Vietnam Combat Operations update

[r6kunz]

Thanks, Steve, Zovs, et. al.,

As I understand it, if I could consolidate the special icons on one countersheet, it could be used by all of the countersheets. I realize, of course, that a new image for, say, CIDG, will appear on all countersheets and adjustments may need to be made.

I reviewed the individual Vietnam Combat Operations countersheets for TOAWIII.

The critical icons are on the yellow ARVN sheets: Regional Force (RF, the troops I worked with), Biet Dong Quan ( BDQ Ranger), BDR (Border Ranger), CIDG, Marine Infantry, CAG (Civil Action Group), Mike Force. A few others on the US Army, US Navy, US Marines. Almost all other combatants are standard NATO symbols.

Each of the Stéphane's thirteen countersheets has a unique HQ. Most are the country flag. Nice for game realism, but for now the generic HQ icon will suffice.

The question is how can I create a single new countersheet?

[Zovs]

r6kunz,

You'll need to locate and make a copy of the TOAW IV h_unit.png file and that will be what you'll want to modify.

[sPzAbt653]

The question is how can I create a single new countersheet?

I'm sure that Bob would be more than happy to show you how easy and quickly it can be done. [Extreme sarcasm there[;)]].

Put all the files on your laptop and we'll meet halfway for lunch and figure it out. [:D]

[Raindem]

Just noticed this thread.

Yes, I converted Call to Arms to work with T4's graphics system. You are not really converting the scenario's graphics. What you are doing is re-drawing them in a new format. You then have to go through the OOB and re-select colors, icons, and unit sizes for all effected units (which in Call to Arms was nearly all of them). The more familiar you are with the scenario the easier this process is.

It is sad that so many legacy scenarios do not appear or play correctly in T4. But for the well-designed ones, like VCO, I'm sure it's worth the effort to bring it up to date.

[r6kunz]

Thanks, Curt,
So if I want to re-draw the graphics, can you direct me to a tutorial for doing that? I think if I could construct Stéphane's ARVN countersheet (above) I could use it for most all of the nationalites (since most units use NATO symbol).
I would, of course, not be able to use the nationality flags in the HQ units. A nice touch, but we may need to wait

p.s. Nice work on Call to Arms. It compliments Rick Atkinson's The British are Coming.

[Raindem]

Thanks.

I used GIMP. It's a free download. I don't remember if I had access to a tutorial. I'll look in my old files and if I find anything useful I'll post it for you.

[rhinobones]

ORIGINAL: Raindem

Thanks.

I've used GIMP. It's a free download. I don't remember if I had access to a tutorial. I'll look in my old files and if I find anything useful I'll post it for you.

I've been using paint.net. GIMP is good, but I find paint.net a bit easier to use. Its also free.

Regards, RhinoBones

[cathar1244]

I would, of course, not be able to use the nationality flags in the HQ units. A nice touch, but we may need to wait

You could use the .col file to get the counter background and icon colors in the colors of the respective national flags. Won't have the "flag look" like the cool stripes on the RVN units, but it would be closer than random colors.

Cheers

[apresby]

EDIT: Actually, forgive the re-necro'd thread but let me actually ask a clear question:

Are the VCO scenarios playable as designed in TOAW 4. Sorry but it's not clear to me (a comparative TOAW newbie) if the VCO series plays correctly in TOAW 4 or if I should go back to my copy of TOAW 3 to play these masterpieces.

Thanks in advance for any assistance that you can provide.
V/R
feld

[Hellen_slith]

bump for VCO goodness

[Hellen_slith]

a bump (one of these days I'm going to finish vol 1 and post AAR

[Hellen_slith]

was logged in thought I would bump before it wandered down into page 2. I need to fire up TOAWIII and give this one a whirl. I had it working in TOAWIV, would like to experience this in III

[r6kunz]

Post #66:

Greetings,
This might be a place to mention Boonierat's very unique addition to the wargame genre'. He provided a very in-depth manual that includes a week-by-week outline of the war, and the operations (think Operation Cedar Falls, etc.), and Missions ("establish CIDG camp 25,47"). Each of these is awarded VP, in addition to the usual VP for towns and destroyed units.

[bonney23]

Are these scenarios converted to toaw4 at this point or should I just stick with toaw3.

Im playing some toaw4 lately but am a little worried how well the old scenarios are tested in 4.

Iv got scenarios crashing and missing documents makes me wonder if Im just better of sticking with Toaw3.

[sPzAbt653]

Check your version numbers in each scenario's documentation. Generally, if a designer updated the scenario with IV, they took the time to note it. Not a guarantee, but a way of checking for the possibility.

[r6kunz]

With regards to Vietnam Combat Operations by Stéphane MOUTIN LUYAT aka Boonierat.
I contacted Stéphane who kindly granted permission to update and use his scenarios in TOAW IV.
I made some minor updates and submitted them to the forum.
Initial playtests seemed OK, but I and other testers found that Stéphane's unit icons did not transfer to IV, and the icon graphics not be easily redrawn to match the VCO originals. See the earlier discussions on this thread for details.

The bottom line, only TOAW III truly gives the graphic experience of Stéphane's original. I will add VCO is a truly unique approach to achieving objectives that match those faced in Vietnam. It alone is worth the price of the game.

It would be great if Stéphane (if you are reading this) or anyone with more graphic design experience than I have could update the unit icon sheets!

[sPzAbt653]

update the unit icon sheets!

IV only has one sheet, and the icon pixels are different than III. The icons could be 'updated' but it would take a bit of work not only graphically but also changing some Unit Types in order to get all of the originals installed. It is possible that it is not possible, depending on the number of Custom Icons. This is probably why no one has done it yet.

[bonney23]

Yea it would be great if older scenarios make it over to toaw4 in working condition. As a newbie trying out some scenario
I have notice a lot of em having issues. For example Mons1914 and Georgia war. Maybe its a good idea to delete the scenarios that aren't compatible with toaw 4 because if they don't work properly whats the point of including them. Im playing the game through Steam btw and I don't know if the steam version is running on older builds or if it is up to date.

Edit: Will try the Mons1914 with the new turn orders rule off.

[kutaycosar]

With the game came the first three scenarios of the first Vietnam combat operations. Is there a problem other than the unit icons not appearing as intended? are they playable?

[sPzAbt653]

Is there a problem other than the unit icons not appearing as intended?

I think Rob confirmed [four posts above] that the scenario has no play-ability issues. It is known that the original scenario contained custom graphics that enhance the appearance of the scenario to a high degree. But this is only graphical.

Imagine your three year-old re-painted your car with finger paints. It may be quite bizarre looking, but it would not perform any differently.