Level II Update Link 2.36
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=3 ... file%2cmsi
This update mainly involves improving integration of the Level II map system.
It began with a new map panel by Mifune, which enabled me to determine
where to put things along the Eastern map edge. Building on that, I was able
to make significant improvement to four map panels (both hex and non-hex versions
of panels 6 and 13). These now illustrate how both ships and land movement to
Gulf USA and Midwest USA actually work in the invisible map support files. These
are somewhat crudely done - in effect they are a schematic for Mifune to polish
(using more sophisticated software than I understand). Nevertheless, they greatly
improve the user experience - showing a new land column from Eastern USA to
Gulf Coast USA and as well as new shipping channels. One goes from Gulf Coast
USA to the main Atlantic sea lanes. The other is de facto the Mississippi River
(and also the Ohio River) connecting North Midewest USA with Gulf Coast USA
(New Orleans).
As well, all the map support files (by which I mean pwhexe.dat, pwzlink.dat and pwzone.dat) have been revised. Among other things these change the entry exit
hexes associated with Gulf Coast USA, North Midwest USA and Ontario [Canada].
Two of these set up a not yet displayed new shipping channel between North
Midwest USA [Chicago] and Ontario [Canada] which is the Great Lakes (plus
the Chicago Ship Canal). I have asked Mifune to put this in because it involves
difficult, mini-entry exit hexes and a least one angled arrow to explain where the
ships are moving. Hopefully he will be able to modify these panels to show the new
lane and the new entry exit hexes as well as add missing names and, if we are
very lucky, some means to indicate the new shipping channels are seasonal
(blocked by ice in Winter and during Spring "breakup" seasons). As usual lately,
the new pwhexe.dat file also 'expands' the usable area in the SW map portion
of the Indian Ocean.
There are a few revised Allied devices, with respect to build dates. There are numbers of modified aircraft durability values for Japanese multi engine aircraft
(Nell, Betty, transport aircraft families and some specialized cases including
the FW-200 Condor and the G10N1/Ki-177 "Japanese B-36" in scenarios which
have them).
In addition to new map art panels, there is a new Axis (side) aircraft filmstrip.
Changes are entirely cosmetic - getting rid of vertical bars on the side of the image
which should be sky. Mifune is going to try to clean up some of the images with
poor backgrounds - but these few were within my skill set.
In addition to scenario files, art files and map support files, there are a few revisions to documentation files, mainly aircraft documentation.
The aircraft and aircraft art changes here will be released in a Level I update tomorrow.
