[WIP] Recognition Manual Overhaul - FotRSU-NM-NK Edition

ElCid97 · 10-22-23, 09:09 AM

Good Morning!

Just a small introduction to something I'm working on for the next edition of the Targeting Assistant, though I'll probably release as "stand-alone" in the end due to the complexity I'm seeing so far.

I'm updating the Recognition Manual (as best I can) to include length and aspect ratio information to help in targeting.

I was inspired by a post I read which was written a while back by one of our members where the author said the only way to add length was in the name of the ship. As a result, I've come up with this:

The line says: Zinbu Type Freighter (AK) Length: 400 ft. Asp. Ratio: 4.24

So far it's going well for the "included" ships. I'll explain that later.

I've finished the default SH4 listing so far, and I'm currently working down the list with the FotRSU ships since they are the next in line in the "Names.cfg" file.

I'll keep going down until finished with the Nippon Maru and the Nihon Kaigun towards the bottom.

I've also added a fake "country" to the "Roster" and "Sea" folders as well as the "DefSide.cfg" file to create an entry that will explain the USN hull classifications for those that are not familiar with them (like me when I started this thing).

Nice thing about this way of adding the info is that it pops up on the nav and torpedo/weapons map when you have the ship selected or locked. It's almost like your weapons officer is writing down the info for you on the map.

Sorry for the small size, but I'm trying to keep the file size down below the mins posted in the forum etiquette listing. I can post slightly bigger ones if you would like, but I thought 1024-wide jpeg files would suffice.

No time table for this, but I'm willing to share what I've learned with anyone who wants it.

Regards,

ElCid97

propbeanie · 10-22-23, 08:43 PM

CapnScurvy used that technique in his OTC (Optical Targeting Correction) mod... it works fine, until you run into longer names. He also altered the RecMan via the menu_1024_768.ini file to add a "Length" text field above the name. It will take you awhile for your endeavor. We are already including a "Length" designation in FotRSU for the next release, but it is not using this method, and therefore does not show on the NavMap.

ElCid97 · 10-23-23, 05:56 AM

Thanks for the heads-up on the update!

I'm almost done with the images portion of it since it's basically adding a "country" and associated "ships" -- which are all fake.

I'm using the NL_A1 lifeboat as a base for the "dat" and "sim" values, etc. Then the "PC" category for the "Type" of ship. This gives the least complicated of the "warships" that won't get "stripped" over to the merchant section.

I then use the "_sil.dds" texture to actually write out the information for the Navy's hull classification. You then just flip to the "country" for the classification and you eliminate the whole "Class:" area completely. The name can then be as long as you need so long as you don't go over into the three buttons at the top right. The "class" is represented by the 2-3-4 letter code used by the USN for ship's class ID and is now part of the name itself.

By rewriting the name, you can get more info in there with less space.

The "main" page is the regular sillouette, while the other "page" is the second sillouette that you get when you click on the button at the top right of the page.

The pages will basically be this:

AK: Cargo / Freighter
AKA: Attack Cargo / Freighter
AP: Transport
APA: Attack / Armed Transport
APD: Fast Transport
BB: Battleship (all types)
CB: Large Cruiser
CA: Heavy Cruiser
CL: Light Cruiser
CV: Aircraft Carrier
CVE: Escort Carrier
CVL: Light Carrier
CM: Mine Layer
DD: Destroyer
DE: Destroyer Escort

etc, etc ...

... all listed from the WW2 list I found on wikipedia for the ships in the "Names" file.

I'm thinking of just adding all of them since it's not that bad to get the list into the sim. I just need to add another "ship" when I need another two pages (sillouette image, top and bottom).

If you come accross a letter code that doesn't ring a bell, just go to the "country" page for the classifications and look at either of the four pages (two regular sillouettes and two "bottom portions" of the sillouette) to see what the two or three or four letter code means.

Not the best system, but it works.

Like you said, the "Names" file is another animal. We'll see if I can get it out prior to your update, because something tells me your system is far simpler and BETTER when it comes out!

Regards,

ElCid97

fitzcarraldo · 10-23-23, 09:30 AM

This seems a future must have...Many thanks!

Fitzcarraldo

ElCid97 · 10-25-23, 09:12 PM

Good evening!

Mostly done with the manual as far as the reference part goes. I'm banging my head on how to make the thing bigger, though. I've tried the "scaling" factor by changing the "parent" to "5" so the vertical is used for scaling and changed a few numbers for the size of the "child" as well, but can't get the thing bigger than what you see. All I wanted was a little bit bigger, that's all.

