Sunday, June 10, 2007 09:22 PM

How To Use the 

Falcon 4 Benchmark
revised 3/27/2000

Here is a link to the old set of instructions please only use them for reference to whats changed.

Right click your Desktop shortcut for Falcon 4...select properties. Your target line should look like this...
E:\Falcon4\falcon4.exe -log The essential command is -log this generates the file we are looking for
Download this zip file PD's Time demo Oh My.zip and extract to your *./Falcon4/campaign/save folder in Falcon 4. Start Falcon 4 up using the shortcut with the log command line option.

Though I am not currently accepting anymore results to post on the website here are the options used to create those scores.

1. No clouds

2. Canopy reflections on Both...(line and reflections)

3. Textured objects set to ON

4. Texture smoothing set to ON

5. Transparency set to ON

6. Gouraud shading set to ON

7. Haze set to ON

8. All sounds on

9. Only 2d cockpit...please do not move the views.

10. Blackout turned off...I have created some sharp turns to force it to load textures if you blackout the frame-rate will shoot up.

11. Autopilot set to steerpoint

12. Vehicle magnification is always set to 1...this may make a large difference so don't forget.

13. Set up your graphic options for this run. Please follow the guidelines below if you would like to post them here.

14. Select Tactical Engagement then select saved. If you have put the mission file into the proper directory you will see it. Select it and select the Go Icon on the lower right...be prepared to immediately select it again. As the mission is on as soon as you reach the mission selection screen...ideally you shouldn't allow more than 4 seconds to pass before you hear the sound of the jet flying overhead.

15. Now remain prepared to select autopilot as soon as you drop into the cockpit. Do not touch any setting once you are in the cockpit besides autopilot....don't switch the views especially. Then you have around 5 minutes to go to the head. Come back in time for that last way point...as soon as it goes under your nose...nother words the diamond disappears select escape and E at the same time. Yes this is a bit of slop...but its the best we have. I have been able to achieve repeatable results to within a few tenths so I think its good enough. Keep in mind that the mission is a long one specifically to mask small differences in start or ending times. But the closer you get to my points the more consistent the results will be. Consistent results are the goal...inconsistent results are useless.
    
    After the mission has ended close Falcon. Dig into the Falcon 4 folder and recover the file fr_summary.csv. You will want to use Excel to open the file, if you do not have it available I will volunteer my services to read and return the file to you. If you do have Excel use it to average the score in the average column. There you are a framerate number using the benchmark mission.