Sh3Gen updates and discussion

[GlobalExplorer]

Sh3Gen
Campaign enhancement engine for Silent Hunter III
Version 0.8.2

Sh3Gen 0.8 Tracking Room Edition

Because Sh3Gen was completely relying on ingame visualization, and the dire restrictions of the SHIII map station I decided I want to visualize the Sh3Gen data in an external application.

Sh3Gen 0.8 comes with an option to generate data that can be used with GIS (geographical information) systems.

You will need to download another tool to open the data. I have optimized it for usage with the (completely free) TatukGIS Viewer, a great program.

With Sh3Gen and the viewer you can now review the strategic situation like in a real tracking room. The map contains all the data that you are used to from Sh3Gen, plus a lot more through the data panels, and it's much more readable (I think).

Another great advantage is that you can now review your previous patrols, which was one of the things I really wanted to have.

This should be extremely interesting if you have a two monitor setup or a laptop. I haven't tried that yet, but it should open up a whole lot of new possibilities!!

I would expect this is not the final version of the product, but in any case it should already work fine. As of yet I have not created any documentation for the GIS part. Using the GIS initially requires a little bit of learning, but is also extremely powerful. I hope to be able to provide some advanced tips for using the GIS viewer asap.

I hope some of you catch up in the idea, and help each other getting the most out of it. I would like to discuss the concept before this gets the "final" stamp.

Enjoy,

GE

INSTRUCTIONS

It should be really simple.

1. register and download the free TatukGIS Viewer. Alternative link:
http://www.rockware.com/catalog/page...gisviewer.html

2. Download Sh3Gen 0.8.2 from:
www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe
and extract it

You need DotNET Framework 2.0 to run this software.
You can download and install DotNET Framework 2.0 from:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...d-aab15c5e04f5

3. Launch Sh3Gen.exe from the extracted file.

4. Use Sh3Gen as usual until you get to the summary screen

5. After the summary screen a new window pops up which asks you to specify the place where the generator should place the tracking room files. If you click "Export", it will create a new folder and will copy all the required files into it.

6. If you already have the TatukGIS viewer installed, and you have the "Launch" checkbox on, the map opens up instantly. You can launch any map manually by double clicking the corresponding "Sh3Gen Tracking Room.TTKGP" file. But I have set it up so that the map will pop up instantly, and I am finding it myself very convenient to use.

7. The GIS viewer has a multitude of options to change the appearance of the map, which we can discuss later. I have tried to set it up in a way that should be OK for the beginning. There is a lot more you can do with it than just zooming and panning about, and I hope to provide you with tips soon.



If it doesn't seem to do anything, make sure that the "Tracking Room" checkbox under "General Settings" is on (though it should be on by default).

If someone with talent for graphics would like to help me improve the map with little bitmap symbols, that would make my day!

GE

UPDATE 2007-02-23: Sh3Gen v0.8.2 Released

As of today, Sh3Gen Tracking Room is available from www.global-explorer.de. There you will also find the complete documentation for the new Tracking Room Functionality.

OK, that'll do for now - if there is no negative feedback I will finish this over the coming weekend.

UPDATE 2007-03-04: Small bug fix

Fixed a small bug with the handling of player made map markers and ranges that could make Sh3Gen Tracking Room export to fail. If you have downloaded prior to this date you might want to download again (I have replaced the Sh3Gen_v082.exe with a patched file)

Download

Download Sh3Gen 0.8.2 from:
www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen_v082.exe
and extract it

Sh3Gen 0.8.1 can be downloaded here:
Sh3Gen 0.8.1 RC4

Sh3Gen 0.8.0 can be downloaded here:
www.global-explorer.de/sh3gen080.exe

Dont forget that you need to download the viewer too!
TatukGIS Viewer

Test data

If you want to see some test data first, without using Sh3Gen, or if you have trouble running it, I am offering test datasets here:

www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen081TestData.exe

www.global-explorer.de/Sh3Gen080TestData.exe

(you still need the viewer of course)

SCREENSHOTS









Screenshot of Sh3Gen TR w. laptop setup ( courtesy of bert8for3 )

[fredbass]

Thanks GE. We always appreciate anybody who wants to make the game even more enjoyable than it is already.

