ELITE PLUS: PLANETSIDE
version 2.50 build 047
release date: March 23th, 2006
www.planetmic.com
copyright: Mic Healey 2000-2006
FLY.EXE ver. 3.25.02, a.k.a. FST3
copyright: Dave Daniels: 2002-2006
 
This document last updated:
March 23th, 2006
 
Document Table of Contents:
   A. What's New in Ep2
   B. System Requirements
   C. Starting The Program
   D. Menu Options
   E. Background
   F. Legal Disclaimer of Warranty
   G. Reverting use under pure DOS
   H. Original Notations.

Ver. 2.50 of Ep2 incorporates the latest FLY.EXE program and utilises some of its excellent new features. You will notice this now when you start the program and are presented with proper introduction to Discovery Base. Additionally, you can now use the new :Onboard Help System" - accessed via the H key. This provides much needed information.
 
Also new in 2.50 is the inclusion of a VOR / NDB navigation system to compliment the new auto pilot routines and its nifty ability to fly directly to a selected NDB. You may now go where ever you would like on New P8 and "George" will take you safely back to the area around the Discovery Base field. You may also use the two NDBs lined up with Discovery Base's western approach to easily set yourself up for an easy landing. All you need to do is switch to the correct NDB when inbound, and lastly - take the ship off auto pilot to commence your final landing.
 
"Finally, some Federal funding has come in and we have been able to travel out a bit further and explore. You may wish to "go on down" to the Two Tetons Wilderness Area, located 70 nm S/W of the base... and have a look see. Its an interesting formation to visit. If you are a good enough pilot you can even set your ship down (find a flat spot and use the auto-braking system) - take a little rest before coming back. Remember, you can record pictures of your adventures via [alt+g]. Oh, and don't forget to keep an eye on you fuel situation... there's no services that far out."

Windows 98 through XP (default)
(Can be re-configured for MS/PC DOS under FLY.147 as detailed below;
but this option not recommended for newer platforms or users unfamiliar with DOS. - Use default first.)

The distribution program package is a self-extracting executable that by default will create a directory in the root section of your C:\ Drive, called - ep2 (c:\ep2). It will then unpack all the files related with the program into this directory. Also created is a subdirectory within Ep2 called README. All documentation pertaining to this program is located here. This is a very "self-contained" and safe type of program install and should not present a problem. Later, if you wish to delete the program, simply delete the directory: ep2 and all its contents.

Start the program by going to its directory and clicking on the Ep2 shortcut (pif file). (FST users know they can also go right for FLY.EXE as well - but this will by pass any front end that the program has or will get, later).

Clicking Ep2 gives you the DOS powered front end, then goes to the "Splash" screen w/sound and takes you into the cockpit. If you like you may create another shortcut and drag it to the desktop for faster program access.

Next, you must start your engines by pressing the "E" key. (Notice your throttle will jump up to idle at 25%)

I have taken the liberty of already saving and including preferences file (MENU.CFG) which initially selects mouse controlled flight. If you are okay with that, use the keyboard number keys (1 thru 0) to power up and take off. See if you can make an orbit of the base. Flying by a mouse is a bit tricky but you can re-center your mouse by clicking the third mouse button (if you have one). If you start to get messed up - hit the AutoStab key "A" and the craft should level out. Under AutoStab (Auto-Pilot), you can also alter your auto-pilot's heading by using the ",<" key for left and the ".>" key for right. This also provides rudder and ground steering control within the sim.

Hitting the "Esc" key will take you to the main Configuration Menu. From here you can adjust many items. If you wish to fly with the joystick, you can select it here - however, I have had some problems with joystick flight under WIN98 (XP is fine), so I have set a default to mouse at present. If you do use a joystick, the program seems to perform correctly (sometimes) with a USB connecting joystick plugged into a 2.0 USB port. I have also had success with a new Gameport to USB analog joystick converter box called: "Super Joy Box 6" (found on eBay) - it works great with older joysticks and gamepads. Don't forget to calibrate your stick through the Control Panel under "Game Controllers" and delete any unused joysticks in the list. Finally, if you don't have a joystick that works or if you really dislike the mouse, you can select the keyboard as flight control. I think you will find that if you fly with the mouse for a while - you will actually begin to like it!

To help totally educate you on all the Menus and Controls, an excellent HTML document on the subject is available here called: COMMAND.HTM. Please bring it up and study it.

     Here are a few new features not included in the above issue of COMMAND.HTM.

• "CTRL+TAB" keys: allows you to change the viewpoint to another aircraft. This only works if the aircraft is within 8 km. It is not possible to control this aircraft, you can only view from it. Your own aircraft continues to fly while you are doing this.
• "ALT+H" keys: This will display the HUD for computer controlled aircraft.
• "P" Padlock view in the above will follow computer aircraft's target, if it has one.
• "INSET" key: Turns on Afterburner, which is really a lock of 100% power
• "O" key gives you a great outside view for a fly by perspective. If you are landed you might get a view that is incorrect, such as below the ground. Hitting "O" again sometimes corrects this as the view seems to re-adjust.
  

