########################################################################
# #
# RCBsc-12.zip: Cannon effect for RealAir Simulations' FS9 Spitfire #
# #
# By Rob Barendregt Release 1.2 5 dec 2004 #
# #
########################################################################

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS PACKAGE !!!



1. Functionality
================

This archive contains visible and audible cannon effects.

Being a big fan of military aircraft, I really missed a cannon effect.
Now, you may argue that cannons/bombs/etc do not belong in a civilian
FlightSimulator like FS9. In that case: just DON'T USE this addon, and stop
reading here... :-)

But, being a peacefull man myself, I made sure that the cannon fire will NOT
damage your scenery or AI aircraft :-)

The package consists of a visual effect, cannon sounds, a control gauge and
a sound gauge.

The cannon is triggered by:

- The key or joystickbutton assigned to the FS command "Reheat/Afterburner
On/Off". See also section "Key/Button configuration".

A single "trigger" will release a short burst of cannon fire; when you keep
the mousebutton / key / joystickbutton depressed, the cannon will fire
continously.




2. Installation.
================



Startup FS9, select the aircraft and press the key assigned to the FS9 function "Reheat/Afterburner On/Off"
(default: Shift-F4).

You should see the cannon effect from both wing cannons (in all views) and
hear the sounds via your speakers.
Especially in SpotPlane view, observe the smoke, tracer and falling shells..



3. Key/Button configuration in FS9
==================================

In the FS9 menu, select Options - Controls - Assignments, select the
appropriate "Joystick type", and scroll in the "Assignments list" to
function "Reheat/Afterburner On/Off".

You can change the assigned key or controller-button if you like.
If you assign a controller button, make sure that the "repeat" slider is
set to Max., so that that keeping the button depressed will continuously
generate "Reheat/Afterburner On/Off" commands.
For the keyboard key, this is automatically done because of
the "repeat" function of your keyboard.

Should you use any other hardware device as a trigger that generates
"Reheat" commands: make sure it generates at least 8 commands/sec. if you
keep the trigger depressed. If not, the repeat function (causing the effect
to be lengthened to the depress duration) will NOT work properly.
The same applies if you make the assignment via the key/button facility of
FSUIPC, instead of directly in FS9.


4. Known limitations
====================


1. One, or both, cannon effects may not be visible immediately after you
trigger the cannon. Or, at low framerates, may not be visible at all.
This is just a limitation of the "effects engine" in FS9, and cannot be
solved.
2. The volume of the cannon sound CANNOT be influenced via the FS9 sound
setting menu. Meaning that if you, for example, reduce the engine sound
volume (menu Options - Settings - Sounds) the cannon will sound relatively
louder.
Alternatively, you can use the low-volume version of the cannon sound:
- Exit FS9.
- Rename file SpitfireCannon.wav to SpitfireCannonHighVolume.wav
- Rename SpitfireCannonLowVolume.wav to SpitfireCannon.wav
3. Although you can use this effect in other aircraft as well, of course
this will only work if this aircraft doesn't have an Afterburner function.
Just find out the proper "gun-positions" in the aircraft.cfg.


5. Copyrights and Disclaimer
============================
This package is freeware, and is available for your personal use.
Without my explicite permission, it may NOT be sold, re-distributed and/or
uploaded to another website/bulletin board/CDROM in ANY shape or form.
And obviously, installing & using this package is at your own risk.


6. Credits
==========

- Doug Dawson, for his perfect solution to play sounds from an XML gauge.
SpitfireSound.gau is just a renamed version of dsd_xml_sound3.gau
- Jan Rosenberg, for his visual Cannon effect (an enhanced version of
a CFS2 effect)



Enjoy ......

Rob Barendregt, The Netherlands
Email: rc.barendregt@planet.nl


***************************** END OF DOCUMENT *******************************