Command Aces of the Deep (Win95) - HexEdit questions

[XenonSurf]

[EDIT: Please skip this first post and start reading the next one , this one is no longer useful, I just keep it for context. Thanks!]



Hello dear subsimers,
I've been able finally to run CAOD on Windows 7 following most of the tips in the 'Tactical' section of the sub games here on Subsim, also resolving all game sound problems. The game runs well and I can focus on gameplay.

In the mentioned 'Tactics' section there is an interesting HexEdit article for the game, it's here:

http://www.subsim.com/ssr/tipaod4.html

I have tested it, I was able to edit successfully most things, but I would like your feedback about the 'Homeport' edition. I have tried everything, but I was not able to change my 3D position in the game, say my homeport, except for the cases where submarines are supposed to leave the port at a certain date (which is cumbersome to try out by trial-error).
What I'm interested in is: I would like to change my 3D position into the Mediterranean Sea with the HexEdit without playing and passing through Gibraltar, like Stephen L. Hildebrand, the author of the article suggests it's possible. I was not able to do that, also by reading the CAOD manual it's written that (non-textually) :
"...you can go in the Med Sea with your boat and dock at La Spezia or Taramis when the ports are available, but you will never be transfered to these ports."
This would mean that a re-location to La Spezia (hex 07 at 4B) and Taramis (hex 0A at 4B) will never work. If I try I get re-located to La Rochelle.

What is your experience? Where you ever able to re-locate to another position, also the Med Sea with the help of these HexEdits? If yes how did you succeed?

Thanks very much, also for telling your ideas and comments :yeah:
Have any problems for installing the game and playing? Just ask here, I tell you what I did to run fine (my OS is Windows 7 64 Bit).


Meanwhile, my research goes on :)

[XenonSurf]

Ok, I have finished my analysis and have some interesting things to report, not mentioned in the 'Tips' section about CAOD.

Game installation:
Actually playing the game directly in Win7 x64 will work better than in WinXP, the reason is that the program will get confused about the memory available in XP and crash when you enter the 3D world.

On the other side, it's not possible to directly install from CD-ROM in Win7x64 because x16 bits executables will not run in Win7 x64 or higher. You MUST install the game in Win95, Win98, WinXP, or use VMWARE with these OS to install the game, sorry. When you install, do exactly as in the 'Tips' section, which is: Do NOT run the Computer Test during install, chose 'Install anyway' in the screen where it says you don't have the requirements, and do NOT install the voice-over (doesn't work anyway.).

Once installed, move the game folder to a stick and copy it to your modern OS. You can now deinstall the game in your old OS, you don't need the program there anymore.


Before you play the game, put the game shortcut to these compatibilities:
- Compatibility with Win 95;
- Run with 256 Colors;
- Deactivate desktop layout (4th box);
- Run as admin


After simply moving the game folders to a stick and copying it in Win7 (or Windows Vista, Windows 10, and without installing it) the game will run fine, but will lack sounds if multiple sounds have to be played (e.g. engine sounds + noise of ships passing by when you are underwater). This is very annoying for a sub sim, I'm still searching for solutions. What you can do is renaming the file CLICK1.RAW into BACKUP_CLICK1.RAW, this will avoid some of the sound leaks, but not all unfortunately. I have no solution yet.
Other than this, the 'Online game manual' with the interesting interview videos cannot be played in Win7, if you want to see those you must install AODCD DOS version of the game which is almost identical to CAOD with the update 1.2 and the Expansion Disk (see end of this post where I tell the differences).

About how to install the DOS version AODCD + Update 1.2 + Expansion Disk, see my remote thread here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=219027

-----------------------------------------------
HexEditing:
I now have concluded tests of Stephen L. Hildebrand's HexEdit method for CAOD, and I have some interesting add-ons:

First, the game will not save 3D positions in a Homeport save, 3D positions after a patrol are saved in the files SIMIN.DAT, SIMOUT.DAT, or your position is saved when you save during a patrol on sea, and these files cannot be edited easily, but it's not necessary, you only need to edit the homeport saves. The way to go is:

Changing your 3D position in CAOD:
First go to all important ports and save *outside*. These will be 'generic saves' which you keep as backup and put in your save folder as GAME00.SAV, GAME01.SAV etc.
You don't actually have to travel to these ports, just start a career where you depart from these ports, go outside and save. For La Spezia and Salamis, you will have to travel there instead (you will never be transfered in the Mediterranean Sea): Just put all realism options to Beginner and deactivate all crosses, then travel there using max TC, save outside the port.

