My explosions aren't as detailed as everyone elses?

[strutman12345]

Hi, i'm new to KSP, and i've noticed (from various youtube videos and whatnot) that my explosions aren't as detailed as everyone elses. I'm running 0.16 because of the larger mod base, but the explosions lack the black smoke effects, and instead are simple just orange explosions. I've looked in the graphic options, and couldn't find a fix, and i've also confirmed that these explosions should be implemented in 0.16... So if anyone could tell me why my explosion effects are lacking, and how to fix it, I would be greatly appreciative...

[sal_vager]

Hi strutman12345, welcome to the community

Not sure about the explosions, though they were changed a while back to help reduce frame rate problems, it might help if you could post a screenshot of your explosions so we can compare them.

[theflyingfish]

The explosions were changed in .16. They got rid of the classic "spider" type black smoke explosions in favor of a simpler, less graphically intensive system that takes into account whether the part is explosive or not, e.g. fuel tanks and engines will explode, but wings and structural components disappear into a cloud of dust.

Most of the videos on YouTube are likely pre-.16, and have the classic explosions.

[mustwinfull]

Welcome to the forums strutman12345 (More of them...)

Sorry I can't help you as I didn't notice any changes in explosions but the other two people here have so refer to their advice but from what I can tell, they changed over updates so they could reduce lag.

Although, make sure you check out these forums properly, there it lots to do from KSP discussion, to other topics.

Have fun playing KSP and on here and go blow up some rockets! (My trademark Welcome Aboard signature seems to be strangely relevant...)

[strutman12345]

Ah, thank you all... that would make sense that they would nerf the pretty explosions... though it makes me sad lol

[L99thebeaver]

are you honestly complaining that your explosions aren't cool enough?

[theflyingfish]

The old explosions weren't that cool. A landing leg would fall off of your ship, gently tapping the ground... And then explode with the force of ten thousand suns. Kinda ruined immersion.

[Moltove]

yeah, but it was funny to watch your ship turn into a great black mass

[cardgame]

It wasn't funny to sit through a 30-second slideshow of your ship turning into a great black mass, though. I for one like the new explosions better.

[Markus Reese]

yeah, but it was funny to watch your ship turn into a great black mass

But even more now as your fuel tanks explode in a brilliant explosion and you watch your parts rain down/scatter across the landscape! Fear fills the mind as still engaged engines spiral around your capsule hoping they won't hit you before your chute deploys!

Woo, they missed. Then ZOOM tank misses you by 1m as your parachute deploys and the tank continues to fall.

Speaking personal experience, The black smoke was very meh...

[Fendleton]

The old explosions weren't that cool. A landing leg would fall off of your ship, gently tapping the ground... And then explode with the force of ten thousand suns. Kinda ruined immersion.

That said, parachutes still seem to be made out of woven nitrocellulose.