Empire V4.0 and Age of steel V1.0c Final edition out now !!!

[viberpol]

Thanks for all you are doing - I see you have some of the planes working already

Hey, I did not change any data within your scenario, just added the "black background" planes onto the core PlaneSide/top/alpha files as you asked. Please find them attached here:

Aplane arts.zip

(8.14 MiB) Downloaded 10 times

added.png (21.45 KiB) Viewed 825 times

If you remove the "black background" files from AlliedPlanes folder, the graphics should work OK IG as tested.

Zrzut ekranu (83).png (214.14 KiB) Viewed 825 times

Check these files out. I added some numbers for the empty slots. You should be able to see the slot number within scenario editor. It would be easier to add the tops/masks in the proper place, faster...

Nos.png (84.52 KiB) Viewed 825 times

I see there're still some empy slots/tops.

[viberpol]

Some Japanese planes also need attention, it seems...
This Ki-200 seems not placed correctly within the boundaries of the mask.

Zrzut ekranu (80).png (700.27 KiB) Viewed 821 times

[viberpol]

V

Can you send me the numbers or what you did for the planes you corrected so I can fix the files as we go for the next patch?

Just checked stock - There are Two Kitty 3. It's correct, and I changed nothing on those. Problem I kept slot 234 for art which I took as free ( because its empty in the editor) then made that a slot for the B42 and its art - so that explains that.

So ideally the B42 should have a different number for its art though it can be in slot 234 ? But I always thought I was limited to the number of places on the stock tile thing. That's why I tried to make them fit with numbers, which are blank on that tile.

C

Yeah, there's a big mess within the links between slot numbers and bitmaps, sooo, yeah I believe one can be put off, easily.
Ideally the slot should be the same with the bitmap, but we know it's impossible now...

bitmaps.png (88.17 KiB) Viewed 818 times

Scenario editor lets you create 600 Allied planes and 400 Japs with different data, but linking them with proper graphics is kind of difficult now. For example there're plenty different models of Lightnings "inherited" in the art file, I counted 10... while you have 6 different P-38 models IG, right?
Why do the AFBs add even more? Well, they do look great but...
I'd bet there are some graphics that are not even used used.
And the Rotating art tool I mentioned enables adding new looks for the chosen planes every month it seems!

[Cavalry Corp]

Firstly a huge thanks for this so far. So what you have done is added these planes into the main tile.
What about the art in the planes folder? Is that now redundant for the Allies? should we leave that folder untouched though?

Will you do the same for the Japanese? Could you add an Okha if you have the art? If you have any other art you could add to either slides/sides it will be welcome to be considered for future updates

Please note I did not change any plane slots - agree with your point. They are either from stock or RA - I only added.
Nor did I add any art that the slide originally was from RA. I started this mod 4 years ago. I did not know so much then, as it started out as a modified RA.

Can I have your RL name? I will add a small ASW ship in your honour!

I am away now until next week, but will be adding all this into a patch.

NOTE ALL PLAYERS - I am preparing a patch to add all this plus as I have found a few inconsistencies between Scn and one or two mistakes, after checking all planes again- now corrected. please await news.

cav

[Cavalry Corp]

BTW, are you saying I should be able to do this easily? If so, how, please? I'd be happy to try.
Or do you mean now delete them as they are causing conflict with the tile?

Would love rotating art, but I think it's outside my scope.

If you have any planes you like, especially early obsolete types (on which we are still a bit short), adding them to the game, you may add something, and we will get it to work. Let me know if you want to add anything for the patch.

aaaScreenshot 2025-07-23 113928.png (245.79 KiB) Viewed 794 times

[viberpol]

Firstly a huge thanks for this so far. So what you have done is added these planes into the main tile.
What about the art in the planes folder? Is that now redundant for the Allies? should we leave that folder untouched though?

Yes, since I added it to the main tile "old way", if you use the newest Side/top/alpha.bmp files, you can/should remove them from the AlliedPlanes folder. Otherwise they will override the defaults.
BTW I always wondered why do the new art added by moders have this kind of "dirt" in the side view...

Old Art side dirts.png (174.07 KiB) Viewed 782 times

Side arts seem clear, and this was weird.
[Sides added by me are clear too, as you can see]

[Cavalry Corp]

Thanks...Ok, so I will remove the inverted colour ones and just those for now from the allied folder.

I assume you will do a Japanese new tile as well.

Yes, about the dirt - no idea what value that is - looks like a scratch on an LP

[Cavalry Corp]

Sorry to be dim.. Do you want me to delete just the blacked out tops.

I do not see you have added the sides into the tile.

Cav

[viberpol]

Sorry to be dim.. Do you want me to delete just the blacked out tops.

I do not see you have added the sides into the tile.

Cav

You can delete from AlliedPlanes all corresponding files of the 13 planes I listed above. Yes, just the blacked out were checked.
As you see I added the sides to the A_PlaneSide_bmp.
See no dirt now?