I have done all this for Wilhelmshaven, La Rochelle, Brest, Bergen, Trondheim, La Spezia, Salamis.

Everytime you use these 'generic saves', the game 'remembers' the last 3D world position and will spawn you there next time you leave a port (whatever port). Only starting a new career or loading a save where you are on patrol will overwrite this and also (re)start you in the correct port. You can use this behavior to your advantage, let's see how.

Example: From Trondheim you want to start your next patrol in La Spezia, but you don't want to travel there with your sub which is too dangerous, instead you want to simulate that you take command of your sub in La Spezia and that first you are brought there via Luftwaffe... Then do these steps:

1) Finish your patrol by entering the Trondheim port and save.

2)
With this Trondheim port save, make all HexEdit changes you want as adviced by Stephen in his article


http://www.subsim.com/ssr/tipaod4.html

The good news is: All these edits, and also what I explain here below will also work in AODCD, the DOS version!


Especially, you want to edit your new homeport, your new sub. Changing your patrol area is futile because BDU will give you a new one before you depart on patrol. If you still insist doing this, you would have to Hexedit it once you leave port, but it's just a writing in your logbook, nothing more I think.


Optional: You can edit the date at which you want to start your new patrol:

In the save file, edit the values at the hex adresses 2A and 2B

2A: xy
x = increases/decreases the date by 16 days if you rise or lower the value by 1 unit in Hex sequence.
y= don't touch this.

2B: xy
x = don't touch this, it will crash the game otherwise.
y = increases/decreases the date by approx. 8 monthes if you rise or lower the value by 1 unit in Hex sequence.

This is without the additional days you stay in port for repairs, supplies etc.

3) Load the 'generic save' for La Spezia, enter port.

4)
Now just load again your Trondheim save and depart on a patrol, you will see you will start from La Spezia :)
It can happen that the BDU is transfering you to another homeport, but that really doesn't matter, dock where you want...
That's it enjoy!


How to enable the Type XXI u-boat in CAOD in single missions:
The new Type XXI u-boat is missing in the selection list for single missions, but there is a trick to activate the sub:
Go in the menu for single missions, chose convoy encounter, make your setup that you would do with a type XXI u-boat (but you have to chose another one, the XXI is not in the menu), then start the sim and quit.
Go open your file SIMIN.DAT with a hex editor, and change the value of Hex adress 41 to the value 07 (which is for the XXI).
Restart game and single mission menu for convoy encounters, you will see the tab for the sub choice empty - leave it so, don't change it - make other settings, chose your realism and go! You will play with the Type XXI :)


-----------------------------------------------

Differences betwenn Command Aces of the Deep (Win95) and the DOS version AODCD + update 1.2 + expansion disk:

The games are identical with these differences:
- Better grafics in CAOD
- Flawless install of AODCD DOS under Dosbox with Defend Reloaded 1.33, CAOD cannot be installed on modern OS.
- Sound problems in CAOD during game, no problems in AODCD
- CAOD has a manually usable deck gun, not so in AODCD where it only works automatically if ordered so
- You cannot save single missions in CAOD, you can do it in AODCD (but see my trick above)
- Sub XXI can not be chosen in CAOD in single missions, you can in AODCD (but see my trick above)
- Weak planes in AODCD (only small one-seaters like Wildcat etc., Liberators or such are NOT a piece of cake); strong planes in CAOD
- The very interesting online manual and videos of CAOD cannot be run in Win7 or higher, they are included and work in AODCD
- In CAOD the sonar of the type XXI u-boat is broken making the sub useless; it works perfectly in AODCD
- In AODCD there is no traffic in the Mediterranean Sea during patrol missions, there will be traffic in CAOD instead
- Escorts, Destroyers can spot you easily even 5000+ yards away at night and foggy weather in AODCD in middle 1941 (radar or bug?)


