|
|
|
|
| The A2 Physics Project (1.0) - File Description |
|
Description:
This mod changes everything you know about fire and movement in A2. thunderfoot006 and myself, in conjunction with some of the best minds in this community, have ventured to change the way every ship moves in stock A2. This mod is entirely plug-and-play***, which means that ANY ship can be modified to follow more closely a playing experience worthy of the universe Gene Roddenberry created. We've endeavoured to bring every possible Trek experience a little closer to fruition, whether it's just the turning radius of a Romulan Warbird or the Battle for Deep Space Nine.
We've also endeavoured to issue this mod as a challenge to the entire A2Files community. Our challenge is as follows:
Lots of people said they could do this.
It took the two of us to make it happen.
How many other things do we write off with cliches like "everyone can do that" and "anyone with a brain can make that work" in this game?
We believe the reason this community is dying is not because few are trying.
It's because many are trying, on their own, individually. And we would challenge those individuals to put their best work into SMALL, FOCUSED, and DETERMINED efforts that EVERYONE CAN ENJOY, whether they just downloaded the demo or they're working on their sixtieth mod.
Our challenge is to you: simple and uncomplicated doesn't mean it has to be any less fierce. Or any less appreciated.
We've done our bit for this place. It may not seem like much, but it's all our own.
Why has nobody else done this yet? Because nobody gave it an effort.
So please give A2Files your best efforts. We need 'em.
I'd actually review the content of this mod, but I think it's pretty freakin' good or I wouldn't put my name to it.
- the Kid
***This mod is, at present, NOT COMPATIBLE with the FleetOps Patch 1.2.5 for reasons we hope to resolve in the near future. Please note this before you download. You turn your A2 install into a brick because you fail to heed this warning and we're not responsible. Sorry, kids.
| |
|
|
| | | The A2 Physics Project (1.0) - Screenshots | | Screenshots:
| |
|
| | | The A2 Physics Project (1.0) - Readme | | Readme File:
StarFleet Kid's Little Physics Project - by The StarFleet Kid and thunderfoot006. Special appearances by: Achilles, Chiletrek, Epytron Omega, and k_merse,
//***********************************************
Table of Contents
- A ReadMe, which no one will read.
- Modder's Notes No one will read these either, but hey, we have to try.
- Installation Instructions, complete with uninstall instructions also. Ignore these at your own risk!
- The files needed to add in this mod.
- Backups of the stock files, because we all forget to backup our game whenever we add in something. These are here for your benefit and convienence.
- Bonus Materials! Extras which make the game nicer and I hope they do they same for you. They are NOT part of the Mod, just some stuff I had laying around that I thought someone else might like and could use.
//***********************************************
ReadMe
A couple of months ago, StarFleet Kid and myself were discussing(bitchin', really) via MSN about how little the ships in A2 have in common with the same ships in a series episode or movie when they move and fight. A2's physics files also make the ships move very differently from the same ships in other Star Trek based games. During fleet versus fleet actions the ships all pivot in unison to fire on the next target and turn instantly to a new vector when moving. They also ALL fire on the same target. It sure is pretty. It sure is fast It sure ISN"T 'Star Trek'. Armada II ships also shoot waayy too fast. Photon tropedoes should not have the same rate of fire as an M2 .50 calibre machine gun. Add this into the range at what fleets engage and can sight each other, and the stock game feels badly out of whack. No surprise there, because if it felt and looked right, none of us would ever modify anything about it, would we?
At the Kid's request, I began looking at all the files concerning movement. The deeper I got into the movement files, the more I realized this would become a project of some length. I also realized that things like sensor ranges, weapons ranges and rates of fire also seriously affected how the game looked. All of these areas would have to be adjusted, along with movement, to make the ships perform like their counterparts. Before I went any further, I sat down and cobbled together all the ideas wandering 'round my brain and wrote them down. What I came up with is below.
