Photorecon Tool (flash)

[JG4_Deciman]

S!

For  RoF there were some warbirds that could be equipped with a camera (mostly 2-seaters)
and there also exists a flash tool to make allmost realistic recon missions possible.

The basic tool was modified by AnKor85 and later I managed to upgrade that tool.
Is anything like that planned to be ported from RoF to BOX?

Deci

PS: Link to the 'RoF' topic...
https://riseofflight.com/forum/topic/29822-camera-icon-dogfight-missions/

 

[JG1_Butzzell]

S! Deci

 

 

Glad to see you here.

 

The SPAD has a camera load out so it may be possible to do early testing of the photo recon program.

 

Ankor's photo recon is a stand alone add on.  It should work the same in FC. You just have to change the script a little. You would have to change the file location names. It calls for maps and locations in RoF files. Change those to the FC or BoS file names.

 

The other possible problem is the images used for the interface. Because FC is 4k, these images may need to be larger. That is an easy fix.  I would try it without changing the images first and see how well it works.

 

 

[Juri_JS]

So far I had no luck making any of the RoF flash files work in BoX.

[JG4_Deciman]

1 hour ago, JG1_Butzzell said:

Ankor's photo recon is a stand alone add on.  It should work the same in FC. You just have to change the script a little. You would have to change the file location names. It calls for maps and locations in RoF files. Change those to the FC or BoS file names.

 

The other possible problem is the images used for the interface. Because FC is 4k, these images may need to be larger. That is an easy fix.  I would try it without changing the images first and see how well it works.

 

 

Creating (or resizing) images is not a real problem.
But as far as I've understood the entire flash tool so far
it got all the used data from an interface between RoF and the ExternalMedia (Flash tool).

But I've not yet understood where and how these data is received.
All I've done was modifying the scripts behind to implement other functions
based on the received data...

If there is some kind of interface providing the data it should be possible to port that flash tool to BoX.
All data needed was

- name and index-nr of objects (ground units, planes)
- current position of objects
- coalition of objects
- plane gauges (yaw, pitch, roll, altitude)
- plane loadout (camera present or not)

 

Deci

Edited July 29, 2018 by Deciman

[JG1_Butzzell]

S!

 

As I remember, the script cycles when activated and every so often. It checks for object location and active bases. I think it also check what map is in use.

 

It needs to have the file locations changed. It looks in RoF. That look or search needs to be changed to IL2.

 

The name and index number of ground units does not need to be changed.

 

Current positions is something it already checks.

 

coalition is something it already checks.

 

it checks for camera loadout.

 

 

Many years ago I had a trial version of a program that would open these files. I realized that it was beyond my level so did not continue. Now I wish I had.

[JG4_Deciman]

S! Butzzell

As I've got the entire source from AnKor85 I managed to build in further features to the RoF tool.
But I didn't see a linkage to any RoF files inside.

The script seems to get the used informations directly from the game.
Map used etc is not needed.
But it uses current positions, ID's and names from all objects in game.
So it won't parse the mission file for anything, because there are only the 'initial' positions when units spawn.

I'm still able to edit and recompile the entire script
(means timing, distances, weapon loadouts, ...)
but I don't find the initial import for the needed data from the game...

 

But maybe Jason could give me some piece of advise???

Deci

Edited July 30, 2018 by Deciman

[JG1_Butzzell]

S!

 

What programs do you use to open these files?

[JG4_Deciman]

S! Butzzell

Still the same as for RoF

'Flash Develop' for editing the sources
and 'Ado... Flash' for compiling them.
Afterwards I'll have to export the .swf to a .gfx file

 

Deci

[Juri_JS]

9 hours ago, Deciman said:

The script seems to get the used informations directly from the game.
Map used etc is not needed.
But it uses current positions, ID's and names from all objects in game.
So it won't parse the mission file for anything, because there are only the 'initial' positions when units spawn.

I'm still able to edit and recompile the entire script
(means timing, distances, weapon loadouts, ...)
but I don't find the initial import for the needed data from the game...

It would be great if we could make the recon tool work in BoX, I would love to use it in my missions.

