Sh3Gen updates and discussion

[GlobalExplorer]

Sh3Gen
Campaign enhancement engine for Silent Hunter III
Version 0.8.2

Sh3Gen 0.8 Tracking Room Edition

Because Sh3Gen was completely relying on ingame visualization, and the dire restrictions of the SHIII map station I decided I want to visualize the Sh3Gen data in an external application.

Sh3Gen 0.8 comes with an option to generate data that can be used with GIS (geographical information) systems.

You will need to download another tool to open the data. I have optimized it for usage with the (completely free) TatukGIS Viewer, a great program.

With Sh3Gen and the viewer you can now review the strategic situation like in a real tracking room. The map contains all the data that you are used to from Sh3Gen, plus a lot more through the data panels, and it's much more readable (I think).

Another great advantage is that you can now review your previous patrols, which was one of the things I really wanted to have.

This should be extremely interesting if you have a two monitor setup or a laptop. I haven't tried that yet, but it should open up a whole lot of new possibilities!!

I would expect this is not the final version of the product, but in any case it should already work fine. As of yet I have not created any documentation for the GIS part. Using the GIS initially requires a little bit of learning, but is also extremely powerful. I hope to be able to provide some advanced tips for using the GIS viewer asap.

I hope some of you catch up in the idea, and help each other getting the most out of it. I would like to discuss the concept before this gets the "final" stamp.

Enjoy,

GE

INSTRUCTIONS

It should be really simple.

1. register and download the free TatukGIS Viewer (https://shop.tatukgis.com/Downloads/DownloadList.aspx#App). Alternative link:
http://www.rockware.com/catalog/pages/freetatukgisviewer.html

2. Download Sh3Gen 0.8.2 from:
www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe (http://www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe)
and extract it

You need DotNET Framework 2.0 to run this software.
You can download and install DotNET Framework 2.0 from:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5

3. Launch Sh3Gen.exe from the extracted file.

4. Use Sh3Gen as usual until you get to the summary screen

5. After the summary screen a new window pops up which asks you to specify the place where the generator should place the tracking room files. If you click "Export", it will create a new folder and will copy all the required files into it.

6. If you already have the TatukGIS viewer installed, and you have the "Launch" checkbox on, the map opens up instantly. You can launch any map manually by double clicking the corresponding "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP" file. But I have set it up so that the map will pop up instantly, and I am finding it myself very convenient to use.

7. The GIS viewer has a multitude of options to change the appearance of the map, which we can discuss later. I have tried to set it up in a way that should be OK for the beginning. There is a lot more you can do with it than just zooming and panning about, and I hope to provide you with tips soon.



If it doesn't seem to do anything, make sure that the "Tracking Room" checkbox under "General Settings" is on (though it should be on by default).

If someone with talent for graphics would like to help me improve the map with little bitmap symbols, that would make my day!

GE

UPDATE 2007-02-23: Sh3Gen v0.8.2 Released

As of today, Sh3Gen Tracking Room is available from www.global-explorer.de (http://www.global-explorer.de). There you will also find the complete documentation for the new Tracking Room Functionality.

OK, that'll do for now - if there is no negative feedback I will finish this over the coming weekend.

UPDATE 2007-03-04: Small bug fix

Fixed a small bug with the handling of player made map markers and ranges that could make Sh3Gen Tracking Room export to fail. If you have downloaded prior to this date you might want to download again (I have replaced the Sh3Gen_v082.exe with a patched file)

Download

Download Sh3Gen 0.8.2 from:
www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe (http://www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe)
and extract it

Sh3Gen 0.8.1 can be downloaded here:
Sh3Gen 0.8.1 RC4 (http://www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen081rc4.exe)

Sh3Gen 0.8.0 can be downloaded here:
www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen080.exe (http://www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen080.exe)

Dont forget that you need to download the viewer too!
TatukGIS Viewer (https://shop.tatukgis.com/Downloads/DownloadList.aspx#App)

Test data

If you want to see some test data first, without using Sh3Gen, or if you have trouble running it, I am offering test datasets here:

www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen081TestData.exe (http://www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen081TestData.exe)

www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen080TestData.exe (http://www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen080TestData.exe)

(you still need the viewer of course)

SCREENSHOTS

http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/aircoverage.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/aircoverage.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/caribbean.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/caribbean.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/drumbeat.jpg

(http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/drumbeat.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/events.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/events.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/medi.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/medi.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/merchants.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/merchants.jpg)

http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/mines_subnets.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/mines_subnets.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/norway.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/norway.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/revenge.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/revenge.jpg)

http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/traffic_asw.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/traffic_asw.jpg)http://www.global-explorer.de/thumbs/uk2.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/uk2.jpg)

Screenshot of Sh3Gen TR w. laptop setup ( courtesy of bert8for3 )

http://www.christian-wendt.org/sh3gen_tr_laptop.jpg

[fredbass]

Thanks GE. We always appreciate anybody who wants to make the game even more enjoyable than it is already. :up:

[Samwolf]

Are there any changes to the current SH3Gen version besides than the new GIS capability?

