Gemnets Tutorials

Elite Dangerous tips for beginners

2014-12-16T03:42:00.002-08:00

A few tips for beginners:

- Know how to fly, turn, operate the basics of your ship. This looks very complicated in the beginning, but practice pays off. Play tutorial missions, fly around space stations, test things like fighting, fleeing, crash landing, dump cargo, mining, emergency landing and so on. Do not care about making money or a career when you just started, give yourself time to learn E:D. If you are confident enough wipe your save game and start all over. Fresh, without i.e. bounties or negative reputations. This approach will save you from anger and frustration. (been there ;-) ) E:D is complex but not too complex. There are do's and don't's and best practices.

- You start with a viper with weak weapons. You may want to sell the lasers and shield generator, buy additional cargo bays. Stay in safe systems and trade. Or scoop cargo / rare items. Avoid cargo scans and fights.

- Some missions ask you to retrieve things like a black box or communication data. Note that scooped cargo is always 'stolen'. Do not accept such missions on space ports since you will probably be scanned on docking and get a huge fine, much bigger than the profit. Do those missions from outposts only instead.

- Do not supercruise (SC) directly to your target destination. Instead, leave the planetary plane like you take off with a plane to fly at great height. You'll encounter less mass on the way which slows you down. You may also keep a little distance from players who are camping for direct travelers in the planetary planes. Interdicting NPC's may however spawn in the vicinity, always keep an eye on your radar for that.

- When interdicted, submit to it. As soon as you are out of SC head away from your attacker, turbo boost, go back into SC as fast as you can. With stronger thrusters and a better power plant you may evade a fight or even cargo scans.

- Scooped cargo like commodities and rare items are always 'stolen'. Security vessels of the Federation may stop and fine you. Space stations may fine you. To get rid of this kind of cargo and make a profit, go to an outpost with a black market (visible under 'contacts'). A good starting place may be the system "Apollo", the first outpost is close to the star and has a black market.

- You may make some easy money by going to empty systems and look for ship wrecks with cargo floating. Fly a bit away from the star and then slow down to minimum SC speed (30km/s). Sooner or later you'll see Unidentified Source Signals (USS) show up. Target them and you can directly leave super cruise. If you go faster the USS will be further away, which takes tedious time to approach. If it's cargo, scoop it. Sell it at the black market. Try to stay away from Federation space since you may get scanned by security vessels and get huge fines. Again, also stay away from space stations.

- Another way to make money is to explore systems with your D-scanner. The more you discover the more data is worth. You can sell your data at a minimum of 20 light years from the explored system, some systems data is worth thousands of credits. Assign your basic discovery scanner to a firegroup and press (and hold) fire in unexplored systems. Note that if you're not in SC your hardpoints will deploy which may prevent you from going SC fast. You may always want to D-scan in SC (which works without deploying hardpoints). Target an 'unexplored' body like a star or planet and face it. Your scanner will automatically gain data. Note that at a star you may discover X astronomical objects like planets, but if you go to an unexplored planet you may want to D-scan again to discover moons.

- Human players show on the radar as a hollow square. When somebody is trying to approach you you may want to hyper jump to another system, just to be sure not to get killed for no reason. ED has an open gameplay, some players just chose to be pirating bullies with notorious bounties on their heads. Getting bullied is not unfair, it's just the way ED works. You can always block players if you want to (but would you?).

- On outposts it's sometimes hard to see which direction you should land. Always face the buildings with the radar. If you can't see which direction you should land, fly high over the landing platform and turn the ships nose down. It's now much faster to turn. Rotating while hovering horizontally is very slow.

- If your ship is destroyed you can buy a new one at a reduced price. There is no real insurance. Yet, the reduced price may be a huge figure, depending on the modules you had installed. You can take a loan, but only up to a certain amount. Always make sure you can buy back your ship in case you die. You may die in a battle, but you may also run into a heavy or super hot astronomical body after hyperjump.

- Some systems of interest (there are many):
-- Apollo, has an outpost with a black market near its sun.
-- Lalande 18115, has several star ports and outposts, and at least one with a black market. Nearby are empty systems with low traffic to look for floating cargo. Inside the system you can run trades between star ports and make decent profit.
* note that trading and actions do have an effect on local markets.

- Have fun.

All chemical elements

2014-05-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Elements from the periodic table. Some brief notes and links to videos.

Periodic table (source)

H Hydrogen. 2 deuterium -> He = H-bomb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rdmpx39PRk&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=1

He Helium. Very light. Noble gas. As liquid -> extreme cooler. Escapes atmosphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8FJEiI5e6Q&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=2

Li Lithium. Light, floats water, reacts with N in air, water (>NH3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY0afMI4Jgc&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=3

Be Beryllium. Invisble to x-rays, toxic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy8JyQShZRA&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=4

B Boron. Metalloid, black crystal hard (almost like diamond), Persil: perborate silicate. At 60deg H2O2 forms (bleaches). Pentaboron rocketfuel test, "green dragon"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzqdHkpXuy4&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=5

C Carbon. 'Organic', can form big molecules. Coal, diamond (tetrahydron, C(C4)), graphite (hexrings, graphene=single layer), buckyball C60, c70 red-purple. Nanotubes (open, closed),
Diamond: electrons bound, cannot change energy state from light: very transparent. Graphite: electrons absorb energy at all levels: dark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuW4_bRHbUk&index=6&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

N Nitrogen, N atom bond strongest of atom bonds, explosives: isolated atoms come together release energy. As liquid used as cooler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmvJ54kRpjg&index=7&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

O Oxygen, O2, O3. Liquid oxygen very reactive, magnetic. Ozon is very very reactive, absorbs UV light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuG5WTId-IY&index=8&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

F Fluorine, reacts with all elements except Helium and Neon. Liquid=yellow. Attracts electrons. Reacts with glass so nickel is used.
Fluoride toothpaste: teeth calcium solves in acid. Fluoride reacts with acids first, protecting calcium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtWp45Eewtw&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=9

Ne Neon, high electricty: neon light RED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzv0pb7mzaw&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=10

Na Sodium, dangerous, very reactive metal, explosive w water (H2). NaCl invisible infrared, forms cubic crystals,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IT2I3LtlNE&index=11&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Mg Magnesium, very light, used in smartphones, laptops, ship hulls. Flashlight photo. Burns bright. Keeps burning in N atmosphere(?). Fireworks, chlorophile green pigment plants,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKkWdizutxI&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=12

Al Aluminium, abundance. In clay. Light metal, strong alloy, very reactive. Al+CuCl->AlCl+Cu. Sapphire= aluminium oxide. Red cabbage in aluminium pan -> cabbage turns blue (hard water too).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhZ8503WPs&index=13&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Si Silicon, sand (silicon oxyde), silicates, electronics. Silicon nitrate strong&light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2aWO5cL410&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=14

P Phosphorus, reactive, allotrope P4 explodes. Red phosphorus used in matches. 500g in a human body. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) 70kg per day produced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSYLUat03A4&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=15

S Sulfur, barking dog experiment: 2 N2O (laughing gas)-> + CS2 → 1/4 S8 + CO2 + 2 N2 - (photo flash)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGMR72X8V-U&index=16&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cl Chlorine, Cl2 heavy gas, poisonous, reacts with water, Cl+Al -> AlCl3. NaCl abundant. Plastic PVC (C2H3Cl)n (Polyvinyl chloride).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXCfBl4rmh0&index=17&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ag Argon, argon light BLUE, 1% atmosphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrHVOFG2V-c&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=18

K Potassium, very reactive. NaK is liquid, reacts with water in the air, dangerous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPdevJTGAYY&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=19

Ca Calcium. Bones: calcium phosphate. Shells: calcium carbonate. Global warming: CO2 dissolve in sea, acid. Crystals shatter light: white. Stalagtites, stalagmites. Calcium Sulfate forms big crystals. Calcium very reactive with water. White cliffs Dover calcium carbonate, chalk, limestone. Drink milk for bones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9fuY8_ffFg&index=20&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Sc Scandium. Mendeleev predicted it in the periodic table. Named after Skandinavia. Light metal. Maybe H2 fuel tank nanotech use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkKv5ilmRjY&index=21&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ti Titanium. Light strong metal, abundant. TiO2 deposits, difficult to make. Space/air travel. TiO2 cheap white pigment (walls). Titanium (IV) chloride. Ti burns when hot. Non-magnetic. Hip implant Ti + polythene/polyethylene. catalyst in making plastic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpFTQYynrc4&index=22&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

V Vanadium. In mushrooms. catalyst.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRjb_IKDiz8&index=23&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cr Chromium. Shiny metal. Plates
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzRb4zmGvNU&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=24

Mn Manganese. Metal. catalyst, plastic bottles. Old bateries used MnO2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xqsPZ7WsHw&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=25

Fe Iron. Fe2O3+Al -> Fe + AlO + heath.
Iron in hemoglobine. Red.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euQUgp5AY-Y&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=26

Co Cobalt. Magnets in old color TV's, loudspeakers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ljxByu9ng&index=27&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ni Nickel. Can cause allergies. Plates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4kRHoj0W1Y&index=28&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cu Copper. Reacts with CO2 -> green. Crabs and lobsters use copper (blue blood).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kop1sWzTK-I&index=29&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Zn Zinc. Part of enzymes. Soft metal, reacts easily with acids. Roofs. Coating iron (galvanising). Use in smelling things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99wPiMb-k0o&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=30

Ga Gallium. Beating heart experiment. Used in electronics, medical industry. Melts in hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ccRvKKwZQ&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=31

Ge Germanium. Predicted by Medeleev incl properties. Transparent to infrared.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osrKWVknkgs&index=32&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

As Arsenic. Used as green pigment 19th century. -> poison. Used in electronics (transistors).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2AbKwAvyos&index=33&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Se Selenium. A lot like sulphur. Conducts electricity under light. Used in shampoo, anti dandruf (S+Se kills bacteria).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHrUtKjcAFE&index=34&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Br Bromium. Red. Smells. In sea bromide. Dead sea high concentration. Used in plastic to make it less flamable. 2 isotopes in equal amounts. Toxic, liquid at room temp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slt3_5upuSs&index=35&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Kr Krypton. Reacts with fluorine under bright light. Used in lasers, intense pulses UV light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il4OOY7Zseg&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=36

Rb Rubidium. Reactive metal. Rare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XLGopBovoI&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=37

Sr Strontium. Sr90 radio active. Calcium like, can build up in bones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ztPGrsgNQ&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=38

Y Yttrium. Moon rocks, bullet proof glass. Semi conducters, lasers, CD's, LED's. Soft metal. Reacts with water, air.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXjnQlAHAQ&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=39

Zr Zirconium. Light metal. Used in nuclear reactors to cary Uranium oxide. Can react with steam, create H -> exploding reactor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNJE2MPktvg&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=40

Nb Niobium. Superalloys, space travel rocket nozzles, superconducting magnets, lasers. Medical implants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr2hnIheDxQ&index=41&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Mo Molybdenum. Essential to life. Found in enzymes. N -> NH3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRQ3vBGskds&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=42

Tc Technetium. Lightest radio active element. Medical use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QBlrGva5YQ&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=43

Ru Ruthenium. "Russia" in Latin. Very reactive metal. catalyst. Change double bonds in C. Smelling candles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl5ZYb0hDTc&index=44&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Rh Rhodium. Used in alloys. Filtering X-rays medical use. Almost rarest metal. catalyst clean air. Rhodium-platinum in heart pacemakers, detect electrical signals in the heart. Name comes from 'pink'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPSO5798k2I&index=45&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Pd Palladium. Used in electronics, H2 storage, jewelry, photography.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ALTGeqmNFM&index=46&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ag Silver. Photography, anti bacterial,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPd5qAb4J50&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=47

Cd Cadmium. Like mercury. Yellow/orange pigment. Poisonous. Batteries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boRius1DYdQ&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=48

In Indium. Soft metal. Catalyst. Indium oxide is transparent but conducts electricity. Toxic when touched.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4opHafNmgCw&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=49

Sn Tin. Alloy with copper: bronze. Coating in tin cans. Solder. Electronics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEwCPJOP0Mg&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=50

Sb Antimony. Electronics. Very toxic when exposed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcc6qNT3BoU&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=51

Te Tellurium. Sometimes used in lasers. Toxic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ChFbVu4Mpk&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=52

I Iodine. Essential to life. Added to table salt. Sea. Desinfects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUBsJLRSM64&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=53

Xe Xenon. Can form compounds. Heavy. Gas->solid experiment 1963. Lamps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejoct_6pQ74&index=54&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cs Cesium. Exact clock. 1 second is 9,192,631,770 periods of radiation linked to the transition between levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aD6HwUE2c0&index=55&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ba Barium. Heavy element. Medical use, scatters X-rays. Non toxic. Use in high temperature superconductors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9srJdQU3NOo&index=56&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

La Lanthanum. First of Lanthanide series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q21clW0s0B8&index=57&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ce Cerium. Sparks like iron. Used in stained glass. Nanoparticles fuel catalyst. Magnets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frD3126ry8o&index=58&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Pr Praseodymium. 1/1000th absolute zero. Goggles. Lower speed of light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL06CzXF3ns&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=59

Nd Neodymium. Rare earth element. Green lasers. Changes infrared to green. Strong magnet. Strong laser.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBbl-3_R3mk&index=60&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Pm Promethium. Highly radioactive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px52fxITTrw&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=61

Sm Samarium. Date samples from the moon. Neutron absorber. Use in nuclear power stations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpTkBg8HpvY&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=62

Eu Europium. Use in older TV screens. Fluorescent red.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88YOmg_FUVo&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=63

Gd Gadolinium. Sits in contrast fluid for MRI, highlights water molecules.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUo7pY38fGY&index=64&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Tb Terbium. Green/yellow fluorescent, used in older TV screens. Rare earth element but not rare. Magnetic devices in alloys, crystal becomes larger/smaller under magnetic influence. Nanotech. Marker in bio chemistry. Light bulbs. used to make light emitting materials. X-ray Tb screens in hospitals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On5LjH9TQxY&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=65

Dy Dysprosium. Reactive. used in nuclear fuse rods, absorbs neutrons. Dy with Cd and S: infrared beams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFfR_qOSa-8&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=66

