Manipulating Objects
This tutorial cover some real basics but also some lesser known features of working with objects in the FMB:
- Zooming in and out, including with the mouse wheel.
- Scrolling through lists, including with the mouse wheel.
- Adding & Deleting objects, including choosing the order in which they're deleted.
- Rotating objects with the NumPad and mouse.
- Using 3D Roaming.
- Getting creative with a bit of object-merging.
This is mainly targeted at absolute beginners but there may be a thing or 2 that even the more experienced haven't bumped into yet.
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Manipulating Objects: Summary of the Vid
Here are the main points from the vid, designed as reference notes after watching it:
Zooming & Panning the Map
Shift-Click + Drag zooms into the selected area. Use the left scroll bar to zoom in or out. PLUS: Place the mouse cursor over the scroll wheel and use it to zoom in or out.
Scrolling through the lists
Apart from the obvious way of scrolling through any list, you can place the mouse cursor over the list box and use the mouse wheel to scroll through the list. It's especially good as an easy way to check out the un-named Objects list, with Show on. But get a good printed list, like Winger69's completely professional PDF which is at Mission4Today.com: Object Lists at Mission4Today.
Adding & Deleting Objects
Basically use the Delete key, or the NumPad "." but can we determine the order in which objects are deleted? Well yes: Select an object you want to delete, then before deleting it put the cursor over the next object to delete. When you delete that first object the object closest to the cursor will be selected. This makes for MUCH more efficient deletion of multiple objects, when only some are to be deleted!
Rotating Objects: NumPad & Mouse
Using the NumPad:
- 7,9 keys: 5 degree changes.
- 4,6 keys: 15 degree changes.
- 1,3 keys: 30 degree changes.
- 5 key: Face East.
Wondering why 'face East' might be useful? It's a good way to 'reset' the facing for objects, so that several objects can face the same way. Reset to East, then add say 40 degrees with the NumPad keys. If you're setting up fixed structures like buildings, this can be a real asset.
Using the mouse: You've got to be in 3D-view. Select the object to rotate and hit Enter. Hold down the mouse's scroll wheel and move the mouse left/right. The object will rotate through all angles. It's very useful.
Roaming 3D
To check things out in a free roaming way, with no objects selected (Right Mouse Button | Unselect), click Enter and with the right mouse button held down you can zip about at will. Use the F1, F2, F3 speed keys and the zoom ability holding down the left mouse button and moving the mouse forward and back.
Merging Objects
Although there are a lot of objects, why not 'make' your own. Not make as in 3D modelling, but using the ability to merge objects. This mainly applies to the large Objects list. Check out the vid for a few ideas, but the sky's really the limit.
Final thought
This tutorial has covered the basics, and some not so well known ways, of working with objects in the FMB. If you've followed along, you'll have more tools at your disposal than the average FMBer. S!
Feedback & Questions
Did this tutorial help you? Was something missed? Jump down & write now
I've watched two of your tutorials, and they've been very helpful. Thank you!
I'm trying to place runways on a field that has none but they seem to be lift off the ground...
is there a way to change the elevation of the runway to match the ground?
when I try to pull on or off the run way my plane crashes and explodes.
I'm trying to place runways on a field that has none but they seem to be lift off the ground...
is there a way to change the elevation of the runway to match the ground?
when I try to pull on or off the run way my plane crashes and explodes.
Need help with ships..how to make them fire at objects on shore....thanks
Very good tutorial
:)
Hey do you know how to have more than 4 planes in a flight
Question: how i create/set-up a mision with "full night"? (really dark night, without moon or the light of the sun over the horizon)
Tks!
hey, how do you make objects bigger and higher
Hey Uncle, just checked out yuor site..Was very impressed. Well done. Sounds like i will see you at the end of the year.
Regards,
Nephew Nick
Learned more in 5 minutes than 5 months of on my own. Any way to make my own objects? Like a Bridge high enough to span two mountains?
Thanks
picked up that I can add objects while in 3D mode, thanks
fantastic tutorial realy helped me out good work
Hi, great tutorial I find it very interesting!
Only a questions, how to set the option defence, defence ground and defence bridge?
I'm not able to set "defence"...no icon stay on the map, while "defence ground" means defence from ground attack or air attack or both?
Hi great tutes fella i do have a question though that i can't find info on.
That is in properties for static ships there is an Option for ROF is that rate of fire and does it count for AAA guns, main guns or both ??
Cheers in advance
Hello sir,
In another mission I've set upm some artillery, some in bunkers or under camouflage nets. The enemy is in range but the arty doesn't fire.
Is there any way to solve this problem?
Thanks for your help,
Ace of Aces
hello,
In a mission I want to place some machine guns or AA machine guns in a tower at an airfield. but I can't make it work. Can you help me.
Thanks for your help.
Ace
Ive got a question. Is it possible to create complete new airfields on the maps in a mission. I mean not, add buildings to already aircraft. I mean wit runway and Taxiways?
Hy m8. Really I`v seen objects rised others than smoke or fire .If u want to take a look here`s the adress to the website http://www.simulation-france-magazine.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=112 . the thing with the cranes sitting one upon another it`s quite interesting. thx a lot . lov your tuts`
can i make my own maps u know: with city names and rivers railways roads etc. the thing is that i want to build an campaign of the us bombing missions over Romania and The map should have some special features. thx and nice tuts
ok thnx for the tip =D
great game btw!
look under "stationary objects"
S!
hey nutcase good vid =D
i was wondering if there are searchlights in the objects list or something, because i wanted to make a night mission but i couldn't find a searchlight :( you know where i can findt it?
disregard last question, i was not holding down the right mouse button :) i am trying to lift a stationary plane but it keeps snaping back is there a list of objects than can be lifted?
thnx again
disregard last question, i was not holding down the right mouse button :) i am trying to lift a stationary plane but it keeps snaping back is there a list of objects than can be lifted?
thnx again
thnx nutcase for the great tut's, Do you know why the F4+mouse wheel would not work? I am in 3D mode holding down the F4 key and rolling the mouse wheel but the smoke or any other object wont raise.
thnx for any help
This info really helped me out!