[Jimbuna]

Thanks GE :up:

[GlobalExplorer]

Before a release like this, with substantial new functionality, I need some help in the form of testing. I hope there is any. So please , someone try it in order for the release to be there sooner and better.

Are there any changes to the current SH3Gen version besides than the new GIS capability?

Small improvements in the core but I was concentrating on the GIS stuff. I actually cannot think of major improvements of the core except a rework of the data files, which I want to optimize for GWX.

This weekend I will make some additions in the form of the basic KM grid and some nice thematic views setup for an easy start. Sh3Gen 0.8 will also have the advantage of saving not only the map, but also you patrol report in a neat folder so you can review it later.

This is not the official release. The purpose of this thread is to get some people to try and report back if everything works.

GE

[mr chris]

GlobalExplorer this is really great stuff cant wait to try it out. Never leave base without SH3 GEN now it just gets better.
It looks to me that you have push it on another level mate take a bow. :rock:

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks mr chris.

It is very important to hear if people can use/understand it. Mind also that any question asked here helps me to prepare the documentation which most people will need with that kind of new technology.

The map generator was going to be my next project for SHIV. It was just that I found recently it would be possible to link the new stuff into Sh3Gen. Better do it now before I might lose interest in SHIII, though that shouldn't happen soon.

As I said, I am going to improve it over the weekend, and I hope to release a "customer" version in a few weeks.

GE

[mr chris]

Great stuff mate i will try it out with the latest GWX version that im beta testing at the moment:up:

[GlobalExplorer]

Great stuff mate i will try it out with the latest GWX version that im beta testing at the moment:up:

I have tested with the first release of GWX and SHIII 1.4b and everything works fine. Now I need to know if it can be deployed like I designed it.

I am not going to be in the forum anymore until tomorrow but I hope everything turns out well.

If you don't get the full package running I recommend you start with the test data which is a tracking room folder I have already generated with Sh3Gen. If you have the viewer installed, which should be not be difficult, could you please open it up and tell me if everything shows up correctly?

www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen080TestData.exe

You must then only open this file which is the viewer project:

Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP

And if you get as far as generating your own maps, the better!

Good night,

GE

[Venatore]

Excellent addition for the realism :rock:

[irish1958]

GE
Looks wonderful. I will test it with GWX (with Beta patch) tomorrow. Thanks

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks mr chris & irish1958 I am awaiting your report.

I cannot upload anything new at the moment but tonight I have completed the basic KM Grid, traffic concentration map and a very nice aircoverage display. I have also made some other fixes to the core generator and Tracking Room, especially the addition of two missing factions: Argentina and Finland.

On my computer everthing runs perfect now and the usage of the generator and Tracking Room station is extremely simple and convenient. All I need to know now is if it runs as well on your computer, and if there is some way this could be made more enjoyable which I have missed.

I have thought about and I believe this should kick ass if you run it on a second computer / monitor. This way you can study the strategic situation while you are on patrol and nothing else is happening.

As this has been asked, while there are no groundbreaking changes to the savegame output, there are several new features in the Tracking Room part that can not be added to the SHIII map station:

- a new device called TrafficAnalyzer that finds traffic concentrations of various ship classes and outputs them as colored zones

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/merchant_traffic.jpg
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/merchant_traffic.jpg

- detailed target information through the use of the data panel. Enable View->Panels->Selected, select a map marker and you should see a small data table like in left corner of this screen:

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/data.jpg
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/data.jpg

- transparent, colored coverage zones for axis and allied aircraft (next release)

As I said before, the will generate a folder with all map / patrol information that you can open later. A nice way to review your previous patrols.

