[REL] SH4 Terrain mod (canals and others)

[modisch]

I'm guessing it's a weakness of the engine/terrain editor that makes the shoreline of the canals sawtoothed?

-m

[ref]

Originally Posted by modisch

I'm guessing it's a weakness of the engine/terrain editor that makes the shoreline of the canals sawtoothed?

-m

Each "tooth" is one pixel in the terrain file, 200 meters, the drawing unit to call it some way, is the same as opening a bitmap file and start zooming on it, eventually you'll see only big square blocs, it's unfortunate that the terrain engine doesn't smooth or interpolate values, I guess that it'll be too computational intensive to be viable.

Ref

[Carotio]

@ref
Thank you, have read your tutorial and played a bit. It seems okay to handle.
I hope it's okay that I edited your fake locks of the panama canal out ?
Hoping to see the canals from Trainer1942 soon to put in their place.

@aanker and akdavis
Thanks for the info about Truk

If not anyone else is up for it (having a secret desire which almost burns up their heart), I would like to try add the corals around Truk after having compared with Google maps.

Though Truk is mostly on one RAW file, a little part of it is more or less extended to three opposing RAWs. Will try to play around with it, and if it's okay, I may call for help...

[aanker]

Originally Posted by Carotio

If not anyone else is up for it (having a secret desire which almost burns up their heart), I would like to try add the corals around Truk after having compared with Google maps.

If you have any luck with those corals that would be Outstanding! Off the top of my head I think there were about 8 passages in and out of there.... (not sure)

Thank you ref !! ... Thank you ALL

Art

[Carotio]

Originally Posted by aanker

If you have any luck with those corals that would be Outstanding! Off the top of my head I think there were about 8 passages in and out of there.... (not sure)

Art

According to Google maps, there are more than 8:


It seems using Google maps and regarding the info in this thread that Dublon and especially Moen should be given harbour and city facilities:

West-side of Dublon?


North-East side of Moen?

[akdavis]

Originally Posted by Carotio

According to Google maps, there are more than 8:

Looks like there were 4 primary passages utilized by shipping:

It seems using Google maps and regarding the info in this thread that Dublon and especially Moen should be given harbour and city facilities:

West-side of Dublon?

That is not Dublon Island, but Param. The Japanese placed a hasty airfield here, but not much else. Don't trust Google Map labels.

History
Prior to the war, Japan developed the island into a Navy base begining in November 1940, that including a HQ building, eight barracks, five garages, and sick bay. The island was built up as a naval base, supported by a large Japanese community complete with trade stores, restaurants, geisha houses.

Fourth Fleet HQ was built in November 1943 a large central concrete building, three others large and nine smaller buildings. Facilities were manned by the 41st Naval Guard Unit. Forth Fleet Hospital could care for 850 patients in 5 wards and 24 other smaller buildings. 12 Concrete water reservoirs, an ice house, dental clinic, pharmacy, three warehouses and research lab existed. Naval Construction Department included 10,000 men at its peak.

The main radio station of the five in the islands was located at Dublon, where several concrete receivers shelters and buildings were constructed. Forth Harbor Department was located on the southeastern part of the island near Doblon Town. It was 22 wooden buildings including repair shops, warehouses and barracks.
South Seas Development Company had docking facilities on the southwestern tip of the island. Its supply storage and fish cannery were commandeered by the Navy, and it became the Fourth Naval Dockyard. It was the main receiving area for the military. More warehouses and a refrigeration building, HQ, and a two story barracks were constructed. A thousand men worked here on ship repairs, mostly damage sustained to ships from American submarine attacks. The facility also had a 30 ton floating crane and 2,500 ton dry dock. Nearby was a sawmill, and small rail cars connected most of the buildings.

The Truk Transportation department loaded and unloaded supplies from ships. Since there were no docks for the larger ships, supplies needed to be ferried to the bigger ships. Truk's marine infrastructure was second rate, and was capable of properly servicing a modern Naval fleet. A derrick, carts, 40 trucks, barges, harbor craft, tugs and sampans were used for these purposes.

85th Submarine Base
On the western shore was the 85th Submarine base, constructed in May 1942. It serviced, supplied and did minor repairs to subs. Torpedoes were stored in caves and transported by rail car to the shore. Many different repair and barracks existed specific to submarines.

Japanese Army's 52nd "Oak" Division
The Army's 52nd Division arrived in Truk from November 1943 to January 1944. There were not enough buildings for the troops and they were forced to camp in tents, and in civilian houses and schools. These Army troops were cut off from supply after they arrived and had to rely on the Navy for supplies and equipment. They built most of the land based defenses on the islands, most were based on Dublon.

