FS9 nav/beacon lights......

[Propwash]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

My turn to post a question. I just noticed the nav and rotating beacon
lights were not displaying correctly. With a few exceptions, all my
aircraft (default and addons) display just a hint of light where the
nav lights should be........ kind of like the lights are buried
beneath the aircraft skin, and the rotating beacon just puts out a red
glow around the center of the airframe. I see this whether I'm
drinking beer OR coffee. [:0)

I tried repositioning the lights, using different fx files,
reinstalling all the original fx files, and using the fx files from the
couple of aircraft that display ok, but nothing helps. This one has me
puzzled! Not sure why, but I even let FS9 write a new config file.
Still get same results.

Up until now, I've had absolutely no problems of any kind. As I don't
run too many checks with time set other than day, I'm not sure what the
last installed software was that may have caused this. Just recently
installed all the Bill Lyons aircraft, and updated FSUIPC 3.50. I've
made no video setting changes, drivers, or other system changes, so am
confident it is a software problem within my FS9 installation. And
before anyone asks, no adaware or virus problems either. [(

It's a minor problem I can live with this, but now it has my curiosity
up.

Running a Radeon 9800xp card, 3.0 processor, 1g mem..........

Thanks group,
Propwash









I reloaded all the original fx files........no help there.

 

[GREGORY]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

On 1 Sep 2005 01:06:02 -0700, "Propwash" <propwash@statnetworks.net>
brought the following to our attention:

>My turn to post a question. I just noticed the nav and rotating beacon
>lights were not displaying correctly. With a few exceptions, all my
>aircraft (default and addons) display just a hint of light where the
>nav lights should be........ kind of like the lights are buried
>beneath the aircraft skin, and the rotating beacon just puts out a red
>glow around the center of the airframe. I see this whether I'm
>drinking beer OR coffee. [:0)
>
>I tried repositioning the lights, using different fx files,
>reinstalling all the original fx files, and using the fx files from the
>couple of aircraft that display ok, but nothing helps. This one has me
>puzzled! Not sure why, but I even let FS9 write a new config file.
>Still get same results.

let's take a shot at it.. am also working to solve wings'a-fyr or the
`stove lamp' syndrome. Have found a replacement Halo.bmp file. First
look in the \FS2004\Texture folder for it. Then open it with DXTBmp
and examined the alpha channel.

have tried some addin lamps but now find a white `square' where
apparently a BMP is missing associated with the fx. All these thing..
there's no end to tinkering with the system!! : ]


-Gregory


p.s. there's even a strobe fx with unsynchronised flashes..

 

[Propwash]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

> there's even a strobe fx with unsynchronised flashes..
-Gregory

Reply

Yep, these type glitches sure make the flt. sim interesting!

I saw the new "unsynchronised" strobe light file at avsim.com. I am
hesitant to download and try it, as the stobe lights (along with
landing lights) are the only ones I have displaying normally!

Prop

 

[Propwash]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

> The fact that you're having this problem with default aircraft suggests,
>to me, that it might be some sort of Display/Monitor/Video Driver glitch?

>Regards,
>John Ward


Hi John,
This is indeed a strange problem. In the past I've modified the lights
in many aircraft.cfg files (adding, relocating, etc.) with postitive
results, but now I am unable to do so.

I am having a hard time convincing myself that this is being caused by
"Display/Monitor/Video Driver glitch", as all other display functions
are perfect. And as I stated earlier, I've made no recent changes to
my graphics settings, drivers, etc. Only the nav and beacon lights are
affected. If I understand correctly, the .fx files rely on Direct X??
If so, this may be something to look into.

If Gregory is indeed seeing the same problem I am, this may be more
common in the simming world than we realize. Wish we were able to
islolate a common file we may have added.

In the meantime, I am limiting my night flying to Stealth aircraft
only. (Lights? We don't need no stinking lights!). [:0)

Prop

 

[GREGORY]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

On 2 Sep 2005 00:44:39 -0700, "Propwash" <propwash@statnetworks.net>
brought the following to our attention:

>> The fact that you're having this problem with default aircraft suggests,
>>to me, that it might be some sort of Display/Monitor/Video Driver glitch?
>
>>Regards,
>>John Ward
>
>
>Hi John,
>This is indeed a strange problem. In the past I've modified the lights
>in many aircraft.cfg files (adding, relocating, etc.) with postitive
>results, but now I am unable to do so.
>
>I am having a hard time convincing myself that this is being caused by
>"Display/Monitor/Video Driver glitch", as all other display functions
>are perfect. And as I stated earlier, I've made no recent changes to
>my graphics settings, drivers, etc. Only the nav and beacon lights are
>affected. If I understand correctly, the .fx files rely on Direct X??
>If so, this may be something to look into.
>
>If Gregory is indeed seeing the same problem I am, this may be more
>common in the simming world than we realize. Wish we were able to
>islolate a common file we may have added.