Note: If you want to use this program under DOS, Win98, OS/2, or whatever - with the older version of FLY.EXE that I originally included with the package - FLY.EXE ver. 1.47, it is included in the directory, renamed "FLY.147". You can use it by renaming the current FLY.EXE, FLY.323. Then rename FLY.147, FLY.EXE. FINALLY rename EP2.EXE, EP2.REG; then rename EP2.OLD EP2.EXE. Start the program by clicking on EP2 or typing EP2 at the command prompt. By doing this you go back to ver 1.10 as well as all the goofs in the old flight engine. You will have to do the reverse order above to get back to ver 2.00 (or above).

Below is the original documentation from first release. It is of course superceded above as noted. Sections VIII, IX, and X still apply to Ep2 ver. 2.00 and above.

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ELITE PLUS: PLANETSIDE
version 1.10 build 040
release date: March 02, 2001
copyright: Mic Healey 2000,2001
mic@planetmic.com
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-Table of Contents-

I. What can you do with this sim
II. Development Notes
III. System Requirements
IV. Starting the Simulation
V. Known Problems
VI. Do's & Don'ts
VII. Simulation Controls
VIII. Legal Matters
IX. License & Terms of Distribution
X. FST *.FSD Shape Files Copyright
XI. Credits

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I. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS SIM

Comment

Well, I decide to just release what I have done so far. - So users can check the progress and see it is indeed real! So here you go. It's not much, but its a taste. Take some time to check out the shapes at the base, that's where a lot of the time as been spent! I'm not too sure how much more I'm going to do with it unless I get a bit more response. Also, there is a serious problem with getting sound on a variety of new platforms, (there is no sound setup, its all auto-detected, you'll get great digital sounds or crappy PC speaker - don't blame me, that's FST's goofy EXE file. There may be a resolution on this down the road - I'm working on it, along with others.

So, the state of the sim:

Right now... Take off, fly around - look at the scenery. Try to get back to the runway and land safely. When you land on the runway you are refueled and rearmed. You can use the map feature CRTL+M to navigate. Currently Sector One, a 50 km x 50 km area of terrain has been made, but you can fly well beyond this if you like. Get the feel of the craft, do some nifty flight maneuvers. Enjoy.

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II. DEVELOPMENT NOTES

This is the initial release of an FST (Flight Sim Toolkit) based simulation. It is by no means a finished product.

FST sims like to:

(1) Run from DOS and or the DOS prompt within WIN95/98
(2) Will supply digital sounds for -true- Soundblaster cards only
(others will get default synth sounds only).
(3) Have a variety of rather unique but obscure bugs.

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III. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

(SVGA 640*480 256 Colour VESA)
Minimum System 486DX66 with 2Mb of RAM
Hard Disk with enough free disk space
Local or PCI video BUS with VESA SVGA CARD or Vesa driver loaded
capable of 640*480 256 colours
Keyboard/Mouse/Joystick control (Joystick recommended)
Game supports PC Speaker Sound
Soundblaster Card support or "100%" Creative Labs compatible sound card.

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IV. STARTING THE SIMULATION

You may start Elite Plus: Planetside, by simply typing EP2 at the DOS prompt via command line:

This sim is designed for SVGA 640*480 256 Colour VESA mode.

To start, type: EP2 (and press Enter).

If you cannot run in SVGA you may need a VESA driver (if on a older DOS system).

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V. KNOWN PROBLEMS

(1) Sound:

You will get great digital sound on a -Soundblaster- card with a DOS 6.22 system. You -may- get digital sound with a Soundblaster card under WIN95/98. If not, you will get PC speaker sounds - nowhere near as good, sorry. The sound support in FST sims has always been a weak link... but that's what your CD player is for.

(2) Non-Intel Processors:

FST sims sometimes do not like NON-INTEL processors. If the simulation fails to run in all modes this can be the cause. Solution - none. Sorry.

(3) Memory Issues:

Message: Previously installed software is neither DPMI or VCPI compatible. And game will not load. Cause: EMM386 loaded with NOEMS or NOVCPI switch. If you are using EMM386 use EMM386 RAM. This will still provide access to UMB's and extended memory. Backup your AUTOEXEC.BAT AND CONFIG.SYS Files BEFORE you start modifying them. See your DOS/WIN95/98 manual for further details about modifying these files, and EMM386 switches.

(4) USB Digital Joystick Does Not Work with Sim:

That's right. These new jobbers only work under WIN98. You need a standard analog 15 pin stick for FST sims. The program accesses the hardware directly, so the joystick does not even need to be active under WIN98.

(5) Joystick Calibration is Hinky:

Under Windows 98, the joystick calibration routine - accessible by pressing the ESC key to bring up the simulation menu or directly by pressing ALT+C sometimes jumps ahead of itself. You may have to do it carefully - and a couple of times. Its a good idea to calibrate the joystick each time you enter the simulation or sometimes after a crash. If you get a hiccup half way through the routine, just do it again until it sticks. This does not seem to be much of a concern under DOS 6.22.

(6) Shape Bleed-Thru

When in the simulation, certain shapes from certain angles will burn or bleed through other polygon parts they should not. While every attempt has been made to minimize this when the FSD shapes were created, it is an unfortunate problem with FST. We just have to live with it, sorry.

