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This document contains up-to-date information about the Authentic flight model and Glide mode. Other patch related questions have been integrated into the updated README.TXT file (available from the RBII taskbar entry as README).
Note that this patch is an all-encompassing patch, and should properly update any version of RBII. If you have installed the patch and are still having problems, uninstall and reinstall Red Baron II before attempting to reapply the patch.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GLIDE MODE INFORMATION
II. CLOUDS AND FRAMERATE
III. NOTES ON LANDINGS
IV. NOTES ON THE NEW FLIGHT MODEL
V. NOTES ON BALLOON BUSTING AND DEFENSE
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I. GLIDE MODE INFORMATION
Supported cards -- Red Baron II supports Glide compatible 3D accelerator cards using the 3DFX chipset, including Voodoo II cards. Cards with additional texture memory will allow higher resolutions and better performance.
Detail settings -- The 3D patch adds greater detail to Red Baron II, and increases the distances at which you can see some of those details. Because of this, the 100% detail setting represents a significantly larger amount of detail than it did prior to the patch. To receive the same level of detail that you had prior to the patch, you will need to slide the setting somewhat to the left.
Resolutions -- Glide mode supports resolutions up to 1024 x 768. Cards with 4 Mb of total memory (2 Mb texture memory) will be unable to support resolutions greater than 800 x 600. It is worth noting that resolution has little effect on frame rate while in Glide mode, so you may wish to play at the highest resolution your card supports, regardless of what your processor speed is.
Processor speeds -- The nature of the implementation of 3D support in Red Baron II processor speed can have a significant effect on how much improvement a 3D card can have on frame rate. On machines with modest processors, you may see little or no improvement in frame rate from the unaccelerated version. Extremely fast machines, however, can produce dramatic improvements in frame rate.
Improving performance - In the preferences for your 3D card, are able to change the refresh rate settings to optimize the frame rate in the game. Setting a refresh rate higher than 60 will increase the maximum frame rate at which the card can run. Some cards also allow you to deselect the sync between the card speed and the refresh rate. This feature usually refers to the "V sync ." When V sync is on, the card will cap frame rates at a number compatible with the refresh rate (30, 60, 90, etc. for a refresh of 60). This means that you will not receive a frame rate greater than 30 until the actual frame rate exceeds 60. Turning off V sync will make your card display at the actual frame rate of the game. Since this may be out of phase with the refresh rate, it can cause "tearing" in the images. Most commonly you will see the "tearing" in the prop disk if you have prop animations set to high. Setting the animations to low should minimize the effect. Be aware, however, that not all monitors support higher refresh rates. Do not make changes that affect the refresh rate if you are unsure whether your monitor supports this feature, or you may possibly damage your monitor.
II. CLOUDS AND FRAME RATES
One of the most requested features for the 1.6 patch was the addition of clouds. Clouds were not implemented in the original, software rendered only, version of the game because they would have rendered frame rates unplayably slow on the fastest machines available at the time. With the addition of hardware 3D support, we have added two distinct forms of clouds. There are "discrete" clouds, which are large fluffy objects, and "scud layers," which represent thick banks of clouds in layers. The AI pilots are unable to detect or track aircraft when a scud layer is between them, but the discrete clouds impose no viewing restrictions.
Not surprisingly, these cloud layers still have a significant influence on frame rates. Users with some systems may find that selecting clouds to "on" will make the frame rate lower than they find acceptable. Frame rates will suffer the most when there are multiple enemy aircraft near you, since the AI must constantly do checks for visibility to determine whether they can "see" you through the clouds. If you wish to improve the frame rate you may elect to turn off clouds altogether, or to leave them on during navigation and spotting, but to turn them off from the right-click menu in the sim when a dogfight begins.
Note that scud layers are available on the hardware-rendered mode only.
III. NOTES ON LANDINGS
If you wish, you can allow the autopilot to land your aircraft for you. To do this you should be using Combat Autopilot (Ctrl+a) _prior_ to getting the "Cleared to Land" message. The autopilot can usually land you reliably, if your aircraft is undamaged. However, if you enable autopilot when you are too close to landing, or if, after you receive clearance, you disable the autopilot and then re-enable it later, the autopilot may not be able to maneuver your aircraft back into an acceptable approach. This can lead to crashes or to a landing somewhere other than the airfield. Note also that time compress will not work after your aircraft begins the landing cycle.
