Graviteam

Hi all, first off I just wanted to let everyone know that this is my first time posting but I've spent quite a bit of time looking over these forums and some other tank sim forums, (one particular is a forum that is currently modding "T34 VS. Tiger"),. I personally think that SFK42 has always had the most potential and wanted to get into the modding aspects of it, but never had the time. One of the biggest challenges that I face and that many others in Europe and America face is that most of the development along with documentation is currently written in Russian.  By the way I'd really like to thank both graviteam and the modding community at tanksim.org.ru for a great game and great ad ons.

What I'd like to do is get a group of people together from Europe and America to start developing a Western front campaign for this game.  I have no idea if this is realistic or not, but if no one ever brings it up it will never be addressed.

On my end I'm fairly good at 3-D modeling and have a limited amount of experience creating skins for 3-D models. I'm certainly not as good as the people who have already made mods for SFK42 such as steel panzer mod 1.5, but I'm willing to learn and I'm hoping that some other people will jump aboard.

Below is one of the models I've been working on, it's an M-10 Tank Destroyer, I'm also currently doing work on a Sherman Firefly and M4A3.

(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8474/m10h.jpg)

(http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4900/m102.jpg)

I'd definitely be in for that, but mirror your concerns that the lack of well-defined english documentation could render the effort stillborn. There are currently a few guys in here who seem to have that innate ability to "get into the code" and figure things out...

but we need to leverage their experience! And that means clear, consise, illustrated tutorials on how to create the vehicles, the terrains, and all the files necessary to create totally new mods/terrain/architecture/campaigns, etc.

Hi Watchman,

It's not much, but there's some information about importing vehicles in the sticky here:

http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=60.0 (http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=60.0)

Not having done a lot of modelling, I'm not sure how clear the tutorial is, or whether there are any questions remaining unanswered. That's right, I know not enough to even start asking the questions  ;D

There's a bit more information on the Sukhoi.ru site, about adding in new vehicles. Here's the 'Googlish' translation:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsukhoi.ru%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D52974&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsukhoi.ru%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D52974&sl=ru&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8)

Regards,

Hi Stig, I definitely agree with you concerning some straight forward tutorials. If you know of anyone in particular from these forums who has made some headway in any of the areas of custom map making it would be great to get them in on this. The importing of 3d models is something I'm working on now, what would really help is finding out if there is a way to export existing models from SFH42 into outside programs such as 3DS Max or Cinema 4D, etc. It's not a deal breaker, but it would make things easier. The extension used by SFK42 is ".go" and the object editor is capable of converting ".x" files to ".go" files but I have yet to see any export capabilities.

Kyth, good deal man, I didn't know about that second link you posted, I'm checking it out now. I also have the first link bookmarked and am working through that now. My plan is to import a fully functional model into a mission. The model is extremely simple, but it will include all of the essential parts a tank would have in the game minus a cockpit. Thanks again Kyth ;D

Hi WatchMan,

Regarding map-making I do know of 2 recent forum members who have gone the distance:

Rends (with the Kursk / Prokhorovka map and missions) and Lockie / Ntalex (the Kubelwagen mission; part of the team that brought us the Steel Panzer Mods).

I have tried my hand at map-making with quite dire results! The actual process is deceptively simple, but to make a good map I think requires a great deal of finesse.  :)

Thanks Kyth, I'll probably follow up on those leads today, however you got me thinking. You mentioned that Rends and Lockie are currently associated with other projects. It would be great if they could come up with a tutorial. Maybe you should give some thought to experimenting with a very simple Western Front map. And when I say simple, I mean the bare essentials. It could be a map created with terrain contours, some simple objects and a tank that can travel around the newly created terrain. That way you could get an idea of if it's do-able from your side. With that being said, I know absolutely nothing about creating a new map, you know a great deal more than me based on other posts I've read. I guess what I'm getting at is that at some point, if a Western Front were created there would have to be someone who was in charge of making maps or implementing other user made maps into the campaign. In addition there would have to be individuals in charge of 3d models, data configuration for model characteristics, historical story lines that would in turn effect the maps and missions, etc. Real potential for FUBAR, but what the heck, there hasn't been a good WW2 tank sim for the Western Front since Panzer Elite over 9 years ago. Oh well, just a suggestion. ;)

The Western Front might be a great vehicle for a tutorial series on "from-scratch" campaign building that includes making totally new maps and terrain/architecture/objects, new vehicles and then generating missions and campaigns for it.