Ho Holmium. Highest magnetic moment. Used in magnetic materials, electronics. Max of unpaired electrons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ERc-vPLMUs&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=67

Er Erbium. Most crusial element for the internet. Reactive to water and oxygen. Photographic filter, kills nuclear fusion. Solutions often pink. Amplifier of light (used in optic fibers). Every 30 miles/50km in an optic fiber light is amplified. Atoms become excited when exposed to light. Er screen makes infrared light visible. Also used in welding goggles. Sharks like fibers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-DY_RT4fJ4&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=68

Tm Thulium. Expensive. Cannot +2 oxyde, uses in future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQFDIZfMPVQ&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=69

Yb Ytterbium. Soft. Reactive with oxygen. Least abundant of rare earth element. Little use, least understood. Electronics, niche. Properties change under pressure. High pressure: semi conductor, measure element in nuclear explosions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp7-yNvOV4I&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=70

Lu Lutetium. Dating of meteorites. Medical use against cancer. "Lutetia" (Paris). Very expensive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5T1xXoR8XI&index=71&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Hf Hafnium. Not many uses but element to watch. (To be used in) electronics (chip wafers).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egw79BA_0PA&index=72&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ta Tantalum. Used in capacitors in mobile phones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51xFP1Yn3g0&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=73

W Tungsten. Hard and heavy. Used in filiment of light bulbs (wire). Ballpoint pens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PccntqMOoI&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=74

Re Rhenium. Discovered in 1925, rare and hard to seperate. Dense/heavy metal. Salt is purple because UV light absorbtion. Used in plane engines. Alloy, whole blade is a single crystal. Rhine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRccwkEmOYg&index=75&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Os Osmium. Metal, smells, evaporates easily. Very reactive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdX-T2Vv68Y&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=76

Ir Iridium. 2nd dense metal. High meltingpoint, strong. Expensive. Petrol engines sparks. Rare on earth, higher concentrations on asteroids. Ir layer 65mln year ago Yucatan asteroid, dinosaurs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuovE4OQi2g&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=77

Pt Platinum. Heavy, expensive, cathalyst. Cars, industry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byzaoji_9kk&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=78

Au Gold. Catalyst, CO->CO2. Gold reacts with mercury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dF0QTzcuac&index=79&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Hg Mercury. Liquid, dense, poisonous. Alloys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL0M_6bfzkU&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=80

Ti Thalium. Salts are poisonous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK6nnyibhdk&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=81

Pb Lead. Heavy atom. Stops alpha particles. Lead glass. Lead vinegar accid used as wine sweetener in the Roman empire. Used in fuel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ERfPN5JLX8&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=82

Bi Bismuth. Heaviest non-radio active element. Big square crystal. Used in alloy. Catalyst.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyIo-c7VmIM&index=83&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Po Polonium. Discovered by Cury. "Poland". Trigger in atomic bombs. Short half life. Radio active
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbr5yWwsI1o&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=84

At Astatine. Radio active. Decomposes easily, half life 7.2 hours. Used in radio therapy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSL7EwdlLlE&index=85&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Rn Radon. Heaviest of the noble gasses. Radio active, decays. Half life 3 days. Created from the decay of radium. "Radium emanation". Rn220->Po216->Pb212
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTuC_LrEfbU&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=86

Fr Francium. Radio active. Probably hot liquid at room temperature.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyFLvSg6ZDw&index=87&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ra Radium. Radio active. Used to cure cancer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_I6vj-lXNM&index=88&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Ac Actinium. Radio active. More dangerous than plutonium. Glows blue. Transuranium element.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BlpjWBYW0k&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1&index=89

Th Thorium. High refraction index, used in lenses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ64Jm3dmSs&index=90&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Pa Protactinium. Radio active. Hard to get.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nZB4u34q98&index=91&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

U Uranium. 2 isotopes, hard to shift. Poisonous. Dense material. Depleted uranium is rather safe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vVZTvJNGk&index=92&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Np Neptunium. Byproduct nuclear reactors. Wide liquid phase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D75B0_URbE&index=93&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Pu Plutonium. "Most dangerous element". Man made, 1914. Dense, heavy. 2nd atomic bomb. Poisonous. Helium builds up in decay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89UNPdNtOoE&index=94&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Am Americium. Synthetic element. Used in smoke detectors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB38NyjmneE&index=95&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cm Curium. Highly radio active, hot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZobqPFNcwg&index=96&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Bk Berkelium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imXT9QwRzks&index=97&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cf Californium. Military applications, metal detectors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG6HyPrTccI&index=98&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Es Einsteinium. Discovered in nuclear bomb debris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G_4nJLNXA0&index=99&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Fm Fermium. Radio active, no use. Discovered in nuclear bomb debris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQhI52sqanA&index=100&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Md Mendelevium. No use. Named after Mendeleev.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JlshAo8DuE&index=101&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

No Nobelium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ZpauMxapY&index=102&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Lr Lawrencium. Heavy, radio active, synthetic, extremely rare. (Lawrence, inventor of the particle accelerator, precursor LHC)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zBsnnJOkyA&index=103&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Rf Rutherfordium. Synthetic, extremely rare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOj9ZjKnJcY&index=104&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Db Dubnium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeczRrDoL_M&index=105&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Sg Seaborgium. Synthetic element, half life of 1.9 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWq0djr790E&index=106&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Bh Bohrium. Synthetic element, radio active. Half life of 61 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okJnQIjELY4&index=107&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Hs Hassium. Discovered in 1984. Very high melting point. Few atoms ever made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4GEVxbLego&index=108&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Mt Meitnerium. Extremely radioactive synthetic element, half life of 7.6 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8VR7Qscq4k&index=109&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Rg Roentgenium. Extremely radioactive synthetic element, half life of 26 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTq1hzhCF0g&index=111&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Cn Copernicium. Extremely radioactive synthetic element.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHcbQfcwegY&index=112&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Uut Ununtrium. Temporary name of a chemical element with the temporary symbol Uut and atomic number 113.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7iFepG2CY&index=113&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Uuq Flerovium. Superheavy artificial highly radio active chemical element.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L-NNFPiRog&index=114&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Uup Ununpentium. Synthetic superheavy element.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCt5WK2OVp0&index=115&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Lv Livermorium. Synthetic superheavy element.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdbF4L_ruyM&index=116&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Fy Feynmanium. Theoretical element.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKEEi8JThps&index=117&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

Uuo Ununoctium. Temporary name, very unstable atom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stxor9L00BU&index=118&list=PL7A1F4CF36C085DE1

How to make a cloud chamber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=400xfGmSlqQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pewTySxfTQk

Emoticons&icons for Twitter, Facebook: Emoji

2014-04-09T05:13:00.003-07:00

Twitter now supports small images in your Tweets, bio and even username (some).

Download (copy/paste) more Emoji at GetEmoji.com

GTA San Andreas cheat codes

2014-04-09T03:50:00.000-07:00

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas cheat codes

LXGIWYL = Weapon Set 1, Thug's Tools
PROFESSIONALSKIT = Weapon Set 2, Professional Tools
UZUMYMW = Weapon Set 3, Nutter Tools
HESOYAM = Health, Armor, $250k
BAGUVIX = Semi-Infinite Health
CVWKXAM = Infinite Oxygen
ANOSEONGLASS = Adrenaline Mode
FULLCLIP = Infinite Ammo, No Reload

TURNUPTHEHEAT = Increase Wanted Level Two Stars
TURNDOWNTHEHEAT = Clear Wanted Level
BTCDBCB = Fat
BUFFMEUP = Max Muscle
KVGYZQK = Skinny
AEZAKMI = Never Wanted
BRINGITON = Six Star Wanted Level
WORSHIPME = Max Respect
HELLOLADIES = Max Sex Appeal
VKYPQCF = Max Stamina
PROFESSIONALKILLER = Hitman In All Weapon Stats
NATURALTALENT = Max All Vehicle Skill Stats

AIWPRTON = Spawn Rhino
OLDSPEEDDEMON = Spawn Bloodring Banger
JQNTDMH = Spawn Rancher
VROCKPOKEY = Spawn Racecar
VPJTQWV = Spawn Racecar
WHERESTHEFUNERAL = Spawn Romero
CELEBRITYSTATUS = Spawn Stretch
TRUEGRIME = Spawn Trashmaster
RZHSUEW = Spawn Caddy
JUMPJET = Spawn Hydra
KGGGDKP = Spawn Vortex Hovercraft
AIYPWZQP = Have Parachute
ROCKETMAN = Have Jetpack
OHDUDE = Spawn Hunter
FOURWHEELFUN = Spawn Quad
AMOMHRER = Spawn Tanker Truck
ITSALLBULL = Spawn Dozer
FLYINGTOSTUNT = Spawn Stunt Plane
MONSTERMASH = Spawn Monster

CPKTNWT = Blow Up All Cars
WHEELSONLYPLEASE = Invisible car
STICKLIKEGLUE = Perfect Handling
ZEIIVG = All green lights
YLTEICZ = Aggressive Drivers
LLQPFBN = Pink traffic
IOWDLAC = Black traffic
FLYINGFISH = Boats fly
EVERYONEISPOOR = Traffic is Cheap Cars
EVERYONEISRICH = Traffic is Fast Cars
CHITTYCHITTYBANGBANG = Cars Fly
JCNRUAD = Smash n' Boom
SPEEDFREAK = All Cars Have Nitro
BUBBLECARS = Cars Float Away When Hit
OUIQDMW = Free Aim While Driving
GHOSTTOWN = Reduced Traffic
FVTMNBZ = Traffic is Country Vehicles
BMTPWHR = Country Vehicles and Peds, Get Born 2 Truck Outfit

SPEEDITUP = Faster Gameplay
SLOWITDOWN = Slower Gameplay
AJLOJYQY = Peds Attack Each Other, Get Golf Club
BAGOWPG = Have a bounty on your head
FOOOXFT = Everyone is armed
GOODBYECRUELWORLD = Suicide
BLUESUEDESHOES = Elvis is Everywhere
BGLUAWML = Peds Attack You With Weapons, Rocket Launcher
LIFESABEACH= Beach Party
ONLYHOMIESALLOWED = Gang Members Everywhere
BIFBUZZ = Gangs Control the Streets
NINJATOWN = Ninja Theme
BEKKNQV = Slut Magnet
CJPHONEHOME = Huge Bunny Hop
KANGAROO = Mega Jump
STATEOFEMERGENCY = Riot Mode
CRAZYTOWN = Funhouse Theme
SJMAHPE = Recruit Anyone (9mm)
ROCKETMAYHEM = Recruit Anyone (Rockets)

PLEASANTLYWARM = Sunny Weather
TOODAMNHOT = Very Sunny Weather
ALNSFMZO = Overcast Weather
AUIFRVQS = Rainy Weather
CFVFGMJ = Foggy Weather
YSOHNUL = Faster Clock
NIGHTPROWLER = Always Midnight
OFVIAC = Orange Sky 21:00
SCOTTISHSUMMER = Thunderstorm
CWJXUOC = Sandstorm

LXGIWYL = Weapon Set 1, Thug's Tools
PROFESSIONALSKIT = Weapon Set 2, Professional Tools
UZUMYMW = Weapon Set 3, Nutter Tools
HESOYAM = Health, Armor, $250k
TURNUPTHEHEAT = Increase Wanted Level Two Stars
TURNDOWNTHEHEAT = Clear Wanted Level
PLEASANTLYWARM = Sunny Weather
TOODAMNHOT = Very Sunny Weather
ALNSFMZO = Overcast Weather
AUIFRVQS = Rainy Weather
CFVFGMJ = Foggy Weather
YSOHNUL = Faster Clock
SPEEDITUP = Faster Gameplay
SLOWITDOWN = Slower Gameplay
AJLOJYQY = Peds Attack Each Other, Get Golf Club
BAGOWPG = Have a bounty on your head
FOOOXFT = Everyone is armed
AIWPRTON = Spawn Rhino
OLDSPEEDDEMON = Spawn Bloodring Banger
JQNTDMH = Spawn Rancher
VROCKPOKEY = Spawn Racecar
VPJTQWV = Spawn Racecar
WHERESTHEFUNERAL = Spawn Romero
CELEBRITYSTATUS = Spawn Stretch
TRUEGRIME = Spawn Trashmaster
RZHSUEW = Spawn Caddy
CPKTNWT = Blow Up All Cars
WHEELSONLYPLEASE = Invisible car
STICKLIKEGLUE = Perfect Handling
GOODBYECRUELWORLD = Suicide
ZEIIVG = All green lights
YLTEICZ = Aggressive Drivers
LLQPFBN = Pink traffic
IOWDLAC = Black traffic
FLYINGFISH = Boats fly
BTCDBCB = Fat
BUFFMEUP = Max Muscle
KVGYZQK = Skinny
BLUESUEDESHOES = Elvis is Everywhere
BGLUAWML = Peds Attack You With Weapons, Rocket Launcher
LIFESABEACH= Beach Party
ONLYHOMIESALLOWED = Gang Members Everywhere
BIFBUZZ = Gangs Control the Streets
NINJATOWN = Ninja Theme
BEKKNQV = Slut Magnet
EVERYONEISPOOR = Traffic is Cheap Cars
EVERYONEISRICH = Traffic is Fast Cars
CHITTYCHITTYBANGBANG = Cars Fly
CJPHONEHOME = Huge Bunny Hop
JUMPJET = Spawn Hydra
KGGGDKP = Spawn Vortex Hovercraft
JCNRUAD = Smash n' Boom
SPEEDFREAK = All Cars Have Nitro
BUBBLECARS = Cars Float Away When Hit
NIGHTPROWLER = Always Midnight
OFVIAC = Orange Sky 21:00
SCOTTISHSUMMER = Thunderstorm
CWJXUOC = Sandstorm
KANGAROO = Mega Jump
BAGUVIX = Semi-Infinite Health
CVWKXAM = Infinite Oxygen
AIYPWZQP = Have Parachute
ROCKETMAN = Have Jetpack
AEZAKMI = Never Wanted
BRINGITON = Six Star Wanted Level
IAVENJQ = Mega Punch
AEDUWNV = Never Get Hungry
STATEOFEMERGENCY = Riot Mode
CRAZYTOWN = Funhouse Theme
ANOSEONGLASS = Adrenaline Mode
FULLCLIP = Infinite Ammo, No Reload
OUIQDMW = Free Aim While Driving
GHOSTTOWN = Reduced Traffic
FVTMNBZ = Traffic is Country Vehicles
SJMAHPE = Recruit Anyone (9mm)
BMTPWHR = Country Vehicles and Peds, Get Born 2 Truck Outfit
ROCKETMAYHEM = Recruit Anyone (Rockets)
WORSHIPME = Max Respect
HELLOLADIES = Max Sex Appeal
VKYPQCF = Max Stamina
PROFESSIONALKILLER = Hitman In All Weapon Stats
NATURALTALENT = Max All Vehicle Skill Stats
OHDUDE = Spawn Hunter
FOURWHEELFUN = Spawn Quad
AMOMHRER = Spawn Tanker Truck
ITSALLBULL = Spawn Dozer
FLYINGTOSTUNT = Spawn Stunt Plane
MONSTERMASH = Spawn Monster

Source: http://www.gtasanandreas.net/cheats/pc.php
http://gtaforums.com/topic/194192-pc-cheats/

Orbiter space flight simulator

2014-03-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

Orbiter Space Flight Simulator Tutorial

Space Shuttle

Orbiter is a realistic spaceflight simulator and it's free.

