[REL] VERSION 2 New SH 3 Screens: Barracks, Single Mission and Campaign...

[Feuer Frei!]

NEW SH 3 SCREENS VERSION 2

Aim of this mod:

To re-design many images in Silent Hunter 3 (GWX) and to give a new visual representation of parts such as: Campaign loading screens, menu screens, (some) icons,
intro screen and possibly many more.

This is a direct follow-up of my released Version 1 New Screens mod, the thread to that mod is here. (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=202768)

Version 1 could best be described as 'The colourful' one.
Version 2 will attempt to showcase a lot more 'immersive' imagery, for example the use of actual photographs taken in specific locations, where possible.
I would like to keep a 'black and white' character to this mod, Version 2.

I want to steer away from bright, colourful and perhaps some would say cartoon-like colours that the edited Screens ofVersion 1 has and the Stock GWX Game.

Requirements for this mod:

You will need SH 3 and GWX to run this mod.
The above is required, because the edited files are GWX files.


Installation:

The mod, like version 1, will be JSGME-compatible.
To uninstall, use JSGME. Simple.

Compatibility:

This mod is NOT compatible with GWX Alternate Loadscreen Full Circle
If using SH3 Commander, you WILL load the stock 'startcampaign' tga more often than not.
This is because SH3 Commander has a folder in its installation directory called 'Date', which contains folders with all the dates used by the game.
Within these numbered date files are mostly, but not all the time located the startcampaign tga stock version.
I could have included a edited date folder from SH3 Commander in the d/l file but that would have increased the d/l size.
To fix this you can replace the stock startcampaign tga located there with my edited startcampaign tga.
I may provide the fixed date folder with my tga in the future, so that SH3 Commander doesn't overwrite my tga.
Apologies in advance.
Obviously not compatible with any mod that changes the tga files located in the following install paths:
data\menu\data
data\menu\gui
data\menuloading
data\menu\net
Tested with GWX 3 Unmodded.
If there are any issues or incompatibilities that i haven't come across, let me know so i can update this.



Credits\Permissions:

All credits go to The Grey Wolves Team
It's because of them and their outstanding work on GWX that SH 3 hasn't died a long long time ago.
Also for allowing me access to the GWX files and being able to edit them.
A mention also to Jim(buna) with whom i checked before the inception of Version1.

Note: When editing files, i take great care to not edit over any GWX logos or names.
In some cases i've had to re-paint the name over the edited image.


Questions:

(Q) When will it be done?
(A) When it's done. Seriously though, there's a lot of stuff to go through.
I will post updates on a regular basis. Give or take R.L. issues.

(Q) Do you need feedback or want it?
(A) Absolutely! I have my own ideas about what sort of 'feel' these screens
should give when playing the game, but the more input or feedback
i get, the better it will be.

(Q) Why are you doing this? There are a crap-ton of intro screen mods, loading
screen alterations and other mods which change some or most of the things
i'm changing!
(A) Sure, i totally agree. And they are all very well done. However, i would like to
put my own spin on the game, to come up with hopefully a refreshing and new
version of SH 3+GWX Screens, and give back to the community. And i am
editing screens that i believe haven't been edited before.


Download link:


http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=4133



Following now, i am posting 2 screens, the Intro screen and the Campaign Loading Screen. Black and White is the theme of this mod (where possible) remember!
(NOTE: ALL images from version 2 will be compared with version 1, to allow you to see the differences of the 2 mods):



http://i.imgur.com/eHsbO5B.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DQAeB3a.jpg

The Intro screen is a beauty. I have that background as my wallpaper :up:

I think you will agree that Black and White is going to work.

Stay tuned.

Over and Out.

[Anvart]

:up:
Background with photos of acceptable quality is always good in a thematic simulator.

[danasan]

Black and White, that does it really for me. Good work. :yep:

[Feuer Frei!]

:up:
Background with photos of acceptable quality is always good in a thematic simulator.

Correct.
Thats the aim here. More immersive, eg with loading up the game the first thing you see is the Kaleun viewing ships on the horizon from the Turm. Factual and immersive.


