Improved U-Boat Mod v1 -BETA TESTERS WANTED-

[oRGy]

Hi!

We all know the problem - there are loads and loads of great mods doing lots of different things, but it's such a hassle to get the best ones that don't create an incompatibility with another mod. Like Real U-Boat.

Wouldn't it be great if you could just download an "all in one" mod, that contains the best mods around, install it on top of your standard SH3 1.4b + RuB 1.43 install, and have all the goodies without having to worry about unexpected CTD's, bizarre graphical incompatibilities, etc etc? Without having to buy "Seewolves"?

:hmm:

Improved U-Boat aims to be that mod.

There are three main areas: graphical, aural, and gameplay related. The aim is to improve the game in a consistent way, and requires RuB first.

No, I can't make an non-RuB version. RuB changes too many files and more importantly, fixes too many bugs and stupid things in the game.

I'll release the readme and screenshots tomorrow. Until then, I'm looking for beta-testers to make sure everything works, and to give me time to contact all the mod authors whose great work I'm including in the mod.

Post in this thread if you're interested...

[stratege]

sorry, without me, i am a non-Rub user ....

[jaxa]

It sounds interesting, I use RUb 1.43 and other mods, especially graphic and sound. What mods will you include?

[gdogghenrikson]

Originally Posted by stratege

sorry, without me, i am a non-Rub user ....

I am a non-rub user also

[oRGy]

Non-rub users won't get any sympathy from me, btw - I'm simply not making a non-rub version so there's no need to post. As said, RuB fixes a load of bugs and inconsistencies, even if a few changes are debatable.

*ahem*

Good question jaxa - I'll post a full list tomorrow (sorry can't do so any earlier) but provisionally...

Graphically:
Ail's particle/sky/wake mods
Sean's high-res uboat skins
sergbuto's skin
(some) of juju's
pascal's skins
interface mods like wolfies dials/ca's officer icons
more I can't recall atm

Aurally:
about 20-25 rejigged sounds, some speech changes, from a variety of people (sale999, sailor steve)

Gameplay:
radiolog (light, though heavy as option)
harbour traffic
visibility mod (once working satisfactorily)
again, some other things

All should be working together acceptably, they seem to be on my machine. Also I have a list of mod authors I need to contact so list should be considered provisional.

[jaxa]

I suggest you include these mods (I use them with RUb 1.43):
1. Ail's dials, hi_res_moon v2.5 and smoke;
2. Ace's Hi Res Uniforms, Insignia and Medals Mk2;
3. Bordinstrumente 0.9;
4. Internal Life Mod v1.2;
5. SH3 Harbour Mod v2.0/2.1 (with harbour, tree, water and landscape mods);
6. CA_Officer_Icon_Mod v1.2;
7. Pascal's crew raincoats;
8. Rubini's Harbour Traffic for RUb 1.43 (new release soon)

They are "absolutely must have" for me.

[Gammel]

I have such a modpack ready, but only for personal use.
To be serious, it´s two modpacks, one candy one that can be installed
over vanilla OR RUB 1.43 game, and one data one (small) which requires RUB.

I think such a collection of the best mods around is a good idea for players afraid
of messing up something with all those mods available (can happen very easy)

Here are some suggestions for your modpack.

Meatmod
NSS.Uboat7.nocamo (K.Kumm)
Type34 all grey skin
HF Mods (Battleships, Cruisers, Carriers)
Harbour Mod 2.1
Landscape mod 2.0 (exclude the new terrain.cfg!!)
Pascals Mods
Officer icons Mod (capt.America)
all military mods by JUJU (exept military mod 1 - guns ´n stuff)
Merchant mod 1 by JUJU (external cargo)
some new planeskins (many available)

a sound-collection of your choice (double check sampling rate and stuff, every soundmod around i tested so far had some wrong ones in)

thats for candy, now here´s my datamodpack for RUB1.43

alternate Basic.conf (the 1x one from RUB)
Gun 40sec reload time mod
Lighthouse mod by sergbuto (merged with locations.cfg from RUB)
Camera mod by CCIP
Harbour traffic for RUB by Rubini
parts of the visibility mod

How about the idea splitting the mod into two parts. One failsafe with only candy (can be installed even over stock game) and a second one requires RUB?