[Samwolf]

Are there any changes to the current SH3Gen version besides than the new GIS capability?

[Jimbuna]

Thanks GE

[GlobalExplorer]

Before a release like this, with substantial new functionality, I need some help in the form of testing. I hope there is any. So please , someone try it in order for the release to be there sooner and better.

Originally Posted by Samwolf

Are there any changes to the current SH3Gen version besides than the new GIS capability?

Small improvements in the core but I was concentrating on the GIS stuff. I actually cannot think of major improvements of the core except a rework of the data files, which I want to optimize for GWX.

This weekend I will make some additions in the form of the basic KM grid and some nice thematic views setup for an easy start. Sh3Gen 0.8 will also have the advantage of saving not only the map, but also you patrol report in a neat folder so you can review it later.

This is not the official release. The purpose of this thread is to get some people to try and report back if everything works.

GE

[mr chris]

GlobalExplorer this is really great stuff cant wait to try it out. Never leave base without SH3 GEN now it just gets better.
It looks to me that you have push it on another level mate take a bow.

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks mr chris.

It is very important to hear if people can use/understand it. Mind also that any question asked here helps me to prepare the documentation which most people will need with that kind of new technology.

The map generator was going to be my next project for SHIV. It was just that I found recently it would be possible to link the new stuff into Sh3Gen. Better do it now before I might lose interest in SHIII, though that shouldn't happen soon.

As I said, I am going to improve it over the weekend, and I hope to release a "customer" version in a few weeks.

GE

[Kumando]

This new version is really cool Global Explorer already tried it, but the real problem is alttabing whenever i do it for abou two or three times and i return to the game, it becomes slow and sloppy. I think its because the antialiasing or something and also meses the navigation and attack map when viewd from the command room camera, so i dont really know how to solve this.

[GlobalExplorer]

I know Alt-Tabbing is not perfect, but it works. I normally use Sh3Gen at the beginning of a patrol to get briefed on the situation. Taking down some notes and preparing a plan in your head is recommended.

Some other suggestions from the top of my head:

-You can also exit the game but reloading takes much time ..

-You could use a second computer for the map only.

-It is also possible to use Sh3Gen when you're not playing on any older savegame you created before - no matter how old it is.

-Irish1958 suggested printing out areas of interest, the viewer has excellent printing / pdf function.

You might want to use it in between breaks if you play your patrols on several days.

[GlobalExplorer]

Contrary to what I said to irish about adding a scale, I just realized that it is not really needed, as there are measuring tools in the viewer that are jolly good.

All you have to understand is that 1 unit in the viewer = 1 degree = 60 NMiles = ~ 111 kilometers. Got it?

Adding a scale / meridians / geographical place names are things which I might do in the future, but then only for the eye candy ..

GE

[Tuddley3]

This is truly amazing what you have done with this already perfect program you have for us, but now I cant wait to try this new concept out. How you guys think of this stuff, is beyond me, but am glad you spend your own time to perfect an already almost perfect game. You shall expect a new signature graphic just for this occasion, you are a true friend to all of us, keep up your great work

[GlobalExplorer]

Thanks Tuddley! Consider yourself a "gold" customer from now on No more queing or carrying bags for you, sir.

Anyone has used the mod somewhat? Can it be used to have more interesting patrols??

I ask because for me the excitement was the data processing, and the techniques involved, not actually using it so much. Most of that stuff is a by-product of learning new things for my work. You could say I got carried away a bit. Moreover, offering free tools for computer games is an excellent way to get your stuff tested in RL, worldwide, for free, so I think it's a win win situation.

It will be very interesting to see if combining that GIS stuff with computer simulations has a future or not. I find it exciting, but I could imagine it's too much for many people. As it's used extensively by the military, it should have it's place with any type of military simulation. But then, many people want games, not simulations. We will see ..

GE