Black and White, that does it really for me. Good work. :yep:
Yep. Although the loading screens are the easy part of this work.
Unfortunately, the black and white pictures can't be used everywhere, simply because the viewing of screens would be impossible.
But, i will try my hardest to come up with something.
Thanks.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

I agree with Anvart and danasan.

Bear in mind you can make as many versions as you can dream up.

Just my two cents, but I really like the thought of a version being composed entirely of quality photos from real life, like a couple of the screens you show above.
:arrgh!:

If you are interested in doing yet another version later, I have a few photos of Jimbuna snoring away in a hotel room you could use for barracks screens too!
:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Hitman]

If you are interested in doing yet another version later, I have a few photos of Jimbuna snoring away in a hotel room you could use for barracks screens too!

LOL :haha:

[Fubar2Niner]

Just my two cents, but I really like the thought of a version being composed entirely of quality photos from real life, like a couple of the screens you show above.


Have to agree with Kpt L, mate. Those two are beautiful, particularly the last, great work shipmate :salute:

Best regards.

Fubar2Niner

[Feuer Frei!]

Just my two cents, but I really like the thought of a version being composed entirely of quality photos from real life, like a couple of the screens you show above.


That's my goal. I agree. Obviously the loading screens are the easy part.
Some of the other screens will take a lot more 'sourcing' of appropriate imagery.


If you are interested in doing yet another version later, I have a few photos of Jimbuna snoring away in a hotel room you could use for barracks screens too!
:Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:
:haha: Very immersive indeed.

[Feuer Frei!]

Campaign Log Screen pretty much done.

http://i.imgur.com/brf0ivN.jpg


I've used a authentic KM Pocket Watch, authentic KM Grid Map as background and a authentic Document from the KM also.
Only thing that's not authentic is the Fountain Pen, but i changed that from the original as well.


Orders Screen done:

http://i.imgur.com/GxACqhw.jpg

[Anvart]

I have already said I do not like the paper of 68 years ago... and I do not like when screens are overloaded secondary details. :woot:

[danasan]

:up:
Background with photos of acceptable quality is always good in a thematic simulator.


I think we all agree on that. I've got that book

Harald Busch - U-Boot auf Feindfahrt printed in 1942 (1. Auflage) sitting here.

Some of the photos are brilliant, some are blurrish.

I could do some 600 dpi scans, if you are interested. I guess, you need .tga, don't you ?

IIRC, you could have a .tga for every single single mission. Like for the Bismarck mission. There is a beautiful shot taken when Bismarck firing broadside. Like that...

http://www.kbismarck.com/bismarck33.jpg

[Feuer Frei!]

I have already said I do not like the paper of 68 years ago... and I do not like when screens are overloaded secondary details. :woot:

If you note my version 2 campaign log screen, there is no unrealistic paper texture, and i think it's not 'overloaded' with clutter, or secondary details, as you put it.

I dare say you are just making a general comment, not direct feedback on version 2 so far ?

@danasan:

i would be interested in images of that nature. Absolutely.
They would not need to be tga as i could convert into tga any images available.
I have a fair few images already, sourced from various online areas.
I would like to keep the images U-Boot related, ie images that have U-Boots in action, like deck view shots, or sinking of Vessels, photos that are taken with U-Boots in either the foreground or background.
I think that would add to the immersion factor much more than pictures taken from say the deck of a Destroyer or from a Surface Vessel in general.

Having said that, i appreciate the feedback so far and encourage the continuation of those very much :up:

[desertstriker]

looking good Feuer Frei!

[Feuer Frei!]

Radio Messages Screen.
Aim here was to firstly minimise clutter from Original Stock image.

What i want to do in the rest of the images, is do something similar, where possible.

Declutter stock images and background with real photos.

Point in case, Version 2 Radio Messages Screen has a background of a real view of the Radio Room of U-995. Image was originally colour, however i have desaturated the image to give it the Black and White feel, that is the main aim of this Version 2.

Absolutely no clutter, as you can see, just no-nonsense info paper and background.

