Index Of Graphics Files

[IAN 1963]

Hi
I bought this game as soon as it came out and agree with others that it now has a new lease of life and some very interesting modding potential.

I would like to start working on doing some graphics to extend even further the range of units available starting with aircraft. At some point could we have a list of what each of the “up” BMP files are so that modders can easily identify which files they will need to work on up back up if say for example they wanted to on a special set for specific types such as French Chasseurs a Pied who in 1940 were still wearing blue breaches.

Many thanks
Ian

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: IAN 1963

Hi
I bought this game as soon as it came out and agree with others that it now has a new lease of life and some very interesting modding potential.

I would like to start working on doing some graphics to extend even further the range of units available starting with aircraft. At some point could we have a list of what each of the “up” BMP files are so that modders can easily identify which files they will need to work on up back up if say for example they wanted to on a special set for specific types such as French Chasseurs a Pied who in 1940 were still wearing blue breaches.

Many thanks
Ian

The platoon##.oob file of each country contains the information you are seeking. It will open with any text editor.

Jason Petho

[asiaticus]

Each of the three game folders unittext.txt file has the written discription of each platoon in that game.

Each platoon has its own bmp picture Upxxxxx.bmp and the Opxxxxx.bit file.
* The Op bit files are what gives you your highlighted outline.  (Note:  If you find a platoon that does not highlight  let us know what it is.  It is almost certainly a missing Op bit file we will put in the next update.)

Some platoons that carry riders etc. have Mpxxxxx.bmp files and matching Mpxxxxx.bit files. 

Ski and amphibious units have Xpxxxx.bmp and bit files.

Aircraft have Upxx5xx.bmp and Spxx5xx.bit files. The Sp file provides the shadow.

Some units with special camo for desert have L-Upxxxxx.bmp files, snow cammo S-Upxxxxx.bmp files.
These are found in the Special folder in each of the three game folders.  

If you are of artistic bent and want to cammo a vehicle platoon that does not yet have one of the camo bmp files and add it to the Special file you can try your hand at doing so with a MSPaint program or something better if you have it. 

If its good we should add it to the game.

[IAN 1963]

Hi Guys
Thanks for that I have started work on mods for 3 French Infantry units, Chasseur ‘a pied,, Chasseur alpin, and 13th DBLE, the latter two for the 1940 Norway campaign. These will all use the same sets of file numbers currently taken by ordinary French units so I will also supply a set of these as backup in the finished zipped up package..

It also strikes me that the game could do with a mod option selector such as the CMMOS package which works with the Combat Mission series.

I have also been casting predatory eyes on all those full colour top down views of aircraft which come with the SPWW2 and SPWAW games and intend to try my hand in Photoshop at using them to make some aircraft modes of types that don’t currently feature in the game such as the UK Swordfish, and the Norwegian Fockker CVE. Has anybody tried to do this before and are they any issues that I should be aware of.

Keep up the good work and thanks again for the game.

Ian

[asiaticus]

ORIGINAL: IAN 1963

Hi Guys
Thanks for that I have started work on mods for 3 French Infantry units, Chasseur ‘a pied,, Chasseur alpin, and 13th DBLE, the latter two for the 1940 Norway campaign. These will all use the same sets of file numbers currently taken by ordinary French units so I will also supply a set of these as backup in the finished zipped up package..

Ian are you just making these units on a scenario org file made with the the wforg.exe?

Or are you making additions or modifications to the existing company to army.oob files?

[IAN 1963]

Hi asiaticus

Nothing that complex as I am afraid I am not that experienced a modder. At the moment I am modifying existing “up” files. For the Chasseur 'a pied (where we are basically talking about changing the colour of the breaches) I won’t need to change any of the . bit files .

However for the other two units (where I will also just be doing a virtual repaint job) I will need to identify a set of beret wearing units from somewhere else in the game. (haven’t looked get but a guess some of the Spanish Romanian or Italian units will give me what I am looking for. However for them I will need to make a set of copies of their bit files and give these the same numbers as those for the French infantry units I have used for the Chasseur 'a pied. This also means that I will have to make a backup copy of the French Infantry bit files as well.

At the moment the way I think the mod will work is that you will have four folders called backup French Line infantry, Chasseur 'a pied,(just BMP files in this one) Chasseur alpin, and 13th DBLE. When you want to use one of the new modded types in the game just copy and paste it into the main directory, doing the same with the contents of “backup French Line infantry” when you want to go back to using the original files.

The order of battle editor already has set up’s for Chasseur 'a pied and Chasseur alpin, (in fact I am using them to work out which units I need to mod) haven’t yet even tried to find one for 13th DBLE but guess it can be accessed / converted from one of the many on line order of battle data bases available, and if somebody has not already done so I will create the relevant organisational add or for the order of battle editor as well.

Ian

[Ladmo]

Ian,

I look forward to seeing your work! I firmly believe that all the infantry and artillery files need some sort of overhauling. For many countrys, early-war, late-war, winter-war, and default desert is a must. The vehicles are, many of the pretty decent. I would like to see more authentic, less-uniform camoflage schemes. But infantry and artillery are the biggest need at present. I am going to try to attach a file I did, a .bmp for a King Tiger with a little extra something. (Use this if you will, Mr. Petho). Here goes, I've never tried an attachment...

