AndrewTF

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by M Hofbauer: In your first picture comparison.jpg it seems the image on the fender/mudguard is used for the inside as well. How did you work around that in the later pictures (which don't seem to suffer from that)??<hr></blockquote> Well, that is a problem. The rear fender texture repeats itself on both the inside and the front of the fender. I fixed it in the 3rd picture by changing the camera angle when I took the screenshot! I will try repositioning the unit markings to the upper part of the fender by incorporating them into the BMP that depicts the top of the vehicle. I did this for the bridging disk on the front, so it may work ok, but with a little distortion.

No, it's not finished yet, but I thought I'd show off a couple more shots of the Daimler in progress. First is a comparison with the original texture. I like most of the BTS original textures, but the Daimler was just a big green icky blob: There are obviously some problems getting the unit markings to display right. Not sure if I can do anything about it. Either way, I'll include an unmarked version in the release.

Oh man, I'm sorry Gordon, I forgot that you were the the King of Mickey Mouse Ears™! They just look so cool that I had to use them. Please forgive me. I figured you had lots on your to-do list, so take your time. The Daimler still needs a lot of attention before it's release-ready, but it shouldn't take too long.

I didn't make them CMMOS compliant, so they probably aren't. I know there is a CMMOS German uniform set that uses my mods, I don't know if anyone's done anything with the others, though.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by bfamily33: Andrew: Will you or Gordon being doing a Winter version of the Daimler?<hr></blockquote> I asked Gordon about doing a winter Jeep--he must be busy because I haven't heard from him since. I'd love it if he'd consider doing the Daimler, too. I might try to winterize it myself, so wish me luck

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Warmaker: Also, since the bottom of the chassis is a bit dirtied up how about making an optional dirty set of wheels to match?<hr></blockquote> The wheels are very much a work in progress--note the absence of lugnuts, or any detail whatsoever, for that matter. Have patience. You will not be disappointed. [edited for spelling] [ 01-04-2002: Message edited by: AndrewTF ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lord General MB: Soldiers, Were can I find this puppy??<hr></blockquote> Uh, only on my hard drive. It ain't ready yet (hence the "preview" part of the thread title) I'll go home and work on it tonight.

It's pretty easy. No new resource files need to be created. What you need to do is utilize resource files that contain very few graphic files to act as a sort of overflow for the really chock-full ones, like Graphics 5. Okay, here's how I do it: 1. Open up BMP files in Picture Viewer (do not use Photoshop becasue for some reason it doesn't work right). 2. Using Res Edit (a free download from Apple--bless you, Steve Jobs), open a graphics resource file with room to spare from your CM Data folder. I've been using Graphics 1 and Graphics 10, as they have lots of available space. 3. Copy BMP in Picture viewer, then switch to Re Edit and paste into resource file. 4. You will now see the BMP added in the window showing the individual BMPs contained in the resource file. Now select the BMP you just added and "get info" by press command+I. In the dialogue box that opens change the resource ID and name to that of the BMP file, i.e. "3701" and "3701.bmp", respectively. 5. Repeat as necessary. It sounds more complicated than it is. Once you go through the steps it becomes pretty routine and easy. It works without a hitch, although make sure that the textures that you are adding are not duplicated elsewhere--that is, make sure you remove or replace the BMPs in their original places. CM looks for the graphics by number, so it doesn't matter where they are stored. Hope this helps. Let me know if anything needs clearing up. [edited for stupidity] [ 01-04-2002: Message edited by: AndrewTF ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Panzerman: Keep up the great work Andrew! Now if only I could make my graphics files bigger so I could use all your mods...hehe <hr></blockquote> Panzerman, are you on a Mac? I finally figured out how to get around the 15MB graphic resource limitation using Res Edit (although this is certainly no secret to many members of this forum..hey, it's a minor personal victory for me, though!). Anyhow, I can fill you in on how to do it if you want. It's pretty easy, in hindsight.

"The Daimler of Champions"...I like it I found a pretty seamless way to add the Mickey Mouse pattern to the existing textures, so you can expect to see a MM version of the Commonwealth Jeep pretty soon, too.

Go Tom, go!!! This is the winter terrain mod I've been waiting for all my life, although I didn't know it until I saw your screenshots...

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Andreas: Is that grenade launcher based on the IWM picture? In that case I think it was a post-war addition, IIRC. <hr></blockquote> Hmmm. I don't remember but it might be. I'll check my sources. Certainly don't want anything ahistorical...

Thought I'd post a screenie showing the progress I've made on the Daimler armoured car mod. The way the 3D model handles the textures is a little funky, so it's been a difficult task to try to balance the desire for detail and the need for a little vagueness in the textures. Here's what I've done so far. It's dressed in what will be an optional "Mickey Mouse" camo scheme. Unit markings, etc, have not been added yet. I'd like to get opinions on the inclusion of details like the smoke grenade launchers on the side of the turret and the tools. Should they be included even though the texture is mirrored on the model? Maybe make it an option?