One thing I'd like to try eventually, if I ever get enough of a firm understanding to do it, is to expand on the Desert campaign, fleshing it out with Lees, Grants, Crusaders, Semoventes, M13/40s, other Italian tanks, Bren carriers, etc. There's a LOT more that can be done with the "Accordion War" of North Afika, that's for sure!

Well Stig, once some sense can be made out of the .engcfg files, the sky is the limit. It mostly has to do with the comment sections being in Russian. I've started taking select .engcfg files and translating them to english, just to get a better idea of how things work. I also made a complete copy of SFK42 with no mods enabled except for the "PATCH_SFE_UNLOCK", "SF_Objeditor" and the "DecompSFDataPack.exe" program. After that I extracted all of the datapacks found in the "cd" folder and placed them into the SFK42 directory exactly how they would appear in the program if they had never been compressed. The end result is a fully functioning program with a complete directory tree.

Things are making a lot more sense now and I believe that if people can stay persistent with this there's no reason why a Western Front or Desert Campaign or any other campaign can't become a reality. Happy Modding. ;D

First of all, thanks a LOT for your effort. This is what we need.

You, dear sir, now have in your head all the makings of a first tutorial. Can you write up and illustrate with screenshots the "highlights" of the file directory? Starting with the .engcfg file and the directory trees, and then a text explanation of what files need to be modified if one wants to do "X type of modding". Perhaps a list of each for "adding a standalone scenario", "creating a campaign of related scenarios" "adding a scenario to a campaign of existing scenarios" "importing another modder's standalone scenario" "importing another modder's campaign".

If you don't feel you can write well enough, if you contact me (through PM, and perhaps later via Skype) and I'll be all too glad to help. I'd like to get clear on this kind of stuff myself.

If we can show graphically, through screenshots and code snippets, where everything is, what's in the various folders and files, and what needs to be edited when modding... the result will be "Exhibit A" in a group of tutorials that everyone will then be able to use to really blow this system out with new campaigns, mods and vehicles.

Hey Stig thanks. Actually I just posted a tutorial covering the basics of how I set up a separate install of SFK42 and how to extract datapacks with a short introductory to the object editor. I can say this as far as .x files; If you can get your hands on Blender 2.4, do so. It's an excellent 3d modeling program with the ability to export .xfiles. It also allows you to create textures and materials, but for that I would recommend GIMP 2, which can create and export .dds files. Hope that helps a bit for now.


P.S. It looks like Kyth is doing a great job with mission creation, I'm hoping he'll think about doing some Western Front Maps.

Hi WatchMan,

Here's the thing about the maps in Steel Fury: they only represent a 2km x 2km area, so any mission has to take into account this constraint.

The other thing is, there's not much in the way of distinctive objects or foliage that would mark a map as a uniquely Western Front scenario. For instance, the buildings at the moment consist of: one village hut and one 'barn', which do not appear to resemble anything in Normandy or anywhere else in W. Europe. On the other hand, the 'bocage', I think, is possible with some intense effort at planting in the map editor.

I think the main shortfall is in the available building objects (I think more can be added, though). Any town or city battles are out of the question at the moment,

Just my 2 cents worth,  :)

Okay Kyth I hear ya. I like the idea of a Bocage scenario. I was even thinking of doing a mission based on the exploits of Micheal Wittman at the Villers-Bocage. Right now that seems like a very lofty goal, but I figure it gives me something to shoot for. In addition once I get a better grasp of importing objects into scenarios, new models for buildings, other structures, foliage, etc. could be created. If you think of any other things concerning map making and scenario building that might create snags, let me know and maybe I can make adjustments as I go along. Thanks Kyth. :)

The next question being, is it possible as things stand now to create any new building objects, flora, etc. and import them into the system to be used as building blocks?

If the answer to that is yes, then we'd need to identify all the particulars and details and requirements for those objects (3D model format [.go only, or...?], graphics/skins specs and limits, how to create damageable architecture) and then get to work on building them.

