Trying Mods

[MarkCt]

I just started my second career using TMO and RSRDC and wanted to add a couple small mods to add to the experience.

I tried Optical Target Correction. When I started my new career the TMO and RSRDC visuals were gone and it looked just like the stock game. But all the sounds were really cool. The scope going up and down, the GQ and diving alarm sounds were much better then TMO.

Next I tried Max optics 5 for TMO. The new look through the scope and the large dials took a little getting used to. I'll have to try a few more missions to see if I want to stick with it.

Since I really like the sounds from OTC I tried a couple sound mods. Pacific Sounds and More Crew Commands. Neither seemed to work for me. I think one of them is for SH5. Using JSGME I installed them in the mods folder.

The last little mod was Convoy Routes TMO + RSRDC. That one worked.

I want to keep using TMO and RSRDC as the main mods but is there a better sound mod that's compatable with both of them? The graphics are great so this time around I just want to add a couple things to take it up a couple notches. I don't want a large mod soup that will cause a CTD. So all you captains out there that have tried these mods can suggest a few of your favorite add ons, so far this is the order that is working for me.

TMO 2.5
RSRDC TMO v502
RSRDC v5xx patch 1
Convoy Routes TMO + RSRDC

That's for your help and suggestions.

[BigWalleye]

Welcome aboard, Mark!

If you are having a problem with OTC, please make sure you are using the correct version, correct for the mods and mod versions you are using and correct for your own system's resolution. There are quite a few versions and sub-versions (not subversions) of OTC, and putting the right package together takes some care. OTC adds a lot and is well worth the effort.

I've never heard of anyone using a mod not intended for SH4. That's scary! I'd imagine that the likelihood of unpredictable results would be huge.

There are several good sound mods. Pacific Sound Mod is good, as are ISE, EAX, and Ultimate Sound Mod. All can be found at the SH4 Sound Mods page of SubSIm Downloads. Pick the one you like or make your own "playlist." It's easy.

Large mod soups don't cause CTDs. Loading incompatible mods does. But then, loadind large mod soups increases your chances of creating an incompatibility. It's best to have a basic idea of which files each mod changes to avoid problems. JSGME tells you what files are being changed by each mod before it is loaded. If you just changed a file with TMO and Bigger Better Periscope Knobs overwrites that file, then you may lose all the changes TMO made, unless that second mod is specifically written to be used with the first. (That's why there are so many versions of OTC.) You can load a ton of stuff and have it all work fine, as long as each piece changes something different and doesn't change what you've already loaded.

Some mods state that they are compatible with certain other mods. Some state that they are not compatible with certain other mods. Unless a modder specifically tells you, they are all covered under the Big Boy warrantee !

[MarkCt]

Thanks BigWalleye. More Crew Commands was listed in the download section on the left and just before I logged off I looked at it again and noticed it was for SH5.

I see what you mean about the different versions of OTC. The one I loaded was the main one not one of the optional ones. It didn't say if there was a conflict with TMO and RSRDC. The OTC screen came up when I was starting the game but the status bar along the bottom looked like the stock game.

When using Pacific Sounds do I just activate it using JSGME? If OTC works with my two mods then I would use just that. I just have to find the right one.

[BigWalleye]

Mark, the version of OTC tthat you want can be downloaded here:

http://www.gamefront.com/files/21430...+RSRDCv502.rar

This is the version compatible with TMO v2.5 with RSRDC v502 and RSRDC v5xx patch 1. (whew!)

Please READ the README carefully! The download contains a basic OTC fileset which corrects the optics for a 4:3 monitor aspect ratio. If you are using a 4:3 ratio, you then have the option of using it as-is or adding the Realistic Scopes for 4:3 mod (included), which gives more realistic-looking scopes.

If you are using a different monitor aspect ratio, then you MUST load either the additional OTC fileset which corrects from 4:3 to your aspect ratio, or the Realistic Scopes fileset for your aspect ratio which corrects to your aspect ratio AND adds the Realistic Scopes mod. I realize this is more complicated than your average mod, but OTC is a really useful package and worth the extra effort.

