A 3D Tribute to SS FRANCE, one of the greatest liner ever seen on the oceans

Readme for Virtual Sailor 7

README for SS FRANCE model by DVOMarineDesign for Virtual Sailor 7. February 24th, 2008.

http://www.dvomarinedesign.com

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

SS FRANCE, born in 1957, entering in service in 1962, later SS NORWAY in 1979 and finally BLUE LADY is currently beeing dismantled at Alang, India.

This model is before all destined as a tribute to this great liner.

Now you'll be able to virtually sail and walk onboard the ship in Ilan Papini's game, Virtual Sailor.

It has been realized after a lot of search and with a lot of documentation in order to provide accuracy of the add-on, about 1,100 hours have been necessary, hopefully for a more enjoyable resulting onboard experience into the game.

However, please, keep in mind there are notable limitations involved in the process of building such a large and detailed models of a very large ship with sheer where nothing is aligned, acceptable number of polygons to allow usability for recent computers being the most important of them. These limitations have led to some known issues and an acceptable compromise between them and usability has been the main concerne for the author and has been worked out.

It has no interior bridge and no instrument so far. That may be added in upcoming versions, probably in a few weeks.

***UPDATE May 03, 2008:***

SS FRANCE V1.1.0 is now available with some improvements, graphic bugs corrected and a more friendly computer behaviour with an increase of performances (loading time reduced by 6% and frames per second improved by 20 to 25%, depending on your graphic settings into the game)

-----WARNING:-----

This model and all files contained in this archive are the sole property of Dominique Vaccaro, www.dvomarinedesign.com .

By unzipping this archive, you accept to not host the files of this model contained into this archive on any other server than the author's one, to not distribute them, to not sell them, to not modify, use any content or file(s) included (models, cfg files, horn.wav sound file and all textures) into this package for another model, for another purpose or person, with no limitation of time.

You can run and use this model in unrestricted circonstances, off-line or during on-line sessions or meetings, as long as you do not request payment for using it.

You can use it for screenshots or videos or images, anywhere for any purpose at your convenience as long a it is not a commercial one, without prior authorization. However, in this case, you must add "Model of SS FRANCE from www.dvomarinedesign.com", excepted if they're posted into the Hangsim.com Virtual Sailor forum, where you do not need to add this mention.

Any infringement to these terms will lead to legal action.

The author will not be held responsible for any damage done to your computer or programs installed. By installing this add-on, you fully agree with that term. However, in case of freezing or automatic restart of your computer, this is not the add-on itself which has been fully tested by four different beta testers that will harm your computer but the unappropriated action you may do just after.

-----Recommended minimum hardware and software:-----

2,2 GHz Dual Core processor,

2Go Ram,

GeForce 7800 graphic card with 512Mo graphic memory,

Microsoft Windows XP,

Virtual Sailor 7.

-----Utilization-----

Simply unzip the main directory of the joined archive into your "Boats" directory of your Virtual Sailor 7 game.

Check "Use 24 bit Z buffer" on into your video settings of the game, Check "Specular lighting" on and check "Hide water in cabin" off into your graphic settings option.

Wait between 5 and 10 minutes, depending on your system, for loading the ship into the game. Do not switch off your computer while this process.

I'd recommend to set your water settings on "shaded", which is more realistic in open high seas and less hardware demanding.

To enlighten all portholes and windows + external halos at night, press 12 times your "Page down" key. To remove this lighting, use your "Page up" key. (sailbf.xx file)

To load deck-chairs, crew and passengers, press 12 times your "Del" key.

To remove them, press your "Insert" key. (saillsf.xx file)

This is a large and heavy ship. In consequence, max speed (31.3kts) will be reach after about 5 minutes at full throttle. Similarly about 20 minutes are required to go from max speed to zero if you shut off your throttle. Maneuverability is not the one of a race boat or trawler either. Please, keep that in mind during your navigation.

-----Files contained into the archive SS_FRANCE_1_1_0.zip:-----

boat.xx = 216,753 polygons / 159 materials

lights.xx = 8,892 polygons / 3 materials

sailbf.xx = 13,071 polygons / 12 materials

sailsf.xx = 11,390 polygons / 15 materials

rudder.xx = 28 polygons / 1 material

prop1/2/3/4.xx = 342 polygons / 1 material

radar1/2.xx = 12 polygons / 2 materials

1 boat.bmp file = image of the ship

140 bmp and 1 jpg files = textures

boat/lights/views/smoke.cfg = config files

engine/horn.wav = sound files

4 .dds files

1 boat_1.xx file

readme.txt = this readme file

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

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

Hope you'll enjoy your sailing onboard SS FRANCE!

If and only if you agree with ALL the above terms, you can download SS FRANCE for Virtual Sailor 7 here.