Other mods compatible with RFB 2.0?

[pratolano]

Hello fellow subsimmers!

I'm only a couple of weeks into playing the Silent Hunter games and I'm in love. It didn't take me long to get into mods, even before playing a campaign with the stock game for either SH4 or SH5.

I was about to play a campaign using TMO but read on the forums that it's pretty challenging. I don't know if I'm ready for that, so I removed the game (I'm using Steam) and reinstalled, which I've done probably 15 times trying to get the right set of mods, in order to take RFB 2.0 for a spin.

I still haven't started an actual campaign, but I'm loving RFB as much as I loved the look and feel of TMO. I do miss the captain's cabin, though.

Anyway, my question is: what other mods can I safely tack on to RFB 2.0, as well as the correct order to install them? I'm going to be using automatic targeting for a while, and I'm still going to be playing like a noob for a while so I don't want to get blown out of the water yet. My PC/graphics card can handle pretty much anything so better graphics would be OK. I'm running Win 8 on a MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM using Bootcamp.

Here's my current mod setup, which I found elsewhere on the forum (I think Torpx recommended it):

RFB_2.0 .................................................. .....(Real Fleet Boat)
RFB_2.0_Patch_23April2010
RSRDC_RFB_V575 ...................................(Run Silent Run Deep Campaign)
RSRDC_RFBV5xx_Patch1
Improved Ship Physics 1.1

I tried adding a better Navigation map that had terrain (it looked closer to TMO's map) as the RFB map looks too basic to me, but it resulted in some CTDs and one case where all of the icons on the screen where solid white.

Thanks!!

[fred8615]

I tried adding a better Navigation map that had terrain (it looked closer to TMO's map) as the RFB map looks too basic to me, but it resulted in some CTDs and one case where all of the icons on the screen where solid white.
Which one did you try? If it wasn't mine, you can try it. Link is in my sig below. Several of my other mods are also RFB/RSRD compatible.

[pratolano]

Thanks Fred, your mods look great!

This is the one I tried before that led to problems: Nav map makeover v1.1 and its patch.

Are there any other RFB-compatible mods you, or anyone can recommend? I'm mostly looking for immersion value. I love how TMO had the captain's cabin/yeoman's desk so I could hide out in there at times. It also had some great looking waves from what I recall. My waves currently look kind of like blue jello moving back and forth. :doh:

Also - off-topic - is it generally OK to remove a minor mod using JGSME as long as it's not grayed out? I keep uninstalling and reinstalling the whole game and U-boat mission pack just to make minor mod changes as I'm fearful I'll mess something up.

[fitzcarraldo]

My RFB mod list:


Generic Mod Enabler - v2.6.0.157
[F:\SH4\MODS]

RFB_2.0
RFB_2.0_Patch_23April2010
RSRDC_RFB_V575
RSRDC_V5xx_Patch1
Radio RAK-7 (CND-46155)
Fixed Zero Bomb Load RSRDC
Fixed_CD_sonar_RSRDC
Eye Patch for RFB
Nav Map Make-Over v2.1
NMMO Airbase Add-on
NMMO v2.1 Patch 1 with AB
Improved Stock Environment_v3_TMO&RFB
#3_PE4_TM_Submarine_Stock_caustics_rolllpitch_deep er
Snarf_WoodModel
SH4 Authentic Flags Mod
#2 ISE Realistic Colors
700 S-Boat Dazzle Color Camo
Gato Class My way
#4 PE4 Ship_debris_SH4_with bodies
PE4_low quality bow wave and stern wakes (more FPS)
SMALLER SEABED ROCKS
SMALLER SEA PLANTS SMALL
Webster's Eliminate Floating Plankton
TMO19_interior3d_SCLASS_overhaul
TMO19_interior3d_SALMON_overhaul
TMO19_interior3d_PORPOISE_overhaul
TMO19_interior3d_GATO_overhaul
Webster's Missing Voices
Webster's Reduced Radio Traffic
Webster's Ship Manuvering Fix
Webster's Ship Draft Fix for v1.4 & v1.5
Webster's Real Lifeboats Fix for v1.5
Webster's Improved US Torpedo v1
Webster's Torpedo Test Missions for v1.5
sobers better sand II
sobers compass mod_grey-scale
410 TMOPlot09032013
d3d_antilag101
TDW_Ship_Plane_Fire_Damage_v1_3_SH4
MadMaxs_SH4_DD_Pack_V3.0

Also I have a lot of radios, sounds, etc. added directly in SH4 1.5.

Regards.

Fitzcarraldo :salute:

[fred8615]

This is the one I tried before that led to problems: Nav map makeover v1.1 and its patch.
Don't know why it messed up. That mod is compatible with RFB.
Are there any other RFB-compatible mods you, or anyone can recommend? I'm mostly looking for immersion value. I love how TMO had the captain's cabin/yeoman's desk so I could hide out in there at times. It also had some great looking waves from what I recall. My waves currently look kind of like blue jello moving back and forth. :doh:
For immersion about the only thing I could recommend are radio and gramophone mods. Listening to period music and radio shows while sailing around looking for targets is as immersive as it gets.

Also - off-topic - is it generally OK to remove a minor mod using JGSME as long as it's not grayed out? I keep uninstalling and reinstalling the whole game and U-boat mission pack just to make minor mod changes as I'm fearful I'll mess something up.
That what JSGME is designed for! When it installs a mod, any files changed from the stock game, or a previous mod, are saved in a special back-up folder. When you uninstall the mod, it restores those files. So there's no need to do a reinstall of the game itself in order to change mods.

[pratolano]

For immersion about the only thing I could recommend are radio and gramophone mods. Listening to period music and radio shows while sailing around looking for targets is as immersive as it gets.


