Hybrid Counters Ver 2.0 (Ready for Download)

[HimAgain]

Hi All,

I’m happy to announce that I’ve finally reached the point that this counter Mod can be used.

Thanks SIPRES for addressing the earlier concerns with regards to the compatibility. It is only a graphic mod which can be copied to any existing saved campaign that you’ve already created and that was working with the standard NATO counters. It was also never in the scope of this project to work in any view except the most zoomed in level.

Below is a screenshot of a portion of the Minor Axis units, most of which are not even available to be purchased but someone may design a future mode that can use them.
The minor Generals/HQ units appear without flags in this screenshot but the respective national flags will appear once they are deployed on the game map.

Looking back at the first ones that I completed they look crude by comparison now. Nor were they as well fleshed out. e.g. American destroyers and trucks don’t have progressive silhouettes while most of the others do. In testing I found that some of the greyed out low readiness unit strength values get a little difficult to read on some of the HQ units and lighter coloured minor Axis units.

At some point I hope to go back and correct these issues but for now, these should be usable. I also plan on releasing a set to replace the 3D units with these same NATO counters. This will allow the counters to switch to face the enemy and allow the mechanized/air transport units to flash onto the screen during movement.

Please keep in mind that you can’t really control which General’s portrait appears, but SIPRES has kindly offered to create a Campaign Mod which will allow you to control them. More on this later.

I’ve exported all the graphics files to a Bitmap folder ready to be uploaded and I’m asking for some guidance from the more experienced members on what the best way is to get this out to the user community. (sPzAbt653, I’m hoping to lean on your expertise)
I’ve read in some others posts that not all the files sharing services work as advertised.

Cheers Angus.

[Cataphract88]

This looks great 'in-game' and thanks very much for making this available. [:)]

The only problem I have encountered is that the Soviet units do not seem to alter to the new versions included. [&:] Anyone else having this problem?

[HimAgain]

Hi Richard,

My apologies. I did not see that during my testing but it is clearly happening now.
Something is going on that I don't understand.

Let me investigate and I will get back to you.

Angus.

[Hairog]

I often forget when using paint.net to switch from .pdn to .png when saving. Could something like that be the problem?

[SIPRES]

Hello Angus,

Really impressive work.[&o][&o][&o]
I will prepare 1939 campaign file this Week End + how to use counter display "function".

Could you tell me for AXIS and ALLIED minors HQ who's who?
What I mean is I want as much as possible to display correct image HQ vs minor Nation.

here is what I need for both axis/Allied minors HQs:


For example:
MINOR AXIS
Tech0 counter: Romanian Leader picture?
Tech1 counter: Hungarian Leader picture?
Tech2 counter: Finnish Leader picture?
ect...

MINOR ALLIED
Tech0 counter: Canadian Leader picture?
Tech1 counter: Belgium Leader picture?
Tech2 counter: Greece Leader picture?
ect...

[HimAgain]

Hi Richard,

I’ve got a potential fix, but I’m still not sure what happened.

I simply manually copied over the file from the zipped folder to the correct location and it’s working again. Are you using Windows 7 like I am?

In the meantime please locate the original unzipped Bitmaps folder and browse to the Major_04 Folder.
In there you will find a file called unit_sprites_nato.png. Please right click on the file and select copy. Then browse to the campaign folder which you are using. From there, browse to the same Major_04 folder, right click, select paste and overwrite the existing file.

Example saved Campaign folder path on my computer:
D:\Users\HimAgain\Documents\my games\Strategic Command WWII - War In Europe\Campaigns\_1939 Storm over Europe Mod\Bitmaps\Major_04

Restart the game and check the Russians icons.
Mine started working again.

There is something strange about the Russian counters. Something may have gone wrong when the files were originally copied over from my Mod.

Please let me know the results.

Thanks,

Angus.

[cdcool]

Where is the download?
Thanks!

[HimAgain]

Hi Cdcool,

Please check back on post 3 on the first page of the thread.

Hope you like them.