You can play all kinds of scenarios like take off, getting into orbit, dock with the ISS, put a satellite in orbit, travel to the moon and land on it, go to Mars and beyond. You can fly Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle, near-future spaceships, float in a jetpack like in Gravity and you may even fly the USS Enterprise or a Millennium Falcon (Star Wars). There are many addons and it's also possible to create your own spaceship in a 3D editor and import it.

The graphics may be a bit outdated but it's all about the physics and realism. Give it a try if you're into flight simulators or space travel. Orbiter brings hours of fun and you actually learn things.

Space Shuttle interactive 3D cockpit

What you need

Orbiter 2010 big file (http://orbitersimulator.com/orbiter-2010-downloads/ ) is the basic package which comes with hires textures. Extract the contents to i.e. C:\Orbiter

Download the three addons found here: http://orbiter.dansteph.com/forum/index.php?page=download

(Orbiter sound, DeltagliderIV, UCGO3), install these to your Orbiter directory. The DeltagliderIV is a near-future spaceship with neat autopilot functions. Orbiter sound adds sounds like engines and radio chatter. UCGO3 gives you astronauts, cargo and a huge interplanetary spaceship to play with.

For better graphics there is a Directx9 client (optional) https://d3d9client.codeplex.com/ . See its instructions how to install it. Basically you install this and run Orbiter_ng.exe instead of Orbiter.exe. Activate the dx9 client under modules, and under video-advanced you need to create a symbolic link once by clicking a button. There is also an enbseries for further graphic enhancement like bloom.

There are many more addons like spaceships, scenery, textures and MFD's (multi functional displays, or flight computers). Orbiter Hangar (http://www.orbithangar.com/) is a good start. Always be sure your addon works with your Orbiter version (right now Orbiter100830 is the latest). An addon module is activated by checking it under modules within the Orbiter launchpad. Orbiter can easily be broken by installing incompatible addons. If disk space is not an issue it's best practice to have two Orbiter installations simultaneously so you can test an addon first before installing it to your main installation.

Tutorials

There are many good tutorials on Youtube, especially the series by David Courtney. His Orbiter For Absolute Beginners is the best place to start when you're completely new to Orbiter and space travel. Courtney deals with every aspect, step by step. Here is part one (visit Youtube for HD and subscribe to his channel):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-zaubu3RgU

Also be sure to read the Orbiter documentation http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/download/Orbiter.pdf and the excellent Go Play In Space http://www.aovi93.dsl.pipex.com/play_in_space.htm

More documents:
https://sites.google.com/a/hanovernorwichschools.org/dennison/march-intensive/orbiter-basics

Keyboard map (iMac, PC is quite similar):
Orbiter keyboard

Good luck!

Setting up Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express for Orbiter/OrbiterSDK

2014-01-21T07:00:00.001-08:00

Setting up Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express for Orbiter/OrbiterSDK

Source: video “Orbiter: Setting up the development environment” byMohd Ali
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBRLkN__YIo

Start Orbiter
Extra - Debugging - Debugging options - shutdown options: Terminate
Lower the level of graphic detail (optional)
Close Orbiter

Start Visual C++ 2010
New project
Select empty template
Project name: TestProject
Location: (yourpath)\orbiter\orbiterSDK\samples
Create directory for solution: (leave) unchecked
OK

Right click Source Files
New CPP file: main.cpp

Copy to your main.cpp and save:
#define STRICT
#define ORBITER_MODULE

#include <Orbitersdk.h>

DLLCLBK void opcPreStep(double simt, double simdt, double mjd)
{
sprintf(oapiDebugString(), "%.2f", oapiGetSimTime());
}

Right click the bold TestProject, select properties
Set the following:
- Configuration Properties
- General
Configuration type: .dll
- Debugging
Command: (yourpath)\orbiter\Orbiter.exe
Working directory: ..\..\..

- C/C++
- General
Additional Include Directories: ..\..\include
- Code generation
Runtime Library: Multi-threaded (/MT)
- Linker
- General
Output File: ..\..\..\Modules\Plugin\test.dll
Additional Library Directories: ..\..\lib
- Input
Ignore Specific Library: msvcirt.lib, msvcrt.lib

Right click the bold TestProject
Add existing
browse to (yourpath)\orbiter\orbiterSDK\lib
Select and add orbiter.lib and Orbitersdk.lib

Hit the green play button
Ignore warning, continue
Orbiter starts
In Modules check 'test'
Click Launch Orbiter, simulation time should become visible left bottom.

To be clear:
- (yourpath) refers to the path where your Orbiter directory is. For example, if you have C:\Stuff\Apps\Orbiter\Orbiter.exe then (yourpath) would be C:\Stuff\Apps.
- Paths like ..\..\ are as they are.
- VC++ also works with Orbiter_ng.exe (debugging, command) if you prefer the DX9 client.

CCleaner, TFC, MyDefrag : Disk maintenance

2011-11-29T06:50:00.001-08:00

A few free tools to clean up and speed up your harddisk (and PC). Download links:

CCleaner
TFC
MyDefrag

CCleaner

CCleaner cleans up all kinds of temporary files. You can pick what should be cleaned and what not. The default selected options are fine, but deselect passwords for your browser. Most options are pretty self-explanatory.

TFC

TFC cleans up locked temporary files that CCleaner cannot access. Before you run this, first close all your programs and prepare for a reboot (restart). TFC will close all unnecessary services and requires a reboot in most cases. There are no options, just run it.

MyDefrag

MyDefrag is a powerful disk defragmenter. It moves data blocks belonging to single files together and it puts important system files at the beginning of your hard disk. This speeds up booting and working with Windows.

When you start it (there may be an error notification, ignore it, it's a bug) you'll have some scripts. "Daily", "Weekly", "Monthly", and then options for the system disk and data disk. (The screenshot is an older version)
- Pick "System Disk Monthly" and select your C:. Let it run, i.e. through the night.
- The next day run "Data Disk Monthly" and select i.e. the D: partition (if you have it). Again, let it run.

The first time you run these scripts it may take some time. Later these scripts will run faster. You can exit the tool at any time if you want to.

If you run these three tools every few months you'll keep your PC fresh.

ENBSeries 3D GPU tweak

2011-11-10T22:43:00.001-08:00

ENBSeries
If your videocard is suitable you may want to give enbseries a try.

ENBSeries is basically a tweak for DirectX. This is how it works: A 3D game talks to DirectX and DirectX talks to your videocard to create your 3D scene. There are many settings in DirectX to play around with. However, since there are also many hardware configurations possible game designers provide the most default settings and tools to tweak some of these settings, so they work for most/all videocards. ENBseries is basically an INI file that overrides default/vendor settings and gives you access to very specific settings.

You'll probably have to spend some time to fine tune enbseries.ini to your 3D hardware and game configuration but it's worth it. Promise.

GTA4 with ENBSeries graphics

Install
Download ENBSeries (ENBSeries V0.076.zip) and put enbseries.ini and the d3dx9 DLL files in your game directory (where your game .exe executable is, not the Windows folder). When in game, hit shift-F12 to enable/disable it. That's it! Adjust settings in your enbseries.ini with notepad.

Here is my personal tweaked enbseries.ini for ARMA2 Free with some notes. Just copy and paste it into your enbseries.ini file, replacing the existing code. Or start a new file yourself.

enbseries.ini

// ENBSERIES settings ARMA2 Free

// Press shift-F12 in game to enable/disable

// More info to get started way below under the settings

// -----------------------------------------------------
//

//// developer settings

[PROXY]

EnableProxyLibrary=0

InitProxyFunctions=0

ProxyLibrary=

//
//// use enbseries at start Y/N, additional settings

[GLOBAL]

UseEffect=1

AlternativeDepth=1

AllowAntialias=0

BugFixMode=0

SkipShaderOptimization=0

QuadVertexBuffer=0

EnableShaders_3_0=1

UseMRTRendering=0

AdditionalConfigFile=enbseries2.ini

//
//// Which effects should be tweaked

[EFFECT]

EnableBloom=1

EnableOcclusion=0

EnableReflection=0

EnableMotionBlur=0

EnableWater=1

EnableShadow=1

DepthBias=0

EnableDepthOfField=0

//
//// Keyboard shortcut codes. 123 = shift-f12

[INPUT]

KeyUseEffect=123

KeyBloom=120

KeyOcclusion=121

KeyReflection=122

KeyCombination=16

KeyScreenshot=44

KeyShadow=119

KeyWater=118

KeyShowFPS=106

//
//// Reflection

[REFLECTION]

ReflectionPower=60

ChromePower=60

UseCurrentFrameReflection=1

ReflectionQuality=1

ReflectionSourceSpecular=50

ReflectionSourceTFactor=50

UseAdditiveReflection=1

ReflectionDepthBias=0

UseLowResReflection=1

ReflectionSinglePass=1

UseEnvBump=1

EnvBumpAmount=100

EnvBumpOffset=100

ReflectionFlip=0

//
//// Light bloom

[BLOOM]

BloomPowerDay=7

BloomFadeTime=400

BloomConstantDay=1

BloomQuality=0

BloomScreenLevelDay=30

BloomCurveDay=0

BloomPowerNight=1

BloomConstantNight=1

BloomCurveNight=0

BloomScreenLevelNight=10

BloomAdaptationScreenLevel=24

BloomAdaptationMultiplier=100

BloomAllowOversaturation=1

BloomMaxLimit=100

//
//// Screen Space Ambient Occlusion

[SSAO]

UseFilter=1

OcclusionQuality=2

FilterQuality=1

DarkeningLevel=20

BrighteningLevel=20

IlluminationLevel=20

AdditiveIlluminationLevel=25

UseAmbientOcclusion=1

UseIndirectLighting=1

FadeDistance=50

UseForAlphaTest=1

UseForAlphaBlend=1

//
// Color corrections, saturation, screen, gamma

[COLORCORRECTION]

DarkeningAmountDay=15

ScreenLevelDay=50

GammaCurveDay=1

ColorSaturationDay=1

DarkeningAmountNight=15

ScreenLevelNight=25

GammaCurveNight=1

ColorSaturationNight=0

UsePaletteTexture=0

//
// Water

[WATER]

UseWaterDeep=0

WaterDeepness=20

WaterQuality=0

//
// Shadows

[SHADOW]

ShadowFadeStart=40

ShadowFadeEnd=80

ShadowAmountDay=50

ShadowAmountNight=40

ShadowScreenLevelDay=40

ShadowScreenLevelNight=30

ShadowQuality=1

UseShadowFilter=0

FilterQuality=2

ShadowBlurRange=30

//
// Filter, monitor. Make sure the refresh rate matches your monitor.

[ENGINE]

ForceAnisotropicFiltering=0

MaxAnisotropy=8

ForceDisplayRefreshRate=0

DisplayRefreshRateHz=60

//
// Motion blur (may impact frame rate)

[MOTIONBLUR]

MotionBlurQuality=1

MotionBlurVelocity=0

MotionBlurRotation=0

//
// Specular settings pixels

[PERPIXELLIGHTING]

SpecularColorMin=0

SpecularColorMax=100

SpecularColorMultiplier=100

SpecularGlossinessMin=0

SpecularGlossinessMax=100

SpecularGlossinessMultiplier=100

//
// Depth of field

[DEPTHOFFIELD]

DOFQuality=2

DOFNumberOfPasses=1

DOFFocusRange=50

DOFBlurinessRange=10

//
// -----------------------------------------------------

// Important: Tweak this file to your own preferences

// It is not likely you have exactly the same system so you may see trash if
// you just use this

// You don't need to restart Arma2 every time while testing

// start editor, make a simple mission

// preview, abort, change this file, save, preview mission, and so on

// tweak for both day and night

// leave things you don't understand alone

// tweaking brightness and bloom may be enough

// You need this file in your program files/bohemia/Arma2free directory

// you also need d3d9.dll, d3dx9_26.dll and d3dx9_40.dll, these go into the
// same directory

// Get your files here: http://enbdev.com/download.htm

// You can also use this for other games. Just copy the ini and dll files to
// the root directory of your other game and tweak

// Note that not every videocard is suitable or supported

// important: make sure the refresh rate setting here matches your monitor

// Don't fix things that ain't broken. If you're fine with how everything
// is? Don't bother enbseries.

// Complete uninstall: just remove the enbseries.ini its dx9 dll files from your game directory

//

Links
ENBSeries V0.076.zip

Links, tools, programs...

2011-10-18T06:19:00.000-07:00

Collection of favorite tools, programs, stuff. Most are free/open source, some are not.

Digital circuits
CircuitLogix - circuit builder/emulator
Logical Circuit - circuit builder/emulator
Simulo - circuit builder/emulator

Programming
Sim8085 - assembler/disassembler, machine code
Microsoft Small Basic - simple but powerful OOP, good for beginners
Eclipse - excellent programming environment for i.e. Java, C++, Android and so on
ZGameEditor - 3D videogame editor
3D Rad - powerful WYSIWYG 3D videogame editor, easy for kids

Physics toys
OECake - 2D fluids physics editor, simulator, easy for kids
Powdertoy - 2D particle/physics editor, simulator, more advanced

Editors
Axialis icon Workshop - icon editor
MakeHuman - 3D character editor
FaceGen - 3D face editor
Structure Synth - creates 3D structures with simple script

Educational
Yenka - Excellent simulators for kids, teachers. Mathematics, electronics, chemistry, physics

Realistic simulators
Orbiter - Realistic space flight simulator, many add-ons
ARMA2 - Free. Massive realistic military combat simulator in a vast landscape

FSX add ons/tools
ASE Active Sky Evolution - FSX weather, excellent
NL2000 - FSX Netherlands in high resolution
FS Water Configurator: Enhances the look of water.
Venetubo: Upload your ini file and download a tweaked one. Excellent results.

3D tweak
ENBSeries - Tweaks DirectX, major improvement in many 3D games like FSX, GTA, ARMA

Astronomy
Celestia - astronomy - in space
Stellarium - astronomy - from earth
Space Engine - incredible universe simulator, fav

Fractals
Terragen - fractal landscape editor, render 3D. Free for non-commercial use.
Mandelbulb3D - 3D fractal explorer, animator, editor. Favorite.
GNU XaoS - fast Mandelbrot fractal. Fav.
Mandelbulber - another 3D fractal explorer
Apophysis 7x - 3D fractal flames
Chaoscope - 3D fractals flames, animations, render 3D. Fav.
ChaosPro - 3D fractals
Fr0st - 2D fractal flame creator
Fractal Harmonies - Old but impressive. Mandelbrot/Julia to music melodies, including orbiter
Fractice - Mandelbrot explorer
Fractron 9000 - 2d fractal flame art Sierpinski type
Incendia - 3D multi processor fractal engine, renderer

System tools
CPUID - system info HW
PowerGUI - system info Windows
SIW - System information Windows, installation keys/serials and password recovery
Speccy - sys info by Piriform
Speedfan - CPU cooler fans reader/setter
Fiddler2 - web debugger proxy, traffic logger
UltraEdit - file editor, $
Universal File Viewer - preview/open every file via right mouse button
MagicDisc - virtual DVD drives. Mount ISO
powerISO - virtual DVD drive. Mount ISO, DAA
inSSIDer - WIFI troubleshooter
NetStumbler - WIFI troubleshooter
Wireshark - network traffic logger/capture/analyzer, fav
MyDefrag - good disk defragmenter, optimizer
Recuva - deleted files recovery
CCleaner - cleans temp files, caches. Be careful not to wipe shortcuts.
TFC - Temporary file cleaner. Very robust. Close all programs before running, may require restart
Process Explorer - Microsoft replacement of the default task manager, far more options, views

Recording
CamStudio - screen recorder
ManyCam - webcam broadcast, emulator, real time FX, subtitles, logos
Free Sound recorder - just record 'what you hear' on the desktop
K-lite codec pack - windows media player classic + many codecs, filters

Video effects, electronics
vvvv - real time video FX, art, animation creator, editor, player
pd (Pure Data) - real time graphical programming environment for audio, video
Arduino - open-source electronics prototyping platform
Fritzing - electronics design
Processing - create images, animations, and interactions
WinTTX - Teletext Ceefax editor

3D modelling
Google Sketchup - simple but powerful 3D modeller
Wings3D - 3D modeller

Misc
Framsticks - older software but still very impressive. Artificial 3D life with 'DNA', evolution

Snelcursus programmeren voor jongeren/beginners (Dutch)

2011-10-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Introductie
Als je wilt leren programmeren kun je het beste beginnen met Small Basic van Microsoft. Dit is een vrij simpele taal waarmee je veel dingen kunt maken. Hier kun je hem downloaden, gratis:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/ff384126.aspx

Wat is programmeren?
Programmeren is een computer opdrachten geven, maar het is belangrijk dat je eerst een beetje weet hoe een computer van binnen werkt.

'To compute' betekent rekenen, een computer is dus een 'rekenaar', oftewel een rekenmachine. Een rekenmachine werkt met kleine schakelaartjes. Een schakelaar kan aan of uit staan. 1 of 0. Door schakelaartjes op een slimme manier te ordenen kun je een cijfer uitdrukken in enen en nullen.

Mensen werken met het tientallig stelsel, een computer werkt van binnen met het tweetallig stelsel. Binair. Voor ons onoverzichtelijk, maar voor de computer juist heel simpel.
0=0
1=1
10=2
11=3
100=4
101=5
110=6
111=7
1000=8
enzovoorts.

0000 0001 is 1
0000 0010 is 2
0000 0011 is 3
0000 0100 is 4
0001 0000 is 16
0001 0010 is 18
1111 1111 is 255

Hoe dit werkt? Denk aan een tabel:

128 | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1

Je telt de macht van 2 op als je een 1 ziet. Binair getal 1111 1111 is dus al die getallen opgeteld: 255.

Een 1 of 0 is een bit. 8 bits op een rij zoals hierboven is een byte (8 bit). Twee bytes gekoppeld is een 'word' (16 bit). Twee words gekoppeld is een 'long word' (32 bit). Hoe meer bytes gekoppeld, hoe groter het mogelijke getal, maar let op: dit zijn afspraken. De computer kent alleen enen en nullen. Een fabrikant kan best bepalen dat ie een nieuwe, betere definitie gebruikt, een oorzaak van problemen met 32 bit programma's op 64 bit computers vroeger.

Rekenvoorbeelden:
1 + 2 = 3
0000 0001 (1)
0000 0010 (2)
------------------- +
0000 0011 (3)

18 x 2 = 36 (x2 = alle bits 1 plaats naar links opschuiven)
0001 0010 (18)
0010 0100 (36)

18 / 2 = 9 (alle bits 1 plaats naar rechts opschuiven)
0001 0010 (18)
0000 1001 (9)

18 x 3 = 54 ( (18 x 2) + (18 x 1))
0001 0010 (18)
0010 0100 (x2 = 36)
>>>
0010 0100 (36)
0001 0010 (18)
------------------- +
0011 0110 (54)

Negatieve getallen? Er wordt ergens een vinkje gezet zodat de meest linker bit het + of - teken moet voorstellen. 1000 0001 is dan niet 129 maar -1. Gebroken getallen, zoals 1,5? Een extra byte voor 'na de komma' wordt ingesteld. 1,5 is 0000 0001 1000 000. Het getal 1,25 wordt dan 000 0001 0100 000.

Door groepen van schakelaartjes op een slimme manier te ordenen kun je bewerkingen uitvoeren op cijfers, zoals hierboven. Of je verplaatst cijfers, in enen en nullen. Of hele groepen van cijfers. Dat is wat een computer doet. Cijfers bewerken, cijfers verplaatsen. Alles in enen en nullen. Cijfers kunnen naar een beeldscherm worden gestuurd, waarbij drie cijfers de kleur van een pixel bepalen. RGB (red green blue). 0 0 0 is zwart, 255 0 0 is rood, 255 128 0 oranje, 255 255 255 wit, 128 128 128 middelgrijs. Of naar een speaker, zodat ie trilt in een bepaalde frequentie. Of via de kabel naar een webbrowser, waarbij de enen en nullen worden vertaald naar pixels die wij in het geheel als een leesbare tekst zien.

Een simpele binaire rekenmachine is redelijk eenvoudig te maken. Die rekenmachine programmeren (enen en nullen in hokjes plaatsen) zodat ie 18x2 moet uitvoeren ook. De eerste computers werden op deze manier gebouwd en geprogrammeerd, maar dat werd snel te ingewikkeld. Er werden constructies bedacht zodat je op toetsen met leesbare cijfers kon drukken, en de = - toets gaf dan het antwoord, in een raster met lampjes, voor ons leesbare cijfers. De (ouderwetse) rekenmachine zoals we die kennen: cijfertoetsen, twee geheugenplaatsen, berekencircuits, = - toets, raster met leesbare uitkomst.

Maar wat als je hele reeksen berekeningen wil uitvoeren, met duizenden geheugenplaatsen? De hele tijd op een = - toets drukken is geen oplossing. Daar werd iets op bedacht: de = - knop werd geautomatiseerd. Telkens doorliep de rekenmachine een rijtje instructies, en dan =. Een programma. De geboorte van de CPU (central processing unit), en daarmee de computer zoals we die nu kennen.

1. Even wachten tot alles klaar is voor de volgende ronde
2. Controleer X (zo ja: ..., zo nee: ...)
3. Controleer Y (zo ja: ..., zo nee: ...)
...
998. Doe er iets mee
999. Ga naar 1.

Ook werden veel voorkomende bewerkingen vastgelegd, in codetaal. Machinetaal. ROL (rotate left, voor delen door 2). LDX (stop (cijfer)) in X. JMP om naar een ander stuk machinetaal te springen, JSR om naar 'sub return' te gaan. Getallen die gebruikt worden zijn niet binair, maar wel snel begrijpelijk voor de computer. Hexadecimaal. 16-tallig stelsel.

00 = 0
10 = 16
FF = 255

Hier werden programma's mee geschreven, maar gebruiksvriendelijk was het niet. Je had een soort tekstverwerker waarmee je machinetaal met 'leesbare' getallen bewerkte. Er werd iets anders bedacht, geschreven in machinetaal: BASIC. Er waren meer van dat soort talen

Waarom Small Basic?

Programmeren is iets anders dan scripten, hoewel je in beide gevallen een reeks commando's maakt die de computer moet uitvoeren. Bij programmeren maak je programmablokken. Je zet in grote lijnen uiteen wat je programma moet doen en gaat de hoofdlijnen vervolgens steeds verder in detail uitwerken. Stepwise Refinement heet dat.

Veel programmeertalen zoals C++, C#, Java, Action Script, enz. zijn OOP talen, Object Oriented Programming. Je bouwt objecten waarmee je iets doet en je kunt objecten van anderen gebruiken. Objecten zitten in bibliotheken die je moet koppelen. Small Basic is een handige manier om OOP onder de knie te krijgen omdat hij standaard is uitgerust met tal van bibliotheken. Wanneer je met een andere taal aan de slag gaat zul je eerst zelf bibliotheken moeten toevoegen omdat de meeste talen op zich maar heel weinig kunnen. Als je in C++ bijvoorbeeld iets op het scherm wilt schrijven zul je eerst een bibliotheek moeten koppelen en het juiste object 'configureren' voordat je het kunt gebruiken. Bij complexere programma's wordt het snel heel lastig als je OOP niet begrijpt.

Wanneer je Small Basic snapt wordt het leren van andere talen een stuk eenvoudiger. Verder is Small Basic al heel geschikt om leuke dingen te programmeren zoals simpele games, online data ophalen en verwerken, tekenen, grafieken maken enzovoorts.

De beste manier om te leren programmeren is door programma's te bekijken, dingen te proberen en antwoorden te zoeken als je iets niet begrijpt. Het is wel belangrijk dat je de basisprincipes van programmeren begrijpt. Op deze pagina kun je zien hoe je een simpele videogame kunt maken waarbij een aantal aspecten worden uitgelicht.

Pong
Op de eerste gameconsoles in de jaren 70 kon je alleen 'Pong' spelen. Je had een streep en moest proberen een stuiterende stip op het scherm te houden.

Stel dat je een moderne 'Pong' wil maken met Small Basic. Het eerste wat je doet is bedenken wat je wilt in grote lijnen. Dan ga je de details invullen. Step-wise refinement.

Een omschrijving kan zijn:
- Ik wil een Pong game maken.
- Ik wil een scherm met een paddle en een bal.
- De bal moet bewegen en stuiteren.
- De paddle moet meebewegen met de muis.
- Als de bal gemist wordt moet er een popup komen dat je verloren hebt.
(Later komt er misschien een startscherm waar je ook naar terug gaat als je verloren hebt, een puntentelling, 3 lives, special effects, interactieve dingen op het speelveld enzovoorts)

Het eerste deel is concreet en ook heb je al een idee hoe je je game later zou kunnen uitbouwen. Hoe zou je het eerste deel nu kunnen programmeren?

Programmaschema
Een computerprogramma bestaat uit de onderdelen:
1. initialisatie - hier worden dingen klaargezet
2. programmablok - dit is de hoofdloop met instructies
3. subroutines - dit zijn miniprogramma's die aangeroepen kunnen worden vanuit '2'

Voor Pong zou het er zo uit kunnen zien:
1. We maken een window met een balletje en paddle.
We vertellen de computer dat ie altijd moet 'luisteren' of de muis wordt bewogen.
We bepalen waar het balletje de eerste keer is en welke richting dat ie opgaat.

2. We maken een label om het begin van de hoofdrun te markeren
We berekenen de x en y van het balletje
Is het balletje aan de rand (links, rechts, boven)? We keren een richting om.
Is het balletje bij de paddle? We keren de y-richting om
We plaatsen het balletje op z'n nieuwe plek
Als het balletje nog op het scherm is sturen we de computer terug naar het begin
... en anders laten we een pop-up zien dat je verloren hebt.

3. Subroutine voor het geval dat de muis beweegt:
het x-coordinaat van de paddle moet meebewegen met de muis
plaats de paddle op het scherm
Einde subroutine.

Stukje programma
Hieronder is het eerste deel van Pong voor Small Basic. Het hele programma komt zodadelijk, maar kijk er eens naar.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

' ---- initialisatie
' maak een scherm met donkerblauwe achtergrond
' maak een rechthoek en noem hem "paddle"
' maak een bal en noem hem "ball"
' ga naar onze subroutine "OnMouseMove" als de muis wordt bewogen
GraphicsWindow.BackgroundColor = "DarkBlue"
paddle = Shapes.AddRectangle(120, 12)
ball = Shapes.AddEllipse(16, 16)
GraphicsWindow.MouseMove = OnMouseMove

' variabelen voor eerste positie, snelheid en richting van het balletje
x = 0
y = 0
deltaX = 1
deltaY = 1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tekst in groen achter een '-teken is een comment. Dat wordt overgeslagen door de computer. Het is verstandig om comments te schrijven. Als je een wat groter programma hebt geschreven weet je na een tijdje vaak niet meer zo goed wat je precies gedaan hebt en waarom. Met comments kun je aanwijzingen geven voor het geval je later bugs moet opsporen of je programma wil uitbreiden. Ook in teamverband zijn comments heel belangrijk. In de comments hier zie je wat de verschillende commando's doen.