Pacific Sound Mod goes in with JSGME.

[CapnScurvy]

Thanks BigWalleye for explaining the OTC package. You did a great job!!

I agree, it's confusing to some who are looking to easily change some things, but run across a mod like Optical Targeting Correction and realize there's a number of choices.

MarkCT, I'm suspecting you've looked at OTC for the benefit of using manual targeting as your way to play the game. You've made a good choice. As BigWalleye points out, there are different "Aspect Ratio" optional mods in OTC to correct the various resolution/aspect ratios that each player may have......depending on his system. I wish I didn't have to make it this complicated, but the game gives us no other choice. I know documentation isn't what players wish to read, but the explanation in the "readme's" and "how to's" cover most of it. Basically, you must use the "Main" OTC mod (for the 4:3 Aspect Ratio) AND follow it with one of the optional OTC Aspect Ratio mods if your game plays on something other than the 4:3 aspect ratio. Doing this, you'll have the correction to the world views that's needed to make accurate measurements of targets.

=========

Are there differences in the visual characteristics between stock, TMO, and OTC? You be the judge.

Here's the IU "interface" of the stock game:





Here's TMO's:





Here's OTC's:





I don't see much difference between the bottom two....... except for the bigger/easier to read Compass dial with the OTC version.

Does the environmental world colors change between TMO and OTC? Yes they do. The reason I took some of the dark water away from TMO's version is simply my own observation. The water isn't THAT dark. Neither is the night so dark you can't see the hand in front of your face. I chose to lesson the effects by going to a lighter color scheme. Is it the same as stock? No, it's something in between.

[MarkCt]

Thanks guys for helping me to understand it better. I was able to spend more time with the mod and really get into it. In my rush to view different mods I didn't give the mod a chance.

I think I down loaded RSRDC and TMO about seven months ago and was just used to seeing those screens. I think it was the status bar that threw me off and made me think it looked like the stock version. Then some of the keys were different and because I was in such a rush to start a new campaign I didn't spend too much time with it. Now that I've done a couple patrols I'm really glad I stuck with it. I really love the new sounds such as the GQ alarm and when you give the order to dive there's more replys from the crew. I'm still getting used to the text being across the bottom and not the top though.

This was exactly what I was looking for to start a new campaign. Some new sounds and a little different look but still being able to stick with RSRDC and TMO as my main mod.

Would Pacific Sounds be compatable With RSRDC, TMO and OTC? Have you guys tried it and if so how does it sound?

[BigWalleye]

I believe Pacific Sound Mod is compatible with pretty much anything except another sound mod (which it would just overwrite, anyway). Generally good. Liked the diesel sound on the bridge. Sound mods are all about personal taste. IIRC, I did have to edit the dive and surface sequences. Three squawks for "dive", two for "surface" - couldn't live with that! I eventually went back to the stock "Dive, dive" and "Surface, surface, surface" callouts with klaxon, without the detailed chatter. Found it got boring after the fifth repetition or so. But that's just my preference. YMMV.

Glad you like OTC. In addition to actually being able to actually use the optics, the Cap'n has added some nice touches, like the range dial. Unfortunately, I play RFB v2.0, so I can't use OTC. <whine>

[Bubblehead729]

Didn't I see somewhere in another thread someone asking about an OTC version for RFB 2.0? Is that in the works? I'm in the same "boat" (bad pun, sorry) as Walleye....would like to try OTC, but using RFB 2.0

[BigWalleye]

Cap'n Scurvy was working on an OTC version for RFB v2.0. But, IIRC, he posted a while ago that his computer had smoked and he lost all WIP. I don't know whether he has restarted and what the currenmt ECD is. IAC, if and when it appears, it'll be a pleasant surprise.

[Bubblehead729]

Actually, he just answered a similar question in the OTC thread in the SH4 Mods forum. It seems like he's getting back to it soon, and its on the way!