KiloIndiaAlpha

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Yes, the bitmap to object mappings have been determined through trial and error by the modders and are, I think, not yet fully comprehensive.

Some interesting comments here. I'm not suggesting that the combat resolution engine is made public - doing that would result in a set of orthogonal CM derivatives and 'fair play' could be lost. What I am suggesting is, for example, the graphics API be made public.

Yes, I worked on a Mod Manager that uses XML to maintain a bitmap to CM object mappings. When I realised that BTS didn't have/wouldn't release a definitive list of which bitmaps map to which objects I largely lost interest. However it did get as far as a beta and I think some people did dl it.

I'm not asking that the code be put into the public domain - just that some hooks into the runtime are offered to allow extension and innovation from modders et al.

How about BTS making some of their code available via an API into a dynamic link library. This would allow programmers amongst us to develop add-ons to perhaps integrate some of the manually driven campaign rules that people have developed. Another example could be a utility to read a zip file containing a bunch of mods and render the object in 3-D just as it would appear in CM - the user could then decide if he wanted the mod or not. Of course creating these DLLs may not be easy, but it would allow the game to extend in much the same way as having all the bitmaps public for the modders to manipulate.

How about BTS making some of their code available via an API into a dynamic link library. This would allow programmers amongst us to develop add-ons to perhaps integrate some of the manually driven campaign rules that people have developed. Another example could be a utility to read a zip file containing a bunch of mods and render the object in 3-D just as it would appear in CM - the user could then decide if he wanted the mod or not. Of course creating these DLLs may not be easy, but it would allow the game to extend in much the same way as having all the bitmaps public for the modders to manipulate.

In the scenario editor wouldn't it be useful to have an option to set the depth of water in the same way that the current contour height is set? Mike

thanks

It would be nice to see some indication of the delay caused when making an adjustment to spotted fire. The reason is that when the new location is selected it is not possible to return to the original location and sometimes the delay to the new location is as much as the original delay. So some feedback regarding the new delay would be useful. Mike

Thanks for the comments and the various work-arounds. However that is what they are - work arounds. I still think that extracting the code, to skin a vehicle, into a dll or some such would be yet another gold star for the game series. Mike

thanks

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Is it possible for BTS to write a program, separate from the main game program, that could be used to view a CM object without having to load up the main game? My reasoning is that this tool could be invoked from a ModManager type program to allow new bitmaps to be viewed before selecting them into the main bitmap folder. It could also be used by modders to see progress of their work, again without having to load the main game. Mike

Not yet but it will soon.

A beta version is available at http://www.cmmods.com/ under other/other or look for it under KiloIndiaAlpha I put it there as it was the easiest way to let the 3 or 4 beta testers get hold of it, so if you want it it's there. There are a couple of minor probs with it: The help file is not installed - I forgot to inclued it! You will see a couple of warning messages when you first run it these won't appear again if you configure it (from the Configure menu ) to your system. (These bugs have been fixed and will be out on the next release) Mike

I've put a beta version of CMMM onto coz's mod database website under other/other. This is the more practicable means of allowing testers to get hold of a copy. If anyone does dl it then please be aware that it is a Beta and if it screws up don't blame me! thx Mike

I will soon Gary, I hadn't forgotten your email earlier this month volunteering to help. thx Mike

bump

I'd really appreciate a shakedown of and feedback on the Combat Mission Mod Manager I've been hacking. Screen shots are at http://www.geocities.com/mikekh123 It will work with CMBO or CMBB but the data files it comes with are for CMBO. however it's *really easy* to create data files for CMBB. It's written in Java so you will need or be prepared to get JRE1.4 from Sun's website. I haven't forgotten the Mac users and soon(ish) it will be availiable for Macs'. If you'd care to offer a bit of your time then please send me an email. Mike

Has anyone tried to dl the english patch from http://www.combatmission.de I tried and it just loops back onto itself when you get to the alleged dl page. 68 meg dl using 56k modem [ November 21, 2002, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: KiloIndiaAlpha ]

Where is the European, CDV, patch?

No. CMMM is new and about to be released. It has nothing to do with CMMOS. CMMM will manage any bitmap or wav file for Combat Mission (BB or BO). [ November 21, 2002, 05:18 PM: Message edited by: KiloIndiaAlpha ]

Hey KIA, just post it on my site under Other/Other. I might even put a special link to it on the main menu. Thanks. COG</font>