[REL] Better Scopes 1.4

[l3th4l]

Better Scopes 1.4.1 (http://files.filefront.com/betterscopes+v1+4+1rar/;8378190;;/fileinfo.html)



http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2683/obsdaycf5.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=obsdaycf5.jpg)http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/696/atkdayck7.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atkdayck7.jpg)http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8248/gundayzo9.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gundayzo9.jpg)

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4494/obsnightwf9.th.jpg (http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=obsnightwf9.jpg)http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3918/atknightck9.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atknightck9.jpg)http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1784/gunnightdw6.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gunnightdw6.jpg)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/213/tbtdayvj4.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tbtdayvj4.jpg)http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3738/binocdayic9.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=binocdayic9.jpg)http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7213/tbtnightsl2.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tbtnightsl2.jpg)http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2981/binocnightlw4.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=binocnightlw4.jpg)






Better Scopes

v. 1.4.1


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. Create a folder inside JSGME's MOD folder for betterscopes and extract or copy the data folder in there. Now you only need to enable the mod with JSGME and you're set. Alternatively copy the data folder to your SH4 directory. This might lead to you needing to uninstall SH4 however if you ever find the need to uninstall the mod as no backups are generated that way.

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.

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 1.4_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 ;)

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:

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

http://static.filefront.com/ffv6/graphics/b_dl_now.gif (http://files.filefront.com/betterscopes+v1+4+1rar/;8378190;;/fileinfo.html)

[sneekyzeke]

*Ahem*. In my native Georgia vernacular, "Yeee-Hawww"! Thanx, l3th4l.

[WilhelmTell]

Niiice !
Downloading at once ....

Thank you so much :up: !

[Hawk_345]

very nice, downloading now.:up:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Nice work :up:


RDP

[WilhelmTell]

This looks brilliant with all those fingerprints and the other details.
But I have one problem.
I cannot see the new bearing indicator of the binoculars.
Did I something wrong ? I deactivated every mod that changes any of the graphics as well as the menu_1024_768.ini , before I installed yours.

[l3th4l]

DAMN!


Sorry about that - it seems i overlooked one thing in the menu.ini:

in [G27 I5] change the following two lines:
Zone= 400 676 202 60 0 1 0x27000000 0.5 -0.18 0x27000002 -0.5 0 0 0
Mat 0=data/menu/gui/betterscopes/bearing_small.tga

this is also missing from the menu changelog so anyone making the changes to the menu.ini manually must add this to the list.

[WilhelmTell]

Now it works flawless. Thank you alot, l3th4l !
Again, very nice work ... :up:

[jaketoox]

Cheers man!!

..i see you managed to finish it...

...what can i say..??? ..oh, that's the word....


:rock: BRILLIANT!!! :rock:

....DL like NOW......

jake

[CaptainCox]

Cheers man:up: Goes in my "must have" JSGME folder directly!
Love the Filefront graphics, is that a function from FF or?, never seen that before .p

[Digital_Trucker]

Excellent!:up:

I second the yee-haw!

[l3th4l]

Love the Filefront graphics, is that a function from FF or?
hehe, they have a button on the bottom of their page and next to it there's a small textbox where you can copy some code to include in your homepage. i just reformatted that text to work on forums ;)

[Vorkapitan]

Where do I find the download - link Please?

Thanks

[Digital_Trucker]

Where do I find the download - link Please?

Thanks

It's that big FileFront logoed button at the bottom of the post with the flashing "download here" on it.

[vodkamike]

What an improvement. A big 'attaboy' for you...

:lol:

[Vorkapitan]

Where do I find the download - link Please?

Thanks

It's that big FileFront logoed button at the bottom of the post with the flashing "download here" on it.

I must be going blind, I don't see a "FileFront button logoed " anywhere on the post! :o

[l3th4l]

try here (http://files.filefront.com/betterscopes+v1+4rar/;8374785;;/fileinfo.html) ;)

[Vorkapitan]

l3th4l


Thanks very much.

I wonder why i'm not seeing the download links when others can see then?

[leovampire]

thanks for doing it all truly apreciated.

[l3th4l]

updated to fix those menu.ini errors and added the black mask from previous versions. dunno if that was a problem but it's there now.

hopefully no more bugs now :)


edit:

ARGH!!!!

Stupid me - forgot to check out other resolutions :oops: DAMN again!!!

having been working on the scopes in 1024x768 for the last few days i now wanted to play again for a change - this time in 1280x1024 - and what do i see?? The bearing lines are all over the place!!

please be patient as a try and fix this issue. any help would be appreciated here, too ;)

expect a fix for the weekend - i won't have time to do much tomorrow and on friday but i'll see what i can do.

[leovampire]

LOL I feel for you man but reguardless your doing a hell of a job and can relate to your wanting to play and enjoy some of the game and your work and others as well!

Take your time if you need to!

[sneekyzeke]

Hey, Lethal, love your work but I hope you will indulge me for a moment. For my own personal growth and use, if I was interested in perhaps lightening the bearing lines a little in your scopes and binocs, how would i experiment with that? For instance, I assume that it is contained in files like attacklines.dds, which is a graphics file, no? What would i use to edit that? Answer at your leisure; i don't want to distract you from your work! Zeke.

