Help needed for download Max Opc and SCAF

[msumpsi]

I have been trying to download MaxOptics and SCAF mods for RFB 2. from subsim, but both links send me to gamefront website and then the website crushes. Is it possible to download these two mods from subsim directly? If so, can anyone tell me how?

Help appreciatted, Thanks

[Gerald]

Steve,are aware of these things which I are not,send a PM and ask!

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/member.php?u=227416

[CapnScurvy]

Welcome msumpsi to SubSim!

I just tried downloading the MaxOptics IV for RFB 2.0 and had no trouble with it. Yes, the download link takes you to the GameFront site where the mod is kept. The reason it's not directly on the SubSim server is due to SubSim's limitation of a mod being no larger than about 40Mb in size. MaxOptics IV for RFB 2.0 is about 66Mb in size. Believe me, I'd be happy to have it off the GameFront server and kept here, but that's not going to happen unless there's a change in what we can upload.

As far as a SCAF for RFB 2.0??? I don't have one. Maybe you're referring to the SCAF for TMO 2.0? It's the same issue as the above mod. Too large for the SubSim server.

Not that it makes much difference, but SubSim does offer a larger server using the FTP protocol. I have a couple of very large mods uploaded there (both about 250Mb each). The problem here is that there is a limit on how much the FTP server will allow for one account. With the two mods, there isn't enough room for any more. I can't get a response from management regarding getting more space, so I'm left with putting mods onto GameFront, like it or not.

[Sailor Steve]

Capn, I sympathize. I haven't been able to use the FTP server myself, and I can't seem to get help either, and I'm supposed to be in charge of the Downloads. I do apologize. Have you thought of talking to Plissken about putting it on his server?

[msumpsi]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

Welcome msumpsi to SubSim!

I just tried downloading the MaxOptics IV for RFB 2.0 and had no trouble with it. Yes, the download link takes you to the GameFront site where the mod is kept. The reason it's not directly on the SubSim server is due to SubSim's limitation of a mod being no larger than about 40Mb in size. MaxOptics IV for RFB 2.0 is about 66Mb in size. Believe me, I'd be happy to have it off the GameFront server and kept here, but that's not going to happen unless there's a change in what we can upload.

As far as a SCAF for RFB 2.0??? I don't have one. Maybe you're referring to the SCAF for TMO 2.0? It's the same issue as the above mod. Too large for the SubSim server.

Not that it makes much difference, but SubSim does offer a larger server using the FTP protocol. I have a couple of very large mods uploaded there (both about 250Mb each). The problem here is that there is a limit on how much the FTP server will allow for one account. With the two mods, there isn't enough room for any more. I can't get a response from management regarding getting more space, so I'm left with putting mods onto GameFront, like it or not.

I was reading the post on an open question to you, and i have to agree that there are some major issues with getting the real range accurate enough for a solution. I think that there are 2 problems one is that unlike what RFB says in it manual, the game daes not provide the real values of the heights of some ships, specially warships. So in a way that accounts for the fog of war they try to add by even mixing up with files tht already are not accurate at all. The problem with this is that even harcore players, at least a consider myself so, are encourage to forget about using the TDC and use the map contact update to estimate everything, wihick in terms is far more a cheat than anything else, and makes the game to boring since the real challenge is to use the TDC. In this regard i really prefer RFB than TMO, since they provide what to me is the best solution so far with the maps concacts uprades in all SH3 and SH4. In my opinion they add fog of war to the mp contacts by dliting them above certain magnification. They could go even farther in the magnification so that you can get an estimate with some reasonable degree of error of course and speed, which would make the player have to use the TDC to find a sulution. TMO does not come with as good as solution to this problem. Yes you do get depthcharge, but i consider it much more gamey than RFB. So i gave it a go, but i sunk to many ships far too soon. The other issue is the SDM which really make things a very hardcore mod, although there are some issues with it, for example that the add so much movement inertia to the ships that even if the ship is half full of water there is no alteration in its movement capacities unless you hit the engines or the propellers. While the deck gun really is incapable of sinking anything which is good to get sinking records reasonable. On the other hand, the fact that the crew is almost useless on the sonar and at watch makes it a real problem since when playing RSRD campaign, either you read the script or you cheat on game sttutering when loading something at time compression. This means that basically you are the sonalist the watchman the aimer the shooter, everything in the sub. And it becamoes very tedious, altough at least they are good spotting planes.Another very important aspect of RFB is that they only provide bearing on the target which is quiet realistic since in TMO as in SH3 they are capable of telling you the exact distance 6 nm away which you cannot do it with UZO or anything else. Well, sorry for the lenght, i just wanted to express some of my expiriences and frustrations at playing the game. It can be really frustrating this game, and really dificult to play.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Capn, I sympathize. I haven't been able to use the FTP server myself, and I can't seem to get help either, and I'm supposed to be in charge of the Downloads. I do apologize. Have you thought of talking to Plissken about putting it on his server?