That what JSGME is designed for! When it installs a mod, any files changed from the stock game, or a previous mod, are saved in a special back-up folder. When you uninstall the mod, it restores those files. So there's no need to do a reinstall of the game itself in order to change mods.

Whew, great to know! Thank you.

I agree on the radio & gramophone - took me a while to figure out how to set those up, but now that they are, they're very enriching! It's pretty amazing, actually.

[fitzcarraldo]

Whew, great to know! Thank you.

I agree on the radio & gramophone - took me a while to figure out how to set those up, but now that they are, they're very enriching! It's pretty amazing, actually.

You can't activate-deactivate mods with JSGME constantly; the application is not 100% secure and left some "residuals" ruining your main installation. After a regular number of activations-deactivations JSGME is not totally secure restoring backuped files. It is a known issue.

After many activations and reactivations you will need to reinstall the vanilla SH4. Or CTDs will start...

Regards.
Fitzcarraldo. :salute:

[pratolano]

Hey Fitz,

I've had a tough time duplicating your Mod list. Are they all in the correct order, etc.? I've gotten nearly every one of them, but have experienced lots of CTDs or sometimes a screen with all-white buttons which CTDs when clicking on another station. I always start a new campaign to test it. I've had to delete the game & reinstall about 10 times and keep thinking I get close before running into more CTDs at the beginning of a new campaign.

I started going one by one and testing the next mod, removing it if it didn't work and ran into some trouble again with the Nav maps, but I'm pretty sure I was installing them incorrectly at first. I got further down the list and ran into more trouble and not exactly sure what the cause is now. Mods sure can be frustrating, especially when you don't know exactly what's causing the CTDs.

I think my goal at this point is to just have a game with RFB, RSRD and the Nav map mod (with AB). Hopefully I can get that to work.

[fitzcarraldo]

Hey Fitz,

I've had a tough time duplicating your Mod list. Are they all in the correct order, etc.? I've gotten nearly every one of them, but have experienced lots of CTDs or sometimes a screen with all-white buttons which CTDs when clicking on another station. I always start a new campaign to test it. I've had to delete the game & reinstall about 10 times and keep thinking I get close before running into more CTDs at the beginning of a new campaign.

I started going one by one and testing the next mod, removing it if it didn't work and ran into some trouble again with the Nav maps, but I'm pretty sure I was installing them incorrectly at first. I got further down the list and ran into more trouble and not exactly sure what the cause is now. Mods sure can be frustrating, especially when you don't know exactly what's causing the CTDs.

I think my goal at this point is to just have a game with RFB, RSRD and the Nav map mod (with AB). Hopefully I can get that to work.

I have SH4 15 Gold version in DVD. Not Steam version. No CTD in my installation, (And playing with it from the last year). Do you use the 4Gb patch?

Regards.

Fitzcarraldo :salute:

[pratolano]

Brilliant! I read somewhere that because of my setup or game version (Steam with U-boat missions, 16GB computer), I didn't need the 4GB patch, but I researched it some more based on your suggestion.

The patch I found said "no such directory" when I tried to apply it, but then I found this: http://www.subsowespac.org/the-patrol-zone/give-silent-hunter-4-a-memory-boost.shtml

and it looks like everything works now! No white patches on the screen, no CTDs (I'm crossing my fingers.) I can captain a boat now!

I'm even running the RSRDC_RFB_Pre Pearl Harbor Career Start mod now, and no problems.

Thanks for your help!!!

Btw, I noticed with the "TMO" Porpoise mod we're both running it adds a captain's cabin room ("Interior Aft"), but everything's dark except for some dim light bulbs. I wish it showed up like it did in TMO itself with all the room detail. But at this point, I'll take it. :P

[fitzcarraldo]

Brilliant! I read somewhere that because of my setup or game version (Steam with U-boat missions, 16GB computer), I didn't need the 4GB patch, but I researched it some more based on your suggestion.

The patch I found said "no such directory" when I tried to apply it, but then I found this: http://www.subsowespac.org/the-patrol-zone/give-silent-hunter-4-a-memory-boost.shtml

and it looks like everything works now! No white patches on the screen, no CTDs (I'm crossing my fingers.) I can captain a boat now!

I'm even running the RSRDC_RFB_Pre Pearl Harbor Career Start mod now, and no problems.

Thanks for your help!!!

Btw, I noticed with the "TMO" Porpoise mod we're both running it adds a captain's cabin room ("Interior Aft"), but everything's dark except for some dim light bulbs. I wish it showed up like it did in TMO itself with all the room detail. But at this point, I'll take it. :P

Glad to read that!

RFB is - for me - one of the more stables supermods for SH4. And that problem is mainly caused by low memory. Now you can use all the power of your PC.

In fact, I applied 4Gb Patch to all my installed programs...

You need to tweak the Vickers interiors with Silent3Editor (S3D) for eliminate the cabin. They work in TMO but not in RFB. I can live with that because the cabins and radio room are from U boats, not fleet boats. I will search between my files and will send you the way to eliminate the cabins from the interiors in RFB.

Now...SINK ' EM ALL!!!

Fitzcarraldo :salute:

[pratolano]

Excellent. Thanks! I'll try to find that mod. Can you tell me how to tweak it? (I've found the download.)

I really appreciate your help. Love the new setup!

[moha14881]

Things that really made me give up RFB:
1. NMMO in pearl harbor gives a bad texture for Oahu resulting in CTD if in port.:wah:
2. Upgrade packs in wrong dates not conforming with the manual and no 2nd or 3th conning tower for Salmon And Sargo.
3. Reference point changing for stadimeter without reason or warning.:88)
4. swaying the sonar needle or the periscopes in some areas like the Tokyo bay CTD.:down:
5. No muzzle flash sound with sound mods only a short muffled (GSH) sound.:dead: