June 31st, 2003

Hi all,

This set of files contain alternative files for the Dutch Sky package.

Contents:
SkyMixed contains an update for the original package removing the edges of the EAW world as well as a set of altrnative BNCLOUD*.TER and BNCLDTRA*.TER which are the transparent layers in the game.
SkyBlues is a new set based on the original with more blue patches and also contain new alternative BNCLOUD*.TER and BNCLDTRA*.TER (where * stands for 1, 2 or 3) which can be mixed freely by renaming them.
SkyLighterBlues is the same main file as SkyBlues but the blue patches are toned down to match other terrains better.

Weather tutorial:

All files can be used in stead of another file as long as they are in a 256*256 pixel format and are given the proper name. Only files from 3rd parties called BNHORIZN and BNSKYBLU have been upgraded to this format sofar and should be compattible with the DutchSky pack. Older files called BNCLOUD* (where * stands for 1, 2 or 3) or still usually in a 128*128 pixel format and can only be used by rescaling them to 256*256 pixels.
Every custom pallette can be applied to the files and I have no knowledge of pallettes or videocards that don't work with these pallettes.
I advise not to use BNHORIZON or BNSKYBLU files to replace the BNCLOUD* unless they don't contain any blue or similar teints since these colours will lead to science fiction type skies, allthough some may like them (I did).

filetype explanation:

BNSKYBLU.TER the highest layer of the EAW sky
BNHORIZN.TER the horizon of the EAW sky
BNCLOUD0.TER the first transparent layer in the EAW sky used in Partly Cloudy, Heavy Clouds and Overcast settings 
BNCLOUD1.TER the non transparent layer in the EAW sky only used with Overcast setting
BNCLOUD2.TER the seccond transparent layer in the EAW sky used in Partly Cloudy, Heavy Clouds and Overcast settings
BNCLDTRA0.TER transparency file for BNCLOUD0.TER
BNCLDTRA2.TER transparency file for BNCLOUD2.TER
There is no BNCLDTRA1.TER since BNCLOUD1.TER doesn't use it

The BNCLDTRA files can be edited by using a transparency pallette as seen in the PSP***TRA.PCX files as supplied with the PicPac program by Microprose which are the transparency files for the EAW planes. The first line of the pallette holds the 16 colours normally used for TRA editing.
or 
use the PCX pallette which is added to this package called TRA64.PCX which gives you 64 transparency shades in stead of 16 which can also be used to edit the plane's TRA files.
It is not advised to use this file for any of the other files and vice versa but it is possible and will usually give science fiction type skies. 

Have fun 

VonBeerhofen

 