Taking requests for the final SH3 Commander

[Mikkow]

This has been on my "to do" list for about the last four releases. Problem is, targa image format is not natively supported by my programming language, and I haven't been able to find a component that is a) free and b) small footprint, that can. Whenever I can achieve this, it will be part of a release, even if by itself!

- What about:

1. having SH3 commander converting all the main icons into BMP or something else for the sake of previewing which is what in the program? Caching it somewhere for itself. Technically, everything should work just fine. The only thing that the program changes anyway is the number in the crew file that goes with each name. I.e. it will all be accurate and work exactly as I said. It can generate the converted image files either at each startup (slow?) or add a button to refresh it after checking. Personally, a button might be better, as the person might change something on the fly whilst in SH3 commander.

2. The easy way - simply build in a JPG viewer or whatever, and ship default 'faces' for the crew with SH3 commander. If people want to mess with the faces, they'll have one additional file to save over (the jpg version SH3-C uses. Still easy, and stuff still works).

2. Ability to change 'surrendered' back to 'killed' status.

You can achieve this manually - open SH3Cmdr.ini and at the end of the relevant Commander's name under the "CAREER DETAILS" block, change the 1 to a 0.

- Oh yes, that worked too. Maybe it would be a practical ability to have in the interface though?

..I'd like to simulate base bombings, particularly as the war progresses, but some players may not like losing half of their crew in one hit.

Players may also not like being taken out of the game any more frequently than that provided by the current realistic career length option.

- "Simulate full base events?"-option Thus, it is optional. While on the topic, forced transfer due to base bombings, forced to wait a hell of a lot longer due to new repairs having to be made.

I'd also like to introduce an element of sabotage/poor repair work resulting in breakdowns at sea requiring an earlier than anticipated return to base, although I don't know if this is possible. I'm sure that I could simulate this by reducing the hull integrity value, but how realistic would that be? Surely, as equipment can be damaged at sea, we should be able to set it to damaged before going to sea? Anyone got any answers?

- I don't think anything could promt an earlier return except the hull being damaged to begin with (as then, smaller damages makes the necessity to return greater as you had less to start out with). This is displayed in logs, though.

More ideas:

4. While not so specific - when docking in another base than home should be a perfect time to use the SH3-C for something. For example, Sh3-C could change the "Patrol grid: null" to something else. The game lists it as a patrol, maybe SH3-C could either tell people to return to base, give actual new orders, and/or edit the files so that this thing does not in fact appear as a new patrol, simply an extention of the old (resupply).

5. Ability to set a new career up automatically right after the other one ended. I'm sure many people like me play 'serial commanders', meaning that if they die or whichever, they just set the same year and month up and start a new career, to 'continue the war'. Then seeing how many they went through, etc. Maybe it could be done to the exact date, not just same month as when done manually? --- nevermind, just noticed it's hardcoded.

6. Ability to make 'notes' for patrol logs and the personell file. Just a little popup window where you type in whatever notes you want where SH3-C wants to let you. Makes it more fun and memorable to read patrol logs and personell file.

7. Ability to 'import' the names and correct graphics for a crew. Imagine making a template of your 'personalized' crew (friends names, das boot names, whatever), and having SH3 read and impose this over whatever the current crew is like. Just names + graphics would probably do fine. Reason - I play with my custom crews all the time (just names + graphics) and it's quite the choooore to rename them ALL by hand after each death.

8. - ability to apply 'changes' to installation (such as new names/faces when editing crew) without the randimization elements?

[CCIP]

The suggestion on allowing a start in August 1939 is an interesting one I think - I'd like to see it as a possible option, though it's a small thing.




Is it possible to include some measure of upgrade management? It would be nice to be able to select the starting configuration of a boat. It would also be nice to have the ability to remove some items that can't be removed once you get them in the game: e.g. Radar, Engine upgrades, DECK GUN.

