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Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 11:51:28 AM

GaPete_slith

Posts: 90
Joined: 2/7/2014
From: Georgia
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OK, a couple of annoying problems I haven't figured out yet. Have to figure it can't hurt to ask so...

First: During the return ships to port phase it keeps wanting me to return some convoys to port, not all of them but some. I thought they could stay at sea indefinitely? This is a really annoying problem! Why is that happening and how do I stop it? It won't let me not return them.

Second: I have the option rule SCS transport turned on, I have not yet figured out how to make it work. I do understand it's for divisional sized units and that German Cruisers are not eligible. So far I've tried to transport Japanese, Italian, and American units in this manner but I can't get them to load like I do units on a regular transport. Can anybody tell me how you do that?

Third: Is there anyway to keep the move map window from popping up every single time a phase changes? I use that window rarely and could easily live without it. Anyway to keep it minimized?

Any help is appreciated!

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Post #: 1

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 12:23:13 PM

Cunki

Posts: 59
Joined: 2/15/2005
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Hi GaPet,

I think i have an answer for your "first" question.
It is important for the convoys to put them in "Sentry" mode in the sea zones.
If you don�t do it, the convoys return to the ports after a turn ends.

(in reply to GaPete_slith)

Post #: 2

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 12:31:58 PM

Klydon

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For SCS, you may only transport infantry type divisions. The mechanics of doing it are the same as a transport (IE, in port with a unit, you can right click on the ship you want to have carry something and select load. If you move it to an adjacent sea area of the division you want to pick up, you can do the "load unit from coastal hex" routine in the lower left corner like you would a transport).

As far as I know, the German cruisers have no exception to the SCS rule and can carry divisional troops like any other SCS can.

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Post #: 3

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 12:40:36 PM

GaPete_slith

Posts: 90
Joined: 2/7/2014
From: Georgia
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Cunki, yeah I know about the sentry thing. After it happened the first time, I made double sure they were all in sentry mode and, the next time around, the same ones still wanted to go back to port on me! Grrr! I think their status is getting changed when I move other ships into the same sea zones. Don't know how but I suspect that's what is happening.

Klydon, yes I know it's infantry units only. They just aren't loading them even though it's telling me the damn rule is on. And yes the rule book states the German's don't have that capability even though I haven't tried it. Given the fact that I haven't managed to get a single division loaded I honestly can't say. Damn, going to have to look some more and figure this out.

Thanks guys!

_____________________________

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Post #: 4

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 1:01:25 PM

joshuamnave

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I wasn't aware of that rule either. My German cruisers have no issue loading divisions, and I don't find a rule that says otherwise. Note that motorized infantry divisions can't ride on combat ships.

As for the convoys, is it only unused covoys? If so, you might have checked the box in the production planning form that sends unused convoys home at the end of the turn.

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Post #: 5

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 1:53:10 PM

GaPete_slith

Posts: 90
Joined: 2/7/2014
From: Georgia
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I suppose German Capital Ships can, the rule specifically says "German auxiliary cruisers" and then states "commonly referred to as surface raiders." It's in the Players Reference manual, volume 2, rule 9.5.4 (I think that's the number). I wasn't sure if it meant ships like the Graf Spee or those cheapie naval units that most of the minor countries have. Like I said, haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

As for the convoys, I think it must be something I'm doing during naval movement as opposed to production because it always seems to happen in the exact same areas and, maybe coincidentally or not, those same area's usually have substantial movement in them. I'm still learning how the production windows work, haven't gotten to the point of exploiting them to their best benefit yet, so it is possible I'm doing that too, I just don't think so because, some convoy points that I know aren't being used to get to stay at sea.

All the input is helping guys. Let's me narrow down places to look, thanks!

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Post #: 6

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 3:21:13 PM

Cunki

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The German auxiliary cruisers optional rules are not implemented yet.
German "standard" cruisers are the same as any other major country cruisers, so they are able to transport umotorized, unmechanized INF Divisions only.

