You can place a "shadow" shape under any object. While this may not seem like a big deal, let me assure you it is. With the forthcoming release of DuoSoft's Shape Kit, there is going to be a premium on efficient ways to create new shapes. For example, with 4 "shadow" shapes and 4 "vehicle" shapes, you can get 16 new combat systems. The "shadow" shapes would be perhaps, a flatbed truck, an armored vehicle, a towed trailer, and a permanent tripod. The "vehicle" shapes could be an SSM launcher, a AAA gun, a SAM launcher, and an Artillery gun. Mix and match all of the "vehicle" shapes with each of the "shadow" shapes, and you get 16 different systems. Here's how to add a shadow to any object. This tip requires a text editor.
Step 1: Open the object's resource file (NT for vehicles, OT for scenery, JT for weapons) in a text editor.
Step 2: In the "General Info" section, you will see a shape definition line:
byte 3
word 203
word 142
ptr ot_names
dword $821
word $1000
ptr shape <--- Shape Definition
dword 0 <--- Shadow Definition
dword 0
dword 0
Notice how the guns are both pointed at roughly 45 degrees, yet the bases -- which are shadow shapes -- are angled to the terrain?
Step 3:
The dword immediately following the shape definition is the shadow shape definition.
Edit it so it looks like this (note the capitalization):
ptr shadowShape
Step 4:
Add the following lines to the end of the file, after the "shape"
entry (note capitalization again). Replace "shadow.SH" with your shadow's
shape file name.
:shadowShape
string "shadow.SH"