CSME unit viewer & handbook unit picture mod / JSGME friendly version

[Hoplite1963]

This is an update of the 3rd public release version of my Campaign Series Middle East Unit Picture mod. (referred to hereafter as “CSME UPM”). The main difference between this and the previous Version 3 is that it is now fully “JSGME” (Johnsoft Generic Mod Enabler) compatible (hence JFV = Johnsoft friendly version) and designed to be activated using JSGME. The mod can be downloaded from the DropBox link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/eduy5iq0lfq60 ... V.rar?dl=0

From now on all versions of this mod will be built to work with JSGME. This mod provides pictures for platoon units that will show up in the image boxes (that by default have their nationalities, national map and flag in) in the games “Unit Handbook” and its “Unit Viewer”. This third release version provides complete picture sets for Israel, Egypt and Syria.

After unzipping, To install the mod place the folder called “CSME UPM V3JFV” in the “mods” folder in your Campaign Series Middle East main game directory and then after clicking on the JSGME icon in the main directory of the game click on “CSME UPM V3JFV” (which you should see in the left hand (Available Mods column) to select it and then click on the top of the 3 buttons with a right pointing arrow in the centre of the application to activate the mod. To deactivate the mod select it again and then click on the button below the one we just spoke about to move the mod out of the “Activated Mods” column.

In this mod for land units, where photos have not been employed I have used a “Light Yellow” ground. For Air units (including helicopters, drones etc.) a “light Sky Blue” ground has been used, again except where I have had to use black and white photographs of the equipment in question. Finally for Naval units, including all boats except where I have had to use black and white photos there is a “Dodger Blue” background with vessels shown as if they are floating on it, with the proportion of the hull normally under the water not being visible.

When choosing vehicle, aircraft and weapon images my first preference has been to use a full colour illustration of the item in question (or a colour image cut out from a colour photo) in the colours of the Nation being represented, where this is applicable (i.e. not for artillery and mortars etc. where a standard image of the weapon has usually been employed, unless there is a nation specific one available). But where this is not available to use a black and white photo image filling the entire unit portrait box has been employed.

For infantry units I have used a full colour illustration image of the troops in question but where this is not available a colour image of the main weapon used, e.g. an AK47 Assault Rifle or a PPSh-41 SMG. The exception here has been a few Israeli infantry units from the 1948 war, where black and white photos, filling the entire unit portrait box have been employed.

There is a separate document included with this mod called “Unit List” giving details of each and every unit picture that comes with it. This is in table form and gives details of the file name, the type of unit represented (and its value in strength points), along where relevant with an explanation of the item shown (such as which type of individual weapon has been used for a given infantry unit) and also a comment where I have had to use a less than ideal image. The different units appear in the table in the order they are found in the games “Unit Viewer”.

I hope you enjoy playing CSME using this mod with the addition of Egypt it should now provide complete coverage for most scenarios set on the Golan Heights and in the Sinai from 1948 to 1985. Any comments, suggestions or ideas as to where I can find better images for particular weapons, vehicles or units would be gratefully appreciated. If these could be posted in the Matrix games forum please?

In particular for the Israelis images numbers P221045, and P221046 (“Wolf 150mm Rockets” & “Wolf 200mm Rockets” respectively) these have been left blank as I have not been able to identify any images of any kind for these weapons systems, (from the research I have done I am not sure they actually existed) while for the Syrians images numbers P269003 and P269004 “Universal Carrier w/25mmAT Gun“ are stand-ins. (using a photo of a version of the vehicle sporting a British 2-lbr AT Gun) So any help here would be particularly appreciated. I am now working on Version 4 which will add the Jordanians.

Ian Leask
March 2022

[Sunbather]

Thank you for your mod, the pictures are great!

However, I wonder if it is possible to have them show up in the "ingame" unit list as well, i.e. the list on the left or right of your screen with all the stats and such.

[Crossroads]

Thank you Ian!

To make sure everyone's got a chance to enjoy your superb mod, and as discussed with you via PM, I am happy to confirm the V3 versio of your mod will be included in the coming (free) CSME 2.30 UPDATE.

