bf_write* pBitBuf = UserMessageBegin(&Filter, "Fade");

       if (!pBitBuf)
               return false;

       pBitBuf->WriteShort((short)(fFadeTime * 1000)); 	// fade out/in time
       pBitBuf->WriteShort((short)(fHoldTime * 1000));  // how long fade lasts
       pBitBuf->WriteShort(nFlags); 	// FFADE_IN - fade back in, FFADE_OUT - fade out to color, FFADE_PURGE - remove all fades, FFADE_STAYOUT - fade and stay, FFADE_MODULATE - blends colors?
       pBitBuf->WriteByte(red); 	// fade red 
       pBitBuf->WriteByte(green); 	// fade green
       pBitBuf->WriteByte(blue); 	// fade blue
       pBitBuf->WriteByte(alpha); 	// fade alpha transparency

       engine->MessageEnd();