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Peter Panzer: ...i suppose it is your time and energy which will ultimately be spent, but why another cromwell? tiger supplied a rather adept version quite some time ago. why not continue along the lines of the daimler scout car and address the vehicles that are in genuine need of attention such as the hummel and marder II? after viewing your jeep, i would also place a high wager on your ability to convincingly render the SdKfz 7 flak vehicles. ...it's no secret you have some ability andrew, why tramp over an already worn path?<hr></blockquote> Uh, well, I'm thinking about doing the Cromwell because, well, honestly, I'm not that fond of Tiger's version, which is pretty much the only Cromwell mod out there. Try putting it next to one of Marco's Brit Shermans, or Feldgrau's awsome Chruchill and you'll see what I mean. I'm sure it's great when used with Tiger's other mods, which all have the same kind of look, but I think the Cromwell needs to be brought up to current mod standards (whatever those are )

I finally got around to finishing this thing. It was one of those projects that never really seems quite right, so at some point I had to decide that good enough was, well, good enough. So, here it is. One paint scheme only: ambush camo. For those who wanted camo wheels: I tried them, they looked weird, so I left them out of the release version. The only options here are to omit the unit number and/or the cross on the hull and rear end. Next up, the Daimler. It sure isn't going to look pretty, but it will be better than a sharp stick in the eye. As for what's after that, I dunno. Maybe the Cromwell. I'm open to suggestions, though. Oh yeah, I sent it to Tom a few minutes ago, so expect to see it there soon, unless Tom went on vacation or something. I'll send it to Manx as well, with hope that it will end up on CMHQ when he's reorganized it. [ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: AndrewTF ]</p>

Yeah, Web sources are spotty at best. I've found a few ok photos of Mk I and Mk II armored cars, but some more detailed photos of the Mk II would be dandy. I found out that there's a reason the original BTS Daimler isn't very detailed...

Well, I guess there's a reason we don't see a lot of Daimler armored car mods--this thing is difficult to paint! While the 3D model is pretty sophisticated, the way the BMPs fit is not, so you have to sacrifice a bit of detail to make things make visual sense. It's slow going, but it's looking pretty ok at this point. If I had more time for modding then you'd have preview shots AND the release version of the Hetzer. What I need at this point are some detail shots of a Daimler Mk II armored car. I can't turn up much info on the Web, and gawd forbid I actually go spend money on a book or something... Anyhow, anything you can do to help would be quite helpful. Scans, web links, etc would be great.

double post [ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: AndrewTF ]</p>

Thanks Tom!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PawBroon: As I told Marco, pride appart, I'd rather play with someone else's MODs than my own. Humber aside of course since I seem to be the only Humber MODer around. Guess it's a French perversion. <hr></blockquote> Humbers need love, too! I like your Humber. Totally forgot that you were working on a Daimler too. But that's ok, the more Mods the better... :cool: [edited for stupidity] [ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: AndrewTF ]</p>

I think it's looking like...Daimler Time! Gotta finish the Hetzer first. I really, really, really promise to have it ready this weekend.

I was just checking the textures and realized that I was wrong earlier when I answered a question about the resolution on this mod. Someone asked if I had done it in "Ultra Res" and I said no, it was normal hi-res, that is 2x the standard file size. Well, on re-examination I found that some of the textures, notably the BMPs for the wheel and the rear panel, were really hi-res. Yup, they're big, about 4x the standard size. My apologies in advance to the low-tech crowd if this mod causes any slowdowns. So far they run normally on my machine. But it looks good, and isn't that what it's all about? I guess I could try the Monster Army Truck Madness scenario--that has lots of jeeps to see if I get any slowdowns.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vader's Jester: Daimler needs it. Badly. Although there are a lot of Tiger I's out there, Kwazydog's MDMP Tiger is still a great choice. It is a little bright in the current slew of subdued textures though. Maybe it's time for a new kick-ass Tiger I? [/QB]<hr></blockquote> Yeah, I like Kwazydog's Tiger, too, but I'd like one that fit in better with the rest of the swell hi-res armor mods available now. But the Daimler does need a repaint pretty badly...

Finally, the Jeep is being sent off to host sites. It's on its way right now. Sorry for the delay, but there were a couple textures that I totally forgot about that I had to quickly fabricate. I also made a (relatively) hi-res steering wheel BMP to replace the chunky ugly old one. After this, the Hetzer will be available shortly. Of course, when this is done I will have a mod void in my existence. So in order to fill that void and help maintain my (in)sanity, I ask you, good people of the CM forum: what's next? :confused: I'm thinking maybe Daimler or Chaffee, or maybe even Tiger I, but I'm open to suggestions...

Here's the Jeep MG. I won't be able to send the files to Manx & Tom until tomorrow AM. I hope you all can wait that long... Thanks for the accolades. I'm pretty happy with it, too.