//***********************************************
Mission Statement:
To modify movement, combat movement, weapons, and sensor ranges within stock Armada II with Patch 1.1 applied to provide a closer to canon feel to the appearance of how ships move and fight. within the game.
Priorities and Goals:
1) To have a minimal impact on the files in question so anyone can add this into a stock game or a heavily modded one without the danger of a fatal error. To also modify and make available the files in question so modders can include them in their own mods with minimal adjustments
2) Closer to canon movement. To have ships in A2 move in a fashion similar to how they move in a series episode, movie, or other Star Trek based game. If done correctly, any player should be able to recreate any ship movement sequence seen in either a series episode or movie with a fair degree of accuracy.
3) Closer to canon combat movement. To give players the ability to recreate in A2 any ship to ship combat sequence seen in any series episode, movie, or other Star Trek based game with a fair degree of accuracy. The DS9 episode 'Sacrifice of Angels' combat sequence came to mind instantly.
4) Modify all ODF files to support the above. This includes, but is not limited to:
-Creating ship specific physics files.
-Adjusting formation sizes and spacings.
-Adjusting ship ODFs.
5) Modify the weapons ODF files to support the above. This includes, but is not limited to:
-Adjusting ranges and damage effects.
-Adjusting rates of fire.
-Adjusting LOS ranges for all ships and stations.
6) Create a template or tutorials for all of the above. To allow other A2 players, especially those with minimal modding experience, to 'Plug and Play' a custom ship either of their own creation or downloaded from any fan site.
As you can tell from this document, it is a pretty ambitous project. I hope it meets with your approval and enjoyment.
Purists, please note:
We are not trying recreate exactly the way the Enterprise moves in any movie or episode. The game engine of A2 is pretty antiquated and barely up to the task of depicting space combat at all. We are trying to get the engine we have to be a little closer to what can be seen in the episodes and movies. If we have accomplished this successfully, your Bird of Prey will no longer have the same turning rates as your Vor'Chas and your Sovys will move with the stately majestic grace they should move with. Further, your ships will no longer spit photons like a belt fed machine gun. Combat sequences ingame will last longer and a player should be able to micro manage a fleet.
//***********************************************
Potential Problems
This mod has been tested only within the SP Campaign and Instant Action vs. the 'puter. I do not know if it will work in online Multiplayer. As always, I accept no responsibility for your 'puter or your game. This file was checked for viruses and completeness before upload. If it doesn't work right the first time, please go back and read the directions. Then, install the mod again AFTER you read the directions.
As of this writing, 02/03/08, this mod and Fleet Ops Patch 1.2.5 are incompatible. After trying everything I could think of to get them to work together, I still get CTD issues. I suspect it is something we have done because Fleet Ops is very stable and very tolerant of other things being added into it. Integrating A2PhysPjct and Fleet Ops will have to wait for Version 2.0
Version 2.0 will also include attack patterns and formations for the AI. Currently, there is no way to do this without violating the EULA. We are still looking and are hopeful we can come up with something.
//***********************************************
Credits:
Gene Roddenberry, for giving us such a cool place to play.
Achilles, for feedback and good advice.
Chiletrek, for the same and some beta testing.
Epytron Omega, for wanting this badly enough to include in his Invasion Mini-Mod to hound me into finishing it after I seriously wanted to scrap the whole thing.
k_merse, for allowing the use of some of the materials from his StarFleet Shipnames and Registries
YOU, for D/L'ing this mod.
//***********************************************
Release Info:
Permission must be obtained from StarFleet Kid or thunderfoot006 via email or PM before someone can use anything included herein for another project destined for public release. We will be a lot more inclined to say, "Yes" if your work will be available as a public download here at A2 Files. If you do use anything herein, please be polite and considerate enough to include our names in the credits of your mod.
//***********************************************
Contact:
Any doubts, questions or suggestions, you can E-mail or PM us from here.
All of the people mentioned by name herein are blameless for anything which may be wrong with this mod. All the mistakes are ours alone.
