Non-destructive launchpad "explosion"

[LitaAlto]

Apparently a few of us think launches look a bit more realistic when there are clouds of smoke and balls of fire welling under the rocket during the first few moments of launch. I know the first time it happened I was blown away by how it looked, and then felt my heart sink as I realized I trashed the launchpad.

Is there maybe a way to trigger the launchpad explosions, without actually destroying the launchpad? Perhaps even a way to scale non-destructive launchpad explosions based on thrust on launch?

[Buzzou]

Hell yeah, just remove the explosions and leave the smoke during launch. It may not look perfect, but it will look better than the current system. at least the smoke spew out horizontally.

[LitaAlto]

Leaving the fireballs would be OK, I think--if they could be scaled to thrust. Then it looks like the ignition flame is welling back up after hitting the ground.

[nli2work]

Looks like Sarbian just updated SmokeScreen with Launch Effects

https://github.com/sarbian/SmokeScreen/blob/master/KM_LaunchEffect.cs

little more detail here

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/68196-25-CoolRockets%21-Cryo-and-Launch-Particle-FX-%28Dec-07%29?p=1583401&viewfull=1#post1583401

Edited December 10, 2014 by nli2work

[LitaAlto]

OOH. Thanks for the heads-up, nli2work--I'll check it out tonight!