[JScones]

Originally Posted by Rubini

A suggestion/correction for gramophone folder randomization: I notice that the Radio.wav file is also added with a number before enter in the random processes. The problem is that when a new Radio.wav file will be added for SH3Cmdr it is not automatically replace because it now have a number. I suggest that you implement a small routine to effectively replace the Radio.wav file. Hopes that you understand my bad english!

I've just added this as I thought it important to do so, so it's in the next release.

What SH3Cmdr will do is record the "pre" randomised file name and the "post" randomised name in a text file. On rollback, the names will be swapped back again, so any user or SH3Cmdr added gramophone files (like Radio.wav) will be correctly removed.

[Venatore]

If you've played IL2 AEP/PF/FB, there is a utlility called IL2 STAB 5.2, in this utility there is a fighter pilot diary with pilot photo this is where you can add entries after your combat flight. Maybe you could do something similar to this utility.


Venatore

[Krupp]

It would be nice to see those convoys and single ships (and task forces too)do bigger scale zig zag all the time, not just after they've been attacked. I dont know what kind of the pattern was in RL, maybe 20 minutes per turn? So a ship traveling 8 knots would do about 5000m run and turn again....IT is too easy to approach for attack when they don't do anything but go straight. More challenge for the overhaul, plotting and attack run :|\ Well, I don't know if this wish has nothing to do with shcommander but it would be more fun that way.

[coronas]

Originally Posted by Phylacista

Here's one suggestion:

When you are dead you can change your carreer also to surrendered or captured. How about making this random and adding a chance being picked up by friendly vessel.
.

A feature like this was in SH1. A newspaper give the notice: US sub lost at sea. Crew lost, surrended or rescue. Can be randomized in SH3?

[Reece]

Hi, due to phone line problems (can't read total thread) I hope this request hasn't been repeated:
Is it possable to randomize the gramaphone before starting a new patrol? Would be a nice feature.

[gallycadet]

Make it optional for changing u-boat avalibilitys. I found out the hard way that file was edited when I noticed some subs weren't showing up for 1st flotilla....

[gdogghenrikson]

had an idea earlier today but I forgot what it was

[JScones]

Originally Posted by Reece

Is it possable to randomize the gramaphone before starting a new patrol? Would be a nice feature.

Download release 2.3 and under options, select "Randomise gramophone tracks".

[JScones]

Originally Posted by gallycadet

Make it optional for changing u-boat avalibilitys. I found out the hard way that file was edited when I noticed some subs weren't showing up for 1st flotilla....

It is optional - the SH3Cmdr Help.html file explains how to modify SH3Cmdr's "U-boat availability.cfg" file to your taste. Alternatively, look at the last FAQ in Problems with SH3 Commander? Check here first!

[Sheppard]

I would like more of SHCommander's features to be user selectable on/off; because I have my own personal tonnage/renown setup, and whenever I launch SH3 through SHCommander, it screws up my setup; could the tonnage randomizing be capable of being turned off?

[Marhkimov]

Originally Posted by Sheppard

I would like more of SHCommander's features to be user selectable on/off; because I have my own personal tonnage/renown setup, and whenever I launch SH3 through SHCommander, it screws up my setup; could the tonnage randomizing be capable of being turned off?

I think all you have to do is delete the tonnage file.

Just delete this file: "SH3 Commander\Cfg\Ship displacements.cfg"

[Reece]

Most excellent Jaeson, have been using 2.1.
Many Thanks.

[JScones]

Originally Posted by Marhkimov

I think all you have to do is delete the tonnage file.

Just delete this file: "SH3 Commander\Cfg\Ship displacements.cfg"

Correct. Essentially everything that SH3Cmdr does is user configurable. Open up any file in the \SH3 Commander\Cfg folder and read the information in the header which will explain how to adjust or remove features that SH3Cmdr includes. If all these features were to be included as options, the SH3Cmdr interface would become quite cluttered!