[REQ] Maintain depth fix

Petr · 08-26-10, 01:09 PM

I know that this problem is solved for example by UHS, but this solution is quite imperfect (boat does not go so deep as you order).

Maybe I have key to this issue. My VII A and B have maintain depth problems, but myVII C is almost perfect (goes just 1m shallower than ordered).
So I would like to ask you, experienced modders, to try to find solution for A and B.
I can provide you all my VIIC files, which may help to find where is the problem I think.

andycaccia · 08-27-10, 12:09 PM

Hi Petr,
I've tried the same fix you're talking about, but it left me disappointed.
So I made one myself. There is nothing scientific about it, I only tried again and again by changing mass values in the .sim values of each boat with a brute force approach, but at the end the results were good indeed. My fix works for all boats (I did not change the VIIA, but i guess it can be fixed as the others).

If you're interested I could explain how I did it..

TheDarkWraith · 08-27-10, 12:12 PM

please explain away

andycaccia · 08-27-10, 03:23 PM

Ok guys, here is the trick...but beware! There are some side effects...

It's a very simple tweak, provided that you are familiar with Goblin Editor
(if it's not your case, there is a simple guide:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=165805 ).

Now, open any of the u boats .gr2 file. Let's take the VIIB for example, but it will work on every model, now merge the NSS_Uboat7b.GR2 with the proper NSS_Uboat7b.sim file.

under "NSS_Uboat7b.sim" open the "unit_Submarine @ NSS_Uboat7b"
in the new window select the "unit_submarine", found under the "Render" tree.

And here we go, now pay attention...

1) find the *mass* value in unit_Submarine -->unit_Ship-->obj_Hydro, here change the value to 852.8.

2) now go for "surfaced"--> "displacement" and set the value to 853,
do he same with "submerged"--> "dispalecement" and set to 857.

3) last thing, search for the "Front_diveplane" and "Rear_diveplane" under "unit_Ship" and set the "drag" and "prop_fact" to 0.1 and 0 respectively for both dive planes.

And it's done. With theese little tweaks my VIIB and VIIC boats work like a dream. They keep depth very very well down to 200 meters. There is still a lite sinking effect, but nothing like the stock game. Now if your boat is at 220m and you keep running at 1knot the boat will not sink anymore. Even if you stop the engines and loose some meters (but it's very slow), as soon as you gain movement the boat will stablize itself at ordered depth.

Additional tweak: I don't know if it has a real impact on the game, but I've boosted the power of the electric motors as well, just to make sure the boat has the necessary horsepower to make it against the water resistance while climbing up when rudders are in rise position..
under "E_propulsion" set the "eng_power" value to 1500 (which was the real total power output of the electric motors anyway 750+750). Note that this will not affect the u boat speed while submerged, only the acceleration.

I Think it's everything.

OH NO! I almost forgot the in-famous side effects...

well, nothing serious really.. only diving times are a LOT FASTER.
A possible solution is to adjust the values under the "Ballast" tree, although I have not tested.

P:S Sorry for my poor English, I hope it is clear enough...

longam · 08-27-10, 04:44 PM

And your releasing this mod when?

andycaccia · 08-27-10, 05:01 PM

Actually I haven't planned a mod release, because there are some other tests and adjustments to be made. The problem is that I have almost no time and a poor machine (Pentium 4HT 3.0Ghz + Radeon x 1800) that barely allows me to launch the game, with epic loading times and frequent CTDs and/or BEX error (Buffer overflow Exceptions) that prevent me from doing my modding proprely.
I guess I could release a beta version as soon as possible, but I will need time for a complete release.

I'll keep you informed.

Anyway longam, you can do this yourself, it's very easy! It will take less than 10 minutes to modify all sim files for all 4 U boats (from VIIA to VIIC/41).

longam · 08-27-10, 06:04 PM

Thats ok, I have a feeling someone is already on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

please explain away

andycaccia · 08-28-10, 03:34 AM

Ok, I have a beta version containig the VIIB VIIC and VIIC/41 .sim and . cfg files. It's JSGME ready. Now I must upload to subsim donwload section. Since I am a new Modder, I sent a pm to request access to the upload files function.

longam · 08-28-10, 02:54 PM

Thank You Sir!