 

I have no idea how it worked in RoF, but does the following feature from update 3.002 have anything to do with it?

Quote

51. Added a system of external GUI dialogs that can be connected to a mission and interacted in it;

 

When this feature was announced, I asked, what it does exactly, but the only answer I got was that it is a functionality from RoF.

[JG4_Deciman]

3 minutes ago, Juri_JS said:

It would be great if we could make the recon tool work in BoX, I would love to use it in my missions.

 

I have no idea how it worked in RoF, but does the following feature from update 3.002 have anything to do with it?

 

When this feature was announced, I asked, what it does exactly, but the only answer I got was that it is a functionality from RoF.

That should be the feature used by the flash script.
The script itself is linked in the mission and triggers actions there

 

Deci

[Juri_JS]

Have you seen the files in this folder:

\IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad\data\swf\extensions\airrecontargetslist

 

I've tried to test the swf file from the folder in the mission editor, but without success. Do you know if this could be part of a recon function?

[JG1_Butzzell]

 

S! Juri

 

I believe those are part of the in game recon mission for the career.  Not sure if that is functional at this time. Looks very similar to what was used in RoF.   Not applicable to the stand alone client side module developed by AnKor.

[AnKor]

Hi!

 

I've bought FC yesterday, but I currently don't have access to my gaming PC anyway and can't even check the folder structure. And likely won't be able until September.

I also didn't follow IL2 development (and maybe played a couple of hours max), but if changelogs mentioned support for external GUI then there may be a chance. However I have no idea what changes are needed.

 

Were there any SDK, docs or at least an example code?

If any functions used by the script have been changed (and I believe it is quite likely) then I won't be able to update the script without knowing new functions.

 

[Juri_JS]

25 minutes ago, AnKor said:

Were there any SDK, docs or at least an example code?

No, unfortunately not. My own attempts to get more detailed information from the devs after the 3.002 release weren't successful.

 

But Jason mentioned, that a SDK might be made available later. I think you should ask him directly.

 

 

[JG4_Deciman]

S! AnKor

 

Glad to see you in here.

Now we've got both guys that have been working on the script available.
Although I've never understood how the script got infos from the game
and how the commands were sent back to the game
I was able to add some nice further features to your script.
But without your sorces that would have never been possible...

If you'ld like to have a look at the latest updates for RoF let me know
and I'll send you the latest sources...

Deci

 

BTW: Just waiting for my monthly salary and then FC will be mine, too *g*

Edited July 31, 2018 by Deciman

[AnKor]

Juri_JS, I've created a thread on Russian forum, maybe devs will notice it. Or I will just ask them directly later (later, because as I've said I can't work on it now anyway).

 

Deciman, I'm curious about what you've done, but I don't have time to look.

You can add any further changes as you see fit (just need to discuss them with mission makers before ). Maybe I will find time to explain more details so you can better understand how it works, but before that we just need to make it work for IL2 somehow.

[JG4_Deciman]

I think all I'ld need is a working linkage between the flash tool and BoX.
The rest (inlcuding all updates I've made) should be right easy afterwards...

And as 'updates' I've integrated moving targets to recon
and the option to set only specific airfields where you can deliver yout shots
and maybe even more (it's a long time ago that I've touched the sources last time)

Deci

 

latest updates:
https://riseofflight.com/forum/topic/29822-camera-icon-dogfight-missions/page-5#entry685194

 

Edited July 31, 2018 by Deciman

[JG4_Deciman]

Ok, it seems we'll have to wait a little.
Just had a look at the flash tools provided with the game.
And it seems they are still under development and not yet finished.
The linkage between tool and game is still under construction...

 

Deci

[JG4_Deciman]

Had another look at it...

There are some changes in the flash basics.
RoF tool used AS3, Il2 tool uses AS3
The basic 'linkage' is present, but understanding it is above my abilities atm...
But it seems porting the tool from RoF to IL2 should really be possible
even if I'll hardly be able to do that for the 'linking' part.
I've only changed the 'working' part in the previous one...

 

Deci