Cheers,

[cdcool]

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Hi Cdcool,

Please check back on post 3 on the first page of the thread.

Hope you like them.

Cheers,

Okay will do! Thanks Good work!

[HimAgain]

Hi SIPRES,

Below is a summary of all the Generals listed in order of appearance and in text form just for clarification. (I always get the French Generals mixed up myself)
I did not necessarily stick to the HQ rosters as provided in the game. Clearly there will need to be some compromises made.

As discussed earlier, what should have been done was to lump the Poles in with all the Minor Allies instead of the Canadians. I’m not sure how elaborate your Mod will be but if you wanted to utilize the empty Major 6 slot or move around the Poles as discussed above, I can create the other minor country generals. Or if you want to swap out some of selections I’ve made, please let me know and I will try to accommodate you as much as possible.

A point I was thinking about which you may already considered; would not all the HQ units have to be predefined in a one player game? Having the ability to change the profile yourself is great but in a one player game, you can’t very well be changing the enemy’s HQ attributes during play.

As it is now it will be much like the Allies D-Day spoof of Patton controlling a fictitious army and appearing everywhere at once!

HQ/Generals in order of appearance and Tech Level in my screen shot below

Major 1 Britain:
Lord Gort
Montgomery
Alexander
Auchinleck
Brooke
O'Conner

Major 2 France:
Gamelin
Hutzinger
Besson
Billotte
Weygand
De Gaulle

Major 3 USA
Bradley
Hodges
Eisenhower
Patton
Truscott
Clark

Major 4 Russia
Timoshenko
Zhukov
Chernyakhovsky
Konev
Rokossovsky
Tolbukin

Major 5 Poland
Ridz Smigly

Major 7 Germany
Guderian
Rommel
Von Manstein
Von Rundstedt
Kesselring
Model

Major 8 Italy
Graziani
Garboldi
Balbo
Guzzoni
Giovanni Messe
Annibale Bergonzoli

Allied Minor (mostly Canadian)
Harry Crerar CAN
Guy Simonds CAN
Andrew McNaughton CAN
George Kitching CAN
Leslie Morshead Australian (of Tobruk fame)
John Hamilton Roberts Can

Axis Minor
Mannerheim Finland 0
Jozsef Heszlenyi Hungary 0
Petre Dumitrescu Romania 0
Ivan Marinov Bulgaria 0
Dezso_Laszlo Hungary 1
Leonard Mociulschi Romania 1

(I had this in chart form but it did not paste well into post)

Cheers,

Angus

[Cataphract88]

Hi Angus, I followed your instructions exactly, but still no luck with the Russians, I'm afraid.

I am using Windows 10.

[SIPRES]

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Hi SIPRES,

Below is a summary of all the Generals listed in order of appearance and in text form just for clarification. (I always get the French Generals mixed up myself)
I did not necessarily stick to the HQ rosters as provided in the game. Clearly there will need to be some compromises made.

As discussed earlier, what should have been done was to lump the Poles in with all the Minor Allies instead of the Canadians. I’m not sure how elaborate your Mod will be but if you wanted to utilize the empty Major 6 slot or move around the Poles as discussed above, I can create the other minor country generals. Or if you want to swap out some of selections I’ve made, please let me know and I will try to accommodate you as much as possible.

A point I was thinking about which you may already considered; would not all the HQ units have to be predefined in a one player game? Having the ability to change the profile yourself is great but in a one player game, you can’t very well be changing the enemy’s HQ attributes during play.

As it is now it will be much like the Allies D-Day spoof of Patton controlling a fictitious army and appearing everywhere at once!