I agree with Steve, there have been FTP issues for a fair while now but hopefully Neal or his techie will find the time to correct the issue.

[CapnScurvy]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Capn, I sympathize. I haven't been able to use the FTP server myself, and I can't seem to get help either, and I'm supposed to be in charge of the Downloads. I do apologize. Have you thought of talking to Plissken about putting it on his server?

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I agree with Steve, there have been FTP issues for a fair while now but hopefully Neal or his techie will find the time to correct the issue.

I was able to upload a couple of my largest mods onto the SubSim FTP site only after Neal reset my original password. As I recall, after I was successful in navigating to the FTP site (I use the FileZilla Client), I had to make a separate folder (named "capnscurvy") in my "Main" upload folder and put the compressed mods there. This might be what you'll have to do Steve to get an uploaded file onto the site.



As I've said, I was able to upload two of my larger mods there, but adding a third has not been possible. I don't know for certain why, but it seems the limit for the server is around 500Mb for my account. Once it's reached, the upload will disconnect and the file is corrupt due to not getting it all uploaded. I don't know for certain this is the problem, but I'm thinking since there is an upload limit for the regular SubSim "Downloads" server.....there would be one for the FTP site as well.

Whose Plissken? I'll do a search for him, but no, I've not thought of asking anyone else to hold the files outside of SubSim or GameFront.

[Sailor Steve]

Sorry, Plissken_04, AKA Maik, runs his own download site just for Silent Hunter mods. He truly does a great service here, and no praise is good enough.

Find him in post #4.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=171019

[CapnScurvy]

Ok, thanks Steve!

[CapnScurvy]

To msumpsi, you're quite right in thinking there are issues with manual targeting with the game. The developers had intended to make an American Campaign of Submarine warfare in the Pacific (much like its successful namesakes of the Silent Hunter series from Strategic Simulations) but, they based SH4 on a game engine designed for the U-Boat game. Silent Hunter 4's American Campaign is the bastard child of the developers, who had from the release date, designs to bring the U-Boats into the Pacific. The underlining files are riddled with Silent Hunter III leftovers.

To this end, the simplest tasks of measuring a yard for a yard were ignored, making manual targeting (which relies heavily on optical observation) to be only somewhat feasible. The Stadimeter is only as accurate as the measurement point it uses, and how well you place the mark with the mouse. The lens Telemeter divisions won't give accurate measurements as long as the world view is not sized correctly. The stock radar is only providing eye candy, there is no way of measuring a "blip" on the screen. The only accurate tool to manual targeting is the sonar, but you'll pay for it after a ping is made with an enemy warship near. Having the Map Contacts enabled is like cheating. You can get all the necessary information for manual targeting right off the map. Speed, Range, AoB, Relative Target Bearing all can be gotten from the map.

So, what's the solution. First make sure you simply enable the option for "No Map Contacts Update". No matter what the mod may do with the contacts, having them turned off will prevent you from getting a clear picture of what's on the horizon. You'll still be able to plot a targets position on the map, you'll just have to do it yourself. Figuring relative bearing, AoB, target tract, target speed are still possible from map plotting. The difference is YOU make the plot, not the computer. It's on your shoulders to make an estimate on what you see for a firing solution. To me, this brings the simulation to life when it's your skill that makes an accurate firing solution.

Second, get a mod like Optical Targeting Correction that provides accurate measurements when using the periscope or TBT/UZO. Since the game renders different world views through these optical devices depending on which resolution/aspect ratio you play the game with, you'll need to correct the view with the mod addition that's specific for it. You'll get a Range Dial for inputting estimated range to the TDC, plus an authentic tool called an Range Omnimeter for calculating distance from the telemeter divisions found on the scope lens. You'll also get a working Radar that will provide a reasonably accurate range estimate. Which can be used to input range to the TDC. The mod also has the "SCAF like" measurements for providing as accurate a stadimeter process as possible. The errors in an unsuccessful manual firing solution should be from your lack of skill, not the fault of the tools you use.