Falcon 4.0 part 6: The eFalcon release
- DarkenedRoom
- Aug 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 27
A guide to building an eFalcon release of Falcon 4.0. This will be building the last version of eFalcon, version 1.10.
In addition the configuration steps to run it under Win10 will also be covered.
This release dropped support for Glide, concentrating instead on updating the DirectX libraries from DX6 to DX7. This would also be the first release to feature a cold ramp start of the F-16. This release does not support TrackIR, like the official v1.08 release. It must also be run in a 1024x768 resolution to take advantage of the eFalcon cockpits.
The patch files required by this version were found almost by accident whilst looking for F4Patch patches for other builds. Were it not for a chap from Turkey who created a page (quite a while ago from the looks of it) at a university website on how to build the release, and happened to include the patches, this may have been lost to time. Thank you 'Jeffel', whoever and wherever you are!
History
What is unique about the eFalcon release is that it was originally based on a late development v1.07 version of the retail release. Originally developed by eRazor with the first patch released in July 2000. The eTeam would release further enhancements using the name eFalcon creating the v1.09 and the final v1.10 release in August 2001, the same time as Realism Patch v5.0 was released.
For further information on the history of eFalcon, The Falcon Epopee is highly recommended.
Prerequisites
The folder prerequisites are listed below:
C:\Falcon4-setup\files\f4
C:\Falcon4-setup\utils\joystick-gremlin
C:\Falcon4-setup\utils\cinepak
C:\Falcon4-setup\patches\official
C:\Falcon4-setup\patches\efalconRelease patches
The following patches are required to build this release:
eFalcon v1.10 with Realism Patch v5.0 patches (eFalcon110RP5_Installer.zip).
The following patches are optional:
F4Patch standard v4.1 with Realism Patch v5.0 patches (F4Patch_Standard_41RP5.zip).
eFalcon extras (eFalcon_Extras.zip).
F4Patch sound v4.0 (F4Patch_Sound_40.zip).
Paul Wilson's wide angle cockpit for eFalcon v1.10 (pw110v1.zip).
The eFalcon patches can be found at the Internet Archive in Falcon 4.0 eFalcon patch collection.
The F4Patch patches can be found at the Internet Archive in Falcon 4.0 F4Patch collection.
These patches should be copied to C:\Falcon4-setup\patches\efalcon.
Starting point
This build is based on the final official patched version v1.08. To create this build, take a look at The official patched version.
Building the release
This release is build using the F4Patch utility, it is recommended to read Understanding the F4Patch utility, if you are unfamiliar with this utility. The optional patches will be installed in expanded mode.
The contents of the efalcon v1.10 zip file (eFalcon110RP5_Installer.zip) should be extracted and the installer (eFalcon110RP5_Installer.exe) copied to the Falcon installation folder. It should be run and should complete successfully.
eFalcon v1.10 is now installed.
Optional patches
The following optional patches should be applied in the order in which they appear in this list:
F4Patch standard v4.1 with Realism Patch v5.0 patches (F4Patch_Standard_41RP5.zip).
eFalcon extras (eFalcon_Extras.zip).
F4Patch sound v4.0 (F4Patch_Sound_40.zip).
To install, the process is as follows:
The contents of each zip file should be extracted and the installer executable copied into the Falcon installation folder.
The installer should be run. If you are given a list of filters to choose from, the eFalcon patches filter should be chosen.
The installer Expand Package option should be selected. The existing F4Patch folder should NOT be replaced. This is to add patches to the existing F4Patch folder.
Quit the installer.
You have the option of expanding a package and running F4Patch after each package has expanded, to choose patches and apply them, one package at a time...
Or expand all the packages first and then run F4Patch and choose your patches.
The process in either case is:
Once expanded, run the F4Patch executable (F4Patch.exe) in the Falcon installation folder.
Choose the eFalcon patches filter.