[oRGy]

Jaxa:

Those are all included with the exception of aces skins - I've used Pascal's instead, as I think they're superior in detail and realism of texture despite being a smaller size.

Bordinstrumente - that changes the dials doesn't it? In which case I use WolfiesandRipbudsMerged dials instead.

The SH3 Harbour mod I use too, though without the terrain.cfg atm, as it messes up the visibility mod.

Gammel:

Thanks for the list! We seem to have similar tastes. Of course I am taking care as to the sound files - 44khz, 16bit, mono otherwise one risks crashes. I could release a "safe" version, its just I don't want to split up things confusingly.

[JScones]

How eerie - I run RUb1.43 with:
-AIL's Sky Mod v2.0
-Pascal's Dials and Periscopes
-Sale's transparent torpedo load screen
-Map Convoy Lanes
-CA's Officer Icons
-IrishRed's Radiolog lite (proofread version)

All in perfect harmony.

Apart from the dials (Pascal's are brilliant BTW), not too dissimilar to your list.

Of course, on top of this goes the mods included with SH3 Commander: Newsmod/radiomod, Merchant Variety Pack, Bismarck paint schemes and random merchant tonnage, copied in-and-out patrol by patrol.

I might wait till I see your final inclusion list, then I might give it a try.

[oRGy]

JSCones:

Yeah, seems most of those in the know choose the same sorts of stuff! And its pretty surprising how lots of mod run fine together if you know how they work and how to install them. Of course it should be added I use SH3 Commander as well, so I tend to avoid anything that would conflict with it.

[Gammel]

not all soundfiles have that 44100 16bit mono format.
Some are 22050, some are mono, some stereo.
examples:
amb oceanSkyline - 44100 16bit Stereo

echolot_ping - 22050 16bit mono

Wave bad Weather - 44100 16bit mono

...




don´t know what the developers had in mind with that mess.

[FLB sale U-999]

That is not bad.....


I am using a ALL IN ONE Mod with the best Mods inside which are available, for Realism, Optics, Sounds etc. ....


Using all with ME and my Mods directory is about 750 MB (Lot of music for Grammaphone....)

I can say that this Sim is maybe the bestone now, which i would like to have to buy.... the only thing which i miss, and i meen the only thing, are the Rudel of UBoats......

that is all i wanna to have now, because i have now with all those Mods that sim, i have waited so long....

Especially the Optical Mods like my transparency and CCIP, CameraMod (Slidein&out Mods, Clouds, textures and and and...)
are a huge improvement to this great Sim, which are u giving a feeling u were real there on your Boat on the Ocean....


But it would be good to have a ALL IN ONE Mod whith the best mods which are responsible for now....


But it is a lot of MBs to get it online.....


Here, a screen of my ME while running:



MODS directory about 749 MB....

And all runs perfectly!

And one of the bests Mods are CameraMod 2.0 (Livebeeingtherefeeling!)

And a lot of Realism Mods like Airpowermod etc.....


LOOOL, i could burn a disc and sell it!

Hey, i steel the idea of X1 Software They will go on Court against me LOL




Sale

[SmokinTep]

This is exactly what I am looking for. I have so many mods installed now, hard to keep up. An all inclusive one is great.

Will it include the smoke mod? That is great eye candy.

[stratege]

Thank you for not giving me your symphatie, i don't want it ... (didn't know rub was THE mod, even if its almots perfect).

I simply can't use rub.

Every time i do, i have a bug with the ship camera, and the particles with the periscope are so bad (pixels) that i barely don't see any ships at all ....

[oRGy]

Thats strange stratege; maybe you should get on to Beery and co about it. Are you sure you've installed over a clean SH3 + 1.4b?

