Favorite Terrain & Grass Mods

[Mudfrost]

I'm new to the mods and would like to know everyone's favorite for grass and trees. After an evening of tests, I'm leaning toward DD's set. I prefer a more subtle look and DD's got it but I'm not crazy about the grass. The coloring is good but it doesn't have the depth or dimension of Richard Tremblett's velvet grass. However, Tremblett's is a little too bright beneath DD's trees. Something in between would be perfect. Any suggestions?

I realize this is all a matter of personal preference but that's what I'm looking for--your favorites. Fire away.
Thanks,
Steve

[Manx]

I personally favour Gunslingers subdued terrain and Magua's building Mods. The original graphics set was good, but too bright for my tastes.

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[Wolf^]

My suggestion is Wolf's easy-to-see-elevation grass/snow mod (aka Wolf's hi-contrast grass), it's made to fit with DD's trees and stuff, but I like the color and pattern better. You can also see the terrain elevation very easily with this mod, which is very important thing when thinking about battle tactics.

You can get the mod from CMHQ, altough the mod is old version and I only have the new version (with much better snow). I've tried to catch Madmatt so he'd take and host the new one.

-Wolf

Screenshots: http://www.wolffi.freeservers.com/index.htm
(snow screenshot is old one and the lo-res version is not supported anymore)

[Mudfrost]

Do you have a link to Wolf's mods?
Thanks,
Steve

[Wolf^]

Combat Mission HQ http://combathq.thegamers.net/

It's in the 'untested mods' area. Be sure to give me some feedback about it if you have time: wexu_@hotmail.com, thank you! http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif I hope you'll like it.

PS. Check the screenshots before trying it.

[Maximus]

I used Old Dog's sub-dued Velvet grass and DD's trees and tree bases but with DD's snow.

I was using DD's grass, but like Mudfrost said it doesn't show much differentiation amongst elevation changes.

I used Panzertruppen's buildings. Love the high-detailed war-torn battered look.

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"Live by the sword, live a good LONG life!"-Minsc, BGII

[Clubfoot]

I also favor Gunslinger's subdued. Not too harsh on the ol' eyeball. I find the various high contrast grasses a might too garish, resulting in a somewhat "Sim combat valley" look.

Clubfoot.

[Wolf^]

Well, I think it's very important to see the terrain elevation in CM, but it's sad that the look will suffer from high contrast between tiles.

I made this mod, because I liked to see the elevation easily, but the gridded terrain sure wasn't beautiful to watch. I'm very satisfied with the mix between the look and the ease of seeing elevation in my mod.

CM engine should have feature to soften the contrast between tiles.

[Mudfrost]

Ok, I tried the Wolf grass. I like the tactical value of the coloration but it lacks texture. You're right, Wolf, it does fit nicely with DD's trees. It blends nicely at the wood's edge but then becomes blocky across the rest of the terrain (squares of terrain are very apparent). With more texture and seemless blending, it would be perfect! Maybe I'm expecting too much.

Wolf, keep in touch. I like this mod.
Steve

[Wolf^]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mudfrost:
Ok, I tried the Wolf grass. I like the tactical value of the coloration but it lacks texture. You're right, Wolf, it does fit nicely with DD's trees. It blends nicely at the wood's edge but then becomes blocky across the rest of the terrain (squares of terrain are very apparent). With more texture and seemless blending, it would be perfect! Maybe I'm expecting too much.

Wolf, keep in touch. I like this mod.
Steve<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you for the feedback, that's the only way to make it better! http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

I personally love the texture in my grass, I like the simplicity in it. I don't like grass with too much detail in it. It looks too "restless". (I'm having a little difficulties explaining my points, because I don't speak English, I hope you'll understand my points.) The terrain is also lo-res because I don't have a high end machine myself, so I wanted the game to run smoothly. (I hate when strategy games demand from computer too much.)

I think it's impossible to blend those tiles with CM's current engine, if you want to see elevation as easily as it could be with my mod.

----edited----
Mudfrost,

You should play some games with my mod, you're really going to like the tactical advantage it gives and you'll going to get used to the little "blocky" look so that you don't even notice it. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif It's very nice how you can see the hills and valleys with this mod.


[This message has been edited by Wolf^ (edited 12-30-2000).]

[Pvt. Ryan]

I use Desert Fox's grass, which is based on Gunslinger's grass. You can find it at Kump's CM Outpost:

http://www.gkump.com/cm/Terrain/Misc/misc_terrain.htm

[Mudfrost]

Ryan,
I liked your suggestion. So far, the Desert Fox grass looks best with DD's trees. I'm sure there are a hundred other combinations I haven't yet tried but I'm happy with this. Now, if we could just get Wolf's elevations in here...

Thanks for the tip. Anyone else have a good terrain combo?
Steve

[Wolf^]

My combo is: Wolf's grass + DD's trees and stuff + Panzertruppens houses and stuff = looks great! http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

[Pillar]

My own, unreleased stuff http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

[KrazyKnut]

I find it too hard to track the terrain, even from views 1 and 2, so I'm using Trembelt's Velvet Bumpy Grid.

I do think DD's offer the best look if you want to get pictures or movies to post.

Shoot fast, shoot straight

[GeoffP]

I'm probably in the minority, but I use the topographical gridded grass set (topogrid.zip). The grid lines get lighter for higher terrain. The grass color stays the same.

I'm at a 2nd grade reading level in terms of reading terrain - I need all the help I can get http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

[coralsaw]

Wolf,

I appreciate your effort. I use your grass and would not go back. Being able to pick small hills and valleys at view 7 or 8 has made it a lot easier for me.

I'd choose that over looks anyday.