The other question I have is:

Is the 2km x 2km limit a HARD AND FAST limit, or just one that the original dev team used? Is there any flexibility to that (e.g., could you elect to create a map 1km by 4km, say, to create a "traverse road" type of scenario?)

Dovetailing on that question... we still need a tutorial on how to create totally new maps from scratch.

Okay finally making some progress. The image below is a very basic tank model that I've managed to get into the game. It's well worth the headaches involved to finally get a working model into the game. Kinda fun to just drive the thing around and test it out. My next step will be to put an M10 Tank Destroyer or perhaps a Sherman Firefly into the game.

(http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/2788/t2ingame.jpg)


Just to let everyone know that those are basic skins I'm using as color identifiers for when I do the final skins in Photo Shop. 

Quite encouraging, keep going WatchMan,  :)

Great, I will look forward to this. Since you are working on a Sherman variant, any possibility of doing a lend-lease one for the Russian campaigns?

Nice job!

How did you get around the .go file limitation? What did you import into the game, and what tools did you use to create the 3D shape?

Hi,

Square maps only, I think.

Some answers in the other thread, http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=1173.0 (http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=1173.0).

As mentioned, there's a quick way to get around this limitation, since the maps are supposed to 'tile'.
To elaborate further:

- Game will give a toot that you've run out of map; there's a text entry for this error message which you can blank out.

- A line of 2D trees indicates the edge of the map; the relevant texture file can be set transparent.

- The weather configuration limits the visibility; there is a haze setting which you can ease up, to let you see for miles around.

A sufficiently flat and featureless map (gentle rolling slopes, sparse vegetation) is practically endless!
Good for epic long-range battles on the steppe!  ;)

Regards,

but is there a limit for this square maps.

Hi Norm,

Not sure where the limit is,

In missions, I've placed reinforcements in the neighbouring 'tiles' and they travel to the battlezone without a problem.
It's also possible to place air support units 10 - 20 km away, ready to strike when triggered.

(Edit)
Hmmm... I stand corrected. Something bad happens after you ignore the warnings... it's 'Mission Fail' if you wander too long outside the edge of the world  >:(

AI Tanks don't appear to have this limitation, though.

Regards,

Slowly, but surely.

(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1060/game2m.jpg)

  Nice work Watchman!You're definitely the Man to watch! ;D

fantastic! Any particular reason that it was imported as German? (Just curious.)

  May be to make a comparison for scale with a German tank.Since the AI automatically fights any vehicle not identified by the code as a friendly if you want to put along 2 opposing vehicle you have to crew them with AI from the same side.(Just my guess probably wrong...)

Hi all! The model featured above is classified as a German unit because I'm working on a stand alone mod and had to use configurations from the basic game. As it turns out the coding for the pz4f1 was most similar to the M10, bogie suspension, similar weight, etc. And yes I included a pz4f2 in the scenario to compare dimensions, appearance and lighting. To norm, as soon as I get a fully working M10 into the game, complete with a cockpit, 76.2mm ammo specs, "Yankee sounds", meaning commander, loader, etc. sounds I will definitely start working on Sherman variants. As soon as the M10 is completely done, I'll post a down loadable test mission, so people can beta test it. :)


 

BTW, thanks everyone for the positive feedback, I hope with time I can create a campaign that will complement the SFK42 community.

Hi WatchMan,

Keep up the good work!  :)

Very nice Watchman, very nice.

Did you use the tutorial on tank model import to do this? Can you list your toolset and a quick rundown as to your (obviously successful) production and import process?

Looking forward to this! Will you release each Vehicle as they are completed, or as a pack?
[Edit] Just re-read your post, so that looks to me like one by one.

Hiya stig, the actual import process is based loosely on the vehicle import utility. I can't really do a decent tutorial at this point because my end goal is to have models in the game with English comment lines, accurate unit and component definitions for British, American and French forces and a host of other things.

What I can do is give a quick run down of the process I use to get test models into the game.
(This is by no means complete.)