I hope there is some discussion of the mod in practice, and I cannot say often enough:

"Ich verlange anständige Meldungen"

Bye,

GE

[mr chris]

Hi there GE,
have just tryed it out with the latest version of GWX and all seem to work well it is a great addition to the game. It was great to tab out every now and then a use the map as a reffence for intel.
Great stuff matey:up:

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks mr chris this is excellent news. Did you notice anything missing in the map which I have not yet fixed? This is a list of things that were not working in the first release and which I have fixed so far (will be in next release 0.8.1):

- U-Boat names are now displayed correctly
- airbases looking ugly - are now rendered as nice colored zones
- submarine traffic is now displayed correctly as small blue spots
- asw layer will now show axis destroyers in a color distinguisheable from allied ones
- quadrant map was missing
- Argentina and Finland were not treated as factions

Have you checked the ingame changes as I don`t have time to do that atm?

As a general change from 0.7.1 I am now loading the ports from Locations.cfg and not anymore from internal Sh3Gen data. There is some small strangeness around the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal but apart from that I think it is better because it will update with any new mod, and generally show more ports.

Does the map get launched automatically when you click the "Export" button?

Anything else?

Thanks again for anyone reporting back this is extremely important while I am working on it ..

Stay tuned

GE

[mr chris]

What i did was get out of port then save then load up as normal then GIS launched I Exited and then opened up my Mycomputer/programe files/ sh3 gen/user data then use the map by frist adding terain then ports and then slowly selecting the intel that i wanted to see. It was very easy to use and found it a great help on the intel front. Would it be when you have finshed your patrol to see the course that your boat took on the map? This would be a good for planing future patrols by using pasts intel.
One thing i did notice was that when you selected the submarines tab that it did not add anything to the map. This might have been because of the lack of AI subs.
One last thing though would it be possible to add rings to the map to show the air coverage?
But all in all it is a great addition to your great mod sir and runs very well and easy to use once you get the hang of it.:up:

[GlobalExplorer]

What i did was get out of port then save then load up as normal then GIS launched I Exited and then opened up my Mycomputer/programe files/ sh3 gen/user data then use the map by frist adding terain then ports and then slowly selecting the intel that i wanted to see.

I dont know if I understand correctly, but you should not have to add anything to the map every time - the viewer should come with anything preloaded if you open "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP", and it should open up the file automatically after the generation.

I asb because you should not have to add terrain or anything like that!

If you compare your map with my screenshots, does it look the same? If not, could you send me a screenshot??

www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/world.jpg (http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/world.jpg)

Would it be when you have finshed your patrol to see the course that your boat took on the map? This would be a good for planing future patrols by using pasts intel.

It be possible to mark your sinkings in the map as well as fictional sinkings by the other boats on patrol. The exact course is a bit tricky but if you put markers on any place you went to it should be possible. I think that is a good suggestion, as it would be great to have a summary of your patrols in a nice map.

Another possibility would be to offer some way to edit the map.

One thing i did notice was that when you selected the submarines tab that it did not add anything to the map. This might have been because of the lack of AI subs.

Yes, that wasnt working. It is fixed, with the exception of allied subs still not modelled in the generator (hope to get that added soon).

One last thing though would it be possible to add rings to the map to show the air coverage?

Has been added tonight, looking great. Do you (or anybody) know the exact range of an airbase? so far I have set it to approximately 10 degrees / 600 nautical miles.

But all in all it is a great addition to your great mod sir and runs very well and easy to use once you get the hang of it.:up:

Excellent!

GE

[mr chris]

The Map did open up with everything displayed as per your picture but with a little poking around i found that you have also acess the information by going to
Mycomputer/programe files/ sh3 gen/user data
Then double clicking on the terrainTatukGIS file
This opens up the map with just the terrain the i just clicked on layer then add then picked which tab i wished to open up.

from what you say as regarads to the adding of the ships course to the end map i look forward to what might be possible. as always great suff mate:up:

[GlobalExplorer]

The Map did open up with everything displayed as per your picture but with a little poking around i found that you have also acess the information by going to
Mycomputer/programe files/ sh3 gen/user data
Then double clicking on the terrainTatukGIS file
This opens up the map with just the terrain the i just clicked on layer then add then picked which tab i wished to open up.


OK so it works!!

Good that you found yourself how to locate the map files. But you should normally not open terrain.gml because it will only load the terrain layer without any of the project configuration which I have prepared (its a lot). You can however do it and create you own map project, if you want to, but it might be easier if you start out from the file which I provide ..

Open "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP" instead. This is the file that Sh3Gen opens automatically at the end of the generation process, and you can do so anytime later.

Mind that it gets overwritten if you use the same savegame again for generation and dont change the output folder in the Tracking Room Export screen.