HQ/Generals in order of appearance and Tech Level in my screen shot below

Major 1 Britain:
Lord Gort
Montgomery
Alexander
Auchinleck
Brooke
O'Conner

Major 2 France:
Gamelin
Hutzinger
Besson
Billotte
Weygand
De Gaulle

Major 3 USA
Bradley
Hodges
Eisenhower
Patton
Truscott
Clark

Major 4 Russia
Timoshenko
Zhukov
Chernyakhovsky
Konev
Rokossovsky
Tolbukin

Major 5 Poland
Ridz Smigly

Major 7 Germany
Guderian
Rommel
Von Manstein
Von Rundstedt
Kesselring
Model

Major 8 Italy
Graziani
Garboldi
Balbo
Guzzoni
Giovanni Messe
Annibale Bergonzoli

Allied Minor (mostly Canadian)
Harry Crerar CAN
Guy Simonds CAN
Andrew McNaughton CAN
George Kitching CAN
Leslie Morshead Australian (of Tobruk fame)
John Hamilton Roberts Can

Axis Minor
Mannerheim Finland 0
Jozsef Heszlenyi Hungary 0
Petre Dumitrescu Romania 0
Ivan Marinov Bulgaria 0
Dezso_Laszlo Hungary 1
Leonard Mociulschi Romania 1

(I had this in chart form but it did not paste well into post)

Cheers,

Angus

OK got it
Thanks for detailed leaders list, I will try to make them matching with the campaign file.

Here is the content of the Mod I will proceed (using the base 1939 campaign file)

Change Rocket weapon Research to "Custom HQ display" lets call it "CHD"
Rocket weapon will then be upgradable but by Heavy bomber research item.
All nations HQ (minors/majors) will have a full capacity for this "CHD" upgrade (0 to 5), so no need to invest MPP in research.
All nations HQ will have then the following upgrades
1st CHD 0MPP cost
2nd AA at normal AA MPP cost
3rd Mobility at normal Mobility MPP cost
Cost for this CHD upgrade will be 0MPP, but of course no effect on Att/def, "CHD" will be just a dummy upgrade to allow flexibility in graphics.

There is 4 possible ways where the HQs appears in the campaign.
- The HQ currently on the map at the beginning of the game
I will tweak using editor, no problem
- The HQ in the production queue at the begining of the game
I will tweak using editor, no problem
- The HQ purchased during gameplay
It will be possible to upgrade from 0 to 5 the"CHD" with no additionnal MPP cost.
So no problem
- The HQ appearing on the game following an Event firing
Those ones I will not be able to "control" the display (most likely CHD will be 5 if full research is specified in the script)

I also notice by testing that it will not be possible to upgrade CHD on an HQ on the map during gameplay (game engine does not allow upgrade at 0MPP cost) but if you upgrade AA or mobility at same time then it become possible(at the cost of AA or mobility only).

Maybe for Allied minors you could add some Greek, belgium, dutch leaders instead of Canadians only.

I let you known when campaign file will be ready (shouldnt be too long)

christophe

[HimAgain]

ORIGINAL: cataphract88

Hi Angus, I followed your instructions exactly, but still no luck with the Russians, I'm afraid.

I am using Windows 10.

Hi Richard,

I’m still not sure what's happened. Let’s have a look at the unit_sprites_nato.png file.

Please locate the downloaded Mod file and unzip/expand it again. Then browse to the \Bitmaps\Major_4 folder and try double clicking on the unit_sprites_nato.png located there.

It should open in a viewer of some sort. Please confirm that the correct Mod icons appear by zooming in few levels. If it does not look correct then try downloading the mod file again. Something may have gone wrong with the download.

If it appears OK, close the viewer, right click on the file and select copy.

Then browse to the saved Campaign and to the same \bitmaps\Major_4\ folder located there.
There should be about 4 files there. Double click on the unit_sprites_nato.png and take note what of what appears.

Close the viewer again and then right click on the same file and select rename and add -old at the end of the file.

Then right click on an empty space in the folder and select paste. This will copy the file from the unzipped folder.

Then try restarting the game.

If it still fails, please try restarting the PC and then test by restarting the game again.

Please let me know the results.

Thanks,

Angus.

[HimAgain]

Hi Christophe,

I'm thinking that we should drop the latter two minor Axis generals and replace them with perhaps a Swedish and Spanish general. They are the most likely to join to Axis with a little arm twisting? This would better fit your idea?

I'm not sure which Minor Allied countries we should include that will have HQ units. We need to include Turkey here I’m thinking. Could you list which you would like to appear and I'll do my best to get them created.

