[v3.1] Back to Basics for v2.602 - New version release! (2013-03-24)

[Celution]

Here I got a screenshot from the new Flakvierling Emplacement.
It is replaced with the original one, the one that the Lufwaffe Ground Forces build. The PE also got this for the 88mm.
And also, I've made a PE MG-nest, but that is still [WIP], but all the PE emplacements got axis skins, as you can see on the screen (thanks to pippaman for the skins).

Flakvierling

[Lethal Dosage]

Isn't that Luciferums Flakvierling 38 skin? Don't forget to credit him for it!

I'm surprised you actually haven't gotten around to changing the weapon crew's models, i changed mine to Luftwaffe Ground Forces which had their container and bedroll removed from off their back.

[Celution]

Yeah, I probably will do that.
And yes, that's Luciferum's skin, and I already have permission, and in the last update post, I added his Historical Skin Mod banner.
But how do you like the thing itself?

[Celution]

Hey is another screenshot from the Panzer Elite (will be later the Waffen SS) Machine Gun Nest. It can be build by the Lufwaffe Ground Forces and the Logistic Pioneers.

MG42 Machine Gun Nest

[Celution]

I made a poll, all vote plz.

[Rischer]

I voted paradrop, it would be fantastic if they actually did drop in and it adds versatility as to where they are deployed.

[Lethal Dosage]

I vote the PE MG nest will be over powered! :P

As for the poll, you didn't add this option
"No, Fallshirmjagers paradropping isn't very historically accurate."

I can't remember what time frame your shooting for, but since you were going to put a number of late-war tanks in, i'll assume you going for around '43-45. The lats time Falshirmjager paradropped was the invasion of Crete in '41, and they got slaughtered because opften they were dropped right on/near enemy positions for one, and also because they dropped without their rifles. When they dropped their rifles and whatever other weapons were dropped in metal containers with the squad, once on the ground they had to get to the container and get their guns. When they landed all there were equipped with were a Luger (or a P38), a couple of magazines, and a couple of grenades, and of course in 1941 they were equipped with Kar98k's and MP40's, no FG42's. After Crete they always went into battle on ground transport or were airlifted in, no paradropping or gliders.

But of course you can go which-ever way you want, even i was tempted to add paradropping Fallshirmjagers in just so i could also have a weapons crate drop in after them for them to collect their weapons. The only reason i didn't was because of the AI issues, perhaps they wouldn't grab the crate and pick up their weapons.

[Celution]

Yeah, that's truth about the Fallschrimjägers, they didn't paradrop anymore in the late states of the war, instead, they were used as normal ground troops.
But I think it does add realism.

Also, I like the idea of making a thrid paradrop thing for the PE (when you unlock the Fallschirmjägers you get: an ability to paradrop a PaK38, and of course the Fallschirmjägers).
this third thing would be the same supply drop as the american one, but only one munition drop, that contains:
FG42 upgrade, MP40 upgrade, and adds grenades to abilities.
No idea yet how I would do this.
Maby some help?


For the PE MG42 nest, why overpowerd? then the Axis Bunker would be overpowered too.
The PE MG42 nest costs also pop, and is more expensive than the British one.

[Lethal Dosage]

Well so long the MG42 nest costs more and takes up pop it should be fine, just thinking along the lines as being equal to the Brit MG nest in cost, etc. it would be an MG nest resistant to arty, good range, and does really good suppression and damage. Thats why i said it would be OP. At least the wehr bunker isn't as resistant to damage and requires an upgrade to get an MG in it.

[Celution]

Yeah, that's true, but I think how it's now, it would be fine.
Because it costs 320 mp and 3 pop. So spaming them will hurt your pop. But what I mean with the wehrmacht bunker, is when you put an MG-team inside it, it's overpowed, because it can turn inside the bunker. But indeed, the wehrmacht bunker isn't as strong as the PE MG-nest.

But I have some kind of idea, that the Bergetiger will be turned into a builder for bunkers like the Mortar bunker, Pantherturm and regular bunker, and can't recover wrecks anymore. (maby only from small vehicles such as BMW R75, Kettenkrad, Schwimmwagen etc.)

