SH3 Commander Release 2.2 now available!

[JScones]

Release 2.2 of SH3 Commander is now available. This is a full minor release - no previous version of SH3 Commander is required.

Changes:
- Improved insertion of date based variable menu text. No more need to include *_menu.txt files in the Date folder structure
- Now recognises when a career is "mid-patrol" and ignores realistic career length and realistic crew transfer options accordingly
- "U-Boat Aces" listing now includes other player Commanders (marked with single asterisk)
- Added "Use real ship names" option which if selected replaces standard SH3 ship labels in patrol logs with real ship names. Note that changes are irreversable (credit to Observer for the extensive research undertaken on this one)
- Improved random tonnage calculations (essentially Observer's mod re-engineered and integrated within SH3 Commander)
- Now randomises the time Escorts spend looking for U-Boats after losing contact (by default between 15 and 45 minutes)
- "Randomise crew names" renamed to "Use realistic crew configurations". Functionality is unchanged
- Moving the mouse cursor over text "hidden" under the Commander's image now shows the text
- Improved the robustness of recording a Commander's pre-career history
- Improved the insertion method of Basic.cfg modifications
- Modders can now use a /nolaunch switch to stop SH3 loading (ie for mod testing purposes)

New mod inclusions:
Skins added for Sergbuto's two new merchants (credit to iambecomelife for early war skins and Beery for late war skins)

No screenshots this time as this release focusses on "under the bonnet" tweaks and improvements. The interface is largely unchanged.

Note that this release marks the separation of SH3 Commander and RUb. You'll notice that SH3 Commander no longer copies in full versions of the *_menu.txt files, only the labels that it is asked to adjust (by default #46 for the NewsMod and #902-904 for the pre-1940 Flotilla names - but you can add whatever you like by following the instructions outlined in SH3Cmdr Help.html). This means no more text "side effects". Likewise, real U-Boat availability dates are now written individually to Basic.cfg, meaning that there are no Basic.cfg files included with SH3 Commander either.

These improvements mean that major mods can now work harmoniously with SH3 Commander.

One key thing to remember about SH3 Commander is that it can be modded and tweaked too - you can browse any file within the Cfg sub-folder and by following the instructions outlined at the top, you can tweak to suit your individual gameplay style and preference. Just remember to back up the original files first as neither Beery or I have the resources to answer every "I've stuffed up an SH3Cmdr file" question. ;)

And modders, if you have created camo skins, dials or whatever that are U-Boat, Flotilla or Date related, you can zip them up to run with SH3 Commander just as you can with JSGME. Let Beery or me know if you have questions or if you would like your creations included in a future release of SH3 Commander. :)

To download, use your SH3 Commander "Updates" feature or click here (http://www.beerymod.com/SH3Cmdr22.exe). To make it easier for users, this release comes with full install/uninstall support - no more .7z file. When installing, please ensure that you read the !!PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING!! information.

Notes:
-When you first load SH3 Commander please review the "SH3 Options" screen. Failing to review prior to launching Silent Hunter III may result in unwanted (albeit temporary) gameplay experience.
-For efficiency and dynamic reasons, I have slightly changed the Fatigue key names in "Crew fatigue models.cfg". Please note this when reinserting your own models. This change now allows you to add other CREW_* block values that exist, such as FatigueMin and so on.
-The setup wizard version is approximately 43mb. Alternatively, the same release is available as a 31mb .7z download at http://www.beerymod.com/SH3Cmdr22.7z. Please read SH3Cmdr Help.html before installing the .7z version. Should demand call, a "Lite" version will be made available which will include everything except for the random ship skins.

As always, please post your questions/feedback/problems to this thread...

[Lane]

Thank's JScones for the new commander I just d/l it and saw the
new setup program. A few dumb questions from me :D
I see no readme before running the set up program?
Do I need to roll back my present Commander? or just leave as is for now?
Will I be able to set fatigue to zero? I saw you said you won't have the
basic.cfg file So I will have to make the changes? my basic.cfg file is set
up for zero fatigue.
Will we still be able to set water to clear? and adjust deck gun reload time.
One more will we be able to adjust time in port? I am running Rubini
HT 1.46 have it set for 1 day for the milkcow mod.
Thank's for any comeback on my questions :D
Lane :D

[Lane]

JS,

One more request :D Would you write what is in blue in your above post?
I can't read the blue letters?

