Danzig70's Space

[danzig70]

I found a source for free nautical charts here:
http://www.worldnauticalcharts.com/index.php

After finding myself near an English harbor with no space to dive, I thought next time I need to know the depths BEFORE starting the mission.

[Jimbuna]

Cool site but may not be of that much use to you because the game does not accurately reflect the true/RL depths unfortunately.

[pickinthebanjo]

Most harbors are 20m+/-, however there are exceptions, Gibraltar is at least 30m deep

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Thanks for the share...:up:

[danzig70]

Most harbors are 20m+/-, however there are exceptions, Gibraltar is at least 30m deep

Good to know.

[Jimbuna]

Good to know.

Try for example a couple of the Brit south coast ports and you might find out differently. :DL

[krashkart]

I remember on my first foray into Dover thinking we'd be dragging keel before reaching the harbor. But then there was Portsmouth. What a nightmare. :o

[JMV]

Yes, entered once Portsmouth harbour ( by night ! ), a real nightmare
A real shallow waters bottle neck... Don't go there.

[Jimbuna]

Yes, entered once Portsmouth harbour ( by night ! ), a real nightmare
A real shallow waters bottle neck... Don't go there.

Almost shallow enough to walk in :DL

[JMV]

You're damn right Jim, it's that bad.

[danzig70]

I am anxious to create a campaign.

I was wondering if German surface ships (torpedo boats or custom ships) would engage British warships in game. Also, are there other AI u-boats out there (in game) that might also engage a convoy.

I would like to have a campaign where the British blockade Germany and the player has to have a convoy of German merchant ships and warships break the blockade and head into the Indian ocean.

Which brings up another question. Can the subs travel to locations outside the designated patrol areas?

I am working on an alternative history grand campaign where Germany comes to the aid of China in the 30's and sends a fleet to the East China Sea. I probably will purchase SH4 down the road a bit. But would like to be able to conduct German operations in the Pacific?

The thought of traveling around the world to friendly ports (why its alternative history) is a dream of mine. Perhaps just a dream.

[danzig70]

I just found the defside.cfg file and am quite happy about it. Now I can do an alternate history campaign.

I was wondering though, if there is a command line switch I can use to have the program read a different data file.

That way, depending on the progress of the campaign, countries can change from allies to enemies.

I have done this on other games where you modify the path on the shortcut to the game executable.

[desirableroasted]

Almost shallow enough to walk in :DL

Now that GWX gives you an August 1939 cruise, I have tried Portsmouth twice, you know.. friendly handshake before the big game.

Ripped my keel nearly out both times.

Makes you wonder how they get out.

[Jimbuna]

Now that GWX gives you an August 1939 cruise, I have tried Portsmouth twice, you know.. friendly handshake before the big game.

Ripped my keel nearly out both times.

Makes you wonder how they get out.

Quite simple really....await high tide :DL

[danzig70]

Flight Sims

I just starting using Flight Gear http://www.flightgear.org (http://www.flightgear.org/) and so far I am quite pleased with it. The website has many resources and scenery files are easy to download and install.

I found this site for MS Flight Simulator that adds watercraft to the game.
http://www.deltasimstudio.com/


Ship Sim

And I am using Harpoon 3 ANW with WW2 databases I purchased here:
http://www.matrixgames.com/products/323/details/Harpoon.3.-.Advanced.Naval.Warfare


_____________________

I just figured out how to add the campaign layers in the ME. I am going to have so much fun this weekend!

[danzig70]

Torpedoes in the news:

North Korea sinking of South Korean warship. Page has link to report in pdf format.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10131683.stm

[Jimbuna]

What caught my eye was that list of acts of agression by NK :o

[danzig70]

We'll see if any punishment is applied this time.

[danzig70]

I created my first mission last nite. Its an MP escort mission to a German base in Shanghai. I tried to put in a mod so that I could modify the defsides.cfg file.

I also tried to make a MP campaign without much luck either.

Will try again tonite.

[Alpha Von Burg]

"Pyongyang rejected the claim as a "fabrication" and threatened war if sanctions were imposed. "

I wonder what it would be like if they do declear war...

[danzig70]

This is an interesting sailing game:
http://www.virtualskipper-game.com/

[danzig70]

I am in the process of editing the campaign files and defsides.cfg files for an alternate history campaign. The Dutch are allies (axis) which opens up a port in the Dutch East Indies so refueling and repairs can be done in Jakarta. China is an ally which opens up ports in Shanghai and Qingdao.

Japan, British Royal Navy are the pacific opponents (allies) and pacific missions will be centered around sinking their ships.

