Default DP?

[piersyf]

Hi all.

Just downloaded a Fairey Barracuda, adding to my Fleet Air Arm hangar. All very nice, except the payload option is guns only; a bit sad for a dive/torpedo bomber. I went to check the DP file, only to find there wasn't one!
OK, I seem to recall reading somewhere that there are default files in the game. Not to worry, I can write a DP file, right?
I copied the DP from the Fulmar file (pretty close to size and shape) and altered the file to reflect the proper weapons fit. Restarted free flight, checked payloads, and still 'guns only'.
OK, next I start DPED. Only, when I load the DP file, I get an error saying there's no DP.EXE

I assume this means that somewhere in the folder there's a trigger to say that there's a DP file to be looked at.

Any ideas where this might be, and how to change it?

Piers

[Hagar]

Hi Piers. First of all make sure the new DP has the correct file name. This will use the same file prefix as the AIR file of the aircraft it applies to. If the Barracuda AIR file is named Barracuda.air the corresponding DP file should be named Barracuda.dp.

[B24Guy]

Hi Piersyf,

You must also delete the CDP file for the changes you make to take effect.

Hope this helps,

B24Guy

[piersyf]

Thanks guys. I knew as soon as I'd posted I hadn't given enough information.

I did rename the DP file to match the air file.

There was no CDP file either. Just the folders (model, texture, sound, panel), the 'aircraft' file, the 'air' file, a picture, a 'read me' (which doesn't mention a DP, just that it is for CFS2), and a 'file_ID'.

I selected the aircraft again in freeflight, which is supposed to generate a new CDP file. It didn't.

Piers

[Hagar]

Give me a link to the page where you downloaded this Barracuda so I can check it out. I can't try it in CFS2 as I don't have it installed right now but I should be able to figure it out.

Check the name of that DP file carefully. It must be exactly the same as the AIR file. I know only too well how easy it is to make a mistake. You might also like to check the name of the MDL file. If this has a different prefix to the AIR file it could cause problems with DPED.

[piersyf]

Understood with the names. They are right next to each other, so I can visually match as well as 'read' match them.

Checked the Mdl file; same name exactly.
There are 2 other Mdl files, one is mdl.mpi and the other is .tcd  Not sure what they do.

The aircraft comes from Simnetwork>CFS2>CFS2 Aircraft>Page 33.

The direct link is http://www.datasistemi.net/Cfs2_d/baramk2.zip  

Cheers

P

[Hagar]

OK. Strangely enough I found the same file (baramk2.zip) posted in the FS2000 section here. http://www.simviation.com/fs2000vintage17.htm This would explain why it has no DP file.
I downloaded it earlier to check it out & all looks fine to me. Looks like an FSDS1 model to me so it should display as a wireframe in DPED. The MDL will probably need patching with the MDL Converter Tool for external weapons to display but this should not affect the DP file.

It's late here so this will have to wait till later. I'll download DPED to see what happens. I might also install CFS2 to this PC so I can check it out properly. I haven't messed around with this stuff for a while & it intrigues me.

PS. I think I've seen a proper CFS2 Barracuda posted somewhere but can't remember where. If you can find it that would solve your problem.

PPS. [quote]There are 2 other Mdl files, one is mdl.mpi and the other is .tcd

[Hagar]

Strange. I quickly tried it in DPED & it works fine for me. (Also tried it with the file from your link in case they were different.)



Maybe it's the DP file you're using. The only one I could lay my hands on to try it with is from our Fox Four Sabre.

[piersyf]

Hmmm, don't know. Maybe. Was just coming back on line to say it was all fixed...

Did you get a DP with your download?

Anyway, I removed the animation files from the Model folder and went up in free flight. Noticed that I only had 800rds of ammunition and firing from 2 guns (that's what was in my version of the DP). Good sign. Went outside view and looked for the pos of the muzzle flashes. They're about 4 feet below the wing (Barra is a high wing, Fulmar is a low wing, for anyone else following this thread). Good signs.
To double check, removed the barra file and reinstalled the original. Took it up in free flight and found I was carrying 4 guns with 1400 rds, and this with no DP.

Finally, reinstalled the barra with my DP, and opened it in DPED. It works fine.

Maybe it was the animation files in the Model folder. Maybe my system was just having kittens at the moment I opened DPED the first time.

Anyway, all good now. Thanks for the help!

P

[Hagar]

Hmmm, don't know. Maybe. Was just coming back on line to say it was all fixed...

Did you get a DP with your download?

No. Both files look the same which makes me suspect it's an FS2000 model. In this case the MDL will need running through the MDL Converter Tool for external weapons to display.

Anyway, I removed the animation files from the Model folder and went up in free flight. Noticed that I only had 800rds of ammunition and firing from 2 guns (that's what was in my version of the DP). Good sign. Went outside view and looked for the pos of the muzzle flashes. They're about 4 feet below the wing (Barra is a high wing, Fulmar is a low wing, for anyone else following this thread). Good signs.
To double check, removed the barra file and reinstalled the original. Took it up in free flight and found I was carrying 4 guns with 1400 rds, and this with no DP.

Finally, reinstalled the barra with my DP, and opened it in DPED. It works fine.

Maybe it was the animation files in the Model folder. Maybe my system was just having kittens at the moment I opened DPED the first time.

I didn't remove anything & it loaded fine in DPED as you can see from my shot. In this case there should be no need to double-check it in CFS2 to see if it's using the Default DP. I checked carefully & there's only one AA backup file (Barracuda_Mk2.mdl.mpi) in both downloads so I don't know where you got the other one.

PS. Every time you modify that DP make sure you delete the CDP before trying it in CFS2.

[piersyf]

No. Both files look the same which makes me suspect it's an FS2000 model. In this case the MDL will need running through the MDL Converter Tool for external weapons to display.

Abacus Mdl fix? Have that installed... or is there something else?

PS. Every time you modify that DP make sure you delete the CDP before trying it in CFS2.

Yep, know that one...

P

BTW, couldn't find the 'quote' icon... sorry for the poor read.

[Hagar]

Abacus Mdl fix? Have that installed... or is there something else?

No. The Model Converter tool posted on the official CFS2 site. http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs2/articles_SDK_mdlconverter.asp
Use it with the default settings just as it comes. Forget the Optimize Graphics option.

[piersyf]

Thanks for all the help!



Piers

[Hagar]

Thanks for all the help!

Piers

You're welcome. That's looking good.

[Falcon500]

i hate to say it but your aircraft is ugly almost like PBY or p-40