I figured it out! On my own! Man it was hard!

In engine_equip.ini, beneath most of the engine entries, you'll see something like this:

[Engine
nickname = ge_le_engine_01
ids_name = 263688
ids_info = 264688
volume = 0.000000
mass = 10
max_force = 48000
linear_drag = 599
power_usage = 0
reverse_fraction = 0.200000
flame_effect = gf_li_smallengine02_fire < ------------------ BA
trail_effect = gf_li_smallengine02_trail < ------------------ DA
cruise_disrupt_effect = gf_li_cruisedisruption
trail_effect_player = gf_li_smallengine02_playtrail < ------ BING!
cruise_charge_time = 5
cruise_power_usage = 20
character_start_sound = engine_li_fighter_start
character_loop_sound = engine_li_fighter_loop
character_pitch_range = -50, 25
rumble_sound = rumble_h_fighter
rumble_atten_range = -5, 0
rumble_pitch_range = -25, 25
engine_kill_sound = engine_li_fighter_kill
cruise_start_sound = engine_li_cruise_start
cruise_loop_sound = engine_li_cruise_loop
cruise_stop_sound = engine_li_cruise_stop
cruise_disrupt_sound = cruise_disrupt
cruise_backfire_sound = cruise_backfire
indestructible = false
outside_cone_attenuation = -3
inside_sound_cone = 60
outside_sound_cone = 180

Well, these three lines ended up having effects when applied to the particles variable in st_equip.ini

flame_effect = gf_li_smallengine02_fire
trail_effect = gf_li_smallengine02_trail
trail_effect_player = gf_li_smallengine02_playtrail

The fire image simply puts a glow on your thruster when it's not being used, then slightly behind it after you activate afterburn. It turns out trail, and playtrail are the keys.

-------------

Here I used gf_li_smallengine02_trail as the particles variable:

[Thruster
nickname = ge_s_thruster_08
ids_name = 0 ;GENERATESTRRES{"Sport Thruster"}
ids_info = 0 ;GENERATEXMLRES{"<xml><RDL><PUSH/><TRA data="1" mask="1"
def="-2"/><JUST loc="center"/><TEXT>Sport Turbo Thruster</TEXT><PARA/><TEXT></TEXT><PARA/><TRA data="0" mask="1"
def="-1"/><JUST loc="left"/><TEXT>For those looking for higher speeds, whether
it be to escape marauding pirates or outmanuever local law enforcement, the
Sport Thruster is a thrill-seeker's favorite toy, providing higher speeds, at the
sacrifice of less burn time. But when you're speeding, what's does time matter?
</TEXT><PARA/><TEXT> </TEXT><PARA/><POP/></RDL> </xml>"}
DA_archetype = equipment\models\st\ku_thruster.3db
material_library = equipment\models\ku_equip.mat
HP_child = HpConnect
hit_pts = 10000
explosion_resistance = 0.500000
debris_type = debris_normal
parent_impulse = 20
child_impulse = 80
volume = 0.000000
mass = 10
max_force = 81000
particles = gf_li_smallengine01_trail < ------ Looky, Looky, I got Hooky.
hp_particles = hpthrust
power_usage = 145
lootable = true
separation_explosion = sever_debris
LODranges = 0, 20

-----------

Here it is, close up:

particles = gf_li_smallengine01_trail

--------


This ends up being a great affect, looks great, especially with the Kusari engines. Personally, I find that using the "trail" over "playtrail" looks better because you have a contrail, much like the normal thrusters.

Tan

Edited by - Tandur on 5/18/2004 3:00:16 AM

Wow. What did you just say? I've been wondering if I can change the colors of thrusters and stuff... But what you just said made no sense at all to me lol

No!Stop! <_<....>_>.....*_*

nice tork tan what the f*** is a NOS thruster BTW? My physics is a strange mix of 'O' level, quantum and whatever is going on in 'New Scientist' when i pick up a copy... (for a non UK person - somewhere between 15 year olds science lesson and 'interested partys attempt to understand what the intelligent folks are up to' lol)

he only said that when you engage the thruster it will now leave a trail not just smoke.... i think that what he said...

---

a message from firebase...

---

By doing the above, you'll find that the smoke trail that your thruster normally gives off will now be changed into the engine effect of your choosing, ie, the cruise engine fire. There's only 5 types: Liberty, Bretonia, Kusari, Rheinland, and Order (used by the Bounty Hunters and Corsairs).