Better Scopes 1.5

[l3th4l]

As promised here is the fixed and improved version of Better Scopes:

Better Scopes 1.5.1


supported screenwidths for bearing strip in 1.5.1:

1024 - 1152 - 1280 - 1360
1440 - 1600 - 1680 - 1792
1800 - 1856 - 1920 - 2048

main features of V. 1.5:
- fixed resolution problems
- different versions
- menu.ini for TM 1.6

Samples of the different scope versions:
(clear/default/dirty)

Better Scopes

v. 1.5.1


based on work by Captain Cox

by lethal




Description:

This mod aims to visually improve all of the different "masked" views present in SH4. This inlcudes both periscopes, the binocular, the TBT and the gunsight for the deckgun. This is a work in progress which means that certain aspects of the mod will probably be improved upon in a future version.


Installation:
This mod is best installed using JSGME. Copy the folder "betterscopes v1.5 default" into your JSGME "MOD" folder and activate.

To use any optional parts of the mod you need to copy them to the appropriate place inside the "betterscopes v1.5 default" folder. Here is a short description as to what each does and where it needs to go:

All the dds files go to "\data\menu\gui\betterscopes\", the menu.ini goes to "\data\menu\".

"Bearing strips for different resolutions":
Better Scopes bearing strips are designed to be very accurate but unfortunately the interface scaling system used in SH4 makes it impossible to create one bearing strip that is equally accurate in all screen resolutions. I have included several versions so that users with different screen resolutions can take advantage of the new and improved bearing strip. If the need arises i can add more...

"Clear as day masks", "Dirty as hell masks":
The default installation of Better Scopes comes with views that show clear signs of use with visible fingerprints, scratches and other dirt partially obscuring the view. However, as tastes (and eyesight ) differ among different people i have also included a version without any and one version that is even more dirty and scratched.

"menu for TM 1.6"
In it's default configuration Better Scopes is not compatible with any mods modifying the menu.ini without having the user manually adjust that file. Since "Trigger Maru" is a very popular modification that does have a modified menu.ini i included an already modified version, so that people who want to use Better Scopes with that mod can do so without having to manually adjust their menu.ini.



Note to users of previous versions:
It is recommended to uninstall any previous versions of this mod as the structure of it has changed and files are located in different locations now. Also: the changes listed in the changelog are always meant to be from a vanilla version. i've removed two entries going from 1.4 to 1.5 and may do so again in the future. For this reason it is recommended to start from an unmodified menu.ini when doing changes manually.

Note to users of other mods that modify the menu_1024.ini:
Before enabling the mod via JSGME or before copying over the files you need to remove the menu_1024_768.ini from the mod and adjust your menu_1024.ini manually as changes from other mods would be lost otherwise. A detailed changelog of the menu.ini can be found in 1.5_menu_changes.txt.


Deinstallation:

To remove this mod, simply delete the files added by it and reverse the changes to your "menu_1024_768.ini" or disable it using JSBME.


Version History:

1.0

- initial release


1.1

- added missing vertical line to obs scope
- doubled width of bearing_big.dds

1.2

- changed the color of the lines to a dark green as per request
- refined some of the lines a bit

1.3 (not released)

- completely new periscopes (new background, new lines, new noise etc. )
- reduced size of the scopes to default again (WS users reported problems)
- new bearing_big.dds (smaller font and other minor changes)
- repositioned and resized bearing strip to blend in to the existing periscope markings

1.4

- adjusted periscope line color and bearing strip color to match better
- new bearing strip for binoculars. now you can only tell a general bearing when using the binoculars
- new binocular mask
- new TBT mask
- new gunsight mask
- other minor refinements

1.4.1

- fixed a few oversights in the menu.ini (bearing strip, black mask when periscope is lowered)
- updated menu changelog to reflect this

1.5

- fixed resolution problems (except for bearing strip accuracy)
- included workaround for bearing strip accuracy problem
- included different versions for customization
- included menu.ini for TM 1.6
- the regular minor fixes etc...

