Problem with smoke

guaralito · Post by **guaralito** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:56 am

Hello to all,

First of all I want to let you know that I'm really amazed by your videos, specially Smoke on! Good taste in all aspects and best of all the flying performance…great music too.

I’m new to Lock On, but I have tried many flight simulators, the first one that I flew was a F-16 can’t remember the Sim name but was even before Mr. Bill came up with his Windows operative system. From that on, I' have been pretty much hook with the Simulations. I really love everything that has to do with planes since I was a kid.

Anyway, let’s get to the point. I did install the Lock On and Flaming Cliffs CD versions and the updated 1.12b for Flaming Cliffs CD version. But I had notice that I have problem with the smoke. Apparently I should be the smoke pressing the T Key, but for some obscure reason is not doing it. I was looking at different forums but I did not find someone having this same problem. I have also noticed that sometimes the simulation seems to pause for a brief moment, is not something that happens very frequently but certainly is something that is annoying me.

I have Windows XP and my computer runs fine with Flight Simulator even when I’m flight a PMDG 747 which is a very complex simulation, so I don’t think that my system is the problem.

I really appreciate if you guys can throw some light to my problem.

Hopefully I will be able to join any of you guys up in the virtual sky some day.

Carlos A.

Post by **Lawndart** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:56 am

Welcome to the forums Carlos, and Thank You.

You need to load a smoke pod onto one of the pylons for the aircraft you're flying (using the Mission Editor). Without smoke pod(s), the "T" key will not respond to anything.

The stutter/pauses you seem to experience are hard to diagnose without more information. What are your system specs (CPU, ram, type of video card and memory)? Definitely sounds like a memory/video card issue. Check our MOAS thread for some useful info regarding Tweaks and Fixes. Meanwhile, here's an explanation of LockOn's Graphic Settings. You can also check your framerates by pressing CTRL-BACKSPACE in game to give you an idea how your hardware is handling LockOn.

guaralito · Post by **guaralito** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:32 pm

My system is a Pentium 4 3.40 Ghz HT
3.00 GB of RAM
Video Card Nvidia Ge Force 8600 GTS 512mb
Windows XP

I'm going to check the frame rates what a normal frame rate should be for Lock on?

Post by **Lawndart** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:02 pm

Sounds like your rig shouldn't have any problems running Lock On. It's hard to say what's "normal", but as long as you're seeing 30+ fps while airborne (single ship, no explosions etc.) the issue is not hardware, but possibly some process running in the background of your computer or its (memory and video) settings.

guaralito · Post by **guaralito** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:33 am

Thank you, I did some changes to the options and performance improves dramatically and I did not notice significant changes on the graphics... Smoke is also working great. This flight simulator is great, but lacks documentation, the manuals seems to be incomplete. I really apreciate that you guys keep forums like this one alive.

Razor-71 · Post by **Razor-71** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:50 pm

I agree, I started a few days ago to finally to use Lock On (previously I used Open Falcon, that has very real avionics, but is poor to use with aerobatic maneuvers... and LOMAC has better graphics), but I have only the poor paper manual contained in my Lock On GOLD box...

I have some problems using the VTB mod. I usually used the F-16 cockpit with OF, and now when I'm inside, I have to experience the F-15 pit. Where can I find a complete and exhaustive documentation about LOCK ON, and its planes? Are there any complete manuals?

Now I can enjoy full graphics high mode in 1900x1200, with my new ATI HD4670 1Gb graphics card, but I want really to learn all about this simulator, in order to start with some good aerobatics!

Thanks!

Post by **Lawndart** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:40 pm

I believe someone, (you)

already asked about Lock On manuals before, and the only answer I know is here. (Check the bottom of that page re: the .pdf manual located in your "docs" folder, the paper manual is only a QRH).