Well done,

GE

[Lightning61]

This new functionality of SH3Gen has finally pushed me into experimenting with it, and I'm very happy with what I'm seeing so far.
I haven't used any previous versions, but judging by the previous threads I've read on the subject, this is a Major improvement.
I'm anxious now to actually begin a new career utilizing it throughout.
I only have one minor issue with the operation of the proggie, and through reading I realize it may never be possible, but, the ability to run it without exiting a patrol in progress would make things So much simpler, and more accessible to those less comfortable or in-capable of Alt+Tab out to initialize the generation of data.
I feel a workaround to this requirement would really increase SH3Gen's user base exponentially.
Thanks for a great proggie, and it's constant evolution!

[irish1958]

GE
It's 9 AM in Indiana. I'll get cracking on this this morning, and try to give you some feedback. If it is like all your other projects, I suspect it will be perfect.

[GlobalExplorer]

I only have one minor issue with the operation of the proggie, and through reading I realize it may never be possible, but, the ability to run it without exiting a patrol in progress would make things So much simpler, and more accessible to those less comfortable or in-capable of Alt+Tab out to initialize the generation of data.

Good luck with using it and dont hesitate to ask any questions.

To clarify this, Sh3Gen itself does not require Alt-Tab to be used, but:

As Sh3Gen writes into a savegame, you must create one before you can use Sh3Gen.

If you have created a savegame before you can run Sh3Gen on it and launch SHIII after that.

But in 90% people will start a new career and want to use Sh3Gen instantly on this one so they must exit SHIII or Alt-Tab. You could theoretically use it on a second computer through a network, but thats certainly not an option for most people.

Unfortunately thats the way it works and there cannot be another way ..

I found it doesnt bother me that much if you got used to it.

The documentation for Sh3Gen is now under Resources->Documentation or at my site (look at my sig).

GE
It's 9 AM in Indiana. I'll get cracking on this this morning, and try to give you some feedback. If it is like all your other projects, I suspect it will be perfect.

Thanks Irish I will check back tomorrow to get your report. Hopefully everything goes as well for you as for mr chris.

GE

[GlobalExplorer]

Small update on the next version

As I think there is no point in releasing small updates piecemeal it should be enough if I post some new screenshot and some new datafile.

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/Sh3Gen081screenshot1.jpg
www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/Sh3Gen081screenshot1.jpg

Updated test data:

http://www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen081TestData.exe

[irish1958]

GE
Everything works perfectly. I had no problems. The map generated rapidly and opened instantly. I enlarged the area of concern, and printed a pdf in color to use.
Next I am going to try what Mr. Chris suggests, and just open and add only a few things to see how it goes.
I think 600 Nmiles is about right for the air base circle, as that puts the flight at 1200 NM. Of course fighters have (at least in the first 3 or 4 years of the war) considerably less range.
Adding a NM or Km scale would be nice. It may already be there, but I haven't found it yet.
Adding a capability to add data, including ship sinking, time and date of sinking would be great. As SHIII adds an icon to every sinking, would being able to generate a map at the end of a patrol that would include your sinkings and data be possible?

[irish1958]

generated two more maps on seperate patrols; no problems.

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks Irish I appreciate your help, especially as I remember we had exchanged some emails some months ago. What I gather from the reports in this thread is that the solution is deployeable as planned and can be released soon. Great!

Everything works perfectly. I had no problems. The map generated rapidly and opened instantly. I enlarged the area of concern, and printed a pdf in color to use.
Next I am going to try what Mr. Chris suggests, and just open and add only a few things to see how it goes.

Yes thats the next logical step. But please read the instructions I gave him about opening "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP", because it seems he started a new viewer project from scratch instead of opening the one I provide.

Adding a NM or Km scale would be nice. It may already be there, but I haven't found it yet.

Very good idea! I see no problem to add a scale, and probably also a nautical grid with meridians. I think this will be one of the things I will do next.

Adding a capability to add data, including ship sinking, time and date of sinking would be great. As SHIII adds an icon to every sinking, would being able to generate a map at the end of a patrol that would include your sinkings and data be possible?

The problem here is that from the savegame I only know:
- quadrant where a ship was sunk
- quadrant where player sent report
There is not much more I can work with. That means, I could add sinkings somewhere in the correct quadrant, I could add all patrol report positions + text, also somewhere in the quadrant, and I could add all player made map markers at the precise position. That can be done, anything else would require some new approach.

GE

[Lightning61]

I believe I am guilty of trying to start a new map rather than opening the provided one also.
I just wish I could have figured out what to do with it! :oops:
Very cool otherwise!

