VERY IMPORTANT!!!
=================

INSTALLATION / MODLOADER
------------------------

Installing this mod through ModLoader is not recommended.

This package was prepared to work directly from the main GTA San Andreas
folder. With the current structure, all file paths are exactly where the ASI
expects to find them:

heli_classic.ini
scripts\IIIHelibase.SA.asi
scripts\chopper.dff
scripts\CHOPPER.TXD
scripts\spotlight.txd
audio\heli_classic\*.wav
data\vehicles.ide
data\handling.cfg

Using ModLoader may work in some cases, but it is not the safest installation
method for this mod, because:

- some ASI Loaders may not load ASIs from ModLoader folders;
- heli_classic.ini may not be found;
- audio files may not be found in the correct path;
- spotlight.txd may fail to load;
- vehicles.ide and handling.cfg may require manual merging;
- other mods may change model ID 612 or the helicopter system.

To avoid errors, the recommended installation method is:

copy the CONTENTS of the folder
"Put the files on your GTA SA folder"

directly into your main GTA San Andreas folder.

Do not copy the whole folder itself into the game directory.
Copy only its contents.


CONVERTING / EDITING CLASSIC CHOPPERS
-------------------------------------

If you want to convert or edit a chopper from GTA III, GTA Vice City or
GTA Liberty City Stories for this system, use Blender with DragonFF.

Special thanks to DragonFF for making RenderWare model import/export possible
inside Blender.

When importing in Blender with DragonFF:

1. Select the chopper .dff file.
2. Select the matching .txd file as well.
3. Import the DFF with textures applied.

Recommended DragonFF import settings:

TXD:
- Skip Mipmaps: enabled
- Pack Images: enabled
- Apply To Objects: enabled

DFF:
- Scan for Images: enabled
- Extension: .PNG
- Read Material Split: enabled
- Use Edge Split: enabled
- Create Backfaces: enabled
- Import Custom Normals: enabled
- Group Similar Materials: enabled

These options help Blender load the model with materials, textures, normals,
backfaces and material splits more correctly.

After editing the model, export it using DragonFF DFF Exporter.

Recommended export settings:

- Format: DragonFF DFF (.dff)
- Version: GTA SA (v3.6.0.3)
- Export Frame Names: enabled
- Export Collision: enabled only if you are actually exporting collision
- Apply Collision Transformations: enabled if exporting collision

Even if the model originally comes from GTA III / VC / LCS, for this mod it
must be exported as a GTA San Andreas DFF.

Do not export it as GTA III or Vice City if your goal is to use it with this
mod.


MAGIC.TXD TEXTURE SETTINGS
--------------------------

To make the textures work correctly in GTA San Andreas, use Magic.TXD.

Recommended general settings:

- Platform: Direct3D9
- Resize / Dimensioned: enabled
- Compressed: enabled
- Palettized: disabled
- Raster Raw: disabled
- Generate Mipmaps: enabled

Use the formats like this:

1. Textures without real transparency:
   use DXT1

   Example:
   chopper8bit64

   DXT1 is recommended for opaque textures, such as main body parts, details
   without alpha and textures that do not need smooth transparency.

2. Textures with transparency / alpha:
   use DXT3

   Examples:
   chopperalpha4bit64
   black64

   DXT3 is recommended for textures that need alpha, such as markings, plates,
   transparent details, rotor textures, cutout parts or materials that depend
   on transparency.

Quick summary:

- Opaque / no transparency: DXT1
- With alpha / transparency: DXT3
- Platform: Direct3D9
- Mipmaps: yes
- Palettized: no

Do not rename the main chopper textures unless you know exactly what you are
doing. The DFF expects to find the correct texture names inside the TXD.

Important texture names in this package:

chopper8bit64
chopperalpha4bit64
black64

If you change these names in the TXD, the model may appear without textures,
with black materials, white materials or broken materials.


FINAL NOTE
----------

This mod is not just a simple vehicle replacement.

HELI_CLASSIC uses its own system to load, control, render and simulate the
classic chopper. Because of this, small changes to the DFF, TXD, INI,
vehicles.ide or handling.cfg may break the mod.

Always make a backup of the working version before editing anything.