Uxbridge counters

[Uxbridge]

Here's my attempt at making the game more GMT-like. I have used a lot of colours. I prefer it that way, since I find it easier to supevise the general situation if I can do that by looking at the map, rather than at each individual unit.

Thus infantry divisions have the normal NATO-symbol, whereas corps have a black and white "guards" symbol, making them immediately recognizable even at casual glance. This symbol didn't work for armour and solid "bathtube" symbol was ugly, why I used mechanized symbols for armour corps.

All tech levels are colour-coded. White for level 1; yellow for level 2; green for level 3; red for level 4; and finally purple for the fearsome level 5 units. Ground units (apart from paras) have their symbols filled with the tech level colour, so that you can easily see which enemy units are the most dangerous, or which of your own that needs a little fill-up. Air units always have blue symbols to distinguish them from the ground units, and their tech level is shown by a small stripe. Same goes for the paras.

Air unit symbols are three fighters in Vic-formation for fighters with light blue background; a 2-engine plane symbol with a darker blue background (to really distinguish them from other air, since they're more active) for bombers; and a 4-engine symbol with light blue background for strategic bombers.

The map is the same I used pre-patch, with all eye candy taken away. It is based on Agents original, with more terrain and weather effects added.

I made these changes primarily for my own benefit, but if anyone wants to try, I can upload them once I've made the finishing touch.

[Uxbridge]

This is how the above situation looks with original graphics (slightly different view):

[Magpius]

Interesting posts, Ux.
What it highlights to me is just how little contrast there is between the standard map and pixel units.
(they all get lost in a sea of dull greens).
I wonder just how many play on those settings?
I never played GMT games, to me your units look more 'TOAW-like'.
The colour coding, while intuitive for you, would just leave me looking for a colour key.
Good work on the units.

[Uxbridge]

You're right about the TOAW. That game had units of similar look. Would have been a more striking reference. My mention of GMT has more to do with that company's high graphical representation than actual look of the counter.

I see precisely what you mean with all them colours confusing, but that won't happen when playing my 1939 campaign. At start all units, save BEF and a few other units, will be white. Then gradually more colour codes will be introduced for each new tech level reached, and the player has ample time to get used to the meaning of the different colours. Its the same for the standard 1939 and 1940 campaigns (except for some more yellow level 2 units).

Here's how it will look in 1939 standard scenario:

[Uxbridge]

Sample from the Italian front 1944:

[Uxbridge]

And a naval battle:

[Magpius]

pretty cool, where did you source them?
but go bigger[:D]

[Uxbridge]

Source? I draw them myself, pixel for pixel. [:)]

In fact, they're extremely crude. Zoom them up and the look just awful. Its our brains making them into what we want to see.

[dooya]

Really nice work!

[Magpius]

[X(]...[&o]

[cpdeyoung]

That U-Boat in the moonlight is a pretty sight for a RAF Hudson!

Seriously though, this is lovely stuff.

Chuck

[jack54]

wow,this is good stuff!

I'm amazed at how easy it is to compare the relative front line strengths!

Also love the seperate air units color scheme, that will really help in rebasing,tech upgrade,replacements ect.

It looks as though the para forces are air color too(great idea!), I've missplaced several paratrooper units and then spent an unnessesary amount of time looking for them.

Keep up the good work!

[H. Hoth]

This looks really nice, you do good work, congrats.

[gwgardner]

Great work. The 'guards' symbols seem to clash with the overall look. Are you final with that solution for corps?

[Uxbridge]

Yes, I think I am. Its an inheritance from countless Napoleonic games I suppose, and i like them. But I can always make a special type for you, if given a hint what you want. [:)]

[Uxbridge]

You can download and try the graphics live from here:

Uxbridge Graphics Just click "ladda ner".

Put the "MapSkin" and "UnitsSkin" in your gfx-folder and the "WWII-Uxbridge" in you scenario folder. Then change to these mods in the properties and start the WWII-scenario normally.

Note 1: If you should try the graphics with other scenarios, the eyecandy from the original game will still be active. This can be corrected by copying the eyecandies-file from "WWII-Uxbridge" to the scenario in question, but be sure to make a copy of the original file if you want to restore the original graphics for this scenario.

Note 2: Also, unit colours will only be mine in the "WWII-Uxbridge"-scenario. In all others it will be those from the original scenarios.

Except for the two notes above, placing my folders into the gfx- and scenario-folders should not affect any original settings in the game.

Have a go ... [:)]

[Uxbridge]

Made a new version, with the "guards" symbol replaced by an "army" one instead. Motorized have two white dots in the lower right corner and armour has their symbol semi-filled.

Do you like this better, GW?

[H. Hoth]

ORIGINAL: Uxbridge

Made a new version, with the "guards" symbol replaced by an "army" one instead. Motorized have two white dots in the lower right corner and armour has their symbol semi-filled.

Do you like this better, GW?

Question, do you copy the other file into to the scn file of the grand campaign, or under the file scn? I love the yellow and black as I am a Hawkeye fan.

[Uxbridge]

The scenario goes into the scenario-folder as an ordinary scenario; it should not be in any of the other, named scenario's folders.

[Uxbridge]

I have tried some more and wasn't to happy with the motorized corps. Too difficult to distinguish from the infantry corps in zoomed-out view. I therefore changed the checkered pattern from black and white for motorized to blue and white. Worked better, I think. To further differentiate the air units I made the background for strategic bombers is now black and the tech-level stripe has been moved to the bottom of the symbol.

I'm now rather pleased myself; what do everybody else say?