Fenris

I've mentioned this before and it really helped me get into learning the editor... I started trying to go 100% realistic but as we see there's a good deal of work in the research, obtaining and creating an overlay for the map and all that before you even load CM. Copying a CM1 scenario as a base however helps cut out most of that leg work and lets you get straight into the editor and make something relatively quickly. You've got all the details already so you just need to set everything up and build the map. Screen-shotting the CM1 map in the editor and using it as the overlay, copy the forces etc etc it's quite easy. Only thing you have to come up with yourself is AI plans. So if you have the urge but are a little daunted maybe give rebuilding a CM1 battle a go as a place to start. You can also use parts from CM1. My next project (if I ever get around to it) will be to use a CM1 battle for all the details except the map which I plan to make from scratch using google etc. -F

I realize this is a bit of a duh! question but... Just so I can feel all warm and fuzzy - adding MG will bring Fallschirmjäger to Normandy yes? -F

Interesting turns in this thread. Since we seem to be whining... My only beef is the multiple base games approach. I'd much prefer everything to be upgrades/additions to the one install. Oh yes and an op layer and/or the return CM1 operations, can't forget that. And finally fire + smoke. That is all, pls continue. -F

The arbitrary amount was the number of slices of the terrain he needed to go from top to bottom... At least that's how I took it. So he's just adding more 10' incremented planes as required. -F

Great. -F

Nice. Filmed on JonS' map? -F

Use it rarely too. I have used direct fire smoke from Shermans and on table mortars to block LOS of powerful enemy AT assets and bunkers. Basically blinding what would be difficult or time consuming to kill. But I can't remember using a full barrage any time recently. Have to try it sometime! -F

Very enjoyable AAR. I'll add my thanks to The Capt and George MC for their part and Bil for another excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing. -F

Yes initial July 44 Hetzers went to Heeres Gruppe Nord and then August 44 is what I'm reading for more general introduction to the organic JPz kompanies in the various sorts of infantry formations... As you say prob be very rare in those initial months though. Maybe we'll get lucky

Only two platoons... Will be tough. Nice presentation so far Is there any sort of rules wrt casualties forcing a withdraw or is it completely up to the players? Asking mainly coz CM battles are usually far more bloody than real life. -F

Booo! Says I to that. What about in Bagration? Edit - poo, probably a smidge too late to make the cut for that party as well -F

You forget Mawr's Law (not to be confused with Moore's Law), ie the next boat must always be larger than the last one. Prices will slowly rise into 3 then 4 figures so us junkies can get our junk and BFC can has their boats. Tis the way of things. -F

Sharing a link I got from another forum, takes you to Amazon where they've got this one for free at the moment... Armored Bears: Vol. 2, The German 3rd Panzer Division in World War II http://dealnews.com/-Armored-Bears-Vol.-2-The-German-3-rd-Panzer-Division-Kindle-eBook-for-free/804108.html You can just go straight to Amazon if you like. ps - Is it ok to share these here? -F

Interesting. Force preservation, pulling back instead of fighting it out to the death and potential for unbalanced sides. Some of the things I like about the idea of Ops layer is that you get situations rarely seen in stand alone scenarioes. Thanks for sharing. -F

Many thanks for sharing the links

Very informative, thank you. -F

Been a couple of years since I built something but IIRC... VASSAL can have any number of players and you can define rights for each depending on their choice of side. This can be from specific restrictions on what counters a player can move and see to allowing all players to move and see anything. In this case an umpire would just be one of the sides selectable when you start the game. Differing levels of control for each side definition adds more ground work for the module builder though. It's easy to just let anyone move anything and I found this was fine. If cheating is a concern then I guess this might not be the best, guess if depends on who you're playing with. Besides hidden movement each player can see everything being moved and most modules I've toyed with have moves reported in the chat buffer as well. -F

Stopped watching whilst they argued about the script. Look on the bright side.... Hopefully BFS got their $35 out of this guy. -F

Yes it can IIRC. -F

VASSAL is awesome, I think the fact there are hundreds of board game conversions available attest to it's flexibility. My speck of advice... Use template pieces as much as possible! Updating dozens and dozens of game pieces when you work out a better way to do something is mind numbingly tedious Keep it up, this looks very nice. -F

Does this mean an app for tablet/smart phones, not PC? -F

I have a hardcopy of this one at home, thanks for sharing. -F

Only just saw your reply. No worries, yes I'd assumed it'd be a good deal of work, thought I'd ask just in case you happened to have to something already. Not a big deal. To echo Erwin, many thanks for sharing your hard work.

Higher fidelity means more work at the creation stage, bit of a catch22. I started to learn the editor recently. As a starting point and to take out all the leg work of the research so i can just learn the editor I've been copying CM1 battles into CM2 (CMAK modded to ETO has a ton of NW Europe stuff). A screenshot of the map in the editor from CM1 makes a perfect start and then you just replicate the forces. Only really new thing you have to do is the AI plan(s). Maybe use that as somewhere to start. Whilst I have started on a few historical maps it very time consuming so copying an old scenario lets you jump straight in. The research though is also very interesting, you start learning lots of little details so it can be just as rewarding. Hopefully one day I'll actually release something.

I too tried it a few months ago, no dice. I thought about having a go with OpenGL to DX wrapper or whatever they're called but never got around to it. -F