Choose the patches you would like to apply, e.g. colour MFD's, eFalcon sounds, airbase relocation, eFalcon cockpits, fixed memory leaks, new UI screens, etc. The manual recommends the following:
The Settings General should look familiar to most experienced Falcon pilots. Note there are four patches only available in eFalcon currently. AWACs support, Smart Combat AP, Smart Scaling, and Weather Effects should be considered for selection as they add significantly to the simulation's immersion.
Click on Apply Changes.
Paul Wilson's cockpit
The process for installing Paul Wilson's wide cockpit is slightly different as it isn't distributed as a F4Patch executable installer.
Extract the contents of the zip file (pw110v1.zip) and copy the extracted folders into the F4Patch folder in the Falcon installation folder.
Once expanded, run the F4Patch executable (F4Patch.exe) in the Falcon installation folder.
Choose the eFalcon patches filter.
Choose the Paul Wilson cockpit and optionally the HUD tint patches.
Click on Apply Changes.
This completes building the release.
Microsoft libraries
It is recommended to remove/move/rename the legacy Microsoft Visual C DLLs listed below from the Falcon 4.0 installation folder and rely on the modern Win10 versions:
msvcp60.dll
msvcrt.dll
Missing optional patches
The eFalcon v1.10 manual specifies that the F4Patch packages F4Patch_Cockpit_40.zip and F4Patch_Skin_32.zip can be used with eFalcon v1.10. I haven't been able to find them so if anyone has them please get in touch!
HOTAS config
This release continues to use the vJoy/Joystick Gremlin utilities as described in The official and iBeta releases. Axes configuration will be identical. If you have configured buttons, you may wish to change some for this release.
Wrapper config
This release can run under Win10 without any DirectX wrappers. There is an argument that a wrapper would provide better scaling at a native resolution, however testing has revealed a trade off in image quality between:
HUD and MFD text.
Cockpit text (text on/around switches/dials, warning panel text).
Landscape and environment.
In conclusion, despite DDrawCompat, DxWrapper and dgVoodoo2 wrappers working as intended, the trade off in HUD/MFD readability (being the most important aspect during a flight) means that wrappers are not recommended. You are always free to try and improve on my results!
Graphics config
However, we need not leave the graphics unmodified. The nVidia control panel was used to try and optimise the graphics. In the Manage 3D Settings a new program entry was added for eFalcon.exe. The following settings were used:
Image Scaling: On
Anisotropic filtering: Application-controlled
Antialiasing - Mode: Application-controlled
Multi-Frame Sampled AA (MFAA): On
Texture filtering - Negative LOD bias: Allow
Vertical sync: Use the 3D application setting
There may be far better settings, in which case feel free to let me know!
I'm assuming there is similar functionality in software supplied with AMD/Intel graphics cards.
Video patching
Video patching remains unchanged from The official and iBeta releases.
TrackIR support
TrackIR is not supported by this release. Given that the official v1.08 release did not support TrackIR and the eFalcon code is based on an earlier version of the code, this was not surprising.
In-game configuration
This release must be run in 1024x768 resolution, to use the eFalcon or Paul Wilson cockpits.
From the manual: To preserve the realistic weapons functionality there are 2 required graphics settings:
Object Density must be set to 6.
Player bubble must be set to 3.
Documents, manuals and guides
The eFalcon manual should be used in conjunction with the existing Falcon 4.0 retail manual. The available eFalcon documents are:
An eFalcon v1.10 manual within the Falcon 4.0 installation folder.
An eFalcon v1.10 manual and a later rev6a manual can be found at the Internet Archive in Falcon 4.0 eFalcon patch collection.
A keyboard reference can found within the Falcon 4.0 installation folder.
Ramp start guide
There is an interactive Shockwave Flash ramp start guide. It can can be found at the Internet Archive in Falcon 4.0 eFalcon patch collection.
Example video
Finally...
Credit and huge thanks go to eRazor and the eTeam for eFalcon and to 'Jeffel' for helping preserve eFalcon!
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