Thank's
Lane :D

[JScones]

I see no readme before running the set up program? Do I need to roll back my present Commander? or just leave as is for now?
Cyan text = "To download, use your SH3 Commander "Updates" feature or click here. To make it easier for users, this release comes with full install/uninstall support - no more .7z file. When installing, please ensure that you read the !!PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING!! information."

When you run the install file it will tell you what to do before continuing.

Will I be able to set fatigue to zero? I saw you said you won't have the basic.cfg file So I will have to make the changes? my basic.cfg file is set up for zero fatigue.
Will we still be able to set water to clear? and adjust deck gun reload time. One more will we be able to adjust time in port? I am running Rubini HT 1.46 have it set for 1 day for the milkcow mod.
I think you asked these questions in another thread. ;) The answer is the same, this is an *update* to an existing version, with *extra* features. Current functionality remains unchanged, except where stated above.

[Lane]

JS,

I think I have it set up look's good Did a roll back, and Delete my old Data, Flottila,and Random Sub Folders. And did the install. Set it up like my older version. the crew fatigue and my other settings :D
Now can I delete the older CMD now it was in folder on desk top?
Seem's to have all the new things like your above post :D
Will start SH 3 and see if she runs ok.
Thank's
Lane

[JScones]

I think I have it set up look's good Did a roll back, and Delete my old Data, Flottila,and Random Sub Folders. And did the install. Set it up like my older version. the crew fatigue and my other settings :D
Now can I delete the older CMD now it was in folder on desk top?
Seem's to have all the new things like your above post :D
Will start SH 3 and see if she runs ok.
What's a CMD?

[Lane]

JS,
"CMD" Just my slang for Commander :D
Start Sim with new commander works fine.
I am running Rubini's HT 146 and I still click under Attack orders to
See his Milk cow Data still invisable no big deal I just click under
attack orders and it pops up.
Sorry I miss spell some words I am a senior and just don't spell well
Wish these forums had a spellchecker :D
Thank's JS for the new Commander
Lane :D

[JScones]

"CMD" Just my slang for Commander :D
Start Sim with new commander works fine.
OK. It sounds like you did not install over your previous installation. If that is the case, copy the old SH3Cmdr.ini file into your new installation before deleting your old SH3Cmdr folder. If you don't, you'll lose your Commander histories and SH3 Commander settings (not that the settings are a big deal - they're easily reset, but you may not want to lose your Commander history information).

I am running Rubini's HT 146 and I still click under Attack orders to See his Milk cow Data still invisable no big deal I just click under attack orders and it pops up.
Well, you say you've deleted the "Date" folders, which contained the files that caused the conflict, but besides, you've installed to a fresh location, so the problem is not SH3Cmdr related this time. I recommend the following:
1. Rollback SH3Cmdr
2. Disable HT1.46 in JSGME
3. Re-enable HT1.46 in JSGME

See if that fixes it. :D

[oRGy]

Great stuff!

:up:

[Pkunzipper]

Thanks!!
It's really great!! :up:

Just a small request...
I like very much the snaming of the ship you sink, but is it possible to have the type of the ship too??

Something like "CVE - S.S. Breton" or "Bogue Class - S.S. Breton"?

[HEMISENT]

Thanks.
The hits just keep on coming!
Downloading now.

[Schultzy]

Thanks mate.

Love it, and it keeps getting better! :up:

[Nippelspanner]

- Now randomises the time Escorts spend looking for U-Boats after losing contact (by default between 15 and 45 minutes)

Huh? Where can i configure this? I think it would be better to set this to 6 - 11 hours, because of the "2 minute wabo attacks"... maybe we could stretch this procedure a little bit? :hmm:

[Beery]

- Now randomises the time Escorts spend looking for U-Boats after losing contact (by default between 15 and 45 minutes)

Huh? Where can i configure this? I think it would be better to set this to 6 - 11 hours, because of the "2 minute wabo attacks"... maybe we could stretch this procedure a little bit? :hmm:

If it goes beyond 45 minutes the escorts will lose the ability to catch up with the convoy (outside a certain range the escorts assume they are the only convoy survivors and they chug along at the standard convoy speed). Since, if the U-boat is not detected, it usually takes only 45 minutes or so to escape the search area, this means that you can catch up with an unescorted convoy and play havoc with it, which is very unrealistic.

However, if you want to extend the limits of the search you can adjust the range in SH3 Commander\Cfg\Miscellaneous.cfg. Just input the desired upper and lower values (in minutes).

[jaxa]

JScones - I've read in SH3Commander Help this:
"Fuel resupply strategy simulated from April 1942 until December 1943 by extending range of Type VIIC during this time period."
I use the newest HT 1.46 with Milk Cows mod, so I don't need this feature. How to disable it?

