Updating unit images

Soracat · #1 08-22-2009, 04:24 AM

I was wondering if there were plans to update the images for the units in CMBB, or are there downloads available that do? A number of the vehicles in the game just use sort of "generic" images. Take the German SdKfz 231 and 233 armored cars for example. The 233 appears as a 231 in the game even thought they look quite different with the 233 being open topped and mounting a 75mm gun verses the 20mm turret mounting on the 231. There are a lot of other examples as well.

dieseltaylor · #2 08-22-2009, 05:32 AM

A lot of modding has been done by many different people. I suggest you look at the stickies here and the links.

Der Alte Fritz · #3 08-22-2009, 05:46 AM

Yes they have been done and you can find them in one of two places:
1) Mods of the entire User Interface such as Tarkus "Dark Steel"
2) Some mods of individual vehicles have them included.

I suggest that you go to Cmmods or the Repository and have a look at the User Interfaces first. From memory Dark Steel, Red GUI, Westfront, Dirty Olive, Eastern Front Interface, as they may all have what you want in them.

Soracat · #4 08-22-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der Alte Fritz

Yes they have been done and you can find them in one of two places:
1) Mods of the entire User Interface such as Tarkus "Dark Steel"
2) Some mods of individual vehicles have them included.

I suggest that you go to Cmmods or the Repository and have a look at the User Interfaces first. From memory Dark Steel, Red GUI, Westfront, Dirty Olive, Eastern Front Interface, as they may all have what you want in them.

Okay I downloaded all three of the "Dark Steel" user interfaces from the Repository. Only problem is none of the stuff in the repository has any info on how to install them to CMBB. And from the limited descriptions given I would have only thought that this was a user interface not an update to the unit images. Do you have any instructions on installing them?

Oh yes and where do you find Cmmods? The site I found has shut down May 31st.

Soracat · #5 08-23-2009, 12:58 AM

Okay so I found GreenAsJade's CM site, and it is full of mod for vehicles and well, just about everything to do with CM. Though it looks like the vehicle mods only seem to be changing the paint schemes not the vehicles themselves. Still the big mystery to me is 1. How do you install a mod into CMBB? and 2. How do you make a mod? I'd love to be able to play around with it and maybe be able to fix some of the things that bug me.

-E · #6 08-23-2009, 02:49 AM

To answer your original question, there are no mods that will change any 3D models within the game. All "mods" are just for looks/paint jobs/grass/etc.

To answer your other questions... almost, if not all "mods" are just bmp files that go in the BMP directory. To do your own, grab a paint program and paint away on the BMP files!

Der Alte Fritz · #7 08-24-2009, 09:22 AM

To install a mod is easy:
Option1
step 1; back up your bmp folder in your game directory
step 2; copy the mod bmp files into your bmp folder
now your game uses the mod look rather than the standard look.

Option 2
step 1; download McMM mod organiser from cmmods site
step 2; install it and you can now safely move your mods in and out of the bmp folder at will.

Which 'unit picture do yo want to change?
The unit icons on the right hand side of the interface can be changed to the Dark Steel bac and white photographs with country flags and arm of service badges.
The tank icons in the centre will change to new ones with a green background.

Soracat · #8 08-26-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -E

To answer your original question, there are no mods that will change any 3D models within the game. All "mods" are just for looks/paint jobs/grass/etc.

To answer your other questions... almost, if not all "mods" are just bmp files that go in the BMP directory. To do your own, grab a paint program and paint away on the BMP files!

Yep thanks, I was figured it out just playing around with things. I'm rather disappointed with the fact that you can't change or add vehicles to the game and with the fact that they did such a poor job of researching them. Funny thing is there are examples were they have the correct images for things but they use them for the wrong thing! Take for example, the Sd Kfz 221. What you see on the battlefield is a 222, but they have the right image file for it if you use a 223. If you use a 223 you see a 221 on the battlefield. Then there is the Pz IB, you see a Pz IIC on the battlefield, yet they have the entire image for a Pz IB minus the turret in the PzJg IB. If you use any of the Grille's you just see a Wespe.... Anyway it all just bugs me that they get such a good idea for the game and then just sorta half-ass all the details!

Vark · #9 08-27-2009, 06:21 PM

I play unmodded but downloaded Phillippe's excellent sorted scenarios for 42-43, and noticed, in some scenarios the units/terrain seem to be modded, can mods be saved in the scenario editor?

Looking at some of the excellent scenarios/operations I feel I should indulge in a bit of modding, grey afv's in "Der Manstein Kommt!" just looks and feels wrong! I took DAF's advice and downloaded the McMM mod organiser and have trawled previous threads on essential mods, so what next. As a computer neophyte how do I now proceed now? The McMM came with a brief set of instructions about copying your bmp folder, but why, given you should be able to move your mods in and out. Is there any set of basic instructions, complete with screen shots, showing you how to manage modding, especially using McMM.

Sorry to sound a bit delicate, but I had the very devil of a job loading this game and do NOT want to do so again when/if I cock up my mods, yes I have read the horror stories on the threads which may or may not be representative, but they still worried me.

Solutions/soothing words about how easy it is would be most greatfully received.

p.s. Thanks Phillippe, your efforts on sorting the scenarios has reinvigorated my CMBB gaming but I might curse you soon as I'm told modding can be addictive!!

Der Alte Fritz · #10 08-29-2009, 06:11 AM

Hi
You should always back up your original bmp folder to guard against disaster!
Look here for full instructions and screen shots:
http://www.gregories.net/McMMM/McMMM.htm

Once you get it set up it is fairly easy to use but you may have to fiddle about with the some of the mods folders especially if they contain a number of alternate options. The programme likes a folder for each alternative option with the correct bmp number. So for instance a T34 mod might have the basic mod in the folder plus an alternative with a red star on the turret. Modders tend to lump them into one folder and then re-number the bmp numbers to 105626a (Red Star turret), 105626b (Guards badge on turret), etc. So what you have to do is create sub-folders with each option in it and then rename each file to the original bmp number.
eg:
T34 M43 57mm
basic bmps
sub folder/turret red star (105626)
sub folder/Guards Badge (105626)

The programme will recognise each of these so you can swap the basic T34 into your programme and then over write the turret with your star option of your choice.

If you are struggling email me and I will send you screen shots.

Really glad you liked the sorted scenarios as Phillippe took a lot of flak putting the together the packs as some designers wanted to have their permission asked first. With over 3,500 scenarios that would have been impossible. To give you an idea there are only just 1,000 on the Scenario Depot so a lot of scenarios were in danger of being lost as website close down or disappear.
cheers