[Celution]

The v1.05 isn't far away anymore, but the problem is the veterancy doesn't work perfect, so that DEFENATLY has to be fixed before release.
In the v1.05 are alot of new skins.

I got this idea for new Tech trees, but not sure if it'll upbalance the gameplay.


American: Logistic, Airborne, Armor.
Commonwealth: Royal Canadian, Royal Commando, Royal Scottish.
Wehrmacht: Logtitic, Waffen SS support, Terror.
Panzer Elite (later Waffen SS): Defend the Fatherland, Lufwaffe support, Tank Destroyers.

Some will sound familliar, but they'll all change. Some more than others.

The new comander trees won't be in the v1.05, but will be in the small v1.06.

Hope you all still like this mod.

-Cheers

[Lethal Dosage]

Have you considered moving Luftwaffe doctrine to Wehrmacht, and move either Terror or Blitz to Waffen-SS?

[Celution]

Well, yeah I did, but I thought ti would be cool to give the Waffen SS a part of the Wehrmacht (the luftwaffe), and the Wehrmacht a part of the Waffen SS (Terror, and I think the Stormtroopers will be in the terror doctrine).
Also, because of the speeches don't work in other races, and I really like the the speeches.

[Playmobill]

hello

I work in computer graphics, and your mod seems to be very interresting, so if you need some texture (photoshop is my 'main' skill i think), or models (in modeling i can only use 3DMax, but i use it well).
Im a mapper too so i can help in that way too..

Mail me at m.lazerges@gmail.com if you think i can help

[Celution]

I really would love to ahev you in the team Playmobill!
Raizan seems to be a little, gone for the moment.... (he's still in the team btw)
If I am correct you offer to come in the team right?
I'll place you in the thread as member.
I really love if you would make nice Normandy maps and modeling, I'll PM you for that. (also for the maps).

-Cheers, and welcome.

[Playmobill]

Yes, its ok, TY
I've done only one map completly finished (im working on 2 others: 8P version for D913, and a mountain 3P map), but i begin to handle the editor, so its ok for that.. But : i dont know scar coding for now

If the most important for now is texturing, you can mail me the gabarits, i mean the unwarp map (if you know what im talking about) or the orginal texture, its the same way to do for me. Im just a noob for extracting, and compiling those texture, i leave that to you!

I've some ideas for map, but i donno what has be planned yet in mapping in your project.
- We can create a totaly continuous campagn for exemple :

If we use some of the previous relic maps : the D day beach, carentan, RN13.. we can create the missing landscape between!
We can also slithly modify the single player original maps or ask for the guy that has already made a pack of em on this forum (sorry i dont remmeber his/her name).

for exemple, a single player campaign with (in bold, map already exist):

Mission 1 - UTAH Beach (1st map of Coh campagn)
Mission 2 - Landscape between the sea and the first village,
Mission 3 - Ste Mere Du Mont (we must ask for the author)
Mission 4 - D913 - Act I (my 1st map)
Mission 5 - Vierville (where we use U.S paratroopers)
Mission 6 - D913 - Act II
Mission 7 - Carentan (without german counter attack)
Mission 8 - RN13 (or a part of the original map)

the work is easier with a campagn like that, if we ask for authorizations of authors, it should be ok i think but we can't forget that it's still a lot of work

[Celution]

Nice, but I really like the map you've finished!
You can handle the worldbuilder more that I do, although I'm learning nearly everyday some more, same with coding.
For the mission idea, me and Tyler already talked about it, and we made a plan (he does mapping too for the mod, so talk with him too). This is what we planned so far:

Back to Basics mod campaign

1. Drop zones Normandy.
- Main objective, get your airborne squads together and obtain the supplies that are dropped all over the place.
- Rescue other Easy Company men from a big farm that is being attacked by Germans.
- Keep away from German emplacements and observation posts.

2. Brecourt.
- Main Objective, destroy the lefH18 Battery that is firing on Utah Beach.
- Destroy the MG42’s.
- Kill at least 40 Germans.
- Find the Radio and capture the maps of Normandy.

