Although I will answer questions as best I can, I wish it clearly understood that I can not edit your aircraft/panel configuration files over the internet and/or walk you though the process in email.
NICKS PROP DUST VERSION 2 WITH CONTROL GAUGES
FEATURING
"NICKS ALL WET"
FOR SEAPLANES AMPHIBIANS AND HELICOPTERS
I never fly any prop aircraft without Nicks Prop Dust FULLY installed and the FX properly located. To me it just wouldn't seem realistic to throttle up a plane on a dirt runway or in the water and not see the results of the propwash... or land a plane in the same enviroment and not see the natural ground/water contact FX take place.
ATTENTION - CURRENT "NICKS PROP DUST" USERS:
The Nicks Prop Dust installer which is located in the NICKS_PD_v2 directory of this package will automatically update you to the full version 2.0, which includes NICKS ALL WET. Please review the documentation as the dust-engine location formulas have changed from my original Nicks Prop Dust package and I have added a new gauge for seaplanes.
Most of the aircraft you have already edited for NICKS PROP DUST will not need any changes however there are several aircraft types (any tail/wheel dragger) that WILL require aircraft.cfg file changes. I also discovered many of the default MS aircraft have incorrect engine locations and I have updated the MS_AIRCRAFT.txt copy/paste file in this package so all the default MS aircraft will display the new FX correctly. Please update your default MS aircraft using that copy/paste .txt file...
I am sorry about the inconvenience but the new FX code requires the .cfg file changes to render the FX properly on the screen. It is well worth the 30-45 minutes or so to update your MS aircraft [LIGHT] and [SMOKESYSTEM] section lines and update you 3rd party aircraft using the new FX location formulas I provide in this package.
I have included a file named: QUICK_REFERENCE.txt which is a very condensed version of the new configuration file edit instructions and provides a quick reference to my new FX-engine location formulas and seaplane gauge for those who already know how to use Nicks Prop Dust and who are completely versed in adding the line edits to the configuration files. Should you wish to review the comprehensive instructions, the README_NOW.txt file located in the NICKS_PD_v2 directory will provide you with the complete and uncondensed details.
You will find the rest of the reference documentation inside the: NICKS_PD_v2\DOCUMENTS folder of this package.
FOR EVERYONE:
There are 2 ways to install/use this package:
1. FULL INSTALL of Nicks Prop Dust v2.0 which requires you run the provide installer then manually edit all the aircraft.cfg and panel.cfg files for aircraft you wish the effects to show. You will get controlled prop dust which will automatically change color and volume with the real time surface type and weather conditions along with NICKS ALL WET which is a complete set of water FX for seaplanes, amphibians and boats along with wheel ground FX and helicopter rotor wash/dust FX
OR
2. NICKS ALL WET, which requires you run the provided installer then only edit the [EFFECTS] section of the aircraft.cfg files for aircraft you wish the effects to show.
You will get the bow, skid and splash FX and wheel dust/debris but no water prop-wash or any ground prop-dust using this method. No gauge file or panel.cfg file edits are needed if all you want is water FX for the skids or bow of your amphibian or seaplane. This package also adds animated water droplets to the windshield as the aircraft barrels through the water. If you decide to use Nicks Prop Dust V2 full install, NICKS ALL WET is included automatically.
In the parent directory of the package you will find:
a. Images directory = includes pictures of the FX in action
b. screenshot.jpg or screenshot.gif = Introduction Image
c. FILE_ID.DIZ = A synopsis of the effect
d. README_FIRST.txt = This introduction txt file
e. NICKS_PDv2 = Install directory for the full version of Nicks Prop Dust v2, including NICKS ALL WET
f. NICKS_ALL_WET = Install directory for the stand alone water FX package for amphibians, seaplanes and helos
Before we get started lets first look at some IMPORTANT basic rules with this package:
Rule #1:
If you are a frame count watcher or if the loss of 5-7 (in some instances more) frames while these effects are being rendered on the screen are going to make you say: "OH MY GOD MY FRAME RATES DROPPED, do us both a favor and don't install this package. I have no desire to watch a frame counter when I fly and enjoy these FX in action. The included FX in this package, especially the water FX, ARE frame rate intense when viewed too close or at certain angles because of the level of detail I put into them. I do not make cheap FX designed to kiss the frame counter. I make highly detailed FX designed to make my video card fan scream. When these FX are being rendered on my system I get about 21 FPS (locked @ 28) at SEA-TAC (Seattle-Tacoma International) with 95%AI Ultimate Traffic running and real world weather with an ATI 9800pro video card/ 2.2g AMD Barton 400Mhz CPU and there is no loss in frame continuity. I get the same FPS with a big seaplane on water takeoff. To me the FX are worth the frame hit because I prefer the realistic addition to the sim. These FX have no effect on frame rates once the prop aircraft is off the ground or throttled down. Tower view and front view is the best way to observe and water takeoffs are awesome!!!
