Missing Template - Winter L5W and L7W

[Mraah]

First of all, the missing L5W and L7W templates are not causing any errors.

I wanted these two maps (level 5 and 7) in my RCG and I noticed the Level is there, but no template.

I could make my own using the Scenario Editor but wanted to ask if these templates are missing for a reason ?

Again, not a problem.
If you have these templates available for an attachment I'd be more than happy to use an official template [:)].
If you wanted to add them to a patch, that would be fine too.

Either way, I can make my own and upload them as a MOD, if you want. [8D]

Thanks in advance ... Great 24/7 support on this forum!!

Rob

[Stridor]

Thanks Rob,

Not all map templates could be done before release.

If you wanted to do templates for these maps I think you would have Erik's gratitude.

I wrote some tips on the best way to design templates. If they are not in the manual errata pdfs I am sure Erik can shoot you over a copy when he is awake [;)]

Desiging templates is an art form, like doing scenarios. Good quality templates are pretty obvious to spot and greatly enjoyed by those that play RBs generated from them.

You do need a pretty grunty machine to make them however (although not to play on them).

If you have a winterized version of a summer map (or summerized version of a winer map) which already has a template, you can share that template with the new map and have it work ok without any extra work. If there are significant structural changes on the map then you will need to do a new template.

[Mraah]

Stridor,

Ok. Yesterday I briefly read your tips. I'll have a go at it and post them as a mod ... well, if I don't go stupid in the process .

Appeciate ya!

Rob

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Rob,

Yep, those two did not make release, I was planning on finishing them up for the first update but you're welcome to take credit for them if you finish them first! I put all the advice I could on template making between the manual and the addendum documentation. Please read through those and you should have a pretty good idea of what to do. It takes a good 2-3 hours per template for me now and that's with a fair number under my belt. Your first one will probably take you more like 3-4.

Regards,

- Erik

[Mraah]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Hi Rob,

Yep, those two did not make release, I was planning on finishing them up for the first update but you're welcome to take credit for them if you finish them first! I put all the advice I could on template making between the manual and the addendum documentation. Please read through those and you should have a pretty good idea of what to do. It takes a good 2-3 hours per template for me now and that's with a fair number under my belt. Your first one will probably take you more like 3-4.

Regards,

- Erik

Maybe 3-4 days!! [:D].

Actually, the only problem I'm having is on a NEW TEMPLATE ... I can't save it without creating a German OOB ... well, I know what the buttons do but the manual doesn't tell me how to activate the whole process ... so, I'm basically slowed by lack of tutorial ... however, I'm working around this by using the L4W template on top of the Level 5 and dragging stuff around to where it should be ... I'll edit the names of the objectives in the XML manually ... then I'll upload it and you can have a gander and advise me on a more clever way to place them.

I can be long-winded in my sentences, eh?

Hopefully I can kick out L5W soon [:)]

Rob

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Mraah
Actually, the only problem I'm having is on a NEW TEMPLATE ... I can't save it without creating a German OOB ... well, I know what the buttons do but the manual doesn't tell me how to activate the whole process ... so, I'm basically slowed by lack of tutorial ...

Have you read all the addendums? I believe one of them specifically covers how to start a new template.

Regards,

- Erik

[Mraah]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
Have you read all the addendums? I believe one of them specifically covers how to start a new template.
Regards,

- Erik

Yes sir ... it's in the Random Campaign and Battle addendum, starting on page 13. It's instructing me on what I'm doing now [:)].

The problem is, you can't start fresh with a new template because you need an OOB to save it. The only way I figured out how to add units for duplication is to open an XML that has units (L1W in the manual example) and delete most of them except 1 of each. Then, move them OFF BOARD and duplicate them for placement into the template ... phew. Give me a moment, I'll upload a BASIC template that can be used as a base plate for starting the whole shabang.

Oh, while I have you ... I noticed there isn't a folder in the XML for obstructions ... I'll like to try adding wire's and roadblockas to a RCG ... is this possible?

Thanks again,

Rob

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Mraah
The problem is, you can't start fresh with a new template because you need an OOB to save it. The only way I figured out how to add units for duplication is to open an XML that has units (L1W in the manual example) and delete most of them except 1 of each. Then, move them OFF BOARD and duplicate them for placement into the template ... phew. Give me a moment, I'll upload a BASIC template that can be used as a base plate for starting the whole shabang.

Oh - that's why I suggest copying over just the air and artillery units in the XML from another template and using that as your "blank template" to save time. Though you can always just add one new unit when you start a new template in the Template Editor. Note the OOB is not the "German OOB" it's just the generic "placement OOB" in actuality. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding something?

Oh, while I have you ... I noticed there isn't a folder in the XML for obstructions ... I'll like to try adding wire's and roadblockas to a RCG ... is this possible?

As currently designed, obstacles like barbed wire and roadblocks are map objects rather than scenario objects (yes, something we plan to change in the future). The way to place them is to make a new map, load it in the Scene Editor and start adding them where you want them (and updating the terrain map appropriately). This is not really user-friendly, but it's what we've got right now. Minefields on the other hand are scenario-specific and placeable in the scenario editor/template editor.

Regards,

- Erik

[Mraah]

Erik,

Ok. Attached to this post is my Basic Template file.

Contains :

One set of 10 Armor
One set of 10 Infantry
One set of 5 Transport
One set of 3 Guns
All offbard arty (like you suggested)
All offboard air (like you suggested)
10 Anti-Tank minefields (just to start off with something)
10 Anti-personel minefields (just to start off with something)

and a partridge in a pair tree [:D].

EDIT NOTE : And 5 objective Flags - labeled 1 thru 5 (just to start off)

Any thoughts?

Rob

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Rob,

Took a quick look and that looks great as a base blank template, the only thing I'd remove is the "1-5" objectives. Better to just start from scratch with those for each map as you will want to name them something specific to the map (since the names are used in generating the random battle briefings).

Now when you want to do a new map, you just load up that template and change the level to what you want to work on and start creating and arranging new platoon positions.

Regards,

- Erik

[Mraah]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
Took a quick look and that looks great as a base blank template, the only thing I'd remove is the "1-5" objectives. Better to just start from scratch with those for each map as you will want to name them something specific to the map (since the names are used in generating the random battle briefings).

The objectives are there so I will know what they look like, as far as format goes, in the XML file or in notepad (without peeking at other data). I usually delete or rename them.

Now when you want to do a new map, you just load up that template and change the level to what you want to work on and start creating and arranging new platoon positions.

Yes ... I'm working on it now .. Using the other template as a reference for how close vehicles should be, and getting the basic layout on how it's done.

Also, the minefields are there for the format reason too. I'm using a combo of notepad and XML Notepad to cut and paste small variants of the minefields and then reloading the template so they pop-up for quick placement.

You're right, once you get the hang of it ... it's a breeze ... it's the initial learning curve that's the biggest hurlde [:)].

It would be a nice feature to be able to RIGHT-CLICK on a Flag and pull down a menu where you could rename them ... hmmm [;)].

Thanks for your support!

Rob