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effects

caution

This page is a work in progress!

There may be missing, incomplete or incorrect information on this page as it's still being built! Take information here with a pinch of salt, and feel free to contribute and correct things!

Overview

These files govern effects and the sounds attached to them, their types, as well as the texture and ale components of effects. [BeamSpear and [BeamBolt] blocks can also be used to directly create simple beam effects.

Vanilla Examples

  • DATA\FX\WEAPONS\weapons_ale.ini
  • DATA\FX\beam_effects.ini
  • DATA\FX\effects.ini
  • DATA\FX\effect_types.ini

Syntax

[EffectType] blocks should always be called before everything else, followed by [VisEffect]. These are usually called in a seperate ini file as defined in freelancer.ini.

EffectType

caution

The number and names of [EffectType] blocks are actually hard coded, and cannot be changed or added. The [EffectType] block does however, allow you to define the properties of each type.

[EffectType]
nickname = STRING
priority = INT
generic_priority = INT
lod_type = STRING
radius = INT
visibility = STRING
update = STRING
run_time = INT
pbubble = INT, INT
ParameterInformation
nicknameHow the effect is referenced by [Effect] blocks.
priority
generic_priority
lod_type
radius
visibilityOptions are EXIST_OFFSCREEN or CULL_OFFSCREEN
updateOptions are UPDATE_OFFSCREEN or CULL_UPDATE
run_timeMaximum run time for effects of this type.
pbubble

VisEffect

[VisEffect]
nickname = STRING
alchemy = PATH
effect_crc = INT
textures = PATH
ParameterInformation
nicknameHow this effect is referred to by [Effect] blocks.
alchemyThe path to the .ale file
effect_crcThe CRC reference pointing to the effect name used inside the .ale file.
texturesReferences the specific txm files used by the effect. Multiple textures keys can be defined.

EffectLOD

[EffectLOD]
type = STRING
max_lod_screen_size = INT
min_lod_screen_size = INT
min_screen_size = INT
ParameterInformation
type
max_lod_screen_size
min_lod_screen_size
min_screen_size

Effect

[Effect]
nickname = STRING
effect_type = STRING
snd_effect = STRING ;optional
vis_effect = STRING
vis_generic = STRING ;optional
lgt_effect = STRING ;optional
lgt_range_scale = INT ;optional
lgt_radius = INT ;optional
ParameterInformation
nicknameHow this effect is referred to by other blocks and files.
effect_typeThe effect type as defined in the [EffectType] block.
snd_effectThe sound effect attached to this effect as it is played as defined in sounds. This will loop for the duration of the effect.
vis_effectThe [VisEffect] block to use with this effect.
vis_genericUncertain. This may be a 'fallback effect' used when an effect cannot be played for some reason or another.
lgt_effect
lgt_range_scale
lgt_radius
[BeamSpear]
nickname = STRING
tip_length = INT
tail_length = INT
head_width = INT
core_width = FLOAT
tip_color = INT, INT, INT
core_color = INT, INT, INT
outter_color = INT, INT, INT
tail_color = INT, INT, INT
head_brightness = INT
trail_brightness = FLOAT
head_texture = STRING
trail_texture = STRING
flash_size = INT
ParameterInformation
nicknameHow the BeamSpear is referred to in [Effect] blocks.
tip_lengthLength of the tip element of the beam
tail_lengthLength of the tail element of the beam
head_widthWidth of the head element of the beam
core_widthWidth of the core element of the beam
tip_colorRGB color of the tip element of the beam
core_colorRGB color of the core element of the beam
outter_colorRBG color of the outer 'glow' of the beam
tail_colorRGB color of the tail element of the beam
head_brightnessAlpha of the head element of the beam (0-1 range)
trail_brightnessAlpha of the trail element of the beam (0-1 range)
head_textureTexture of the head element of the beam (Can be ball or star)
trail_textureTexture of the trail element of the beam (Be be wide or thin)
flash_sizeFlash size of the beam when it is created.

[BeamBolt]
nickname = STRING
tip_length = INT
tail_length = INT
core_length = INT
head_width = INT
core_width = FLOAT
sec_core_width = INT
tip_color = INT, INT, INT
core_color = INT, INT, INT
outter_color = INT, INT, INT
sec_core_color = INT, INT, INT
sec_outter_color = INT, INT, INT
tail_color = INT, INT, INT
head_brightness = INT
trail_brightness = FLOAT
head_texture = STRING
trail_texture = STRING
flash_size = INT
ParameterInformation
nicknameHow the BeamSpear is referred to in [Effect] blocks.
tip_lengthLength of the tip element of the beam
tail_lengthLength of the tail element of the beam
head_widthWidth of the head element of the beam
core_widthWidth of the core element of the beam
sec_core_width
tip_colorRGB color of the tip element of the beam
core_colorRGB color of the core element of the beam
outter_colorRBG color of the outer 'glow' of the beam
sec_core_color
sec_outter_color
tail_colorRGB color of the tail element of the beam
head_brightnessAlpha of the head element of the beam (0-1 range)
trail_brightnessAlpha of the trail element of the beam (0-1 range)
head_textureTexture of the head element of the beam (Can be ball or star)
trail_textureTexture of the trail element of the beam (Be be wide or thin)
flash_sizeFlash size of the beam when it is created.

Beam Breakdown

A breakdown of different elements that make up BeamSpear and BeamBolt entries can be found below. Credit goes to Cpt_Rei_Fukai.

Diagram of different elements that make up a beam