I want to get away from the cartoon-like colours and objects that is present in many images in the stock version of GWX.
(Note: In no way am i discrediting the work of The GWX Team).

http://i.imgur.com/MHABlUZ.jpg


Good? Bad? Not enough 'clutter' for those that like it?
Too bare? Personally, i like it.

[desertstriker]

love it!!!!

[Anvart]

If you note my version 2 campaign log screen, there is no unrealistic paper texture, and i think it's not 'overloaded' with clutter, or secondary details, as you put it.
1) I see no point in repeating the previous version of the screens... as I wrote non successful in my view.
2) Of course, gloves, monetary bonds, apple core, a pocketknife are required attributes of this screens. I think this is not an auction pre-owned items. :rotfl2:
I dare say you are just making a general comment, not direct feedback on version 2 so far ?
...
Yes.
I will not describe the principal features in detail each time.

[VONHARRIS]

Radio message screen : Very good! :up:

[Feuer Frei!]

1) I see no point in repeating the previous version of the screens... I do not see that Version 2 is 'repeating' Version 1, imho. Nor is it repeating Stock Imagery. I do value your input, but do not understand this comment by you. as I wrote non successful in my view. Version 2 non-successful?
And that's no problem of course. Just specifying what you mean.

No offence meant to you, thanks for your constructive feedback.

Now, continuing on, the Crew Management\Damage screen.

I have used a historical photo of the Commissioning of U-66.

Have adjusted colour levels and sharpened to not have this screen too dark when reading or placing of crew.

http://i.imgur.com/hHzSZxL.jpg

Worked out pretty well i think.

[Rickster1]

Am I right in thinking these are not compatible with NYGM 3.6? If not its a shame

[danasan]

Am I right in thinking these are not compatible with NYGM 3.6? If not its a shame

I guess it all depends on the menue.ini. If it's different, you might have different coordinats for the text. :hmmm:

Edit: Here is a sample scan @ 600 dpi (http://www.mediafire.com/?44ah4xzha3a3qxv). Question is if it is good enough quality - wise ? And a second one (http://www.mediafire.com/?fc5gefgc5c135jb)...

[desertstriker]

Am I right in thinking these are not compatible with NYGM 3.6? If not its a shame
its running on my NYGM install.

[Feuer Frei!]

Am I right in thinking these are not compatible with NYGM 3.6? If not its a shame

menu.ini file hasn't been changed.


Now 2 more screens.

First the Main Menu Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/awPi28n.jpg

And the Campaign Start screen:

http://i.imgur.com/KYVILS8.jpg


Cheers guys.

[danasan]

^ Brilliant! :yep:

[Anvart]

I do not see that Version 2 is 'repeating' Version 1, imho. Nor is it repeating Stock Imagery. I do value your input, but do not understand this comment by you. Version 2 non-successful?
...
I see you don't keep context of conversation... and don't understand what i talk.

[brett25]

V2 is looking great, will really add to the immersiveness of the game...:up::salute:

[Hitman]

Relax, Alex. I know it gets very frustrating :/\\!! when the language barrier hits again and again, but take it easy and don't get angry, the message will eventually get through :88)

[Jimbuna]

Relax, Alex. I know it gets very frustrating :/\\!! when the language barrier hits again and again, but take it easy and don't get angry, the message will eventually get through :88)

We certainly hope so....keep a cool head Alex :up:

[Feuer Frei!]

Single Mission Load Screen.
Background image used was a Interior Photo of U-505, authentic:

http://i.imgur.com/KMEtolD.jpg

Next we have the Equipment Upgrade Screen,
background image used is a real Photo of U-25 taking on Torpedos in port:

http://i.imgur.com/Vd9ePL4.jpg

The Equipment Upgrade screen may have some small areas that are a little hard to read, i adjusted the photo as best as i could, without losing too much of the originality.
I think its worth it.

[desertstriker]

looking good.

[Feuer Frei!]