3. St. Maire Eglisé.
- Capture the town.
- Kill the 4 officers, and take 20 POW’s.
- Defend the town from the counterattack

4. Carentan.
- Destroy Café de Normandie.
- Kill the Sniper.
- Destroy the PaK38.
- Get a Forward HQ up, and 2 medic stations.
- Kill all the remaining Fallshirmjägers.

5. Carentan Counterattack.
- Set up a defensive line in the High Grounds.
- Defend the line for 10 min.
- Destroy the Jagdpanther.
- (After 2nd Armoured arrived) Inflict 100 kills to the Germans

6. Red Devils rescue.
- Rescue the British Red Devils out of deep occupied Holland.
- Rescue at least 20 Red Devils.
- Keep the British Major alive.

7. Bastogne & Foy
- Set up a Medic Station
- Defend the Line for 20 min.
- (After the 20 min.) Assault Foy.
- Destroy the 88.
- Kill the 3 Snipers.
- Don’t let the Tiger get your attention.

By the way, what skills have you got on making models, adn can you animate them?


I'll attach the .doc file to this post. But we can add some of your ideas, like your map, and the Route N13 is a good idea too. (and maby some others aswell)

-Cheers

[Playmobill]

Nice program
witch one is done already ?

And in mission 3, its "St Mère l'Eglise"

For modeling, with Max i can model, skin, and animate.
im not bad in animation, by the way. But, i need to know more about Coh specifications for animation, does is use a particular skeleton, or not.. those sort of things

[Celution]

OMG!!! Can you make new vehicles?
We all want them so bad, i would love if you make them for the mod.

[Playmobill]

if you got the knowledge to convert 3DS max files to compiled unit (or if you have a plugin for exporting), then its ok for me

Of course, i will need things like blueprint, or pictures as visual references to create a model.
I dont know how LoD (LD, HD) steps are used in CoH. But I can create LD and HD models if needed. i hope you know how to compile those 3D files in a CoH file format so we can have a low pol an high pol version of each..

i dont know how CoH works for all this this.. my skills are really focused on the 3D part of the job, sorry
for exemple, i can create reflexion and Bump map, but i dont know yet how Coh uses those texture layers..
..so if you can help me on those points, then i can help u for the graphic stuff

What is the most wanted vehicle ? lol
edit : omg lol your topic title im shy lol

[sandman0875]

Is anyone able to play this mod using Vista (or Vista x64)?

I cannot for the life of me get this to work. I've used other mods like Warnstaff's AI mod so I know how to install --

I put the Improved Module file and folder in my main CoH folder -- I changed the target of the shortcut to match the pathway (for vista, the Relic.exe is in C:\Program Files (x86)\THQ\Company of Heroes). The " -modname Improved -dev" suffix is there. I launch using the shortcut -- loads up perfectly normally, except it's vanilla that loads, not Back to Basics mod...

Can't get it to work. I'm playing OF 2.301, using Vista x64. Anyone else having problems?

[Doombringer1982]

Sorry for OT Cele clear your PM Folder, i cannot get you an answer.

[Celution]

Doombringer, I cleaned the inbox. It's just I got alot of PM's with info for the mod, so I can't delete them yet.

No, I don't knwo how to work with Vista, because I got XP.
For the link I use "-dev -modname Improved" not "-modname Improved -dev. I don't know what's wrong you should ask othe Vista guys.

Playmobill, I don't really know what you asked me. I need the skills to convert the 3D max files into .rgd? Or what do you mean? I never worked with 3D max, and Object Editor, so I got no skills with it. If you need help I suggest you ask Mannerheim, because he made animated stuff into CoH, so he'll know what to do. I also will ask him via PM.
For the Topic name, No thanks, this is the best way to indroduce new stuff and members.
For the most wanted vehilces:

Wehrmacht.
- Pz.Kpfw. II ausf. F.
- Pz.Kpfw. III.
- Jagdtiger.

Commonwealth. - Humber Scout Car, but with the coming patch, it will change into the Staghound.
- Mk VIII Valentine.
- Sherman M4A4 (it has the chassis like thei firefly, but the 75mm cannon, and I like that version, but maby this can be done with a skin.
- The Tortoise.

