Optical Targeting Correction RFB 1.4

[Crannogman]

CapnScurvy, what led you to stop at RFB 1.4? Eg, did you find that be the purest form of the mod? Or too much work to keep up with them all, and RFB the least popular?

[CapnScurvy]

I didn't like the way LukeFF decided to take RFB.

SWDW asked me to come onboard with him years ago to work on RFB. He was managing the overall project. I did, along with several others including LukeFF. SWDW stepped away from the project and left it in LukeFF hands. At the time of the management change, my Ship Centered, Accuracy Fix (SCAF) was incorporated in RFB. Much like Optical Targeting Correction, it corrected the mast height measurements, giving a player a better chance of using the Stadimeter as it was intended. The fact that the stock game had ships producing found Stadimeter ranges off by as much as half the true range distance was the main focus.

LukeFF decided to remove SCAF from his version of RFB due to his idea that it gave a player too accurate of a Stadimeter reading. Nothing could be further from the truth, but that's the way he saw it. He even has gone so far has to have some ships deliberately list inaccurate mast height measurements, just for the ability of throwing off a player's range reading. His idea of the 'ol "fog of war" BS, that he thought was realistic.

I don't buy it!! I won't make another compatible mod for RFB 2.0. I'm tired of walking behind someone else's ideas. What I will do is make a mod that's better. Been working on it for a while, have no set time for completion.

[pdiddy]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

What I will do is make a mod that's better. Been working on it for a while, have no set time for completion.

Excellent!

[pdiddy]

P.S. Testing OTC for RFB for personal use:

[CapnScurvy]

P.S. Testing OTC for RFB for personal use:

pdiddy, I guess you're using OTC for RFB, the 1.4 version?

I should point out that when identifying the target in the Recognition Manual, don't forget to note where the proper point of height reference is for the particular target you've selected. In the case of your image of the Kitrurin Maru, the height reference point is the top of the funnel. Always use the RED marked reference point on the picture. Also, some ships have their national flag added to the RM picture.....use the top of the flag where it's positioned to the mast.

Another thing to remember is when using the Stadimeter, use the "L" key to lock the target before taking a reading. The important thing to know when doing this is when you "Send" the information to the TDC, the target's "Relative Bearing" is also sent to the TDC, not just the found range. Knowing this is very important when counting the Telemeter Divisions, then using the Omnimeter to find range. You usually will not want the target "Locked" in position to use the Telemeter Divisions to make a reading.

The trouble comes when you "Send" the found range after setting the Range Dial......you need to make sure the target is centered to the periscope or a wrong Relative Bearing will be sent to the TDC. If the center line of the scope is off center of the target, the wrong bearing is sent to the TDC. A good practice is to count the Telemeter Divisions while positioned on the height reference point, then "Lock" the target back to the center position before sending the found range to the TDC.

If you're "testing" the accuracy of either the OTC Stadimeter, or counting the Telemeter Divisions/Omnimeter process, you can do a couple of things. With the Stadimeter found range, use the active Sonar to ping the target, then "Send" the found range to the TDC. When you return to the periscope screen, the Position Keeper "Range" display shows the accurate distance to the target. Compare it to the Stadimeter found range...as long as there isn't too much time lost between the checks. This is also a good way to compare any mods accuracy with the Stadimeter.

The way to check the accuracy of the Omnimeter is to play the game with Auto Targeting selected. Let the game tell you what the accurate distance is when its shown in the PK Range display. Yet, use the Telemeter Divisions/Omnimeter to do it yourself, comparing the results. I think you'll find the accuracy acceptable.

[pdiddy]

pdiddy, I guess you're using OTC for RFB, the 1.4 version?

That's OTC with RFB 2.0 for SH4 v1.5.

I had to "futz" with it a bit, had a few CTDs, but I appear to now have a stable version (more testing required). Your changelog was extremely helpful. (I have OTC installed over a stock RSRDC version and over a TMO version so have some familiarity with the files.)

Using your Hiryu test mission verified the stadimeter accuracy initially. And that screen shot is from your AOB test mission. All seems to be well so far. (I haven't ported over the whole mod, e.g. I left out the AI sensor tweaks, the ship*.sim files because of ISP, and the weapons/sensor upgrade tweaks.) I concentrated on the radar screens, corrected visual world, corrected rec. manual, omnimeter and range dial.

Although I've read/skimmed through the RFB manual and the thread here on Subsim, I didn't realize the RFB rec. manual was rigged until reading one of your posts. (I had read about the A-B-C ratings of reliability, but since they weren't in the rec. manual, had assumed that idea had been abandoned.) Anyway, I'm sure some love it, but I can't live with a rigged rec. manual. If the A-B-C ratings had been included, that would be one thing, and I get that ships changed their mast height and had different heights based on different drafts, many more ships to identify, etc. RFB is an outstanding mod, but having purposely incorrect values with no way of knowing the reliability of any given piece of information is its worst feature imo. The real manual (late war at least) had more and better information than what we get anyway (as I'm sure you know):



Besides it is way better sinking a "Nippon Maru" than a "Large Modern Tanker" or whatever!