But, before I go and make one myself, anyone know where I can find a list of all 603 Objects in the "Objects" list?
I'll just make one myself for quick reference if there ain't one ^^
Hi Born2Thrill,
Thanks for the feedback! You may want to check out Porsimo's and Rxman's lists too. They're all good; in the same section at Mission4Today.
Bon chance!
hehe just spoted it above :D, thanks!
Hi m8, jus like to say excelent tutorials, top notch! Just 1 thing, i could'nt find wingers list, could you post direct link for me please?
Jules: You can raise smoke and fire objects.
1. Select an object and go into 3D mode.
2. Keep the F4 key pressed while moving the mouse up and down.
Voila! I've seen lights used for a kind of fantasy air racing course, which looked really cool actually.
Jules: You can raise smoke and fire objects.
1. Select an object and go into 3D mode.
2. Keep the F4 key pressed while moving the mouse up and down.
Voila! I've seen lights used for a kind of fantasy air racing course, which looked really cool actually.
this website is AWESOME!!! theres one thing I wish you could do and that is RAISE objects. I really want to make a cool air race map.
I wonder if there is a way to hack into it so that objects arent ANCHORED to the ground??!!
this website is AWESOME!!! theres one thing I wish you could do and that is RAISE objects. I really want to make a cool air race map.
I wonder if there is a way to hack into it so that objects arent ANCHORED to the ground??!!
Im just starting,your tutorials are just great
Thx
I own IL-2 forgotten battles and play on it with my lap top, however I cant seem to rotate objects as described in the video / instructions above. When I highlight the object and it flashes I press the '1' or '3' key or '5' but this still won't rotate the object, and is getting fustrating as you can imagine, am I doing anything wrong? Thanks
Nice guide, question though.
Can stationary objects be moved higher or lower?
I'm trying to place stationary aircraft on a stationary carrier, and when I try to adjust the height, the object goes up, but then comes back down.
Just read through here and watching your youtube videos, its really helpful, thanks!
Its great to have a helping hand to get into the FMB!
One question though. When I make AI to attack ground with waypoints. Where shall I put the "Attack ground" waypoint? Very near the link to the target or far off? Usually they just crash in the ground if they're flying low or simply have huge problems attacking.
Thanks, this is great to have a database for this, I will look through it.
very nice, thx
I can't manipulate objects in 3D mode with the mouse. Can you explain in better detail?
Hi David, Sorry for the big delay; I missed your message somehow. There's no connection between Static Cameras and trains. I'm not sure what the prob could have been, but I guess you got it sorted by now anyway. Cheers.
Hi Buzzard, Aplogogies mate, I missed your message. To get enemy fighters to attack your flight, use the Set command, though it may make them a little too aggressive. By 'IL2 patched up' do you mean modded, with the flyable B-17s etc? You'll be lov'n that for sure. Good luck with it, and I guess you know about the 8th Airforce looong range map coming up. S!
Hi Chris,
Sleep is the number of mins:secs that the guns on ships will remain inactive once an enemy aircraft gets close, something like 2km.
Static Time literally freezes the clock, resulting in the same lighting conditions, mostly used in online Dogfight servers that run for hours or days at a time.
No User Loadout prevents the player from changing the weapons settings for their aircraft.
The player can never start later than the mission start time. As you know, AI-only flights can be delayed via the first waypoint time. If you want your flight to start late, put yourself in the #1 spot and the rest of the flight will wait for you to take off.
I hope all that helps. Good luck with it!
Hi Gregg,
What are the following used for in the FMB:
Sleep (in a ship Properties box) Static Time & No User Lockout (in the Conditions box?)
Can I start my Player aircraft mission AFTER the start time as entered in the Conditions box? I know I can for the AI. I want to start some ships then later Take Off to intercept them.
Thanks
ChrisD
What If When You Add The Static Camera, The
Train Won't Move?
Very nice work! I am making coop B17 bomber missions (flyable B17 with ai enemy) I wanted to know if there is a way to make ai enemy planes attack my (player) B17 formations. I have them set to ace level, which usually works well enough, but occasionally they stray off into the sunset??????
I have been writing missions in cfs1 for years and I must say. IL-2 patched for us bomber pilots is a godsend! Thanks again sir!
Gen. Buzzard
Co 379th VBG
www.379thvbg.com
"Long will we fly!"
Hi Looper,
The height can be changed in 3D mode doing this:
[F4 + Right mouse button] and move mouse up/down.
Only lights and smoke can be elevated, as far as I know.
S!
Great info, loved the vid! I haven't built in some time and forgot how to elevater and lower objects such as lights. Also wondering if this also works for objects such as the cliffs of Dover?
Thanks
Hi Blindman,
To move an object around in 3D, select it in 2D, go into 3D mode (Enter key), then move the mouse while holding down the Right Mouse Button.
Remember the F1,F2,F3 speed keys too!
S!
I found this tutorial, as I have found all of your tutorials, to be very helpful.
I am still not sure how you moved those objects around in 3-D mode (I do understand the rotation, but not how to move them from place to place).
Thanks again,
===Blindman===
nutcase this is something i''m bend looking for right now i dont have time to play with it but this weekend i will and i know i am going to have fun playing with thank nutcase for let me getting it
Hi Jean Pierre,
Thanks for taking time to write, and I'm glad you found it useful.
Just what i have been looking for,absolutely GREAT !!!!
Thank you so mutch !!!