Panzer Elite.
- Elefant/Ferdinand
- 150mm sFH18
- Sd.Kfz. 7
- StuG III ausf. B

American.
- M18 Hellcat.
- M3 Grand/Lee.
- M24 Chaffee.

[Playmobill]

i just saw this : a Coh model exporter!
Thread
Download

so i believe it's the tool I was looking for..
And yes its exactly what i was talkin about : converting the 3D file format (from Max) into game data (into a CoH model).

In other games this step is quite borring, so we'll see soon how that 'model exporter' really works. Hope its ot to complicated

As i can see, some of the needed models can be made by converting old units (for example : Sherman M4A4 can be a modified version of coh classic sherman model, if i find how to work with existing models.. otherwise we must create a brand new tank.
We must be carefull to this, to avoid a waste of time of course.

[Celution]

Yeah, I was thinking of that the ME ahs to do something with it.
I'll take a look at it, and you should too.

But I really would like if you start with the Jagdtiger or Ferdinand.

-Cheers

[Playmobill]

oups double post sorry

Ok for the Jagtiger and ferdinan!
I just saw this for the hellcat : Super Hellcat M18

With this, and with the blueprint, (i didnt found it yet) so here is a side view


its small but the picture is precise, its a good start for visual reference i'll use

Here is what i get for Jagdtiger :

nice camo pic

Video with comparison with m10
hull close up (and hugly camo)

[Celution]

Yeah, the Hellcat, I really love the design.
Take a look at this site, it has nice detail shots from the Jagdtiger, and I like the camo too.
I can see you're a fast worker, I like that.

[Lethal Dosage]

Playmobil, there's an M18 Hellcat in OF's files, it's unskinned and it's not animated, but it would be a good shortcut if you can finish it.

Unfortuantly though, i'm pretty sure you can't edit the Relic models (as in add/remove bits), so for the M4a4, you'll be stuck making a new model. Personally i'd love to see the Panzer III and M3 Grant done (so i can "borrow" them ).

Celectial, isn't Raizan working on the Jagdtiger and Ferdinand? It's be a waste to do whole new models, etc. if he's already half done, at the very least you should try to contact him and obtain what he's done so far.

[Celution]

As far as I know he's not here for a pretty long time now.
I PM'ed him a few times, but no answers. Maby I should contact him via e-mail.
As far as I know he was working on the Tortoise, and after that Jagdtiger, but I didn't see the Tortoise finished, or any updates.
I really want to see the Panzer III and M3 Grand in the game too, they are cool looking vehicles, and used for a long time.

[Playmobill]

Playmobil, there's an M18 Hellcat in OF's files, it's unskinned and it's not animated, but it would be a good shortcut if you can finish it.

Huhu, glad to hear that Thx for info

Here is what i found on blueprints for the Jagdtiger : 3 different models, so tell me witch one use

strange Jagdtiger

Jagdtiger (edit : king tiger classed by mistake in jagdtiger)

Henschel Jagdtiger

Henschel Jagdtiger

Ausfb Jagdtiger

Ausfb Jagdtiger

[Celution]

The first one i a King Tiger lol.
The second and thrid are both nice, they look quite simmular, except for the stuff on the sides, choose which one you like most
But I like the one with the treads on teh side the most.

[Playmobill]

lol so the-blueprint.com did a mistake in naming that "jagdtiger"! (and sorry for my noobism xD)

For the 2 others, he is the plan : ill use the 3rd for modeling, with the 2nd's Camo and side gear.

Tell me its not a historical mistake.
I choose that because the 3rd blueprint has better details for me especialy the top view. Very usefull for modeling the main Hull

[Celution]

Agreed.

[Playmobill]

Ok here is a draft made today

Not totaly complete, some small details arent modeled yet, but its in good way Also i'm not shure that CoH tracks system works like i've done, so perhabs there'll be little changes on tracks.

We got 784 triangles (=something like 350 faces) for now. i think final wont go upper than 850 tris.

Untextured JagdTiger Pics

[Celution]

Very nice already buddy! You're a fast worker, I like that.
For the tracks: looking already good, but you need to model the wheels though.