Anyway here's the current list:
LIST OF CHANGES:

Graphics – Interface
Ailantd's Transparent Dials – Removes the ugly background of the dials when you call for report to the Chief Engineer. Also fixes the color of the compresed air dial (red to green). Overwrites RuB version.
(menu/Gui/Layout/Dials1.tga)

Transparent Torpedo Loading Screen by Sale999 - A small transparency modification for the TorpedoesLoading Screen, which increases visiblity.
(data/menu/Gui/Layout/Back00.tga)

Wolfies and Ripbuds Merged Guages - This mod changes the HUD dials to be better looking, and somewhat clearer to use. Overwrites RuB dials.
(data/menu/Gui/Layout/DialsFdb.tga)

*Pascal's Dials and Gauges – An alternative version of the dials/guages. Photorealistic in style. Rename PascalsDialsFdb.tga and PascalsDials1.tga and overwrite the original versions to install this version.
(data/menu/Gui/Layout/PascalsDialsFdb.tga,PascalsDials.tga)

Captain America's Officer Icon Mod (No Label version) - I changed the officer icons to images that portray the station of each officer rather than their portraits. I think its more practical this way and it blends in nice with the existing layout. The icons are modified screenshots from the uboat's interior.
(data/menu/Gui/Layout/OfficerA.tga,OfficerB.tga)

Camera Mod v2 by CCIP – changes to free camera to improve scale and control, removed rotation limits on position cameras.
(data/Library/Cameras.dat)



Graphics – World
Ailantd's Particles Mod Part1 – Improves the fire, smoke and wave graphics. (Textures/TNormal/tex/cloub_blob_add.tga, Fire_add.tga, pierreE2.tga, pierreE.tga, pierreE_test.tga,Smoke_volum02.tga,Smoke_volum02_o pt.tga,smoke_volum.tga,splash_vert01.tga, splash_vert.tga)

Ailantd's Wake Mod v2 – Improves the wake of the Uboats and ships to a more correct shape. Overwrites RUB version.
(data/Misc/siaj_nave.tga,siaj_submarin.tga)

Ailantd's Sky Mod v2 - Reworks the the clouds for a more realistic and beautiful look. (data/Misc/Nori00.tga,Nori00_v1.tga,Nori01.tga/Nori01b.tga)

Pascal's Binocular Texture (Black) – Improves the appearance of the binoculars the watch crew use. Contrast and saturation adjusted by oRGy.
(data/Textures/TNormal/tex/01_binocular01.tga)

Pascal's Crew Faces - Improves resolution and appearance of the crew faces. (data/Crew/Head/POS,data/Crew/Head/OFF/ - too many to list)

Pascal's Crew Uniforms – Photorealistic crew uniforms, helmet, and rain gear, as well as the people in harbour. Minor contrast adjustments by oRGy.
(data/Crew/Body/,data/Crew/Casket,data/Crew/Helmet/,data/Textures/TNormal/Tex/ - too many to list)

Insignia Cap Mod by Anren - This SHIII mod replaces the watch officer's distorted cap eagle device with a sharper, cleaner version.
(data/Crew/Helmet/OFF/01_OFF_Helmet01_B.tga,01_OFF_Helmet01_D.tga)

Beery's Sea Hurricane Skin - This file gives players a new Sea Hurricane skin for use in the game. This is a typical Royal Navy Sea Hurricane paint scheme for aircraft that were used to guard the Atlantic convoys.
(data/Air/AFB_HurricaneMk1/AFB_HurricaneMk1.dat)

Juju's Military Mod 2-6 – Upgrades the textures of guns/depth charges, the Fletcher, V&W, and Clemson class destroyers, the Elco PT-Boat, and the Flower Corvette for greater historical accuracy.
(data/Textures/TNormal/Tex/guns.tga,NCO_Flower512.tga,NCO_FlowerC.tga,NDD_Cle mson2.tga,NDD_ClemsonC.tga,NDD_Fletcher3.tga,NDD_V &W_Alpha512,NDD_V&WC.tga,NPTboat_Br.tga,PTboat_BrC omplete.tga,Reflector.tga,Reflector_A.tga,turele.t ga,v3CompleteMap.tga)

