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Ducimus · 12-06-07, 02:20 PM

I think you guys are on the right track with sensitivy ratings, although im experimenting with 0.05 rather then 0.01. Infact ive brought back all my old settings, and just increased the sensitivy rating from 0.1 to 0.05. Seems to work pretty well.

The problem with thermal layers, and the AI in general is how things all tie together.

Now thermal layers in general, im kind of hestitant to lower, because i think it should be in play.. just not so bloody effective. I think the overall goal, (at least mine), is a reduction of signal strength recieved by the AI.

Hmm let me back up a minute. Its my thought that as the AI sends out a signal, its expecting a signal in return: based on surface factor, target being within the sonar geometry, and being there for an X amount of time. All of these factors are what comprise of how strong a return the AI gets. The ive always thoguht as a minimum theshhold that needs to be reached before a response will be made. or in otehrwords I think its expecting a signal return of X% before it says, "AH HA! There he is!." It's always been my theory that this min threshold, or percentage of signal strength that it will respond to is dictated by the crew rating.

Now there are several ways to get the AI to be more responsive.

- Up the grew rating obviously (ups the min signal strength response value and overall accuracy of the AI)

- decrease the surface factor of the active sonar. (basically decreasing this allows the AI to get a signal off of smaller objects, or a BETTER signal return off larger ones, also allows the AI to "see" you from farther away. Overall it helps the AI send out more pings.)

- lower the min elevation (allows the AI to keep you "painted" longer, thereby getting more pings from the AI

- increase the sensitivty. ( just plain flat out increases the signal strength.)

Now thermal layers, is, as obviously commented, a reduction in signal strength. Now my thought has lways been to get this signal strength at such a level to where the AI can't ignore it, but its not so strong that he gets a precise fix every time. Or in otherwords, i want to chum the water, but not acutally place a baited hook out. This is why i havent lowered thermal layers more then i have.

Now there are problems with some of the items ive doing, and ive decided that i don't want to fiddle with them anymore then i already have. Infact i think im going back to my previous settings, only with new senstiivty.

First item is Min elevation. yes it gets them to sniff you out better, but it also makes them more accurate. Theres a balance that must be struck here. 100 is too little, and 120 is probably too much. This adjustment is very touchy feely, unless someone has a real kick ass CAD program that allows us to physcially draw and model the sonar geometry (something which ive always wished i could do)

Second item is Surface factor. The problem with lowering the surface factor, is your making it REALLY HARD for the player to get away. You want the player twisting and turning keeping their bow or stern at the tin can, but there comes a point where their angle on the bow to the escort, is presenting too much surface factor if you lower it too much. Or in other words, lower it too much and there isnt anyway the player can turn in time in order to present a profile that is small enough to avoid detection.

12-06-07, 02:20 PM	#6
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I think you guys are on the right track with sensitivy ratings, although im experimenting with 0.05 rather then 0.01. Infact ive brought back all my old settings, and just increased the sensitivy rating from 0.1 to 0.05. Seems to work pretty well. The problem with thermal layers, and the AI in general is how things all tie together. Now thermal layers in general, im kind of hestitant to lower, because i think it should be in play.. just not so bloody effective. I think the overall goal, (at least mine), is a reduction of signal strength recieved by the AI. Hmm let me back up a minute. Its my thought that as the AI sends out a signal, its expecting a signal in return: based on surface factor, target being within the sonar geometry, and being there for an X amount of time. All of these factors are what comprise of how strong a return the AI gets. The ive always thoguht as a minimum theshhold that needs to be reached before a response will be made. or in otehrwords I think its expecting a signal return of X% before it says, "AH HA! There he is!." It's always been my theory that this min threshold, or percentage of signal strength that it will respond to is dictated by the crew rating. Now there are several ways to get the AI to be more responsive. - Up the grew rating obviously (ups the min signal strength response value and overall accuracy of the AI) - decrease the surface factor of the active sonar. (basically decreasing this allows the AI to get a signal off of smaller objects, or a BETTER signal return off larger ones, also allows the AI to "see" you from farther away. Overall it helps the AI send out more pings.) - lower the min elevation (allows the AI to keep you "painted" longer, thereby getting more pings from the AI - increase the sensitivty. ( just plain flat out increases the signal strength.) Now thermal layers, is, as obviously commented, a reduction in signal strength. Now my thought has lways been to get this signal strength at such a level to where the AI can't ignore it, but its not so strong that he gets a precise fix every time. Or in otherwords, i want to chum the water, but not acutally place a baited hook out. This is why i havent lowered thermal layers more then i have. Now there are problems with some of the items ive doing, and ive decided that i don't want to fiddle with them anymore then i already have. Infact i think im going back to my previous settings, only with new senstiivty. First item is Min elevation. yes it gets them to sniff you out better, but it also makes them more accurate. Theres a balance that must be struck here. 100 is too little, and 120 is probably too much. This adjustment is very touchy feely, unless someone has a real kick ass CAD program that allows us to physcially draw and model the sonar geometry (something which ive always wished i could do) Second item is Surface factor. The problem with lowering the surface factor, is your making it REALLY HARD for the player to get away. You want the player twisting and turning keeping their bow or stern at the tin can, but there comes a point where their angle on the bow to the escort, is presenting too much surface factor if you lower it too much. Or in other words, lower it too much and there isnt anyway the player can turn in time in order to present a profile that is small enough to avoid detection.