Sub production is farmed out to Denmark, Finland, and Turkey so ports will be available there as well as upgrades.

Japanese ships can be found on this forum and added into the campaign.

Also, after delving into all things pirate, I think I will try and add a pirate option. Add small ports in out of the way islands or such for refuel and repair. You wont be able to enter home ports and will still be hunted by the allies. There may be a way to refuel food and fuel by disabling a merchant ship. Havent worked out the details yet.

[Sgt_Raa]

Torpedoes in the news:

North Korea sinking of South Korean warship. Page has link to report in pdf format.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10131683.stm
bet it was a russian sub and torp... where else would north korea get em..... do they even make their own?

[danzig70]

I am working on using NASA WorldWind http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov/download.html to start the application as part of the Global Campaign that I have been working on. I think it would be great for MP matches. Its open source and start with the blue marble image and you can zoom in to view other layers. I have been keeping a development thread at a forum for another game but will try to keep this thread updated also. It is basically an html userinterface used to start applications via hyperlink.

For Sgt Raa: North Korea manufactures weapons for themselves and other countries such as Syria. That's why we are always trying to track their merchant ships leaving NK ports. Such as here http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/19/north-korea-ship-weapons-us or here http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55T1FX20090701

[danzig70]

Base image layer
http://a.imageshack.us/img293/7321/baseimage.jpg

flag layer
http://a.imageshack.us/img231/8162/flagsm.jpg

clicking on a flag will open that nation's page in the browser
http://a.imageshack.us/img694/7433/nationo.jpg

production layer
http://a.imageshack.us/img411/6606/productionk.jpg

clicking on a factory icon will open the factory's page
http://a.imageshack.us/img713/1892/factory2.jpg

unit layer
http://a.imageshack.us/img266/7272/unitt.jpg

battle layer. this will either direct you to the mission page/city page or starts game with that map loaded.
http://a.imageshack.us/img839/7484/battlew.jpg

and just for fun, Earth at night.
http://a.imageshack.us/img843/5958/earthnight.jpg

I may make this as an aid for Multiplayer Campaigns.

[Jimbuna]

That looks very interesting :yep:

[danzig70]

Thanks!

I also just figured out that you can take the external camera underwater. Its great.

[Gerald]

Most harbors are 20m+/-, however there are exceptions, Gibraltar is at least 30m deep :roll:

[danzig70]

Are there any command line switches that can be used with SH3? For example, there is a switch for setting the resolution as stated here: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=131431. It should be the same as selecting the shortcut to sh3.exe, clicking properties and editing the parameters. I could be wrong.

I was wondering if there were switches to load the game with a specific career and/or specific saved game. I am going to add links to the application below and would like to bypass the opening screen. That way if you save a game in the middle of the atlantic, for example, then by clicking on the hyperlink located in that grid you would start the game with that preloaded.

I am going to either add a layer with the patrol grids or edit an existing layer with the patrol grid overlayed.

Also, can someone take the full resolution image here http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whole_world_-_land_and_oceans_12000.jpg, convert it to .png and upload it? Its a very large file and my laptop doesnt have enough RAM.

Thanks!

[danzig70]

Im working on making the WorldWind program as a player aid. I am making a custom SH3 campaign in an alternate reality and will be mapping the content on the WW globe. For example, there will be a submarine icon which is linked to the shortcut for SH3. While SP missions will start in port, you can use this player aide to map out MP missions. I havent figured out if there are command line parameters to start SH3 with a specific mission or saved game loaded. But its a start.

I will also be including content for a free flight sim, Flight Gear and possibly free 3D s/w like gmax and Blender.

For SH3 players, I have included the KM grid map. I am having a problem matching the land masses exactly which might be a projection problem. It is a work in progress. I will include a help file to explain how to change the lat/long of the icon to reflect your current location.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/972/4110584w3169728n.png

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7590/686555w4995895n.png

Other layers include terrain and shaded relief images:

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5266/2481495w3692572n.png

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6724/408259w640461n.png

[danzig70]

I want to develop a land, sea and air simulator and it seems that FlightGear is a good start. It is open source and there are (or were) attempts to combine all three sims discussed here http://wiki.flightgear.org/index.php/Ground_Traffic_Simulation_Resources

So this is my long term project. I have to learn 3d modeling first but its nice to know there is a path to follow.

[TarJak]

For SH3 players, I have included the KM grid map. I am having a problem matching the land masses exactly which might be a projection problem. It is a work in progress. I will include a help file to explain how to change the lat/long of the icon to reflect your current location. Its definately a projection problem. The SH3 world is a cylinder displayed as a flat map. One method of handling it would be to work out the coords of the KM grid and map them onto the globe.

