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Some interesting observations


Pandacat

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1. I have "squadron management" checked.  But interesting, flying some aircraft still won't let you manage your squadron.  I tested B5N2 and some German aircraft.  For most American planes, it is working fine.  You can select different loadouts and fuel level for your flight and you are always put at the head of your flight.  Flying B5N2, everything is greyed out and you are not leading your squadron in combat.  Seems "squadron management" only applies to some aircraft.  Could be because these aircraft were not flyable in stock game, but TBF and TBD were not flyable but they are working fine.  So I am not 100% sure. 

 

2. I started a Luftwaffe Eastern front campaign.  In the first map, I selected BF109F2.  The mission started with a pink plane.  At first I thought it was due to 109F2 not in those 3 loadout files.  So I double checked everything.  It still gives me pink plane.  Then I tried some different maps in the same Eastern front campaign with 109F2, it works fine, no pink plane.  So it is not due to missing plane and loadout entries.  Could it be because somehow the map was faulty?  Or could it because when DCG generates the campaign, some AI squadrons are using missing planes or loadouts?

 

3. In my USMC 1943 Guadalcanal campaign, I made F4U-1A available to fly.  It works fine but the interesting thing is DCG made my squadron home based somewhere on an off-map base in Australia.  So every mission, I had to fly hundreds of miles to get to the front.  By the time I get there, the battle is over.  Wonder why DCG won't home base player squadron on the Guadalcanal's Herderson base to begin with.  

 

4. In my USN's Santa Cruz map, I also made F6F3 available early.  The funny thing is the first mission everything is fine.  Then the second mission, the system downgraded my plane to F2A buffalo.  My squadron didn't lose a single aircraft in the first mission.  The altered available dates for F6F3 looks fine in DCG.  

 

5. For the very first Tulagi USN map, I wanted to have more US Squadrons, so I manually added a TBD Torpedo bomber squadron.  Then at the beginning of my next mission, I got a black plane cockpit (very similar to pink plane error, but just the color is different) and heard some explosions in the background.  I wasn't flying the bomber though, my own squadron was a fighter F3F squadron.  I also try out all USN Torpedo bombers: TBD, TBF and TBM.  All of them work fine on different maps.  Was it because I added too many squadrons to the carrier? or Was it the map's fault? Not sure

 

6. This may not be the DCG issue.  The same Santa Cruz map.  I took off with the first wave of fighters and bombers.  Then the carrier was sending a second wave of fighters aloof.  As soon as these planes spawn on deck, they explode in a big ball of fire.  But interestingly, not everyone died. 1-2 planes survived and took off no problem.  I have Carrier takeoff mod checked.  I believe it is due to this mod.  But the dilemma is if you don't use this mod, the AI just can't handle rolling deck of a carrier.  There are always planes slamming into the side of the carrier on takeoff. 

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Well has for #2:

 

Pink plans are always caused by load-out issues. I would make sure the load-out in the game jive with what DCG has (payload.dcg and allpayloads.dcg) For the F-2, you may only have Default and Empty (...which don't have to be in the allpayloads.dcg). As it doesn't happen all the time - I would check the payload.dcg and see what loadout DCG has (....it would be easier to use the GUI - aircraft information).

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Well has for #2:

 

Pink plans are always caused by load-out issues. I would make sure the load-out in the game jive with what DCG has (payload.dcg and allpayloads.dcg) For the F-2, you may only have Default and Empty (...which don't have to be in the allpayloads.dcg). As it doesn't happen all the time - I would check the payload.dcg and see what loadout DCG has (....it would be easier to use the GUI - aircraft information).

 

So pink plane is always caused by player's loadout mismatch issue?  What about AI squadrons?  I guess DCG would never use those extra planes brought in by HSFX mod, huh?  

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There might be some planes in your .mis file which are not in your class file.

There might be some planes among your downgrade and upgrade types which are not checked for loadout validity by DIT. 

DIT might seem to be effective, but it's not the Holy Grail. Moreover, it might be defective here and there, 'cause it was made by a human.  :rolleyes:

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Yes - AI too.

 

CUP has 980+ aircraft (CUP combined a lot of HSFX aircraft - like the trops into existing slots making it more streamlined). in CUP the aircraft switch automatically when you select a desert map. It took me months manually to do what sniperton's DIT did in a day :) - oh and I still had several errors LOL

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There might be some planes in your .mis file which are not in your class file.

There might be some planes among your downgrade and upgrade types which are not checked for loadout validity by DIT. 

DIT might seem to be effective, but it's not the Holy Grail. Moreover, it might be defective here and there, 'cause it was made by a human.  :rolleyes:

 

What is the error file that I can use to track possible errors?

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1. "Squadron Management" only allows you to manage the pilot list in DCG.  In the game, management of the mission is determined by whomever the mission leader is (whether it's AI and locked or you and unlocked).

 

2. Others have explained this better than I could have.

 

3. Usually the first mission in the Guadalcanal campaign for a USMC pilot is to fly a transfer mission to Henderson.  If this did not happen to you, it's probably because you've set your combat radius so large, DCG thinks you don't mind flying long mission. 

 

4. I can't say why the F6F3 downgraded to the F2A other than it should only do that if there aren't enough F6F3 aircraft available or the F6F3 start date is in the future.

 

5. The TBD may be too large for the number of aircraft spawning on the carrier deck (the old Yorktown...?)  I can't say for sure.

 

6. If the carrier is turning when aircraft spawn, it's a death sentence to the pilots.

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What is the error file that I can use to track possible errors?

What you have is a game error, possibly caused by some anomaly on DIT's (or DCG's) side. We cannot track it down unless we know what exactly was causing your problem. 

 

A. Whenever you encounter a pink plane, exit the game, go to your game log file, and follow the instructions here: http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,13457.0.html

The gurus at SAS can 'read' it and tell you what was causing your problem.

 

B. Locate the problematic mission file generated by DCG (Missions\Campaign\[Country]\[DCG-CampaignName]\[MissionDate].mis). Copy it to the single missions folder and open it in the FMB. Once loaded, resave it with a new name, then compare the two files in a text editor line by line: what you find omitted (or changed) in the FMB-version, that is the culprit.

 

And please always report game version. If you're using HSFX, please make sure you used the weapons.properties shipped with DIT.  

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What you have is a game error, possibly caused by some anomaly on DIT's (or DCG's) side. We cannot track it down unless we know what exactly was causing your problem. 

 

A. Whenever you encounter a pink plane, exit the game, go to your game log file, and follow the instructions here: http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,13457.0.html

The gurus at SAS can 'read' it and tell you what was causing your problem.

 

B. Locate the problematic mission file generated by DCG (Missions\Campaign\[Country]\[DCG-CampaignName]\[MissionDate].mis). Copy it to the single missions folder and open it in the FMB. Once loaded, resave it with a new name, then compare the two files in a text editor line by line: what you find omitted (or changed) in the FMB-version, that is the culprit.

 

And please always report game version. If you're using HSFX, please make sure you used the weapons.properties shipped with DIT.  

Nice tips.  I'll go back to take a look tonight.  

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1. "Squadron Management" only allows you to manage the pilot list in DCG.  In the game, management of the mission is determined by whomever the mission leader is (whether it's AI and locked or you and unlocked).

 

I still couldn't figure out this one.  I understand "squadron management" is only about manage the pilot list.  Somehow I can only manage loadouts as allied pilot, but not for axis.  I always start from the lowest rank up.  I don't c anywhere in the game that would allow me to be the mission leader, but when I play on allied side, I can change loadouts, fuel everything, but on axis side it's all greyed out. Weird.

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Hi, just another interesting observation.  Luftwaffe "Ardennes 1944" Map under the standard DCG western campaign.  The very first mission, the system had me escort a flight of p-47 to ground attack.  At the beginning of the mission, a flight of p-47 spawned right on my airfield. The base defense tried to shoot them and there was a big mess.  I believe something is wrong here.  Probably need take a look.  

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This usually happens when a squad recognized as red by the game is not recognized by DCG (unrecognized squads are blue by default for DCG). It may have two causes: 1) DCG bug; 2) the culprit squadron is not listed correctly in DCG's squadids file where squad nationalities are defined. Identify the culprit squad in the generated mission file, then look for it in the squadids file. If it's not there (among US or GB squads), add it. Note that the squadid file is case sensitive.

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Alrite, I found there were 5 squadrons.  All British: 615, 176, 47, 146, 131.  I added them all in to squadids file. The first 3 worked fine.  But the 146 and 131 refused to be come over to red side.  146 is a A-20 while 131 is a Mosquito squadron. I deleted the campaign and regen everything, those 2 just refuse to be on allied side.

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Be more patient and instead of deleting your files show us the problem sections like below:

 

[RAF_No183SQN00]
  Planes 3
  Skill0 0
  Skill1 0
  Skill2 0
  Skin0 up_mto.BMP
  Skin1 up_mto.BMP
  Skin2 up_mto.BMP
  numberOn0 1
  numberOn1 1
  numberOn2 1
  pilot0 gb_16.bmp
  pilot1 gb_09.bmp
  pilot2 gb_03.bmp
  Class air.HurricaneMkIa
  Fuel 100
  weapons default
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This is the Italy campaign mission 1.

 

[146Squadron00]