The Awards Screen has an overhaul.
Background is a Kriegsmarine award ceremony, circa 1943:

http://i.imgur.com/G9xNuFF.jpg

I haven't tested to see if all the medals will line up since i haven't progressed that far into my campaign yet, but judging from that shot and lining up the other medal display case, i think they will.

EDIT:

Awards Screen touched up, now semi-transparent where medal display case is:

http://i.imgur.com/UPsmiFJ.jpg

[Feuer Frei!]

Big update, many screens dpne.

First, the Patrol History Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/lVkeox4.jpg


Second, the Barracks Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/5taOITr.jpg


Third, the Load Saved Career Screen (U-123 and U-201 leaving Port):

http://i.imgur.com/VfFT75o.jpg


Fourth, the U-Boot Aces Screen (the background is of actual fotos of the following U-Boot aces starting from top left clockwise: Erich Topp, Herbert Schulze, 2 fotos of Günther Prien, Otto Kretschmer and Wolfgang Lüth):

http://i.imgur.com/v6dQqbw.jpg


Next, the Save Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/5rziHAM.jpg

And lastly, the Options Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/02RIMCw.jpg

Remember:
1) Black and White Theme for this screen mod
2) Actual Photos used in all Screens in this mod, with the exception of the Orders Screen, which i will almost certainly redo since it just doesn't fit the overall feel so far.

Cheers.

[brett25]

looking great...cant wait for release:up:

[Borgneface]

S! Oui oui, This is looking very good. I do like the combination of real photos and the in game pics

Looking foraward for the release of your art works! :yeah:

[Feuer Frei!]

@ Borgneface and brett25: Thanks Gents. Not too far away from release.

Next we have the Mission Orders Screen, a real shot of U-53 and her 105mm Deck Gun being loaded as background:

http://i.imgur.com/eUWzO3C.jpg



Next the Transfer Screen, with U-37 providing some shore leave to her crew:

http://i.imgur.com/2gOpeJl.jpg


Then we have the Career History Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/2xreLGT.jpg


Museum Loading Screen:

http://i.imgur.com/U6dUhwa.jpg

And last, the Career Screen, only thing i did was desaturated the image, the red was annoying, even before the inception of this mod and it wouldn't really be fitting, with 2 or 3 black and white images greeting you and then bammm, a red screen....:

http://i.imgur.com/9tHmMq6.jpg


I've also worked on some icons for the Shortcuts pop-out menu, they are colour, since black and white would not have shown up too well. If you can make them out from the screenshots:

http://i.imgur.com/SWUJrsN.jpg


Getting there now...

[danasan]

Keep up the good work! :yeah:

[Feuer Frei!]

I'm pretty much done with this now.
Here are a few more updates before a release sometime this week.

First up the Navigation screen, background used U-Boot Pen in Bergen:

http://i.imgur.com/vFMSCQB.jpg


Next the Campaign Log Screen, which depicts an actual foto as background of U-48 receiving supplies:

http://i.imgur.com/qzbInZA.jpg

Next the Multiplayer Screen which features U-36:

http://i.imgur.com/V8kZCmr.jpg


And the following 3 are touch-ups to make the U-Boot models that appear in the barracks screen, equipment screen and crew management screens more transparent and black and white, to firstly bring the background to life more and to fit in with the general style of this mod:

http://i.imgur.com/Lm7utPE.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/IQXTTrx.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/amaPW5T.jpg


Thank you, that's all for now.

[Mikemike47]

Next the Transfer Screen, with U-37 providing some shore leave to her crew:

http://i.imgur.com/2gOpeJl.jpg

Nice work. The B & W transfer screen looks horizontally stretched though. Especially from the face of the guy walking the plank.

[Feuer Frei!]

Nice work. The B & W transfer screen looks horizontally stretched though. Especially from the face of the guy walking the plank.


Correct. Needs adjusting. :salute:


Fixed Transfer Screen,

different image, better result:

http://i.imgur.com/AVmveJ0.jpg

[Hitman]

Looks excellent, though if I might add some personal opinions:

- For multiplayer I would have chose a pic with several ubots, like a wolfpack, indicating the multiple axis units

- The difficulty settings screen depicts actually a UBIII type uboat from WW1, not a WW2 Type VII as people usually think :03:

[Feuer Frei!]