[GlobalExplorer]

Small announcement sunday 2007-02-18

The new version which I completed over the weekend:

Sh3Gen 0.8.1 RC4 (http://www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen081rc4.exe)

It will possibly be the one I release. This one has much better documentation a lot of fixes/improvements which were found since the last version.

I will leave it here for about a week. If I don't get any negative reports, I will release it on my site www.global-explorer.de and make an announcement about the release.

There is also a new screenshot demonstrating the use of the data view:

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/Sh3Gen081data.gif

Bye,

GE

[GlobalExplorer]

I believe I am guilty of trying to start a new map rather than opening the provided one also.
I just wish I could have figured out what to do with it! :oops:
Very cool otherwise!

Can you report back if you can simply doubleclick "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP" and the viewer will open up with the same map like you see on the screenshots? There should be nothing more to do.

It's getting me a bit concerned that everyone seems to miss this.

[Lightning61]

Can you report back if you can simply doubleclick "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP" and the viewer will open up with the same map like you see on the screenshots? There should be nothing more to do.

It's getting me a bit concerned that everyone seems to miss this.

My fault!
I was opening the viewer rather than the SH3 data file! :oops:
I finally figured this out after I saw the .81 version of your files.
It's nothing to do with you, just my lack of familiarity with the proggie.

Really Cool Stuff!

[Samwolf]

Downloaded and installed everything (Just saw the new version)

Started a patrol and ran SH3Gen and exported the GIS file. Opened it up with no problems, went right to the file I had created. It looks great:up:

Now I have to figure out what I can do with it:doh:

Lots of new buttons to play with.

Will download the new version now.

[Samwolf]

Just ran the new version. Looks even better. The grid and air coverage circles are great additions.

No problems creating or opening the file.

[GlobalExplorer]

New:"Atlas" Color Scheme:

I have created a new theme which I find is much more pleasing on the eye than the old one.

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/Sh3Gen081_atlas_theme_t.jpg
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/Sh3Gen081_atlas_theme.gif

If you want to install it, download the following file:

http://www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP

And place it in your map folder. You can also copy it under Sh3Gen\Tracking Room\Template and replace the previous one. In that case it will be used for all new map projects.

If you don't want to overwrite the old file, all you have to do is rename one of the files.

GE

[GlobalExplorer]

Just ran the new version. Looks even better. The grid and air coverage circles are great additions.

No problems creating or opening the file.

Nice bit of information. With only positive reports coming in it looks like it can be officially released very soon.

[irish1958]

GE
Would this be possible: At the end of your patrol could you save and then generate a new map with only your sinkings and patrol reports?
Would it be possible to just generate the terrain and just add the layer with your sinkings and/or reports?
Used the new 0.81 and like it better. Will the final release have the new theme?
The new GWX patch (1.02) will have enhanced air coverage of the Biscay area. Your air coverage circles will be handy.

"Keep up the good work."

[Tikigod]

This is excellent. Thank you very much for this tool! :up:

[ctown]

MIL-STD-2525B Symbology for Sh3Gen Tracking Room

Overview:
This is a cosmetic add-in to GlobalExplorer’s amazing Sh3Gen Tracking Room (v0.8.1). It replaces the stock symbology with NATO MIL-STD-2525B Symbology, alters the ‘traffic’ symbols for consistency, and increases the symbol fonts. I had nothing to do with the original work, for which a great many thanks are owed to GlobalExplorer.


Installation:
Copy directory on top of Sh3Gen directory; alternately, use JScones’ awesome JSGME mod installer (within Sh3Gen directory, obviously). Otherwise use as normal.


Example Screen Shot:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7972/milstd2525bsymbologyjr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/1526/symbolswn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Download @ rapidshare: http://rapidshare.com/files/17162324/MIL-STD-2525B_Symbology_for_Sh3Gen_Tracking_Room_.zip.html (http://rapidshare.com/files/17162324/MIL-STD-2525B_Symbology_for_Sh3Gen_Tracking_Room_.zip.html )
Please host if you have the space.
Hope you like, please give feedback. Thank you again GlobalExplorer.

[Tuddley3]

GE, me probably your biggest fan, am glad you went ahead with your project of enhancing Sh3 Gen. Kudos my man :up:

[GlobalExplorer]

@Tuddley: I know you have been spreading the word in other forums before. Once this is released, I would need someone to take this to the UBI and other forums, would you be the man for that job? Normally I neither have the time nor the energy to advertise, and it's also much nicer if users recommend mods among themselves.

@ctown: Nice submod! It looks like you are the first person in this thread who knows how to make use of the viewers advanced features, queries and stuff. It would be nice if you stayed around and helped people who have questions about using viewer, in case I am not around.

Your mod should work fine. I noticed you got the referencing of the bitmaps right - in the beginning I sometimes created references like:
"C:\\\\Dokumente und Einstellungen\\\\Standard\\\\Desktop\\\\Sh3Gen\\\\ UserData\\\\Lütjens\\\\1942\\\\flags\\\\Finland.bm p"
which of course can only be resolved on the same machine, but not when deployed to another computer.
Another thing I noticed is that you should be able to reduce the size of the bitmaps drastically without losing any quality.

Btw I am still looking for some help with adding ship silouettes. It can be done, but requires patience, experimentation and love for detail, and tbh I am a bit tired of it at the moment ..

Would it be possible to just generate the terrain and just add the layer with your sinkings and/or reports?
More on that later. There are some considerations to be taken, and it would require some new stuff, but I would like to have that, too. For now suffice to say that it won't make it into this release. I will however post my ideas how this could be done, and I'd be glad to hear your opinion.

Will the final release have the new theme?
Yes, and it's not difficult to have several alternative themes in your template folder. ctown was very quick at understanding how it can be done.

[lurker_hlb3]

Noted that traffic in the Indian Ocean is not being plotted, Using GWX "monson" uboat

[Tuddley3]

GE, I would be honored to help you out my friend. If you ask me to jump, I will ask you how high:up:

Contibutions like this to SH3 will help keep her alive for much longer, we are so glad to have folks like you puting your time and effort into keeping SH3 going like a bat out of hell. Keep up your good work.

[GlobalExplorer]

Noted that traffic in the Indian Ocean is not being plotted, Using GWX "monson" uboat

That's because Sh3Gen hasnt model it as a TOO. Click Sh3Gen->Resources->Map to see an exact map of the theaters modelled as of now.

http://www.global-explorer.de/contentpage_glossary-Dateien/image002.jpg

Since GWX comes with new far east operations, I understand there is a need to add Indian Ocean and Pacific theaters, hopefully I find the time to do it.

GE, I would be honored to help you out my friend. If you ask me to jump, I will ask you how high:up:

Thanks mate! You would help me a lot if you acted as spokesperson and pointed me the most important questions/suggestions. That way my back will be free to do more work on the program, which is probably a better way to spend it.

I will contact you by PM when I have made up my mind about the release, which should be there by next week at the latest, or so I've promised myself.

Concerning various questions asked in this thread.

Following up on the suggestions by mr chris and irish 1958 I am working on a new version 0.8.2 that will have a solution for generating maps with sinkings and lots of other stuff. Some sour wine first: They will require a bit of hand editing in the files, i.e. you must type in the text at the markers yourself, as there is no reliable way to analyze that from the savegame, and it will also be necessary to place markers in the ingame map at the correct positions. The good news is that with my solution you will be in full control of your patrol event map, and should be able to create your own map overlays once you got the hang of it. I will offer the necessary instructions with every map folder, and include a sample patrol events layer.

Version 0.8.2 will come with the improved color schemes and a patrol event map preconfigured.

Stay tuned,

GE

[GlobalExplorer]

UPDATE 2007-02-21

Here is the next, and hopefully final release candidate of Sh3Gen Tracking Room:

www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe (http://www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe)

And some new screenshots showing the new patrol events layer.

This is what Sh3Gen will automatically generate:

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/events_1.gif
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/events_1.gif

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/events_2.gif
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/events_2.gif

For it to work you must place markers and rulers at the right places for it to work - in the game - this should be discussed as it is probably not clear from the beginning how it works

Instructions for tailoring the new patrol events layers (this is only for advanced users):
patrol_events_instructions.txt (http://www.global-explorer.de/patrol_events_instructions.txt)

And a sample file with an edited map marker:
map_markers.gml (http://www.global-explorer.de/map_markers.gml)

But with just a little text editing it can be turned into something like this:

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/events_3.gif
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/events_3.gif

OK, that'll do for now - if there is no negative feedback I will finish this over the coming weekend.

GE

Screenshot of Scapa Flow 1939:

http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_thumbs/scapa_flow.gif
http://www.global-explorer.de/wip_screens/scapa_flow.gif

[danlisa]

Nice work.:up:

However your screenie links are not working. I think you have http:// x2 in all of them.

[Kumando]

So to use this tracking room you have to alt tab the game right?