[danzig70]

The image was placed using the coordinates on the map. I just have to determine which projection they used and then convert it to UTM. The image is here http://174.123.69.202/~subsimc/radioroom/showthread.php?t=162195

Actually cant realistically correct a projection problem. Will look for another image.

[TarJak]

Most likely a Millers Cylindrical projection.

[Tessa]

Most harbors are 20m+/-, however there are exceptions, Gibraltar is at least 30m deep

There are spots in Gibraltor where it is 80m deep as well. Whenever the weather is awful (whether its enormous waves and/or heavy rain) is the best time to get into harbor's easily. With visibility so poor (remember this goes both ways, by the time you spot a trawler its close enough to easily sink you) you can sometimes go in on the surface in the daytime. Or if you do go in submerged find a nice spot in the middle or a blind spot to surface long enough to replenish the O2 so you don't suffocate trying to get out.

[danzig70]

Added the SH3 map to WorldWind. Once I figure out how SH3 tiles the map, I hope to add those tiles to WW. Hopefully with the KM grid sections.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8915/549296w3310703n.png

[Jimbuna]

This could be promising.

[danzig70]

I never said thank you for the positive words, Jimbuna, it means alot. Im working on a good way to edit the config file which has the lat/long for the icon.

Here is a shot of zoomed in to the player icon based in Kiel.
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2610/sh3iconimage.png


I saw this screenshot for a ship tracker program and thought how could this would be for the Mission Editor.

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j406/danzig70/shots0_1680.png

http://www.airnavsystems.com/shiptrax/

[Jimbuna]

I never said thank you for the positive words, Jimbuna, it means alot. Im working on a good way to edit the config file which has the lat/long for the icon.




My pleasure matey...be sure to keep us all updated http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[danzig70]

So, I am toying with the idea of making a ship tracker per the screenshots below. The idea is to simulate AIS maps like here http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ and here http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shiplocations.phtml.

I added map notes to the ME for two test ships that contain origin, destination and cargo, like a manifest. The ships are assigned an ID code as the name when placed on the map. I created two entries in a ship database (xls,csv) that contain detailed information on the ship as well as a link to a photograph (in game or actual).

I am trying to simulate activities such as anti-piracy and routine maritime patrols. One thing I want to expand is position reporting of cargo ships like the sites above. The map notes are accessible as entries in the SCR file which is just a text file. The CFG files in My Doc/SH3 can be read as they are also just text files. I am thinking of using Javascript or Lua to read the files.

Attacks are logged in the CFG files just fine but I want to be able to simulate reporting on friendly and nuetral traffic. The Report Contacts report, unfortunately, does not seem to write an event in the log book. Can this be modified?

When a game is saved, however, it records the circles, angles and marks placed on the navigation map into a temp file that is also a text file. The latitude and longitude of each feature is recorded. I was thinking of using this to record the position of the sighting but if the game is not saved, this file is not created (or saved).

I was thinking of trying to simulate pirate and criminal vessels by creating a "pirate" country. Plenty of armed merchants to choose from. If you spot a vessel and ID it using the database, then it could be a pirate vessel which can be sunk. Something like that.

Is there a way to either modify the report contact feature to record in the log file or a way to capture map marks without having to save the game?

More important, would anyone be interested in such a thing? I thought it might be a nice feature for SH3Commander. I will work on just mapping the sinkings to test the concept.

Also, I guess the Cap' would have to fill in the heading and speed information. The tedious part of war, I suppose.

[Jimbuna]

Sounds plausable.

[danzig70]

I guess it cant run when SH3 is running. But maybe it could be useful for planning purposes and tracking career progress.

[Jimbuna]

I use the ME for the former, especially whilst testing but the latter use sounds good.

[danzig70]

Some of the lat/long info doesnt appear to be in degrees:

Long=962852.000000
Lat=6974492.000000

Do you know if this is meters from center (equater-meridian)?

EDIT: It seems SH3Gen does this already. Oh Well.

[danzig70]

Here are a few screenshots of the user interface Im working on. There is an SH3 icon which links to the game shortcut. Some of the imagery is impressive because you can tilt the camera 360 degrees. Thought submariners might like the bathymetry image.

This is the Bay of Biscay
http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/8344/biscay.png


This is a good example of satellite, aerial and topographic images.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3991/kiel.png


This topographic map is from 1934 so I dont think the Uboat pens have been contructed. I believe they were only in Cadiz, Spain and Abo, Finland.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/4641/kiel2.png