Mod has been released!

Thanks to all who provided feedback. Muchly appreciated.

Download link on first page.

Hope you enjoy.

Any feedback, comments, questions or otherwise, please post them here for a speedy reply.

[danasan]

Installs fine, looks fine, very immersive. I am going to try out playing the whole game in black and white for even more immersion... :haha:

BTW, the download link on the first page sends you to the first page which sends you to the first page... Needs some adjustment.

All in all a very nice work, thanks a lot, ol' friend.

[desertstriker]

wow nice work

[Feuer Frei!]

BTW, the download link on the first page sends you to the first page which sends you to the first page... Needs some adjustment.

Fixed d/l link, thanks for letting me know.

All in all a very nice work, thanks a lot, ol' friend.

Vielen Dank mein Freund. :up:

wow nice work

Thank you. :salute:

[Hitman]

Congrats, great job :rock:

Added link to this in the sticky "essential resources" thread :up:

[LGN1]

Nice work, Feuer Frei! :up:

Just two questions:



Would it be possible to get the main loading screen without the text in the upper left corner?
Would it be possible to get the main menu screen (mask512.tga) without the paper on the left?

Regards, LGN1

[fitzcarraldo]

Very nice! Looking forward for a Widescreen version. There are some screens not fitting with WS GUIs.

Many thanks and best regards.

Fitzcarraldo :salute:

[brett25]

thanks alot Feuer Frei:up:

[Feuer Frei!]

Congrats, great job :rock:

Added link to this in the sticky "essential resources" thread :up:

Many thanks Hitman. :yeah:

Nice work, Feuer Frei! :up:

Just two questions:



Would it be possible to get the main loading screen without the text in the upper left corner?
Would it be possible to get the main menu screen (mask512.tga) without the paper on the left?

Regards, LGN1

I'll see what i can do. I'll have to find them first :salute:

Very nice! Looking forward for a Widescreen version. There are some screens not fitting with WS GUIs.

Many thanks and best regards.

Fitzcarraldo :salute:

Firtsly thanks for the compliment.

The tga files all retained their original sizes.
Probably should have mentioned that in the mod descriptions.
What resolution is appropriate for widescreen?
Trouble is, some, if not most of the tga's in my mod are at the maximum resolution as it is.
Stretching them any further would incurr quality degradation.
But, open to suggestions of course. :salute:


thanks alot Feuer Frei:up:
No problem. Thank you :up:

[Feuer Frei!]

Kaleuns

A couple of small fixes to my mod.
2 Things were bugging me since release:

Firstly the awards tga, which originally had a gap when showcasing the medals in the display case.

Here, a before and after to show you the fix:

http://i.imgur.com/qThu4cU.jpg


Download link: http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/436103/-s-New-Screens-mod-version-2-7z.html

Secondly, a known issue which was users of SH3 Commander who started GWX with this tool found that the startcampaign tga was overwritten with SH3 Cmdr's stock GWX startcampaign tga.

This fixes that issue so that you can use and start GWX with SH3 Cmdr without having that tga file being replaced.

Downloadlink to SH3 Commander fix:
http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/436112/-s-New-Screens-version-2-7z.html

Many thanks.

[Jimbuna]

I should bleedin well think so as well :O:

[Borgneface]

S! Feuer Frei!

I finished my current patrol last night and intalled your version2 "New SH3 screens.....with the 2 fixes.....:Kaleun_Applaud:
I just love it! Really great. It is exactly what I was looking for.....

Thank your very much for that

Borgneface

[Feuer Frei!]

S! Feuer Frei!

I finished my current patrol last night and intalled your version2 "New SH3 screens.....with the 2 fixes.....:Kaleun_Applaud:
I just love it! Really great. It is exactly what I was looking for.....

Thank your very much for that

Borgneface

Awesome news! Glad you enjoy the mod.
Thank you for your kind words. :salute: