NavyDiver

If you don't have an interest in my endeavour, that is OK. But if you do, here is what is happening. I was into the CMAK BMP folder all yesterday. I asked around for anyone who knew which uniform BMP files go with what in game forces. No luck. It aint easy to figure out since there are often many dupes of each type of bmp file such as "desert tan pants with high black boots". I am using Andrew Fox's awesome uniform mod from CMBB Disk 2. He knows his stuff! I can barely handle rotating my family digital pix the right direction...CW or CCW? (Note to self, per his read me files, I must e-mail him for written permission before I could share my batch files.) I'll skip over the dozens of tests of QB, alt-A and exits and then rushes back to tweak the BMP folder and copy over another file to try and change certain in game uniform items. Very trial and error so far but my knowledge level is increasing slightly. As I go I'm trying to document all this in an excel file which will try to match BMP uniform file number to in force/timeframe. So, if I had my act together, here is where you'd see the screenshot of my test battle "16 Dec 1944, a snowy day in Belgium". I am not done but now I have successfully achieved Waffen-SS infantry, support teams, vehicle crews and platoon HQ in pea pattern four pocket camo uniforms, steel helmets w/o covers, grey gaiters and blk boots. Sadly, these troops share almost all the same uniform bmp files and so variety is limited. The Co/Bn HQ has a grey tunic with medals pistol and map case, grey visor cap and camo pants from the winter reversible outfit. I'm wanting gloves on all their hands since these guys are so cold in the snow! Maybe Andrew can hook me up for X-mas? Panzer crews stay in the fall camo coveralls with black cap w/o visor. Sorry I don't know all the proper terms for the uniforms. Attacking force had a couple half-tracks and a Stug. Their camo looked fine for being Dec 44 in Ardennes. My swapped buildings need work, gotta tweak them around a bit. Light buildings versus heavy buildings. My choices as swaps didn't always go the right way. Wooden shacks I borrowed from CMBB labeled as heavy bldg for example. Haven't yet messed with images for making far horizon and terrain info bar box *not* have Italian mountains. I will also do a version where the troops get some actual snow camo items. Snow camo helmet cover, white parka and pants. Then I will also do an August 44 "Mortain" version. Interesting note: Extreme fog of war had my US troops thinking the attacking Waffen-SS were actually Heer infantry and therefore the enemy troops were decked out in tan pants, helmets with chipped tan paint. Gotta change those files too... Of course I haven't messed with US infantry troops uniforms yet. Nor with FJ and heer. I'll keep in touch...

