Subunit Inspector - Real Images

[Templer_12]

Silhouettes are great and sufficient for the counters, but I would prefer real images as in Flashpoint Germany for the database/subunit inspector.

So you can imagine better with which material you have to deal with.

[CapnDarwin]

We added provisions in 2.04 for modders/players to add larger full color images for the Subunit Inspector. With all of the sils for all the equipment we have we just don't have time to dig up non-copyrighted images for everything. Check the guides with 2.04 for more information on format and naming conventions.

[Templer_12]

I have now just found point '2.6.2 Sub-Unit Inspector Enhancements' page 12 in the what's new in 2.04 manual.

It is simply to insert required or desired images to the Subunit Inspector.


There are two points with the Subunit Inspector:

1. Images could be somewhat larger. I think at about 50%.

2. One unit fits all.
I see, for example, the German Air Force Tornado in scenarios in which the British are fighting.
I would like to see the members of National Units.

[CapnDarwin]

Images in the SUI are already bigger than those used elsewhere on the counters and subunit display. We might be able to change the layout of the SUI in 2.1 if we have the time. As for country specific kit, you can place the special "-s" images in the folder of the specific nation and it will be used in place of the one in the common folder. That will solve issue #2.

[Templer_12]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

Images in the SUI are already bigger than those used elsewhere on the counters and subunit display. We might be able to change the layout of the SUI in 2.1 if we have the time. As for country specific kit, you can place the special "-s" images in the folder of the specific nation and it will be used in place of the one in the common folder. That will solve issue #2.

This works well. [:)]
Should perhaps be mentioned somewhere officially - or did I read about that?

[CapnDarwin]

All of this functionality should be covered in Mod Guide 3, 2.04 Update version. If I somehow failed to cover the folder aspect, let me know and I will fix it.

[Tazak]

While on the topic of subunit inspector, what about a 'weapon/sensor/armour' inspector. A link opening another inspector panel detailing more about a weapon/senor or armour as some non-military players may not know what they are (although I wouldn't put this high on any to do lists).

[Templer_12]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

All of this functionality should be covered in Mod Guide 3, 2.04 Update version. If I somehow failed to cover the folder aspect, let me know and I will fix it.

Remember please, some want to play and not modder extensive and deep.
Personally I would never had the idea to read a mod guide.

[CapnDarwin]

That's true. The game engine is highly moddable and you can go crazy or just play the game. If you want to change things like images and other aspects, we have provided three of the four planned Mod Guides. The fourth covering data files is in the works but at the bottom of my Red Storm priority chain. It will be bumping up as we roll off of the 2.06 update now.

[CapnDarwin]

Tazak, we have talked in-house about an encyclopedia type data viewer. Allow players to look at all of the unit in the game (or filter down). Also talked about have a comparison tool to look at head to head match ups. Sadly only so much time and too many cool ideas. Have to wait and see what we can do.

[Templer_12]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

Tazak, we have talked in-house about an encyclopedia type data viewer. Allow players to look at all of the unit in the game (or filter down). Also talked about have a comparison tool to look at head to head match ups. Sadly only so much time and too many cool ideas. Have to wait and see what we can do.

Something like this is a great feature, but is it worth the effort.
How often players check such a encyclopedia ?
If there is enough time resources OK - but so.

The SUI with the moddable images works fine with me now.
However, as mentioned elsewhere, if different model of a type are offered (for example Hind 24D, 24E, 24P...T-80B1, T-80BV...) I want to use different images for these.

[pekische]

Both of ideas are great! SUI with real images and encyclopedia. Both of them level up the game feeling. Encyclopedia takes a lot of effort and it is long-term goal. But SUI could be completed relatively quickly.

[CapnDarwin]

Actually the real SUI images would be more time and effort than the encyclopedia I would bet. Just looking at Red Storm there are hundreds of unique platforms. Add in all the new ones needed for the next two games and you are in the realm of 500+ images. Since we are selling the game that means we need to locate non copyrighted images or license/pay for these images. Not likely to happen on our end right now. Like Command, you as a player can add whatever images you like and odds are no lawyer will be knocking on your door.

That being said, if you find any sources for free to use military hardware images please post them for others and for us to use. If we find enough via crowd sourcing, we then can look at adding them to the game directly.

I hope that all makes sense, it is early in the morning here.

[Templer_12]

Copyright!
Yes, there is copyright. We tend to forget that there is such a thing.
So this way it seem On Target Simulations makes good work.

It's good On Target Simulations allow us to insert our own color images of military hardware in to the SUI.
A request remains, do it as easy as possible for the user.

I advise every user to make the effort. Such images of the equipment in the SUI enhance the immersion to the game.
Maybe there will a mod show up once.

[Templer_12]

ORIGINAL: Templer
There are two points with the Subunit Inspector:

1. Images could be somewhat larger. I think at about 50%.
...

I am not sure anymore if I still want larger images.
Some images from the web for these "older" equipment are in bad quality.
If you enlarge them, they become much more uglier. [:(]

[CapnDarwin]

That's why we stopped where we did. Our silhouettes are small and being bmps don't scale up well.