I'm learning about lights, halos and effects bitmaps. The fx file can
be opened and edited in TEXT editor.

Have both FS2002 and FS2004 folders here.. and 2k4 is essentially
pristine. So here's the list of BMP files in the effects subfolder:


Volume in drive F is Edmain Tank 80 GB

Directory of F:\FS2004\Effects\texture

06/18/2001 04:14p 174,848 fx_1.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 174,848 fx_2.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 174,848 fx_3.bmp
07/17/2001 04:44p 174,848 fx_5.bmp
07/27/2001 08:12p 32,854 fx_aurora.bmp
01/21/2003 09:18p 174,848 fx_barnstorm.bmp
08/02/2001 04:21p 32,854 fx_beam.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 21,930 fx_bubble.bmp
06/07/2002 03:26p 10,994 fx_Dots.bmp
03/12/2002 04:52p 349,598 fx_falls.bmp
05/23/2003 11:04p 43,776 fx_flash.bmp
04/21/2003 04:06p 174,848 fx_FW1.bmp
07/17/2001 04:44p 174,848 fx_FW2.bmp
05/23/2003 11:04p 174,848 fx_lightning1.bmp
07/27/2001 08:12p 8,278 fx_shtstar.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 16,470 fx_smoke.bmp
02/28/2003 09:28p 349,598 fx_swoosh.bmp
08/20/2001 03:57p 174,848 fx_swoosh2.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 8,278 fx_tracer.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 43,776 fx_wake_1.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 43,776 fx_wake_2.bmp
06/18/2001 04:14p 43,776 fx_wake_3.bmp
09/02/2005 10:36a <DIR> preview


Do you have all these files in place? You can make preview JPG
files using Convim to study them:
http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/programs/convim.htm

notice the preview folder at end of list above.


-Gregory


>In the meantime, I am limiting my night flying to Stealth aircraft
>only. (Lights? We don't need no stinking lights!). [:0)
>
>Prop

 

[Propwash]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Gregory,
I just went back through the Effects/texture folder to view the above
files, and found my problem. It was the fx_2.bmp! I had earlier tried
a program for improving aircraft lights, and at that time, renamed my
original fx files to back them up. So being the doofus that I can be,
I somehow failed to properly rename the original fx_2.bmp when I
reverted back to the default light effects.

If you are seeing the same problem, it seems a faulty or missing
fx_2.bmp is the culprit. That was the only file I could see that was
messed up.

Thanks much,
Prop

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Hi Propwash,

That's odd. As you know, the lights' positions are specified in the
Lights Section of the aircraft's Aircraft.cfg file.

The fact that you're having this problem with default aircraft suggests,
to me, that it might be some sort of Display/Monitor/Video Driver glitch?

Regards,
John Ward
"Propwash" <propwash@statnetworks.net> wrote in message
news:1125561962.040176.12920@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> My turn to post a question. I just noticed the nav and rotating beacon
> lights were not displaying correctly. With a few exceptions, all my
> aircraft (default and addons) display just a hint of light where the
> nav lights should be........ kind of like the lights are buried
> beneath the aircraft skin, and the rotating beacon just puts out a red
> glow around the center of the airframe. I see this whether I'm
> drinking beer OR coffee. [:0)
>
> I tried repositioning the lights, using different fx files,
> reinstalling all the original fx files, and using the fx files from the
> couple of aircraft that display ok, but nothing helps. This one has me
> puzzled! Not sure why, but I even let FS9 write a new config file.
> Still get same results.
>
> Up until now, I've had absolutely no problems of any kind. As I don't
> run too many checks with time set other than day, I'm not sure what the
> last installed software was that may have caused this. Just recently
> installed all the Bill Lyons aircraft, and updated FSUIPC 3.50. I've
> made no video setting changes, drivers, or other system changes, so am
> confident it is a software problem within my FS9 installation. And
> before anyone asks, no adaware or virus problems either. [(
>
> It's a minor problem I can live with this, but now it has my curiosity
> up.
>
> Running a Radeon 9800xp card, 3.0 processor, 1g mem..........
>
> Thanks group,
> Propwash
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I reloaded all the original fx files........no help there.
>

 

[Propwash]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Hi John,

I'm sure the effects file you mentioned (alternate_nav_lights) is the
one I tried earlier. My problem was my own doing. Do to my own error,
I ended up without any fx_2.fx file in the Effects/texture folder.
Sure made for a weird dislay, lol! After getting the fx_2.fx file
reinstalled, things are normal once again. Makes "quilling" around at
night that much more enjoyable.