Juju's Flagmod - All new Hi-res flag textures for Silent Hunter III to replace the cartoony looking default ones.
(data/Textures/TNormal/tex/ - too many to list)

Improved Meat/Vegetables by Anonymous – Improves the look of the hanging fruit and meat inside the sub. Modified by oRGy.
(data/Textures/TNormal/tex/haloi.tga)

Sean's Highres IIA Skin (No camo, Rusty) – A high-res skin for the IIA.
(data/Submarine/NSS_Uboat2A/NSS_Uboat2A.dat)
Sean's Highres IID Skin (No camo, Rusty) – A high resolution skin for the IID.
(data/Submarine/NSS_Uboat2D/NSS_Uboat2D.dat)

Sean's Highres VIIC Skin (No camo, Rusty) – A high resolution skin for the VIIC.
(data/Textures/TNormal/Tex/NSS_Uboat7c_coning.tga,NSS_Uboat7c_deck.tga,NSS_Ub oat7c_hull.tga)

Harbour Mod v2 by Christian P. Roesdahl – Reworked and higher-res textures for harbour buildings.
(data/Textures/TNormal/tex – too many to list)

Ship Hunter's Sub Interior Textures – Higher resolution or improved textures for the interior of the subs. Some minor modifications by oRGy and certain textures (mainly dials) not included to maintain compatability or coherence with RuB.
(data/Textures/TNormal/tex/7cIC_druck.tga,21IC_Druck.tga,cadrane2_2.tga,CR9C_ 2.tga,CR9C_3.tga,druck_2.tga,druck_7.tga,druck_21. tga,druck_radio_7.tga,druck_radio_9.tga,uzat_7radi o.tga,uzat_9 radio.tga,uzat_9command.tga,uzat_21radio.tga)

Sergbuto's Multiple Warship Skins v2 – This mod includes modified model (DAT) files, which allow for multiple skin usage, for C&D- and V&W-type destroyers, Clemson, Tribal, Hunt I, Type 34, Evarts and River escorts, Flower, and armed trawler along with multiple skin textures. These vessels are the most often used in the SCR layer of the stock campaign in the game. C&D-class DD now also carries DC racks starting year 1939. In addition, as a bonus I have included a multi-skinned C3 cargo.
(data/Sea/NCO_Flower/,NDD_C&D,NDD_Clemson,NDD_HuntI,NDD_Tribal,NDD_Type 34,NDD_V&W,NDE_Evarts,NDE_River,NKC3,NTRW_ - too many to list)

Kriller2's Landscape mod (terrain textures only) – Better textures for terrain.
(data/Terrain/Textures/*.tga)

Sounds
Deck Gun Sound by sale999 – Improved version of deck gun firing sound which includes reloading sounds.
(data/Sound/P09_$Gun_muzzle_flash.wav)

Emaschinen Sound by rulle34 - This is a sound mod that makes the sound from the electrical motors sounds more realistic to my mind. I have used the engine sound from Das Boot (this caracteristic swisch-swosch sound) and made it more quiet and then used the enginesound from SH 2. This combination makes the boat quite silent from the front and more noisy at rear.
(data/Sound/Submarine propellers 2.wav,Submarine_electric_exterior.wav)

Internal Life Mod 1.2 by KptnLt Eric Karle - a 10.5minute seemlessly looping track containing sounds of human habitation. Over 27 tracks featuring footsteps, pages being flipped, muted conversation (taken from Das Boot), sounds of writing, creaks and groans from the sub (again taken from Das Boot), have been mixed together for this mod.
(data/Sound/amb_submarineinterior.wav)