I would also like to understand what will happens when you combine the Rockets with the Heavy Bomber research. If it means that both advance together, it could be exploited.

I understand that you will need to reserve a 5 level Tech tree for this. Is there a better choice?

We should also create another thread. All this talk might confuse the casual player about the scope of the original vanilla graphics mod.

Let me know what you think on each item.

Thanks again,
Angus.

[HimAgain]

ORIGINAL: Hairog

I often forget when using paint.net to switch from .pdn to .png when saving. Could something like that be the problem?

Hi Hairog,

I wish it were that simple. I'm thinking it's the Windows OS providing a old cached file perhaps.
Are you seeing the same problem as Richard?

[SIPRES]

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Hi Christophe,

I'm thinking that we should drop the latter two minor Axis generals and replace them with perhaps a Swedish and Spanish general. They are the most likely to join to Axis with a little arm twisting? This would better fit your idea?

Ok I will change campaign file according to the following:

Axis Minor
0 Mannerheim Finland
1 Jozsef Heszlenyi Hungary
2 Petre Dumitrescu Romania
3 Ivan Marinov Bulgaria
4 Swedish general
5 Spanish general


I'm not sure which Minor Allied countries we should include that will have HQ units. We need to include Turkey here I’m thinking. Could you list which you would like to appear and I'll do my best to get them created.

Here is a proposal for Allied Minor
0 Harry Crerar CANADA
1 Greek General
2 Dutch/Belgium general
3 Turkish general
4 Yugoslavian general (Tito)
5 Maybe a generic general portrait for remaining allies.

I would also like to understand what will happens when you combine the Rockets with the Heavy Bomber research. If it means that both advance together, it could be exploited.

Rocket upgrade disapear (becomes "CHD"), to compensate this I did allow the Rocket units (V1, V2 ect) to be upgradable via heavy bomber tech.
Need some playtesting to see what happens.

I understand that you will need to reserve a 5 level Tech tree for this. Is there a better choice?
Choice was difficult as I didnt want to change too much the gameplay, I think Rocket upgrade was the best choice, its actually used by Germany only and to be honest after few play as AXIS I must recognize that I never use them.

We should also create another thread. All this talk might confuse the casual player about the scope of the original vanilla graphics mod.
Agree, I can start a new one with the campaign file attached

Let me know what you think on each item.

Thanks again,
Angus.

[Cataphract88]

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

ORIGINAL: cataphract88

Hi Angus, I followed your instructions exactly, but still no luck with the Russians, I'm afraid.

I am using Windows 10.

Hi Richard,

I’m still not sure what's happened. Let’s have a look at the unit_sprites_nato.png file.

Please locate the downloaded Mod file and unzip/expand it again. Then browse to the \Bitmaps\Major_4 folder and try double clicking on the unit_sprites_nato.png located there.

It should open in a viewer of some sort. Please confirm that the correct Mod icons appear by zooming in few levels. If it does not look correct then try downloading the mod file again. Something may have gone wrong with the download.

If it appears OK, close the viewer, right click on the file and select copy.

Then browse to the saved Campaign and to the same \bitmaps\Major_4\ folder located there.
There should be about 4 files there. Double click on the unit_sprites_nato.png and take note what of what appears.

Close the viewer again and then right click on the same file and select rename and add -old at the end of the file.

Then right click on an empty space in the folder and select paste. This will copy the file from the unzipped folder.

Then try restarting the game.

If it still fails, please try restarting the PC and then test by restarting the game again.

Please let me know the results.

Thanks,

Angus.

Hi Angus, I have downloaded this again and started anew, but no luck! I can examine the new Russian images when they are extracted on my desktop or in a folder, but as soon as I place them in bitmaps\major_04 they revert back to the standard versions. I have never actually seen this happen before.

This still happens when I rename the standard file 'old'.