In Small Basic krijgen alle bijzondere keywords eigen kleuren waardoor het makkelijk is dingen op te sporen.

Wat is "=" ?
Het =-teken heeft verschillende betekenissen.
x = 0 betekent: maak een variabele x met waarde 0
if (x = 0).. betekent als/indien/wanneer (vergelijk variabele x met 0)
ball = Shapes.AddEllipse(..) betekent: maak een AddEllipse object aan van de klasse Shapes
GraphicsWindow.MouseMove = Pietje betekent: wanneer object MouseMove van klasse GraphicsWindow een seintje geeft, ga dan naar subroutine Pietje.

Een variabele x maken of vergelijken zul je begrijpen, maar wat is nou een object en een klasse? Heel belangrijk om dit te begrijpen omdat dit een belangrijke essentie van programmeren is. Je komt dit overal tegen. OOP!

Objecten, klassen, subroutines
Een klasse is een ander programma dat je kunt aanroepen vanuit jouw programma. Je roept een subroutine (mini-programma) aan. Een object is een kopie van zo'n subroutine, met de waarden die jij hebt meegegeven bij het aanmaken. Een ding zoals Shapes.AddEllipse (let op de punt) is een verwijzing naar subroutine AddEllipse in het programma Shapes.

Laten we kijken hoe het precies werkt.

Als de computer ball = Shapes.AddEllipse(16, 16) ziet dan springt ie naar programma 'Shapes' en start ie subroutine 'AddEllipse' met 16 en 16 als invoerwaarden. Hij maakt een kopie van de subroutine met jouw waarden erin en noemt deze 'ball'. Dit is vervolgens een object wat je kunt gebruiken! Je kunt hem naar andere subroutines sturen, je kunt eigenschappen aanpassen. Het is en blijft een uniek object. Het object is in dit geval een circel met straal 16.

De computer kan dus voortaan iets met 'ball' of 'jantje' of 'pietje', welke naam je er ook aan gaf.

Je kunt 'ball' bijvoorbeeld op deze manier gebruiken:
Shapes.Move(ball, x, y)
Als de computer dit ziet gaat ie naar dezelfde klasse (Shapes), maar een andere subroutine (Move). Hier kijkt ie wat jij bedoelt met 'ball' en dan ziet ie dat het een object is dat ie begrijpt. Hij zal je cirkel verwijderen op de oude plek door de achtergrond te herstellen en een nieuwe tekenen op de coordinaten die je hebt meegegeven. Als ie klaar is gaat het programma verder.

Zo zijn er verschillende subroutines die je kunt gebruiken in de klasse shape, bijvoorbeeld om de coordinaten van je object op te halen.

Waarom objecten maken?
Stel nu dat je geen 'ball' hebt aangemaakt en Shapes.Move(Shapes.AddEllipse(16, 16), x, y) zou gebruiken. In principe kan dat, maar bij een ingewikkelder object zul zul je zelf ergens de eigenschappen moeten gaan bijhouden. En als je 100 unieke balletjes hebt in je spel wordt het al snel heel ingewikkeld. Object georienteerd programmeren is dus heel handig!

En waar is dat "programma" 'Shapes'? In de map van Small Basic is een bestand ToolFramework.dll. De extensie dll betekent dynamic link library. In zo'n bestand zitten subroutines. Waarschijnlijk zitten alle klassen van Small Basic in dit bestand, of in een soortgelijk bestand. Small Basic weet in ieder geval waar ie moet wezen als jij de klasse Shapes aanroept.

Een klasse is dus een ander programma waarvan je subroutines kunt aanroepen vanuit je eigen programma. Je kunt kopieen oftewel instanties van een subroutine maken met jouw waarden en dit als object in andere subroutines van dezelfde klasse gebruiken.

Eventlisteners, eventhandlers
GraphicsWindow is een klasse die van alles afhandelt van/over/op je window. Je kunt dingen instellen zoals achtergrondkleuren, bekijken hoe groot ie is, en hij kan tijdens het draaien van het programma aangeven of er iets op het scherm gebeurt zoals een muisbeweging of een klik. Dit laatste wordt een eventlistener genoemd waarvoor je een eventhandler kunt schrijven. Die subroutine 'Pietje' in het voorbeeld is een eventhandler voor eventlistener GraphicsWindow.MouseMove. Bij programmeren krijg je te maken met eventlisteners. De computer kan 'luisteren' wat een muis doet, of een toets wordt aangeslagen, of het einde van een tekstbestand bereikt is, of een website nieuwe data opstuurt, enzovoorts.

Pong!
Hier is het complete programma dat je kunt knippen en plakken in Small Basic. Alles tussen de ------ lijnen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

' ---- initialisatie
' maak een scherm met donkerblauwe achtergrond
' maak een rechthoek en noem hem "paddle"
' maak een bal en noem hem "ball"
' ga naar onze subroutine "OnMouseMove" als de muis wordt bewogen
GraphicsWindow.BackgroundColor = "DarkBlue"
paddle = Shapes.AddRectangle(120, 12)
ball = Shapes.AddEllipse(16, 16)
GraphicsWindow.MouseMove = OnMouseMove

' variabelen voor eerste positie en snelheid bal
x = 0
y = 0
deltaX = 1
deltaY = 1

' ---- programmablok
' label RunLoop om naartoe te kunnen springen
' bereken de nieuwe x en nieuwe y
RunLoop:
x = x + deltaX
y = y + deltaY

' haal de breedte en de hoogte van het window op
' als de x van het balletje te ver links of rechts is, draai dan de x-richting om
' als de y van het balletje onder 0 is (0 is boven), draai dan de y-richting om
gw = GraphicsWindow.Width
gh = GraphicsWindow.Height
If (x >= gw - 16 or x <= 0) Then
deltaX = -deltaX
EndIf
If (y <= 0) Then
deltaY = -deltaY
EndIf

' haal de x-positie van de paddle op en zet hem in variabele padX
' als de y van het balletje bij de paddle is èn als de x in de buurt van de x van de paddle is, draai dan de y-richting van het balletje om (stuiter)
padX = Shapes.GetLeft (paddle)
If (y = gh - 28 and x >= padX and x <= padX + 120) Then
deltaY = -deltaY
EndIf

' verplaats "ball" naar positie x, y
' vertraag het programma 5 milliseconden
Shapes.Move(ball, x, y)
Program.Delay(5)

' als y van het balletje kleiner is dan de schermhoogte (en dus nog op het scherm is), ga dan terug naar label "RunLoop:"
If (y < gh) Then
Goto RunLoop
EndIf

' ... maar als de y van het balletje gelijk of groter was dan de schermhoogte, laat dan een pop-up zien "verloren"
GraphicsWindow.ShowMessage("You Lose", "Paddle")

' ---- Subroutines
' subroutine "onMouseMove"
' haal de x van de muis op en noem hem paddleX
' plaats "paddle" 60 pixels links van paddleX, en 12 pixels boven de onderkant van het scherm
Sub OnMouseMove
paddleX = GraphicsWindow.MouseX
Shapes.Move(paddle, paddleX - 60, GraphicsWindow.Height - 12)
EndSub

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dingen proberen
Probeer eens wat dingen te veranderen en te kijken wat het resultaat is: grotere bal, of twee manieren om de bal sneller te maken, of de bal alleen horizontaal laten gaan, enzovoorts.

Probeer ook eens te bedenken wat je zou moeten doen om de paddle bij het begin al onder te hebben i.p.v. boven. Hint: een subroutine in je eigen programma kun je aanroepen met subroutinenaam () . Je zou OnMouseMove () ergens op een extra regel kunnen plaatsen...

En als je nu drie vaste wanden wilt die resizen met het window, hoe zou je dat aanpakken? Misschien dat je een score-telling kunt inbouwen. Of twee balletjes, 3 levens, een startscherm...

Ook dit is een essentie van programmeren. Je begint met de basisdingen die je kunt uitbouwen. Je zou deze Pong hier bijvoorbeeld kunnen uitbouwen tot een ouderwetse spaceshooter. Denk aan Space Invaders. Andere graphics, iets andere bewegingen, meerdere 'balletjes' als aliens en een vuurmechanisme. Programmeren is leuk.

En verder?
Volg tutorials, bekijk bestaande programma's en probeer dingen. Als je het een beetje doorhebt kun je naar andere talen kijken zoals Java en C++. Die zijn moeilijker omdat die veel strikter en abstracter zijn dan EasyBasic. Je kunt best een Pong maken, maar dan zul je eerst zelf libraries moeten koppelen voor grafische dingen. Ook zul je specifiek variabelen moeten declareren en de computer uitleggen of het een heel getal of een stuk tekst is, en of dat die variabele in andere subroutines gebruikt mag worden of niet. Er komt dus meer bij kijken, maar het principe is hetzelfde. Wat wel mooi is in 'echte' programmeertalen is dat je gebruik kunt maken van talloze libraries zoals 3D game engines en dat je bijvoorbeeld ook apps voor smartphones kunt programmeren.

Bron
Het Pong programma komt van de MSDN site van Microsoft. Op deze pagina zijn een paar voorbeelden meer. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/gg605178.aspx

Mandelbulb3D 3D fractal renderer tutorial

2011-10-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mandelbulb3D
Explore a universe of fractals with Mandelbulb3D.

The images above are all made with Mandelbulb3D, a versatile free 3D fractal explorer/renderer, which is updated frequently. The program has its own user interface, which can be confusing, but it is quite user friendly. The hardest part is finding great spots in your fractals. There are plenty spots online to give you a start.

Download and install

- Download Mandelbulb3D from FractalForums.com. Get the latest version.

- Make a folder 'Mandelbulb3d' or whatever and extract the files.

Run...

- Start Mandelbulb3D.exe. You'll see something this:

Render 3D

- Click Calculate3D, this renders a 3D fractal.

By default it's the Mandelbulb fractal, a 3D representation of the famous Mandelbrot set.

From the Wiki:
The Mandelbulb is a three-dimensional analogue of the Mandelbrot set, constructed by Daniel White and Paul Nylander using spherical coordinates.

More about the Mandelbulb fractal and some pictures on its homepage.

Mandelbulb

Import & render a custom 3D fractal

- Go to Google Image Search and look for
mandelbulb3dv16{ or
mandelbulb3dv17{ or
Mandelbulb3Dv18{ ...

- You will find images made with Mandelbulb3D. Pick one you like.

- On its page you'll probably find some code like this:

Mandelbulb3Dv18{
g....UZ....K0..../....2...k/u6VkOdJ5.HMZ4V8GMv2E7dwBbW8hjzHwGbq8VpttzsLI1uEeCLzD
................................VI.Q7jjdUz1........Y./.........E........y.2...wD
...Uz6/...UG.....w.0/.....Um/...a1....E5.....c/PtYOM.krD/wEk8xOE...m/dkpXm1.....
zEEnAnYD12../.............................................U0.....y1...sD...../..
.w1...sD/NPuEEEwsxXt9hwGZiwEzm6SuwgTsXqjwC/7RCxv3x9YWgWPJQQSzgFoA0ZJgIqj1IhLWowq
cxn2qW0FzrINzklnjxVtrOrDU..../oo....L.........kD.2....sD..G...........zD........
.............oAnAt1...sD....zw1...................................Ek8xOEP.....2.
.....Ksulz1.....0.kz.YNaN0.U..6......64...EB.........Y3...U2....Zzzzz9nv....wJ5I
dk4..cTvFbdWRiPa....N0....6.1c..7tIH..kMvzRXg2.k6Eot8VlJqy9...........E.8.klLS4.
.QLniVLOtz1.2RiGMQZhz...........//U0.sXTL0..SQcDqMitzu/BQKxV62zD..........E.lc..
zzzz.............0...................2U.8.kzzzD............8....................
/6U0.wzzz1...................................wzzz1UudbiuQykDCC1.6kU/Ao05zbTR.IqM
5JqgbEjI2.Eh/WKhZ614H.0..xHE/tADwjDs.6IEx62J7xzzz1UW8ecWTaoVHXD.TgWAmEdMxYYH.w1E
/3YjnpWAa/EOfNcV...NO33LeeGn7qmY/mYcLK6aC4rOjtrP................................
E....2..F2E.....2....A....EEh3aSdtqNU6oPs/UQ..........................k/9.......
...................yz0........yD........kz1........wz..........E................
........................t.2.....................................................
........................}

The code above is the amazing Mandelbox or Amazing Box, a very special 3D fractal:

Mandelbox / Amazing Box

- Copy the entire block from Mandelblub3Dv18{......} to clipboard

- Go to Mandelbulb3D

- Click on the third File/Map Open icon with 'txt' on it, the formula+settings are now loaded

- Click Calculate 3D. You now have the same image and may explore the fractal in 3D.

Saving

- Click on the 'save' tab

- Click on the first disk icon, this will save your image and all parameters to a file

- Click on the Save Image tab to save a JPG

Real time 3D navigator

- If you didn't already, copy the Mandelbulb3Dv18 code above and load it with the 'open txt' icon

- Click reset position and zoom on the right

- Click the 3D Nav button (upper left)

- You'll see something like this:

- This is the real-time 3D navigator to find nice spots to render.

- Click on the small arrow on the lower right to see all 3D nav settings.

- Click in the screen and slightly move your mouse, this is how to change your direction

- Now scroll your mouse wheel a bit up and down. This is how you "move".

Note: Mandelbulb3D land is actually 4D or even higher. When you are moving you are actually zooming. If you get to a great spot where zooming further trashes the view, tick 'fixed zoom and steps'. This will lock your zoom level and your object becomes an actual 3D object to navigate in. Un-tick it to go back to zoom mode.

- Zoom further in on the cube and get your mouse pointer back (click once)

- Click view to main, this sends your 3D Nav position to the render screen

- On the render screen, click Calculate 3D. There you go.