For the convoys: It is really important to uncheck the "Send unused convoys home" checkbox in the production planning form!!!

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Post #: 7

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 5:25:48 PM

Centuur

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From: Hoorn (NED).
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Cunki

The German auxiliary cruisers optional rules are not implemented yet.
German "standard" cruisers are the same as any other major country cruisers, so they are able to transport umotorized, unmechanized INF Divisions only.

For the convoys: It is really important to uncheck the "Send unused convoys home" checkbox in the production planning form!!!

And it is also advisable to check the convoys during the Stay at Sea phase, to be sure things are going to be done the way you want them to go.

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Post #: 8

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 7:32:12 PM

paulderynck

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For your Map View problem, you need to place the MV form where you want (or close it, although I'm unsure that will work as I've never tried it - I think if you use it a bit and define views that are convenient for you, you won't want to close it anymore), then redefine the screen layout.

The trick is that you need to redefine the Screen Layout for each major power - all 8 of them! But once it's done, your issue will be solved. See all about Screen Layouts in the Players Manual.

If you still find no use for the MV form you can roll it up, or re-size it tiny and put it in an out of the way place, before saving the Screen Layout each time.

< Message edited by paulderynck -- 2/10/2014 8:32:44 PM >

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Post #: 9

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 7:51:16 PM

joshuamnave

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Redefining the maps is a definite must, especially for the UK and Germany. Both have multiple redundant maps in their default set which just causes undue clutter. And a few of the maps don't really point at what they say they point at (I'm looking at you, Balkans). But be aware that if you create your own maps, or if you remove maps and then restore them later, they will not go into alphabetical order. They'll just be tacked on to the end of the list in the order you created them, and I'm not aware of any way to reorder them. If such a method exists, it's well hidden, although you would think it would be a basic function.

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Post #: 10

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 8:08:12 PM

paulderynck

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Zartacla
But be aware that if you create your own maps, or if you remove maps and then restore them later, they will not go into alphabetical order. They'll just be tacked on to the end of the list in the order you created them, and I'm not aware of any way to reorder them. If such a method exists, it's well hidden, although you would think it would be a basic function.

Hogwash. Just read the Help. Or the manual.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 11

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 8:24:34 PM

joshuamnave

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Yah, well hidden. You right click the form to redefine a map. You right click the form to delete a map. You right click the form to rename a map. You right click the form to restore a map. You left click the form and use the arrow keys to reorder them? Brilliant.

The manual, not counting the 2 even larger players handbooks, is 175 pages long. It includes rules for units that aren't included in the game. It includes rules that are self contradictory because someone forgot to remove examples that applied to earlier versions of the RAW. Saying that it's in the manual doesn't make it not well hidden. It's well hidden because it is mechanically different than every other function of the form, for no intuitive reason. There's your hogwash.

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Post #: 12

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 9:25:44 PM

Mike Parker

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From: Houston TX
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That is a hard one. Left click is used to select something and manipulate it directly in general (not in MWIF just in general) where right clicking is used to access things that modify the object or see secondary or meta properties such as rename etc (not in MWIF just in general). The way to re-order the maps is right in the help section on the maps itself. With that said it is a little difficult to realize this is what you should do when so so many functions are right click and this one is left click. I understand why its this way, but it does make it somewhat counter-intuitive. I wouldn't say hogwash in either case, the feature works consistent with computer standards in most software and is documented, but its implimentation is somewhat kludgey because right click is so overloaded and left click is barely loaded one sure can get into the habit of just never/rarely trying a left click.

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Post #: 13

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 9:35:29 PM

Shannon V. OKeets

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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Parker

That is a hard one. Left click is used to select something and manipulate it directly in general (not in MWIF just in general) where right clicking is used to access things that modify the object or see secondary or meta properties such as rename etc (not in MWIF just in general). The way to re-order the maps is right in the help section on the maps itself. With that said it is a little difficult to realize this is what you should do when so so many functions are right click and this one is left click. I understand why its this way, but it does make it somewhat counter-intuitive. I wouldn't say hogwash in either case, the feature works consistent with computer standards in most software and is documented, but its implimentation is somewhat kludgey because right click is so overloaded and left click is barely loaded one sure can get into the habit of just never/rarely trying a left click.

The Screen Layouts work differently if you want to reorganize a list of them. Typically a player only has a few, or only one, so that feature doesn't get used very often. I had changing the order of the Map Views functioning the same way as the Screen Layouts, but it was really ugly when we tried using it. The Left-Click and Up/Down arrows is a cleaner solution, but has the drawback of being 'unexpected' for new players.

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Post #: 14

RE: Some Questions! - 2/10/2014 11:56:18 PM

joshuamnave

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Parker

That is a hard one. Left click is used to select something and manipulate it directly in general (not in MWIF just in general) where right clicking is used to access things that modify the object or see secondary or meta properties such as rename etc (not in MWIF just in general). The way to re-order the maps is right in the help section on the maps itself. With that said it is a little difficult to realize this is what you should do when so so many functions are right click and this one is left click. I understand why its this way, but it does make it somewhat counter-intuitive. I wouldn't say hogwash in either case, the feature works consistent with computer standards in most software and is documented, but its implimentation is somewhat kludgey because right click is so overloaded and left click is barely loaded one sure can get into the habit of just never/rarely trying a left click.

He was just using "hogwash" to poke fun at me, because I had just said it in a different thread where I was griping about screen layouts. I wouldn't take it too seriously either way. Little things like this aren't really an issue until they pile up, which they were doing for me this morning.

I get that most players probably don't use the feature, so it does make some sense to take it out of the right click menu to avoid clutter. I hadn't checked the help text on that particular form - having worked out the right click commands, I just assumed that if it existed, that's where it would be. And now that I know how it works, I'll be using it to rearrange my menus. Particularly for the CW - being able to group map views will make the stay at sea phase much easier for me.

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Post #: 15

RE: Some Questions! - 2/11/2014 2:39:56 AM

Shannon V. OKeets

Posts: 22095
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Zartacla

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Parker

That is a hard one. Left click is used to select something and manipulate it directly in general (not in MWIF just in general) where right clicking is used to access things that modify the object or see secondary or meta properties such as rename etc (not in MWIF just in general). The way to re-order the maps is right in the help section on the maps itself. With that said it is a little difficult to realize this is what you should do when so so many functions are right click and this one is left click. I understand why its this way, but it does make it somewhat counter-intuitive. I wouldn't say hogwash in either case, the feature works consistent with computer standards in most software and is documented, but its implimentation is somewhat kludgey because right click is so overloaded and left click is barely loaded one sure can get into the habit of just never/rarely trying a left click.

He was just using "hogwash" to poke fun at me, because I had just said it in a different thread where I was griping about screen layouts. I wouldn't take it too seriously either way. Little things like this aren't really an issue until they pile up, which they were doing for me this morning.

I get that most players probably don't use the feature, so it does make some sense to take it out of the right click menu to avoid clutter. I hadn't checked the help text on that particular form - having worked out the right click commands, I just assumed that if it existed, that's where it would be. And now that I know how it works, I'll be using it to rearrange my menus. Particularly for the CW - being able to group map views will make the stay at sea phase much easier for me.

Here's an idea that I haven't tried out yet, but always thought someone might want to do:

Create several Screen Layouts (i.e., SLY files) each with different Map View lists. The idea is that instead of having one very long list of Map Views, to break them up into, say, 3 sets, one for the Pacific, one for the Atlantic, and one for Europe/Asia. Instead of having to hunt for a particular map view on a long list, you would just change the screen layout, thereby getting a list of map views one third as long and better focused on a specific theater of operations. This would probably be of most interest to the Commonwealth and the United States.

