[REL] Charts Overhaul for TMO 1.9

virtualpender · 02-19-10, 09:24 PM

One of the little things about TMO I always liked was the fact that the submarine operating area code names were included on the in-game charts. A patrol was always more immersive if I knew I was conducting operations in Area BRIAR PATCH rather than just a set of coordinates. After finding a chart (available here) giving the area boundaries and submarine safety/bombing restriction lane waypoints for the southwest Pacific I decided to make this small mod to add these points to the TMO charts. I also included the correct labels for Exmouth Gulf (POTSHOT), Brisbane harbor (ADOBE), and the patrol area west of Manila Bay (WHITEWASH).

In addition, I included a chart label for DANGEROUS GROUND - the collection of reefs and shoals located west of Palawan Island. DANGEROUS GROUND is mentioned in very nearly every book written about the submarine war in the Pacific and was avoided whenever possible.

Quote:

Studying our location on the chart of the South China Sea, I was intrigued by the red dotted lines around the very large area labeled "Dangerous Ground" and the notation concerning the area: "The large area west of Palawan is known to abound with dangers. No systematic surveys have been carried out and the existence of uncharted patches of coral and shoals is likely; the positions of the chart's banks and shoals cannot be relied upon. Vessels are warned not to attempt to pass through this area." -- Submarine Diary, RADM Corwin Mendenhall

Quote:

This area has been indicated on ship charts for centuries as "Dangerous Ground." The area is so named because of the hazardous shoals in the area, including hidden submerged rocks, sandbanks, and coral reefs, often so numerous that ships steam into dead-end cul-de-sacs, and then have to back away and attempt to find another route through. They are so abundant - and some of the hazards shift so frequently in rough seas and frequent storms - that no chart can accurately depict them. - War Beneath The Waves, Don Keith

Finally, I replaced the map on the control room chart table with an actual wartime US Navy chart.

I hope you enjoy the mod.

COMPATIBILITY: For use with TMO 1.9 either with or without RSRDC

INSTALLATION: Enable in JSGME after all other mods

DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/?jddy2mmjtgn

AVGWarhawk · 02-19-10, 09:52 PM

Very nice! I like the additional labels and the Navy map!

I downloaded and will try it out.

Armistead · 02-19-10, 09:54 PM

Very good. I think all those names came from convoy college, where the sub skippers actually stood on a large checkerboard and planned their wolfpack tactics.

sergei · 02-20-10, 10:26 AM

Good stuff

keltos01 · 02-21-10, 02:58 AM

I love the map on the table!

keltos

Fish40 · 02-21-10, 08:15 AM

Wow! Could you make a version for RFB if possible? I'd love to have this

virtualpender · 02-21-10, 11:36 AM

Fish40 - go ahead and give it a try with RFB. It shouldn't break anything - just alters the charts labels. Let me know how it works.

Jan Kyster · 02-23-10, 03:37 PM

On my 69 day patrol in Luzon, Sulu and Celebes I had plenty of time to slowly realize just how many touches you've added to the map.

Very nice indeed! Thanks a lot!

Wilcke · 02-23-10, 06:13 PM

Thank you! Well done!

Ducimus · 02-23-10, 10:07 PM

Nice work virtualpender.

As i recall, that file "fun" to work with?

Fish40 · 02-24-10, 09:15 AM

Tried to install with RFB, but JSGME warned that there would be a conflict since RFB altered some similar files. Didn't want to risk anything.

AVGWarhawk · 02-24-10, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Nice work virtualpender.

As i recall, that file "fun" to work with?

But it is a very cool addition to the game and your efforts really pay off for the end user. ME

. Especially when you associated patrol orders with the places you labeled on the map. Good stuff!

So the map just got that much better!

TH0R · 02-24-10, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish40

Tried to install with RFB, but JSGME warned that there would be a conflict since RFB altered some similar files. Didn't want to risk anything.

I am using it with RFB, no problems so far. There shouldn't be any problem IMO, as the only conflict files I got were Map_Strategic.dds & Map_Strategic2.dds => which are only pictures.

Fish40 · 02-24-10, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the info Thor. I'll install ASAP!

virtualpender · 02-24-10, 05:10 PM

THOR - thanks for validating in RFB.

Ducimus - thanks for coming up with the idea to begin with. I can't imagine playing SH4 without TMO.

02-19-10, 09:52 PM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,277 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Very nice! I like the additional labels and the Navy map! I downloaded and will try it out. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

02-21-10, 02:58 AM	#5
keltos01 Silent Hunter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Milan Italy Posts: 4,999 Downloads: 114 Uploads: 18	I love the map on the table! keltos __________________ "Honorable Builder of Sinking Ships"

02-23-10, 03:37 PM	#8
Jan Kyster Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,151 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	On my 69 day patrol in Luzon, Sulu and Celebes I had plenty of time to slowly realize just how many touches you've added to the map. Very nice indeed! Thanks a lot! Last edited by Jan Kyster; 02-24-10 at 02:46 AM. Reason: Sigh... spelling is an artform, we do not master...

02-23-10, 06:13 PM	#9
Wilcke The Old Man Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,441 Downloads: 234 Uploads: 0	Thank you! Well done! __________________ Wilcke **For the best in Fleet Boats go to: Submarine Sim Central. http://forum.kickinbak.com/index.php Check out: A Brief Introduction to the Pacific Submarine War by Ducimus http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128185 Operation Monsun plus OMEGU, the #1 ATO Solution for SH4! Signature Art by Gunfighter**

02-19-10, 09:54 PM	#3
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Very good. I think all those names came from convoy college, where the sub skippers actually stood on a large checkerboard and planned their wolfpack tactics.

02-20-10, 10:26 AM	#4
sergei Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 1,788 Downloads: 405 Uploads: 29	Good stuff

02-21-10, 08:15 AM	#6
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	Wow! Could you make a version for RFB if possible? I'd love to have this

02-21-10, 11:36 AM	#7
virtualpender Sonar Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 381 Downloads: 281 Uploads: 0	Fish40 - go ahead and give it a try with RFB. It shouldn't break anything - just alters the charts labels. Let me know how it works.

02-23-10, 10:07 PM	#10
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	Nice work virtualpender. As i recall, that file "fun" to work with?

02-24-10, 09:15 AM	#11
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	Tried to install with RFB, but JSGME warned that there would be a conflict since RFB altered some similar files. Didn't want to risk anything.

02-24-10, 10:32 AM	#14
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the info Thor. I'll install ASAP!

02-24-10, 05:10 PM	#15
virtualpender Sonar Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 381 Downloads: 281 Uploads: 0	THOR - thanks for validating in RFB. Ducimus - thanks for coming up with the idea to begin with. I can't imagine playing SH4 without TMO.