We are not responsible for any type of damage to your 'puter or application from misuse of this mod.
//***********************************************
Copyright and Distribution Permissions
THIS PATCH IS NOT MADE, DISTRIBUTED, OR SUPPORTED BY ACTIVISION TM & (C) ACTIVISION & PARAMOUNT PICTURES.
Copyright notices:
Star Trek, Star Trek Armada II, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: The Next Generation,
Star Trek: Voyager (and the various logo devices used in them) are copyright Paramount Pictures, as are the characters, related images, and sound from the productions. | |
|
|
|
| The A2 Physics Project (1.0) - File Download Options |
|
Primary Download Locations:
| |
| UPDATED EVERY 6 HOURS! The very latest files may give a 404 file not found!
| |
|
|
|
|
| The A2 Physics Project (1.0) - User Comments |
|
|
The following comments are owned by the user that posted them. Armada 2 Files is not responsible for their content.
Total comments: 24 | Last comment: 05-04-2008 at 19:11
so...it's compatible with almost every type of install?
i'll try this out
Hello:
Wow, it is finally here! I0ve been following this mod for quite some time and now it's here  , time to download!
I put the odf files where they're supposed to go, but the ships won't move around! Can anyone help?
sweet
btw I have never said that this would be easy
I will try to help. PM me please with the details of the problem.
Wooooooooot!
I know you'll fix it. I have, for the first time in years, three separate installs of A2 - one stock, one with Patch Project, and one with this. No doubt when it's compatible with the patch, the two will make a great team. Making the physics and management better was very much needed. It's things like this that make Armada 2 what it always should have been.
Very impressive, WOOT! Ships move much more realistic now. Infinity/10
Great work Kid/thunder. I can see future versions of this being incorporated into some total conversions
I put the odf files in other, stations, etc. , but when there is a battle, the ships stay where they're at, and fight just as A2 did before. I've looked at the Installation Instructions several times, but I can't figure out what I did wrong.
Sorry for the double post, but I think I may have just figured out the solution to the problem. I do think I forgot to put "PhysicsParameters = # in the ship odfs. Am I right?
If you want to add the new physics to each ship in the game individually, you can do so. Open the "Templates...." Folder and then open the "Instructions for Adding a Custom Ship" document. This explains how to add the new physics to a ship. My preferred method of adding physics to a custom ship is this:
//PHYSICS PARAMETERS
physicsFile = "whatever file you choosephys.odf"
The first line is not needed ,but it sure makes it easy to find when something goes wrong. The Combat files are used by an include command in the phys file. Putting them in by themselves will cause the ship not to move because it does not know how fast it can do so.
Please, anyone else who needs help with this mod, post here:
http://forums.filefront.com/st-a2-modding-editing/346090-a2-physics-project-thread.html
IWe really do want to help you with any problems and will be very glad to do so. However the comments section of the Downloads area is somewhat limited in functionality.
i dont seam to be having problems using this mod with the patch project (altho the ships do seem to b moving a lot faster than normal)
^yes same here, except that I don't see a difference in physics movement.
When starting a instant action game am I supposed to check "slower physics" or "normal physics" or does that not have an impact on this mod?
P.S. Sorry for still posting here but the thread you submitted thunderfoot seems more for future version of the Physics mod  ?
apoclaydon, the ships should be moving slower than in the normal game because I bumped down all the speeds. I am glad to hear neither of you are having problems with the patch installed.
Wundai, I just got done checking out both the Normal and the Slower in my A2 game and it did not seem to matter. The ships should be moving slower and they should be turning when they change direction instead of instantly pivoting to the new vector.
It is okay to post in the thread, I intended for questions to be answered there when I started it. I do not mind answering them here too, tho.
ok thnx
Well the thing is I overwrited all the ODF Files (the long way) but I didn't input the rangescan, and the ships are instantly pivoting to a new vector 
As far as I know rangescan was 'useful' but not required for the mod to work?
An alternative could be that its the fleetops patch which doesn't make the adjustments of this mod work?