[GlobalExplorer]

Nice work.:up:

However your screenie links are not working. I think you have http:// x2 in all of them.

Yes thanks, I should have fixed it by now.

So to use this tracking room you have to alt tab the game right?
Yes. Go to www.global-explorer.de (http://www.global-explorer.de) to understand how my program works.

[Jimbuna]

Nice work.:up:

However your screenie links are not working. I think you have http:// x2 in all of them.

Yes thanks, I should have fixed it by now.

So to use this tracking room you have to alt tab the game right?
Yes. Go to www.global-explorer.de (http://www.global-explorer.de) to understand how my program works.

TBH...if this is finished (as in completed) I'm really looking forward to trying it out now :yep:
Danke :up:

[GlobalExplorer]

TBH...if this is finished (as in completed) I'm really looking forward to trying it out now :yep:
Danke :up:

I consider it practically finished - still, and TBH myself, I would appreciate if more people would actually help me with testing it!

[Kumando]

Nice work.:up:

However your screenie links are not working. I think you have http:// x2 in all of them.
Yes thanks, I should have fixed it by now.

So to use this tracking room you have to alt tab the game right? Yes. Go to www.global-explorer.de (http://www.global-explorer.de) to understand how my program works.

Too bad:cry: i dont like alt tabing because sometimes messes the game so i will stick with the old SH3 gen version.

[Jimbuna]

TBH...if this is finished (as in completed) I'm really looking forward to trying it out now :yep:
Danke :up:

I consider it practically finished - still, and TBH myself, I would appreciate if more people would actually help me with testing it!

I would have liked to oblige but a little something called 'beta testing the GWX update' had to take priority mate :yep:
But I'll def be on it this weekend :up:

[GlobalExplorer]

I would have liked to oblige but a little something called 'beta testing the GWX update' had to take priority mate :yep:
But I'll def be on it this weekend :up:

Ok jimbuna, you are excused :up: GWX rocks!

[mr chris]

Heading out on patrol again now GE. Have not found any problems with it so far you can be very proud matey:yep::yep::up:

[Samwolf]

Still using the second version and all seems to be working well. No problems encountered creating or opening any of the maps

[GlobalExplorer]

File uploaded yesterday was outdated ++ stop ++ Have updated correct version Sh3Gen 0.8.2 today ++ stop ++ GE

[GlobalExplorer]

UPDATE 2007-02-23: Sh3Gen v0.8.2 Released

As of today, Sh3Gen Tracking Room is available from www.global-explorer.de (http://www.global-explorer.de). There you will also find the complete documentation for the new Tracking Room Functionality.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with this update during the last week!

I will take the next steps as soon as I will have rested a bit. So far I'd appreciate everyones help in spreading the news in subsim forums around the globe!

There might be more coming in the future - you never know!

GE

[Kumando]

This new version is really cool Global Explorer already tried it, but the real problem is alttabing :cry: whenever i do it for abou two or three times and i return to the game, it becomes slow and sloppy. I think its because the antialiasing or something and also meses the navigation and attack map when viewd from the command room camera, so i dont really know how to solve this. :-?

[GlobalExplorer]

I know Alt-Tabbing is not perfect, but it works. I normally use Sh3Gen at the beginning of a patrol to get briefed on the situation. Taking down some notes and preparing a plan in your head is recommended.

Some other suggestions from the top of my head:

-You can also exit the game but reloading takes much time ..

-You could use a second computer for the map only.

-It is also possible to use Sh3Gen when you're not playing on any older savegame you created before - no matter how old it is.

-Irish1958 suggested printing out areas of interest, the viewer has excellent printing / pdf function.

You might want to use it in between breaks if you play your patrols on several days.

[GlobalExplorer]

Contrary to what I said to irish about adding a scale, I just realized that it is not really needed, as there are measuring tools in the viewer that are jolly good.

All you have to understand is that 1 unit in the viewer = 1 degree = 60 NMiles = ~ 111 kilometers. Got it?

Adding a scale / meridians / geographical place names are things which I might do in the future, but then only for the eye candy ..

GE

[Tuddley3]

This is truly amazing what you have done with this already perfect program you have for us, but now I cant wait to try this new concept out. How you guys think of this stuff, is beyond me, but am glad you spend your own time to perfect an already almost perfect game. You shall expect a new signature graphic just for this occasion, you are a true friend to all of us, keep up your great work :up:

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks Tuddley! Consider yourself a "gold" customer from now on ;) No more queing or carrying bags for you, sir.