Rule #2:
USERS OF NICKS PROP DUST (ORIGINAL VERSION): I made a sincere attempt to create direct replacement FX files so edits in configuration files would not be needed but unfortunately in order to make the FX look good it was not possible to maintain the exact same FX locations for all planes from my original package formulas. The included installer will update you're original version of Nicks Prop Dust automatically, HOWEVER, there have been some changes with the included FX that will require editing (tweaking) youre existing NICKS PROP DUST aircraft.cfg file [LIGHT] section lines. You can try running the installer I provided in this package and see how you like the new files without making any edits as most aircraft should work with the original formulas, except tail draggers. The only part of the visual that is affected by this change is the initial throttle-up (on land) and land dust blow-back along with the location of the new PROP WASH ripple FX. The new default Microsoft aircraft.cfg lines are included with this package in: MS_AIRCRAFT.txt so all you need to do is copy/past the [LIGHTS] and [SMOKESYSTEM] lines from the tweaks I made in that file. There are several MS aircraft I corrected for the engine locations so I highly suggest you update all your default MS aircraft from that file. I also included a file named 3rdPARTY_AIRCRAFT.txt which includes quick copy/paste .cfg file edits for the planes listed in that file along with WWW links to download the aircraft.
Rule #3:
The level of quality your *Effects Detail Slider* is set to in the display settings of the simulator will have a direct bearing on how much detail the effects display for water splashing, dirt, gravel and sand produced from the props/landing gear/or aircraft skids. Although the ground/water FX will work when the slider set to minimum, a display setting of MAXIMUM is required to see the full range and detail of the effects. I used an ATI RADEON 9800pro 128mb video card with a 2.2gig 400MHz AMD Barton CPU to develop and run these FX. If you do not have an equivalent video card/system or better you may need to reduce the effects detail slider should your frame count drop off too low.
Rule #4:
Viewing and zooming too visually close to the outside of the aircraft model during water take-off and landings can result in mist/splashes which are rendered as momentary screen *wash-outs*. This is because you are viewing too close to the aircraft and getting splashed -or- water misted in the face. Think about it like this... if you were in a row-boat 50ft-75ft away from a HUGE 4 engine Sikorsky VS-44 transport that just throttled up for a full power water takeoff, do you think you would be able to see your hand in front of your face from the thrust of water wash and mist? Its the same with this FX package. Do not zoom in close to the exterior of water aircraft on initial throttle up or your screen will go completely aqua-white in color until you zoom back and change the view. Once the aircraft is moving and the mist is blowing behind the plane you can zoom in a bit tighter but be aware of the wash-out if you zoom in too close, even if the plane is moving. You may also get a bit of minor flickering in the VC cockpit (VC cockpit only, 2D not affected) when water mist splashes high out of the water in low sitting seaplanes. I did the best I could to eliminate that but there are some planes that sit very low to the water and I could not eliminate all of it without taking away the bow splash FX. ... on the flip side you can now enjoy the water droplets and spray on the windshield of your seaplane as the bow cuts through the water in both the 2D and VC cockpit modes.
Rule #5:
There is a bit more involved with installing this package than just running the gauge/FX auto installer. How well these FX work on the screen strongly depends on you properly manually locating the FX to the model. I know the instructions look long and complicated but it is really not that difficult. I had to go into great detail with instructions that could have been simplified for experienced users in order to make sure everyone has ALL the information needed to install these FX correctly. Without proper location of the FX files what you see on the screen may not appear very realistic. Please take the time to learn how to place the Nicks Prop Dust FX and tweak them into the best position for the greatest visual appeal and performance.