Colors, light, fog effects

- When the rendering is ready, click Lighting, this gives tools to change color and fog effects. You don't need to Calculate 3D over and over, changes are immediately visible, except for certain changes in light and shadow.

- Click Save Light to save a preset

- In the main window, click on Post process. Here are several render settings to play with.

Formulas, settings

- On the main window, click on 'formulas'. This is where 3D fractals are constructed from one or more formulas. Complex stuff, but if you're curious just play with some parameters of a loaded fractal and see what the result is. The fractal in this example is the Amazing Box formula with settings
Scale -1.5, MinR 0.5, Fold 1

- In the main window are also several settings to experiment with. For example, the DE Stop parameter changes some level of detail.

Remember to send changes forth and back

- Whenever you change something in the main window, and go back to the 3D navigator, you'll need to load it here. This is done with buttons on the right: parameter, formula and light.

Some basic troubleshooting

- When you are stuck at a zoom level like 99999.99-32E you may:

look for a direction with open space to escape to
try clicking on the navigator arrows
try ticking 'fixed zoom and steps'
Set 'min distance' to i.e. 0.1
Go to the main window and click reset position and zoom
... or load a saved position

- When you zoom in and a black background comes up

increase the figure in 'Far plane'

- When you're going too fast

lower the figure at 'Sliding and Walking steps'

- When you see noise as if the fractal is sliced

Change 'Min Distance' from 0 to i.e. 0.1

There are more tutorials online, and probably better. This is just a quick start, written in 2011. Have fun.

Flight Simulator X Quickstart Tutorial + some tips

2011-08-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

Quick and dirty FSX
No screenshots yet, version 0.9

About...
It took me some time to understand the very basics of FSX, like flying a Boeing 737-800 from start to end with autopilot. There are a tons of tutorials and videos online, but I never found anything just straight on. So here is a quick and dirty tutorial how to create and fly an IFR flight.

Note that this tutorial is really quick and dirty. It's for absolute beginners, only meant to experience the fun of a full FSX flight and to get you started. Procedures are not necessarily correct or complete.

First
If you haven't already, print out a keyboard layout (link, PDF). Keep it in sight.

Objective
Flying a Boeing 737-800 from Eindhoven Airport, Netherlands to Orly, Paris, France.
Realism settings: ultra high, full damage. No joystick.

Start
- Start FSX.
- Best thing is to set all behaviors to realistic like crash detection, stress damage and so on.
- Choose a Boeing 737-800.
- Go to the flight planner.
- Create an IFR plan, low altitude airways, from Netherlands Eindhoven to France Paris Orly.
- Save your plan.
- Set the weather to clear skies since wind makes things more difficult. Fly in daylight.
- Click "Fly Now".

Prepare for take off
- You are at the start of the runway.
- First engage the parking brakes. (CTRL+. (period)).
- Check Numlock is off.
- Set strobe lights on (O)
- Contact the airport meteo service ATIS and reset the altimeter (B).
- Reset heading indicator (D)
- Adjust your seat so you can see more of the runway. (Shift+ENTER, shift+BackSpace).
- Contact the control tower (Air Traffic Control, ATC). Hit ( ` , accent) to show/hide the ATC menu
- File your IFR.
- Prepare the autopilot (AP): Set heading HDG to that of your runway. Arm HDG.
- Set A/T Speed hold (IAS/MACH) to 180. Arm A/T (but do not engage it).
- Extend flaps slightly (F7).
- Make sure NAV is enabled and not GPS
- Contact ATC ( ` ).
- Request to taxi is probably the only option. Do this, but don't follow the instructions.
- After the taxi chitchat contact ATC again for permission to take off. Take off will be granted.
- Set the AP altitude (ALT) to what ATC told you.
- Set the AP climb rate (VSPEED) to 800.
- Check AP settings + arm.
- Center ailerons and rudder (numpad 5) (numlock off)
- Release the parking brake ( . (period)).
- You may want to save your flight now in case something goes wrong ( ; (semicolon)).

Take off
- Engage full throttle (F4) and keep an eye on the speed.
- If needed, tick rudder to keep the plane in line (numpad 0 and numpad Enter) (with num lock off)
- If the speed is above the yellow zone pull up. Do this slightly, don't space shuttle.
- As soon as you are fully in the air engage the A/T speed hold.
- Center ailerons and rudder (numpad 5) (numlock off)
- Gear up (G).
- Adjust your climbing angle to 0-5 degrees by pushing the nose down.
- Retract flaps (F5).
- Engage autopilot master (Z).

Airborne
If everything went fine your plane will now gently climb to the designated altitude while your speed keeps stable and safe. At this time you most probably already got instruction from ATC to contact another frequency. If this ATC window appears while you're still in the take off procedure, ignore it or click it away (`). If you suspend take off procedures your plane may stall, flaps may break, you may overspeed.

Flying...
- increase A/T speed hold to 220.
- Follow all ATC flight instructions.
- Adjust AP settings when instructed (altitude, heading). You'll follow the route you filed.
- Save your flight every now and then.
- Enjoy the view but keep in mind that there is always a chance something goes wrong.
- If something goes wrong, disengage AP (not the A/T speed hold) and try to level the nose.
- ... or just bail out and reload your last saved flight.
- Flying is a great time to examine the cockpit and instruments. Hover over things to see what it is.
- When ATC orders you to lower your altitude, bring back the A/T speed to 180.

Approach
- When you are getting near your destination you will be prepared for a runway and 'expect ILS vectors'.
- Go to the 2D cockpit view. (You may pause the game for a moment)
- Click on the map icon.
- Zoom into Orly and click on the airport.
- Look up your runway and memorize/write down the runway heading and the ILS frequency
- Go to the 3D cockpit view
- enter the ILS frequency in the radio, NAV1, in the number on the right
- click the button in the middle to swap it so it is on the left
- click the small NAV1 button below to hear the beeps when you're near.
- Enter the runway heading in COURSE
- (if paused, continue the game)
- ATC will guide you all the way down to the point where you can actually engage Approach autopilot
- First...
- You will start to hear beeps. It's OK to turn off the sound by clicking the small button below on the radio.
- Landing lights on (CTRL+L)
- Decrease the A/T speed to 145. As you get near this speed engage full flaps (F8)
- Arm spoilers ( Shift + / )
- Gear ( G )

- Reset the altimeter (B).

- Reset heading indicator (D)

- Save your game (;)

Final Approach
- When you see the horizontal glide scope indicator, engage the APP button (or CTRL - A)
- Do not change main AP settings or turn things off, APP will be in control
- If everything goes well the plane will keep adjusting its heading to line up with the runway
- a vertical glide scope indicator appears, you'll be below it
- the vertical indicator will start to descent and the plane will start to adjust its altitude
- bring back A/T speed to the very minimum

Landing
- the most tricky part here is timing
- when you are about to hit the runway you have to disengage the AP (Z), but not yet the A/T.
- Gently pull up the nose, this will cause the plane to slow down a bit while you still descent.
- Disengage A/T as soon as you are touching the ground, or about to.
- When you're on the ground engage reverse thrust (press and hold F2) for a few seconds, then cut (F1).
- Note: do not push down the nose. Gravity will do its job.
- Brake (press and hold . (period))

- If anything goes wrong, cancel landing and take off.
- Or reload your saved game.

- If everything went fine you've landed safely and you'll slow down to the point where you can taxi.

Note
- AP is not a robot. Always keep an eye on things.
- There are several airports where ILS is located wrong on the map. Miami is an example. If you try to land there you'll fly over the airport and land in a suburb.
- There is also a problem with ILS landing in the mountains like the Alps. ATC will guide you directly in piles of rock instead of Zurich, for example. There are also airports near hills and mountains where ATC does the same when you take off, like Clermond-Ferrant airport.
- On some routes you may be bugged by ATC telling you every 5 seconds to contact another frequency, like flying from Rotterdam airport to London.
- Flying with only a keyboard makes things hard. The worst thing in FSX is that there is no indication how far you've pushed/pulled the yoke.
- Trimming controls is skipped in this quick tutorial.

Some great add-ons
Free:
- FS Water Configurator: Free. Enhances the looks of water.
- NL2000maps: Free. The whole of the Netherlands in very high detail. Download per province via torrent.
- Venetubo: Free. Upload your ini file and download an enhanced one with the best settings for best performance. It's an online service that works quick and produces excellent results. Consider a donation if you like it.

Commercial:

- FsPassengers: allows you to fly 'real' passengers who will react to your actions, adds a nice flight intendant and much more. You'll have your own flight company. It does not allow you to save a flight which is really a bad thing.

- REX2: Real Environment Extreme replaces the default textures and brings superb graphics

- GEX/GEXEurope: Ground Environment Extreme replace the default ground textures with realistic ones

- ActiveSkyEvolution: adds highly detailed, accurate meteo

Free enhancing graphics

- ENBSeries: Free. Tweaks DirectX, though you will have to tweak it for your own PC for good effects. Use this if i.e. the ugly reflection of stars in the water and bright nights annoy you. You can use the GTA San Andreas version, search online for FSX documentation. See the Arma2 article on our blog for an ini file you can use to start with. ENBSeries works with about every game if your GPU is suitable.

ARMA2 war simulator crash course, useful scripts, FAQ

2011-08-04T11:46:00.001-07:00

*** OBSOLETE *** ARMA II - editor/mission editing crash course

01. about
Intro & crash course to the vast and ultra-realistic modern war simulator 'Armed Assault 2'.

- Quick start editor tutorial
- Some useful scripts and tips

After reading you will be able to create a living, dynamic world full of action and create interesting missions yourself.

ARMA2 Free trailer:

02. links
Arma2 Free game installer: Arma2 Free
Arma Editor guide: Armed Assault Editor Guide Deluxe (en)
Arma2 scripting commands: community.bistudio.com/wiki
Patrol script: UPS.sqf , version 2.0.3 by Kroznky
AI respawn script: AI_Respawn_UPS
Empty vehicle respawn script: Vehicle.sqf
Instant spawn/bomb script (see #37): explos.sqs
DirectX tweak: ENBSeries
Several init settings: in this article in thick blue
Wikipedia: Arma2
Arma X bundle (Arma, Arma2, expansion sets, extra maps, units) €49,99: Bohemia Interactive

03. Index
01. About + trailer
02. Links
03. Index
04. Introduction
05. Download and Install
06. Editor, move and zoom map
07. MyFirstMission
08. Deleting Units
09. Adding empty vehicles
10. Copy-paste, clone units
11. Rotate units
12. Groups
13. Grouping, lines of command, switching characters in-game, commanding
14. Make custom groups
15. Ranks
16. Saving missions
17. Waypoints
18. Hint: simple helicopter gunner mission
19. Modules - add ambient civilians, traffic, animals
20. Modules - SecOps (SOM): HQ calls for random (side) missions
21. Modules - Ambient Combat (ACM)
22. Modules - multiple ACM's
23. Modules - First Aid, dragging wounded
24. Modules - Do not group modules
25. Radio Support - call in transportation, supply drops, UAV, artillery, air strikes
26. How to add a Laser Marker
27. Health Cheat by Radio
28. Intel: change weather, time, season
29. Tweaking Modules...
30. Tweaking Ambient Combat (ACM), Init.sqf
31. Script AI performing dynamic patrols, AI respawn
32. Tweaking SecOp
33. Tweaking Ambient Civilians
34. Tweaking Ambient Civilians Vehicles
35. Script Empty vehicle respawn
36. Ammo
37. Bomb script, booby-trap, bomb car, instant spawn
38. Adding support units responding to radio (repair truck, ammunition, ambulance, evacuating helicopter)
99. DirectX tweak ENBSeries for Arma2

04. introduction
ARMA2 is a realistic modern war simulator in a vast realistic play field with many landscapes and lots of detail. Realism and freedom are key in this simulator. A spin-off, which doesn't really differ much, is used in actual military combat training.

Arma2 is not a game, but it doesn't prevent you to play it as such either. You're even not limited to combat scenarios. You may hike in the forests, take a bus, play a police man, hunt wild life, sail a boat or just ride in the back of a plane. It's up to you. The level of detail is amazing. And for people who like to demolish things: buildings and trees are not made of diamond concrete, as in many other simulators.

Arma2 Free is like the full version except for the main story line missions and a bunch of stand alone missions. There are also some limits to graphic details, but you won't notice that really most of the time. You can play online with others. There are some great servers out there, including non-military role playing, but you can also create single player missions yourself. And that is what this article is about.

The editor and scripting engine are extremely powerful. Your imagination is the limit. Here is a brief tutorial plus some scripts and tips to instantly create great missions yourself, including radio support, artillery, chopper transportation, supply drops, UAV, civilians, wild life and autonomous acting AI.

I decided to write this because I found it rather hard to collect all the little gems that really boost this sim. Out of the box things may seem rather dull or even buggy. If you take a look at forums you're easily overwhelmed with cryptic language and things that don't work. I hope this may help some.

All credits go to the people who wrote scripts and explained things. And of course Bohemia Interactive Studios.

If you like the game you should order it. It now comes as a bundle with many expansion packs, maps and goodies, for only €49,99. It's called Arma-X. Check it out..
I am not affiliated and this is no advertisement.

Wikipedia: ARMA 2 is a tactical shooter with significant vehicle and aircraft elements. The player is able to command AI squad members which adds a real-time strategy element to the game. This is further enhanced by introduction of the high command system, which allows the player to command multiple squads using the map. ARMA 2 is set primarily in the fictional Eastern European nation of Chernarus, (meaning "Black Russia"). The Chernarus landscape is based heavily on the Czech Republic, the home country of the developer. (Link to Wikipedia).

05. Download and install
Download and install Arma2 Free. No registration required, no ads, no nags and no stupid browser toolbars. If you are new to Arma, please play the tutorials (boot camp) first. The controls are a bit tricky at first but it's not too hard. They are very intuitive even. You can play a single player mission and play some Armory scenarios as well.

06. Editor
Start the editor in the Single Player menu, choose Chernarus. This is a vast landscape. Utes is a smaller island. After loading you'll see a map. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Right click and drag to move the map around.

