Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Reg

I am very keen on the feedback on whether you find this tool too hard to use or whether you would just like the files distributed just as a pre-formatted zip file. (They will be large..)

Instructions are easy enough to understand.

The batch files work fine.

Unpacked, the total size of the distributed files is just over 3 mb. Just for grins I zipped up the files and it was about 1.25 mb.

If 3 mb is a 'large' file in this day and age, then perhaps you need to find a new form of entertainment other than the internet. [&:]

Personally, I think you did a lot of extra work to accommodate a few people unfortunate enough to be stuck on a 56 k modem or lower.

~just my two cents...

Thanks Reg.

I've been using these for the campaign, so I use the dated folders only.

BTW, once a paint scheme remains the same due to a plane going out of production.
Do you need to keep updating the file for each folder date?

Might cut down on the repetitive schemes once a paint scheme becomes static, or outdated.

Hi Reg: Thx for your reply re:compatability with WITP. Can you elaborate on what you meant by having
to change the dates manually? Also, appreciate your latest post re:Guadalcanal aircraft. It's been a long
time since I played around with DOS. Thx again.
Navman

Thanks for the replies guys.

Keep them coming...

ORIGINAL: OSO

Unpacked, the total size of the distributed files is just over 3 mb. Just for grins I zipped up the files and it was about 1.25 mb.

If 3 mb is a 'large' file in this day and age, then perhaps you need to find a new form of entertainment other than the internet.

Personally, I think you did a lot of extra work to accommodate a few people unfortunate enough to be stuck on a 56 k modem or lower.

This distribution only consists of the side art for about 32 aircraft which is a very small subset of the total number of aircraft in the game. If/when the entire collection is reformatted, the filesize is likely to be about three times the current artwork filesize (~40MB).

Though this isn't a large file as general internet downloads go, it is definitely larger than the Matrix forums attachment file size limit.

What I was after with my request was whether this method of distribution works or whether it is too complicated for some members who aren't computer savvy.

Including this utility will also help others to make up their own rotating artwork sets.

Either way, someone is going to have to run this utility to format the artwork (it's too time consuming and prone to error to do it manually). The only question is whether I do it before distribution or whether the user does it during installation.

ORIGINAL: Halsey:

I've been using these for the campaign, so I use the dated folders only.

BTW, once a paint scheme remains the same due to a plane going out of production.
Do you need to keep updating the file for each folder date?

Might cut down on the repetitive schemes once a paint scheme becomes static, or outdated.

If you read the document by MichaelM in the first post of this thread, you will see that if you don't put an updated image in the later folders, then the active image will revert to the default image.

For instance, the Vindicator went out of production in '41, and out of service in '42. However, to allow for the case where players still have Vindicators in service in 43 or later , you have to put the Jun'42 image in the 43,44, and 45 folders otherwise the active image will revert back to the red & white stripes of the default artwork during those years.

It also makes the whole process of setting up the distribution less complicated if you treat all artwork the same.

ORIGINAL: NavMan:

Thx for your reply re:compatability with WITP. Can you elaborate on what you meant by having
to change the dates manually?

If you download and have a look at Cathartes Accurate Air Packs you will see that they each contain a single file (A_Planesides.bmp) which is a replacement for the Allied aircraft side art file that is located in the WITP Art folder.

Each of these side art files contains the aircraft markings and colour schemes which are historically accurate for that specific period, (ie Pack 1 is valid for December 1941 - February 1942, Pack 2 for March 1942 - May 1942 etc). There is also a readme file in each pack which gives you the background information about each period.

However once your game time moves into the next period (ie 01 March 1942), you have to manually replace the current A_Planesides.bmp file in the game art folder with the one from the next pack. This can be quite a chore if you are running several games at once and they are at different dates... They all have the same name which makes the process a bit more tricky. Admirals Edition is a huge improvement as it loads the appropriate art automatically if the files are installed correctly.

The JoneSoft Generic Mod Enabler (JSGME) recommended by Cathartes is a graphical utility that allows the files to be swapped with the click of a single button but you still have to remember to do it. This is a great little utility and I use it all the time for other mods as well. Definitely recommended.

ORIGINAL: Reg



If you read the document by MichaelM in the first post of this thread, you will see that if you don't put an updated image in the later folders, then the active image will revert to the default image.

For instance, the Vindicator went out of production in '41, and out of service in '42. However, to allow for the case where players still have Vindicators in service in 43 or later , you have to put the Jun'42 image in the 43,44, and 45 folders otherwise the active image will revert back to the red & white stripes of the default artwork during those years.

It also makes the whole process of setting up the distribution less complicated if you treat all artwork the same.

EXCELLENT Reg!!! I have tested this extensively before it was released. I had set up folders for the entire campaign (but still working on it since there are sooooo many US camo/national insignia changes througout the war!!!) However, all seems to work well.

You have got the system down absoulutely correct!!! Please continue!!!!!!![&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][;)][8D]

I hadn't thought about being restricted to the forum. No one will host the art for you?

I thought the batch files were easy to use but others might be intimidated. In that case you could look into this gui driven application:

Click team

Hi Reg: Thx for your explaination Re: Witp air artwork. I'll try it. The batch file you set up ran perfectly.
Regards,
Navman

Patiently waiting for more...[;)][:D]

Thanks for the sticky...

Here's my contribution, so far...
India Command
Ceylon Command
Pacific Ocean Command
SW Pac Command
25th Div
Merrill's
6th Ranger
7th Arm Bde
East and West African Divs
Some Brit Divs + some missing Div patches from previous releases.[;)]

Next installment...
These will be comprehensive downloads, as long as they fit.
Then I will start to break them up.

See the notes in the zip.
I will be upgrading my insignia as I find errors, or for refinement.[;)]

All Marine Raiders
All Marine Paras
503rd Para
87th Mtn
28th E African
Chindits
Viper Force
3rd Commando
Aussie Divs previously missed
Some others that I didn't list, too.[:D]

No need to download previous files.
The latest posting will contain all of the insignia's, plus additions and modifications.
At least until they don't fit.[;)]

I already chopped out these two Marine patches and plan on doing a 1st Marine defense battalion patch I found on Ebay If they can assist you in building your package I'll email them to you.
 

Coool...

Your bn patches look more uniform than the ones I found.[;)]

I have a complete zip for all Allied LCU's, to date.
Ryan, Dixie and mine, with fixes.

It's too large to upload, so email me with your email address, and I'll shoot it to you.[;)]

Someone else will have to take up the airgroup insignia gauntlet.[:D]

I have the 1-4 Marine Raiders, 1-3 USMC Parachute  and 1st Marine Defense Bn, just have to figure out how to upload them for download.


It worked I must be living right......Can't be.......[:D]

I got them off your previous post already.
Haven't done the Defense Bn yet.
Need the other 6 to complete the set.[;)]
Hint hint...


New patches.
Sea Bees
Couple more new ones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_defense_battalions

Not all the patches are here but its a start.

Halsey, thanks for the zips mate[&o]

Found this as well, pity its B/W

http://www.angelfire.com/md2/patches/usmc.html

Another marine patch site

http://www.angelfire.com/md2/patches/tr ... 2site.html

Not just marines!

http://www.usarmypatches.com/index.htm

Another one