Is there a limit to the number of files in Nato Counters?

[GaryChildress]

If I put something like 200 files into the Nato Counters folder, can all of them be assigned in the game? I'm working on a master Nato counters system to implement in the latest ATG patches and want to know how many different symbols I can include.

Thanks.

[Ormand]

I assume that you mean the NATO counters that go in the systemgraphics/natocounters directory that then get used in the TOE system. (I use systemgraphics here, but is whatever directory you will point to.

In that case, just about as many as you want! They are loaded dynamically, so there is really no limit. Indeed, in the RisingDawn directory there are 741 files, some 720 are nato counters (100 or so NATO counters and unit sizes in 4-5 colors). You can also add graphics meant for Locations as well. I think they have to be sequentially numbered. Yes, my recollection is that is how they are read on. Basically, there is an infinite loop over the index (for the file name) and a check if the file exists. Once it reaches a non-existent file, it stops loading them. So the Location files would have to be in the directory as well. The code checks the size of the files to determine if they are NATO symbols or Location graphics.

I looked into changing this but it was a bit complicated to make it backwards compatible. Mostly, I wanted to separate the Locations and the NATO counters, but ...

[GaryChildress]

Awesome! Thank you Ormand.

[GaryChildress]

One more question on the TO&E designer: what does the "Rename=" function do again? The options are "Yes" or "No".

Thanks for everyone's generous help!

[ernieschwitz]

It determines if the unit which the the TO&E is applied to is to be renamed.

For instance, it might be called 32nd division before the TO&E is applied, but will now be named 1st Rifle Division if your TO&E is called Rifle Division, and it is the first one in the series to be made. If rename = No, then the unit will still be called 32nd division.

[GaryChildress]

Thanks, ernieschwitz!

[Ormand]

One caveat on adding graphics to graphics/systemgraphics/natocounters directory. If you add them while the scenario is open, you will need to close and reload the scenario before you can use them. You might even need to load another scenario, close it, and reload the one you want before you can use the graphics. They graphics are loaded when you open the scenario, so if you add a graphic while it is open, you can assign it to a LocType or see it the TOE window as it would not be loaded in the game.