****NEW CMBO2 STATUS REPORT AS OF 23 DEC 2003**** Merry Christmas! Added a couple CMBO2 screenshots from my free website's pages. There in my latest post at end of this thread. had problems at first but seems to be working this way. Opens in a new window... If you don't have an interest in my CMBO2 endeavour, that is OK. But if you do, here is what is happening as of 23 DEC 03 1. BMP FILE CHART: I am using the GrossDeutschland website's CMBB uniform BMP chart as a format to follow for making a presentable CMAK uniform BMP chart. 9000-10000 series bmp file numbers. I will also add the unit info box bmp file numbers as well since Michael Dorosh requested it. I am using "MS paint" to write the bmp file number on the bmp file of interest and then run it in the game. Then I see what situation it matches to and jot it down on my excel spreadsheet hardcopy. I have some holidays off here soon and will grind through it and get it done in a week or so. I guess if I do a good job here then anyone could do their own CMBO2. 2. TERRAIN CHANGES: a. CMAK "Italian" style small buildings: To return back to the France, Belgium, Germany flavor I replaced most fo the 6000 series BMP files with an assortment of small buildings from CMBO, CMBB and the beautiful mods from Ed "Tanks a Lot" Kinney. It looks great! Just got Tiger's damaged versions for the old CMBO small bldgs so this should close this for the moment. It is your personal preference which ones you choose. I will tabulate what I did and offer it as an example. b. CMAK "Italian" style large buildings issue: I messed with but they didn't turn out very nice so the maps in my tests all have large buildings deleted in the editor. I'll have to backburner this issue for later. Any ideas or tips anyone? 3. AXIS UNIFORM BMP CHANGES: This is my main focus. As a warm-up I am starting with what I am calling "CMBO2 BULGE FJ BATTLEPACK". This will be used on CMAK, select Italy for Dec 44 timeframe. I have written a few test scenarios with axis forces selected to have the units that show a wide assortment of uniforms while trying to keep balance with history, etc. a. Added gloves to various "arms/sleeves" that needed gloves for cold winter weather. Grey, black, camo gloves. Really makes the troops look even better IMHO. b. I have renumbered BMP files so my test scenario uses FJ company as the "main force". But when I select support troops I change the drop down menu and get them from other available flavors for that month/year such as INF, MECH INF, SS MECH INF, MTN, etc. This way I get my enhanced visual effect with a variety of axis headgear, upper clothing and pants. Mix n match. Based on CMBB uniform mods from AndrewtF and stock BMP's. Some modded again by me: added gloves, added Lufwaffe eagle to that nice chicken wire mesh helmet. FJ CO CDR now has a nice trenchcoat with Luftwaffe eagle (he used to fly JU-88's but got grounded in '43). Seems from ref book photos to be accurate that Bulge FJ divisions had a mix of FJ helmet and non-FJ helmet due to supply shortages. TOE of these support team guys seems exactly the same so far, I haven't noticed difference between GEBIRGS sniper filling in dressed as an FJ sniper and INF LMG MG42 seems same as FJ LMG MG42. I was worried they wouldn't "red line" and go under command of FJ platoon HQ but they do. They're not listed as specifically falling under the platoon's command. Also the rank listed in the unit info box and the graphic for the unit down there will not be FJ if unit isn't really FJ. But stock choices also seem hosed. FJ troops have a Heer graphic. Anyway, I will explore swapping those 1/4 view around but can't change text for rank. ROT for rottenfuhrer can't become proper rank for his stand-in role as a FJ. Also, the actual name of the unit when you hit "return" to see details on weapons will still say "GEBIRGSJAEGER SNIPER", etc. To me this is no biggie. Later I will do the same approach for a primarily Waffen-SS Bulge battle (or heer, etc.). And then branch out timeframe wise. Probably back to summer 44 for FJ, SS and heer and thus take the gloves back off all the arms, get summer color smocks, etc. I'm excited! Today I will make up a set of folders to e-mail out for anyone interested to test my progress to this point and provide feedback. I will zip into 3 folders. Each will be about half a meg. It'll give you readme directions, acknowledgement of where I got all the great artwork, renumbered CMAK uniform bmp files and a couple test scenarios. Remember to make a copy of your original CMAK BMP folder first! Shoot me an e-mail if you want a package e-mailed or have any comments! Thanks and I'll keep in touch... [ December 23, 2003, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ]

Shucks! Oh well, thanks for the info.

I know that CMAK cannot cover 100% of what CMBO offers. Certain vehicles were not programmed and bocage terrain not included. So CMBO will probably always be on my HD. But based on the attraction of CMBB ROQC and the more powerful QB editor of CMBB/CMAK, I am embarking on my own for myself to develop CMAK into a sort of "CMBO2". Just by bringing over some files and renumbering them I can get some visual gameplay changes. Uniforms, buildings, helmets, mountainless Sky graphics. I only say "on my own for myself" in that I do not claim to be a modder or have talent to deliver a quality product but also I would not hold anything back if others asked for batch files, etc. Like I am making a new recipe soup and you can taste it if you like. Doesn't mean I'm aiming to serve it tonight for chow! Note: I'm targeting to be able to cover Battle of the Bulge type scenarios and Mortain counterattack. Of course no KG Peiper KingTigers but no big deal to me. If anyone else is working on anything like this, I'd like to share ideas. Thanks.

I did a search of CMAK forum for stummel and 251/9 with no returns. I played a battle and the stummel info box down at the bottom of the screen showed icon of US 30 cal as the onboard MG. I'm at work sort of but will check at home if I have the game file. I will try and see again tonight and if it occurs again I will save the game file. Send off to whoever...