Here's what I have so far:

Main "country" that gives you access to the listing of hull classifications so that you can figure what you're looking at:

Here's the first page when you open it up. You click on the sillouette button where the mouse arrow is to go to the second page in the book. It's the equivalent of the angled profiles for the ships:

The Carriers and Battleships are "Page 1" (or Page "A" in this case) for the series. Here's the second page ("C1" if you will) of the transports and cargo ships as an example of using the "second" page feature in the Recognition Manual by using the sillouette image. In this case it gives you a note saying that some AKA and APA types may actually be Auxiliary Cruisers (which is what I actually changed their names to).

It's readable, but I'd like it a little better if I can make it larger. Nothing like a monk-written, medieval bible, mind you, just a little lower to the helmsman's neck or out almost to the edge of the TDC maybe? Just to give the reader a better "view" of the thing, that's all.

Does anyone have any idea on how I can do that?

Basically done with this "graphic" portion as long as I can figure how to make it a bit bigger so that you're not squinting so much at my native 1920 x 1080 resolution. My guess is that some folks will have the same problem as well.

I've also replaced the flags with those found in the FotRSU texture folder, so I tried to make the blue "Navy" flag in the same style. I'll show you some of those in the next post. I just forgot to take screenshots of the other countries tonight. It's late and I have to actually work tomorrow.

I'm going to continue coding the "names" line so that I can at least get that moving again until I can figure out the graphics enlargement.

Regards,

ElCid97

fitzcarraldo · 10-25-23, 09:38 PM

Want this...

Fitzcarraldo

mazzi · 10-26-23, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCid97

Mostly done with the manual as far as the reference part goes. I'm banging my head on how to make the thing bigger, though. I've tried the "scaling" factor by changing the "parent" to "5" so the vertical is used for scaling and changed a few numbers for the size of the "child" as well, but can't get the thing bigger than what you see. All I wanted was a little bit bigger, that's all.
ElCid97

"5" is mainly used only for round dials.
For mass scaling you need "2" - view and replace in the lines "Zone=..." the fifth parameter from the left from "0" to "2" for ALL G25.
Also replace where "Display=0" with "Display=2" for ALL G25. ALL G25 are [G25 I1] to [G25 I52].
Vote example [G25 I33] Name=Close book:
Zone= 740 327 24 24 0 1 0x25060000 1 0 0x25060008 -3 -1.2 0 0;old
Zone= 740 327 24 24 2 1 0x25060000 1 0 0x25060008 -3 -1.2 0 0;NEW
Display=0;old
Display=2;NEW
Search and read in more detail in "KiUB Kriegsmarine Interface for UBm" https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho...d.php?t=152590

But the inscriptions and fonts, alas, are NOT scalable.

10-22-23, 09:09 AM	#1
ElCid97 Gunner Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 93 Downloads: 107 Uploads: 5	Recognition Manual Overhaul - FotRSU-NM-NK Edition Good Morning! Just a small introduction to something I'm working on for the next edition of the Targeting Assistant, though I'll probably release as "stand-alone" in the end due to the complexity I'm seeing so far. I'm updating the Recognition Manual (as best I can) to include length and aspect ratio information to help in targeting. I was inspired by a post I read which was written a while back by one of our members where the author said the only way to add length was in the name of the ship. As a result, I've come up with this: The line says: Zinbu Type Freighter (AK) Length: 400 ft. Asp. Ratio: 4.24 So far it's going well for the "included" ships. I'll explain that later. I've finished the default SH4 listing so far, and I'm currently working down the list with the FotRSU ships since they are the next in line in the "Names.cfg" file. I'll keep going down until finished with the Nippon Maru and the Nihon Kaigun towards the bottom. I've also added a fake "country" to the "Roster" and "Sea" folders as well as the "DefSide.cfg" file to create an entry that will explain the USN hull classifications for those that are not familiar with them (like me when I started this thing). Nice thing about this way of adding the info is that it pops up on the nav and torpedo/weapons map when you have the ship selected or locked. It's almost like your weapons officer is writing down the info for you on the map. Sorry for the small size, but I'm trying to keep the file size down below the mins posted in the forum etiquette listing. I can post slightly bigger ones if you would like, but I thought 1024-wide jpeg files would suffice. No time table for this, but I'm willing to share what I've learned with anyone who wants it. Regards, ElCid97 Last edited by ElCid97; 01-06-24 at 02:17 PM.

