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RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/1/2017 3:00:31 PM   
SIPRES


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quote:

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Hi All,


Below is an update of my progress with the British counters.


With regards to scale and unit choices there are some notes that I’d like to make.

I’m using armored cars to represent Recon units instead of cavalry. I think it’s more relevant.

I’ve tried to keep the Fighters and TAC a/c at the same scale while the larger Medium , Heavy/Strategic and Maritime aircraft have a separate but common scale. The Tanks have their own constant scale as do the ships with the exception of the Subs and MTBs. The size in most cases gives an indication of the relative strength of the unit within its class. In some cases this results in some tiny units for which I apologize, but that was my rational.

I noticed that the Production charts specify CVE while the original stock unit counters indicated CVL which is what I modeled. Not sure if I should switch back to smaller CVE silhouettes.

I had a rough time finding anything with regards to a British armoured train. There were some curious references to a successful attack by a miniature train, but the only full size train was a lash up of Bren guns and old 6pdr cannon. Nothing close to what the Russians and Germans were fielding, but then again, the Brits didn’t really need them.

For the Special Forces and Paratroop units I’m hoping that they are recognized as such by their insignia's and won’t require Para or SF text on the units. Most of us playing these games will recognize there significance and I think it adds a lot of flavour to include them. With regard to the LRDG, in the previous SC2 game I was able to limit its appearance exclusively to the desert, but I can’t control its appearance in Europe with the current counter set up options.

I’ve since learned the white-red-white recognition stripes on the armor were not as ubiquitous during the early years as I first thought. I may remove them as it turns out that they were supposed to be used only to help distinguish friendly armor from captured armor in use during the North African Crusader campaign. The practice may have continued unofficially after that. There was even some reverse R-W-R appearing on other armored vehicles. After that it was the White Star for all the Allies.

The Matilda tank presented a dilemma. I’m equating the British Infantry tanks as heavy tanks but the keen eye may have noticed that it appears in the medium tank mix as well. It was very dominate in the early stages of the war so I felt it should appear there too.


The medium tanks are a mix of early home grown and then American supplied units after 1942. I felt that the numbers involved made this the logical choice but they do culminate with the Firefly in the fifth rank.

I included the “String Bag” as the initial level TAC a/c. It had to be one of the most effective attack aircraft in the early stages for the Brits, if only for a lack of viable alternatives. Though not strictly a ground based a/c and with the relatively ineffective Fairy Battle, I thought it would be a crime not to include it. To be fair, the Battle operated in areas with fighter opposition were as the Swordfish’s most famous victories were accomplished when no enemy fighters were about. They faced mostly Ack-Ack.

I’ll try to work them both into the mix.

On another note, I was surprised not to find the German or Italian MTB equivalents in the stock production build menu. Why MTBs for the Brits and not the Germans or the Eyeties?

Some of the best examples of Italian courage were displayed by members of the MAS, both the small torpedo boats and the Decima Flottiglia MAS commando frogmen. Both managed to put Capital ships on the bottom, albeit the former in the previous war. None of the other nations could claim the same results. I’ll be including them in the counter mix but will need to Mod the production in order to actually get them. :(

Next is some testing to make sure things line up and work OK before I go any further.

Cheers,

Angus.






Hi Angus

Really nice counters, and good that you take care about Tech levels its a lot of silhouette to manage and not easy
Just an advice on planes counters, maybe you should put TAC, MB, HB ,Anchor symbol on left side of the planes silhouette instead of right side.
I think it will interfere with the Tech level text (111 to 555) during gameplay.

Rgds

Christophe




(in reply to HimAgain)
Post #: 31
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/1/2017 9:53:05 PM   
HimAgain


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From: Toronto, ON
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Thanks CDCool

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Post #: 32
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/1/2017 10:02:41 PM   
HimAgain


Posts: 92
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Hi Hairog,

Please feel free to use any ideas of what you see here.
I'm glad to participate in a collaborative modding community.

I've received a lot of help from the group already on what tools to use and they've turned out to be indispensable.
The accepted norm is to just make mention and thanks for anything you care to use.

I've seen what you are doing graphically and it's great work too, much like what I'm trying to accomplish.
It's a lot of work.

Good luck and talk to you later.