I did searches of CMBB and CMAK forums for Schwimmwagen with no luck. Just trying to see if anyone ever turned another vehicle (Kubelwagen) into a schwimmwagen since there is not one in the game. Maybe too hard? I'd like one for Christmas.

I'll borrow some time on this thread since ground has been plowed open already.... My goal: I'm no modder but will fumble and bumble my way to turn CMAK into the best upgraded CMBO that I can. I'm calling it "CMBO-2". Why?: Sure, I love CMAK and what it has, just trying to get myself a more editable CMBO long campaign to do North West Europe combat. QB editor of my "CMBO-2" will allow me to adjust ammo levels, casualties, etc. I'm doing a "ROQC" kind of thing... OK, I understand the playing field. Vehicles: What we have in CMAK is what he have. OK, no problem. I'll deal with it. Uniforms: Messing with this already and asking some uniform modders for advice. Getting rid of GE tan helmets, tan pants, tan shirt collars and bringing in field gray pants, etc. Just grabbing existing files from CMBB/CMBO. Low tech solutions. Buildings: experimented with swapping BMP file numbers to use CMBO/CMBB buildings to get NWE flavor in and Italian flavor out. So so results. Looked OK for small buildings, some mismatch with roof angles for big buildings. Floor types are goofy but I can live with that. Of course no damaged versions for old CMBO bldg BMP's. Far horizon for clear sky: Not a problem for my foggy Bulge scenarios for "CMBO-2" but gotta swap files to get decent Mortain scenarios. Oh, by the way, I did the experiment to look at the small buildings and shoved in a Kampfgruppe Peiper kind of scenario and the "Stummel" GE half-track had a US 30 cal MG for the graphics down in the unit info box, *not* with the actual vehicle on the battlefield. Bug? Maybe nobody cares but I'll keep folks posted on my CMBO-2 project/experiment anyway. My appetite is wetted seeing CMAK improvements help me play a better and more enjoyable CMBO. [ December 14, 2003, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ]

I am looking through the mod websites and browsing/searching the forums but haven't found any good info/thread on how CMAK can be turned into an upgraded CMBO. I did read in forum that some folks were surprised that Pershing Tank is not represented in CMAK and will not be able to be full CMBO, but that is okay with me. I played a Bulge flavored QB on CMAK today and with fog it was okay since Italian mountains were not visible. But some graphics obviously needs to be switched, houses, uniforms for SS were the Italian campaign flavor, etc. Anyone know when some kind fellow will upgrade CMMOS to cover CMAK? Otherwise I do the old drag and drop with bitmaps. Are CMBO bitmaps compatible with CMAK? If I can get an upgraded CMBO out of CMAK then I can have a better, more realistic CMBO campaign with the more powerful QB of CMBB/CMAK. Weakened troops, casualties, ammo levels, wind, temp, etc. Thanks for the help guys! [ December 12, 2003, 01:43 AM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ]

I am playing a CMBO campaign using rules I modified from some others I found on the web (tip of the hat to JasonC's "squaregear" website and Matt's Campaign rules. A decendent from previous work that produced BCR and ROQC). I just looked at them all and then basically started with a blank new excel file and started my own. Any CMBO campaign systems out there? [ December 08, 2003, 09:32 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ]

Yokohama, Japan...

I think I am looking for the same thing that Portero is. Campaign system for CMBO play against AI for June 44 to May 45. Like the various campaign systems for CMBB. Roll dice and pick enemy type, quality, etc. Track core force, etc. I do not own CMBB but see that CMBO has less flexibility in the quick battle editor. For example I cannot edit ammo in QB, only in custom scenario. But then I don't get random for enemy force, right? Have any smart guys made a utility to somehow edit units in QB before hitting play? Anybody already worked out a CMBO campaign system? Not PBEM rules. I searched FAQ, forum, various websites. No joy. Starting my own CMBO campaign system up. We'll see...