Notes:

1)
In both versions CAOD and AODCD the 'report convoy' (Kontaktmeldung) to BDU is possibly broken: If you report a convoy then its reported course will be erroneous with the consequence of sending all wolfpacks into the wrong direction. Maybe this error has something to do with the inexperience of your crew, but I don't think that the devs have made that game part so complex, so it's most likely a bug. Also this will not change if I'm directly close to a convoy ship and then send a report (with the contact cross of the ship illuminated at maximum for best data).
The workaround is: if in your first report, the convoy course is almost the right one, then don't send other reports. If instead your first report is totally way-off, then a 2nd or 3rd report etc. will not change it, that's too bad. However if AI subs enter the area close to the convoy they will report the convoy position correctly this time (you get a radio message), so hope that at least 1 AI sub will join in, the others will then join also to assist you :)

2)
In CAOD, you can also use the menu on the top, you must do so if you want to see the outside view centered on your target or on your torpedo. In AODCD you hit F10 once to show your torpedo view and again F10 to switch to target view.
However do not chose this view at the very moment where your torpedo will hit the target, if you do the game will crash (in CAOD, not in AODCD). The same happens when you follow a plane in this view, the game will crash at the moment where the plane drops a bomb, so do not use this view at that moment (in CAOD).

3)
If you want to patrol the Mediterranean Sea to find ships or convoys you will have to play with CAOD. in AODCD you will only get action in the Med Sea in single missions, not during the campaign, even if you can pass the Gibraltar Strait and head to friendly home ports, you will not encounter any ships or convoys.

4)
You can move your savegames between AODCD and CAOD - and vice versa - if the games were saved in port. Games saved during patrols cannot be exchanged between the 2 programs. So you can switch to AODCD with your Type XXI u-boat where its sonar plays perfectly, just move your hompeport save to the other game version and go on playing! Same if you want to patrol in the Mediterranean Sea: Switch from AODCD to CAOD!

5)
After reading all this, which of the 2 games should you chose to play today, CAOD or AODCD fully upgraded? A difficult question this one because you must chose between much better grafics but weak or absent sound effects (CAOD) and a difficult install procedure (not everyone has WinXP or VMWARE at disposal to do the install); or AODCD where the only flaw is that is has weak planes and no manual deck gun, but everything else working well, inclusive the install procedure. To my taste, AODCD is better even if the grafics are inferior (not too much for the 90s standard however) and you have the excellent online manual working with the videos. But make your own choice if you can, this article will give you the power to do so...

I hope all this is helpful to you, enjoy Subsim.com and the games !
XenonS


-----------------------------------------------

[John Pancoast]

Ok, I have finished my analysis and have some interesting things to report, not mentioned in the 'Tips' section about CAOD.

Game installation:
Actually playing the game directly in Win7 x64 will work better than in WinXP, the reason is that the program will get confused about the memory available in XP and crash when you enter the 3D world.

On the other side, it's not possible to directly install from CD-ROM in Win7x64 because x16 bits executables will not run in Win7 x64 or higher. You MUST install the game in Win95, Win98, WinXP, or use VMWARE with these OS to install the game, sorry. When you install, do exactly as in the 'Tips' section, which is: Do NOT run the Computer Test during install, chose 'Install anyway' in the screen where it says you don't have the requirements, and do NOT install the voice-over (doesn't work anyway.).

Once installed, move the game folder to a stick and copy it to your modern OS. You can now deinstall the game in your old OS, you don't need the program there anymore.

After simply moving the game folders to a stick and copying it in Win7 (or Windows Vista, Windows 10, and without installing it) the game will run fine, but will lack sounds if multiple sounds have to be played (e.g. engine sounds + noise of ships passing by when you are underwater). This is very annoying for a sub sim, I'm still searching for solutions. What you can do is renaming the file CLICK1.RAW into BACKUP_CLICK1.RAW, this will avoid some of the sound leaks, but not all unfortunately. I have no solution yet.
Other than this, the 'Online game manual' with the interesting interview videos cannot be played in Win7, if you want to see those you must install AODCD DOS version of the game which is almost identical to CAOD with the update 1.2 and the Expansion Disk (see end of this post where I tell the differences).

About how to install the DOS version AODCD + Update 1.2 + Expansion Disk, see my remote thread here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=219027

-----------------------------------------------
HexEditing:
I now have concluded tests of Stephen L. Hildebrand's HexEdit method for CAOD, and I have some interesting add-ons:

First, the game will not save 3D positions in a Homeport save, 3D positions after a patrol are saved in the files SIMIN.DAT, SIMOUT.DAT, or your position is saved when you save during a patrol on sea, and these files cannot be edited easily, but it's not necessary, you only need to edit the homeport saves. The way to go is:

Changing your 3D position in CAOD:
First go to all important ports and save *outside*. These will be 'generic saves' which you keep as backup and put in your save folder as GAME00.SAV, GAME01.SAV etc.
You don't actually have to travel to these ports, just start a career where you depart from these ports, go outside and save. For La Spezia and Salamis, you will have to travel there instead (you will never be transfered in the Mediterranean Sea): Just put all realism options to Beginner and deactivate all crosses, then travel there using max TC, save outside the port.

