Editing existing scenarios?

[Crossroads]

I just spent an afternoon trying to figure out as how to change some units in an existing scenario.

Basically, I "just" wanted to add a few prime movers into a game, while removing some AA-capable halftracks and replacing them with regular AA-guns of the similar caliber.

In other words, I opted to change my task force in a manner that I could tow some of heavier guns while my AA-capabilities would became non-mobile.

I found this to be very difficult...

I managed to (manually using the notepad) change the .org file so that the new units are in play. (Added some independent units, looked at the file as what the unit ids were, and put them in a correct place) OK so far?

I managed to remove the units that were of a wrong type from the map using the scenario editor, and add the new units as they became available in the force dialog. OK so far?

All seemed well, but when I start the WF.exe with the modified scenario it crashes. Actually, it allows me to choose the side and optional rules, but crashes after that when presumably loading my modded files.

I spent an hour or so trying to find this information from here or from Matrix CS forums, but did not manage to find anything.

The scenario in question was (you guessed) a Panzer Leader scenario I have been raving here about, so according to design notes they were not locked up or anything (whatever that means...)

A virtual round of would certainly be offered to any kind soul who could push me to a right direction...

EDIT:

Gave up, deleted the modified files *.org and *.map (which I did not even touch) files, decided to keep the modified *.scn for a file.

Then, started the game up one more time using the mod'ed *.scn but with original *.org file ... And it seems to work ??? Ran a few quick turns on both sides and everything seems A-OK?

NOW I am confused :conf:

[Jason Petho]

Did you change the file names of your modded org or map files without building a new scn file?

If so, that is the cause of your problems.

Jason Petho

[Crossroads]

Did you change the file names of your modded org or map files without building a new scn file?

Thanks Jason,

No, I did not "build" anything. I just wanted to edit existing files.

Maybe the problem was that I created another set of files.

Here's the story so far.

1. Original files PzL5. org, .scn, .map => PzL5b. org, .scn, .map
2. Could not figure out how .scn maps the files together...
- it referred to OOB and Map files with a strange notation (letters and numbers, three or four digits? Sorry, have the files on another computer...)
3. Modified the PzL5.org with the OOB editor tool. Could not figure out how to add new units into existing organization.
- Ended up adding an "Independent unit" with the preferred units to the bottom.
- Opened the PzL5.org with Notepad, took the preferred unit lines from the end of file and pasted them to proper places, removing the "wrong" units from the locations they were.
- Seemed like something I figured out, and when I opened the PzL5.org again with the OOB editor it looked exactly how I wanted it to look like
4. Still at loss how to edit the PzL5.scn file, so made a copy called PzL5b.scn,
- opened with Scenario editor, removed the "wrong" units that were in the map
- added the preferred units from the Dialog box with the "place" option
5. Having deleted all extra files, it seems to work
- PzL5b.scn (a renamed copy of the original with the abovementioned changes)
- PzL5.org (original without my added new units)
- PzL5.map (original without any changes)

Is there any existing documentation as how to do this? I would be happy to do some reading and to learn it via trial and error. A pointer to some existing discussion? I am sure I am not the first one trying to learn this stuff...

"Building", do you mean I should have taken the PzL5b versions of map and org and created a new (New from File menu) scenario with the scenario editor?

Thanks, Petri

[Jason Petho]

Thanks Jason,

No, I did not "build" anything. I just wanted to edit existing files.

Maybe the problem was that I created another set of files.

Here's the story so far.

1. Original files PzL5. org, .scn, .map => PzL5b. org, .scn, .map

This is the problem.

2. Could not figure out how .scn maps the files together...
- it referred to OOB and Map files with a strange notation (letters and numbers, three or four digits? Sorry, have the files on another computer...)

Because of this, the files are encrypted.

Easiest method, using a text editor, is to call your files PzL55... and copy the last reference letter/number into the top of the scenario file where the files are encrypted.