The toolset I'm currently using is:
1) Cinema 4d for modeling and material application.
2) Photo Shop CS3 for texture conversion and other graphics file work.
3) The object and mission editor mod for SFK42 for putting models into the game.

I don't know much about 3DS Max, I have the demo but don't really use it. The reason I mention this is because the vehicle import utility uses this. The following description will use a tank as an example and references to object details will be very general due to the fact that they are defined differently depending on the 3d software you use.

1) The first thing to make note of is that your tank model will need to have object names that will work with the code scripting within SFK42. In other words your tank model may refer to the "Turret" as a Turret, but the scripting refers to it as "db_head", so name your vehicle parts accordingly.
   
    A) In addition make sure to align your axis's accordingly, most importantly your wheels.

2) When naming object parts use an existing ".go" model for reference along with the corresponding ".engcfg" file. Example: "pz4.go" file has a "pz4.engcfg" file associated with it.

   A) Directory tree:
        1) pz4.go                                       2) pz4.engcfg
         data\k42\loc_rus\go\techn\tanks       data\k42\loc_rus\levels\LEVELS\tech_cfg

3) Within the ".engcfg" files there are references to other files such as the cockpits, tread assignments etc., you'll need to adjust all these files.

4) Learn Russian, just kidding but any comments that you see in the configuration files are in Russian and it helps to convert the comments to English, just to get a better understanding.

5) Insert your model as a "MOD" and use the mod enabler to test it.

I know this doesn't do the whole process justice, but hopefully it's a start. My best advice is to mimic an existing model. In other words take a pz4 along with all the associated files and make a mod out of it, but instead of using the original "pz4.go" model make your own 3d model with the exact object names as the pz4 and insert it into the game. Example:

1) "mymodel.3ds" containing all the parts of the pz4, including crew positions and camera locations.
     A) "mymodel.3ds" converted to "mymodel.x".
     B) "mymodel.x" converted to "mymodel.go" using the object editor.


If you can do this and get a copy of the pz4 working in the game you'll have a much better understanding of how things tie together. From there you can make other models and adjust them and their configuration files accordingly.



 

A great addition, Watchman!!!! I suppose people who don't use 3DMax can extrapolate this and learn to import from Blender, or AC3D, or Maya, or some other tool.

Thanks for taking the time to do that: I believe this will really pay off in the end. I've been toying with the idea of fleshing out the Afrika Korps mod, and perhaps starting with the Lee/Grant series of US tanks.

Hi,

While we're on this topic, I recently came to know about this site:

http://forums.simulation-france-magazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=2348 (http://forums.simulation-france-magazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=2348)

It appears they were working on much the same thing - it went quite a long way but then they stopped.  :(

(Edit)
You know, since one of the modders (FAW Saumon) is still active on that site, you might want to contact them about carrying on, where they left off...

Some of the models they did appear to include the M3 Lee, M3 Stuart, M4 Sherman, M13/40, Semovente, etc. etc...

Ky th it´s NSU a German team which is still working although slowly on the Desert mod. Reading the panzersim.com portal they announced a new Kursk or is it Desert map.That Francophone forum is dead .I once took part in it but left as they are way too passive ...

Yeah, this is EXACTLY what I'm looking for...!!!! Thank you for posting that. Provided I can get over the language barrier, I might want to simply lend my meagre skills to this effort.

   Amazing !! I would not mind just a M4 Sherman model, it was the main bread and butter of the US forces on the Western front..  make shift western front missions could be made using exsisting maps we have now.

 just having a Sherman model would make it happen for now... could make a Firefly from it too for the Brits..or a 76mm Jumbo thick armor M4A3 Sherman for us who want to play it, and have a slight chance to survive.  be nice to have the Cromwell, Cruiser, Renault R35-R40, Valentine, Churchill series etc ..
  Comet and M26 Pershing would be nice, but the Bread and butter tanks M4 Sherman would be the best start, the M10, M18 and M36 tank destroyers are also great
..
  Sounds like a GREAT project.. you have my mouth watering over this, your going to make me short out my keyboard.!!

and of course the Easy Eight!

Speaking of language barriers the modders of the Afrika/Desert mod are Germans not French and they speak fairly fluent English(at least some of them).They have their own website( just google it) and they can be reached on the panzersim.com forum( not the tanksim)

(http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/5728/westernfront1.jpg)


The Sherman "Firefly" variant WIP.

