Cone of fire pic - pls explain

[ranked1]

I have seen a ton of explanations about the cone aiming system, then I saw this pic http://www.planetside-universe.com/m...php?img_id=337 and it got me wondering exactly how it works (again).

Take a look at the size of the red circle - does that mean it will hit somewhere within that cone? If so, is it a random roll of the "hit dice"?

Does anyone have a simple, 'plain english' explanation of how it will apply in PS.

I feel like a virgin asking this question, but I just can't get my head around it.