[Anonymous_Gamer]

Were all the vehicles you want in your mod extensivly used in Normandy

Cause if not, then it wouldnt make any sense to make them

Plus, did you ever consider putting limits for units, vehicles and maybe even emplacments in your mod, cause I think it would really make it more tactical instead of a spamfest

[Celution]

I have thought of that, and I think I'll make limits on some units (like officers and heavy tanks) but not all.
For the Jagdtiger, the idea is that when you unlock the King Tiger, you can call in OR a King Tiger OR a Jagdtiger.

ANd no, I don't think we only make vehicles that were ONLY used in Normandy, because I like the Ferdinand and M3 Grant too much.

[Anonymous_Gamer]

Well you can put whatever you like in the mod, it is yours afterall , I just thought it was meant to be historically accurate ,plus making all those new models would be kind of a painstakingly LONG process

[tyler4171]

I like the Ferdinand and M3 Grant too much.

me too, its just the Ferdinand will be out of place it was used on the Eastern front my friend.

[Celution]

I know, but I want it.

[Playmobill]

I found a funny russian booklet : how to destroy a ferdinand panzer

How to destroy a Ferdinand

[sandman0875]

Celestial --

Does "Back to Basics" make any major changes to AI to improve the performance of the computer opponents? Do you incorporate any aspects of Warnstaff's AI mod (or Cpt. Combat's mod)?

It looks like you've all done fantastic work here -- but i don't think i've seen a log of AI changes, so I am just wondering.

Thanks!

[Lethal Dosage]

Actually, i'm pretty sure the Ferdinand saw some service on the Italian front and in the Battle of the Bulge, the latter also goes for the Jagdtiger. I'm kinda curious just how much actual combat they saw though.

Nice find Play, i see it's the early model Ferdinand illistrated (no hull MG), i wonder why the booklet doesn't mention anything about throwing mines and explosives onto the tracks or particulary vulnerable areas of the hull.

[Celution]

I think I'll add improved AI in the mod, but not yet.

For the Ferdinand, I didn't knew that it saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, and nice pic there Playmobill, maby we can do something with what LD said as weaknesses.

[raizan]

Ahh, I've been away for a long while (Uni has taken its toll), and its really good to see the modelling side of things progressing without me. Playmobil, half-track seemed to think it was possible to get a model of the jagdtiger working by merging models and using invisible textures, may be worth looking into.

[Lethal Dosage]

Yeah it would be possible by mixing the hull of the King Tiger(?) with a new superstructure, but without the tools to animate the gun won't be able to move or have any smoke effects, etc. ...but a good compromise until Playmobill learns the Object Editor.

[tyler4171]

unless he already learned how to use the OE.........

[Anonymous_Gamer]

I wouldnt bother fiddling with the Hellcat from OF, cause its going to be in ToV, so you can just use it in your mod (maybe with different skin >_>)

[Celution]

Well, got again bad news guys, I'll be off modding for a while again, because my Computer crashed again (well I'm not sure yet what exactly happend...). My plan was to release the v1.05 this weekend, but my computer crashed friday, so I couldn't finish the last things in this weekend, and so no upload either.

Don't worry, I got a Back-up that I made last week, so I got all my computer data, but I can't use them right now. It'll take some time when the next release will be done, because I planned I could work hard this weekend on the mod, but....

Hope to have my computer back working soon.

-Cheers


Ok, I got my computer back online, but lost all my data. I had a back-up on a REV-disk but the REV-disk drive is broken, and I won't spend 300 bucks for a new one.
Ok, I lost alot of my mod stuff, so I think I will uplaod the v1.05 BETA (it's already on filefront) as the real v1.05. Notice it won't have all the new stuff I made and added (like skins, new units, abilities etc.), but I don't want you guys to wait longer.

[Kab00se]

I believe I found a small bug with the supply drops of the radioman.
Here is what happens:
I call in air supply, ability is activated.
Once I see the first supply drop dropping, I move the radioman, thus cancelling the ability. Which allows me to immediately call in another one.
Basicly, it's a form of converting manpower into munitions (and HMGs)

Just thought I'd let you know