Angus


< Message edited by HimAgain -- 2/1/2017 10:18:08 PM >

(in reply to Hairog)
Post #: 33
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/1/2017 10:09:14 PM   
HimAgain


Posts: 92
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From: Toronto, ON
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Hi Christophe,

Good point about moving the lower right text and graphics over to the left side of the counters.
Clearly I've not played the game enough!

I'm stopping to do some testing for the next little while.
I want to fix any other such silly mistakes before I move forward with a revised template.

Cheers,

Angus



< Message edited by HimAgain -- 2/1/2017 10:28:54 PM >

(in reply to HimAgain)
Post #: 34
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/24/2017 3:57:36 PM   
HimAgain


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From: Toronto, ON
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Hi all,

Sorry for the delay but I’ve been testing and modifying the layout of the icons. The Russian icons are almost complete and I hope to have an update shortly.

In my testing I did notice that HQ display icons actually changed based on, of all things, an Anti-Air upgrade!
You would not normally notice this if all your HQ icons were identical. Mine are not.

This is significant because it gives hope to the ability to actually control who’s face appears on each HQ’s icon. Preferably the matching General’s portrait.

I’m thinking that this can be accomplished by utilizing any currently unused attribute and assigning it to each HQ unit. Its only purpose is to identify which icon to display for that HQ.

Can someone from the design team chime in with an idea of whether or not this might be possible?

Thanks,

Angus

(in reply to HimAgain)
Post #: 35
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/26/2017 6:19:09 PM   
HimAgain


Posts: 92
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From: Toronto, ON
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Hi All,

Attached is my latest update:

Cheers,





Attachment (1)

(in reply to HimAgain)
Post #: 36
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/26/2017 9:18:26 PM   
SIPRES


Posts: 398
Joined: 7/23/2015
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quote:

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay but I’ve been testing and modifying the layout of the icons. The Russian icons are almost complete and I hope to have an update shortly.

In my testing I did notice that HQ display icons actually changed based on, of all things, an Anti-Air upgrade!
You would not normally notice this if all your HQ icons were identical. Mine are not.

This is significant because it gives hope to the ability to actually control who’s face appears on each HQ’s icon. Preferably the matching General’s portrait.

I’m thinking that this can be accomplished by utilizing any currently unused attribute and assigning it to each HQ unit. Its only purpose is to identify which icon to display for that HQ.

Can someone from the design team chime in with an idea of whether or not this might be possible?

Thanks,

Angus

Hi Angus

I think it might be possible.
If you create a "fake" as first capability wich is 0MPP cost for upgrade and gives no particular benefit to the HQ unit (just for display purpose)
in such case you have to redefine AA capability on 2nd position.I think sprite file is slaved to the first capability

This means

1st is "Fake" (need to set Max value to 5)
2nd is AA (originaly on first position)
3rd is Mobility

in such case you should be able to display the desired HQ up to the upgrade you will set during purchase (0 to 5)
So 6 different HQ display


I didnt try but might be achievable (do some test with editor)

Christophe



(in reply to HimAgain)
Post #: 37
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/27/2017 12:09:48 PM   
HimAgain


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Hi Christophe,

I haven't played around much with the Editor yet. I'm thinking that I'll need to make some sort of global change for all the HQ's to introduce this fake attribute. Then I would have to edit each HQ to have a preset static value from 0-5. I would be limited to 5 of the more famous Generals for each country and a generic 6th one for the remainder.

Not sure where to start but I'll muddle around with it to see what I can do.

Thanks for the pointers.

Angus

(in reply to SIPRES)
Post #: 38
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/27/2017 4:01:58 PM   
Cataphract88


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Great-looking Soviet Counters.

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Post #: 39
RE: Hybrid Counters - 2/28/2017 12:15:52 PM   
HimAgain


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From: Toronto, ON
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Thanks Richard,

I hope to move on the Americans next, but first comes a vacation to Florida...

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Post #: 40
RE: Hybrid Counters - 3/2/2017 5:17:47 PM   
Christolos


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quote:

ORIGINAL: oxford_guy

quote:

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Perhaps "rampaging" Matilda is not the best description.
Lumbering might be a better word.
:)


Indeed! Pity they couldn't carry a larger gun, even a 6 pounder would have made it more viable as the war dragged on

I've always liked the look of that tank, though, for some reason





I do love the look of that tank!

