A question about DC UDF's (and some more).

[JapLance]

Hi folks, a newbie asking for help :damn: .

I've been experimenting with DC, checking extra models and units, and realised that I had a UDF for the Italian Ariete Torpedo Boats that lacked depth charges. I thought it would be just a matter of "cut & paste" from the UDF of an Italian DD, for example, but it didn't work :roll: .

The question is: is there a tutorial (or something similar)somewhere about how to make/change UDF files?. I've found some things on mission editing, but not on ship-class creation.

Another question I'd like to ask. Some jrf models (not the originals, but downloaded ones) don't show on my DC ship-viewer. I mean, not in the class-list by countries, but on the 3D world. I use NDDBagley to quickly see models and decide if I will use them, but many of them just don't pop-up: I just get empty water.

Am I doing something wrong?. Will this models still work in the game? (I guess if they are released is because they work, right?).

Well, these games are excellent and should not be discountinued.

[horsa]

The question is: is there a tutorial (or something similar)somewhere about how to make/change UDF files?.

Sorry, I don't recall anyone ever doing this
Another question I'd like to ask. Some jrf models (not the originals, but downloaded ones) don't show on my DC ship-viewer
You need to create an entry in the relevant DB file. Don't forget to advance the entry number by 1. :D

[JapLance]

You need to create an entry in the relevant DB file. Don't forget to advance the entry number by 1. :D

Thanks for a speedy answer :lol: .

No, I think that's not the question. I always use the same Db entry to view the models: the Bagley DD, so what I do is redirecting the Bagley UDF to whichever model I want to view. This way it's the first unit I see in the viewer and I don't need to browse through the countries and classes. But with some downloaded models (not all, many of them work properly) I get a "blank".

Regarding the UDF files, it's strange that nobody has collected all knowledge in a single document, as happened with the missions. Obviously there is people that know how to do it (hint ;) ). Hope they are not gone to SH3 forever.

Maybe I should try the Italian site, which seems to be the only one still working on mods for DC/SH2.

[turnerg]

The jrf file has to have a "mount" i believe for the dc's. just because stuff's modeled, doesnt mean it's coded. i havent touched dc in a long time, i'll have to give it a look.....

[CBDR]

I think the problem with NTBAriete is that the JRF file does not have any nodes for depth charge racks or depth charge throwers. You would see an entry such as

Node = DC1

or

Node = DCT1

if NTBAriete's JRF model has depth charge racks and/or throwers. Maybe some of the hex editing wizards out there can tell you if it's possible to add these nodes; I certainly don't know how. The node appears to contain information such as type (main gun, secondary gun, torpedo, etc.), location and number of barrels/launchers. If the node is not in the JRF, you can not force it by including it in the *.udf file.

You can modify nodes that exist. For example, you can change NTBAriete's Main1 and Main2 nodes to mount the Bismarck's 380 mm guns, as follows:

[WEAPON1]
Type = TURRET
Node = Main1
System = Gun380mm ;was Gun100mm
ElevRange = 0,85
TravRange1 = 0,-120,120
AmmoType1 = Gun380mmAP ;was Gun100mmHE
MagazineCount1 = 150
;AmmoType2 = Gun100mmAA
;MagazineCount2 = 0
;AmmoType3 = GunGenStar
;MagazineCount3 = 50

[WEAPON3]
Type = TURRET
Node = Main2
System = Gun380mm ;was Gun100mm
ElevRange = 0,85
TravRange1 = -180,-60,60
AmmoType1 = Gun380mmAP ;was Gun100mmHE
MagazineCount1 = 150
;AmmoType2 = Gun100mmAA
;MagazineCount2 = 0
;AmmoType3 = GunGenStar
;MagazineCount3 = 50

Yes, it is a bit absurd (but fun!) to mount such large weapons on an 850 ton hull, but the simulation does not simulate center of gravity, stability and the like, so you can mount whatever turret type weapon you want. Just make sure the *.udf file entry for AmmoType matches the *.ddf entry for AmmoType.

