You know, I don’t build many campaigns so I don’t profess to be an expert. It’s not that I don’t have the skill, mostly its because of not having the time. Sure, I’ve started one or two and they reside, unfinished in some sub folder hidden deep within Windows Explorer. Maybe I’ll get back to work on them one of these days.
Now while I don’t build them, I do occasionally “tweak” downloaded campaigns. This might make the campaigns author cringe, but hey, it’s for my own use and no insult is intended. Sometimes I do it because I want the a/c to wear the same skins as mine “for that personal touch”, other times because there are not enough enemy a/c or the ones that are there are to wimpy or too strong for my abilities. Some times I’ll just dress up an airfield for a little added ambiance.
That said, I’d like to share an idea that suddenly dawned on me this morning, and I must say that after trying it I was quite pleased with the results. It’s the use of an item or collection of items I’ve never seen used before, at least not i this way. Here’s the scenario:
I’m at the field, engine started and ready for take off. The fields ok. A few parked planes, a few vehicles moving here and there, some tents, and so fourth. You know, the usual stuff. Then I got to thinking about the early A.M. flight I had to make to pick up a new plane, and thought to may self, self? What about the rest of the trip, “eye candy wise”. So with the wheels turning, I exited the mission, opened full mission builder and proceeded to place #1, #4 lights and Smoke type 7 in a few of the towns surrounding the base, (Towns I knew I’d see circuiting the field after take off) and a few towns along my intended route. Guess what? They looked freaking great! Homes with smoke coming up from the chimneys, a few light on here and there and it really added to the realism/immersion. (The same could be done around the campfires or from tents around an air field but I never got round to that)
Open up the mission you’re working on, especially if it’s low light, or winter/fall themed mission, place the objects, zoom in and take a look. I think you’ll like it. Even more after you fly over them!
I do try and do this in certain places but it can take allot of time to do and the benefits are not always there as not everyone will notice them. Details are definitely good but its always a balancing game.
I tend to shy away from using lights all that often...most war zones would observe strict lights out procedures.
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