2K FrankenCounters for Older Eyes Release v1.1

[Jack59]

I like the mod and I am using it now but I noticed that the CC class counter for the Japanese is "empty" (no unit picture in it). Is this intended? And is the designation as "CC" correct? I think it is BC = Battlecruiser.

The Japanese did not build Battle-cruisers (pocket battleships). After WWI treaties limited the size of Navy's in hopes of curtailing a potential WWII. The powers were limited in the amount battleship hulls each power could have. In order to bypass the treaties smaller hulls were packed with packed with big guns, thus the Battle-crusier.

I do not believe the Japanese signed the treaties, and therefor ignored them. Thus they built as many (modern) large hulled battleships and aircraft carers as they could! This also lead to their two Super Battleships.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Alas seems this counter mod is broken with the newest version of Pacific. Was fine for the Day of Infamy campaign. Now it boots you right out of the game if you enable the mod. Historical Flag mod still good though.

[Jack59]

Well I am still working on version 1.02 looks like V1.03.04 is out. This newer version appeared quickly!

Version 1.03.04: The counter Mod still works for me, but I have not purchased the New DSL, yet. Did not know that was finished too. It would be nice to see it noted in the Forum. Last I saw it was still in beta.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Well I am still working on version 1.02 looks like V1.03.04 is out. This newer version appeared quickly!

Version 1.03.04: The counter Mod still works for me, but I have not purchased the New DSL, yet. Did not know that was finished too. It would be nice to see it noted in the Forum. Last I saw it was still in beta.

Got it to work!
Edit:
Works for Marco Polo.
Does not work for Imphal-Kohima 1944. Get a segmentation error? and kicks me out of the game entirely.
Works for Day of Infamy Grand Campaign.
Will check other scenarios later

[epower]

<sigh> Here I was happily Frankencountering the navies of SC:War in Europe and just dropped into the old thread to find a new DLC blowing up the mod.
Changes to the file folder structure would be my first guess.
I'll purchase and see what new mischief is afoot.

[epower]

Yep. As I thought, many new campaign folders.
The original mod for WitP v1.00 had 6 campaigns, each of which required a separate modified bitmap folder:

1939 Khalkhin Gol - Nomonhan
1941 Day of Infamy
1942-43 Solomons Campaign
1944 The Marianas Campaign
1945 August Storm
1945 Iwo Jima

The new DLC adds an additional 6 campaigns to the original six:

1937 Marco Polo to Pearl Harbor
1942 Summer of Decision
1944 Imphal and Kohima
1945 Okinawa
1945 Operation Olympic
1946 Operation Coronet

The Frankencounter mod should work with the original 6 campaigns but not with new ones introduced in the Rise and Fall of an Empire DLC
EDIT - Just tested 1.03.04 and then installed the RFoE DLC. In both cases all 6 original campaigns appear to be working correctly.

Updating this should be relatively straightforward unless the devs have introduced new units requiring additional counters.

@OCB, could your unceremonious ejection from the game have been a one off glitch, or does (did) it repeat?
I tried the Kohima Imphal Campaign and it loaded the stock counters without incident.

[Jack59]

Operation Olympic/Coronet has US Divisions. Japanese has brigades, battalions, divisions, pill boxes, coastal battery, etc. Could use different colors underneath infantry symbols or different size boxes. Looks like a little work.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Yep. As I thought, many new campaign folders.
The original mod for WitP v1.00 had 6 campaigns, each of which required a separate modified bitmap folder:

1939 Khalkhin Gol - Nomonhan
1941 Day of Infamy
1942-43 Solomons Campaign
1944 The Marianas Campaign
1945 August Storm
1945 Iwo Jima

The new DLC adds an additional 6 campaigns to the original six:

1937 Marco Polo to Pearl Harbor
1942 Summer of Decision
1944 Imphal and Kohima
1945 Okinawa
1945 Operation Olympic
1946 Operation Coronet

The Frankencounter mod should work with the original 6 campaigns but not with new ones introduced in the Rise and Fall of an Empire DLC
EDIT - Just tested 1.03.04 and then installed the RFoE DLC. In both cases all 6 original campaigns appear to be working correctly.

Updating this should be relatively straightforward unless the devs have introduced new units requiring additional counters.

@OCB, could your unceremonious ejection from the game have been a one off glitch, or does (did) it repeat?
I tried the Kohima Imphal Campaign and it loaded the stock counters without incident.

Nope tried many times and can not get it to work with Imphal-Kohima 1944. I get kicked completely out. Unfortunate as I am ready to start recording a MP match of that scenario for YT.

Btw nice seeing your around again.

[epower]

Nope tried many times and can not get it to work with Imphal-Kohima 1944. I get kicked completely out. Unfortunate as I am ready to start recording a MP match of that scenario for YT.

Without replacement bitmaps in the specific campaign folder things get wonky most rikki tik. Sometimes a counter mod will not load especially in a save. I'm encountering this sort of issue adding my naval counters to the TRP set in SC:WIE. I've found that disabling then re-enabling the mod can work. It's almost as if they stick occasionally.

I wonder also if the two part nature of the Frankencounter installation package might be causing issues. I broke out the four IJN options as a space saving measure but maybe bundling all files into four discreet versions is the better option. It would certainly make installation less complicated.

As for Imphal-Kohima, I'll throw together a quick patch since you're under some time pressure.

I did alert the Devs to potential bug/oversight with the default campaign which might explain the crash. Two folders in the location below appear incomplete.

D:\Strategic Command WWII - War in the Pacific\Campaigns\_1944 Imphal and Kohima

Axis Minor [3d and nato sprites present]
Major_06 [nato sprites missing]
Major_07 [3d and nato sprites present]
Major_10 [3d sprites missing]

Good to be back. Funny how I spend much more time modding than actually playing. It is strangely addictive.

BTW, are you using any other mods which cause conflict? Frankencounter also modifies these files:

morale_flag_sprites.png
resource_flag_sprites.png
unit_activation_sprites.png
unit_experience.png
unit_mode_sprites.png
unit_nato_flag_sprites.png
unit_nato_flag_sprites_zoom.png
unit_strength_values_sprites.png

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Nope tried many times and can not get it to work with Imphal-Kohima 1944. I get kicked completely out. Unfortunate as I am ready to start recording a MP match of that scenario for YT.

Without replacement bitmaps in the specific campaign folder things get wonky most rikki tik. Sometimes a counter mod will not load especially in a save. I'm encountering this sort of issue adding my naval counters to the TRP set in SC:WIE. I've found that disabling then re-enabling the mod can work. It's almost as if they stick occasionally.

I wonder also if the two part nature of the Frankencounter installation package might be causing issues. I broke out the four IJN options as a space saving measure but maybe bundling all files into four discreet versions is the better option. It would certainly make installation less complicated.

As for Imphal-Kohima, I'll throw together a quick patch since you're under some time pressure.

I did alert the Devs to potential bug/oversight with the default campaign which might explain the crash. Two folders in the location below appear incomplete.

D:\Strategic Command WWII - War in the Pacific\Campaigns\_1944 Imphal and Kohima

Axis Minor [3d and nato sprites present]
Major_06 [nato sprites missing]
Major_07 [3d and nato sprites present]
Major_10 [3d sprites missing]

Good to be back. Funny how I spend much more time modding than actually playing. It is strangely addictive.

BTW, are you using any other mods which cause conflict? Frankencounter also modifies these files:

morale_flag_sprites.png
resource_flag_sprites.png
unit_activation_sprites.png
unit_experience.png
unit_mode_sprites.png
unit_nato_flag_sprites.png
unit_nato_flag_sprites_zoom.png
unit_strength_values_sprites.png

Hi
I'm only using the 'Historical Flag Mod' that replaces the Nationalist China flag.
Weirdly, even when testing with the Day of Infamy (Grand Campaign)..if I go to the mod settings and have your mod set ON first before loading that scenario, then everything works for that particular scenario. But, if I go in with it OFF, get in the game and move units, and then go to options and enable your mod including one of the JPN options, I get kicked.
Unable to get a screen shot to read the exact error.
What I can do is a quick recording and capture that moment...and screen shoot that for the recording.
Standby.

Btw appreciate you trying to fix this!

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ok recorded a segment to get screen captures.

1) I open the game and chose Day of Infamy scenario. Franken-Mod is already enabled. I play a few moves.
2) I go into Options>MODS and disable Franken-Mod
3) I wait for the units to revert to NATO..and get an error and am quickly kicked.

So I never noticed the above behavior with Day of Infamy until yesterday, when I was trying to get some of the DLC scenarios to use Franken Mod.
Oddly..the Franken Mod worked for the DLC scenario 'Marco Polo Bridge' the big China scenario.

Hope this helps.

btw..no rush, I am already producing Imphal-Kohima MP series...but I can always use your mod mid-stream if you get it working.
Much thanks in advance

[epower]

Ok recorded a segment to get screen captures.

1) I open the game and chose Day of Infamy scenario. Franken-Mod is already enabled. I play a few moves.
2) I go into Options>MODS and disable Franken-Mod
3) I wait for the units to revert to NATO..and get an error and am quickly kicked.

So I never noticed the above behavior with Day of Infamy until yesterday, when I was trying to get some of the DLC scenarios to use Franken Mod.
Oddly..the Franken Mod worked for the DLC scenario 'Marco Polo Bridge' the big China scenario.

Hope this helps.

btw..no rush, I am already producing Imphal-Kohima MP series...but I can always use your mod mid-stream if you get it working.
Much thanks in advance

Thanks for the specifics.

Regarding your use of the Historical Flag Mod, the Frankencounter Mod makes several changes to the flags, which I apparently failed to mention or document, up to and including adding the Nationalist China flag as well as one for his holiness the Dalai Lama. Take that Peking! Also sharpened a few flags and moved Manchukuo to the correct spot. That said, I doubt there's any conflict arising from your overwrite but just to eliminate the variable, try disabling the Historical Flag Mod so there's not a double overwrite happening.

Interesting that the Marco Polo Bridge Campaign shows the Frankencounters even though they are present only in the main bitmap folder and not in the specific campaign. Sometimes mods appear to 'stick.' Given that the mod bitmaps live in two places, I'm beginning to think that the SC program will reference the main bitmaps (modded or not) in some situations and this may contribute to the odd behavior we're seeing. I shall await enlightenment from Bill or Hubert.

Are you enabling any mods in game? If so, I strongly advise against this practice. I've always found that option to be a crapshoot on the best of days especially with the larger mods. You're able to preload the mod and get it to work so I recommend you stay with that route.

I believe there's mischief afoot in the campaign packaging for SC:RaFoE but I'll wait for the devs to comment on my bug report. In the interval, I'm in the process of updating the new campaign bitmaps and repackaging the Frankencounter mod into four single installs- one for each IJN option. The only creative process required is adding a Strongpoint/ Pillbox counter to a few more countries.The rest is just packaging. I should probably have my historical flags in a separate mod just to give any players in China the option to include or ignore.

I look forward to your upcoming YT playthrough. Would be cool to see the counters in action. Hoping to get this released by the weekend.

Cheers

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Ok recorded a segment to get screen captures.

1) I open the game and chose Day of Infamy scenario. Franken-Mod is already enabled. I play a few moves.
2) I go into Options>MODS and disable Franken-Mod
3) I wait for the units to revert to NATO..and get an error and am quickly kicked.

So I never noticed the above behavior with Day of Infamy until yesterday, when I was trying to get some of the DLC scenarios to use Franken Mod.
Oddly..the Franken Mod worked for the DLC scenario 'Marco Polo Bridge' the big China scenario.

Hope this helps.

btw..no rush, I am already producing Imphal-Kohima MP series...but I can always use your mod mid-stream if you get it working.
Much thanks in advance

Thanks for the specifics.

Regarding your use of the Historical Flag Mod, the Frankencounter Mod makes several changes to the flags, which I apparently failed to mention or document, up to and including adding the Nationalist China flag as well as one for his holiness the Dalai Lama. Take that Peking! Also sharpened a few flags and moved Manchukuo to the correct spot. That said, I doubt there's any conflict arising from your overwrite but just to eliminate the variable, try disabling the Historical Flag Mod so there's not a double overwrite happening.

Interesting that the Marco Polo Bridge Campaign shows the Frankencounters even though they are present only in the main bitmap folder and not in the specific campaign. Sometimes mods appear to 'stick.' Given that the mod bitmaps live in two places, I'm beginning to think that the SC program will reference the main bitmaps (modded or not) in some situations and this may contribute to the odd behavior we're seeing. I shall await enlightenment from Bill or Hubert.

Are you enabling any mods in game? If so, I strongly advise against this practice. I've always found that option to be a crapshoot on the best of days especially with the larger mods. You're able to preload the mod and get it to work so I recommend you stay with that route.

I believe there's mischief afoot in the campaign packaging for SC:RaFoE but I'll wait for the devs to comment on my bug report. In the interval, I'm in the process of updating the new campaign bitmaps and repackaging the Frankencounter mod into four single installs- one for each IJN option. The only creative process required is adding a Strongpoint/ Pillbox counter to a few more countries.The rest is just packaging. I should probably have my historical flags in a separate mod just to give any players in China the option to include or ignore.

I look forward to your upcoming YT playthrough. Would be cool to see the counters in action. Hoping to get this released by the weekend.

Cheers

I have no other mods in SC-Pacific, graphical or otherwise, except the mentioned 'Historical Flag Mod' made by Bill Runacre to supplement the bogus NatChina flag that Steam-CCP made them use*
I will try disabling the H.Flag mod just for test purposes.

Again no rush. With my current production, I probably will use both NATO (which I prefer) and 3D Sprites off and on, to mollify both camps that hate on one or the other :
(July 18 at 10am Pacific (5pm UTC) I have a 40 minute cover vid of the Imphal-Kohima 44 scenario. In it I use both NATO and 3D Sprites and note advantages and disadvantages of both. So that alone maybe of some interest )

*Don't let me get started about that fandango!

[Jack59]

With the new DLC I noticed I noticed you changed the standard unit size indicators. The original vanilla counters appear to be correct with the exception of some British units in 1944 Impal and Kohima campaign. There the division symbol (X) was used instead of the regimental (II). (This is only campaign that I can not get your mod to work by turning the mod off and then on, within an active game.) Below are the standard symbols:

Nato Unit Size indicators.png (235.87 KiB) Viewed 4233 times

In Strategic Command special forces/airborne divisions have combat strengths similar to to a Corps counter (due to their elite training and shock effect).

[epower]

Jack,

I appreciate your attention to the mod. Thanks for the info about unit designations. Most useful as I tackle the Imphal Kohima campaign.

Quick I may be, but not that quick I've yet to implement and post any changes. The anomalies you see are due to the update, and/or any previous issues I may have introduced in the original v1.1 of the Frankencounter Mod.

As I noted in my response to OCB the bitmaps live in two different places and I believe now that the SC program will often 'stick' those mods which alter the main counter bitmaps if one loads them prior to a game start. Hence your ability to have Frankencounters appear in some of the newly released campaigns despite my having done nothing to alter those campaign files.

Stay tuned.

'Waiting for the winds of change to sweep the clouds away...'

[OldCrowBalthazor]

With the new DLC I noticed I noticed you changed the standard unit size indicators. The original vanilla counters appear to be correct with the exception of some British units in 1944 Impal and Kohima campaign. There the division symbol (X) was used instead of the regimental (II). (This is only campaign that I can not get your mod to work by turning the mod off and then on, within an active game.) Below are the standard symbols:



Nato Unit Size indicators.png


In Strategic Command special forces/airborne divisions have combat strengths similar to to a Corps counter (due to their elite training and shock effect).

What's odd about your posted image is that the symbols are wrong from Division on down in that graphic.
(Not sure where you found that image but it is erroneous)

Standard NATO symbols:
Brigade X
Division XX
Corps XXX
Army XXXX.

Imphal-Kohima's unit sizeds and NATO designations are correct.
There are Chinese Divisions XX
Japanese Regiments III
Indian Brigades X

[OldCrowBalthazor]

NATO Brigades, Regiments and Divisions

Heres a helpful link to the full spectrum of NATO unit symbols and designations:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Join ... it_symbols

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Official NATO unit size designators.
Been using them for decades in work and play.

[epower]

OCB,

Insignia clarification was most timely. Imphal is gonna be slightly more involved than I anticipated as counter changes will be required for the following countries:

Axis Minor - I I I replaces XXX
Allied Minor - I I I replaces X [Edit: replaces X not XXX] (New addition from stock)
USA - Mars Task Force unit patch replaces USMC Globe & Anchor as Special Forces (new addition from stock)
UK/British Empire - Both Regiments and Brigades use the X counter so it must stay as is
Japan - I I I replaces XXX

[OldCrowBalthazor]

OCB,

Insignia clarification was most timely. Imphal is gonna be slightly more involved than I anticipated as counter changes will be required for the following countries:

Axis Minor - I I I replaces XXX
Allied Minor - I I I replaces XXX
USA - Mars Task Force unit patch replaces USMC Globe & Anchor as Special Forces
UK/British Empire - I I I replaces XXX
Japan - I I I replaces XXX

Aye I figured so with all the different unit sizes in Imphal-Kohima 44.
Actually its pretty accurate too. Good example is the Chinese Division in the scenario, which has 3 times as many men as a Japanese Regiment, but is relatively weaker in combat power then the Jpn regiment. That's probably pretty close to historically correct when it comes to the ToE and combat power of those two units.
Glad I took a second look at that one image that had the wrong NATO designation markers. Don't know where that image came from, but then the internet is spread with misinformation willful or not.
Well I would bet you probably are enjoying this challenging graphical work. Definitely part of the hobby!