[kriller2]

Hi Sneeky,
You can use a tool called DDS converter to convert the files to f.ex. tga then you can edit them in Photoshop..
http://files.filefront.com/DDS+Converter+2+10/;3577988;/fileinfo.html

[sneekyzeke]

:up:

[Wilcke]

Beautiful scopes man!

Wilcke

[l3th4l]

Hey, Lethal, love your work but I hope you will indulge me for a moment. For my own personal growth and use, if I was interested in perhaps lightening the bearing lines a little in your scopes and binocs, how would i experiment with that? For instance, I assume that it is contained in files like attacklines.dds, which is a graphics file, no? What would i use to edit that? Answer at your leisure; i don't want to distract you from your work! Zeke.
Once you've got the files open in photoshop or whatever you are using, you can simply change the base color and the lines should reflect that. no need to tinker with the alpha channel unless you want to alter the transparancy.

opening the files should be simple enough once you've either got the converter or the plugin from nvidia up and running. I use the plugin for photoshop as it saves me the step of opening a seperate program just to convert the files. It comes with an installer so that part is easy enough.

You can find everything you need here (http://developer.nvidia.com/object/nv_texture_tools.html). except the editing program of course ;)

edit: just re-read your post. concerning the bearing lines:
currently i know of no way to stop them from becoming completely black during daytime so unfortunately the only way to make them less visible (not brighter though!) then is to further increase their transparancy.

to do that you need to first understand how an alpha channel works; think of it this way: you are painting on a transparent background. the "normal" channels (RGB) determine what color you are painting and the alpha channel determines how much of that color gets applied on the transparent background. A completely black pixel on the alpha channel means *no* color gets applied, a completely white pixel means it gets applied fully so you can't see through it. any shade of gray in between means a different level of transparancy. So in order to make an image (such as the lines) more transparent overall you can simply lower the brightness of the alpha channel a bit.

hope this helps :)

[sneekyzeke]

Was away for awhile; just received this. Thanks so much! That should be plenty to get me started and keep me busy for a while. Cheers! Zeke

[Captain Wreckless]

This link doesn't work anymore. It just goes to the File Front main page. Any idea where to get it now?

CW :arrgh!:

[MaciejK]

Got the same problem...:(

[dimwit]

How do I download this mod? I click on 'Better Scopes' at the top of the page and it send me to File front.com home page. How do find the mod?

[JREX53]

Gents,

I have just uploaded the file to FileFront for you to get.

The link is:
http://files.filefront.com/betterscopes+v1+4+1rar/;9414640;/fileinfo.html

Have Fun with it!

[Bale]

@JREX53 :up: :rock:

[black1]

What are the steps to getting this to work in 1600x1200 resolution.

[AVGWarhawk]

I attempted to load this mod. I activated with JSGME, etc. I then started the game. Loaded stopped as it said there was a file missing. Digital Trucker....were are you? Help!

[Wilcke]

I attempted to load this mod. I activated with JSGME, etc. I then started the game. Loaded stopped as it said there was a file missing. Digital Trucker....were are you? Help!

at one time I had the scopes working with 1.3 plus integrated with TM and RFB....it required some changes to the "menu_1024_768.ini". I have no idea how big a job it would be with the 1.4 menu_1024_768.ini.

I really liked those scopes.

What lurker posted below! Thank you sir!

[lurker_hlb3]

I attempted to load this mod. I activated with JSGME, etc. I then started the game. Loaded stopped as it said there was a file missing. Digital Trucker....were are you? Help!


This mod is based on SH3v1.3 and will "NOT" work on v1.4

[AVGWarhawk]

Anyone have the know how to get it going for 1.4?

[lurker_hlb3]

Anyone have the know how to get it going for 1.4?

If you know what your doing, it can be done in about an hour. fix it up for RFB/TM would be about the same.

[lurker_hlb3]

I modified BetterScope 141 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+SH44rar/;9423218;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+TM15rar/;9423220;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+RFB14+R1rar/;9423221;/fileinfo.html

[black1]

Great thanks, one question, can these be used on a resolution of 1600x1200? if so great if they cant is there a way to make it so it does.


Ok tried it and it looks nice, but, i use foofighters recognition manual along with capnscurvy SCAF manual targeting ship centered for T.M. 1.7.5 and foos manual and it messes them up, makes them really small and un-usable really. I like the scopes though there great.

[lurker_hlb3]

Great thanks, one question, can these be used on a resolution of 1600x1200? if so great if they cant is there a way to make it so it does.

I don't know, all I did was make work on SH4 v14. I will not make any other changes

[AVGWarhawk]

Lurker :rock:

Enough said:up:

[gclarkso]

I modified BetterScope 141 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+SH44rar/;9423218;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+TM15rar/;9423220;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+RFB14+R1rar/;9423221;/fileinfo.html
Working great in stock 1.4 with ROW and RSRD but am compelled to ask...how can I eliminate the double-vision effect in the bino and TBT view? Was following the 1.5.1 thread where the same request was made but it sorta fizzled out.