07. MyFirstMission
To the right you see a menu with 'units', 'groups', 'triggers' and so on. Make sure 'units' is selected and double click somewhere on the map. You'll get a pop-up. Notice that 'control' is set to player. One unit must be 'player', otherwise you can't play. Choose any unit you like, as long as as 'control' is set to 'player'. Hit OK. Now click 'preview'. The game will load and you'll be the unit you picked. Alone in the middle of Chernarus.

08. Delete units
Hit escape and click abort to get back to the editor. Hover over your unit and hit the delete button. This is how to delete units and objects. One by one. Doubleclick on the map (make sure 'units' is selected to the right) and add a unit as 'player' again.

09. Empty vehicles
Now let's add a tank nearby. Double click on the map. Set 'side' to 'empty', browse for 'armor' and pick a tank. This will give you an empty vehicle you can enter. Easy.

Note: if 'side' is set to i.e. Blufor you would get a tank with crew already in it and you wouldn't be able to enter it. Of course you could set 'control' of a crewed tank to 'player as commander' or such, but then you would spawn in that tank as crew. If you left the vehicle it would miss its commander.

Setting 'control' to i.e. "playable as commander, driver" gives you the opportunity to switch to another character while playing, not that you just can enter it. Basically you can enter every vehicle in the game as long as positions are not occupied by AI or other players, or the vehicle is not locked. By default vehicles aren't locked.

So if you want vehicles you can enter, use empty vehicles (side: empty).

10. Copy-paste, clone
Select the tank. Hit ctrl-c. Now move the mouse and hit ctrl-v. This is how to clone things. An exact copy including i.e. settings is made. If you select multiple units by dragging a box around them and hit ctrl-c all these units will be cloned at ctrl-v.

11. Rotate units
On the map you see the tank is pointing north. Everything you add will point north by default. If you want to change its orientation you can easily do this by having 'units' selected, select the unit, hold the SHIFT-button and drag with the left mouse button. You can also select multiple units and rotate them at once, around a collective pivot.

You now may want to preview your mission. Spawn and walk to the tank. Enter it by using the mouse wheel when you're near. To me this works better than search for a spot where an icon shows up. When you're inside use the mouse wheel again to switch to another seat or leave.

12. Group
Abort the preview and hit 'clear'. This makes the map empty. Now select 'groups'. Double click on the map and choose a group of units. Hit OK. You'll see a box 'No player was selected!'. Scaremongers... it's fine. Hit OK. Zoom into your group to the point where you can see the units. Double click one of the units and set 'control' to 'player'. You'll be this unit.

13. Grouping, Commanding, Switching
The cyan lines in the group represent the chain of command. If you don't want to have an AI commander in charge over you and you want to control the squad, make sure you set the squad leader to 'player'.

You can set other units to 'playable' so you can switch to them while playing. You even can do this with enemy units, civilians and people/crew in vehicles. Why not try it. Set the squad leader to 'player', then doubleclick another unit and set its control to 'playable'. Preview your mission. In game, hit the T button. You'll get a popup to select another unit.

You could even add an animal and set it to 'playable'. How many sims allow you to play a chicken?

When you're making a mission to host a multiplayer game you must set enough units to 'playable'. A 32-player game needs 32 playable units (or 31 plus 'player' if I recall it right).

Interaction: In game you can instruct your squad members in several ways. Space bar will select them all and then you can use the number keys for different kinds of action. It may be confusing first but soon enough it becomes second nature. Note that for specific actions you can single out one member by pressing its F-key (i.e. F3) and then 6. You can order a corpsman to heal this way, tell units to reload or change weapons, order satchel charges to be dropped and set off, order units to rearm at an ammo box, and so on. If you quickly want to check gear of your squad, go to map view (M) and select 'units'. You can send a unit to an ammo box, order him to 'gear' and then go to the map view, units, to quickly rearm him by yourself.

14. Add/remove units to make custom groups
Now delete everything except for the squad leader. Hover over every unit and hit 'delete', one by one.

Select 'units' on the right and add some units nearby your squad leader. You will see cyan lines are added automatically. Make a small group this way.

Now highlight 'groups' on the right. Click on one of the units and drag. You'll see the line follows your mouse. When you release the button the line will be gone. The unit is not a member of the group anymore. Click on the unit once again and drag a line to the squad leader, release. The unit is member of the group again. This is how you create custom groups or ungroup units.

Note: when editing it can happen that you want to move a unit while you have accidentally 'groups' selected. Releasing would ungroup it. It's annoying if it happens to be the squad leader of a big squad you're trying to move. If this happens just drag the line right back into the unit and release the button.

15. Ranks
Now select 'units' once more and double click a unit on your map, but not the squad leader. In the pop-up you'll see 'rank' on the right. If you make the rank higher than those of other units in the group this unit will be the squad leader. If you picked the squad leader and lower the rank below the others another character will become commander.

If you copy units remember ranks are also cloned. Also: if you add a new unit it will automatically have the rank of the last unit you added. Keep this in mind.

16. Save and copy, mission folders
Now save your mission. Saving is important. When a game is saved a new mission folder will be created. In this folder there is room for scripts that belong to that mission. If you are editing a mission with custom scripts and you save a new version (new name) make sure all contents of your previous mission folder are copied. The editor does not do that, you have to do that yourself with Explorer.

The mission folders can be found in your Documents folder - Arma 2 profiles - your player name. In Vista it is something like:
C:\Users\Admin\Documents\ArmA 2 Other Profiles\SgtPepper\missions\MyOwnMission

Note: if you saved an existing mission under a new name and edited your map, but forgot to copy all these contents first: copy everything fom your previous folder except for mission.sqm. It's also a good idea to create a map elsewhere where you copy-paste scripts and such you use often. Make a well documented library of assets. Hopefully next versions help you with this.

17. Waypoints, move, cycle
OK, now start a new map and add two infantry groups. One of each side. Select a squad leader and change the control to 'player'. Basically you have a mission, depending on where you position the groups and what you're going to do. The AI squad won't do much as long you are not spotted. They're lazy.

Now let's add some movement. Highlight 'waypoints' and click on the squad leader of your enemy squad.. Now double click somewhere else on the map. You'll get a waypoint popup. 'Move' is default. Hit OK and double click again somewhere else. There, change 'Move' to 'cycle'.

When you run the game your enemy squad will move from 'start' to waypoint one, then waypoint two, then back to where they started. These are the basics of waypoints. You can do a lot with them.

When you're in game and you want to set a waypoint for your squad or yourself, hit M for the map. Then hold shift and click on the map. You can move this waypoint by dragging it.

18. Hint regarding 'playable', simple Chopper gunner mission

Clear your map, add a Blufor soldier as 'player'. Then add a 'side: Blufor' attack helicopter in flight (set special to 'flying'). Give this chopper some 'move' waypoints on the map and set the last waypoint to 'cycle'. Set the control of the chopper 'playable as gunner'. While in game you can switch to the gunner position (hit T). The AI will flying you around while you're busy with some city renovations. It's a great way to practice weapons. Of course you could just add a chopper 'flying' and set control to 'player as gunner'.

19. Modules: add ambient civilians, traffic, animals
By now you know how to add and group units, waypoint them. The world is still very quiet. Let's add some dynamics.

Go to the editor, clear all. Add two opposing squads (groups) and set the leader of the Blufor squad to 'player'. Make sure the enemy squad is at a safe distance. Now select 'modules' on the right and doubleclick on the map. Anywhere. You'll get a popup. Add the module "ambient animals", hit OK. You'll see an icon.

Do it again to add "ambient civilians" and "ambient civilian vehicles". It doesn't matter where you put them on the map, just pick a convenient place. However: remove any group lines. There shouldn't be any lines to/from these icons.

Preview your mission. You may or may not immediately see animals, people and parked vehicles. It may take some time for things to appear. I'll show you how you can tweak these modules, but never expect crowded streets, traffic jams and hundreds of animals. If you need i.e. a crowd or an number of vehicles driving around you must add them as units or groups, make waypoints. Ambient modules are for the atmosphere only.

20. Secondary Operations commander, synchronizing modules
Abort your preview to add a great module. Make sure 'modules' is selected. Doubleclick on the map and select 'Secondary Operations (SecOps)' and hit OK. If it comes with a group line: remove that line. Now highlight 'synchronize'. Click on the SecOps module and drag a line to the unit you play. The module will be synchronized with your character.

It doesn't matter where you put the SecOps icon, best practice is to keep it near the unit it is synchronized with.

SecOps is a HQ commander who 'occasionally' will call you on the radio for some side missions. You can accept, decline or just ignore them, it doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter if you fail, but if you succeed you may be rewarded with i.e. airstrike support.

SecOps is a very easy way to quickly create a random dynamic single player mission. One unit as player with the SecOps module synchronized (not grouped!) is basically enough for random action.

At this point you may want to try your mission to see how much fun this already is. You have a living world with random assignments.

I will show you how to tweak SecOps later on.

21. Ambient combat
Go back to the editor. Add another module 'ambient combat' (ACM). Again, make sure it is not grouped. Now synchronize the module with your player unit.

When playing troops will spawn at random, somewhere in your vicinity. These can be enemy as well as friendly. Enemy units will attack you when you're detected, friendly troops will help you. Any kind of troops can spawn. Snipers, APC's, tanks, planes, anything.

If you preview the mission now you may not see much action from the Ambient Combat Module (ACM) at first. That's OK. The default settings are such that it is not 100% certain that troops will spawn within a given time frame. Second, troops may spawn but you simply don't see them and they don't see you. You both may move in opposite directions. So do not expect instant battle this way.

However, do remember that this module works. If you accepted a SecOp mission while all was peaceful and quiet, other enemy troops may be around as well. Maybe they were already flanking you while you were chatting with that Mr.Radar from HQ. Always stay alert. And watch some episodes of M.A.S.H. if you don't know Radar.

22. More ambient combat
Back to the editor. Now add a second 'ambient combat' module. Ungroup it if necessary and synchronize it with the squad leader of your enemy group. Now there will be friendly/foe groups spawned to that group as well! You can add other groups with synchronized ambient combat modules to get a lot of dynamic action.

Do not synchronize one ACM to multiple units. Best practice is to synchronize ACM's to squad leaders only.

I will show you how to tweak the ACM later on.

23. First Aid modules
Add the three first aid modules and synchronize them to your player unit. This will give you some first aid capabilities when you're not a medic/corpsman and it allows you to drag wounded units away from the line of fire. You cannot however heal a wounded fellow.

First Aid modules may be synchronized to multiple units simultaneously.

24. Do not group modules
Period. Unless a module should be grouped.

25. Radio support
Now let's add some radio support to call in supplies, transportation and fire support.

Select 'triggers' on the right and double click on the map. In the popup set 'activation' to 'radio alpha' and select 'repeatedly' instead of 'once'. In the 'on act' field paste this code:

[["transport", "aerial_reconnaissance", "supply_drop", "tactical_airstrike", "artillery_barrage"], player] call BIS_SOM_addSupportRequestFunc;

This script is activated when you call 'Radio Alpha' (keys in game: 0-0-1). You'll get a message that support is available. You then can call in support by pressing 0-8-1. Note that you do not have to change the perimeter of the trigger since you activate it by radio. Call Radio Alpha again if you used i.e. artillery and want another barrage.

Note: you must have the SecOps module (see 20.) on your map for radio support. If you don't want to receive incoming requests for secondary missions, copy-paste this in the SecOps (SOM) initialization field:

this setVariable ["settings", [[], true, nil, nil, false]];

A bit about artillery, there are several types. 'Immediate suppression' will fire a short, fast salvo. 'Fire for effect' will fire shells for a longer time. HE is high explosives, WP is white phosphor. Flares are nice to light up an area at night, smoke will give a smoke screen. Then there are shells that aim for armor (SADARM) and there are laser guided shells. In Arma2 there are several ways to invoke artillery. This is just the most easy way.

How transportation works: point at the position where you want your chopper and call it in. When you're in the chopper, go to the map view (M), move your mouse to the place where you want to go and call in support-transportation again. Your destination will be marked with 'unload area'. The chopper will take off and bring you there. If you change your mind about your destination, just do the same thing again. You can also use the chopper for a parachute dropping. Just leave the chopper in-flight. Make sure your squad leaves too: hit the space bar and press 6 for the action menu.

26. Add a Laser marker, other gear
Most units don't carry laser markers. You don't really need a laser marker for fire missions, you can use the map view (M) to designate your target. But if you do want a laser marker, add this to the init field of your player unit:

This addmagazine "laserbatteries"; this addweapon "laserdesignator";

You can use this for other kinds of weapons and ammo as well, as long as you use the proper names. See the editor guide.

27. Health cheat
You can additionally have your health set to 100% when you call for radio support. Just add:

player setDamage 0;

to the 'act on' field of your Radio Alpha trigger (double click that flag in a circle).

Make sure you separate multiple script instructions with the ;. Of course you could add a second radio trigger, have it activated by i.e. Radio Foxtrot, set it to 'repeatedly' and put the player setDamage 0; in that 'act on' field. You then would have two radio channels via the keys 0-0.

If you really feel unhappy, use player setDamage 1;
For some Russian Roulette use player setDamage (random 1);
Try this: create a cow near you and name it LuckyMe. Use LuckyMe setDamage (random 1); in the on act. field of your radio trigger. Now call in radio support repeatedly (0-0-1, 0-0-1, ...). The name of a unit can be used as a variable.

28. Weather, time, season
In the editor you see 'Intel'. Double click it. Here you can set the time of day, date and weather. It's easy to understand.

29. Tweaking modules...
Modules are in-game functions with default settings. Some settings can be changed. Here are a few examples.

30. Change ambient combat settings, Init.sqf
Go to your mission folder and look for 'init.sqf'. If it is not there, create a new text document (notepad) and save it as init.sqf. Make sure the extention is sqf and that it's not saved as init.sqf.txt.

Init.sqf is executed when the game starts.

