[JScones]

Originally Posted by Tessa

Does SHC re-write those two files from its own cache

No. However if you make changes to your game files while SH3Cmdr changes are still in place, then your changes will be blown away when SH3Cmdr "reverts to clean state" (ie rollback), that is, back to how the game was before it (not you) changed the files.

Originally Posted by Tessa

or does it just add/modify the existing file without changing other values?

Yes.

And on a related note I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT SH3CMDR DOES NOT MODIFY THE RANKS THAT ARE ALREADY EXISTING IN THE GAME! (that's usually where this question leads)

In case that is not clear to anyone, SH3Cmdr does NOT modify strings 160 to 174 in **_menu.txt in any way.

From the ever helpful User Guide:

I want to start my career at a rank higher than Leutnant (rank bump). Will SH3 Commander allow me?
SH3 Commander reads whatever ranks are in SH3. However, when creating a Commander’s pre-SH3 history, SH3 Commander assumes the starting rank will be as SH3 originally set it. It needs to do this for maximum compatibility. Thus, any “rank bumping", that is, changing your starting rank to anything higher than the SH3 default, will create gaps between your pre-SH3 history and your SH3 career. This will be evident only if you generate Personnel Files, where you will notice missing promotions. You can alleviate this somewhat by adjusting the pre-SH3 rank labels in SH3Cmdr_*.txt, or simply ensuring that you always start careers at the default rank of Leutnant.

I do not provide support for those who wish to rank bump. If you choose to apply an approach other than the generally accepted "shake down cruise -> promotion to ObLt", you're on your own. I have to draw the line somewhere to ensure maximum compatibility with the majority of players.

Originally Posted by Tessa

Is it possible to run SHC without using any options (so no changes are made to those two files above mentioned files) so that it just runs more like an extended logbook? Thanks for any help that you might be able to provide

If you don't want any of its functionality, just don't use it to load SH3. Just load it after patrols and use it to edit your patrol log and generate your updated personnel file.

Alternatively, just make sure you apply your file changes to a clean state installation of SH3 (ie sans SH3Cmdr changes), OR apply your file changes to SH3Cmdr's "Static settings.cfg" file. That way SH3Cmdr will ALWAYS apply them to your game, regardless.