Today
Today, the island is known as Tonoas Island. The jungle has swallowed up the remains of these places. The hospital are easy to locate, as are water and fuel storage tanks, and signposts written in Japanese. Caves and tunnels are rumored to exist in the cliffs filled with supplies, war materials and ammunition. Others contain hidden coastal defenses and AA guns.

I don't believe Moen (Weno) was as heavily developed then as it is today. It underwent development by the U.S. after the war. Pacificwrecks.com describes gives the following description:

During the war, the Japanese built two airfields Moen 1 and Moen 2, and many supply dumps, stores and other facilities on on the island.

Today
Postwar American forces built concrete structures and restored Japanese houses are along the exist on the southern coast. The island has since been renamed Weno, and it serves as the capital of Chuuk.

Moen 1 (Harushma, Chuuk Airport)
Built by the Japanese and used until the end of the war. Today stll in use.

Moen Seaplane Base
Japanese built seaplane base used until the end of the war. Disused today.

Moen 2 (Airfield No. 2)
Built by the Japanese in February 1944 as a fighter strip. Disused since the war.

Japanese Communications Center
The Xavier High School was used as a Japanese communication center during the war.

[modisch]

Originally Posted by ref

Each "tooth" is one pixel in the terrain file, 200 meters, the drawing unit to call it some way, is the same as opening a bitmap file and start zooming on it, eventually you'll see only big square blocs, it's unfortunate that the terrain engine doesn't smooth or interpolate values, I guess that it'll be too computational intensive to be viable.

Ref

I figured. Wanted to check anyways. Glad to see the canals nonetheless. *shakes fist at the Engine Gods*

-m

[aanker]

Originally Posted by akdavis

Looks like there were 4 primary passages utilized by shipping:

Excellent information and great sources up there AKDavis.

Whish I had Photoshop for this editor.

Art

[ref]

I think most image editors have the same functionality as PS, as what I used is standard features, what I ment was that I don't know the procedure on other editors, not that they aren't capable of performing the same tasks, you'll just have to experiment a bit to get the wanted results.

Ref

[aanker]

Originally Posted by ref

I think most image editors have the same functionality as PS, as what I used is standard features, what I ment was that I don't know the procedure on other editors, not that they aren't capable of performing the same tasks, you'll just have to experiment a bit to get the wanted results.

Ref

Yep... I have the Gimp and it should work fine.

I was reading the development of your SH3 map tool:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=89658 ... Great read

Well - I'm off to play with this and Thank You again Sir!

Art

[swdw]

The scale of the 3d terrain is probably dependent on what digital elevation maps were used. The highest res ones are for the US. The rest of the world is fairly low res.

Otherwise you have to convert topo maps into a 3D file or a DEM that can then be converted.

Ref is most likely very familiar with this, but for others, go here for more info.
http://www.agu.org/eos_elec/97260e.html

We used some of the available sat data (DEM or GEOTOPO) for Fighter Squadron terrain mods.

The page below lists a lot of free terrain related stuff (maps, images, contours, DEMS). Free 3D terrain programs are listed at the bottom of the page.
http://www.terrainmap.com/rm39.html

[Captain von Keldunk]

Hello
Works OK with photoshop elements 2.

PS Maybe you like to put downloadlink for extractor to your first post.
I found it today. (I know read all posts etc.)
1000 000 THANKS
PS This is how my St Nazaire looks now Dry Dock and all. as you can see
Terrain tool is useful also in harbor.

[bigboywooly]

Wheres the link for th ealtered St Naz files then ?
No point everyone doing them if someone already has

[Captain von Keldunk]

Hello
I have now released St Nazaire in Loire river + dry dock.
Started a new tread for it. Download link is on my sign

[aanker]

I have given up with the Gimp for now unless someone comes up with a procedure.

My computer came with JASC Paint Shop Pro 8 installed and I have never touched it however much to my surprise the ZON file opened with Paint Shop Pro but I don't have a clue what I am doing. Anyone else have Paint Shop Pro? The instructions written by ref for Photoshop look easy enough to follow.

Two questions if anyone knows.

1.) I could follow instructions for Paint Shop Pro if anyone wants to write some notes.

Just to be clear I'm not asking ref how to do it because of the warning... lol

The Panama Canal installed great in my SH4 and works as advertised. I really want to work on Truk Lagoon.

What I eventually want to do is take a new command from CT, or New Orleans - the mouth of the Mississippi where the Manitowoc boats were off-loaded after coming down the river on barges - refuel at the Panama Canal and on to Pearl etc.

2.) What files turn these locations into Naval Bases where I could refuel?

Next I'll probably be getting into the campaign layers....... I can see it coming. This is fun.

Art