Edit: I meant to display picture and messed that up. But you can see the item by clicking on the attachment and clicking on the name. I invite commentary.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: Ladmo

Ian,

I look forward to seeing your work! I firmly believe that all the infantry and artillery files need some sort of overhauling. For many countrys, early-war, late-war, winter-war, and default desert is a must. The vehicles are, many of the pretty decent. I would like to see more authentic, less-uniform camoflage schemes. But infantry and artillery are the biggest need at present. I am going to try to attach a file I did, a .bmp for a King Tiger with a little extra something. (Use this if you will, Mr. Petho). Here goes, I've never tried an attachment...

Edit: I meant to display picture and messed that up. But you can see the item by clicking on the attachment and clicking on the name. I invite commentary.

Ooo.. this is really fantastic!! Thanks Ladmo!

Jason Petho

[Ladmo]

You like it, Jason?

Should I post more? Anything I come up with you have my blanket permission to use in further updates. Here is my detailed Sturmgeschutz. Unfortunately, these take a little time...I wish I could tell if I did this right prior to posting. My apologies if not...

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: Ladmo

You like it, Jason?

Should I post more? Anything I come up with you have my blanket permission to use in further updates. Here is my detailed Sturmgeschutz. Unfortunately, these take a little time...I wish I could tell if I did this right prior to posting. My apologies if not...

By all means, Ladmo, post away. They are very good! Will make the late war scenarios all the better with some additional eye candy.

Looks like you are doing it right to me!

Jason Petho

[IAN 1963]

Really Nice Work.Ladmo We need somewhere where we can post mods like the "Cambat mission mod index" and the various other sites that do the same job so that they can be saired and downlloaded.

Does anybody know if these sort of unit mod sites for the game already exist ?

Keep up the good work everybody.

Ian

[Ladmo]

I adapted the American airborne to Falschirmjaeger...


Edit: Cannot get picture to show...Here we go again

[asiaticus]

However for the other two units (where I will also just be doing a virtual repaint job) I will need to identify a set of beret wearing units from somewhere else in the game.

Check out the Carlist Section, P30205 they have red berets.

[asiaticus]

ORIGINAL: IAN 1963

Hi asiaticus

Nothing that complex as I am afraid I am not that experienced a modder. At the moment I am modifying existing “up” files. For the Chasseur 'a pied (where we are basically talking about changing the colour of the breaches) I won’t need to change any of the . bit files .

However for the other two units (where I will also just be doing a virtual repaint job) I will need to identify a set of beret wearing units from somewhere else in the game. (haven’t looked get but a guess some of the Spanish Romanian or Italian units will give me what I am looking for. However for them I will need to make a set of copies of their bit files and give these the same numbers as those for the French infantry units I have used for the Chasseur 'a pied. This also means that I will have to make a backup copy of the French Infantry bit files as well.

Whoa, now there is a one size fits all French infantry platoon for all French units.

P08201 6 4 7 35 50 50 10 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 48 P08201 3 2 131 0 1 13 39 9 40 6 0 0 0 Rifle Platoon , Rifle Pltn ,

If you want a new platoon with a different graphic that can be done but it will have to have a new platoon added to the platoon08.oob file.

For example. If you make a new Chasseur Platoon bmp called Up08209.bmp, a modification of Up08201.bmp and save the Up08201.bit file as Op08209.bit you will have your new graphics.

However now you need a new platoon number in the platoon08.oob

P08209 6 4 7 35 50 50 10 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 48 P08209 3 2 131 0 1 13 39 9 40 6 0 0 0 Chasseur Platoon , Chasseur Pltn ,

P08210 6 4 7 35 50 50 10 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 48 P08210 3 2 131 0 1 13 39 9 40 6 0 0 0 Chasseur alpin Platoon , Chasseur alpin Pltn ,

and one for the 13th DBLE whatever that may be.

At the moment the way I think the mod will work is that you will have four folders called backup French Line infantry, Chasseur 'a pied,(just BMP files in this one) Chasseur alpin, and 13th DBLE. When you want to use one of the new modded types in the game just copy and paste it into the main directory, doing the same with the contents of “backup French Line infantry” when you want to go back to using the original files.

No you need new Company, Battalion, Regiment, formations added to the French oob files whereever the new platoons are used. I would guess they might need custom MG platoons and maybe some others.
All these new platoons should be numerated P082xx using platoon numbers not taken so far in WF or RS.
All the new companies, battalions etc. should be numerated company, battalion, regiment, etc. numbers not taken so far in WF or RS.