Krauter · 08-29-10, 12:52 AM

Cheers matey

But please, explain how UHS does not, uh, 'fix' the problem for you? I haven't noticed any real problems with UHS and I love the way the boat sits in the water with that Mod.

But if you files fix the depth issue than by all means I will overwrite UHS with yours

Akula4745 · 08-29-10, 02:17 AM

Any word on how these changes affect other mods? I dunno about you gents... but I have a ton of mods running.

andycaccia · 08-29-10, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krauter

Cheers matey

But please, explain how UHS does not, uh, 'fix' the problem for you? I haven't noticed any real problems with UHS and I love the way the boat sits in the water with that Mod.

But if you files fix the depth issue than by all means I will overwrite UHS with yours

Hi Krauter, maybe I was wrong about your mod...I remember a fix found here some time ago... I have on my pc the U boat Historical Specification 1.4, so I guess it's your fix. I only felt that the subs had a strange behaviour with your mod enabled, which was in fact quite the opposite of the sinking effect you tried to fix. But pheraphs it's only me...

Simply I made another fix myself. I've changed nothing else. Moreover, I could not use the historical values (mass, displacement) because that would have worsened the problem.
With my settings the boats keep depth almost perfectly, but there are some side effcts (very fast diving times and very slow surfacing times if theb boat is not moving), so my mod is not perfect.

**beta version now available for donwload at subsim**

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=2779

eon850aye · 08-29-10, 07:46 PM

@ andycaccia,
have tried your method, and the depth fix works a treat, but...
...when surfaced the sub looks like it's on rails, fine in calm waters, but as soon as the wind picks up, well, it doesn't look good.

In a perfect world, I'd like to have UHS1.4mod on the surface and your mod when submerged.

Any chance of Krauter & yourself tying the (mod) knot.

ddrgn · 08-29-10, 07:59 PM

Quick FYI - I made UHS not Krauter, I do appreciate that its a popular mod and may refine it to fit with some of the current mods....

Can someone help me understand the problem with the stock game is exactly?

Is this all about the boat being at depth and continuously sinking at slow speeds?

Krauter · 08-29-10, 08:12 PM

Please note that I did in no way, shape or form attempt to take credit for your work ddrgn

08-26-10, 01:09 PM	#1
Petr Mate Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 51 Downloads: 151 Uploads: 0	[REQ] Maintain depth fix I know that this problem is solved for example by UHS, but this solution is quite imperfect (boat does not go so deep as you order). Maybe I have key to this issue. My VII A and B have maintain depth problems, but myVII C is almost perfect (goes just 1m shallower than ordered). So I would like to ask you, experienced modders, to try to find solution for A and B. I can provide you all my VIIC files, which may help to find where is the problem I think.

08-27-10, 12:09 PM	#2
andycaccia XO Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Italy Posts: 418 Downloads: 261 Uploads: 2	Hi Petr, I've tried the same fix you're talking about, but it left me disappointed. So I made one myself. There is nothing scientific about it, I only tried again and again by changing mass values in the .sim values of each boat with a brute force approach, but at the end the results were good indeed. My fix works for all boats (I did not change the VIIA, but i guess it can be fixed as the others). If you're interested I could explain how I did it.. __________________ "Memento Audere Semper"