[DraGoon]

I've gone through various phases with terrain but have settled (for now http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif ) on the following:

Old Dog Subdued Velvet Grass

DDtrees, hedges and winter effects

Panzertruppen buildings

Desertfox subdued wheat

Tiger's rough tiles

Homemade efforts for brush and marsh

Thanks to all the mod authors for their excellent efforts and to Madmatt and Kump for making them available to the rest of us.

MudFrost try http://www.gkump.com/cm/intro.htm for some terrain comparisons.

Happy New Year to All.

[Wolf^]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by coralsaw:
Wolf,

I appreciate your effort. I use your grass and would not go back. Being able to pick small hills and valleys at view 7 or 8 has made it a lot easier for me.

I'd choose that over looks anyday.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you! http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

I just hope that Madmatt and Kump will soon review my mod so that more people would know about it.

I think you're having the old version of my mod, new one has better snow. The new one is only available from me. I've tried to catch Madmatt in CM-chat but he is always too busy and I can't use my email to send it. So it kind of sucks.. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/frown.gif You can get the new one from me if you'll come to CM-chat.

[Wolf^]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KrazyKnut:
I find it too hard to track the terrain, even from views 1 and 2, so I'm using Trembelt's Velvet Bumpy Grid.

I do think DD's offer the best look if you want to get pictures or movies to post.

Shoot fast, shoot straight<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have you tried my mod? If you haven't, then you really SHOULD. The whole idea of my mod is to show terrain elevation more clear. I think you would like it.

[Shadow 1st Hussars]

OMG he's right. Wolf's grass and DD's trees is sweet. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif BUT! In the screenshot I noticed something.....the rough looked like real rocks! Where is this magical mod?

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No bastard has ever won a war by dying for his country. They won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.

[Wolf^]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Shadow 1st Hussars:
OMG he's right. Wolf's grass and DD's trees is sweet. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif BUT! In the screenshot I noticed something.....the rough looked like real rocks! Where is this magical mod?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now, that's nice to hear! Thank you very much! http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

If I remember right, the rough graphic is Gunslinger's.

Back to celebrate the new year! *hik!* =)

[Mudfrost]

Is it possible to download Gunslinger's rough only, or is it included in his terrain pack?
Thanks,
Steve

[Mudfrost]

Happy New Year all! Time for resolutions; time for change. So, how about recommendations for your favorite mods! Post 'em here. Wolf might be winning me over with his tactical landscape--it just makes sense--but I'm still hunting the ultimate.

What's your perfect mod combination for tactics and esthetics?

Happy New Year. Stay safe.
Steve

[Mudfrost]

Bumping for the New Year.
Hit us with your favorite mods.
Steve

[Wolf^]

My grass is THE ultimate. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif Honestly, it looks great when you play couple of games and get used to it.

[Spook]

I just tried out your low-contrast & high-contrast grasses, Wolf. As a low-res version of grass (193K), I think your low-contrast is an interesting option. The high-contrast is a bit more "overt" to me, with the highest elevation levels being too grayed over for me.

For the low-res grass versions of 193K file size, I've leaned in the past to Tremblett's "velvet" grass as I liked the shading & hue variations applied per tile. But his stock version is a bit "fluorescent" in its yellow-green color to me. Others like DD's hi-res (768K) and yours in turn could be a bit "greener", but you're closer than DD on this mark.

(all IMHO, of course http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif )

I've in turn reworked Tremblett's to get some of the fluorescent hue out without losing too much of the green, by adjusting down the color equalization and then slightly adjusting up the brightness to compensate. This is what I use for my CM grass, although I think the higher elevation tiles can still use some more work. I've never posted this to CMHQ (I'm not certain of it being a "finished" product), but I can e-mail you a set for your review and to revise if you so wish.

[Wolf^]

Spook,

Wow, there were many a bit strange terms to me (I'm from Finland, so my English isn't the best), hope I understood right everything.

There are many many tastes 'bout the grass color and I personally love my work. The color is just right for me. Because I love DD's work I made very similiar color grass as his grass so it would fit with his trees and stuff.

I'm having many many problems to get my work for people to download. I don't have my own webspace and the only way I can send the file is FTP, irc's DCC or ICQ's send for now. My email doesn't support bigger than ~500k packages and it's ****ty thing. Madmatt told me yesterday that I should stop bugging him with my mod, (If I remember right, I was a bit drunk for some reason..) I won't anymore bug him. So, I'm the only having the current version (probably the final) of my mod.

Sure you can send me email, I'd love to discuss about mod making. wexu_@hotmail.com

PS. I probably forgot many things I was going to say in this post. http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif

[Spook]

No bigger than 500k packages for your e-mail? Ouch, that can put the pinch on some CM PBEM files too.

My ICQ # 97807694. Authorization is required, so type in "CM grass" for the reason http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/wink.gif Then maybe we can file-transfer that way.

I think your grass is a good low-res version (VERY important for those gamers with less video memory), and it's pretty close. But like many other things with personal taste (like the face mods), you can always find yourself checking back on it with time for a new tweak.

[Wolf^]

I like low-res grass better than high-res. As I have said earlier somewhere, I like simplicity in grass, too much detail gives too "restless" look. Of course you could do high-res grass with little detail, but there's no sense.

And as Spook said, lo-res is great for low end machines like mine. (Well, it's not SO low end machine anymore as I got new display card. Now CM runs like a dream!) http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/smile.gif

[crepitis]

As an avid mod collector I was very interested in this thread and it got me trying out all my grass mods again.I settled on DD's grass,but then decided to download Wolfs "high-contrast" grass.Wow,I'm hooked.It may not be as pretty as some others,but as an aid to guaging the lie of the land its superb.It also looks a damn sight better than having a grid overlay.Well done wolf,but dont rest on your laurels,get working on the all new,improved,mk2 version!