Sides.png (903.56 KiB) Viewed 770 times

[viberpol]

Aaand as we're at it... How about I change these flat graphics and place something more similar to the original arts? Like the Skua below... Just pick your item

Skua Sides.png (785.86 KiB) Viewed 760 times

[Cavalry Corp]

V

Sorry for the delay, I have been away.

yes that would be great anything to improve the art experience in the game .....It should be a naval one, ideally. Probably the bottom right one

Will you be sending me a Japanese tile as well?

Cav

[Cavalry Corp]

V

Ok allied planes folder looks like this -

Not sure if you added 140 and 217 to the tile? Should I delete them?

Note 289 is Chain lighting. I have it with a typo. Should I change the file name or delete?

All the planes mentioned are extras over the tile as far as I can see.

Art is displaying ok on1st turn combat - just tried it , no scratches either

C

1234Screenshot 2025-07-28 123531.png (382.92 KiB) Viewed 686 times

[viberpol]

Hey Cav, please read your PMs as I feel we're communicating on two different channels

140 --> somehow the game shown "something" in its slot art no 137 and it looked fine without me doing anything, so I didn't change it.
[EDIT] Well, checked the REAL Fairey Spearfish just and it looks different indeed... Not a biplane.
I will correct it in the next file.

FS.jpg (296.67 KiB) Viewed 615 times

217 --> is fixed, put into main tile and tested.
289 --> I added a little modified Lightning in its place. Can change it back if you wish with the found misnamed file.
I think I'll add better sides, and send you the Allied pack again. Should be next week only, though.

Yes, you can already delete all 13 Allied planes from the list with BLACK BACKGROUNDs, earlier not appearing in game, now they do appear. Anyway...
If not now, I'll fix it anyway soon.


As per Japanese graphics, I've sent you a PM questioning the look of Ki-200 types.
(Because I don't like doing the same stuff twice when there's no need). \

Do you really want that Ki-200 look like that in your mod?
I do not know the idea behind it, but Ki-200 from the mod looks like a 4E bomber,
while IRL (Ki-200) was a IJA equivalent of the J8M1 fast fighter/interceptor...
I can only suspect that it was introduced as a Japanese copy of Fw-200 Condor?
Well, then there's an interesting story in it, as the Japs prepared a special "number" for a 4E engine before the war. It was planned to be based on Ju-90 and thus they did reserve a Ki-90 number for it. Later on they did change their minds and tried to pick an adaptation of Fw-200, but...
Then there was a Ki-91 prototype...
Well, this is your mod of course, but as a JFB let me suggest that maybe we could change that Ki-200 into Ki-90/Ki-91 series, and leave alone gighters Ki-200 and Ki-202?

[Cavalry Corp]

Hey Cav, please read your PMs as I feel we're communicating on two different channels

OK and sorry just done that

140 --> somehow the game shown "something" in its slot art no 137 and it looked fine without me doing anything, so I didn't change it.
[EDIT] Well, checked the REAL Fairey Spearfish just and it looks different indeed... Not a biplane.
I will correct it in the next file. OK this plane in your picture is the French early Helldiver - will check its number but yes Spearfish needs correcting
FS.jpg
217 --> is fixed, put into main tile and tested. ok will delete now
289 --> I added a little modified Lightning in its place. Can change it back if you wish with the found misnamed file. OK will work with what you did so I will delete that as well now
I think I'll add better sides, and send you the Allied pack again. Should be next week only, though.OK

Yes, you can already delete all 13 Allied planes from the list with BLACK BACKGROUNDs, earlier not appearing in game, now they do appear. Anyway...
If not now, I'll fix it anyway soon. OK and thanks.


As per Japanese graphics, I've sent you a PM questioning the look of Ki-200 types.
(Because I don't like doing the same stuff twice when there's no need). \ Yes, exactly. I answered this. It was a confusion. I wanted a short KI200 = FW 200 series because Japan examined it, and I liked the plane. I thought a few would be interesting in the early game, but it's very fragile. I used the name KI200 for convenience, I could change it to anything you think historic - let me have your suggestion

Do you really want that Ki-200 look like that in your mod? I think it looks ok unless you want to suggest something better, note MG does have a few FW200 actually in the game.
I do not know the idea behind it, but Ki-200 from the mod looks like a 4E bomber, Yes it is see correction above
while IRL (Ki-200) was a IJA equivalent of the J8M1 fast fighter/interceptor...Yes agree and its a mistake I have J8M1 in the game
I can only suspect that it was introduced as a Japanese copy of Fw-200 Condor? Yes
Well, then there's an interesting story in it, as the Japs prepared a special "number" for a 4E engine before the war. It was planned to be based on Ju-90 and thus they did reserve a Ki-90 number for it. Later on they did change their minds and tried to pick an adaptation of Fw-200, but...
Then there was a Ki-91 prototype... Already in the game or something similar and has art
Well, this is your mod of course, but as a JFB let me suggest that maybe we could change that Ki-200 into Ki-90/Ki-91 series, and leave alone gighters Ki-200 and Ki-202? How about we add the JU90 if you can find the art, it seems to be best placed as a good range transport plane and we could have a later patrol version..