Copy-paste the code below into your init.sqf and save it:

// ambient combat //
// INIT
waitUntil {!isNil {BIS_ACM getVariable "initDone"}};
waitUntil {BIS_ACM getVariable "initDone"};
[] spawn {

//Sets frequency and number of patrols (0-1). BIS_ACM is module name
[1, BIS_ACM] call BIS_ACM_setIntensityFunc;

//min max spawn distance
[BIS_ACM, 800, 1600] call BIS_ACM_setSpawnDistanceFunc;

//factions to be spawned
[["USMC", "INS", "CDF", "RU", "GUE"], BIS_ACM] call BIS_ACM_setFactionsFunc;

//Skill range for spawned units
[0, 0.8, BIS_ACM] call BIS_ACM_setSkillFunc;

//Amount of ammo spawned units possess
[0.4, 0.9, BIS_ACM] call BIS_ACM_setAmmoFunc;

//Type of patrol. With 0 meaning no chance of appearing, and 1 meaning 100% chance. -1 removes patrol type completely. 0.5 (default): 50% chance
["ground_patrol", 0.5, BIS_ACM] call BIS_ACM_setTypeChanceFunc;
["air_patrol", 0.5, BIS_ACM] call BIS_ACM_setTypeChanceFunc;

// Squad types
//[BIS_ACM, ["RU_InfSquad", "RU_InfSection_AA", "RU_SniperTeam", "RU_MechInfSquad_2"]] call BIS_ACM_addGroupClassesFunc;

//no spawns
// [BIS_ACM, ["marker_1", "marker_2"]] call BIS_ACM_blacklistAreaFunc;

The script first tells the engine to wait until initialization is finished. Then it sets all kind of variables. A line that starts with // is a comment, it is ignored by the engine. Read the comments. It's not too difficult to figure out what things you can change for what effect.

Personally I have the last two settings disabled with //. I am fine with the defaults regarding which squad types show up, but you may want to change it. Remove the // and change the array to your needs. Use the official squad names. Here is an excellent PDF with a lot of resources, including an overview of such names. ARMA Editing Guide Deluxe (en). Please keep in mind that the guide was not written for Arma2. Certain units are unknown and cannot be used. Use Google or search Arma2 forums if you need help.

The last setting is to set up areas where ambient combat troops will not spawn. You would create markers on your map, name them, and put those marker names in that array. In this example you would remove the // in front of the [BIS_ACM... line and save the file. Then you add two markers on your map. Make them ellipse or rectangular and resize them to your wishes. Name them marker_1 and marker_2. That's it.

You may want to use this to designate a 'battle free' zone around your field HQ. Keep in mind that this doesn't prevent enemy troops spawned further away to enter your zone.

31. AI performing dynamic patrols, AI respawn
Of course you can use waypoints to make AI troops move around, but there is another great solution using scripts. The scripts I use make squads patrol an area at their own will. That's not all. If an entire squad is killed it will respawn. You can make very interesting scenario's with it with everlasting battles.

You will need UPS.sqf , version 2.0.3 by Kroznky and the AI_Respawn_UPS. UPS.sqf goes into your mission folder. Extract the AI Respawn RAR file to a map called AI_Respawn_UPS in the same folder. Make sure it is not double nested. You should have something like:
C:\Users\Admin\Documents\ArmA 2 Other Profiles\SgtPepper\missions\MyOwnMission\UPS.sqf
and...
C:\Users\Admin\Documents\ArmA 2 Other Profiles\SgtPepper\missions\MyOwnMission\AI_respawn_UPS
... with three .sqf files in it.

How it works:
Say you command a small squad and you also have a friendly AI squad plus an enemy AI squad in your mission.

Select 'units' and doubleclick the squad leader of the enemy AI squad. In the initialization (init) field you paste:
nul = [this, 1000, 10, "ES1","patr"] execVM "AI_respawn_UPS\AI_respawn_UPS_init.sqf";
Hit OK.

Now doubleclick the friendly AI squad leader and paste:
nul = [this, 1000, 10, "WS1","patr"] execVM "AI_respawn_UPS\AI_respawn_UPS_init.sqf";

On the map you create three markers, make them ellipse or rectangular. One you call (name) ES1, one WS1, and one patr. ES1 and WS1 will be the spawn areas. Patr will be the patrol area. Change the dimensions of the markers to suit your wishes. Your AI will spawn, head to the patrol area and patrol it. The AI is not exactly 'trapped' to this patrol area but will never move far away either.

The '1000' tells the game to respawn the squad one thousand times, enough for quite some hours. The 10 is the delay in seconds for a squad to respawn after the last squad member died. Of course you can make more markers and designate squads to different areas to patrol and/or spawn. Just make other markers, name them differently and use those names in your init fields.

Unfortunately, vehicles with crew won't respawn this way and I haven't found a simple solution yet. It would be nice to have troops building up including armor/planes/parachutes and then have them deployed every X minutes or so.

32. Changing the SecOp manager behavior
Say you want less radio calls for side missions and/or you want to leave out certain mission types. Here is how you do it. Select 'units' and doubleclick the SecOp module (SOM).

In the init field you paste this:

this setVariable ["settings", [["ambush", "attack_location", "trap", "rescue", "patrol", "escort", "defend_location", "destroy", "search"], true, ["Bravo", ["Bravo"], "H.Q.", ["HQ"]], 60, true,120,0.5,[200, 1500]]];

The settings above provide all SecOp missions (default). Every 120 seconds there is 50% (0.5) chance of a request. The target location will be between 200 and 1500 meters from where you are.

Say you only want ambush missions for only 10% chance every 10 minutes within 50-100 meters, you would have this:
this setVariable ["settings", [["ambush"], true, ["Bravo", ["Bravo"], "H.Q.", ["HQ"]], 60, true,600,0.1,[50, 100]]];

33. More or less ambient civilians
In the initialization field of the ambient civilians module you paste this:

this setvariable ["civilianCount","round (%1 / 0.5)"];

Play around with that 0.5. The number of civilians is calculated by the number of doors in an area (variable %1), divided by a number. The smaller the denominator the more civilians. Again, be aware you won't get crowded streets. Make groups and units if you need a lot of civilians for a scenario.

34. More or less ambient vehicles
In the init field of Ambient Civilian Vehicles you copy-paste:

BIS_silvie_mainscope setvariable ["vehicleCount","(round ((sqrt %1) * 6))"];

.. where you play with the '6'. The higher the number the more vehicles.

35. Empty vehicle respawn
You can have empty vehicles respawned after destruction or when they are abandoned. You need a script called vehicle.sqf in your mission directory. Download it here.

In the init line of vehicles you want to have respawned you copy-paste something like:

veh = [this, 30, 120, 0, FALSE, FALSE] execVM "vehicle.sqf";

What it means:
veh = [this, Delay, Deserted timer, # of Respawns, Effect, Static, "INIT"] execVM "vehicle.sqf"
See the comments in the script for further instructions.

You can use this for crewed vehicles as well, but only an empty vehicle will respawn.

36. Ammo
Where would you be without it? Add units, side 'empty'. Select ammo of choice and put down the caches. You could also add ammo trucks or call in radio support for a supply drop.

37. Bomb cheat, booby trap, bomb car, instant spawn
Look at a building or unit, call in radio support, and see a huge explosion.
You need the script explos.sqs for that. See the second posting in that thread. Create a text file, copy-paste the code, save it into your mission directory. make sure it is called explos.sqs and not explos.sqs.txt.

Now create a trigger on your map, anywhere, set activation to a radio, set it to 'repeatedly'. In the on act. field you copy-paste this:

[cursorTarget,"Bo_GBU12_LGB",1] exec "explos.sqs";

cursorTarget gives the coordinates of the object you are looking at. That cryptic Bo_GB-thing is a bomb, the '1' is the height. Explos.sqs here basically spawns a huge bomb at your target. You could also have units and vehicles spawned this way, just use the proper name. See the guides.

You can also create a trigger, activate by anyone, set it to 'once', name it trigger1. Instead of cursorTarget you use trigger1 in the on act. field. Make the perimeter, say, 10x10. If anything comes near the trigger a huge explosion follows.

You could also make a bomb car this way, which you can detonate by radio. Create an empty vehicle, name it trigger1. For the trigger itself set activation to radio and also use trigger1 instead of cursorTarget in the on act. field. You now can drive around, park the car and detonate it. You can also set a delay. Note that there are also nice car bomb scripts on the web. You could drive and park, and when an enemy comes near it it blows up.

Note: there is a little typo in the example given by the author and in the example in the script. The author fixed it in a later posting. If you copy-pasted the 'on act' from his examples nothing would happen. Maybe you want to fix it in your script too.

Remember that you have to save a mission first and copy the explos.sqs to its mission folder. See #16.

38. AI support units

Add support units on the map, make a group. Make the rank of the group leader highest. Add a waypoint to the group leader just a few meters ahead and make it of the type 'support'. At start the units will move to this point, disembark and wait until they are called in.

You can call in support by pressing 5-1. AI will also call in support if needed. For medical support you should add corpsman units as well. For protection you can add Humvees and such to the group. Armor will not work here, the crew will disembark and proceed on foot.

99. ENBseries/DirectX graphics tweaks

To me the night missions were a bit too bright to my taste.

If your videocard is suitable you may want to give enbseries a try. It's basically a tweak for DirectX. You'll probably have to spend some time to adjust it to your configuration. Put enbseries.ini and the DLL files in your main game directory. When in game, hit shift-F12 to enable/disable it. Adjust settings in enbseries.ini with notepad. At start, don't bother about 'enbseries for GTA San Andreas' showing up, it works fine.

Here is my personal tweaked enbseries.ini with some notes. Just copy and paste it into your enbseries.ini file, replacing the existing code. Or start a new file yourself.

// ENBSERIES settings ARMA2 Free

// Press shift-F12 in game to enable/disable

// More info to get started way below under the settings

// -----------------------------------------------------

//// developer settings

[PROXY]

EnableProxyLibrary=0

InitProxyFunctions=0

ProxyLibrary=

//// use enbseries at start Y/N, additional settings

[GLOBAL]

UseEffect=1

AlternativeDepth=1

AllowAntialias=0

BugFixMode=0

SkipShaderOptimization=0

QuadVertexBuffer=0

EnableShaders_3_0=1

UseMRTRendering=0

AdditionalConfigFile=enbseries2.ini

//// Which effects should be tweaked

[EFFECT]

EnableBloom=1

EnableOcclusion=0

EnableReflection=0

EnableMotionBlur=0

EnableWater=1

EnableShadow=1

DepthBias=0

EnableDepthOfField=0

//// Key codes. 123 = shift-f12

[INPUT]

KeyUseEffect=123

KeyBloom=120

KeyOcclusion=121

KeyReflection=122

KeyCombination=16

KeyScreenshot=44

KeyShadow=119

KeyWater=118

KeyShowFPS=106

//// Reflection

[REFLECTION]

ReflectionPower=60

ChromePower=60

UseCurrentFrameReflection=1

ReflectionQuality=1

ReflectionSourceSpecular=50

ReflectionSourceTFactor=50

UseAdditiveReflection=1

ReflectionDepthBias=0

UseLowResReflection=1

ReflectionSinglePass=1

UseEnvBump=1

EnvBumpAmount=100

EnvBumpOffset=100

ReflectionFlip=0

//// Light bloom

[BLOOM]

BloomPowerDay=7

BloomFadeTime=400

BloomConstantDay=1

BloomQuality=0

BloomScreenLevelDay=30

BloomCurveDay=0

BloomPowerNight=1

BloomConstantNight=1

BloomCurveNight=0

BloomScreenLevelNight=10

BloomAdaptationScreenLevel=24

BloomAdaptationMultiplier=100

BloomAllowOversaturation=1

BloomMaxLimit=100

//// Screen Space Ambient Occlusion

[SSAO]

UseFilter=1

OcclusionQuality=2

FilterQuality=1

DarkeningLevel=20

BrighteningLevel=20

IlluminationLevel=20

AdditiveIlluminationLevel=25

UseAmbientOcclusion=1

UseIndirectLighting=1

FadeDistance=50

UseForAlphaTest=1

UseForAlphaBlend=1

// Color corrections, saturation, screen, gamma

[COLORCORRECTION]

DarkeningAmountDay=15

ScreenLevelDay=50

GammaCurveDay=1

ColorSaturationDay=1

DarkeningAmountNight=15

ScreenLevelNight=25

GammaCurveNight=1

ColorSaturationNight=0

UsePaletteTexture=0

// Water

[WATER]

UseWaterDeep=0

WaterDeepness=20

WaterQuality=0

// Shadows

[SHADOW]

ShadowFadeStart=40

ShadowFadeEnd=80

ShadowAmountDay=50

ShadowAmountNight=40

ShadowScreenLevelDay=40

ShadowScreenLevelNight=30

ShadowQuality=1

UseShadowFilter=0

FilterQuality=2

ShadowBlurRange=30

// Filter, monitor. Make sure the refresh rate matches your monitor.

[ENGINE]

ForceAnisotropicFiltering=0

MaxAnisotropy=8

ForceDisplayRefreshRate=0

DisplayRefreshRateHz=60

// Motion blur (may impact frame rate)

[MOTIONBLUR]

MotionBlurQuality=1

MotionBlurVelocity=0

MotionBlurRotation=0

// Specular settings pixels

[PERPIXELLIGHTING]

SpecularColorMin=0

SpecularColorMax=100

SpecularColorMultiplier=100

SpecularGlossinessMin=0

SpecularGlossinessMax=100

SpecularGlossinessMultiplier=100

// Depth of field

[DEPTHOFFIELD]

DOFQuality=2

DOFNumberOfPasses=1

DOFFocusRange=50

DOFBlurinessRange=10

// -----------------------------------------------------

// Important: Tweak this file to your own preferences

// It is not likely you have exactly the same system so you may see trash if you just use this

// You don't need to restart Arma2 every time while testing

// start editor, make a simple mission

// preview, abort, change this file, save, preview mission, and so on

// tweak for both day and night

// leave things you don't understand alone

// tweaking brightness and bloom may be enough

// You need this file in your program files/bohemia/Arma2free directory

// you also need d3d9.dll, d3dx9_26.dll and d3dx9_40.dll, these go into the same directory

// Get your files here: http://enbdev.com/index_en.html

// You can also use this for other games. Just copy the ini and dll files to the root directory of your other game and tweak

// Note that not every videocard is suitable or supported

// important: make sure the refresh rate setting here matches your monitor

// Don't fix things that ain't broken. If you're fine with how everything is? Don't bother enbseries.

// Complete uninstall: just remove the ini and dll files