I have done all this for Wilhelmshaven, La Rochelle, Brest, Bergen, Trondheim, La Spezia, Salamis.

Everytime you use these 'generic saves', the game 'remembers' the last 3D world position and will spawn you there next time you leave a port (whatever port). Only starting a new career or loading a save where you are on patrol will overwrite this and also (re)start you in the correct port. You can use this behavior to your advantage, let's see how.

Example: From Trondheim you want to start your next patrol in La Spezia, but you don't want to travel there with your sub which is too dangerous, instead you want to simulate that you take command of your sub in La Spezia and that first you are brought there via Luftwaffe... Then do these steps:

1) Finish your patrol by entering the Trondheim port and save.

2)
With this Trondheim port save, make all HexEdit changes you want as adviced by Stephen in his article


http://www.subsim.com/ssr/tipaod4.html

The good news is: All these edits, and also what I explain here below will also work in AODCD, the DOS version!


Especially, you want to edit your new homeport, your new sub. Changing your patrol area is futile because BDU will give you a new one before you depart on patrol. If you still insist doing this, you would have to Hexedit it once you leave port, but it's just a writing in your logbook, nothing more I think.


Optional: You can edit the date at which you want to start your new patrol:

In the save file, edit the values at the hex adresses 2A and 2B

2A: xy
x = increases/decreases the date by 16 days if you rise or lower the value by 1 unit in Hex sequence.
y= don't touch this.

2B: xy
x = don't touch this, it will crash the game otherwise.
y = increases/decreases the date by approx. 8 monthes if you rise or lower the value by 1 unit in Hex sequence.

This is without the additional days you stay in port for repairs, supplies etc.

3) Load the 'generic save' for La Spezia, enter port.

4)
Now just load again your Trondheim save and depart on a patrol, you will see you will start from La Spezia :)
It can happen that the BDU is transfering you to another homeport, but that really doesn't matter, dock where you want...
That's it enjoy!

-----------------------------------------------

Differences betwenn Command Aces of the Deep (Win95) and the DOS version AODCD + update 1.2 + expansion disk:

The games are identical with these differences:
- Better grafics in CAOD
- Flawless install of AODCD DOS under Dosbox with Defend Reloaded 1.33, CAOD cannot be installed on modern OS.
- Sound problems in CAOD during game, no problems in AODCD
- CAOD has a manually usable deck gun, not so in AODCD where it only works automatically if ordered so
- You cannot save single missions in CAOD, you can do it in AODCD
- Sub XXI can not be chosen in CAOD in single missions, you can in AODCD
- Weak planes in AODCD (only small one-seaters like Wildcat etc., Liberators or such are NOT a piece of cake); strong planes in CAOD
- The very interesting online manual and videos of CAOD cannot be run in Win7 or higher, they are included and work in AODCD.
- Escorts, Destroyers can spot you easily even 5000+ yards away at night and foggy weather in AODCD in middle 1941 (radar or bug?)


Notes:

1)
In both versions CAOD and AODCD the 'report convoy' (Kontaktmeldung) to BDU is possibly broken: If you report a convoy then its reported course will be erroneous with the consequence of sending all wolfpacks into the wrong direction. Maybe this error has something to do with the inexperience of your crew, but I don't think that the devs have made that game part so complex, so it's most likely a bug. Also this will not change if I'm directly close to a convoy ship and then send a report (with the contact cross of the ship illuminated at maximum for best data).
The workaround is: if in your first report, the convoy course is almost the right one, then don't send other reports. If instead your first report is totally way-off, then a 2nd or 3rd report etc. will not change it, that's too bad. However if AI subs enter the area close to the convoy they will report the convoy position correctly this time (you get a radio message), so hope that at least 1 AI sub will join in, the others will then join also to assist you :)

2)
In CAOD, you can also use the menu on the top, you must do so if you want to see the outside view centered on your target or on your torpedo. In AODCD you hit F10 once to show your torpedo view and again F10 to switch to target view.
However do not chose this view at the very moment where your torpedo will hit the target, if you do the game will crash (in CAOD, not in AODCD). The same happens when you follow a plane in this view, the game will crash at the moment where the plane drops a bomb, so do not use this view at that moment (in CAOD).