So as an example of adding a new Chasseur alpin platoont you will need to add:

To Regiment08.oob nothing needs to be added or changed on:

39 09 40 06 R0822115 6 $(42-48) Alpine Chasseur Demi-Brigade (DI*)
39 09 40 06 P08303 # Alpine Chasseur Demi-Brigade HQ
39 09 40 06 B0812021 $(1-92) Alpine Chasseur Battalion
39 09 40 06 B0812021 $(2-99) Alpine Chasseur Battalion
39 09 40 06 B0812021 $(100-107) Alpine Chasseur Battalion
39 09 40 06 C0807017 Weapons Company

To Battalion08.oob the three infantry company numbers need to be changed:

39 09 40 06 B0812021 6 Alpine Chasseurs Battalion (Alp Chas D-B, DI*)
39 09 40 06 P08305 Alpine Chasseurs Battalion HQ
39 09 40 06 P08211 Ski Platoon
39 09 40 06 C0802110 1st Company
39 09 40 06 C0802110 2nd Company
39 09 40 06 C0802110 3rd Company
39 09 40 06 C0807021 4th Company

To Company08.oob the new C0802110 company need to be added with the new Chasseur alpin Platoons taking the place of the standard rilfle platoon:

39 09 40 06 C0802110 6 Alpine Chasseurs Company (Alp Chas Btln, DI*)
39 09 40 06 P08210 1st Platoon
39 09 40 06 P08210 2nd Platoon
39 09 40 06 P08210 3rd Platoon
39 09 40 06 P08210 4th Platoon
39 09 40 06 P08101 Mortar Section
39 09 40 06 P08035 Pack Horses

To Platoon08.oob you add your new platoon that calls up the new bmp.
P08210 6 4 7 35 50 50 10 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 48 P08210 3 2 131 0 1 13 39 9 40 6 0 0 0 Chasseur alpin Platoon , Chasseur alpin Pltn ,

The platoon08.oob will need to be encrypted into a new platoon08.obx file and
the weapon factors of the platoon added to the WF weapon.pdt file and encypted into a new weapon.pdx file.

Also an entry for the P08210 platoon will need to be added to the WF unittext file.

All this and the bmp and bit files will need to added to the Matrix WF game file in the next available patch or update. It doesnt do much good if only you have tihis update.

The order of battle editor already has set up’s for Chasseur 'a pied and Chasseur alpin, (in fact I am using them to work out which units I need to mod) haven’t yet even tried to find one for 13th DBLE but guess it can be accessed / converted from one of the many on line order of battle data bases available, and if somebody has not already done so I will create the relevant organisational add or for the order of battle editor as well.

Ian

To do this right run your changes by me I can vet them and get the units, files etc straighted out quickly so they can be added to the game. The French are pretty bland right now.

It would also be nice to get custom colonial troops in the WF and RS French and Vichy slots too. Morroccan, Indochinese Africans, Syrians. Lots of potential there.

[sfinlay]

Hi asiaticus.
Looks like you're the man to ask this question:
 
In West Front, the unit text mentions SS units e.g. ss machinegunners (p01214). There is no coresponding up-01214.bmp file in the west front directory. Infact the platoon oob (platoon01.oob) seems to indicate that the generic MG Graphic is used (Up-01213)
I'd like to know, if you created the up-0214.bmp and .bit files, ( by modifying the existing Up-01213.bmp, perhaps making the uniform darker for example) then changing the graphic reference  in the platoon.oob to point to this, would this negate having to go through the process mentioned in your previous post, above, as all the info required has already been put in place. Essentialy all you would be doing would be pointing to a new up-.xxxxxbmp file in the platoon .oob? 
 

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: flying scotsman

Hi asiaticus.
Looks like you're the man to ask this question:

In West Front, the unit text mentions SS units e.g. ss machinegunners (p01214). There is no coresponding up-01214.bmp file in the west front directory. Infact the platoon oob (platoon01.oob) seems to indicate that the generic MG Graphic is used (Up-01213)
I'd like to know, if you created the up-0214.bmp and .bit files, ( by modifying the existing Up-01213.bmp, perhaps making the uniform darker for example) then changing the graphic reference  in the platoon.oob to point to this, would this negate having to go through the process mentioned in your previous post, above, as all the info required has already been put in place. Essentialy all you would be doing would be pointing to a new up-.xxxxxbmp file in the platoon .oob? 

You are correct! That would work!

Jason Petho

[sfinlay]

That's interesting, as I see there are one or two other units that could be tweaked in this way. If only I had some kind of artistic ability [:D]

[asiaticus]

Jason is right about that. If someone comes up with a graphic the platoon line could be changed to refer to the unit specific graphic.

As to artistic ability making a new bmp file for an existing infantry unit is pretty easy if you just have to change the uniform colors and shapes within the exising outline of the unit. If you add in anything in outside their existing shapes then you need to make a bit file (an outline) to go with it.

[sfinlay]

Tried to change a graphic using my earlier example (SS MG unit) but can't get it to change.
Do I need to use the encryption tool to update the platoon.obx file ?

[sfinlay]

Scrap that last message. I tried the encrypter and guess what ? It worked.
This modding malarky is getting to be more interesting than the actual gaming.
 
Although I did spend the last half hour wondering why it worked in a snow-terrain scenario but not in a european-theatre one.
Turns out the european one was using regular MG units and not SS ones !!  At least it proves it definetly works.