Best of Luck!

[GlowwormGuy]

Try the depth charge racks... I find that they are sometimes easier to add than throwers - I've got a modified Dido 3 cruiser and I added depth charges to that successfully.

Its usually just cut and paste and follow the format models.

Best of luck!
Mountbatten

[JapLance]

Thanks for the answers guys! :up: . Well, as I said, I'm a newbie, so not much idea about nodes, JRF's and so on.

If you mean that depthCharge racks are in the model, yes, they certainly are:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/585/rnarietedc7it.th.jpg (http://img301.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rnarietedc7it.jpg)

Not sure if seeing it means it is coded inside.

This is what I pasted inside (just taken from a Soldati Class DD, only changed the weapon number):



[WEAPON23]
Type = DEPTHCHARGE
Node = Dc1
System = DepthChargeRack
TravRange1 = 180,180,180
MagazineSize1 = 4
MagazineCount1 = 2
AmmoType1 = DepthChargeIT_BTG100

[WEAPON24]
Type = DEPTHCHARGE
Node = DC2
System = DepthChargeRack
TravRange1 = 180,180,180
MagazineSize1 = 4
MagazineCount1 = 2
AmmoType1 = DepthChargeIT_BTG100

Rather useless an ASW ship with no DC, isn't it? :D

[badhat17]

The Soldati class depth charge nodes are different to the Ariete so they wont work properly if at all on the Ariete model, but the following does work for me.

;..............Depth Charges (32/44).................

[WEAPON17]
Type = DEPTHCHARGE
Node = DC1,DC2
System = DepthChargeRack
TravRange1 = 180,180,180
MagazineSize1 = 4
MagazineCount1 = 2
AmmoType1 = DepthChargeIT_BTG100

[WEAPON18]
Type = DEPTHCHARGE
TravRange1 = 90,90,90
System = DepthChargeThrower
MagazineSize1 = 1
AmmoType1 = DepthChargeIT_BTG100
Node = DCT1
MagazineCount1 = 4

[WEAPON19]
Type = DEPTHCHARGE
TravRange1 = -90,-90,-90
System = DepthChargeThrower
MagazineSize1 = 1
AmmoType1 = DepthChargeIT_BTG100
Node = DCT2
MagazineCount1 = 4

[JapLance]

Thanks, mate, that worked perfect :arrgh!:.

What's the important point, then?. The DC rack seems to be the same as mine (except for the two stations instead of one), so I guess that weapon number minds in this question. Am I right?. Maybe main weapons have certain numbers, AAA onother batch of numbers, TT another and so on?.

Sorry for so many questions.

[Canarb]

hi all,
Ariete 3d is in progress and Orsa 3d is final.
to this link you download units pack: http://canarb.altervista.org/mod/regimarina.htm

and to this you have info: http://canarb.altervista.org/mod/info.htm

[CBDR]

Badhat,

Thanks for the update! I forgot that each weapon number must be unique.

[GlowwormGuy]

Modding UDFs is pretty straightforward. You can give a PT boat a 15" gun if you'd like hehehe, it's really a matter of taking note of your models and following their format. That's pretty much how all of us have learned the basics. Like badhat mentioned each weapon MUST have a unique number assigned to it. But since there are only maybe thirty or so weapon stations - and the numbers don't necessarily have to be sequential but it helps keep tabs on things - it shouldn't be too difficult to do. You can for example, number your mains in units, your secondaries in the line of ten or twenty, your AA as 51, 52, etc. and ASW as 80,81, etc.

Remember also that you're limited by the number of guns - I'm saying this because sometime you may want to model a ship with twin turrets but the best model you've found only has singles - or triples!

You can't add more gun weapons than you have nodes for - however you can have less! If you learn how to hex edit you can actually physically remove weapons. There's supposed to be a way that you can physically add weapons that some folks know but that escapes me at the moment.

Depth charges can 'generally' be added to most surface models, at least the rolled ones. Throwers which require nodes may be a bit dicier.