3)
After reading all this, which of the 2 games should you chose to play today, CAOD or AODCD fully upgraded? A difficult question this one because you must chose between much better grafics but weak or absent sound effects (CAOD) and a difficult install procedure (not everyone has WinXP or VMWARE at disposal to do the install); or AODCD where the only flaw is that is has weak planes and no manual deck gun, but everything else working well, inclusive the install procedure. To my taste, AODCD is better even if the grafics are inferior (not too much for the 90s standard however) and you have the excellent online manual working with the videos. But make your own choice if you can, this article will give you the power to do so...

I hope all this is helpful to you, enjoy Subsim.com and the games !
XenonS


-----------------------------------------------


Regarding planes, I get Sunderlands in AOD early in the war. I too much prefer AOD over the buggy CAOD.
Thanks for the post !

[XenonSurf]

Updated my post above with these points:


- In AODCD (DOS) there is no traffic in the Med Sea during campaign, you can enter Med Sea and head towards 2 friendly ports, but it's vain because you will find no convoys or single ships whatever. You have to play single missions if you want action in the Med Sea.

- Homeport saves can be moved between CAOD and AODCD (DOS). Saves in open sea cannot be moved.

- In CAOD the Type XXI u-boat sonar is broken, but not in AODCD (DOS).

- Added a trick to play Type XXI u-boat in single missions in CAOD.



XS

[UnderWaterGamer]

Very useful! Though my prefered version is the dos one, I still like CAOD because of it's useful deck gun station that will prevent the incompetent crew of wasting shells in AoD:) (deck gun in AoD good at 1km or less).

Regarding the interchangeable port save game files in both version, I will be more than happy to try once I return from patrol in AoD in my long range type IXb.

Also, can you please specify the name of the Hex utility program? I would like to change a few things in AoD

Thanks for all the info:Kaleun_Cheers:

Happy Hunting!

[XenonSurf]

To open and read dat files, you need any program that shows the content in Hex format, I think the free Notepad++ can do it, as well as showing XML format. It should also have the advantage to work with several text documents at the same time.



I use the text editor UltraEdit, this one is not free but very handy.


There are a lot of free 'Hex Editors' as open source programs, just find one.
------------


I'm currently analyzing what the 2 files SIMIN.DAT and SIMOUT.DAT do for ship targets you find in the 3D world or if they are interchangeable between the 2 programs. I still hope to finally get a perfect CAOD by exchanging or modding all possible files...but this is likely hopeless...

[UnderWaterGamer]

Have Noptepad ++, I will try the Hex editing when I get the time.

Regarding the weak planes, I to like John get Sunderlands early in the war and for once I think AoD nails it completely when it comes to anti-aircraft warfare for subsims : the powerful 20's where, when aimed with a good crew, historicaly very good at shooting down planes. Currently reading a french book about submariners in WWII by Jean-Jacques Antier and in it, U-boat commanders say that the bullets would literally chew the plane and it's unfortunate pilot.

All this to say that weak planes are very realistic :)

[John Pancoast]

I never bother, in any sub sim, to fight planes. Always dive. Working a deck gun has never interested me either; an ai crew doing it is fine with me.

[XenonSurf]

There are bomber planes (Sunderlands?) which are very performant in AOD, they can drop 3 bombs in 1 overfly. Recently I was spotted by one even when going only half speed, I was too late to dive, if you dive when the plane drops its bomb you may sink. My deck man manged to destroy the plane, but its 3 bombs were dropped anyway, I had a direct hit that destroyed my aft diveplane, my diesel machines were damaged for 11 hours in 2 different sections.
All in all I was very fortunate, a direct hit could have ended the game for me :)


The most dangerous airplane, at least for me, is the Catalyna. This plane will drop acoustic torpedos that you will have a very hard time to evade, even if you can see them on the map. I have tried with a Bold but stupidly I didn't change my depth quick enough, so I got hit. Your turn rate is not quick enough at 7 knots...It was during my experiments, so I got no damage, but with realistic settings it would have been the end, or out-of-action for my sub...

[John Pancoast]

There are bomber planes (Sunderlands?) which are very performant in AOD, they can drop 3 bombs in 1 overfly. Recently I was spotted by one even when going only half speed, I was too late to dive, if you dive when the plane drops its bomb you may sink. My deck man manged to destroy the plane, but its 3 bombs were dropped anyway, I had a direct hit that destroyed my aft diveplane, my diesel machines were damaged for 11 hours in 2 different sections.
All in all I was very fortunate, a direct hit could have ended the game for me :)


The most dangerous airplane, at least for me, is the Catalyna. This plane will drop acoustic torpedos that you will have a very hard time to evade, even if you can see them on the map. I have tried with a Bold but stupidly I didn't change my depth quick enough, so I got hit. Your turn rate is not quick enough at 7 knots...It was during my experiments, so I got no damage, but with realistic settings it would have been the end, or out-of-action for my sub...