Nope, the rangScan line is not required to make the mod work. I got the CTD thing twice when trying FO Patch 1.2.5 in my game. I do not think the problem is with the patch. I think the problem is with something in my personal mod. The only thing I can think of is somehow the game engine is not picking up the new files. Have you tried adding in the Physics Line: physicsFile = "whatever file you choosephys.odf" directly to a ship's odf? Are you using the generic files for ship classes such as "Destroyer.odf" which defines the general characteristics of each ship class? That is where I put the line telling the game which set of movement files to use. That is why the very first line of every ship ODF is: #include "someship.odf" I am not trying to be insulting but is it possible you did not install the files from inside the Folder named "A Mod"?
Tell ya what: I know you're getting a little frustrated by this and I really do want to help you get this thing working. Let us see if we can get together. PM me from here and I will send you my MSN messenger name. That way, I can help you inreal time.
That's what I'm doing, adding them individually ship by ship
Ok mate, no problem and you're not insulting I'll PM you
This, IMO, is one of the most important updates for this game.
More than the new ships, graphics, etc. I've always had a nagging feeling whenever those supposedly huge ships take a split second to face 180 degrees, it made me sick  .
Another is the imbalance in the stock game, which we are all familiar with ... 5 minutes to build an armada, 10 seconds to lose it. Plus almost all ships are useless, it all boils down to who gets to build the battleships first. Not good. 
Anyway, cheers! I have no modding ability so I can't help, but let me just say this is gonna make waves in the community! Finally, another step closer to a real star trek strategy game.
Hope you can make it work with Fleet Ops in the future. Here have a beer you deserve it! 
This is beautiful. I love the way Construction ship behave now. It's perfect. With the old physics, they looked like fish in a tank. With the new physics, they look and feel as if they are in outer space.
Only oe error so far, and likely because I didn't use all the provided files... If a Federation Construction ship is killed, it crashes the game. I am using 3 construction ships for the Federation in my personal mod, so I did not copy over existing data that would have erased my custom modifications.
Is there something you can recommend I use on the Construction ships that will patch this easy? Please send me a PM!
I simply set up the construction ship odf to use the following:
//PHYSICS PARAMETERS
physicsFile = "trek_snoncombat2phys.odf"
These lines are in the Const ODF which sets the basis for all the const ships in the game. I suppose if you placed these lines into your custom ship's odf, it would prevent the crash. This should override the physics files referenced by the inclue command. I know this because I had to do the same thing to ENT-E one time during testing. The first line is commented out by the "//" marks, but it does make it easy to find if there is a problem.
Many thanks, I'll try this out!
Just thought I come and post some links to the files for the Borg and Species 8472
http://armada2.filefront.com/file/The_A2_Physics_Project_We_are_the_Borg;89401 will get you the Collective and http://armada2.filefront.com/file/The_A2_Physics_Project_The_Weak_Shall_Perish_Species_8472;89589
for 8472
When posting comments, you must follow these rules:- No "Yay I got First Post!" posts, no exceptions and no matter what other content the post has!
- No Pornographic Material. Any sexually oriented imagery or links to such content will not be tolerated.
- No Warez or Illegal Software. This includes linking to software, posting about it, and suggesting to get it.
- No Cursing or Swear words. We encourage you to use our comment sections as a forum to debate files, news, etc., but please use proper adjectives to express yourself. We will not tolerate abuse upon another member or author.
- No Attacks / Retaliation of any kind against a member, or group of members.
- Please do not advertise for other sites or forums here.
- Maximum of 3 smileys per regular member.
The high interactivity of this site should be considered a luxury, not a right. If you cannot follow these simple rules, you can and will be warned or banned from the comments, site or the entire network for any period of time.
Now enjoy yourself and behave!
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2002-2007 Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. FILEFRONT, 1UP and the 1UP.COM logo are registered trademarks of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Media Inc. is prohibited. Use of this site is governed by our