Hitman, when working on these, since you know the scalings, etc.,, it would be ideal if you could also do the reflect and damage models. That would massively reduce the work to actually get them in game. Basically, the reflect model (make it visible in S3D to see how simplified it is) could be scaled the same %s as the base hull was. So if you used hakusika, and scaled it 101% in length, and 93% in width, and 97% in height, do the same to a hakusika reflect model, then import that in.

The damage models are similar, the idea is just to have them fit properly inside the base model.

If we have all those, then all we need to do is to place all the nodes, props, rudders, etc, then re-zon the thing for damage, and mess with the sim file. And any texture issues.

I tried to remap Ada to fix those stretched textures, but oddly it didn't work (I selected the faces, then changed their scale on the map, did nothing).

I'll take a look into that.

Meanwhile, I have been experimenting with resizing and doing minor modifications to existing types. For example, I have eliminated one full deck in Teiho, resulting in a different appearence, but no need to modify textures :)

With a full resize in scale of all the ship and a repositioning of nodes, we could easily make represent a smaller merchant, say some 1800 GRT instead of the 4600 the original model has.

Compare:

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/5643/heito.th.jpg

And here is the same ship, but with even one deck less:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5643/heito.th.jpg

Makes for a nice 1500-1800 GRT coastal merchant.

Do we want some of these for the future, even if they don't represent a real existing ship?

I'd like to concentrate on actual ships if possible to start. Ideally types with loads of hulls. Aden is perfect for this. Fixing Nagara, then doing that group of 23As would be up there for me, too (since we'd get some XCVS types into the bargain).

Barring that, I'm cool with some "generic" type shipping as long as it is a well-represented type.

I already have an XCVS based on nagara. I might alter the hull, but I need to really crack down on the bridge.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o...w/SH4/kami.jpg

Nice!

Working on it now. Will PM you a link later today.

Virtualpender, for an easy addition to the Soviet roster, you could add a "War Melody". The Soviets purchased her sister "War Riddle" in 1932, she became the Soviet "Skala", operating from Vladivostok and was most probably used to transport Lend-Lease material from the US Pacific coast to Vladivostok. She would only require the correct skin.
Re the Hog Islanders, I have ordered the book "The Hog Islanders" which should arrive soon. Hopefully this will indicate whether the Japanese had any other Hog Islanders under their flag apart from the tanker "Manatawny/Nanei Maru". A small addition, but why not use what is already available and historically correct?

Limited soviet traffic, but a roster takes no real space

You are right, but I must point out that bringing some confussion into the game (Soviets were neutral to Japan and allied to US) during night attacks in the Sea of Japan would be a plus. A roster of soviet ships hugging along the russian coast and into the Sea of Japan would be great :up: IIRC there were actually some skippers who sank by error soviet ships, so it is very realistic.

I believe I read somewhere that a US sub bombarded a soviet trawler with it's deck gun before they figured out it was soviet.

What's exactly the problem with Nagara? Do you want most those balcons to dissapear and have instead a nice flat vertical surface? That I could eventually do if you want me to have a go at it :hmmm:

Taihosan's superstructure, plus Akitsu's (with the flight deck ripped off, as used in miner's "heian") can work for nagara. Instead of being totally open, we'll need to close some to match the diagrams I have.

Jesus, I just looked at Nagara as it is now in SH4, and I couldn't believe it!

You must think they have been modelling a different ship, it's as if almost none of the decks and superstructure match :doh:

I'll see what I can do about it, using parts of other ships.

Tater, did you receive the damage and reflection model for Aden Maru?

Yeah, no time to test yet.

Hitman, I started on nagara a little. Messed it up, but I can do it again. My bridge starting point was Taihosan scaled ~140% in width. Instead of the open galleries, we'll have to close them. I have diagrams to do it properly. The "Heian" superstructure miner extracted is good for the rest, but the openings need to be reshaped and resized.

I'll scan what I have of use later today for you.

There is some resemblance to MAYATI MARU. The bow and bridge would need some minor tweaking - maybe too much work since the goal is just to use a rescaled model.

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1283873543


[EDIT]

If scaled down further, could also resemble a FOX TARE DOG:

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1283875375