Have a good one. If not, just make sure it's cold! [:0)

Prop

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Hi Propwash,

That's still odd, mate.

I believe you might have altered your original fx_2.bmp file when you
tried out a recent file from Avsim, called alternative_nav_lights.zip.

All that file does is give you smaller, more realistic, and less
dinner-plate-sized, nav lights and beacon. That was the original problem
Gregory was trying to solve.

I've not had any problems with any of my planes since installing that
file, and am very pleased with the effects.

But, I notice that the readme that came with the file says that the
lights are only half the size of the originals, so maybe that's where the
problem lay? (as I say, though, it certainly didn't result in any
repositioning of my lights, it just made them look much better........who
knows?? )

Regards,
John Ward
"Propwash" <propwash@statnetworks.net> wrote in message
news:1125689442.983442.19260@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Gregory,
> I just went back through the Effects/texture folder to view the above
> files, and found my problem. It was the fx_2.bmp! I had earlier tried
> a program for improving aircraft lights, and at that time, renamed my
> original fx files to back them up. So being the doofus that I can be,
> I somehow failed to properly rename the original fx_2.bmp when I
> reverted back to the default light effects.
>
> If you are seeing the same problem, it seems a faulty or missing
> fx_2.bmp is the culprit. That was the only file I could see that was
> messed up.
>
> Thanks much,
> Prop
>

 

[GREGORY]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

On Sat, 3 Sep 2005 08:30:42 +1000, "John Ward"
<johnrmward@optusnet.com.au> brought the following to our attention:

>Hi Propwash,
>
> That's still odd, mate.
>
> I believe you might have altered your original fx_2.bmp file when you
>tried out a recent file from Avsim, called alternative_nav_lights.zip.

Wasn't it John who first mentioned the `wings-a-fyr' thing? The
`stove sized lamps' Have been investigating the different
lights features since then.

How about a BMP file discussion.. especially the alpha channel.
Putting it another way.. what controls the lamp aperture and `glow'
radius around the effect? and with increasing distance? There's
also a `halo.bmp' file.

have been opening and viewing lots of BMPs and alpha's lately.


-G

> All that file does is give you smaller, more realistic, and less
>dinner-plate-sized, nav lights and beacon. That was the original problem
>Gregory was trying to solve.
>
> I've not had any problems with any of my planes since installing that
>file, and am very pleased with the effects.
>
> But, I notice that the readme that came with the file says that the
>lights are only half the size of the originals, so maybe that's where the
>problem lay? (as I say, though, it certainly didn't result in any
>repositioning of my lights, it just made them look much better........who
>knows?? )
>
>Regards,
>John Ward
>"Propwash" <propwash@statnetworks.net> wrote in message
>news:1125689442.983442.19260@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>> Gregory,
>> I just went back through the Effects/texture folder to view the above
>> files, and found my problem. It was the fx_2.bmp! I had earlier tried
>> a program for improving aircraft lights, and at that time, renamed my
>> original fx files to back them up. So being the doofus that I can be,
>> I somehow failed to properly rename the original fx_2.bmp when I
>> reverted back to the default light effects.
>>
>> If you are seeing the same problem, it seems a faulty or missing
>> fx_2.bmp is the culprit. That was the only file I could see that was
>> messed up.
>>
>> Thanks much,
>> Prop
>>
>

 

[Propwash]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Yeah, I might as well try the alternate strobes also, as I'm on a roll
now.

Wow, this daylight is bright!
Prop

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Hi Propwash,

No more Stealth missions, then?

There is another one you might want to look at, at Avsim:
asynchronous_strobes_effects.zip

Regards,
John ward
"Propwash" <propwash@statnetworks.net> wrote in message
news:1125721677.613041.18820@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Hi John,
>
> I'm sure the effects file you mentioned (alternate_nav_lights) is the
> one I tried earlier. My problem was my own doing. Do to my own error,
> I ended up without any fx_2.fx file in the Effects/texture folder.
> Sure made for a weird dislay, lol! After getting the fx_2.fx file
> reinstalled, things are normal once again. Makes "quilling" around at
> night that much more enjoyable.
>
> Have a good one. If not, just make sure it's cold! [:0)
>
> Prop
>