[Released] SH3Cmdr Markings Add-on

[JScones]

Helping SSB with his multiple roundels mod (refer http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=104707 ) inspired me to add a bit more variance into the game myself, at least for SH3Cmdr users.

What I have done is create a markings add-on for SH3Cmdr which changes the markings of certain countries at appropriate times. As I am sure you all know, not all countries maintained the same markings/roundels throughout WWII. Indeed, some countries changed markings numerous times. The reasons were varied; visibility (ie British), recognition (ie Australian Pacific), changing alliances (ie Romania), to mention a few.

This add-on will utilise SH3 Commander's Date feature to change country markings at the appropriate times throughout the course of the war. No more will you continually see the same markings!

You can see the markings and dates they apply at http://www.users.on.net/~jscones/markings/markings.htm (displayed images are compressed - in game images are higher quality). Only main variations have been included - to model every variation of some countrys' markings would be a very time consuming task (New Zealand for example had about 14 or more different variations throughout the six years!).

There will be some limitations though:
* This add-on will not overcome basic Silent Hunter III model limitations. Whereas in real life some markings were placed on the fuselage *and* wings, or fuselage *or* wings, or were different on each surface, in Silent Hunter III you will see the same marking on all six surfaces (upper wing x 2, lower wing x 2, fuselage x 2). This may be a bit distracting with some countries (like Britain), but unfortunately that is how the developers modelled the planes (maybe understandably as the aim is to avoid them!). Testing of effective ways around this limitation (ie one that requires no multiple plane clonings) continues.

* You will not see marking changes on any plane that has "hard-painted" markings.

But I think these are minor distractions considering the flexibility offered by the add-on without the need for multiple aircraft clones.

Anyway, I welcome feedback, corrections, etc before I release this to all. If you think it's a waste of space, I'm happy to hear that too...

[TarJak]

Sounds like a winner. Can't wait.

[danlisa]

I like this. Thanks to SSB also.

The one sticking point for me is that I may not be on the surface long enough to see all the pretty roundels.:rotfl:

I suppose there's every chance that you might be in the right place/time for scripted air attacks though.

Go for it.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Thanks for that.

PS Where is one supposed to post his ideas concerning SH3 Commander further development?

[melnibonian]

I like what I've just read. I can't wait to try it

[Samwolf]

Sounds good.

[JCWolf]

Great,


Now they will get closer to my boat
without in time warning from my watch
Officer, cause all the Watch crew is
destracted viewing the New markings... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:



Thanks for this new Addon mate...

[Myxale]

A wonderful thing that Scones!

But i don't think i'm gonna see them in all their glory outside the museum.

[Myxale]

A wonderful thing that Scones!

But i don't think i'm gonna see them in all their glory outside the museum.

[Jimbuna]

Great JS
Was a bit suprised to see New Zealand with the most changes though :hmm:
I was thinking along the lines of Italy

[JScones]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Great JS
Was a bit suprised to see New Zealand with the most changes though :hmm:
I was thinking along the lines of Italy

Hehe, and what's more, what's modelled for NZ isn't even half what they used in practice. Indeed, it would be impossible to cover every NZ variation because the proportions and colours were determined largely by the plane's source country and type (planes were generally delivered to the RNZAF with the RAF or US markings already applied).

At the least though, the RNZAF used:

RAF Type A, A1 and A2
RAF Type C and C1
RNZAF Type AZ (and at least two variations)
RNZAF Type CZ
RNZAF Type ZA
RNZAF Type ZAF
RNZAF Type ZAP (and at least two variations)
RNZAF Type ZAZ (and at least one variation)
RNZAF Type ZB
RNZAF Type ZBP
RNZAF Type ZC
RNZAF Type ZCP
RNZAF Type ZP
RNZAF Type ZPA
RNZAF Type ZPB
RNZAF Type ZPC (and at least four variations)
RNZAF Type ZPF
RNZAF Type ZPU (and at least six variations)
RNZAF Type ZPV (and at least three variations)

So at least 40 "official" versions let alone all the unofficial versions! And most were in use at the same time and carried other variances like proportion and colour.

Re Italy, there is one other variation that I have not modelled.

I'm curious whether anyone from Poland, Belgium or Norway disagrees with what I've modelled for their countries. I really just want to get it 100% correct before releasing it.

[Jimbuna]

Now that is very interesting thanks

[JScones]

FYI unless anyone questions the accuracy of the roundel changes (check them out here... http://www.users.on.net/~jscones/markings/markings.htm ) I will release this add-on in the next few days.

Whilst I've done my homework and am quite certain everything is right, I'm happy to be corrected by anyone "more in the know" about a particular country.

Again, if you plan on using these, I strongly recommend that you get SSB's multiple roundels for aircraft first (from http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=104707 ).

[irish1958]

Jaeson,
Am I correct that the multiple roundels mod will be included in the GWX update?
Until then, is it necessary to enable the multiple roundel files to use your new addon?
From my limited knowledge base, your roundels appear correct.

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by irish1958

Jaeson,
Am I correct that the multiple roundels mod will be included in the GWX update?
Until then, is it necessary to enable the multiple roundel files to use your new addon?
From my limited knowledge base, your roundels appear correct.

The new multi roundel dats will appear in the next GWX update
The markings pack is for SH3commander and can be used from the time it is released
A lot of the aircraft are already capable of using different roundels

The planes that have hard painted roundels on the skin are the ones with new dats