How can I have a Type IXA in September 1939?
 

I'm using GWX 3.0 and SH3C. I know the IXBs which are in the game were not comissioned by the outbreak of the war, but its predecessor, which is very, very similar was and were already in service (U37-U44). How can I make the Type IXB be available earlier to use as a Type IXA?
I can edit txt files but that is about as far as my modding ability goes!

Thanks

Vermin

I'm afraid you can't mod a TypeIXA, or a TypeVIIA for that matter. I'ts a hard code issue that can't be worked around. I personally like the TypeVIIA. :damn:
I have heard rumor's that both of these types will be included in SHV.

Doh! I just reread your post, NOW I understand what your asking.
I believe the availability dates are located in your flotillacfg. file.

Okay you have to alter the starting dates for the TypeIXB, in your basic cfg. file, and your flotilla cfg. file.

There may be some other file altering involved, but like you I am no modding expert. Don't panick though, I'm sure someone will come along and set me straight.:doh:

I don't see any reason someone couldn't create a mod akin to WSM that allows a person to overwrite a VIIB or IXB with the A version. You could then roll back the mod when you are ready to up grade to the B version.

Don't look at me though. I don't have the time or uboat knowledge right now to create such a thing.

You'll also need to adjust the file for your u-boat and if you want to use SH3 Commander you'll need to adjust those files as well.

Thanks WB!:up:

@Vermin, there ya go partner. Performing these afore mentioned steps should give you a TypeIXB, in 1939.

Just give a shout if you have any problems.:salute:

Someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't think a simple skin would be enough, for an example you can use a TypeVIIC skin for a TypeVIIB. The game just simply copies the appropriate tga files to whatever u-boat you have selected to play.

The problem is, there are no files for a typeVIIA, or typeIXA u-boat in the game for a typeVIIB, or IXB skin to map there tga files to.

You would have to create these u-boats from scratch, graphics, execution files, ect. before you could even think of making skins for them.

And therein lies the problem. From what I've gathered from listening to much more experienced modder's than me. Alot of these files that you need to access, are hard coded.:damn:

In reference to the WSM mod, those u-boat files were already in the game when it was released, so it was just mapping the appropriate ships to use those files.

You would have to have acess to the SDK to create brand new executible files, graphics, skins, ect.

The workaround would be to skin a IXB as an IXA, then disable the mod when you actually upgrade to an IXB later in the game.

If you're trying to get a IXB available from 1939 the best place to start would be my XXI 1939 mod - it does exactly what you're trying to do but with an XXI so if you adjust the files that I adjusted you'll be on the right track.

There's also a number of notes written into the files. If you don't want SH3 to read what you put into a file you preface the line with ';', so wherever you see a ; it is either the old value that has been retained (in case I screwed anything up) or a note, for example the type of torpedo that I have changed. Some of bbw's original notes are also in there but you need to be a GWX 3.0 user or you'll need to use your own base .cfg files.

Feel free to use my mod as a base for your own.

Actually I wasn't referring to a skin. I actually said akin to WSM, which replaces a uboat with another type of ship entirely. The same methods could be used to replace the VIIB with a VIIA and the like. This would require some extensive work most likely, but it could be done.

For the OP's request however, just changing the first available date for the XIB would probably be sufficient.

Thanks folks,

I'lll give this a go and see if I can get it to work - then we can all have one! :)

You guys are amazingly helpful!

Rgds

Ooops,:doh:
Sorry for the misunderstanding CG.