind. Without the use of an autoupdater, we will release addon-pack updates at set time points (interval not agreed upon yet) that wil be installed MANUALLY, if you whish. You see, also manual can result in standardization

snYpir, have you tried OFPmanager, downloadable from OFPEC. I use it all the time to unpack .BIN files.

Yes, those things have to be agreed upon, but this sounds like a good idea. BTW, this was just an example.

No, my idea of the thing is that seperate "themed" packs will be made. Then each server can choose what set of packs its uses. Good example are the NAM pack or WWII addons. Not all servers will be running those, but a standardized pack for those who want it should be formulated. What map makers should keep in mind that using small parts of packs used not by all servers (lets say the CoC mines form NAM pack2) will restrict playability of their map on servers that do not use that particular "theme" pack. Well, thats just the way it is... @benu text file is good enough for me . plz send to nierop@bio.vu.nl

*IMPORTANT* Ok to continue on-track I would like to have lists of the addons in the addon-packs of all the participating servers. I suggest that we put addons used by all servers in the convention-addon pack immediately. For the differences we can start to have a discussion after that, but before we need an overview of our desires, as signified by each servers addon list. Can this be arranged? I am working on a list for ZEUS. I personally prefer to have an excel-file. Let me know... Pimmelorus [ZEUS addon-server]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And again, I still say you guys could do more.<span id='postcolor'> I say, start small, see how things work out, then make plans for bigger things. The obections you make on addon tesing I se now are valid, but dont be too afraid; this initiative still involves a small number of participants. And also people will alsays keep on playing with the newest versions, but not on convention addon-pack servers.