FWII NATO Counters - Version 1.4 (Full Version)

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PHalen -> FWII NATO Counters - Version 1.4 (12/17/2017 10:35:37 AM)

This mod officially died on May 10, 2019.
Long live its much improved offspring & replacement that can be found here! [:D]
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4630269


These are based on the awesome NATO counters - that really nailed my sweet spot - created by SIPRES for Crispy’s “Fall Weiss II” mod.
The slightly bigger & distinct ground/air/naval/HQ counter shapes, as well as all ground unit counter symbols (with the sole exception of light tanks) are created by SIPRES.
So thanks & kudos to SIPRES!

All I’ve done to them is basically to:
- Adapt them to the unit structure used in vanilla SC3.
- Make Armies/Corps/Divisions/Brigades easier to distinguish.
- Create airplane silhouettes per nation & tech level.
- Create naval (ship & sub) silhouettes per nation & tech level.
- Adjust unit colors for most nations (according to personal preferences).

The ”FWII NATO Counters” mod is a stand-alone NATO unit mod for vanilla SC3 with no other game changes what so ever.

FWII NATO Counters version 1.4
Featuring some adjusted unit facings, and slightly larger silhouettes on Transport, AV and AVL units. Thanks SIPRES for sharing their svg files!
V1.3 introduced new & improved heavy tank symbols provided by master SIPRES himself. Thanks!
V1.2 introduced Hs123 instead of Ju87B as German TAC 0. (That probably won't see much action though...)
V1.1 featured adjusted HQ's based on great feedback & advice from Wolfe1759. Thanks!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/njoxf0z6l418xui/FWII%20NATO%20Counters_v1.4.7z?dl=0
The dropboxed 7z file also includes an Excel file listing the airplane & ship silhouettes I’ve selected per nation & tech level.
I’d be happy to make adjustments based on feedback from aviation / naval geeks!

Installation instructions:
- Save copies of the original files located in each nations sub-folder under the “Bitmaps” folder.
- Extract, copy & replace the two .png files into each nation’s sub-folder under the “Bitmaps” folder.
The Russians also need to be copied into the “Bitmaps” folders under each campaign.
For example to the “.../Campaigns/_1940 Attack in the West/Bitmaps/Major_04/…” folder.

Recommended together with:
- “Unit activation sprite mini MOD” by SIPRES. http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4335260
- “Bleached Map” mod (obviously[:'(] ) by yours truly. http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4401937
- "Historical Flag Mod" by Philippeatbay http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4411910
- For those who prefer more contrast on unit strength indicators, HimAgain has generously provided a solution in post #54, with the effect as seen in post #55. Thanks!

A sample from the opening of campaign “1940 Attack in the West”.
On the Bleached Map mod with National Colors enabled & Fog of War disabled.
Samples of the "Historical Flag Mod" by Philippeatbay, as well as the new heavy tank symbol, can also be seen on this pic.

[image]local://upfiles/55769/4DD036A8430E47079B9F932CF906A6F7.jpg[/image]



Wolfe1759 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/20/2017 12:53:27 AM)

Really like the FWII counters, the only thing that continues to niggle me is the yellow/gold "HQ" on the HQs, it doesn't fit on the counters and is unnecessary as they are the only counters of that shape and the only counters with national flags. Any chance of doing a version without "HQ"?



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/20/2017 1:35:15 PM)

Thanks for feedback & a very good idea to clean up the HQ counters a bit!
I'm on it!

The new HQ's will look like the German HQ in this pic.
A sample of SIPRES “Unit activation sprite mini mod” - that I recommend - can also be seen on the Romanian unit in this pic.
[image][/image]

[image]local://upfiles/55769/6397693CA2EF47AE96AEC51ACC986DFC.jpg[/image]



Cataphract88 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/20/2017 3:46:44 PM)

A very nice touch! [:)]



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/20/2017 6:57:05 PM)

Thanks again Wolfe1759 for excellent feedback & advice!

Loosing the ”HQ” not only made the zoomed-in HQ counters cleaner, better looking & more consistent with the other counters.
It also made them more consistent with the zoomed-out HQ counters.[:)]

So I’ve decided to ditch the ”HQ” altogether in a updated version 1.1 of the FWII Nato Counters mod that I’ll try to stick into my initial post.



roy64 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/21/2017 8:43:28 AM)

Good job with the counters & the bleached map, the only improvement I would like to see would be to the German HQ, it would look better with a historical flag like a swastika.



sad ham -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/21/2017 10:55:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: roy64

Good job with the counters & the bleached map, the only improvement I would like to see would be to the German HQ, it would look better with a historical flag like a swastika.



Maybe the use of the swastika symbol is forbbidden by the Law in some Country.



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/21/2017 11:22:59 AM)

Thanks! The distinct ground/air/naval/HQ counter shapes, as well as all ground unit counter symbols (with the sole exception of light tanks) are created by SIPRES.

For those who prefer historical flags, Magpius posted a mini-mod in the following thread that will put historical flags on HQ's, messages & user interfaces etc.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4184530

Installing Magpius's mini-mod shouldn't have any other side-effects on the FWII NATO Counter or Bleached Map mods.



roy64 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/21/2017 12:15:52 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen

Thanks! The distinct ground/air/naval/HQ counter shapes, as well as all ground unit counter symbols (with the sole exception of light tanks) are created by SIPRES.

For those who prefer historical flags, Magpius posted a mini-mod in the following thread that will put historical flags on HQ's, messages & user interfaces etc.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4184530

Installing Magpius's mini-mod shouldn't have any other side-effects on the FWII NATO Counter or Bleached Map mods.


quote:

swastika.


Thanks PHalen & Magpius, I've now got swastikas.[sm=Tank-fahr09.gif]



mroyer -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/29/2017 10:50:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen
These are based on the awesome NATO counters - that really nailed my sweet spot - created by SIPRES for Crispy’s “Fall Weiss II” mod.
So thanks & kudos to SIPRES!


Indeed, SIPRES' counters and your updates did really nail my "sweet spot" :) - I just can't use the "3D" counters; they tend to blend in too much with the map terrain.

I went a step further with your update PHalen for my personal use, and modified the colors and symbols a bit to increase visual contrast to help my aging eyes.
Thanks for your base set of images!!

-Mark R.




[image]local://upfiles/53808/B6860B8E92DD4F7592D48ED3D9BD69C7.jpg[/image]



sad ham -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 8:02:31 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen

These are based on the awesome NATO counters - that really nailed my sweet spot - created by SIPRES for Crispy’s “Fall Weiss II” mod.
So thanks & kudos to SIPRES!

All I’ve done to them is basically to:
- Adapt them to the unit structure used in vanilla SC3.
- Make Armies/Corps/Divisions/Brigades easier to distinguish.
- Create airplane silhouettes per nation & tech level.
- Create naval (ship & sub) silhouettes per nation & tech level.
- Adjust unit colors for most nations (according to personal preferences).

The ”FWII NATO Counters” mod is a stand-alone NATO unit mod for vanilla SC3 with no other game changes what so ever.

FWII NATO Counters version 1.1
Based on great feedback & advice from Wolfe1759. Thanks!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8nlep4jjnpe9pzz/FWII%20NATO%20Counters_v1.1.7z?dl=0
The dropboxed 7z file also includes an Excel file listing the airplane & ship silhouettes I’ve selected per nation & tech level.
I’d be happy to make adjustments based on feedback from aviation / naval geeks!




Where is the file? I don't get it from that link.



Simulacra53 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 8:58:38 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: mroyer

quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen
These are based on the awesome NATO counters - that really nailed my sweet spot - created by SIPRES for Crispy’s “Fall Weiss II” mod.
So thanks & kudos to SIPRES!


Indeed, SIPRES' counters and your updates did really nail my "sweet spot" :) - I just can't use the "3D" counters; they tend to blend in too much with the map terrain.

I went a step further with your update PHalen for my personal use, and modified the colors and symbols a bit to increase visual contrast to help my aging eyes.
Thanks for your base set of images!!

-Mark R.




[image]local://upfiles/53808/B6860B8E92DD4F7592D48ED3D9BD69C7.jpg[/image]


Not only good for aging eyes - something I will not admit to even when I turn blind - but it would be great if these can be shared as a separate mod!
Love your color choices here.

Did not read the thread and could not figure out why I was not getting the colors in your screenshot!



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 9:59:36 AM)

quote:

Where is the file? I don't get it from that link.


Que???
The file "FWII NATO Counters_v1.1.7z" is definitely still there in my dropbox!
I just refreshed the link in my initial post so please try again.

When clicking the link, you should get this:
Click on the Download button & select Direct download.



[image]local://upfiles/55769/1E3081C39F4A414DACF6E9DCADA3082E.jpg[/image]



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 10:48:50 AM)

quote:

I went a step further with your update PHalen for my personal use, and modified the colors and symbols a bit to increase visual contrast to help my aging eyes.


Wow! Great high contrast NATO counters that you obviously put a lot of work into!

I agree with Simulacra53 that they deserve & should be shared as separate “High Contrast NATO Counters” mod to attract the right crowd.
They risk getting “hidden” in this thread.

I think it’s really cool how this forum basically has turned into a custom shop where people are using and building off each other’s ideas & parts they like.
Providing generous modding facilities was a genius move by the developers!



PJL1973 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 11:57:35 AM)

Those counters do look great, the only thing I would say though is that the numbers on the lighter counters are difficult to read. If that could be highlighted a bit more, I would probably use those instead of the default set.



mroyer -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 12:21:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen
I agree with Simulacra53 that they deserve & should be shared as separate “High Contrast NATO Counters” mod to attract the right crown.


Well, I certainly would be willing to do that but haven't because:

(1) I unabashedly plagiarized your and SIPRES' great work for personal use without permission, and
(2) there's still a little bit of work to do.
. (a) The French HQ are screwed up (you can still see the gold HQ under the counter :( )
. (b) The yellow and red of the allied minors is too bright - need to make it more earthen color and better contrast
. (c) I show 'heavy armor' as an armored army - I didn't catch that distinction in the 'vanilla' counters


quote:


I think it’s really cool how this forum basically has turned into a custom shop where people are using and building off each other’s ideas & parts they like.
Providing generous modding facilities was a genius move by the developers!


Yes!! 100% agree.

-Mark R.



mroyer -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 12:23:01 PM)

uurgh... double post. :(



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 1:41:19 PM)


quote:

...the numbers on the lighter counters are difficult to read. If that could be highlighted a bit more,...


I cannot (at least I don’t know how to) change color or highlighting of the numbers indicated on the counters. All I can do is adjust color of the counters themselves.

Any particular nations you have in mind? The counters are quite light for all nations. Especially for UK.
I basically choose counter colors that I feel suit the ”Bleached Map” mod.
The little green upgrade indicators can however admittedly be pretty hard to spot on the Italian counters.

I suppose I could do a ”Dark Side” version to make the counter colors for all nations consistently a notch darker.
Interested?




mroyer -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 1:46:54 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen
I cannot (at least I don’t know how to) change color or highlighting of the numbers indicated on the counters.


I'm not sure, but he might have been talking to me. For example, the white on Luftwaffe skyblue isn't optimal for a "high contrast" counter set. Similarly for my bright yellow allied minor counters.

-Mark R.



Taxman66 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 1:54:08 PM)

For those light colored counters, you change the counter itself and add a small box where the strength number is with a darker color or darker variant of the base color to increase background contrast.



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 3:29:48 PM)

quote:

I unabashedly plagiarized your and SIPRES' great work for personal use without permission


It’s not like we’re talking IPR’s here...
This is an open custom shop. As I'm sure it was intended to be. And that's the beauty of it!

Having said that, I agonized a LOT about how SIPRES might feel about me hijacking & fiddling with his great counter design concept.
So I was very relieved when he commented favorably on most of my adjustments.
Except on my color choices...[:)]

I’ve tried to state as clearly as I can that the FWII NATO Counter mod isn’t created by me alone.

quote:

The French HQ are screwed up (you can still see the gold HQ under the counter

I've checked & can confirm that this issue isn't coming from my updated file in my initial post.



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 3:33:58 PM)

You really need your own tread mroyer cause I’m now 100% confused! [8|] [:D]

I suppose what Taxman66 mean is something like the UK Army on the pic below.
I would however feel reluctant about implementing such squares on the FWII NATO Counters.
But it could be done as a variant, based on demand.

[image]local://upfiles/55769/C2ED141F047D4DD99389FDC41F14B4FE.jpg[/image]



Taxman66 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 3:58:25 PM)

Close. My suggestion (and I have no idea if it is possible) would be a smaller box just around the white '10', not a complete stripe across the lower quarter.



mroyer -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 4:47:11 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen

You really need your own tread mroyer cause I’m now 100% confused! [8|] [:D]



Yeah, sorry for that - I had no intent to usurp your thread.


quote:

ORIGINAL: PHalen
quote:

The French HQ are screwed up (you can still see the gold HQ under the counter

I've checked & can confirm that this issue isn't coming from my updated file in my initial post.


Oops... didn't mean for you to go searching. It is my error from the get-go and I know exactly how to fix it - just need to do it.





PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 5:41:27 PM)

quote:

Close. My suggestion (and I have no idea if it is possible) would be a smaller box just around the white '10...

Ah! Yes. A small box just around the ”10” is definitely possible.
Another even smaller box around the little green (& very handy) upgrade indicators is also possible.
As is a combined box around both.

I’m currently not sure if the request is for the FWII NATO Counters or for mroyer’s high contrast counters however so I’m laying low with further adjustment samples.

Personally, I think one consistent counter color is cleaner.
But I'd be happy to make variants!



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 5:45:45 PM)

quote:

I had no intent to usurp your thread


No worries mroyer!
Good luck with your great high contrast counter mod that has already been well received![sm=happy0065.gif]



PJL1973 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/30/2017 6:45:55 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Taxman66

Close. My suggestion (and I have no idea if it is possible) would be a smaller box just around the white '10', not a complete stripe across the lower quarter.


Actually, the rectangle in the counter as shown is fine as you also need to make sure the even smaller upgrade numbers are visible.



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (12/31/2017 10:09:44 AM)

High contrast rectangles won’t work well on naval & air units.

I've removed the previously provided link to a file containing slightly darker Brits from this post and my dropbox.
Since HimAgain generously provided a better solution in post #54, with the effect as seen in post #55.
And to minimize the number of unit versions to maintain...



PHalen -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (1/3/2018 2:23:22 PM)

Updated version 1.2 is now available in my initial post.
Version 1.2 feature Hs123 instead of Ju87B as German TAC 0.
And a recommendation added to the "Historical Flag Mod" by Philippeatbay.



Taxman66 -> RE: FWII NATO Counters (1/3/2018 3:13:05 PM)

Quick questions:
For the countries using a yellow center background color, how do you differentiate tanks vs heavy tanks?

Would it be possible to get a planes only version of this mod? Perhaps with game original countries' background color?

The counters look great, but for me I'm not a fan of certain changes (specialty INF (ENG, SEC et...) but particularly the ships. These are just my personal preferences, don't go out of your way just for me.




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