Great!
 But it looks like there's no bumping texture.

Correct, I'm holding off on the bump textures until I can tighten up the UV mapping. I'm more or less at the enjoyable part of the project where I can start refining a lot of things.

Waiting impatiently for the final model!
ps
UV mapping is a big painass :)
pps
This is a model from Forgotten hope 2
(http://xmages.net/out.php/i173789_m5ax.jpg)

 :o

If mapping's been a PITA for you, I sure don't see any evidence of it on these shots. Looks very nicely detailed.... no 'stretching' or other problems either.... nice.

It was my fault, cause I didn't explain properly. I took this shot as an example for the sherman texture. I didn't do this model, it's just to have a look.

Oh, I see.

What's your current problem with mapping, and which 3D program are you using?

I tried to do vs UV-mapping and failed. That's enough. Perhaps in a future I'll try once again, but it's too complicate.

 looks great.. what progress you are making.. if your going to pilot a Sherman, best to be a firefly with that nice 17 pounder.

can't wait.

WatchMan, will u produce the patch vs sherman? Would be intersting to catch it and have a high.

A Fireflly???Ouch! It´s going to make the going tougher for our Panthers and Tigers!

Good work ! Very impressive quality!

Looking forward to adding it to my ME Scotty! ;)

Thanks WatchMan! Looking forward to 'driving' the new tank(s)!  :)

Any news as for Sherman "Firefly" releasing?

Topic up. Perhaps, WatchMan still interested to upload his work, even if it wasn't complete.

Or if he is not interested he can send hes model files to someone that can finalize it (i can for example)

Wacthman was already 10 months has not visited here. Can still contact him?  :-[

I just PM'd him.I hope he still visits the fourm and reads his PM!!!!Let's wait.I suspect he probably mods for other games and is busy with some other game!

Have you guys tried the sukoi and Tanksim forums?

No Whukid but even if he is there he might have a different handle we are not aware of!I haven't seen anybody with the same handle on these fora.

I bought some 3D models from a website. In which has M3 M4 WILLYS and so on. Maybe we can use this to create the Western Front Campaign. But I cannot use the 3D software. So, if someone is willing to modify these models so that it can be used for games, I would be glad to share them.  8)

Great news!
yl9961027, could u show some pics of er models?

(http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5674/willysj.jpg)
(http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/135/dodgewc51.jpg)
(http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6578/mk1atgun.jpg)
(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3407/m4a375w.jpg)
(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6242/m3grant.jpg)
(http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/4893/halftruck.jpg)
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5997/gmcl.jpg)

Hmm, interesting. What are the polycount/vertices on them?

Willys
polys:9,748
verts:11,089

dodgewc51
polys:125,985
verts:67,862

MK1 ATGUN
polys:61,240
verts:31,340

M4A3 75
polys:229,416
verts:145,985

M3 GRANT
polys:230,216
verts:126,478

M3 halftruck
polys:196,172
verts:103,413

GMC
polys:21,966
verts:11,540

Thanks yl9961027 for info! As I've understood "M4A3 75" is a "firefly".
(http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/48/images/m4a3fireflysz_3.jpg)

Fireflys where made of all different kind of Shermans so yes :P

I think one sherman "firefly", don't care how the name does correct :D, would be VERY appreciated to put in the game! Just need to get answer from Stone2009, will he make a sherman also to avoid the same models doing.

I'd recommend using Sherman model from "Theatre of War: Korea". It's textured, detailed enough, accurate and can be used legally.

Now everything I can say about Western Front Campaign - that's damn near impossible.  :-\ New uniform and gear for the soldiers needed, new buildings needed, new planes, new AT guns, new firearms... :o

I concur with Mistwalker.Not to mention new buildings Western European type and even the landscapes on the maps are wrong.The evegtation







Not to mention new Western European types buildings.What you have on SF won't look realistic.As well part of the vegetation is wrong.

Not impossible, just highly improbable  ;D

I'm not in hurry :) Sherman will be in use, even without appropriate landscape/buildings.
BTW
The same situation vs JT, which wasn't use in eastern front.

Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and they ask me to create a western front campaign. You call that job satisfaction caus I don't...

Hi guys!
These vehicles not only being used on the Western front. Red Army is also equipped with many of these vehicles.
I mean, as long as people are interested in these models to be entered into the SF, I will share them unconditionally. There is no deadline, and regardless of ultimate success. :)
By the way, these models are not all I have collected, but also has some other interesting vehicle model to collect by me:
Panther a, Panther g, Hummel, SDKFZ2, su-76, IS-3, JSU-122.
These models can also be readily available to everyone.

Thnak you very much for the generous offer yl9961027 :)!Indeed you are right; many of these vehicles were used by the Soviets on the East front.Even if we don't or cannot recreate a West Front campaign nothing prevents us form using those vehicles in SF.I am sure the modders will gladly use these vehicles to introduce them in the game.The more the merrier!

A Hummel would be great. Perhaps even a Nashorn-Hornisse, if you could. But any of these would be great additions to SF, regardless of a west-front scenario.

Best of success with this. Much appreciated!

FW

I sent 4 model.
http://www.4shared.com/file/nc9nXy-9/WILLYS.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/H9LwuNGM/M4A375W.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/rjtm4ZUV/M3halftrack.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/Ch3QXE2D/hummel.html
If you are busy, I hope I can at least tell me how to modify these models can be used in SF. I will be based on these suggestions to modify the model. Of course I did not modify their own, I would hire someone to help me to revise.  ;D

Thanks for offering your models yl9961027 !It's a really a great contribution to SF! :D

If you have a Stuart tank model I think that'll be the most versatile addition, seeing action in every major theatre of WW2,

I got it. :P And comes with a M5A1.  8)
http://www.4shared.com/file/8mG8qYPv/M3_Stuart.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/4qjBuyH2/M5A1.html

I have taken a quick look at the Sherman model. Good overall model but it needs lots and lots of reworking. Its clearly not made for gaming purposes. For example the rope alone is 8100 vertices, .50 cal mg on the turret is 37000 (37k) vertices and even the simple shovel is 700 vertices, one wheel is almost 1000 vertices. Not to mention all modelled bolts (a good texture fixes that) So for any good modeller out there its probably easier to model it from scratch. And the thing is that the recomended vertice count for models to put ingame is around 25000 vertices. So you guys see the problem? 8)

I have uploaded 3 models.
http://www.4shared.com/file/FaXSNSt7/M3halftrack_2.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/6P2J9DXq/M-36.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/5xpxcqoY/IS-3.html
This time the vertice count for models are within 25,000.

You guys should make a whole separate alliance thing so we can do Cold War scenario's too :D

Yes a Korean War Mod like in Panzer Elite :)

Yes I'd like to sit around and moan about it too.

Good luck!

Korean War Mod? Perhaps I may dub for the Chinese soldiers.  ;D
I had some model reduces the vertice count  to 25,000. Can anyone help me with these models can be used in the SF? I will continue to work with?
http://www.4shared.com/file/zqBc7_uW/M5a_v1_.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/Yrq7Andi/M4A375W_v1_.html

I can help yl9961027, But right now i already have lots on my plate so i cant help just yet, maybe in a few months hopefully.

Regretfully yl9961027 I ma totally helpless when it comes to modding so I can't give you any help!Still that'd be cool to have a Korean War campaign and with real Chinese voices ;D

Anybody speaks Korean?

Does it look like american tankman?
(http://xmages.net/storage/10/1/0/9/6/thumb/thumb_cd4a940e.jpg) (http://xmages.net/view.php/91830)   (http://xmages.net/storage/10/1/0/5/a/thumb/thumb_e20b8787.jpg) (http://xmages.net/view.php/91831)

is that an Ersatz M-10 I see before me?

mmm seems alittle too blue to me. Try going for more of an olive-drab look. Nice job though :D

MMMMMM pretty good although the boots look too German to me....Did US tank crews wear boots????Except in the winter of course.

Yes Ersatz M-10 NOrm it looks like Lockie did the Skorzeny trick to me ;D He disguised a Panther A or D in an M-10 ;)

Yes.