[SubSuck]

Unfortunately all I get from this is a series of missing Menu ID's after creating a new career.

[gclarkso]

Unfortunately all I get from this is a series of missing Menu ID's after creating a new career.
SS,

I get the missing Menu ID error(s) with the 1.5.1 version, but 1.4.1 installs fine over stock.

I can view the respective .dds files...looks like they could be touched-up to eliminate the said effect but alas, lack of talent on my part is prohibiting...IOW, I wouldn't even know where to start.

[SubSuck]

Unfortunately all I get from this is a series of missing Menu ID's after creating a new career.
SS,

I get the missing Menu ID error(s) with the 1.5.1 version, but 1.4.1 installs fine over stock.

I can view the respective .dds files...looks like they could be touched-up to eliminate the said effect but alas, lack of talent on my part is prohibiting...IOW, I wouldn't even know where to start.

I'll try again with the other version. I was having problems locating the files.

[SubSuck]

I modified BetterScope 141 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+SH44rar/;9423218;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+TM15rar/;9423220;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+RFB14+R1rar/;9423221;/fileinfo.html

I wish I understood what all this meant. TM175??

[lurker_hlb3]

I modified BetterScope 141 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+SH44rar/;9423218;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+TM15rar/;9423220;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+RFB14+R1rar/;9423221;/fileinfo.html
I wish I understood what all this meant. TM175??

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=531082&postcount=1

[lurker_hlb3]

I modified BetterScope 141 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+SH44rar/;9423218;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+for+TM15rar/;9423220;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v141+RFB14+R1rar/;9423221;/fileinfo.html
Working great in stock 1.4 with ROW and RSRD but am compelled to ask...how can I eliminate the double-vision effect in the bino and TBT view? Was following the 1.5.1 thread where the same request was made but it sorta fizzled out.

To make a 1.5.1 version is not that hard. I will do it if people request it. So far there has been only 26 downloads of the 1.4.1 version

[gclarkso]

To make a 1.5.1 version is not that hard. I will do it if people request it. So far there has been only 26 downloads of the 1.4.1 version
That would be great...I know the current mod has been well received by the community...but the current bino and TBT view screws with my vision. What's the chance of making a modification to these two views and releasing it as an alternative?

[lurker_hlb3]

To make a 1.5.1 version is not that hard. I will do it if people request it. So far there has been only 26 downloads of the 1.4.1 version
That would be great...I know the current mod has been well received by the community...but the current bino and TBT view screws with my vision. What's the chance of making a modification to these two views and releasing it as an alternative?


If I do it it will be to run on stock / TM175 / RFB14 RC1.

[l3th4l]

I wanna thank everyone everyone that has helped in keeping this alive and even updating it for the new version in my absence :up:.

I didn't have time to do any modding for some time now but i imagine i'll be getting back to this (and ROW) after this semesters exams which are in february. Until then: hang tight and/or continue what you're doing - your doing a fine job :)

[gclarkso]

If I do it it will be to run on stock / TM175 / RFB14 RC1.
That would be awesome! Thanks lurker!

[lurker_hlb3]

I modified BetterScope 151 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v151+for+SH44rar/;9448193;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v151+for+TM15rar/;9448194;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v151+for+RFB1rar/;9448192;/fileinfo.html

[gclarkso]

I modified BetterScope 151 to run on the following SH4 v1.4 setups

Stock
TM175
RFB14_RC1

The only changes are to the Menu_1024_768.ini

Links

Stock

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v151+for+SH44rar/;9448193;/fileinfo.html


TM175

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v151+for+TM15rar/;9448194;/fileinfo.html


RFB14_RC1

http://files.filefront.com/Betterscopes+v151+for+RFB1rar/;9448192;/fileinfo.html

Thanks for the effort lurker...I'm guessing modifying the bino and TBT views is out of the question? I'd accept the task myself but do not have the proper tools to pull it off.

[SteveW1]

Does anybody know where I can locate the files for Betterscopes 1.4.1 and 1.5.1 please as filefront seems to have removed them.

Thanks
Steve

[lurker_hlb3]

Does anybody know where I can locate the files for Betterscopes 1.4.1 and 1.5.1 please as filefront seems to have removed them.

Thanks
Steve

I had removed them since it didn't appear any one was still down loading them. Try here I just loaded them backup

http://hosted.filefront.com/lurkerhlb3

[SteveW1]

Thanks Lurker downloading now to try with TM1.7.6:rock:

[JoeCorrado]

Does anybody know where I can locate the files for Betterscopes 1.4.1 and 1.5.1 please as filefront seems to have removed them.

Thanks
Steve
I had removed them since it didn't appear any one was still down loading them. Try here I just loaded them backup

http://hosted.filefront.com/lurkerhlb3

They are gone again. :damn:

[ATR-42]

They are gone again. :damn:

far from it

http://hosted.filefront.com/ATR42

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=131981&highlight=%5BREL%5D

[JoeCorrado]

They are gone again. :damn:
far from it

http://hosted.filefront.com/ATR42

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=131981&highlight=%5BREL%5D


Thank you for brightening my day !!! :sunny:

[ATR-42]

glad to help :)