Aquila-SmartWargames

One does not simply walk into Lebanon and steal a M-60!  (sorry, had to go there)

Wonderful work man! 

What definitely will be a first is that this Riverine element and the many other unique aspects shown of this mod will bring a complete new way of experiencing CM. 

M48 Patton V3 (With Searchlight + wo Seachlight version)

 
Wreck Version

- replaces the t-55mv by default but can be used for any vehicle, flavor object etc.
- now uses its own dedicated textures to prevent interferences with other vehicles
- added a plate beneath the turret to prevent visible holes when the turret rotates into extreme angles
- track, gun, mg and other parts´ position refined
- wreck version added
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0
 
I am done with the M48 and leave it now to you guys. Decorate, modify, and paint it according to your likings.

M60 Tank V3

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0

@37mm Great work on that river Patrol Boat. You´re probably already aware of that but I´m writing it down for general information:
 
Visible Crew Members on Custom Models
- As already explained the crew/soldier positions are defined by these arrows parts when in blender, while muzzle flash arrows have a small yellow line which tells the direction of the muzzle flash I don´t know how to tell in which direction crew members look when in blender, I simply don´t touch them when moving them from vanilla vehicles.
- AFAIK what stance a crew member has or if he even is visible is defined by the internal CM engine. There are vehicles with full visible crew (jeeps, trucks etc.) and there are vehicle with invisible crew (most apcs/tanks) except when you press [open up] which "spawns" a visible tank commander, and there are vehicles with partially visible crew where you for example can see the driver but not the gunner or vice versa. 
- for amphibious vehicles if one want to go for some visible crew members on a custom model, the Syrian BRDM-2 and the German FUCHS has 1/2 visible crew members which for example could then placed on a patrol boat. The Fuchs has definitely 2 visible of which one controls the roof MG and raises from sitting into a standing stance when [open up] is pressed.
- having an amphibious vehicle with full visible crew/passengers would require a vanilla vehicle with the same trait. Unfortunately I don´t know any as Jeeps, Trucks, etc. can´t swim. So having 2 visible crew guys on a patrol boat is the best atm when I am right about all of this. Too bad we don´t have the Tank Rider feature in CMSF2, this would enable alot of oppurtunities with custom models and visible crews.

M48 Patton V3 (With Searchlight + wo Seachlight version)

 
Wreck Version

- replaces the t-55mv by default but can be used for any vehicle, flavor object etc.
- now uses its own dedicated textures to prevent interferences with other vehicles
- added a plate beneath the turret to prevent visible holes when the turret rotates into extreme angles
- track, gun, mg and other parts´ position refined
- wreck version added
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0
 
I am done with the M48 and leave it now to you guys. Decorate, modify, and paint it according to your likings.

Here's a preview of the current iteration of the mod in action courtesy of @Aquila-CM:
PS - Worth noting that this video really shows CM:SF2's Spies utter reluctance to perform buddy-aid.....I really wanted to have Clark Griswold running around with a Kalashnikov, but it just doesn't seem to happen in the new game (the original CM:SF & CM:A's Spies are avid gun collectors). 

Put's my own little video to shame...
 

Soon presenting by Aquila CM
The Shifttain
The Centurion
The Merkava
The BTR 152
Water Cannons and much more...stay awakes !!

Like always zipped files to download will be available, enjoy.
Sigh !!

If you load the blender project files directly into blender which are included in the m48 & m60 download releases on my dropbox you will get seperate objects which can be assigned seperate textures. There is also an UV editor in blender but like I said I am not into uv editing and can´t provide feedback about differences or compatibiliy between max and blender.
Making Of videos of M48
Part 1:
 
Part 2:
Note to Part2: press F6 to open the menu which lets you decide which side should be cut away. You can copy/paste model parts between blender windows with usual CTRL+C or V commands.
I used the finished M60 for visual comparison and because it was easier for me to move all the relevant stuff (crew, muzzle positions etc.) to the M48. You can also see me assigning quickly vanilla textures from the t55mgun.bmp. The workflow is a bit rough as I run into issues because the turret,hull, and searchlight was one object which needed to be cut in order to create separate objects. What is not shown: ALL my custom models have a vanilla model base, in this case I used a T-55 hull object made invisible with blank.bmp. Without this my models wouldn´t display ingame. 

If you load the blender project files directly into blender which are included in the m48 & m60 download releases on my dropbox you will get seperate objects which can be assigned seperate textures. There is also an UV editor in blender but like I said I am not into uv editing and can´t provide feedback about differences or compatibiliy between max and blender.
Making Of videos of M48
Part 1:
 
Part 2:
Note to Part2: press F6 to open the menu which lets you decide which side should be cut away. You can copy/paste model parts between blender windows with usual CTRL+C or V commands.
I used the finished M60 for visual comparison and because it was easier for me to move all the relevant stuff (crew, muzzle positions etc.) to the M48. You can also see me assigning quickly vanilla textures from the t55mgun.bmp. The workflow is a bit rough as I run into issues because the turret,hull, and searchlight was one object which needed to be cut in order to create separate objects. What is not shown: ALL my custom models have a vanilla model base, in this case I used a T-55 hull object made invisible with blank.bmp. Without this my models wouldn´t display ingame. 

...a word a gesture Aquila-CM does the rest !

