New Static Interiors Possible(proof of concept)

[wetwarev7]

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?

[MONOLITH]

Originally Posted by wetwarev7

1. Is taking a screenshot from SH3 and using it in a distributed mod for SH4 considered copyright infringement?

When you installed the game, you agreed to the EULA ("Click the I accept Button") which said anything you do to the game, any modded materials, etc, become the property of Ubisoft.

As long as you don't try to sell any game material, you can bounce it around in the form of mods all you want. There is no copyright infingrment until you claim it's "Your property" or try to profit from it.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Captain's Cabin would be nice

Nice sig Monolith



RDP

[Payoff]

Agreed. I have been thinking about this since I got SHIV. I want to replace the tiny radio image with a photo of a radio room and the grammy with a photo of the captains quarters. I think a lot of folks are waiting to see if a patch will be released before doing much more. Great minds think alike.

[U-Bones]

I would love a 2d full screen non laggy and functional clipboard/radiolog/scorecard.

[CaptainCox]

To replace those default skins with an image is not difficult at all, but is it not a bit weird to have a pic of a room floating around on the screen? or how would you imagine that?

To add buttons etc is possible, but to incorporate functions is another matter...

I think the idea to do this the "dirty" way like in the "pull down map" is a pretty neat idea, but me personally would really like to know why we can't just add simple things like a "chart, map" etc like in SH3. I still think its in there somewhere...we just need to find the right "code/script" to do it.

[CCIP]

I would actually prefer a detailed blueprint of the sub rather than a 2D compartment. I think it'd be more useful for me as far as helping me imagine interiors - a simple image I would probably get bored of quickly...

[Payoff]

Originally Posted by CaptainCox

To replace those default skins with an image is not difficult at all, but is it not a bit weird to have a pic of a room floating around on the screen? or how would you imagine that?

To add buttons etc is possible, but to incorporate functions is another matter...

I think the idea to do this the "dirty" way like in the "pull down map" is a pretty neat idea, but me personally would really like to know why we can't just add simple things like a "chart, map" etc like in SH3. I still think its in there somewhere...we just need to find the right "code/script" to do it.

What if the image was resized to a larger resolution? Would it not be just a matter of dragging it where you wanted it the first time you open it? Just wondering.

On this same topic, I've been wondering about that 3D office in port, if there would be a way to somehow tag it onto the interior model as an additional room or access it in game (probably more logical),and retexture it. This is way out of my league but maybe someone could work it out. There is a reference to it in Commands.Cfg.

[CaptainCox]

Well the DDS can be sized and placed from the menu.ini. So actually it could just pop up and cover the whole screen.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by CCIP

I would actually prefer a detailed blueprint of the sub rather than a 2D compartment. I think it'd be more useful for me as far as helping me imagine interiors - a simple image I would probably get bored of quickly...

I like this idea as well

RDP

[tater]

Would this be a quick way to add new playable submarines that had an external model already built?

Ie: no complex internal 3d model to build, just the management stuff, then place crew on the conning tower for surface actions?

Might be interesting to use as a Q&D playable midget sub, for example, since the external exists and it doesn't need stuff for surface action.

[U-Bones]

Originally Posted by tater

Would this be a quick way to add new playable submarines that had an external model already built?

Ie: no complex internal 3d model to build, just the management stuff, then place crew on the conning tower for surface actions?

Might be interesting to use as a Q&D playable midget sub, for example, since the external exists and it doesn't need stuff for surface action.

Interesting idea tater.

[wetwarev7]

Originally Posted by CCIP

I would actually prefer a detailed blueprint of the sub rather than a 2D compartment. I think it'd be more useful for me as far as helping me imagine interiors - a simple image I would probably get bored of quickly...

I think this would be really good for a replacement of the current ship damage screen...