I just had a great idea.
It is possible to get new 2D interiors in SH4. I am looking at the "PULL DOWN PACIFIC MAP for SH4" made by CAPTAIN COX as a proof of concept. Thread here:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=112750
Basically what the good Capt. has done is to replace the gramaphone texture with the map, and still have the gramaphone buttons useable. Take a look at the details in the readme files for how he did it.
The 'map' could be replaced with an interior shot from SH3, i.e. a screenshot from the perspective of the captain's bunk(copyright infringements notwithstanding), or from a photo of a real sub. Additionally, the radio texture could be used the same way, allowing for at least 2 new interiors.
Granted, it's only a static interior, but would work well for such locations as the captain's cabin, where most people playing SH3 only go to read a book during a patrol anyways. If the modder were so inclined, he/she could add a radio/gramaphone on the desk in the captains cabin and the buttons for the gramaphone(or radio) could be cleverly placed to give the illusion of a dynamic interior(much like the clickable guages in MSFlightSim).
Also, the possiblility exists to add new buttons, functions, gauges, dials, etc...
Since I don't have time to mod any time soon, I am opening up this thread/idea for anyone who wants to give it a go.(It would be nice if my name were mentioned in the readme for the idea, as well as Capt Cox, since his mod gave me the idea)
Some topics I would like to see discussed is:
1. Is taking a screenshot from SH3 and using it in a distributed mod for SH4 considered copyright infringement?
2. If the above is yes, is there a way to make it easy for a user to download a mod like this without the screencaps, make thier own screencaps in thier own copy of SH3, and plug it into the mod? (i.e. convert screencap to UserGramophone.dds)
3. How readily can new buttons, gauges, etc be added to this?
4. Is it possible to scroll thru an image like this; To create a panoramic interior?
5. Can more than two interiors be created?(i.e. the chrono doesn't currently work, so...)
6. Can other images be superimposed over the interior at will, i.e. can crew members be added/removed when at battle stations(for crew quarters, engine room, etc...);Can crew members be treated like gauges?
7. What interiors would work well for this? The Captain's cabin, of course, but others? Maybe the head, maybe a shot of the floor for when we've had too much from the engineering room still, etc...
8. Can a dynamic view be incorperated into this? Such as a periscope?