Yeah, the Catalina and those torpedoes are tough !

[UnderWaterGamer]

Sunderland are very dangerous at the beginning of the war but for some reason they try to depth charge me while I'm on the surface when they have depth charges, I guess they try to drop them on my deck! :)

AoD also masters the art of realism when it comes to aircraft tactics, small planes (F4 wildcats mostly) will, once they have you spotted, overfly you once or twice to make a few holes and then fly around you at the limit of your AA gun's range and call in a destroyer. Then two different scenarios may happen:
1)You submerge and try to escape at flank speed (unlikely if the destroyer is already chasing you).
2) you stay surfaced and face the destroyer but then proceed to diving, receiving a few wados in the process.

Also to avoid damage from the aircrafts bombs/gunning overflys:
-I usually travel at full speed and then crank it up to flank when the aircraft is closing in (~500m)
-I do "drastical course changes" of 90°+ when the aircraft is closing in too (same~500m)

Hope this can avoid you a lot of work for the repair party! :salute:

[John Pancoast]

Sunderland are very dangerous at the beginning of the war but for some reason they try to depth charge me while I'm on the surface when they have depth charges, I guess they try to drop them on my deck! :)

AoD also masters the art of realism when it comes to aircraft tactics, small planes (F4 wildcats mostly) will, once they have you spotted, overfly you once or twice to make a few holes and then fly around you at the limit of your AA gun's range and call in a destroyer. Then two different scenarios may happen:
1)You submerge and try to escape at flank speed (unlikely if the destroyer is already chasing you).
2) you stay surfaced and face the destroyer but then proceed to diving, receiving a few wados in the process.

Also to avoid damage from the aircrafts bombs/gunning overflys:
-I usually travel at full speed and then crank it up to flank when the aircraft is closing in (~500m)
-I do "drastical course changes" of 90°+ when the aircraft is closing in too (same~500m)

Hope this can avoid you a lot of work for the repair party! :salute:

Dropping depth charges at a surfaced sub was a common tactic actually. If they're set shallow which they usually were, no sense in waiting.

[UnderWaterGamer]

Dropping depth charges at a surfaced sub was a common tactic actually. If they're set shallow which they usually were, no sense in waiting.

Thanks for letting me know! Once more AoD gains my respect when it comes to realism! :Kaleun_Salute:

[John Pancoast]

Thanks for letting me know! Once more AoD gains my respect when it comes to realism! :Kaleun_Salute:

AOD is really an incredible sim. 25 years later, I still am playing it. I also seem to recall a sub(s) being sunk by a depth charge hitting it directly from the air (Blair's books).
Though I doubt that was the pilot's intention as much as just how things happened.
Aircraft sunk almost as many subs as escorts/hunter-killer groups, etc.

[UnderWaterGamer]

AOD is really an incredible sim. 25 years later, I still am playing it. I also seem to recall a sub(s) being sunk by a depth charge hitting it directly from the air (Blair's books).
Though I doubt that was the pilot's intention as much as just how things happened.
Aircraft sunk almost as many subs as escorts/hunter-killer groups, etc.

True, planes where big threats for U-Boats, and the arrival of radars would make the already tired crews look out for aircrafts at night. Though in AoD I let the crew on the AA's day and night like in SH1 :arrgh!:

[Silent Otto]

Quick question; Is Steve Hildebrand still an active member here?




I ask, as I too have been experimenting with the Hex editor and CAOD and wanted to discuss explore more about this.


Tim

[Jeff-Groves]

I don't play AOD but I am pretty good with a Hex Editor.
Maybe someone can send me the files so I could look at them?
I could write some stuff for 010 Editor that may help.

[John Pancoast]

I don't play AOD but I am pretty good with a Hex Editor.
Maybe someone can send me the files so I could look at them?
I could write some stuff for 010 Editor that may help.


pm sent.....

[RConch]

This is hopeful-good luck Jeff!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Jeff-Groves]

I'm pretty good at analyzing Hex. And just started with the files.
But I am seeing a pattern that might be a way to exploit the structure.
:hmmm:

SUB_PORTS.DAT is what I'm looking at right now. May be a way to ADD ports.
I'm going to do a Template for 010 to read the file as I'm seeing it right now.

[Jeff-Groves]

Just having a couple days checking somethings and reading from past information?
I know the Subs identifications and so forth.
I can see those in all the different files. Which leads me to think One could change things up in a lot of different ways.

I also saw model information in some files. So with some work? Could export and possibly import new 3D models.

Also have a very good clue on the compression used for the DYN files.

[Silent Otto]

Hi guys,


Just getting back to this forum today, so perhaps I can add to what Steven wrote up in the past. I am still experimenting with some of the codes to see what I can change and how those changes take affect throughout the game but, I am finding out some of the changes prevent other things from occurring as they normally would.


I'll get back on this shortly.


Tim

[Silent Otto]

First,


In case someone doesn't know...


If you look at the .sav files in CAOD, it's all gibberish. As Windows doesn't have a file program set to open these type files, you need to download a Hex Editor to view the files.


Here's a basic editor, it's freeware and fairly easy to use. I'll list a couple of links and you can decide for yourselves. No ads, appears adware and malware safe!


https://mh-nexus.de/en/hxd/ (one I used)
https://download.cnet.com/HxD-Hex-Editor/3000-2352_4-10891068.html




When making changes to the .sav file, it will automatically create a .sav.bak file and add it to the game files. The .bak is the original file, so if you manage to screw something up, the .bak will put you back to where you started; the game doesn't recognize the .sav.bak so you have to delete the .bak portion of the file name in order for the game to function with that file.

[Silent Otto]

Working with Stevens information here:
http://www.subsim.com/ssr/tipaod4.html


One of the things that always bothered me was the lack of promotion beyond Korvettenkapitan, which occurs fairly early in the game career. Understand, a U-boat was a "small" command and small commands usually rate a more junior officer for C.O. (normally LCDR. and below). As Korvettenkapitan is equivalent to LCDR...


Still, there were Fregattenkapitans that commanded U-boats from early on. Less so for Leutnants which came later (circa '44) and were limited to relocating boats back to Germany after the allied invasion.



Here's a question: In AOD, do you get the options to have ranks of Leutnant (Ensign) and Fregattankapitan (Commander) in that game?


I ask, as the files for CAOD do list both ranks in the file shell text, but no where does the game actually offer you either of these ranks in play. This leads me to think that if they were in AOD originally, the decision was made to remove them from CAOD as these ranks were not as common as the Oberleutnant to Korvettenkapitan ranks. Or, as CAOD hit the streets just before the Christmas holidays, someone pushed to get the game out before the software engineers could work out all the bugs and include all the items. We may never know but, that could explain why there are so many bugs and why Sierra could not control the quality between products.



I'll include some snippet attachements but at the allowed file size here, they may be small to read, sorry.

[Silent Otto]

Staying with "Rank" for a moment.


Yes, I know the images are small but you get the idea...


As per Steven's notes, you can change the ranks in the game and the changes to line 48 (00000040) on the left and (08) on top will change the rank. That change will register on both the "Patrol Summary" and "Career" score pages.


HOWEVER...


What I am seeing is that once, that change alone is completed, that rank will remain the same throughout the game and you will not automatically promote. I have played two games now, starting out once as a Leutnant and once as a Kapitanleutnant and after 11 patrols, not a single promotion!


Considering, a U-boat Kapitan being awarded the Knight's Cross or above would have been promoted on the spot at the Leutnant level and after 11 patrols wearing the diamonds level award, still nothing in either case??


I was hoping to see the normal accession that one normally sees to the next higher ranks around patrols 4 or 5 (Oblt to Kptlt) and again around patrols 14 or 15 (Kptlt to KrvKpt), with the idea if I started out as Kptlt, I eventually would see FrgKpt. No such luck.

[Silent Otto]

I think somehow and somewhere, these are tied in and in order for the rank changes to modify, the code needs to change wherever these lines are as well.

[Silent Otto]

Last note on "Ranks" and I'll wait to hear what others might think or know.


When selecting a "New career" to start a new game, you are automatically given the rank of Oberleutnant. If you want to change rank prior to the first patrol, you need to hex edit line 48 in the save file before actually starting play.


I wonder, if we can change that opening page coding, will it affect everything else and then everything falls into place?

[Jeff-Groves]

Leutnant
Oberleutnant
Kapitanleutnant
Korvettenkapitan
Fregattenkapitan

Are the only things I found in the Subsim.exe

[Jeff-Groves]

you need to hex edit line 48 in the save file
I think you mean an absolute address and not just a LINE.