IV. NOTES ON THE NEW FLIGHT MODEL
There are now three realism modes for the flight model, "Easy," "Intermediate," and "Authentic." Easy and Intermediate are the virtually identical to the settings that were originally available in Red Baron II. Authentic adds a much more challenging and realistic mode.
Many changes have been made for the Authentic flight model to make it more accurately reflect the dangerous and difficult nature of many of the WWI era aircraft. This flight model is much more demanding than the previous realistic model and you may find that it has a steep learning curve. If you find the new, more realistic flight model does not suit your tastes, selecting Easy or Intermediate flight will give you the older, more relaxed, slightly less realistic flight model.
It is worth noting that the number of deaths during training in WWI exceeded those in combat. Deaths due to what is now called "operational losses" were common, and the extremely short life expectancy of novice pilots was due in large part to the demands of flying the aircraft. Because of this you should not expect to master the skills that it takes to be a deadly foe when flying the Authentic flight model without some expenditure of practice time. Here are some hints that may make the learning experience go more quickly:
1. Learn your aircraft -- The performance of individual aircraft is far more varied in the current flight model. Because of this, you can not defeat an enemy by following his maneuvers. What his aircraft can do, yours likely can not. Learn to take advantage of the strengths of your aircraft against the weaknesses of his.
2. Use the vertical -- Most aircraft lose a great deal of speed in tight turns. Diving can recover this, but it makes you fly lower and lower, and limits your options. Try to climb whenever possible, and try to use vertical maneuvers to avoid constant tight turns.
3. Avoid tight turns at high speed -- Tight turns at high speeds bleed speed quickly. In addition, a very tight turn at high speed can lead to an immediate stall, called an "accelerated stall."
4. Easy does it -- You should very rarely be moving your joystick to its full deflection. A light touch on the stick is best.
5. Conserve energy -- You should always try to be higher or faster than your opponent (or both). This gives you the most potential energy, and the most options. If you are doing maneuvers that are slowing you down and getting you low, you need to rethink your tactics. Try to find ways to force your enemy to run out of speed and altitude before you do.
6. Use your Throttle -- Torque effects are influenced by throttle setting. At full throttle your aircraft will have a strong tendency to roll to the left. Most aircraft will be easier to fly at about 70% throttle. Gyroscopic effects make your plane turn better to the right. This effect is more pronounced if you cut your throttle.
7. Note that when you shoot down an ace, he has the same chances as anyone surviving the crash. Therefore, even if you are credited with his "kill," he may survive to fight again!
V. NOTES ON BALLOON BUSTING AND DEFENSE
During WWI balloons were tethered by cables that allowed them to be drawn in if they were threatened. Red Baron II models balloons being winched up and down, and at any given time balloons may or may not be present over an observation area. Balloons may not be deployed if there are no friendly aircraft defending them, and they may be winched down if the balloons are threatened. This means that sometimes the balloons may be winched down before you get there. Even more likely is the possibility that you may draw off the defenders, defeat them, and return to find the balloons winched down and unavailable to attack. You can minimize this possibility by staying on the timetable given in the briefing, and by ignoring defenders and attacking the balloons first. Despite your best efforts, there will be times when their intel or observers were just too good, and the balloons are simply not there to be destroyed. C'est la guerre.
On the other hand, if you are defending balloons, you can give them time to winch in the balloons by moving to attack the attackers at a distance. If you can locate them and engage them when they are still a fair distance away, the balloons may not be available for them to attack, and your success is certain. Of course, the troops operating the balloon will may not recognize the threat in time, or you could go chasing off after one potential attacker while another falls on your balloons, but those are also the fortunes of war.
Copyright/Trademarks
(c) 1998 Sierra On-Line, Inc. (R) and (TM) designate trademarks of, or licensed to Sierra On-Line, Inc. All rights reserved.
