Matrix Games Forums

baby steps

Working out what engine goes in what plane is the first thing the spreadsheet helps me with. Will half inch Big Red's colour coding to assist here too

Building the things next

Getting clever with production last!

But I am genuinely looking forward to the challenge!

Just a few question:

When I change the airframe production in a city's factory and want the data in the F to M columns to show the change, I would have to edit all those cells manually?

Wouldn't it be nice to just typing in the airframe you want to produce and have the program get the nickname of the plane, the name of the engine used and # of engines per plane automatically? Especially, as these are fixed by the airframe anyway.

ORIGINAL: T0mcat

Just a few question:

When I change the airframe production in a city's factory and want the data in the F to M columns to show the change, I would have to edit all those cells manually?

Wouldn't it be nice to just typing in the airframe you want to produce and have the program get the nickname of the plane, the name of the engine used and # of engines per plane automatically? Especially, as these are fixed by the airframe anyway.

An easier method is to just copy the F thru M data from one of the rows that has that airframe information in it, and then just change the city name. Your idea isn't bad, but I specifically did not "hard-code" the linkage between airframes and engines so the spreadsheet would work with any mod out there.

Rather than a spreadsheet that only works with "vanilla", it allows you to add all the engine names and airframe models used by any mod you happen to be playing. So yes, there might be a little bit of copy-paste when doing the initial set-up (or any what-ifs), but that's tiny compared to the amount of calculating that's being done elsewhere.

Remember too, that factory changes typically drop production to zero (and reduce the total count), so you'll still need to adjust the estimated monthly production numbers in the body of the spreadsheet, at least until such time as repairs are complete.

ORIGINAL: Kull


.. I specifically did not "hard-code" the linkage between airframes and engines so the spreadsheet would work with any mod out there.

I only got very basic knowledge about spreadsheet building, but wouldn't it be possible to set up an data array with all the planes' and engines' data, from which the formulas pull the data they need (and display in the spreadsheet) so that in the case of using a mod one would only have to edit the data in the array?

Maybe so, but I'm not a database guy. It's worth remembering that the amount of data entry required here is bare minimum as it is, and that small amount of effort will lay out for you the full range of your airframe and engine requirements. It tells you EXACTLY how many engines are needed (by month) to support your changing airframe production - both real and what-if - and no other WitP app does that.

Does the spreadsheet available for download still work? I downloaded, enabled content, then changed some of the factory damage levels (to show increasing production in the future). Nothing seemed to change in the produced values. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but would really like to use this tool.

ORIGINAL: spw1

Does the spreadsheet available for download still work? I downloaded, enabled content, then changed some of the factory damage levels (to show increasing production in the future). Nothing seemed to change in the produced values. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but would really like to use this tool.

Just to be sure nothing happened to it, I downloaded the spreadsheet and can confirm it works as intended.

The key things to be aware of are that changing the values in columns I (Existing Factory Production) or J (Damaged Factory Production) does not alter any of the values in columns O through BN (the monthly output values). Think of I & J as the place where you incrementally (over the entire course of the war) make adjustments (if necessary) to the airframe and engine outputs from each factory.

To see how that plays out over the course of the war, the actual (and projected) output numbers are added to the appropriate cell in the column O through BN section.

I explain how this works in Post #2 above (with a graphical example). Read through that again, and then follow the "alternate example" in Step #5 (doesn't require changing engine factory names) and make the same changes on your worksheet. You should get exactly the same results.

And there are no dumb questions! I'm happy to clarify any misunderstandings. The spreadsheet *looks* ridiculously complicated but it's a breeze to use, once you understand the basics.

Kull,

Thanks for your help. And your patience. I will try what you suggested.

It is unfortunate there is no consolidated and simplified explanation of how to deal with the Japanese production. It seems to require weeks of research to figure it out.

I finally get it now. The numbers for airframe production I put in manually (in the first few columns). The result is the surplus or deficit in the ENGINE POOL, not the number of aircraft I plan to make.

ORIGINAL: spw1

I finally get it now. The numbers for airframe production I put in manually (in the first few columns). The result is the surplus or deficit in the ENGINE POOL, not the number of aircraft I plan to make.

Exactly! It's tricky enough to come up with a masterplan for projected airframes. But what about the engines necessary to fly them? And will there be enough engine surplus to reach and maintain the desired +500 inventory for R&D acceleration? The spreadsheet shows you immediately.

As for the "consolidated and simplified explanation of how to deal with the Japanese production", I highly recommend Damien's Japanese Economy guide. That was my bible during the early days of trying to figure out the Japanese system, and it's particularly helpful when you are trying to set things up for Japan (my Japan spreadsheet incorporates much of this). However, if you want to REALLY understand the topic, take a look at Numydar's Japanese Production Primer. Both of these provide the consolidated explanation you are looking for. "Simplified", however, is probably unattainable!

how to deal with the Japanese production. It seems to require weeks of research to figure it out.

There's an understatement.

I agree with Kull, those references offer the best consolidated info but there is no way to simplify it.
You don’t need to become a Jedi Master on the economy before playing a grand campaign.
I found that understanding the basics from Damien’s 101 doc were enough to get me started, but the more you play the more you will find things to adjust or try differently yourself.

So if you look at scen 1+2. I understand that as Japan there are fewer engines to take into consideration when planning in scen 2, is that correct? If so, how do I handle that best in this planner which I assume is for Scen 1?

PDU On is different than PDU Off. That said, look at the aircraft that you want to produce and when. Then allocate your engine factories accordingly. Scenario 1 & 2 have different engines for the Ki-44 Tojo.