(7) FST SIMS just won't run on my system:

Sometimes the Gods frown on a system. FST will not run at all, only the Gods know why you were cursed in this fashion.

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VI. DO'S AND DON'TS:

(1) Do run the game from DOS. Pure DOS is best, but the DOS prompt from within WIN98 seems stable...

(2) Do use the prefect system if you have one lying around...
The perfect system -was- what FST was designed for in 1994:
486 DX4-100
Vesa 2 meg video card with Tseng ET4000 chipset
Soundbaster 16 ASP
CH Joystick
(Okay, maybe not perfect - but it ran FST sims well...)

(3) Do use a Joystick rather than the keyboard or mouse. Trying to fly a craft with such realistic handling qualities as this with the keyboard or mouse is more work than fun - trust me.

(4) Sometimes, FST sims seem to leave a kernal of garbage in memory or something. Therefore, after playing for a while, and or starting the program numerous times, it is recommended that you do close down all your programs and reboot your system. This will remove anything left in memory.

(5) Don't whine to me about the lack of textures. The FST tools used to program Ep2 do not support textures. However, the good news is that a new version of FST Tools is in the works. When released, Ep2 will be greatly upgraded... However, then it will only be able run on the fastest new platforms.

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VII. SIMULATION CONTROLS:

The keys used are listed below. (I recommend you print these out.) Also an EXE file key display called KEYS.EXE. You can type KEYS before you launch the sim for a quick review of controls.

Escape Key activates pull down menu for configuring program
Q turns engine sound on off.
E turns engine on/off
1 to 0 Throttle controls (36% to 100% power in prop aircraft)
(1 to 6 normal power 7 to 0 Afterburner Zone 1-4 in jets)
+ - fine throttle control (On top number row)
W Wheel brakes.
B Air brakes.
G landing gear up/down
S Flaps 10 to 30 degrees
/ ADF beacon scan up (Waypoints for Navigation around the World)
? ADF beacon scan down. (Waypoints for Navigation around the World)
Space bar Fires weapon (Or joystick button 1)
Backspace or Joystick button 2 selects weapon .
F Drop flares
F1 through F10 are view keys.
F4 toggles between full cockpit display and Heads up only
Shift F1 is the rear view. F7 F8 look around F9 look down F10 look up
F2 look left F3 look right F5 look back left F6 look back right
ALT V restores full cockpit view from any other view.
ALT X quits the game.
NUM PAD + - Elevator trim (V1.45 on only)
CTRL M In flight map (V1.45 on only)
P Pause game (Padlock View V1.45 on)
CTRL P Pause game V1.45 on
Be sure to calibrate your joystick the first time you run the game.
Game options can be saved as default.

External view keys are as follows:
V external track view (F1-F10 then rotates view.)
O Fly past view
ALT M missile view
ALT V return to cockpit
ALT T produces a version number/frame rate/objects active/memory used.
ALT S reduces shading of world objects (Increases frame rate.)
ALT G screen grab
CTRL S Increases shading.

HINT: Use the F4 key option when in dogfights, you see more sky!
NB: You must turn off the engine (E Key) after landing to re-arm and refuel

For easy reference to the keys, simply type KEYS at the DOS prompt before running a simulation. This will produce a graphical display of the keyboard, and the keys used.

A note on the padlock view Pressing P in flight will lock your visual view onto the nearest enemy air target, provided they are in visual range. Pressing P again will return your view to the cockpit.

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VIII. LEGAL MATTERS:

The author accepts no liability for any damage, either direct or consequential, no matter how it comes down. By installing or running this software you agree to these conditions.

The author disclaims all warranties as to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. All copyright is held and acknowledged by those having rightful claim.

By installing the software, you agree to all of the terms and conditions in this document.

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IX. LICENSE & TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION:

You -as the end user- are given one single exclusive users license. You have absolutely no right what so ever to distribute, covey, sell, or post on a website. You must not modify and or utilize any of these files without the expressed written permission by the author.

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X. FST *.FSD FILE SHAPE FILES COPYRIGHT:

All custom designed and or created *.FSD shape files within this application are held under exclusive copyright to the author. No user may utilize, modify, incorporate, export, and or use in any fashion or manner outside of this program - any of these files without the explicit written consent of the author and possession of a license code number. Utilization of any custom *.FSD shape file within the confines of another FST simulation, like FST simulation software, or converted for use with another application is expressively forbidden and will be considered willful copyright infringement subject to punitive damages.

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XI. CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Special Thanks to:

Ian Bell & David Braben for the creation of Elite Plus.
Frontier Developments, Ltd. for the creation of Frontier Elite II.
(This sim is in tribute to the above.)

SIMIS Software for the development of Flight Sim Toolkit, a
DOMARK release.

Ray Purvis: for all the help years back with FST and this Doc, also, KEYS.EXE
Rob Sharrock: for is undaunting dedication to FE2 and his frequent patronage to the Pilot's Lounge.

Stephen Zattini: For being one of the long time - Elite Faithful.

Right On Commanders!