I'd strongly recommend you get a hold of a free hex editor program like FRHED if you want to delve into the esoteric arts of modding or to at least see the structure of the model files. There are stuff that can be changed but big changes will take software that evidently costs a truckload of dough (and may not even be available anymore) plus other stuff OR a lot of time for trial and error.

Best of luck!
Mountbatten

[GlowwormGuy]

Hi Canarb,

Good to see that Betasom is still alive and sailing the unfriendly seas. I'm glad that you guys haven't stopped modding for DC/SH2 completely yet.

Hoping for great things!
Mountbatten

[CBDR]

GlowwormGuy,

I have FRHed and the jrf files are absolute gibberish. How do I add a DC node, or any other node for that matter? Better yet, what do I need to do so i can understand what the jrf files mean??

[badhat17]

The Soldati has two extra nodes for throwers which the Ariete lacks, that was difference I spotted. Exactly why it did not work with the code you had tried previously I am not sure, it may have been something to do with the weapon numbers you had chosen but could just as easily be something else as this process is still a black art. :)
I use 'word' to examine the jrf by searching for a string such as DC1 or DCT1 and so on until I stop finding new strings so then I know how many nodes the model contains. Like others have mentioned, hex editing is for the whiz kids, it is total gibberish to me. :)

[blumen-bts]

Hi Canarb,

Good to see that Betasom is still alive and sailing the unfriendly seas. I'm glad that you guys haven't stopped modding for DC/SH2 completely yet.



Canarb and italian modding team have been moved on new forum
and stiil working on DC/SH2 ,SH3 and DW ;)

http://www.maricosom.net/sito/
http://www.forum.maricosom.net/

[Canarb]

remember, pack with units only is regia marina units pack (21 Mb)

link works?


the war goes ahead (sperem) :D


and sorry my english

[GlowwormGuy]

Well they are but not absolutely gibberish. While I don't know how to ADD or REPLACE stuff I know there are ways to change deck and side textures and to subtract/delete stuff. Basically that involves renaming the node markers within the JRF that refer to turrets or weapons (main, secondary, aa, dc) and the entire model name like NDDOnslow should be renamed with the same number of letters ideally (like if you're making a gray repaint you can rename as NDDOnslGr) and make sure your UDF file references that model.

I too wish I knew how to add or replace LOL :rock: - me banging my head against the wall.

By the way, Canarb, is the Orsa included in the Betasom ship pack or are they still the older ones? I know you guys released a 'new' cruiser a couple, well about a year ago or so...

Cheers all,
Mountbatten

[JapLance]

remember, pack with units only is regia marina units pack (21 Mb)

Yep, those models are amazing (BB's and CA's look soooo good :up:), but they are too "heavy" for my computer to play smoothly :(. The same thing with submarines in Alfa Tau.

[Canarb]

We release Orsa in single pacck or in mare nostrum mod. Wait please ;)

[GlowwormGuy]

I've run a search here cuz I was wondering what that last cruiser you released was? I know you guys did the Zara class as a pack but I recall you released another nice looking cruiser about a year ago. If you don't mind me asking, which one was it and is it still available for download? It wasn't the Trento was it?

Thanks very much,
Mountbatten

[horsa]

I've got the following in my compilation :-

Bolzano
Fiume
Gorizia
Pola
Trento
Zara

Any good ?

Some time since I used then and can't remember how many distinct classes there are . :-?

[GlowwormGuy]

I think then it might be the Trento... Is she still downloadable somewhere? I just pretty much need these two - Trento and Trieste - I think I have the Zara class ships.

Looks like I'll be getting the Giorgios Averoff to work accurately after all - apparently its secondaries - well the Norfolk w/c I'm using - is armed with four twins albeit very small. I think these are what Serge used for the Polish Grom destroyer. I'll be doing a pre-WW1 and WW2 version.

Mountbatten

[willi]

Classes of the Unities for SH2-DC , realized or in construction near the group "Sperem" (Canarb, Blumen, Aaken etc.)

