Version 2.11 (25th August 1999) - FS98 Windows version
This utility program replaces the default FS98 purple sky with sky that
is blue - just like the REAL sky!
Windows Version 2.0 was developed because of comments received about DOS
problems with Version 1.02, and to cope with different DLL files found on
different FS98 installations. Version 2.1 corrects a minor colour bug
found in previous versions only if weather is overcast. Version 2.11
adds ability to handle DLLs of size 485376 bytes.
This version is entirely Windows based, and does not require use of the
DOS prompt. It also works whether or not you have Microsoft's Patch Set 1
for FS98 installed (the patch was needed for Version 1 of BlueSky).
Users of Version 1.02 and Version 2.0 of this utility should now run this
Version 2.11 to correct the overcast colour bug. Users of Version 2.1 do
not need to run this version unless Version 2.1 reported a run time error
or a DLL of unknown size.
Please read the sections on INSTALLATION and TROUBLESHOOTING below.
Please e-mail any comments or error reports to the author at:
irmurray@computing.dundee.ac.uk
I try to reply personally to all correspondents.
The files in this archive are SHAREWARE - if you think that BlueSky
enhances your FS experience, please send cash (preferred) or cheque/money
order for just £2 Sterling or $3 U.S. to:
Iain Murray,
Dept. of Applied Computing,
University of Dundee,
Dundee DD1 4HN, U.K.
You can also pay by credit card via SIMFLIGHT's secure server at:
http://www.simflight.com/share/bluesky/
If BlueSky does not enhance your FS experience, please un-install it
from your system ... otherwise you'll be plagued with guilt every time
you see the blue sky overhead!
Thanks for all contributions.
If you like BlueSky, you might also like to vote for it in the FLIGHTSIM
monthly Developer's Competition - you can register your vote at:
http://www.SurClaro/cgi/kds/main/vote-dev.htm
Please vote for file BLUESK21.ZIP. Thanks for your support!
All files in this archive are Copyright (c) Iain Murray, 1999.
irmurray@computing.dundee.ac.uk
For news and updates to this software, please see
http://alpha.mic.dundee.ac.uk/~irmurray/fspage.html
1) Unzip files in this archive into a temporary directory.
2) Use Explorer to go to that directory and run BLUESKY.EXE (or just
BLUESKY)
3) Follow the instructions on screen - note that you need to select the
main folder where FS98 is stored i.e. where your file FLTSIM98.EXE is
located. If you have used the default setup, this will be:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator
Otherwise, please select your own path.
Running the program takes about 15 seconds on a 200Mhz PC.
4) After use, run FS98 as usual, and the sky should be blue!
BlueSky works by patching file HG2D.DLL. Prior to patching, it makes a
backup copy of this file called HG2DV21.OLD (it won't do the patch if it
fails to create the backup). Please note that if you wish to create your
own backup copy first, it must be put in a DIFFERENT folder (NOT Modules)
or given a DIFFERENT filename extension (NOT .DLL).
BEWARE - HAVING AN EXTRA DLL FILE IN THE MODULES FOLDER (e.g. BACKUP.DLL)
IS ITSELF ENOUGH TO MAKE FS98 FAIL TO RUN!
This application was written using Visual Basic 5. If you get an error
such as "A required DLL file ... was not found", then your system does not
have the Visual Basic runtime library files, so you will need to download
and install them. These files area available from:
- SurClaro - got to the "Must Have Files" section on the Main Menu,
and select VB5RUN.ZIP or VB5RTSP3.ZIP
- SOFTSEEK.COM - search for "VB5 RUNTIME" and select a suitable download
site for your location
- other file archive sites on the Internet
Install these files according the instructions given therein.
If your system does not have a drive C:, BlueSky may not work - please
advise the author if this is the case.
The operation of BlueSky has been tested on Windows 95, Windows 98 and
Windows NT4 systems; there are no known OS-specific problems with it.
A very small number of users report that this program works with no errors
reported, but that the sky does not change colour. In these cases, it has
been found that if you (re)install MS Patch Set 1 for FS98, then run
BlueSky, the sky should then be blue.
If any other problems occur or apparent bugs are found, please report this
to the author, including the EXACT size of your HG2D.DLL file and details
of any patches or add-ons you have on your FS98 installation. Please also
include details of your graphics card (BlueSky has been found to work
successfully with a wide range of 2D and 3D graphics cards, although
clearly not all have been tested)!
LEGAL NOTICE:
This program is shareware; please feel free to distribute it, but if you
like what it does, I ask you to please register and pay the small charge
(details above). BlueSky should not harm your computer or any data stored
on it but, if you imagine that it has, I accept no liability.
Use of this program as part of a commercial release, including release on
CD-ROM, may not be undertaken without express written permission of the
author and copyright holder (irmurray@computing.dundee.ac.uk).
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
I have always hated the purple sky in Flight Simulator ... it always looks
like a dull day. I wanted a blue sky to cheer myself up! That the callsign
for the default Boeing airliner in FS98 is "Blue Sky 737" is somewhat
ironic!!!
I also live in Dundee "City of Discovery", which is the sunniest city in
Scotland, so I was inspired to write this program!
For some reason, the sky colour in FS98 is not governed by the PAL(ette)
and HAZ(e) files (as are the displayed colours of the aircraft and scenery);
the sky colour is stored in the HG2D.DLL file. This program patches this DLL
with a new set of sky colours. As a result, you get a bluer sky but all of
your aircraft and scenery should display as normal, even at dusk, dawn and
at night.
The default purple sky can be restored if required - see UN-INSTALL above.
WHAT USERS HAVE SAID ABOUT BLUESKY (thanks for all comments received):
"Thank you so much for making a patch program to change the sky color in FS98.
I am amazed at the change in my own mood by such a simple thing as sky color.
You have contributed to the FS98 simmers in a simple and a profound way."
"Congratulations on the excellent work with Blue Sky! I've never been so
excited or pleased by an add-on utility as I have been with this. It is
astonishing how a detail such as changing the sky to a realistic color could
have such a tremendous impact. It almost felt like I had an entirely
different flight sim program to enjoy."
"Having downloaded your BlueSky tool, I must say it's really teriffic.
CONGRATULATIONS. Great work."
"GREAT STUFF!! So simple yet so effective!!! I didn't realise that I was
missing out on blue sky!!"
"The BlueSky thing is the best patch for Flight Simulator! I also hated that
stupid purple (???) sky ... "
"I'm sure Bill Gates assigned at least 200 programmers to make sure the sky
was the right color in FS98 ... Hey, this is good, this is really good, this
is the way it should be ... O Wow, this is really beautiful, what an
improvement!!! It looks like Iain was right and Bill Gates's 200 programmers
were wrong. It's amazing how this improves the whole feeling of flying."
"Great work, man, just great! Thanks so much. The sky never looked better!"
"A huge thank you for this program. It's beautiful and so easy to put in."
"Thank you for a great 'add-on' ... I note from several forums that several
people consider your program to be the greatest thing since 'canned beer!!'
I do too ..."
"WOW! I´m wordless! I downloaded the BlueSky that you made. Very realistic
sky. The purple one was very 'ugly'. BlueSky is number 1."
"Thanks for your beautiful blue sky ... I like it !"