[Twelvefield]

JS,

One more request :D Would you write what is in blue in your above post?
I can't read the blue letters?

Thank's
Lane :D

Readable text is the foundation of using text in the first place. Low contrast texts, like cyan on grey, drive me nuts, too. The first thing you can do is ask people to please stop using low-contrast texts, like cyan, white, or yellow.

If that fails, you can do what I do: click and drag the cursor over the text like you are going to select it for copy & paste. The text will be colour reversed, and you can read it a bit better.

[Beery]

JScones - I've read in SH3Commander Help this:
"Fuel resupply strategy simulated from April 1942 until December 1943 by extending range of Type VIIC during this time period."
I use the newest HT 1.46 with Milk Cows mod, so I don't need this feature. How to disable it?

There are two 'Submarine' folders in SH3 Commander's Date folder that you'll need to remove. One is in Date\19420401\data and the other is in Date\19431201\data. Delete both Submarine folders and their contents. That will ensure that you only get the standard fuel allowance.

[Beery]

Readable text is the foundation of using text in the first place. Low contrast texts, like cyan on grey, drive me nuts, too. The first thing you can do is ask people to please stop using low-contrast texts, like cyan, white, or yellow...

The contrast is very high indeed as I see it. The cyan text is the most readable text on the screen. I think the problem is that the forums have two viewing options - one light, the other dark (the dark one is the default). If you're using the non-default light version, cyan will look low-contrast. Somehow I don't think Jaesen can mandate what viewing options folks will choose, and if he had chosen a darker text the folks who use the default viewing option would be struggling to see it. :88)

[Beery]

Thanks!!
It's really great!! :up:

Just a small request...
I like very much the naming of the ship you sink, but is it possible to have the type of the ship too??

Something like "CVE - S.S. Breton" or "Bogue Class - S.S. Breton"?

This is a great idea! How about the type coming after the name, like "HMS Clematis - Flower Class Corvette" or "SS. A. B. Hammond - Liberty Ship"?

If there's no game limitation preventing it, we'll work on this for the next mini-update.

[Lane]

Thank's guys about the tip reading Cyan Text about using mouse to
highlight text work's like a charm :D It was a color I could all most read it.
Yes there is a place on forum that you can change colors of text.
Thank's again :D
Lane :D I am not much of a PC expert I am retired and just got my
first PC in 1992 I bet most of you guys have grown up with PC's :D
Lane :D

[Teufelschiff]

Thanks!!
It's really great!! :up:

Just a small request...
I like very much the naming of the ship you sink, but is it possible to have the type of the ship too??

Something like "CVE - S.S. Breton" or "Bogue Class - S.S. Breton"?

This is a great idea! How about the type coming after the name, like "HMS Clematis - Flower Class Corvette" or "SS. A. B. Hammond - Liberty Ship"?

If there's no game limitation preventing it, we'll work on this for the next mini-update.


:rock:

[Teufelschiff]

Thanks!!
It's really great!! :up:

Just a small request...
I like very much the naming of the ship you sink, but is it possible to have the type of the ship too??

Something like "CVE - S.S. Breton" or "Bogue Class - S.S. Breton"?

This is a great idea! How about the type coming after the name, like "HMS Clematis - Flower Class Corvette" or "SS. A. B. Hammond - Liberty Ship"?

If there's no game limitation preventing it, we'll work on this for the next mini-update.


:rock:

[baxter]

Thanks to JScones and Beery for another excellent update...this thing just keeps getting better!

[Observer]

Thanks!!
It's really great!! :up:

Just a small request...
I like very much the naming of the ship you sink, but is it possible to have the type of the ship too??

Something like "CVE - S.S. Breton" or "Bogue Class - S.S. Breton"?

This is a great idea! How about the type coming after the name, like "HMS Clematis - Flower Class Corvette" or "SS. A. B. Hammond - Liberty Ship"?

If there's no game limitation preventing it, we'll work on this for the next mini-update.

No limitation as far as I know on the log files as long as the formatting stays the same, and it's very easy to do. It's just a matter of adding the name text in addition to the ship name when modifying the log file. It's an add rather than a replace option.

[Beery]

Regarding the name and type listing, there are a couple of minor problems and one major problem.

The minor problems are: 1, the generic merchant names will need to be split into their respective types, or multiples of the list will need to be generated for each type that is currently generic; and 2, the lists are so large that it will probably require some automation to add a suffix to each name.