08-27-10, 03:23 PM	#4
andycaccia XO Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Italy Posts: 418 Downloads: 261 Uploads: 2	Ok guys, here is the trick...but beware! There are some side effects... It's a very simple tweak, provided that you are familiar with Goblin Editor (if it's not your case, there is a simple guide: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=165805 ). Now, open any of the u boats .gr2 file. Let's take the VIIB for example, but it will work on every model, now merge the NSS_Uboat7b.GR2 with the proper NSS_Uboat7b.sim file. under "NSS_Uboat7b.sim" open the "unit_Submarine @ NSS_Uboat7b" in the new window select the "unit_submarine", found under the "Render" tree. And here we go, now pay attention... 1) find the mass value in unit_Submarine -->unit_Ship-->obj_Hydro, here change the value to 852.8. 2) now go for "surfaced"--> "displacement" and set the value to 853, do he same with "submerged"--> "dispalecement" and set to 857. 3) last thing, search for the "Front_diveplane" and "Rear_diveplane" under "unit_Ship" and set the "drag" and "prop_fact" to 0.1 and 0 respectively for both dive planes. And it's done. With theese little tweaks my VIIB and VIIC boats work like a dream. They keep depth very very well down to 200 meters. There is still a lite sinking effect, but nothing like the stock game. Now if your boat is at 220m and you keep running at 1knot the boat will not sink anymore. Even if you stop the engines and loose some meters (but it's very slow), as soon as you gain movement the boat will stablize itself at ordered depth. Additional tweak: I don't know if it has a real impact on the game, but I've boosted the power of the electric motors as well, just to make sure the boat has the necessary horsepower to make it against the water resistance while climbing up when rudders are in rise position.. under "E_propulsion" set the "eng_power" value to 1500 (which was the real total power output of the electric motors anyway 750+750). Note that this will not affect the u boat speed while submerged, only the acceleration. I Think it's everything. OH NO! I almost forgot the in-famous side effects... well, nothing serious really.. only diving times are a LOT FASTER. A possible solution is to adjust the values under the "Ballast" tree, although I have not tested. P:S Sorry for my poor English, I hope it is clear enough... __________________ "Memento Audere Semper"

08-27-10, 05:01 PM	#6
andycaccia XO Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Italy Posts: 418 Downloads: 261 Uploads: 2	Actually I haven't planned a mod release, because there are some other tests and adjustments to be made. The problem is that I have almost no time and a poor machine (Pentium 4HT 3.0Ghz + Radeon x 1800) that barely allows me to launch the game, with epic loading times and frequent CTDs and/or BEX error (Buffer overflow Exceptions) that prevent me from doing my modding proprely. I guess I could release a beta version as soon as possible, but I will need time for a complete release. I'll keep you informed. Anyway longam, you can do this yourself, it's very easy! It will take less than 10 minutes to modify all sim files for all 4 U boats (from VIIA to VIIC/41). __________________ "Memento Audere Semper"

08-28-10, 03:34 AM	#8
andycaccia XO Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Italy Posts: 418 Downloads: 261 Uploads: 2	Beta version ready to go! Ok, I have a beta version containig the VIIB VIIC and VIIC/41 .sim and . cfg files. It's JSGME ready. Now I must upload to subsim donwload section. Since I am a new Modder, I sent a pm to request access to the upload files function. __________________ "Memento Audere Semper"

08-27-10, 12:12 PM	#3
TheDarkWraith Black Magic Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11,962 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 5	please explain away

08-27-10, 04:44 PM	#5
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	And your releasing this mod when?

08-28-10, 02:54 PM	#9
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Thank You Sir!

08-29-10, 02:17 AM	#11
Akula4745 Convicted Ship Killer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just out of sight... plotting your course and speed Posts: 846 Downloads: 371 Uploads: 1	Any word on how these changes affect other mods? I dunno about you gents... but I have a ton of mods running. __________________ Akula4745 "If you sit by the river long enough... the body of your enemy will float by -- SunTzu"

08-29-10, 07:46 PM	#13
eon850aye Mate Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hertfordshire UK Posts: 56 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	@ andycaccia, have tried your method, and the depth fix works a treat, but... ...when surfaced the sub looks like it's on rails, fine in calm waters, but as soon as the wind picks up, well, it doesn't look good. In a perfect world, I'd like to have UHS1.4mod on the surface and your mod when submerged. Any chance of Krauter & yourself tying the (mod) knot.

08-29-10, 07:59 PM	#14
ddrgn Korvettenkapitän Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 918 Downloads: 362 Uploads: 30	Quick FYI - I made UHS not Krauter, I do appreciate that its a popular mod and may refine it to fit with some of the current mods.... Can someone help me understand the problem with the stock game is exactly? Is this all about the boat being at depth and continuously sinking at slow speeds? __________________ ddrgn mods: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/member.php?u=217261