I think I will just have to wait for an update. [:)]

[HimAgain]

You say the that file immediately reverted back to the original after copying it without even relaunching the game?
This bizarre behavior may be more related to the Windows OS and not the necessarily the game, but I did have the same thing happen to me when you first pointed this out. The game may also be somehow 'locking' up this file.

Please launch the saved game and switch to the 3D icons, re-save and then end the game. This might 'unlock' the file.

Then try deleting both the 'old' backup and your recently copied unit_sprites_nato.png file from the Major_04 folder in the campaign folder. Then recopy the modded unit_sprites_nato.png to the campaign folder once again. Check that it remains correct then relaunch the game and deselect 3D icons.

Please let me know the results.

Thanks,

[HimAgain]

ORIGINAL: SIPRES

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

Hi Christophe,

I'm thinking that we should drop the latter two minor Axis generals and replace them with perhaps a Swedish and Spanish general. They are the most likely to join to Axis with a little arm twisting? This would better fit your idea?

Ok I will change campaign file according to the following:

Axis Minor
0 Mannerheim Finland
1 Jozsef Heszlenyi Hungary
2 Petre Dumitrescu Romania
3 Ivan Marinov Bulgaria
4 Swedish general Olof Gerhard Thonell (only grainy pics avail but i will do my best)
5 Spanish general Franco


I'm not sure which Minor Allied countries we should include that will have HQ units. We need to include Turkey here I’m thinking. Could you list which you would like to appear and I'll do my best to get them created.

Here is a proposal for Allied Minor
0 Harry Crerar CANADA
1 Greek General Papagos
2 Dutch/Belgium general Winkelman (Dutch General for both?)
3 Turkish general Toydemir
4 Yugoslavian general (Tito) I checked and there is no Yugoslav General in the game. Did you intend to create him? I would prefer not to and suggest we put in Generalissimo Franco again on the Allied side. A frustrated Germany might try the Gibraltar thru Spain gambit after diplomacy fails.
5 Maybe a generic general portrait for remaining allies. I suggest Guy Simonds. He has the de rigeur mustache, typical beret and can be purchased as the second Canadian HQ.

I would also like to understand what will happens when you combine the Rockets with the Heavy Bomber research. If it means that both advance together, it could be exploited.

Rocket upgrade disapear (becomes "CHD"), to compensate this I did allow the Rocket units (V1, V2 ect) to be upgradable via heavy bomber tech.
Need some playtesting to see what happens. OK, lets see what your tests uncover

I understand that you will need to reserve a 5 level Tech tree for this. Is there a better choice?
Choice was difficult as I didnt want to change too much the gameplay, I think Rocket upgrade was the best choice, its actually used by Germany only and to be honest after few play as AXIS I must recognize that I never use them. OK

We should also create another thread. All this talk might confuse the casual player about the scope of the original vanilla graphics mod.
Agree, I can start a new one with the campaign file attached
Yes, please make it so.
To avoid confusion. I would like to keep the same files for both your Mod and this one above so this one will need to be updated once we're done.
Thanks.

Let me know what you think on each item.

Thanks again,
Angus.

[Cataphract88]

ORIGINAL: HimAgain

You say the that file immediately reverted back to the original after copying it without even relaunching the game?
This bizarre behavior may be more related to the Windows OS and not the necessarily the game, but I did have the same thing happen to me when you first pointed this out. The game may also be somehow 'locking' up this file.

Please launch the saved game and switch to the 3D icons, re-save and then end the game. This might 'unlock' the file.

Then try deleting both the 'old' backup and your recently copied unit_sprites_nato.png file from the Major_04 folder in the campaign folder. Then recopy the modded unit_sprites_nato.png to the campaign folder once again. Check that it remains correct then relaunch the game and deselect 3D icons.

Please let me know the results.

Thanks,

Tried all of the above, but still no success, however, strangely enough, Spires '1939 HQ' version Soviet counters work fine on my pc, so for the time being I will stick with that.

On a smaller note, if you were looking at developing your mod further, I thought you might like to know that the British and German naval ensigns are reversed (like mirror images). At least they are on my machine!

Hope this helps, and thanks for all your help. [:)]