The major problem is that the list needs to be in at least two languages, and probably three. This could be done by simple file substitution, but even if it's a simple file substitution, to do it right will require a bit of programming.

[JScones]

Regarding the name and type listing, there are a couple of minor problems and one major problem.

The minor problems are: 1, the generic merchant names will need to be split into their respective types, or multiples of the list will need to be generated for each type that is currently generic; and 2, the lists are so large that it will probably require some automation to add a suffix to each name.

The major problem is that the list needs to be in at least two languages, and probably three. This could be done by simple file substitution, but even if it's a simple file substitution, to do it right will require a bit of programming.
Leave it all to me and the magic of programming. Only one line of code needs to be changed.

UPDATE: Done. Ships will now list (in the next release) as "S.S. Empire Lake (C2-Cargo)" (in user's selected language of course).

[Akula Osis]

UNIX compatible naming convention for HTML. Present files have spaces and hyphens and my server is freaking out.

Being able to upload (ftp) the reports is great for Single Player Dead is Dead play, now I just need to figure out how to integrate it into a Portal.

:up: This is a great addtition to the game. Thank you.

[gdogghenrikson]

I hate to leave negative feedback, but I have tried to DL it 2 times (the 44meg.exe version) and it was corrupted both times and the second time I had to use system restore just to get rid of the file. :down:

ok it worked this time.........sweet :up:

[Gizzmoe]

The exe is ok, I´ve just tried it. There´s also a 7z version...

[Beery]

I hate to leave negative feedback, but I have tried to DL it 2 times (the 44meg.exe version) and it was corrupted both times and the second time I had to use system restore just to get rid of the file. :down:

Where are you getting it from, and what internet connection do you have? There should not be an issue at my end, as it's about the fastest, most trouble free web hosting provider I've ever seen, and it should be, hehe, I pay enough for it. Plus, I always ALWAYS check as soon as I upload, that the whole file is there. The website has a full file there, definitely not corrupted. Of course if you're getting it from someone else's site I can't vouch for that.

[JScones]

I just d/l from www.beerymod.com three separate times via IE and GetRight. Ran every time.

[Lane]

Hi JS, :D

I got high speed Broadband and sometimes I have to make two or three
try's to make the DL I can tell if it did not catch it for the D/L It will d/l
real fast but the zip won't unzip :-j :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Your old Buddy Lane :-j :-j

[Lane]

JS,

Just Loves my Questions about his programs :D

JS. I just had to Kid you a little tonight :)
He knows sometimes I don't read the Readme and ask the same question
over and over :D
But he helps me anyhow.
Have a good one I love your programs and Berry's Programs I can't leave
him out I like all the mods for SH3 :D
Lane :rock:

[JScones]

I got high speed Broadband and sometimes I have to make two or three try's to make the DL I can tell if it did not catch it for the D/L It will d/l real fast but the zip won't unzip :-j :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Your old Buddy Lane :-j :-j
Do you use a download manager? I wouldn't be without my GetRight - even though I have high speed Broadband meaning that the need for download resumption is minor (it only takes me a minute or so to download a 44mb file), I still find it better than using the default MS way. Generally, nay always, no problems.

[Lane]

JS,
Do I use a Download Manager? No I guess I don't I just use the Winrar
zip program most of time I don't have any problems :D
I am hooked up to Broadband on my cable TV system.
I am sure you don't have any problems You guys have to be good to
do what you do making all those Mod's
Like I said in a post I never had a Home PC till 1982 I would say I am
at a medium level about PC's when I got into Sims I knew I had to learn
about files and folders and how to move files around if I was going to install patches and mods. but I admire guys like you and Berry who
make these nice mod's for SH3 Hope you be easy on me I am age 68
with a young man's heart I guess Sometimes I wonder what a old fool
like me is doing running these sims and trying to add these mods. :D
Have a good one
Sir :D

[Akula Osis]

No download problems for me what so ever, with either version.

[jaxa]

Beery - Thanks for reply. "Data" folder in "19431201" had only "Submarines" subfolder. I deleted it as you wrote, but I don't know if I should leave empty subfolder "data" in "19431201" folder or delete all "19431201".

JScones - ships names with ships types in next release of SH3Commander is very good idea! When will it be ready?

[Beery]

Beery - Thanks for reply. "Data" folder in "19431201" had only "Submarines" subfolder. I deleted it as you wrote, but I don't know if I should leave empty subfolder "data" in "19431201" folder or delete all "19431201"...

You can delete all those folders including the 19431201 folder. They don't do anything anymore.