NavyDiver Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 ****NEW CMBO2 STATUS REPORT AS OF 23 DEC 2003**** Merry Christmas: Tried and failed and tried and failed and now I think I have screenshots that finally work down near the latest posts in this thread! 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. Only hang-up is rank listed in the unit info box and the graphic for the unit down there. 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. Kind of a small detail to me. But acknowledged. 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. 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 uniform bmp files and a couple test scenarios. Remember to make a copy of your original 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... [ January 05, 2004, 07:08 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Now you know what we went through doing up that list on the GD website. Will look forward to your list - will you include the unit portrait bmps as well? They were the main reason I was interested in the bmp listing; Garry Kump and Fernando were interested in the uniforms and they did up the uniform lists and date switch info for the site. Given that Fernando did the uniform art for the CMAK release (IIRC) I wonder if he doesn't have this listing already on a spreadsheet somewhere....might pay to ask him... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 22, 2003 Author Share Posted December 22, 2003 Michael, Thanks for the tip! Also, I was just tipped off by Tanks A Lot that there *WERE* damaged CMBO buildings modded by Tiger. So, I've dl'd them and will shove that in the folder and testdrive it. Things are panning out! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junk2drive Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 If BFC would give us the lists of bmp's and wav's, life (or lack thereof) would be so much easier. How about you beta testers and designers? Are you holding out on us? lol Paul's Pac Progress 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewTF Posted December 22, 2003 Share Posted December 22, 2003 Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: Given that Fernando did the uniform art for the CMAK release (IIRC) I wonder if he doesn't have this listing already on a spreadsheet somewhere....might pay to ask him... A list not unlike the CMBB one on your GD Web site would be invaluable. I've got a few mods on deck that I can't release because there are a few BMPs here and there that I just cannot identify. Also, there's some real weird stuff in the CMAK BMP folder, include some old CMBO body parts and and a complete Romanian uniform set from CMBB! :confused: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 23, 2003 Author Share Posted December 23, 2003 Updated info in the first post. Also, I realize that this "mod" will probably not appeal to folks who play at the higher formation levels. The variety of uniforms has much more impact down at the tiny, small, sub-byte battle level. I'm aware that the issue of support troops and chain of command to an actual CO/platoon HQ is going to be unacceptable when folks are playing battles with companies supporting battalions. But down at the level I typical engage in, this is, so far to now, a real pleasure to see and play. Give it a try! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Los Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 Keep up the good work! Los 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJK Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 FWIW, today I applied most all of the Magua Normandy mod's for CMAK and I think it looks wonderful. Even the desert with scattered trees looks good, the trees aren't as "green", more subdued, like they've been sitting out in a hot sun for all their lives. The only BMP's that didn't match were the ones in the zip "6_Normandy_v1_Subdued_Trees_and_Other_Terrain". Wheatfields were good, and so was the brush. I believe CMHQ has them CMMOS'd and zipped differently now anyways, but everything except mainly the trees I left as they were oh, and buildings, I wan't some sort of an Italian theme going - not going totally "retro" at this point. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 23, 2003 Author Share Posted December 23, 2003 (I haven't messed with any terrain so far except the small buildings). Here is a screen shot to show progress so far on getting visual variety with the axis troops. We always see black and white photos of WW2 so it is hard for me at least to accept that maybe there was this type of variety? Some of the Bulge B&W photos of FJ look to me to show a very non-uniform system of uniforms. Some FJ had plain helmets, some had camo covers, some have obvious camo jacket or smock, some have what seems to be the solid color grey-green version. CMBO2 screenshot another screen shot (towards bottom of the webpage!) I'm a novice with cameras, camcorders and obviously posing CM units for screenshots. I should've waited a few more seconds and you would've seen the luftwaffe eagle I added to the wire mesh coal scuttle helmet. ONLY the actual FJ units get the 3D program for an FJ helmet. I'll do more as I make tweaks. Comments? [ December 23, 2003, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 I have e-mailed en Excel file with the uniform data to AndrewTF a few minutes ago. I think it's up to date. Hope it helps 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 Originally posted by NavyDiver: (I haven't messed with any terrain so far except the small buildings). Here are 2 screen shots to show progress so far on getting visual variety with the axis troops. We always see black and white photos of WW2 so it is hard for me at least to accept that maybe there was this type of variety? Some of the Bulge B&W photos of FJ look to me to show a very non-uniform system of uniforms. Some FJ had plain helmets, some had camo covers, some have obvious camo jacket or smock, some have what seems to be the solid color grey-green version. CMBO2shot1.JPG CMBO2shot2.JPG I'm a novice with cameras, camcorders and obviously posing CM units for screenshots. I should've waited a few more seconds and you would've seen the luftwaffe eagle I added to the wire mesh coal scuttle helmet. ONLY the actual FJ units get the 3D program for an FJ helmet. I'll do more as I make tweaks. Comments? Error 403: Index page not found There is no index.html page in this folder. Your main index.html page either does not yet exist or you have not uploaded it yet. Your main page MUST be called index.html. Please note: file names are case sensitive, your main page must be all lowercase. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 24, 2003 Author Share Posted December 24, 2003 Screenshots seem to be working now. I stood up a quick "free" webpage to host some screenshots. It looked like it was there then it wasn't then it was. Anyway, I opened the hosting site webpage editor and double checked and added in a new index.html "index page". Hope it works now. I also have my folders for e-mailing out the CMBO2 test package for Bulge FJ uniforms and a short scenario. E-mail me if you want it sent to you. 5 folders of about 700k each. Sorry, but I will be away from e-mail for a few days because of the holidays. Back on monday 29DEC! Fernando: Thanks for sending the BMP numbers file to Andrew. [ December 23, 2003, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchy Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 They don't work on my end...get a page not found message. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 24, 2003 Author Share Posted December 24, 2003 Hmmmm? OK, I tried from my neighbors computer and it came up. Try again! CMBO2 screen shot 1 CMBO2 screen shot 2 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 It worked for me. I think you're being too subtle, or else I am just dense, cause I have no idea what it is you are trying to achieve. Are you trying to make CMAK look like CMBO's stock graphics (ack) or are you simply trying to put northwest Europe terrain, uniforms, etc. into CMAK?? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 24, 2003 Author Share Posted December 24, 2003 I'm glad the screenshots are finally visible. Michael, Maybe I made such a bad screenshot that it puts people off. I'll update it soon. Definitely I am not intentionally trying to take us back to CMBO level of graphics. I think this screenshot just looked crappy because that building there was an older bmp I pulled from CMBO as a convenience. I'm trying to create a way to put the Northwest Europe "CMBO" look/feel into the better CMAK engine. Uniforms and buildings. Vehicles I haven't thought of yet. I'm sure vehicle modders will eventually crank out some winterized Shermans for CMAK that I can pull into CMBO2. As a note to all: Of course I want to play the CMAK game in the intended theaters. I am a recent arrival to CMBO (bought the SE only a month ago) and thus maybe I am definitely not finished with Northwest Europe. I am not yet ready to leave it behind quite yet but now with wetted appetite of the better capabilities of the CMAK editor. I also really enjoy eastern front and want to sink my teeth into CMBB. I'll see what the feedback is from others who I sent the test package to and see where this is ultimately headed. It is taking up some time where I could be playing the game but I like it! [ December 23, 2003, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junk2drive Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 Well? Are you back yet? New sceenies up at my Pacific site. New USMC tan uniforms by AndrewTF Paul's Pacific for CM [ December 30, 2003, 11:18 PM: Message edited by: junk2drive ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 31, 2003 Author Share Posted December 31, 2003 Tried to show a screenshot... Sorry, it didn't work out. [ January 05, 2004, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted December 31, 2003 Author Share Posted December 31, 2003 I apolgize for these screenshots that don't come up or if you get the dreaded box with red x. I have only sent the CMBO2 FJ Bulge test package out to 3 people and 1 replied with some feedback that said that uniforms seemed fine, but Italian hills and mountains in the distance need to come out ASAP. I thought I could just swing the same "horizon image" files over from CMBB but when I looked in the CMBB BMP folder the files are not the same size. So I didn't try switching them. CMAK horizon images are double the size of CMBB. Not sure what to do here... But the smaller terrain image files that show in the unit info panel are switchable so I will swap some out tonight from CMBB over to CMAK. I tweaked my axis troops bmp files a bit more. I changed glove color on a few guys arms. Just for visual variety. Brown leather gloves and black leather gloves. I am now playing CMBO2 in October 44 so I can obtain Luftwaffe infantry and add a bit more visual variety for axis uniforms. So, where am I at with this and where am I going with it? Need to get help in solving the Italian mountains horizon image file issue. Maybe somewhere in the forum there is already an asnwer. Gotta do a search... Need to use CMBB files to replace terrain pictures that show hills or mountains in the background behind the terrain. Need to study and solve the issue with replacement large buildings. Flat roof mismatch. Almost done with CMBO2 Bulge FJ axis uniforms. Starting to plan what bmp file changes I will do for CMBO2 Waffen-SS Bulge. Moving to here since gloves are already on. I call it Bulge but it will probably work for cool weather timeframe, a few months left or right. Happy New Year. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkEzra Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 I switched the Italian background for CMBB's backgrounds. Now low rolling hills with trees in the distance...Looks just fine. Should work great for N W Europe 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDiver Posted January 6, 2004 Author Share Posted January 6, 2004 ****NEW CMBO2 STATUS REPORT AS OF 06JAN2004**** Happy New Year: If you don't have an interest in this CMBO2 endeavour, that is OK. But if you are one of the very few who have indicated that you do, then here is what is happening as of 06 JAN 2004. 03 1. CMAK BMP FILE CHART: I haven't seen the file yet but a list was sent by Fernando to AndrewtF. So, unless I hear otherwise, I will not have to be spending any time working on this list. 2. TERRAIN CHANGES: a. CMAK "Italian" style small buildings: I have got CMBO flavored small buildings by replacing the applicable 6000 series BMP files with the beautiful mods for CMBB from Ed "Tanks a Lot" Kinney. It looks great! I am no longer having to use any of the older CMBO buildings. They were like old tires on a brand new car. b. CMAK "Italian" style large buildings issue: I had mismatching roof types but figured out it was my own fault due to light versus heavy buildings. I now re-replaced the large building files with CMBB large buildings. Roof issues appear fine and looks mostly like CMBO type region. 3. AXIS UNIFORM BMP CHANGES: having a lot of fun playing my own scenarios with my "CMBO2 BULGE FJ BATTLEPACK". Haven't done anything yet for SS bulge. 4. ALLIED UNIFORM CHANGES: To accompany this aspect of CMBO2 as Bulge 44 timeframe, I added some gloves to US troops and swapped BMP files to give infantry the green pants that I believe were used in Dec 44. More the greenish variety versus brownish wool. This BMP image exists in CMAK but only shows with US airborne infantry. 5. Horizons: MarkEzra solved this for me by using CMBB horizons. So, no more big Italian mountains when you want to pretend you're in Ardennes or Normandy. Resolution is a little lower so small hills in the distance are a little blurry to me. I plan to plug in and test Undaunted's hi-res without mountains mod. You can always shove the original CMAK ones back in if you wanted to do a CMBO2 Vosges Mountains campaign. A lot of this is personal taste and case by case basis. [ January 05, 2004, 07:11 PM: Message edited by: NavyDiver ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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