Sailor Steve's Sound Mod (partial) – new, better sounds for breaking up/sinking ships (eerie), depth charge explosion, ambient ocean skyline, ship fire and shell explosion. Some speech annoyances (like 'Yes Sir') removed for some voices. You also can now hear depth charges entering the water instead of being told 'Wasserbomben!�.
(data/Sound/P01_%Big_Shell_water_explosion.wav,P05_Depthcharge _explosion.wav,Scufundare vapor.wav,Ship Fire 1.wav,amb_OceanSkyline.wav)

Modded Sound – Bolts breaking.
(data/Sound/Boltz Break1.wav,)

Incognito Sound Mod – Creaks, machinery, sinking ship on hydrophones, blowing and flooding tanks, water bursts which don't sound like white noise.
(data/Sound/Submarine_tanks blowing.wav,Submarine_tanks flooding.wav,Creaks_Level1-4.wav,scufundarevapor_hyd.wav,Water_burst1.wav,Wat er_burst2.wav)

Sonar Room Sound by ? - Replacement hydrophone ambient sound. Also submarine engine sounds from hydrophone sound.
(data/Sound/amb_Hydrophone.wav,amb_submarine.wav)

J'attendrai by Rina Ketty and It's a Long Way to Tipperary (20's version) – The classic tracks for your Gramophone so if you don't already have music for your gramaphone you have something more than a 'crackly' version of the SH3 title track – to include them all here would take too much bandwidth, but the “GermanHits� sound packs available at http://u-boat.realsimulation.com from which these two tracks are extracted come highly reccomended.

DDSound by sale999 – Improved, more 'aggressive' and distinct destroyer propellor sound.


Gameplay
Deck Gun 10 Second Reload Time by CCIP – Changes the deck gun reload time. Overwrites RUB setting, which is 60 seconds. SH3 default is 4 seconds. (data/Library/GUNS_SUB.sim)

Harbour Traffic for RuB 1.43 “Heavy� Version by Rubini – Harbour traffic, minefields, docked ships, friendly air patrols and subs start from inside sub pens. Overwrites RuB files. (data/Campaigns/Campaign/Campaign_LND.mis,CampaignSCR.mis,data/Menu/en_help.txt,data/Roster/German/Sea/PPL.cfg)

Conning Tower Tweak by hopkins32 – Pressing F4 while underwater now takes you to the conning tower position. Pressing F4 while surfaced brings you to bridge as normal.
(data/cfg/commands_en.cfg)

Changed AI Flak gunner engage distance by oRGy – Now AI gunners can engage out to 1000m (long range), 500m (medium range), and 300m (close range). This changes the RUB setting of 300m (all ranges). SH3 default is 1500m (long range), 1000m (medium range), 500m (close range). Remember long range fire is liable to be less accurate.
(data/Cfg/CrewAI.cfg)

Irishred's Radiolog (Lite) – Adds historical radio messages from BdU. Expanded version that includes historical radio traffic from uboats till May 1942 also included [include], simply overwrite the installed messages_en.txt with heavy_messages_en.txt if you want the expanded version instead. (data/Campaigns/Campaign/messages_en.txt)

Slower Waterspeed by oRGy – This slows down the speed at which waves travel, meaning the submarine 'rides' the waves in a more realistic fashion.
(data/Cfg/effects.cfg)

New Lighthouses by Sergbuto – Places various lighthouses in correct locations.
(data/Terrain/Locations.cfg,data/Terrain/Locations/Lighthouse.dat)

Enabled German Crew Cheers by EAF274 Johan – Someone in the command room or bridge will cheer when you destroy a ship or aircraft, if you have selected German dialogue. Already present in English dialogue.
(data/Library/pump.dat)

AI Uboats by Sergbuto – AI U-boats now have crew on the conning tower.
(data/Submarine/etc)

That's it for the moment.

Sale999, you sure have a lot of mods! What ones aren't on my list you think would be good to have? And by the way, its ok I hope to use your sound mods in IUB?