L' underlying list, it properly refers to the "classes" and not to the single unities.

Present unities in the packet "RegiaMarina _UnitsPack_v2.exe" released on the occasion of the publication of "Alpha Tau" mod :

http://www.maricosom.net

(Classi Unità realizzate od in costruzione presso il gruppo "Sperem" (Canarb, Blumen, Aaken ecc.) aggiornato al 24-1-06
SH2-DC
L' elenco sottostante, si riferisce propriamente alle "classi" e non alle singole unità.
Unità presenti nel pacchetto "RegiaMarina _UnitsPack_v2.exe" rilasciato in occasione della pubblicazione di Alfa Tau : )


NTBCurtatone
NBBCesare
NBBCavour
NCAPola
NCAGorizia
NCAFiume
NCAZara
NBBLittorio (Roma)
NBBVVeneto
NPTmsS2

NSSAscianghi
NSSAcciaio
NSSCagni
NSSCalvi
NSSCB
NSSPerla

ATBSM79
ASCCantZ506b
ASCCantZ506bCR


Completed unities that are on the site of Canarb to the following link:

http://digilander.libero.it/canarb/

(Unità completate e presenti sul forum e sul sito di Canarb al seguente link : )

NCABolzano (Trento, Trieste)
NCOGabbiano

ASCRo43
AFFRe2000


There are numerous other unities in development, in various stadiums of completion, that we would like to publish at least with the mod "Mare Nostrum - Nostrum Sea".

(Ci sono numerose altre unità in sviluppo, ed in vari stadi di completamento, che verranno almeno in parte pubblicate con il mod "Mare Nostrum" : )

[GlowwormGuy]

Ah so the Bolzano is the same model that is used for Trento and Trieste? I think there were two released - one with the seaplane and one without... I just thought there was a different model for the Trento and Trieste.

Thanks very much and more power to the team!
Mountbatten

[willi]

Ah so the Bolzano is the same model that is used for Trento and Trieste? I think there were two released - one with the seaplane and one without... I just thought there was a different model for the Trento and Trieste.

Thanks very much and more power to the team!
Mountbatten

Among the models realized by Canarb and friends, only the "Fiume" hands in evidence the hydroplane.

These are the cards of the cruisers Bolzano and Trento (Trieste)

Thanks to you for the encouragement!

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

Name: R.N. Bolzano
Class: Bolzano
Type: Heavy cruiser
Country: Italy
Launch: First launched 31-08-1932
Displacement: 11065 tons (standard)
13885 tons (full)

Length: 196,9 m
Beam: 20,6 m
Draft: 6,8 m

Max Speed: 33 kt (37 kt to the test)

Endurance: 4432 nm (16 kt)

Armor: Side 70 mm
Deck 50 mm
Turret 80 mm

Guns: 4x2 203 mm/54 main
6x2 100 mm/47 secondary
AA: 4x2 37 mm
8x20 mm
8x13 mm

Torpedo tubes: 2x3 533 mm

Aircraft: 2x I.M.A.M. Ro43 scout hydroplane.

Crew: 788

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


Name: R.N. Trento (Trieste)
Class: Trento
Type: Heavy cruiser
Country: Italy
Launch: First launched 04-10-1927
Displacement: 10511 tons (standard)
13358 tons (full)

Length: 196,6 m
Beam: 20,6 m
Draft: 6,8 m

Max Speed: 31 kt (36 kt to the test)

Endurance: 4160 nm (16 kt)

Armor: Side 70 mm
Deck 50 mm
Turret 70 mm

Guns: 4x2 203 mm/50 main
6x2 100 mm/47 secondary
AA: 4x2 37 mm
8x20 mm
8x13 mm

Torpedo tubes: 2x4 533 mm

Aircraft: 2x I.M.A.M. Ro43 scout hydroplane.

Crew: 781

Bibliography: "Le navi da guerra Italiane 1940-1945" Authors: Bagnasco - Cernuschi