Rule #6:
This Nicks Prop Dust only works for PROP aircraft. You however CAN use the FX files from NICKS ALL WET in the [EFFECTS] section of the aircraft.cfg file for ANY aircraft, prop, helo, jet, boats, ships, etc. How well and how much the bow, skid, floats and ski splash FX are rendered in the simulation strictly depends on the aircraft manufacture properly locating CONTACT POINTS for the plane. If the CONTACT POINTS in the aircraft.cfg file are incorrect, (too close or too far apart, or not lined up with the aircraft very well) you will not see a very good show of the FX. I have found most aircraft makers do a decent job of adding CONTACT POINTS but I cannot vouch for every plane out in cyberspace. If the CONTACT POINTS do not exist at all, you will see no water/splash FX with your aircraft. Strong WAKE behind the aircraft in the water will only show in the sim if the plane manufacture designed a WATER RUDDER into the contact points lines. (type 5 contact point) In cases where a water rudder is missing or in the case where the CONTACT POINTS are not located correctly, you will need to manually add, change or edit the CONTACT POINTS in the aircraft.cfg file. I do not provide a tutorial for that process.
Enough with the rules... I just want everyone to understand the facts.
*** About Automatic Installers/Methods for Configuration File Edits***
The reason I do not include pre-edited configuration files in automatic install packages anymore is because in the past when I have provided those methods I was receiving a slew of email complaints from users on the subject of my automatic installation files overwriting aircraft upgrades, repaints and replacement panels and edits they had installed for their original aircraft. What I discovered is there are a whole lot of users out there who do not read directions, ignore warnings about using that method, and will double click an .exe file and then click NEXT, NEXT, NEXT, without reading, faster than a speeding bullet because it says "automatic" and the bottom line is there is no work involved and no reading necessary in order to get the --> free <-- reward...
....then get mad at me because something was overwritten or changed.
I have no access to VB software that will make "SURE-FIRE" "TOTALLY SAFE" automatic line edits to the configuration files and even if I did provide that method there is still the possibility of making changes/additions that conflict with the files or the simulator -AND- you must understand how to manually tweak the location of the FX to the model anyway no matter what method of initially adding the code lines to the files is used. There is no real savings in time by using automatic methods. In reality, it requires more experience to use the automatic methods because it requires a full understanding the code of the .cfg files well enough to know when it is safe to use auto-install, and when it is not safe!!
Manually editing the configuration files is the sure-fire way to get it right and not destroy what you have previously installed. It is not that difficult to accomplish and will take about 10 minutes per aircraft or less once the process has been repeated a few times. If you have never done it then it will be a good learning experience and I have provided enough documentation to cover just about any question and level of skill.
I sincerely wish there was a "magic installer" I could include to automatically calculate, locate, and tweak ALL the code lines so you would not have to take the time to manually edit your configuration files but unfortunately, as far as I know, an automatic installer program that I would trust to sucessfully accomplish that task for my dust FX does not exist.
Please choose the version of the FX you wish to install:
NICKS_ALL_WET =
For installation of the bow, skid, ski, water splash and spray FX for seaplanes/amphibians, including the wheel ground FX and SOME helicopter wash FX (but not all) This does not include prop wash and dust FX but is the easiest and quickest way to install JUST the seaplane/amphibian/helicopter splash and bow FX. No gauge file, panel.cfg file or huge aircraft.cfg file edits are needed if all you want is water FX for the skids or bow of your amphibian or seaplane
NICKS_PD_V2 =
For full installation of all FX to include seaplanes, single-engine, multi-engine, helicopter rotor, prop, water, splash, spray, mist, dust and ground FX. This installation includes the FX package NICKS ALL WET. This package will take some time to install if you have never used NICKS PROP DUST but it is WELL worth the investment if you like realistic prop wash/dust dynamics, especially bush and back country flyers!
Please refer to the README_NOW.txt file located the directory noted above for your preferred installation.