Great job with those counters!

C

< Message edited by CC1 -- 3/2/2017 5:24:07 PM >


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Post #: 41
RE: Hybrid Counters - 3/2/2017 8:39:47 PM   
Cataphract88


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It is a nice-looking tank. They are currently restoring the one at Bovington.

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Richard

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Post #: 42
RE: Hybrid Counters - 3/29/2017 3:57:30 AM   
HimAgain


Posts: 92
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Hi All,

Here is my latest update.
I hope you like them.

I have not been able to finesse the changes discussed earlier with regards to trying to control which HQ icon is displayed. If someone can figure this out, I will gladly make all the HQ General's portraits.

Up next is the French.

Cheers,

Angus





Attachment (1)

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Post #: 43
RE: Hybrid Counters - 3/29/2017 2:48:04 PM   
Cataphract88


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Wow! Really impressive stuff.

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Richard

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Post #: 44
RE: Hybrid Counters - 3/30/2017 11:36:24 AM   
HimAgain


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Thanks Richard,

I hope that I'm not getting too radical with some of my Tech upgrade choices but it gets a little tricky when you are trying to select a progression.

With regards to the American Paratroops, looking at them now I'm thinking that I should drop the Airborne label at the top of the icons. They're too distorted at such a small scale.

Seeing all the units displayed as I have done does not reflect how they would appear on the game map. With the possible exception of England after the US deploys its mighty Air Force, the map would generally be full of infantry units with the Armor, Air units or other special units really standing out. Easily spotting enemy build-ups at a glance. This is my objective.

I hope it's well received once I'm finally finished.

Cheers,

Angus

< Message edited by HimAgain -- 3/30/2017 7:38:02 PM >

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Post #: 45
RE: Hybrid Counters - 4/28/2017 3:47:52 AM   
HimAgain


Posts: 92
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Hi All,

Here's an update of the French counters.

Cheers,





Attachment (1)

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Post #: 46
RE: Hybrid Counters - 4/28/2017 8:59:38 PM   
Cataphract88


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Great-looking French counters - nice work!

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Richard

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Post #: 47
RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/1/2017 7:31:05 PM   
HimAgain


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Thanks Richard,

I may need to play around a bit with the Airborne and Special Forces icons.
The most fun was their railway guns. They had so many but so few profile shots to draw from.

I'll probably mess around with the tanks a bit too.
I'm thinking about implementing the 3D icons left and right facing feature, but with 2D icons in order to introduce some variation to some of the Tech levels.

For now it's on to the Poles which should be relatively quick.

Cheers,

Angus.

(in reply to Cataphract88)
Post #: 48
RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/2/2017 1:03:20 PM   
Cataphract88


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Good luck with the Poles!

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Richard

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Post #: 49
RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/14/2017 3:49:25 AM   
HimAgain


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Hi All,

Here are the gallant Poles. I was not sure whether or not to include the Russian or the Allied units for the progressing icons. The Free Poles did more for Britain so I decided to go with the Allies.

In fact, the Free Poles did more for Britain than Britain ever did for Poland throughout the war. Only to be thrown into the Russian sphere at the peace table. What a poor return for being the first to stand up to Hitler. Or was it the hollow promises of Britain and France that emboldened them?
But that’s a whole other discussion…

I’m not sure if there will be a Mod that will allow for purchasing Free Polish units, but if there is, I will have included a full roster of units when this is Mod finally finished.






Attachment (1)

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RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/14/2017 7:40:13 AM   
Cataphract88


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Great work as always. Yours will be the counter set I use, when it's finished.

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RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/15/2017 6:21:53 PM   
HimAgain


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Thanks Richard,

By the lack of comments, good or bad, it may be just you and I using this Mod :)
There seems to be a few curious people popping in to see what gives, but not much in the form of feedback.

You must be a closet Panzerblitz or Clash of Steel player. A rare breed who's equally comfortable with silhouettes?
Everyone else seems to like strictly Nato and 3D icons or even worse, indifferent to my interpretation of Hybrid.

Anyway, next up is everyone's favourite... the Canucks.