[Silent Otto]

Hi Jeff,


Yes, I just don't get too detailed here as most seem uninterested in hex editing or lost completely by it and just want to play the game and even that seems to be few these days.


I'll PM you a bit later today, time depending and show some things I've found out. :up:


Tim

[Silent Otto]

I see Andreas is working some image files so thought maybe there are a few more people working on things and I'll add some of my findings.

You can change a lot in the game files, like Captain's Log, Patrol Summaries, Career Scores, etc. I am trying to figure out more along the lines of what Andreas is doing with images.

Here's and example: Gunther Prien in U-47:


If you compare the Hex addresses with the options Steven Hildebrand listed, you can see you can adjust quite a bit. Once this takes, as in this case, Prien returns to get awarded the Knight's Cross and address 49 will change to 01.

[Silent Otto]

Letters and numbers.


Numbering is patterned in Hex. I'll show some examples and you can see the pattern to apply as you see fit.


00 = 0 ... 10 = 16 …... Some random examples: 30 = 48
01 = 1 ... 11 = 17 …... 40 = 64
02 = 2 ... 12 = 18 …... 60 = 96
03 = 3 ... 13 = 19 …... 71 = 113
04 = 4 ... 14 = 20 …... 72 = 114
05 = 5 ... 15 = 21
06 = 6 ... 16 = 22
07 = 7 ... 17 = 23 …... You get the idea.
08 = 8 ... 18 = 24
09 = 9 ... 19 = 25
0A = 10 .. 1A = 26
0B = 11 .. 1B = 27
0C = 12 .. 1C = 28
0D = 13 .. 1D = 29
0E = 14 .. 1E = 30
0F = 15 .. 1F = 31


Letter's are numbered both upper and lower case; see attached below.

[Jeff-Groves]

A lot of people freak when they see things in Hex!
:haha:
It's like reading a different language! Now I've been working in Hex for over 30+ years! I can pick out patterns as to how a file is constructed. There is usually a lot of information about the file size, content numbers, how much data to read, and so on. Usually the header is a Map of sorts.
Then you just need to follow the data. That may mean looking at a bunch of different files to get the 'BIG' picture.

In one of your images above you have a captains log. I'd like the save game with a captains log image that goes with it!
Cross referencing other files? I may be able to track down where that is in the save game.

[Jeff-Groves]

The AOD and ShellVol.dyn files are defiantly packed files.
SO We need to unpack them then decompress things like the BMP files in them.

[Jeff-Groves]

Game Extractor will dump the dyn files.
It will not repack them.
Might be able to figure out how to repack by studying the format as the .dyn is not compressed.

http://www.watto.org/game_extractor.html

Here's the file format specs for the .dyn files

20 - Header (Dynamix Volume File) + null
2 - Unknown
4 - Unknown
2 - Unknown
2 - Unknown
2 - Unknown
4 - numFiles

// for each file
4 - Unknown

// for each file
13 - Filename (null)
4 - File Size
X - File Data
0-3 - null padding (to a multiple of 4 bytes)

[Jeff-Groves]

From Steve's information...............
"On the save file I used for exploration, my total tonnage sunk was 181,244. This value, expressed in Hexidecimal, is "02 C3 FC" but in the gamesave file, it was written as "FC C3 02." My career score was 92270, or "01 68 6E" but it was written as "6E 68 01." Weird, eh??"

It's merely a matter of Endian set on your Editor for some things.
Little Endian (intel) or Big Endian (Motorola)
So as We look at the files in Hex We may need to switch back and forth to get the true answer for UnKnown Values.

Nice thing about working with Scripts and Templates in 010 is that I can account for Endian at anytime.
Swapping Endian in files is not that uncommon by the way.

Now if you want to know where the term 'Endian' came from? I can tell you that also!
:har:

[Jeff-Groves]

I know there's data not defined in the format for the .dyn files.
I took several bytes out and the file will not open in Game Extracter.

[Jeff-Groves]

So... are the HIST??.GAM files what controls Historic Missions?

[Silent Otto]

That would be my guess, though I haven't played around with the hex files. If I remember correctly, historic games would not need to modify anything like player's name, hull numbers or homeports, type of boat, etc.

Game play is what the historic mission is set as, the only variable is the player's use of the assigned boat as far as course, whether or not he finds the convoy and his attacking results.

I don't remember offhand if you get any award page/s after a successful mission or not? Been awhile since playing historic missions, sorry.

BTW, two emails sent on the other files.
Tim