[Free advice, always worth every penny.

]

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Perfection is an elusive goal.

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Post #: 16

RE: Some Questions! - 2/11/2014 3:36:28 AM

joshuamnave

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I think that's probably too much for my tastes, although I know plenty of gamers that would jump on that idea. For me, the map views are most useful for certain repetitive tasks that are so routine they could almost be scripted. Every turn, I send ships to the 1 box in FG and NAtl as the CW. Typically I also send French fleets to Cape Verde, and eventually US fleets to the East Coast. Depending on Axis play, either the US or CW also covers CentAtl. Every turn, at the end of the turn, those fleets in the 1 box stay at sea, and the fleets in the 0 box come home. I may also send fleets or air to the 4 box, or vary the units that are sent slightly - just enough to stop me from training a ferret to handle the RTB phase for me, but not by much. Now that I can group those areas together in the map selection form, the least interesting part of every turn will speed up.

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Post #: 17

RE: Some Questions! - 2/11/2014 4:37:21 AM

paulderynck

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From: Canada
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Another option if you have a second screen or large screen is to bring up the Global Map (CTRL G), and just click (that's a left click BtW

) on the sea zone and the Detailed Map will teleport you there. If that works for you, you could get rid of the Map Views for all major powers.

I continue to be amazed at the number of places in MWiF where Steve has given us more than one way to do something and/or to customize the way we set up the game to work for us. The Help texts are detailed, and I've tried to get in the habit of viewing them as soon as I have an issue with a Form and usually the answer is there.

And yes the 'hogwash' comment was exactly what you said it was. We're on the same side here, or at least I'd like to think so.

You've made a lot of great contributions in the Tech Support and AAR threads, Zartacla, and I understand the frustrations when trying to play this great game.

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RE: Some Questions! - 2/11/2014 5:28:58 PM

Centuur

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I never use the screen layouts or the map views. I use the Global Map to navigate around the globe...

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Post #: 19

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 3:21:03 PM

GaPete_slith

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From: Georgia
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Centuur, yeah that is exactly what I do, use the global map view. It seems to me to be the easiest way to do navigate around the planet. I admit that my experience might be a little different from most people. I'm playing this game on a 72 inch screen, so my interface needs probably differ from most. Still, I've tried multiple ways to make the map view window stay minimized or, at the least, in one place. I just want it out of the way but, every single time the phasing country changes over to another, it moves to another spot, different from where I left it the last time that country was up, and it is off set with the rest of my windows and in the way. I have to minimize or resize it again and again. I've tried different screen layouts, tried saving the format every time a different country comes up. The map view window just refuses to keep it's place. If anybody can figure out how to make it behave, or, if I've missed something then I'd love to know what that is!

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Post #: 20

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 4:38:48 PM

Centuur

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To do this, you need to save the screen layout you are using for all major powers under the same name. Example: first, you make things right for Germany and save the screen layout. Than comes Italy. Again, you put things the way you want to and save under the same name. Than Japan, than CW etc. etc. etc.

It takes some time to do, but that works...

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Post #: 21

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 5:25:55 PM

GaPete_slith

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From: Georgia
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Actually I've done that, and it has had some effect but, not the desired one. If I call the layout back up manually, it does come back up like I set it but, not from just one phase change to the next. The main effect was only where the MV window popped back up. It did stop coming back up at the default position but, now it keeps coming back up either high on the very right of the screen or low depending on the power and never in the same place twice. It seems to love to cover up the global map LOL.

_____________________________

If I am to be damned then let it be for who I am and not what I think you want me to be.

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Post #: 22

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 5:36:37 PM

AxelNL

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A 72 inch screen? With that amount of real estate your biggest problem is neck pain, I assume?