Anyone has used the mod somewhat? Can it be used to have more interesting patrols??

I ask because for me the excitement was the data processing, and the techniques involved, not actually using it so much. Most of that stuff is a by-product of learning new things for my work. You could say I got carried away a bit. Moreover, offering free tools for computer games is an excellent way to get your stuff tested in RL, worldwide, for free, so I think it's a win win situation.

It will be very interesting to see if combining that GIS stuff with computer simulations has a future or not. I find it exciting, but I could imagine it's too much for many people. As it's used extensively by the military, it should have it's place with any type of military simulation. But then, many people want games, not simulations. We will see ..

GE

[Jimbuna]

I've had it installed for a couple of patrols now and I gotta give it a big :up:
I am very impressed and quite happy to state it has enhanced my enjoyment (if that were possible) of playing GWX :rock: :arrgh!:

[Tuddley3]

Noted that traffic in the Indian Ocean is not being plotted, Using GWX "monson" uboat
That's because Sh3Gen hasnt model it as a TOO. Click Sh3Gen->Resources->Map to see an exact map of the theaters modelled as of now.

http://www.global-explorer.de/contentpage_glossary-Dateien/image002.jpg

Since GWX comes with new far east operations, I understand there is a need to add Indian Ocean and Pacific theaters, hopefully I find the time to do it.

GE, I would be honored to help you out my friend. If you ask me to jump, I will ask you how high:up:
Thanks mate! You would help me a lot if you acted as spokesperson and pointed me the most important questions/suggestions. That way my back will be free to do more work on the program, which is probably a better way to spend it.

I will contact you by PM when I have made up my mind about the release, which should be there by next week at the latest, or so I've promised myself.
GE

You know me, just let me know when it is ready, and I will be on it like flies on S**t. So far it looks amazing, much more than I could expect, especially the GPS part of it. How do you come up with this stuff, I am just flabbergasted:up:

[GlobalExplorer]

Sh3Gen TR is ready, I have heard nothing about bugs or problem, and I have other things that take up my time now.

There are some little needed fixes at the back of my head (some factions, intel balance, indian ocean .. ) but all that can wait - until v0.9 possibly - if there will be any.

From the lack of discussion I assume it is perfect now :hmm: which is great!!

GE

[Jimbuna]

Loving it at my end GE :rock: :up:

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks. How are u using it? Are you using the data view as I suggested in this screenshot (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/Sh3Gen081data.gif)?

I started a new patrol on sunday and used the Tracking Room for patrol planning (first time for myself). I am operating from U-464 in the southwest of Newfoundland. Map showed high merchant traffic around NFL, but also several destroyers and airbases. The area around New York appears the best patrol zone, because the map shows several merchant contacts, but no destroyers.

I sunk a 15.000t tanker in a convoy, the convoy encounter was inasfar related to Tracking Room information that it was around NFL, which I am carefully approaching.

[Jimbuna]

Thanks. How are u using it? Are you using the data view as I suggested in this screenshot (http://www.global-explorer.de/screens/Sh3Gen081data.gif)?

I started a new patrol on sunday and used the Tracking Room for patrol planning (first time for myself). I am operating from U-464 in the southwest of Newfoundland. Map showed high merchant traffic around NFL, but also several destroyers and airbases. The area around New York appears the best patrol zone, because the map shows several merchant contacts, but no destroyers.

I sunk a 15.000t tanker in a convoy, the convoy encounter was inasfar related to Tracking Room information that it was around NFL, which I am carefully approaching.

In truth....not yet...it's all about busy busy at work right now....but it's on my list of things to do at the weekend matey :yep: :arrgh!:

[GlobalExplorer]

Today I have discovered what seems to be a bug in version 0.8.2

When I ran the TR export there was a runtime exception in: Sh3Gen.Applications.MapGenerator.ExportMapMarkers( )

If anybody should have problems with that report to me. It looks like this has to do with the patrol events layer, and a small issue with recognizing the little markers you placed on it yourself.

Will have a look at it on the weekend / next week. If the problem consolidates, I will offer a small fix in the form of a new executable. Problem should not be too serious though ..

GE

[GlobalExplorer]

There was a small, but very ugly bug in version 0.8.2 that would cause Sh3Gen to fail if the number of player made map ranges exceeded the number of map markers. I found this out when I was testing my recommending procedures for creating a patrol event layer by placing markers and ranges at the required places.

2007-03-04: I have replaced Sh3Gen_v082.exe download with a fixed version where this problem has been fixed.

GE