[REQ] PPI and A scope empty station

tomoose · 01-27-11, 10:17 AM

Not sure if this has been discussed before.
As we all know, the surface search radar equipment is represented throughout your career but only works when you actually 'install' the kit at some point during the war.

Would it be possible to alter the graphics (i.e. place a 'metal' plate over the scopes) to show the stations as being non-operative early in the war and have the game revert to the normal scope stations once you actually install the radar at Base?

Hope that makes sense. I seem to remember one of the earlier sub games (Silent Service 2 I think) had that in that the station didn't have the scopes etc until later in the war when the sub acquired surface search radar.

CapnScurvy · 01-27-11, 11:39 AM

The graphic for a cover is already in the game.

Since the radar (and for that matter sonar) stations are 3D models, the covers are already in the .dat files, but as you point out never implemented. I've been looking at them and tried to make them appear but have come up empty so far. I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking there may be a parameter that needs to point out the use of the "cover" during the period of time no radar unit is enabled. Again more speculation, the darn things may need to have a hard coded parameter "switched" on to make them appear as well.

tomoose · 01-27-11, 12:49 PM

...the 'covers' were already available in the .dat files. That's interesting to note. I hope you're right and the trigger is accessible somewhere, it would be a nice immersion enhancement. I wonder if there's a list of "goodies" which are in the game somewhere but for one reason or another are not implemented or don't work? It begs the question (again) why the SH5 devs didn't just improve on the existing SH4 instead of re-inventing the wheel?

Bubblehead1980 · 01-27-11, 01:15 PM

yea would be nice if the radar cabinet was not around until SJ radar comes into service and if PPI scope was hidden until it came around in late 43 which would be more realistic forcing player to use A scope in 42 and most of 43.

CapnScurvy · 01-27-11, 01:54 PM

Here's the covers, just how to put them into the game eludes me. I've tried some things since posting this morning.............nothing.

Nisgeis · 01-27-11, 02:38 PM

The ineteriors won't take any notice of EQP files or anything like that. For an object to be added to the interior, it has to be in the CT or CR (or RR) dat file. Copy the objects into the submarine's interior and then they will show up. They are slightly too big though and will clip through the back of the hull.

I had them set up so they were operated with depth, e.g. when you were at periscope depth the radarman and the covers would be off and it would be like he was waiting to surface. At depths greater than periscope, he'd not be there and the covers would be on. Instead of depth, you could also use the radar on/off gauge to put them in place or remove them, but the radar station does look very odd with just the covers there - also the covers hide the on/off switch, so you have to turn it on from the toolbar or shortcut key. I did plan to release it, but it seems that I never did.

You can't really do it by whether or not radar is installed, as if you have SD radar, then that count as radar, even though the stations are not usable.

Now there might be a nifty way to control it with a state machine controller, but I don't know how any of that stuff works and I haven't seen anything about it either.

01-27-11, 10:17 AM	#1
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	[REQ] PPI and A scope empty station Not sure if this has been discussed before. As we all know, the surface search radar equipment is represented throughout your career but only works when you actually 'install' the kit at some point during the war. Would it be possible to alter the graphics (i.e. place a 'metal' plate over the scopes) to show the stations as being non-operative early in the war and have the game revert to the normal scope stations once you actually install the radar at Base? Hope that makes sense. I seem to remember one of the earlier sub games (Silent Service 2 I think) had that in that the station didn't have the scopes etc until later in the war when the sub acquired surface search radar.

01-27-11, 12:49 PM	#3
tomoose Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	I wasn't aware.... ...the 'covers' were already available in the .dat files. That's interesting to note. I hope you're right and the trigger is accessible somewhere, it would be a nice immersion enhancement. I wonder if there's a list of "goodies" which are in the game somewhere but for one reason or another are not implemented or don't work? It begs the question (again) why the SH5 devs didn't just improve on the existing SH4 instead of re-inventing the wheel?

01-27-11, 02:38 PM	#6
Nisgeis Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,909 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 11	The ineteriors won't take any notice of EQP files or anything like that. For an object to be added to the interior, it has to be in the CT or CR (or RR) dat file. Copy the objects into the submarine's interior and then they will show up. They are slightly too big though and will clip through the back of the hull. I had them set up so they were operated with depth, e.g. when you were at periscope depth the radarman and the covers would be off and it would be like he was waiting to surface. At depths greater than periscope, he'd not be there and the covers would be on. Instead of depth, you could also use the radar on/off gauge to put them in place or remove them, but the radar station does look very odd with just the covers there - also the covers hide the on/off switch, so you have to turn it on from the toolbar or shortcut key. I did plan to release it, but it seems that I never did. You can't really do it by whether or not radar is installed, as if you have SD radar, then that count as radar, even though the stations are not usable. Now there might be a nifty way to control it with a state machine controller, but I don't know how any of that stuff works and I haven't seen anything about it either. __________________ -------------------------------- This space left intentionally blank.

01-27-11, 01:15 PM	#4
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,123 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	yea would be nice if the radar cabinet was not around until SJ radar comes into service and if PPI scope was hidden until it came around in late 43 which would be more realistic forcing player to use A scope in 42 and most of 43.