[REQ] Map mod, is this possible??

I dont know if anybody has come up with this before.
But is it possible to mod the map so that the readings you take appear on the map?

What I mean is, lets say you take a bearing and range reading through the scope, could it be possible to have those results show up on your map?

Bearing is: ...., mark, range is: ..., mark.
And then an X, or whatever other symbol floats (or sinks ) your boat would show up on the map. Same thing for sonar, TBT and Radar.

That way, you dont have to fiddle about marking the contacts postion on the map yourself, wich is especialy tough when you're moving. You're not getting constant updates, so no god's eye view, and the marks are only as accurate as the readings you take. Off course, making a plot using your readings would still be up to you.

But it would take one laborious step out of the process.

An alternitive would be the option to have your sub centered in the screen.
That way, on the map, you're not 'moving through the world', the world is 'moving around you'. If you know what i mean. Actualy, that's whats depicted on a radar screen. You plot contacts relative to you. Even if you still have to mark the contacts on the map manualy, that would still make it a hell of a lot easier!
Becose you are not 'chasing your sub around' with your plotting tools.

I hope this all, specialy that last bit makes sense to you all. If you have any questions about what I mean, dont hesitate to ask. (O, and if anybody from SHIII forums is reading this post, I wouldnt mind a similiar mod for that too! )

Btw, this actualy more realistic come to think of it.
Cos then you'd have to realy plot a target! If it would be possible to have your sub centered in the screen, then the movement a target makes is not its course! It's the movement it makes relative to your boat! (Hey, something I still remember from my radar observers course! LOL, I knew a wasnt wasting money on that one! LOL)

[Nisgeis]

I looked into this a while ago, but it was probably the first modding I tried to do and I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I still don't have a clue what I am doing, but I'm gettnig better.

What I was trying to do was to combine two aspects of the game that are already available, the PK indicator and the map marking tools. The PK indicator is the white line with the white cross on it that shows you where the PK thinks the target you sent data about is. If you set the target speed to 0, the PK indicator should point to the spot that your bearing reading and range reading show the ship to be. The accuracy of the plot depends only on the accuracy of the readings you give it. I tested this out using a series of reading whilst stationary and taking 10 screenshots and then blending them together and I got a plot that looked exactly like the real plot opsted in the thread - course looked OK, but the range was all over the place (using stadimeter).

The downside to this idea is that the plotting tools are on the navigation map and the PK indicator is on the attack map. I tried to get them both on the same map at the same time, but I didn't have much luck.

If it's possible to get them on the same map, I think this would be a really nice way to plot relatively easily, with innacuracies to boot.

Ill BUMP this idea Neseis. Great concept for an alternative plotting that seems a little more real to me.

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm not sure if this is moddable although a neat idea. It would almost be as if your crew is plotting on the map what you are reading off via the TBT or scope. Currently, I just use the tools on the map and if you have the conversion chart on your map it make life easier. I was looking for map alternatives this weekend but found none. The map we have is a bit to good with all the depths, etc. The original maps from what I recall in my readings were some what rudimentary. Specifically around islands they had to patrol. I was hoping to find a map that did not have the different colored blues but even so, I suspect the game detects the shallow waters per the map offered with the game.

[skwasjer]

No, the map is not used to measure heights/depths. This info comes from the BDI/BFD file (it's a huge 1GB file ). The actual (visual) maps (the .RAW files) used in the map/plot screen can be changed without affecting sea depth and land height afaik though I have not tested it in game. I tested it with the mission editor... I think even altering the RAW-map (land outlines) has no effect whatsoever in game, and things like new land or rivers/channels must also be added to the BFD file.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by skwasjer

No, the map is not used to measure heights/depths. This info comes from the BDI/BFD file (it's a huge 1GB file ). The actual (visual) maps (the .RAW files) used in the map/plot screen can be changed without affecting sea depth and land height afaik though I have not tested it in game. I tested it with the mission editor... I think even altering the RAW-map (land outlines) has no effect whatsoever in game, and things like new land or rivers/channels must also be added to the BFD file.

Hmmmmm....can we get the Panama Canal in were it needs to be?

[skwasjer]

Sure, the only problem is, who wants to distribute/download 1.2GB for just one canal :rotfl:

The only viable way is to be able to 'inject' only the changed data into those files...

Maybe I'll have a look at it in a few days.