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Post #: 23

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 6:35:16 PM

Shannon V. OKeets

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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
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quote:

ORIGINAL: GaPete

Actually I've done that, and it has had some effect but, not the desired one. If I call the layout back up manually, it does come back up like I set it but, not from just one phase change to the next. The main effect was only where the MV window popped back up. It did stop coming back up at the default position but, now it keeps coming back up either high on the very right of the screen or low depending on the power and never in the same place twice. It seems to love to cover up the global map LOL.

There are two steps: (1) move the Map Views List form and/or the Screen Layouts List form to where you would like them, and (2) right click on the Screen Layouts List and select Redefine from the menu list. The program will write the new definition for the screen layout (SLY file, which includes the positions of the two list forms) out to disk. It will also use that new definition every time the major power changes.

Now, the annoying part is that you need to do both steps for each of the major powers. That's my design, so feel free to mutter my name under your breath when going through this process. I wanted to enable players to place forms in different locations for different major powers - hence the SLY file stores the information on form placements separately for each major power. See sections 11.4.1 and 11.4.2 in Players Manual Volume 2 for the gory details.

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Post #: 24

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 8:47:17 PM

GaPete_slith

Posts: 90
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From: Georgia
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Steve, thank you very very much! I shall only utter your name in praise! I understand why you would need to do it for each country. Makes sense and it's completely logical. Now that I know I can do something with those windows I'm very happy. I will start as soon as I pull the game back up!

Axel, yes no kidding it's a 72 inch screen. It's a hidef DPL rear projection TV. Along with the PS3 and the cable box, I have two of my PC's permanently connected to it, including the one I keep my games on. It's an interesting experience but does have one little drawback. It's kind of hard to read text in the upper left hand corner of the screen but, past that, it's awesome!

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If I am to be damned then let it be for who I am and not what I think you want me to be.

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Post #: 25

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 9:28:41 PM

AxelNL

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GaPete

Steve, thank you very very much! I shall only utter your name in praise! I understand why you would need to do it for each country. Makes sense and it's completely logical. Now that I know I can do something with those windows I'm very happy. I will start as soon as I pull the game back up!

Axel, yes no kidding it's a 72 inch screen. It's a hidef DPL rear projection TV. Along with the PS3 and the cable box, I have two of my PC's permanently connected to it, including the one I keep my games on. It's an interesting experience but does have one little drawback. It's kind of hard to read text in the upper left hand corner of the screen but, past that, it's awesome!

Wow - that will be nice for your eyes. Less fatigue in that respect I would imagine. Or do you have the map on zoom level 3, while we lesser mortals have it at 5? That gives a nice overview!

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Post #: 26

RE: Some Questions! - 2/12/2014 9:42:26 PM

GaPete_slith

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From: Georgia
Status: offline

Believe it or not, the one thing it doesn't do and I wish it did, was give you more screen area but it doesn't. It only makes things bigger than they would be at a comparable screen resolution of a smaller monitor. So yes, I do actually keep the map screen zoomed at two and three, mostly. Sometimes I'll zoom out to one, if I'm doing naval stuff. Three is pretty standard for like say, handling a battle the size of the western front in 1940. Come to think of it, I kept Barbarossa at that too. Like I said in the other one though, it's sometimes harder to read stuff on the upper left hand corner of the screen, depending on where you are sitting in relation to the TV. It's like that with anything the computers put up. That was why I had moved the main menu and info screen to the bottom in one of my first setups, which led to that problem of freezing the game whenever the US Entry marker box's came up. I've got it placed towards the middle now, that solved the problem. It's either that or I move the couch LOL.

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Post #: 27

RE: Some Questions! - 2/13/2014 5:48:54 PM

AxelNL

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Zoom level 5 on my 24" 1920x1200 when doing land moves, smaller is not so nice for the eyes. Rest of the forms on a 19" on the right side.
The size of your monitor is indeed nice to get that helicopter overview in zoom level 3.

Any folks out there already using those new ultra HD monitors? (4 times HD I believe),

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Post #: 28