[Cavalry Corp]

V

UPDATE

Just checked 140 side for Spearfish looks good in plane folder but 140 top in that folder is the blacked out- so should be added to the tile and tell me the number? So I can change the patch and delete from the planes folder. 140 Alpha has always been missing my error - what to do?
132 Vampire needs adding to the tile ( art side is nice in the planes folder). Just now from what I can see, it conflicts with the late war French helldivers, If I am adding up those wretched tile number correctly ( which currently use USA art), so would be nice to use the art in the tile I think.

There are a few planes in the tile not used in the game do you want me to show you in case you need the slots? A few look interesting, but actually I do not know what they are

140Screenshot 2025-07-29 193026.png (230.02 KiB) Viewed 603 times

Cav

[Cavalry Corp]

TO ALL PLAYERS

There will be a new patch and a few data changes as well as art corrections - please await news.

Cav

[Cavalry Corp]

patch should be in a few days...

[GivingUpTheGhost]

patch should be in a few days...

Cavalry Corp, how's the progress going on the patch? Once again, thanks for all your work

[Cavalry Corp]

yep, quite close. I am having someone help me overhaul the art. This is related to the in-game displays and alternative art; I've been reviewing everything again. Here is a list of what we have so far.

Some of these things I felt needed changes ( after 4 years of play testing) some are stuff that could have been included before, some are fixes or play balance, and many things are just to make even more options to make it enjoyable.

THIS IS NOT OUT YET - PLEASE AWAIT CONFIRMATION

• V4.0a and A.O.S V1.0d
• Delete your Allied and Japanese ‘Planes folders’ for the main artwork folder – nothing else.
• Re-download the art and reinstall for the big benefits of this patch, lots of new art fixes to displays and enhanced art – Sincere thanks to Viberpol from Matrix Forums for his work!
• Minor changes on Ki-100, Ki-44,P40,P39,G10, B36, B17 F/G, Vengeance, Whirlwind and KI-43. A few other plane tweaks.
• Ki200 is removed and replaced by Ki90/91, and a T version was added for the late war. More in keeping.
• Woomera CA-4 now becomes CA-11 and is now a light bomber as it better suits the mod.
• Added French Sud-Est SE100 transport 12/41-2/42.
• Added KI-94 II Fighter 11/44+. Very much in keeping with mod.
• Reduced SBD6 Dauntless production slightly 8/44-1/45. More in keeping with Mod as should be phased out.
• A few starting pool and production tweaks. Tighter for allies into mid-42.
• Tojo IIa now 9/42 form 11/42. Play balance.
• Aichi Ha 60 Engine now 42/11 from 42/12, so changed Tony Ia to 9/42 to match this potential arrival by R+D.
• Crew experience of CA Exeter substantially reduced- deployed with a raw, new crew. Chrome and historical.
• CL Kuma and Tama now start as TT variants only in Scn 50+51 only – More in keeping with those Scn.
• A change to a few late-war arriving J Air Groups to make more use of varied planes. Chrome.
• Hosho Air Groups now Trainers – optional new rule; should not be removed from CVE Hosho.
• Added a few YO, DE and LST for Japan.
• Changed Ohka to TT format on planes delivering this at low altitude. Fix for better gameplay.
• Allow the Matsu class DD to convert to DE 11/44 or APD 4/44. Chrome.
• Allow British C+D Class CL not to convert to CLAA 9/42. Chrome.
• Allow the Tachibana class DD not to convert to DE 11/44. Chrome.
• Allow the Akitzuki class DD not to convert to ASW version 10/44. Chrome.
• Allow Ise and Fuso class BB to convert to CV 9/42 ; 2.2 years and only single-hanger, armoured types.
• Added AO Apple and Pear Leaf 12/41 – Missing UK small Oilers -with thanks to Kohler from Matrix forums.
• Increased AC deployment at PH on Dec 7th to make it more tempting for airfield strikes. Game balance.
• Advanced a few allied very late war Air groups into late 44/45.
• Corrected a French AG to a realistic starting location and added French Devastator for 12/41 – 5/42. Added D338/344 (T) Chrome.
• Added P40Q 4/44-10/44.
• Added Japanese 57mm AT gun for 44/1 and a 75mm for 44/11. Added a Japanese Type 4 Tank 44/11. In keeping with mod.
• Revisions to some Japanese land units TOE/OOB.
• Tweaks to a few ships – New Research.
• Improved Exp of arriving 232 RAF and 17 RAF as Battle of Britain Veterans in this mod. Play balance.
• Tweaked upwards some starting allied forts in poor terrain in Burma - Play balance.
• Corrected unit symbols for some Japanese, Para, Commando and SNLF units. Tweaked a couple of their TOEs. Chrome and Fixed.
• Added 20,000 starting value to the Naval Shipyard pool, reduced HI to 5000.
• Reduced PH to AF size 8 – More in keeping with mod.
• Update to Read me PDF.