1.5.1

- added more resolution options for bearing strip

Usage / Legal:

You are free to use this mod in any way you like, modify it or include it in your own. I only ask for credit to be given to the original authors. You may not, under any circumstances, include this mod in any commercial endeavour without expressed permission of the authors.


Credits / Thanks:

Captain Cox for the original idea and his work on which this is based.
Kataki for the idea of reducing the brightness of the attack scope, making it less useful in darkness.
jaketoox for giving me the idea how to fix the bearing strip color
leovampire and Vorkapitän for helping me test version 1.5

[sneekyzeke]

That was quick! Thanx again, lethal.

[jdkbph]

Very nice thank you. I can't wait to load it up. But before I do...

I noticed you had versions for 1024, 1280 and 1600 horizontal resolutions. My monitor's native res is 1920. Can I use the 1600 version while running the game at 1920 without any game affecting inaccuracies?

If not, can I adjust the dds file so I can use it? Not sure what app to use with that. Photoshop maybe?

Thanks

JD

[leovampire]

You made my day making the nice clear glass effects as you know!

[mortis1967]

can i use this in conjuntion with tm1.6 ie install along side , or does tm1.6 already have an earlier version of this mod .

[l3th4l]

Originally Posted by jdkbph

Very nice thank you. I can't wait to load it up. But before I do...

I noticed you had versions for 1024, 1280 and 1600 horizontal resolutions. My monitor's native res is 1920. Can I use the 1600 version while running the game at 1920 without any game affecting inaccuracies?

If not, can I adjust the dds file so I can use it? Not sure what app to use with that. Photoshop maybe?

Thanks

JD

it's not as accurate but the fix is easy enough. either you scale up the dds or i'll upload a pack containing more resolutions in a while. I'll wait a bit though to give ppl a change to tell me the screenwidths they are using so i don't have to do this on a regular basis.

the steps are pretty easy:

you say you have a native res. of 1920 - 1920 is 1.2 times 1600. in order to have the bearing scale accurate again you need to scale the width (not the height though, or you'll get some clipping along the top and bottom) of it by 1.2 and save. be advised that you'll need a width that is a multiple of 4 for dds files so you may need to adjust the resulting width by 1 or 2 pixels.

to be able to open dds files in photoshop you need that dds plugin from nvidia. get it here.

[l3th4l]

Originally Posted by mortis1967

can i use this in conjuntion with tm1.6 ie install along side , or does tm1.6 already have an earlier version of this mod .

it's not included in tm 1.6 afaik. i included a menu.ini to use with that version though. you'll find it in the optional folder

[WilhelmTell]

Beautiful work !
Tested and using the DirtyAsHell variant from now on.
Thanks for that !

[Fisherman]

l3th4l,

I use your 1.4 version, an outstanding mod thankyou. I notice you are considering other resolutions for 1.5. May I make a request for 1440 x 900 please?

Thanks again.

Fish

[l3th4l]

Originally Posted by Fisherman

l3th4l,

I use your 1.4 version, an outstanding mod thankyou. I notice you are considering other resolutions for 1.5. May I make a request for 1440 x 900 please?

Thanks again.

Fish

i'll add 1440 to the pack. if anyone wants another screenwidth added please make a request via post or pm. i think i should also explain what i mean by "accuracy":

it's NOT like the bearing strip doesn't show exactly which direction you are looking - that part is *always* 100% accurate. i tried making it even more useful by making the markings that are off to the left and right also be accurate. that can be see by the fact that the lines remain static on a place instead of appearing to "float".

[moosenoodles]

does your mod have a typical 1680*1050 widescreen res variant ?
Thats my native on my 22" samsung 226bw..

moose.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Nice work


RDP

[l3th4l]

Originally Posted by moosenoodles

does your mod have a typical 1680*1050 widescreen res variant ?
Thats my native on my 22" samsung 226bw..

moose.

the 1600 variant *should* be ok for you since it's only a minor discrepancy but i'll add it to the list as well

[moosenoodles]

your most kind thanks,, I like things to be accurate for screen size

thanks for your effort..

moose..

[l3th4l]

edit: new version released. hopefully that will take care of that. otherwise i'm sure you'll let me know