Is there a way to fire flares backwards and forwards?

[Destraex]

I seem to be firing them forwards when the missiles are coming from the rear? Or does the onboard computer fire them in the correct direction?

[wdboyd]

Stock flares are designated to fire forward. They can be modded to eject differenly.
 
One is supposed to have enough tactical sense to veer away after releasing a flare.  [8|]
 
Shutting off the crafts afterburner is recommended too.

[Destraex]

Its all a matter of timing if missiles are coming from all angles
It also makes no sense to expect that simply veering away with a stronger heat signature somewhere in front and expect the missile to be that stupid.... but if it works [8|]

[tn_prvteye]

Just out of curiosity, what parameter needs to be changed to make them fire backwards?  Do I need to set the speed to a negative number?  I think it's set at 300 now.

[wdboyd]

eject: (0, 0, 500) parameter added to the .def.

This example should eject the object 500 meters up before it goes on its way.

But the games flares may be hardcoded. You will have to experiment and see.

[wdboyd]

The FIGHTER DECOY is a general-purpose missile countermeasure that is designed to mimic the radient energy signature of your fighter's engine. Anti-fighter missiles will generally guide on the closest, strongest return that their sensors can detect. When your Sensor Warning Receiver notifies you of an inbound threat, you should release a decoy and disengage your drive augmenter (afterburner) to evade the missile. The Fighter Decoy does no damage to enemy targets.

The above information was extracted from the games "decoy" .def file.

[tn_prvteye]

Hmmm...I'll have to experiment when I get home.  If we set the speed to zero, it should act like we're just "dropping" a flare.  Since it fires out at 300, it continues along with you if you're keep traveling a straight line (obviously not a good idea in a combat zone).  I wonder if the decoy is affected by inertia.  So if you just "drop" it, it will still continue to travel with you...or if it would really deploy at zero speed relative to your fighter.  Space is so much fun to fight in!   [;)]

I'll add your parameters as well and see what happes.

[wdboyd]

Yes, but you may have to create your OWN version(if able), to acheive the results you desire.

Good luck. [;)]

[tn_prvteye]

Well, didn't have a chance to experiment.  One of my vid-cards fried.  So far the only good thing about SLI is having a spare!  [:)]

I probably won't mess around with the decoys after all.  I've got a new project that'll be eating up my time:  Adding Nav Lights to the fighters!

[wdboyd]

Ah... a modding engineers job is never done. [:D]

[tn_prvteye]

Yeah, I'm not sure if I'm having more fun playing or modding!