HJ$# becomes HJ$##

3. Modified the PzL5.org with the OOB editor tool. Could not figure out how to add new units into existing organization.
- Ended up adding an "Independent unit" with the preferred units to the bottom.
- Opened the PzL5.org with Notepad, took the preferred unit lines from the end of file and pasted them to proper places, removing the "wrong" units from the locations they were.
- Seemed like something I figured out, and when I opened the PzL5.org again with the OOB editor it looked exactly how I wanted it to look like
4. Still at loss how to edit the PzL5.scn file, so made a copy called PzL5b.scn,
- opened with Scenario editor, removed the "wrong" units that were in the map
- added the preferred units from the Dialog box with the "place" option

Not sure it matters for your scenario, since you recommended no CC option in a previous post, but you may run into issues with the unit ID not corresponding and therefore creating problems with supply paths.

5. Having deleted all extra files, it seems to work
- PzL5b.scn (a renamed copy of the original with the abovementioned changes)
- PzL5.org (original without my added new units)
- PzL5.map (original without any changes)

As it should, as the encryption is still referencing the original files.

Is there any existing documentation as how to do this? I would be happy to do some reading and to learn it via trial and error. A pointer to some existing discussion? I am sure I am not the first one trying to learn this stuff...

Not much documentation using this approach, as most people would use the game editors to do any edits.

"Building", do you mean I should have taken the PzL5b versions of map and org and created a new (New from File menu) scenario with the scenario editor?

Bingo, that is the easy way... well, easier.

Jason Petho

[Crossroads]

Thanks again, Jason!

I think I got it now... :whis:

As an (very old) programmer I thought that surely I can figure out the file system, and with your help I did finalise my "hacking method". Supply working etc.

Then I realised this surely cannot be that difficult, and resorted to the old and trusted RTFM (read the effin' manual) method.

And indeed, it does explain how to add Leaders into existing organizations, so I managed to add the prime movers to proper organisation level with the same method.

Then, the Scenario editor reported them as available units in the Force dialog and I added them into map.

(This was a complexity 5 scenario and building the whole thing again just to add 4 half tracks seemed like a lot of work.)

EDIT: I actually gave up replacing the self-propelled AA-units with stand-alone AA-units, because there is no way to change units in an existing scenario without actually building the scenario from scratch.

But I definitively agree, making larger changes than what I described would justify the additional work of actually building the scenario in a proper manner.

Well, it was good fun to look at the internals of the system, and then finding out that the tools were definitively better than the fool using them first imagined.

Maybe this would encourage me to design a scenario myself, one day... :chin:

Now, perhaps I will look at the modification of existing bit maps for units... Afterall, any late war Axis vehicle that is not carrying a few felled trees and half the kitchen garden on them just does not look right :smoke:

[Crossroads]

Now how cool is this! :cheeky: As a next step the unit files should be modified in order to better describe the new way better concealment values? ;)

[Crossroads]

OK, here we go.

Editing unit bitmaps with a proper tool such as GIMP turned out to be quite easy. Of course, the share number of units in JTCS is just overwhelming as you know.

I modified a few new units to have some shelter from probing eyes:

- StuGs with the most cover
- Panthers and Tigers somewhere in between...
- PzIVs and Halftracks with the least...
- Kubelwagen and HQ Truck covered as well.

I am now off for a few days, let me know what you think...



Image I used as a model:

[Jason Petho]

I like them! One can never have enough graphics!

Jason Petho

[Big Dawg]

Nice!

Please post more!

[Crossroads]

Nice!

Please post more!

Thanks :)

I finished the above unit with another layer of foliage of a lighter shade, to make it look more natural.

I have finished the following German units:

- HQ (Mot.)
- Leader (Mot.)
- StuG IIIG
- Pz IVH
- Pz V
- Pz VIE

With the 20/80 rule, these should cover quite a few scenarios... I will try to post a pic of the new versions to this thread tomorrow...

I have not done any US or British units. I had a (very) quick look, I did not find US armored units using foliage as cover. I did find quite many pictures of British units that were very well camouflaged, though.

I am willing to do half a dozen Allied units as well. I can propably add a couple German units as well.

Any wishlists? Possibly with corresponding links to pictures of those units?

I had a quick look at the Easter front German units and thought I saw some late war pictures where some units were drawn to been camouflaged.

Maybe these could be unified into one "User mod" folder that would be available as an alternative to standard Late war unit bitmaps? Maybe something we can all together create for the coming 1.05 upgrade...?

I can do a first version of the folder with the few units I have modified. Maybe others can add to that later as well. Where should I post the zips for everyone to see?