There're two versions. It's first and I didn't check second.

I don't know :D

Perhaps a little offended, but in the eyes of most Chinese, the protagonist of the Korean war was China and the United States. At least is the way our Government tells us. 8) ( Certainly I also knew this is a government which is accustomed to lie.  ::) )
In addition, I also got some model of British army. Including crusade, 6 pounds artillery, 25 pounds artillery, APC, some Italian tank and so on.  There's even a model of British soldiers. Maybe we should take the lead in improving the desert campaign mod?  ::)

Thank you! Donken!  ;D
Before you have time to help me, I will try to do so myself. If possible, can you give some recommendations for these models? Example, these models import to SF it? What also needs to improve?

 The protagonists were the Chinese and Americans only late rin 1950.Initially the North Koreans were the driving force and it's only in November 1950 after the American-led UN forces had pushed them all the way to the Yalu river and the NKs were on the ropes that the Red Chinese "Volunteers" were thrown into the game.Even if other countries played a secondary role like the British and Commonwealth forces and South Koreans they still played a role.But I agree from 1951 onwards it was essentially the PRC against the USA as the main actors.

I know that. I was just joking. ;D

I know that. I was just joking.

 Including about your government telling lies  ;D

Actually, he was right. The North Koreans didn't play a role in the war after December 1950, when the Chinese forces poured across the Yalu River.

Anyways, we'd need tanks like the M26 and M46 to play that era, however I don't believe we have the right foliage and stuff for Korea. :( oh well. I'm perfectly content with mowing down waves of Ivan in my Pershing  ;D hahaha

Perhaps the model of plant and buildings is not difficult to find. I am an architect, I can from my company's model library to get these things. Really difficult in the terrain, the Korean peninsula is mountainous terrain, the game's map editor support mountain it?

I believe Lockie created a map for the Seelow Height, and I can't imagine it being a whole lot more mountainous than that :P Maybe we'll get lucky and have a Golan Heights map thrown in for good measure? Just thinking ahead here guys, but WW2 vehicles were used in military actions all the way up to the Six Day War in 1967. I could probably knock up some Israeli/Syrian skins for the T34's and Shermans

Ysl9961027 there are lots of maps with mountains including Rends'Seelow, the Izum map, Deviator's excellent BSSR1 map etc.

Re the foliage and vegetation.North Korea has a continental-type climate which is pretty similar to Northern and Central Europe and probably the vegetation is not all that different from the Ukraine or Russia.So we could keep SF vegetation as a basis.It's truly the mountains that are different.The mountains in Asia; be it China, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea have very distinct shapes that are unlike what you find in Europe.I was born in the Alps and having lived in Asia I was able to do a first hand comparison.

I'm really looking forward to this :P

Hey everyone,

This doesn't appear to be a Western Front Campaign discussion anymore.

Hem!It is the Western front of the Korean conflict we were talking about ;D

Ok back to the real topic....

Just thinking up ideas for future engagements ::) Don't wanna get bored, you know

Yeah! Plus with m odern communication and the internet the World has shrunk and Korea ain't that far anymore. ::)

Hi! Where i can find playable some US tanks, M4 Sherman or M3/M5 Stuart?

Hem all you have to do is read the forum's threads: there's only the Sherman so far:http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=9948.0

I think people ma be working on the Stuart but bear in mind this is an East Front sim thus US/UK tanks only play a role insofar as they were part of the land-lease to the Soviets.

U may try mission "Tommy-Cooker into the fire!" Tank M4A3-76.
http://graviteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=10161.0

Thanks a lot lockie! I was looking for something like that.

Hi all! How is the work on the Western Front Campaign?

Nobody as far as I know.It would be too complicated, you`d need new maps with different vegetation and trees, landscapes, new buildings particularly houses, farms with a radically different architecture from what you find in the stock SF game plus lots of new models US,British and uniforms, weapons, infnatry , voices etc.... I don`t think there`s a huge interest in the SF community nor the apetite to start everything from scratch... I think if you really feel like playing West front campaigns there are games like Iron Front Liberation 1944, Red Orchestra, i44, Arma 2 and BF2 mods( Forgotten Hope 2.4 etc)...