Dr Dan

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Big Time Software: What you guys didn't get to see is how CM evolved. The original concept and implementation was so much more basic than anybody can imagine. But as we worked on it we kept seeing more potential for improvement, which we did, which caused us to see other areas we could improve upon, etc. etc. Steve<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Steve, have you guys given any thought to writing a book about the development of Combat Mission? The process you describe might make for a very interesting read, even to a (more) general audience. Dan CM will be forever refreshing!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dschugaschwili: Software FP calculations are very slow, so that's probably not an option. The idea of masking the least significant digit(s) in a defined way doesn't work too because rounding differences can cause more significant bits to flip too (0.9999 to 1.0000 for example). You should consider that there really isn't a quick solution to solve this problem. Dschugaschwili<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I did NOT suggest using software FP, but rather forcing the compiler to generate code using the software FP option, replacing the software FP routines with specially coded HARDWARE ones when the program is linked. There are a number of ways to force the desired rounding effect, several of which have been mentioned earlier. Actually, this may or may not be a quick fix depending on the information available to the programmers regarding the FP libraries, etc. For example, some compiler manufacturers supply library source with their distributions, making the task fairly easy, if a bit tedious. Dan CM is captivating.

Well, you guys probably already thought of this, but what the heck.... Does the C compiler you use generate inline FP instructions or does it call ( or INT to) library routines? -- if library routines are used, then you could modify them alone to force uniform "rounding" without needing to alter the entire CM code base. ...or... You might force this situation by setting the compiler to use software FP and then substituting your (homemade) hardware FP routines for the software library at link time (or DLL load, etc.) Dan CM "floats," but the results are real. [This message has been edited by Dr Dan (edited 11-07-2000).]

Yeah, this does happen and it can be really annoying. The AI also uses the tactic very effectively to gain ground at the end of battles in operations. However, there have been several discussions on the forum of whether the real "problem" is VL's or rather, a fixed number of turns? Maybe the latter creates the opening for gamey action. Dan CM is real!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KwazyDog: Ive passed this one on to Charles guys, if its indeed a bug Id say you will see it fixed in the next patch <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thanks for responding. If needed, I can provide numerous examples of this behavior. By the way, you said: "...Charles guys..." Has Charles been CLONED? Dan CM has depth!

Still curious. Dan CM is interesting!

I have noticed that if a tank targets an antitank team, the LOS line indicates if the tank is hull down relative to the team. This seems reasonable. However, I also note that I receive the hull down indication even if the target unit has not been identified - i.e. shows only as "infantry?" Since the hull down indication relative to infantry units ONLY appears for AT teams (I think), haven't I learned the identity of the infantry unit without proper spotting? Small problem, just curious. Dan CM remains FUN!

This sounds like a good idea and would allow for some interesting new battle situations. Unfortunately, using the scenario editor means you always know what the other side has. With all the turnover that occurred in units during the war, wouldn't a mixture of experience levels appear pretty often? Dan CM is FUN!

Look guys, that silly thing uses ROCKETS, and we all KNOW how effective/accurate German rockets are. Dan CM continues to be fun!

Tiger If you can arrange it, you might try getting the gun crew into C&C with a good HQ unit. Sometimes this will make them "feel" more secure. Dan

This is turning into a very silly thread. Dan

Topic Drift -- Maybe Sherman tanks can survive the same way SOME red shirts did on Star Trek -- they need to hang out with the engineers. (Aye, that and a wee bit more, Captain). As the historical reality folks might remind us, combat engineers had much lower casualty rates than (most) other unit types. Dan CM is ALWAYS fun!

Slapdragon, thanks for your observations. What you describe about heavy German tanks certainly appears to be true, although I have seen 'gun destroyed' a couple of times even on a Sherman. Also, large HE or similar IS a factor; it seems that tanks like the Cromwell VI or the Churchill VIII, which use HOLLW © ammo, are particularly good "gun destroyers." As for what actually is taken out, I think Steve said earlier that 'gun destroyed' covered more than just the barrel, including the sights/optics, mechanical failures, etc. Hey, Steve, BTS, can you guys comment? One thing that I would really like to know is where you can find raw data that indicates specific types of tank damage throughout the war. I've tried searching ( ) the web, but I'm not exactly sure what to seek. Any WWII historians know where to look? Dan CM is STILL fun!

O.K., in accordance with forum bylaws, as well as currently accepted etiquette, I did a search on this but couldn't answer my question: How does CM model 'Gun Destroyed?' I understand the method used to determine armor penetration, but I can't find anything that indicates how gun hits are determined and what makes a 'hit' become a 'destroyed.' Dan CM is STILL fun!

From the definitive source of WWII information, the Sunday Newspaper ad by MATCHBOOK COLLECTIBLE Die-Cast Models, comes (and I'm not making this up) "The Great Tanks of World War II." "For the first couple years, it looked like [Axis forces] would win. The German war machine crushed Allied forces with a seemingly invincible force of armored warriors. But then, the Allies - led by America - rose to the challenge, developing advanced artillery and tanks that stopped the Germans in their tracks. Now you can own the eight greatest tanks of World War II... On one are the forces of freedom: the A22 Infantry Tank Mk IV Churchill, the finest British infantry tank...the Russian T-34/76, which halted the German advance in the East...and the best of the best, the two American Sherman tanks [the M4A3 105mm and the M4A3 76mm] that literally changed the course of the war. Then there are the worthy adversaries: the Wirbelwind that shot down Allied planes...the dreaded Panzers, one of the deadliest forces the Allies would face...and the Panther, the "big cat" that was the best tank in the world until America created the Sherman..." And, the models look just like the ones in Combat Mission!!!!! BTS, fellow CM'ers, it seems pretty clear, the Sherman tanks are obviously UNDERPRICED. Dan