Hybrid Counters Ver 2.0 (Ready for download)
Hi All,
I’ve finished what should the final version of my Mod. It includes the following features:
Hybrid Counters is a “Vanilla Graphics Mod” with no other changes to maximize compatibility.
All infantry will have NATO icons with some exceptions.
Progressive silhouettes for other units change with Tech upgrades.
HQs will have a general’s portrait (but with limited control over their display using the AA Defense Value)
It only works in Max Zoom View. Any higher level views retain the original unit icons.
New! Optional 3D View replacement with Hybrid counters which allows for transport animations.
New! Optional 3D Units will reverse facing based on map location (Naval Ensign matches sailing direction)
New! Higher Contrast Unit Strength Values for improved visibility.
New! Introduced Brigade (X) and Divisional (XX) designations. Corps units remain blank.
Installation:
It’s recommended that you do not overwrite the original game files.
If you already have your own custom mod saved that uses the standard game icons or a previous version of the Hybrid Counters then you just download the zip file and extract the Bitmaps folder. Then copy the extracted Bitmaps folder and overwrite the existing Bitmaps folder in your saved campaign. That’s it. Start the game, select 3D or NATO icons and you should be set to go.
If you have not already created your own custom campaign or need more detailed instructions please follow sPzAbt653’s excellent How to use Mod Files illustrated instructions posted here:
tm.asp?m=4300169
Note PBEM gamers must both be playing the same custom campaign and both have the Hybrid mod installed or they will only see the icons installed in their own campaign folder.
Recommended Mod:
SIPRES has designed a 1939 Campaign using Hybrid Counters Mod which gives greater control over which HQ Generals portraits are displayed. See Link tm.asp?m=4342847
Hope you like them.
Cheers,
Angus
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Original Post: 1/10/2017
Hi All,
This Mod that I’ve been working on is a little mash-up of different icon styles from games I’ve played in the past, Panzerblitz, Clash of Steel, Third Reich etc. But first thanks goes to Agent S, sPzAbt653, Bill Runacre and Sipres for pointing me in the right direction with regards to the tools I would need. Last of course, thanks to Hubert and his team for such a fine game.
My goal is to make it easier to spot high value units and enemy build ups while balancing this with aesthetics. I’ve decided to make Tank Corp and other special units a darker shade of their national colours with two exceptions. German and Russian Tank Corps and Special unit backgrounds will be Black and Red respectively.
Normal infantry will have the standard NATO icons while mechanized and air units will have progressive silhouettes as the upgrades take place. You will have to forgive me for exceeding the counter limits in some cases. This was purely to maintain detail and a sense of scale. In most cases bigger will mean better.
Finally, I’ve accelerated the airplane upgrades curve. In the area of aeronautics most will agree that the Germans were ahead of most. If they were already using the Me-262 operationally and with the Ho-229 and Ta-183 in the testing stages, Level 5 aircraft will be represented by Korean War type aircraft for the Russians and the Allies. Sort of a 1946 scenario. I would like to make it clear that the actual in game unit attributes or performance is not modded, just the icons representing units will change.
I hope you like what I’ve done so far:
Cheers,
Angus