10-22-23, 08:43 PM	#2
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 9,749 Downloads: 440 Uploads: 2	CapnScurvy used that technique in his OTC (Optical Targeting Correction) mod... it works fine, until you run into longer names. He also altered the RecMan via the menu_1024_768.ini file to add a "Length" text field above the name. It will take you awhile for your endeavor. We are already including a "Length" designation in FotRSU for the next release, but it is not using this method, and therefore does not show on the NavMap. __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayer/s" - Jimbuna

10-23-23, 09:30 AM	#4
fitzcarraldo Argentinian Skipper Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Somewhere between Buenos Aires and the Bungo Suido Posts: 5,131 Downloads: 3217 Uploads: 0	This seems a future must have...Many thanks! Fitzcarraldo __________________ *My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity - Wilfred Owen.*

10-25-23, 09:38 PM	#6
fitzcarraldo Argentinian Skipper Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Somewhere between Buenos Aires and the Bungo Suido Posts: 5,131 Downloads: 3217 Uploads: 0	Want this... Fitzcarraldo __________________ *My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity - Wilfred Owen.*

10-23-23, 05:56 AM	#3
ElCid97 Gunner Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 93 Downloads: 107 Uploads: 5	Thanks for the heads-up on the update! I'm almost done with the images portion of it since it's basically adding a "country" and associated "ships" -- which are all fake. I'm using the NL_A1 lifeboat as a base for the "dat" and "sim" values, etc. Then the "PC" category for the "Type" of ship. This gives the least complicated of the "warships" that won't get "stripped" over to the merchant section. I then use the "_sil.dds" texture to actually write out the information for the Navy's hull classification. You then just flip to the "country" for the classification and you eliminate the whole "Class:" area completely. The name can then be as long as you need so long as you don't go over into the three buttons at the top right. The "class" is represented by the 2-3-4 letter code used by the USN for ship's class ID and is now part of the name itself. By rewriting the name, you can get more info in there with less space. The "main" page is the regular sillouette, while the other "page" is the second sillouette that you get when you click on the button at the top right of the page. The pages will basically be this: AK: Cargo / Freighter AKA: Attack Cargo / Freighter AP: Transport APA: Attack / Armed Transport APD: Fast Transport BB: Battleship (all types) CB: Large Cruiser CA: Heavy Cruiser CL: Light Cruiser CV: Aircraft Carrier CVE: Escort Carrier CVL: Light Carrier CM: Mine Layer DD: Destroyer DE: Destroyer Escort etc, etc ... ... all listed from the WW2 list I found on wikipedia for the ships in the "Names" file. I'm thinking of just adding all of them since it's not that bad to get the list into the sim. I just need to add another "ship" when I need another two pages (sillouette image, top and bottom). If you come accross a letter code that doesn't ring a bell, just go to the "country" page for the classifications and look at either of the four pages (two regular sillouettes and two "bottom portions" of the sillouette) to see what the two or three or four letter code means. Not the best system, but it works. Like you said, the "Names" file is another animal. We'll see if I can get it out prior to your update, because something tells me your system is far simpler and BETTER when it comes out! Regards, ElCid97

10-25-23, 09:12 PM	#5
ElCid97 Gunner Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 93 Downloads: 107 Uploads: 5	Good evening! Mostly done with the manual as far as the reference part goes. I'm banging my head on how to make the thing bigger, though. I've tried the "scaling" factor by changing the "parent" to "5" so the vertical is used for scaling and changed a few numbers for the size of the "child" as well, but can't get the thing bigger than what you see. All I wanted was a little bit bigger, that's all. Here's what I have so far: Main "country" that gives you access to the listing of hull classifications so that you can figure what you're looking at: Here's the first page when you open it up. You click on the sillouette button where the mouse arrow is to go to the second page in the book. It's the equivalent of the angled profiles for the ships: The Carriers and Battleships are "Page 1" (or Page "A" in this case) for the series. Here's the second page ("C1" if you will) of the transports and cargo ships as an example of using the "second" page feature in the Recognition Manual by using the sillouette image. In this case it gives you a note saying that some AKA and APA types may actually be Auxiliary Cruisers (which is what I actually changed their names to). It's readable, but I'd like it a little better if I can make it larger. Nothing like a monk-written, medieval bible, mind you, just a little lower to the helmsman's neck or out almost to the edge of the TDC maybe? Just to give the reader a better "view" of the thing, that's all. Does anyone have any idea on how I can do that? Basically done with this "graphic" portion as long as I can figure how to make it a bit bigger so that you're not squinting so much at my native 1920 x 1080 resolution. My guess is that some folks will have the same problem as well. I've also replaced the flags with those found in the FotRSU texture folder, so I tried to make the blue "Navy" flag in the same style. I'll show you some of those in the next post. I just forgot to take screenshots of the other countries tonight. It's late and I have to actually work tomorrow. I'm going to continue coding the "names" line so that I can at least get that moving again until I can figure out the graphics enlargement. Regards, ElCid97