Cheers,

Angus.

(in reply to Cataphract88)
Post #: 52
RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/15/2017 7:37:55 PM   
sPzAbt653


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I LOVE the silhouettes, for me though they don't represent well the corps and army level counters, technically speaking. But you may notice that I used silhouettes for the 653H air units, and I recently added silhouettes for subs.

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RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/16/2017 4:08:10 AM   
crispy131313


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I think they are great, keep it up!

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RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/16/2017 4:14:39 PM   
Cataphract88


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I cut my wargaming teeth on PanzerBlitz and Panzer Leader, so I guess that it stuck, but I like Nato symbols as well.

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Richard

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RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/22/2017 3:10:20 PM   
BillRunacre

 

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I'm very impressed with them too, so much so that you'll see these popping up on our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

Bill

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RE: Hybrid Counters - 5/23/2017 7:21:51 PM   
HimAgain


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Hi all,

Thanks for the support. It goes a long way.

I can see where such a high level of units may not be best represented by individual icons, but I need to see the Tiger tanks stiff arming all before them early on in the campaign. A Nato armor symbol just won't do.

I'm still plugging away and hope to have an update soon.

Cheers,

Angus

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Post #: 57
RE: Hybrid Counters - 6/7/2017 3:23:36 AM   
HimAgain


Posts: 92
Joined: 9/28/2016
From: Toronto, ON
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Hi All,

Here’s an update of what I thought would be the Canadians but I found that they were lumped in with the Allied Minor units, so there are a few compromises.

The biggest challenge was getting all the potential flags to appear along with the General’s portraits. It’s been designed such that if a particular country such as Spain enters the fracas on either the Allies or Axis side, the portraits of the matching sides Generals will still line up and appear normal. The Minor Axis generals don’t appear here but they will show up in a future update.

I could not possibly include all the minor allied Generals in the limited slots available so I picked George Kitching, Guy Simonds, and Leslie “Ming the Merciless” Morshead. There are still 3 allied HQ slots open if anyone wants to nominate a few alternates.
But as discussed earlier, you can’t really control whose face appears unless you upgrade an HQ’s Anti-Aircraft upgrade value. <sigh>

Forgive me the choice of the CF-100 in the number four fighter slot. It was a contemporary of the Sabre but though it appeared chronologically after the Sabre, I don’t think it was nearly as good. I doubt it will ever make an appearance, but at least it was Canadian built. :)

Just three more to go! Next up is the Italians.

Cheers,

Angus





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Post #: 58
RE: Hybrid Counters - 6/7/2017 5:11:19 PM   
SIPRES


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Hi Angus,

Very nice job, maybe you could keep the canadians as a Major Nation (Slot 6 is available for a major)
For the ALLIED Minors and AXIS minors, I did use a mix of equipment:
British, US, French for minor allied
German, Romanian for minor axis

Dont forget that for HQ you will have to modify NATO Flag Sprite file.
I notice that a maritime Bomber had a drift (I guess due to wings lenght), did you check any overlap on campaign mode?

Again really good job, continue that way

Christophe

(in reply to HimAgain)
Post #: 59
RE: Hybrid Counters - 6/8/2017 12:12:49 PM   
HimAgain


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Hi Christophe,

Thanks for the pointers and feedback. I’m trying to limit my mods to just the existing vanilla game graphics otherwise I would have to make other changes, so for now, I’ll just leave the Canadians in the Allied Minor group.

As you rightly pointed out, in testing I found out that I did have to make changes to the NATO Flag file in order to feather in the General’s portraits. What you see above is the modified NATO Flag sprite superimposed on the modified HQ unit counter. The actual HQ unit’s counter in the PNG files has only the General’s portraits with no flags. The flags will display correctly and change depending on what country they are representing.

With regards to the apparent drift of the B-24 in the Maritime aircraft samples, it will be OK in game play. The samples above are more tightly grouped together in order to keep the post smaller. There is plenty of space between the two in the actual PNG game file.

Please continue to provide such pointers as I’m afraid I might not catch all the possible bugs in the limited scenario testing that I’m doing. I’ve still not yet found time to actually play the game!

Cheers,

Angus

(in reply to SIPRES)
Post #: 60
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