  Planes 4
  Skill0 0
  Skill1 0
  Skill2 0
  Skill3 0
  pilot0 de_19.bmp
  pilot1 de_22.bmp
  pilot2 de_10.bmp
  pilot3 de_02.bmp
  Class air.A_20C
  Fuel 100
  weapons 2x1008x1002x100
[146Squadron00_Way]
  TAKEOFF 127476.02 77088.25 0 0 &0
  NORMFLY 126977.00 72588.00 500 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 132326.00 67238.00 800 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 137476.00 72088.00 1100 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 137476.00 77087.00 1400 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 132476.00 82088.00 1700 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 110628.00 81869.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 88380.00 92049.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 91085.00 94754.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 88380.00 92049.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 88884.00 62419.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 94787.00 27389.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  GATTACK 98787.49 27388.63 500.0 300.00 12_Chief 1 &0
  NORMFLY 110159.00 43513.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 116131.00 54238.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 124503.00 68363.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  LANDING 127476.02 77088.25 0 0 &0
[146Squadron01]
  Planes 4
  Skill0 0
  Skill1 0
  Skill2 0
  Skill3 0
  pilot0 de_25.bmp
  pilot1 de_29.bmp
  pilot2 de_15.bmp
  pilot3 de_24.bmp
  Class air.A_20C
  Fuel 100
  weapons 2x1008x1002x100
[146Squadron01_Way]
  TAKEOFF 127476.02 77088.25 0 0 &0
  NORMFLY 126477.00 73088.00 700 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 131676.00 68388.00 1000 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 136476.00 72588.00 1300 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 136476.00 77087.00 1600 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 131976.00 81588.00 1900 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 110628.00 81869.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 88380.00 92049.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 91085.00 94754.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 88380.00 92049.00 2000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 88584.00 62719.00 1025.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 94787.00 27389.00 1025.0 300.00 &0
  GATTACK 98787.49 27388.63 500.0 300.00 12_Chief 1 &0
  NORMFLY 110159.00 43513.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 116131.00 54238.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  NORMFLY 124503.00 68363.00 1000.0 300.00 &0
  LANDING 127476.02 77088.25 0 0 &0
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This is another mission.  Mission 1 of German Ardennes campaign.

 

[9AF_365FG_386FS00]

  Planes 4
  Skill0 0
  Skill1 1
  Skill2 2
  Skill3 0
  pilot0 de_08.bmp
  pilot1 de_01.bmp
  pilot2 de_29.bmp
  pilot3 de_09.bmp
  Class air.P_47D27
  Fuel 100
  weapons 2x5006x45
[9AF_365FG_386FS00_Way]
  TAKEOFF 57539.43 13488.23 0 0 &0
  NORMFLY 53039.00 13987.00 500 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 47689.00 8638.00 800 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 52539.00 3488.00 1100 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 57538.00 3488.00 1400 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 62539.00 8488.00 1700 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 55292.00 11241.00 2000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 62044.00 17993.00 2000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 56431.00 12793.00 2000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 41819.00 -1406.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 28960.00 -3853.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 7101.00 2700.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  GATTACK 7100.00 6700.00 500.0 480.00 12_Chief 1 &0
  NORMFLY 25209.00 14397.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 34319.00 13094.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 50429.00 17791.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  LANDING 57539.43 13488.23 0 0 &0
[9AF_365FG_386FS01]
  Planes 4
  Skill0 1
  Skill1 0
  Skill2 2
  Skill3 1
  pilot0 de_29.bmp
  pilot1 de_25.bmp
  pilot2 de_17.bmp
  pilot3 de_20.bmp
  Class air.P_47D27
  Fuel 100
  weapons 2x5006x45
[9AF_365FG_386FS01_Way]
  TAKEOFF 57539.43 13488.23 0 0 &0
  NORMFLY 53539.00 14487.00 700 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 48839.00 9288.00 1000 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 53039.00 4488.00 1300 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 57538.00 4488.00 1600 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 62039.00 8988.00 1900 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 55292.00 11241.00 2000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 62044.00 17993.00 2000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 56431.00 12793.00 2000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 41819.00 -1406.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 29260.00 -4153.00 1025.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 7101.00 2700.00 1025.0 480.00 &0
  GATTACK 7100.00 6700.00 500.0 480.00 12_Chief 1 &0
  NORMFLY 25209.00 14397.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 34319.00 13094.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  NORMFLY 50429.00 17791.00 1000.0 480.00 &0
  LANDING 57539.43 13488.23 0 0 &0

9AF_365FG_386FS is a U.S. P47 squadron misclassified as blue.

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OK, just make it sure (checklist):

1. Your DCG version is 3.48 or later;

2. You run stock DCG campaigns (3rd party folder is not checked);

3. You have 146Squadron and 9AF_365FG_386FS in the squadids file;

4. In the squadids file, 146Squadron is placed somewhere between gb01 and RN_NN, while 9AF_365FG_386FS between usa01 and UM_NN;

5. 'S' in 146Squadron is uppercase, all characters in 9AF_365FG_386FS are uppercase (please check in squadids file).

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I see, it's here: http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php?topic=51669.0;topicseen

 

Very strange, I see you added 176Squadron, 47Squadron, 146Squadron, and 131Squadron, all following the same name pattern, 

 

Still you experience that 146Squadron and 131Squadron do not work properly, while the other two do. 

 

I'll try to reproduce it when at home. Anyway (just another blind guess), please check whether you used any tabs (instead of spaces) after non-working squads.

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Oh, tabs and spaces.  That could be it.  I will give it a try tonight when I get home.  So let me make it clear:

 

1. In the squadids file, the column on the left side is the data that DCG will use and the right column is simply a note to describe that squadron?  The right column is not used by DCG right?

2. So the space between the left column and right column should all be tabs instead of spaces?

3. Does it matter how many tabs after the id?

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