M48 Patton Tank

In Action:
- textures again are vanilla CM textures but you can apply some Camo scheme and a more detailed track texture to make it look better. Textures also can be reassigned in Blender.
- track/turret works
- commander open up in decent looking place
- use it for the T55 and the M60 can be renamed to a T62 replacement
- removed cupola and commander MG and reworked the AA MG (can be removed too in blender)
- project file included
I nearly gave up on this one as turret, hull, and range finder were molded into one piece. I had to slice them into pieces. I recorded the process and will upload it for educational purposes.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0

M48 Patton V2 with Searchlight

 
M48 Patton V2 without Searchlight

- removed the ugly mg and added 50. cal
- fixed some alignment bugs
For the time being a simple olive or camo bmp texture would look definitely better. The model doesn´t have UV maps which tells the model which part of the bmp texture should be used where which is required if you want highly detailed textures. I won´t dig into this as textures, uv maps, and skinning is not my speciality. However I recommend to further decorate the model with gear stuff like you did with the IED jeep similar to the real life M48 screens you provided. The British vehicles for example are a really good source for camo nets etc. and eyecandy gear can be found on basically every vanilla vehicle. Keep in mind to attach the gear to the right parent i. e. if you park gear on the turret, place it under the "turret" model or otherwise the gear won´t rotate with the turret. This will make the models definitely more "plastic" and would cover the somewhat simple texture.
For the Searchlight I provided two versions which can be modtagged according to your scenario. However it can also be randomly displayed by naming it "gear"in blender. If you want to add a cover onto it you can do that. You can add several painted covers and name every model with either -optiona -optionb -optionc so one is exclusively used when the game loads. I´ve made a post which covers this in this thread. Also loading an original model like the German Panzer 4  which comes with alot of "option" skirt models is a good auto-educational source.
If you plan to further work on the model START FROM THE BLENDER PROJECT FILE. For some reason loading the .mdr and exporting it again will cause an error and can result in loss of worktime.   
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0

M48 Patton Tank

In Action:
- textures again are vanilla CM textures but you can apply some Camo scheme and a more detailed track texture to make it look better. Textures also can be reassigned in Blender.
- track/turret works
- commander open up in decent looking place
- use it for the T55 and the M60 can be renamed to a T62 replacement
- removed cupola and commander MG and reworked the AA MG (can be removed too in blender)
- project file included
I nearly gave up on this one as turret, hull, and range finder were molded into one piece. I had to slice them into pieces. I recorded the process and will upload it for educational purposes.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0

I´ve made some H&E forces preview videos:
You can find additional H&E forces under recent videos.

M48 Patton Tank

In Action:
- textures again are vanilla CM textures but you can apply some Camo scheme and a more detailed track texture to make it look better. Textures also can be reassigned in Blender.
- track/turret works
- commander open up in decent looking place
- use it for the T55 and the M60 can be renamed to a T62 replacement
- removed cupola and commander MG and reworked the AA MG (can be removed too in blender)
- project file included
I nearly gave up on this one as turret, hull, and range finder were molded into one piece. I had to slice them into pieces. I recorded the process and will upload it for educational purposes.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0

M48 Patton Tank

In Action:
- textures again are vanilla CM textures but you can apply some Camo scheme and a more detailed track texture to make it look better. Textures also can be reassigned in Blender.
- track/turret works
- commander open up in decent looking place
- use it for the T55 and the M60 can be renamed to a T62 replacement
- removed cupola and commander MG and reworked the AA MG (can be removed too in blender)
- project file included
I nearly gave up on this one as turret, hull, and range finder were molded into one piece. I had to slice them into pieces. I recorded the process and will upload it for educational purposes.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0

First thanks for the kind words.
Second I fixed the turret on the M60 Tank
The turret rotation issue and alot of other scaling/rotation issues that often happen when moving/scaling parts should be fixable with this function which "zeroes" the model part:

I tested what happens when you name the new model track wheel "wheel wheel1 wheel2 etc" ... they dissappear"
M60 Tank V2
 
- turret rotation fixed
- other issues fixed
- commander open up position moved + added a little hatch which opens up
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1tviryry89g6py7/AAAJpSvGH6u1iEx4WzwVLSnJa?dl=0
 
 

Yup that one would be spot on.....It has a pintle .50cal on top of the cupola which is typical for 'Nam and would better match the underlying model (you could remove the MG in the cupola itself as they were usually the same gun).
Here's a typical 'Nam spec M48A3:

If you want more info about & pictures of this type, just give me a shout and prepare for a deluge! 

Since the first day I said about Aquila-CM
 
Posted July 18

You seem to manipulate all these tools of the game, like to take your breakfast !
here on the forum you will get a place of first choice and your knowledges will be apreciated and sought...
some good modders will take care of you ... or you will take care of them but I m sure together you will do a good job  hope to see more, I have lot of projects, like everybody  ...
 
And I maintain what I said, Aquila is a MUST on the forum...
@sbobovyc give the 3D available keys
@Aquila-CM open all  doors 
The others one, let us discovers ! !
BF watching on a staff map the situation !!

Yes...  Aquila is doing things that for the past 12 years since CM2 was released, we all thought was impossible.  Amazing work.

Just found this topic... you guys are just awesome. This is amazing!

That was because atm one can´t export metadata on custom models with CM2Tools and Blender which caused issues particulary with wheels. I took an invisible t55 hull as primer (other models/flavor objects like the usual crate would likely work too), moved the t55 crew positions to new hull and turret, and renamed and organized specific parts of the new custom model to "track", "turret", "mount", and "weapon" as the internal game engine recognizes this names thus producing working vehicles without metadata.
The best is to check the blender project file to gain an overview about this method. It is included in the download.
You or 37mm talked with me about bringing a Patton to H&E but I couldn´t remember which one was requested. This was likely discussed on Discord and I don´t have a chat log anymore because I needed to reinstall everything. So I assumed the M60 Patton was the right one.
Just to be clear you talking about this one:
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/m48a3-patton-medium-tank-toshueyi-3f00c27f2b284776a46a0663f1250806