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