No need to wait for that of course, just grab it from the link, folks!

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CSME 2.30 UPDATE (jumping from 2.01 to 2.30) will have the game engine updated to the latest upcoming and equally free CS Vietnam 1.30 UPDATE game engine level.

CSME 2.30 will not include update scenario Lua files apart from a couple of samples. Those will be available with a planned CSME 3.00 UPDATE. No date available yet.

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As for @Sunbather, the 2D profiles or 3D unit images available as options for the game side bar Unit list graphics are a different set of graphics. These pictures will not be available there.

[Sunbather]

As for @Sunbather, the 2D profiles or 3D unit images available as options for the game side bar Unit list graphics are a different set of graphics. These pictures will not be available there.

It's great to see that you include community mods so readily into your game as an option!

When you are talking about 2D profiles, you mean the NATO symbols, right?
I am asking because I do want to make a mod for Vietnam that swaps out the 3D models (or NATO symbols) in the unit list with real life photography from Vietnam units.
For flavor but also for visibility. I find the 3D units a bit hard to read, tiny as they are.


EDIT: I do see now that in CS: Vietnam there is the option to change the counters in the unit list from NATO to 2D stylized. Now I play in 2D with NATO counters and have 2D stylized counters which are much better to read than the 3D ones. I still wonder if it is possible to mod IRL photos into the game and have them cover the entire rectangle of the respective unit in the unit list. So that there would be a photo and on top of the photo the unit stats.

[Crossroads]

As for @Sunbather, the 2D profiles or 3D unit images available as options for the game side bar Unit list graphics are a different set of graphics. These pictures will not be available there.

It's great to see that you include community mods so readily into your game as an option!

When you are talking about 2D profiles, you mean the NATO symbols, right?
I am asking because I do want to make a mod for Vietnam that swaps out the 3D models (or NATO symbols) in the unit list with real life photography from Vietnam units.
For flavor but also for visibility. I find the 3D units a bit hard to read, tiny as they are.


EDIT: I do see now that in CS: Vietnam there is the option to change the counters in the unit list from NATO to 2D stylized. Now I play in 2D with NATO counters and have 2D stylized counters which are much better to read than the 3D ones. I still wonder if it is possible to mod IRL photos into the game and have them cover the entire rectangle of the respective unit in the unit list. So that there would be a photo and on top of the photo the unit stats.

Sorry, I got confused with what's out at the moment. You're right: With Middle East 2.01, in the Unit list sidebar, there's either the NATO symbol or the 2D unit profile, if Options > Infobox Counters is toggled ON. If that is OFF, then you see the 3D unit image on top of a unit base there. These files will load from the various subfolders under the \Graphics game folder.

It is not possible to have photographs or something like that there. F2 Unit Handbook or Unit Viewer, which uses pictures from \Pictures folder, is a different system.

[Sunbather]

It is not possible to have photographs or something like that there. F2 Unit Handbook or Unit Viewer, which uses pictures from \Pictures folder, is a different system.

Thanks for the info! Then I can direct my efforts to some sound modding

[Crossroads]

It is not possible to have photographs or something like that there. F2 Unit Handbook or Unit Viewer, which uses pictures from \Pictures folder, is a different system.

Thanks for the info! Then I can direct my efforts to some sound modding

Good luck!

[Hoplite1963]

Hi ALL
The next version of the CSME unit viewer and handbook unit picture mod will follow later in the year adding the Jordanians. After that the next version should be a series of mini mods for the various Lebanese factions for which I have a lot of source material.

I would am also already well resourced to cover the Iran Iraqi war when that DLC comes out. I have been slowed down by work on mods for Squad battles and TOAOW IV but this has taught me so valuable lesions on who to use photoshop to do the CS series unit basis which will come in handy down the line for the Lebanese factions, "South Lebanese Army", "PLO" & "Amal" etc.

It is a great shame to see that the "Wings Aircraft Profiles" website is no more that was very helpful for the aircraft and helicopters side of things.

Kind regards
Ian