Thank you for making this great mod which has added so much to SH4. (And thanks for the quick lesson in its use in the previous post.)

[avers]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

I didn't like the way LukeFF decided to take RFB.

SWDW asked me to come onboard with him years ago to work on RFB. He was managing the overall project. I did, along with several others including LukeFF. SWDW stepped away from the project and left it in LukeFF hands. At the time of the management change, my Ship Centered, Accuracy Fix (SCAF) was incorporated in RFB. Much like Optical Targeting Correction, it corrected the mast height measurements, giving a player a better chance of using the Stadimeter as it was intended. The fact that the stock game had ships producing found Stadimeter ranges off by as much as half the true range distance was the main focus.

LukeFF decided to remove SCAF from his version of RFB due to his idea that it gave a player too accurate of a Stadimeter reading. Nothing could be further from the truth, but that's the way he saw it. He even has gone so far has to have some ships deliberately list inaccurate mast height measurements, just for the ability of throwing off a player's range reading. His idea of the 'ol "fog of war" BS, that he thought was realistic.

I don't buy it!! I won't make another compatible mod for RFB 2.0. I'm tired of walking behind someone else's ideas. What I will do is make a mod that's better. Been working on it for a while, have no set time for completion.

fantastic, I would love to see a new mega mod for SH4

[CapnScurvy]

Originally Posted by avers

I would love to see a new mega mod for SH4

Yes, there are still folks working on mods for SH4!! TorpX being one of them.

I could probably bring this up in its own thread, but I'll do it here.

One of the most obvious issues with the stock planes is that they don't attack as expected. They will fly over your position more than they will attack. The problem is in the visual sensors, and in which direction their pointed. Also, there's an issue in the general "loadout" of the aircraft.....if the plane doesn't have a bomb in the basic loadout, its more than happy to fly right over your sub, even though its within visual range.

I've also been working on adding additional planes to SH4 beyond the half dozen that's provided by the stock game. One in particular is a Japanese "Kamikaze" plane that will directly attack Allied forces with severe damage results. I'm almost done with it, and the effects are amazing. The Japanese plane will seek out enemy shipping, and deliver a direct blow to a target ship as expected.

I can tell you, if a sub get's hit, it won't be pretty!!

Pictures to follow!

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

I've also been working on adding additional planes to SH4 beyond the half dozen that's provided by the stock game. One in particular is a Japanese "Kamikaze" plane that will directly attack Allied forces with severe damage results. I'm almost done with it, and the effects are amazing. The Japanese plane will seek out enemy shipping, and deliver a direct blow to a target ship as expected.

Sounds good Cap'n!

[avers]

Originally Posted by CapnScurvy

Yes, there are still folks working on mods for SH4!! TorpX being one of them.

I could probably bring this up in its own thread, but I'll do it here.

One of the most obvious issues with the stock planes is that they don't attack as expected. They will fly over your position more than they will attack. The problem is in the visual sensors, and in which direction their pointed. Also, there's an issue in the general "loadout" of the aircraft.....if the plane doesn't have a bomb in the basic loadout, its more than happy to fly right over your sub, even though its within visual range.

I've also been working on adding additional planes to SH4 beyond the half dozen that's provided by the stock game. One in particular is a Japanese "Kamikaze" plane that will directly attack Allied forces with severe damage results. I'm almost done with it, and the effects are amazing. The Japanese plane will seek out enemy shipping, and deliver a direct blow to a target ship as expected.

I can tell you, if a sub get's hit, it won't be pretty!!

Pictures to follow!

have u started a thread for this mega mod your working on yet?

[CapnScurvy]

have u started a thread for this mega mod your working on yet?

No, not yet. Still a little too early to get information out about it. However, I don't see why I can't show you what I've been up to with the one suicidal plane for the Japanese.

This is the Museum shot of the plane.



The bright yellow engine cowl should be enough of a warning!!

The AI has chosen a Casablanca CV.






Looking good so far. Those guys on the deck better duck!




I forgot I had a couple of Kamikaze planes flying around in this test mission! A double whammy.




I think I've got the hit points set a little high!?!







She didn't stay afloat for very long.





So, I think a little more tweaking with the damage model and it's ready to go..... One more shot of it taking a crack at the Iowa.





Anyway, my plan is to add several new planes to the Air group. I'm hoping to add a B-25, B-29, a P-36.....we'll see. I'm just learning 3D modeling so who knows what trouble I'll get into. I'd like to add the Akiga, and Kaga CV's but that's down the road.

No time table on anything, just plugging along. This time of year I can do things I normally don't have time for.

[avers]

I think it's good that your making new planes. I have a few neat ideas for the game, do u want to here them?