TRIPARTITE PACK for AoD (new graphics and audio)

[bestmajor]

like the shooting ones a lot, Titan, gives it more life!

EDIT:
JAP SNLF: http://www.warplay.com/Warplay07-Pacific War Dark Days.htm
SOV para: http://www.soviethammer.info/blog/601344-soviet-paratroopers-vdv/
HE 274 (silly): http://www.aviastar.org/pictures/germany/he-274.gif
HS 132: http://bagera3005.deviantart.com/art/Henschel-Hs-132A-149011998

 

[Titan79]

Thank you very much Tit!

While your plane icons are an improvement I do not see your ship icons as such - CORE ones are better aka they are more diffirentiated between each other whilst your look alike but hey, it's OK. I'll use this, much better to know what you have in a stack at a glance!

Well, I guess it's a matter of taste. I've not touched the ship counters, though - they're still the vanilla ones, I've just added the symbols on the border. Still, I like the side view better than CORE's frontal view - but, how they used to say, de gustibus non est disputandum...

In any case, if you like the others better, then I can add the symbols on them, no problem. After all, the counters should be ok by now and I don't see other future improvements for them, at least for the time being. So check you inbox in a few minutes* .

Bottom line: it's funny, but do you know what does in English mean the abbreviation you recently started to use to call me ("Tit"), don't you...?

like the shooting ones a lot, Titan, gives it more life!

EDIT:
JAP SNLF: http://www.warplay.com/Warplay07-Pacific War Dark Days.htm
SOV para: http://www.soviethammer.info/blog/601344-soviet-paratroopers-vdv/
HE 274 (silly): http://www.aviastar.org/pictures/germany/he-274.gif
HS 132: http://bagera3005.deviantart.com/art/Henschel-Hs-132A-149011998

Thanks a lot, Best! Ideally, I'd make much more of them - it's more "action" this way than with the static models used for the 99% of the icons. Unfortunately, it's rather hard to find good bases for them, although I should dig a bit deeper in the realms of "1:32/1:72" box art covers... I could be in for some interesting surprises (an example of this is in my VoW button, which I could have alternately used for a GER inf '39 icon).

Thank you very much for the links, too - moreover, in the one with the Soviet para I've also discovered a good artwork I'll use for a new Soviet cavalry icon .



Edit:

*On a second thought, it's better to attach the modified counters here, in case the other 50% of my CORE fanbase would like to use them as well .

View attachment hoi_counter_strip (for CORE).rar

 

[Epaminondas]

You see, that's what I like about this thread. Everyone's so considerate.
Your other half is now completely satisfied. And how many of us can say that!

 

[Epaminondas]

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...nICYDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=660

More coloured images of the Hs 132 than you can shake a stick at. None 'from life' though - as far as I can tell.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...AWqw4HwDw&sqi=2&ved=0CFsQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=660

Lots of reputed images of He 274 here - but most of them aren't. The He 274 had twin, inclined tailplanes so you can spot the genuine article fairly easily among the pack. There's a decent side view here:

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?sta...7&tbnw=187&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:35,s:35,i:112

 

[Hister]

You were right, it was not only the reserves but also the "S" counter ("support"?)

I missed this. It stands for Security and is the rough equivalent to vanilla Garrison unit.

I really appreciate your effort Titan so thank you! But there is an oversight. When I checked your newest attached counter_strip (core) I saw that you've forgot to include also your new plane icons - vanilla ones are there and I said I prefer yours! I believe Epa shares my view so guess what - it's already two of us out there (well, hopefully!).

Ahahaha, sorry for the Tit abbreviation - didn't cross my mind You can call me Hist if you want but unfortunately it doesn't mean anything funny

 

[Epaminondas]

Ahahaha, sorry for the Tit abbreviation - didn't cross my mind

We shall just have to call him, Mr tan.

 

[Hister]

Sounds catchy...

 

[Titan79]

You see, that's what I like about this thread. Everyone's so considerate.
Your other half is now completely satisfied. And how many of us can say that!

Thanks for the comment - you're welcome, by the way, and it's a pleasure to deal with gentlemen like you (you, bestmajor, Hister and all the others)!

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...nICYDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=660

More coloured images of the Hs 132 than you can shake a stick at. None 'from life' though - as far as I can tell.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...AWqw4HwDw&sqi=2&ved=0CFsQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=660

Lots of reputed images of He 274 here - but most of them aren't. The He 274 had twin, inclined tailplanes so you can spot the genuine article fairly easily among the pack. There's a decent side view here:

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?sta...7&tbnw=187&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:35,s:35,i:112

Thanks a lot! Unfortunately, though, there weren't suitable top-views to make an icon from. Well, don't worry: in fact, there's no real hurry, and other planes (and land units) in the 2nd post have a bigger priority.

The hunt continues.

I really appreciate your effort Titan so thank you! But there is an oversight. When I checked your newest attached counter_strip (core) I saw that you've forgot to include also your new plane icons - vanilla ones are there and I said I prefer yours! I believe Epa shares my view so guess what - it's already two of us out there (well, hopefully!).

Ahahaha, sorry for the Tit abbreviation - didn't cross my mind. You can call me Hist if you want but unfortunately it doesn't mean anything funny

You're welcome! However: heh, sorry to let you down but that wasn't an oversight. The problem is that CORE uses a different hoi_counter_size as well (the file were I recently added the dots in the bottom-right corner, to be clear) which has the Xs to indicate divisions (XX), army corps (XXX) or armies (XXXX) on the left border instead of top border, like vanilla's one.

So, since as far as I recall you once wrote that you'd like to keep CORE's hoi_counter_size, using my aircraft counters in conjunction with it would lead to somehow "odd" visuals, i.e. the divisional Xs would be very (= too) close to at least some aircraft symbols.
There are two solutions: using vanilla AoD's hoi_counter_size (as well as vanilla counters) or keeping the CORE counters as they are in my latest version, a couple of posts above... (well, the third option would be me reworking the air counters, moving them a bit to the right, to make some room for CORE's Xs. But would you really be so cruel not to simply use vanilla's hoi_counter_size and counterstrip, thus giving an additional load of work to this humble man who must already break his back to earn his day of leisure...? ).

As for the abbreviation: no problem, it was funny . Also, thanks for the offer but adding two more characters to "Hist" won't really cause me a finger arthrosis .

We shall just have to call him, Mr tan.

Sounds catchy...

Ha ha! ...but, as a matter of fact, I happen to have a rather pale skin, so this one wouldn't be very appropriate either .

 

[Epaminondas]

Ha ha! ...but, as a matter of fact, I happen to have a rather pale skin, so this one wouldn't be very appropriate either .

In Australia that would make it a perfect nickname for you. We're attracted to irony, so we'd call a redhead 'Bluey', and someone who's overweight 'Slim'. In a summer job nailing up framing with a carpentry team, I aquired the nickname 'Lightning' - not because I worked quickly, but because I never struck in the same place twice.

On the more serious subject of suitable images - I can get you highly detailed line-drawings, but I'm inferring that what you're after instead is a top view of the aircraft showing an authentic camouflage scheme. Yes? No wonder you're having trouble. I'll continue the quest.

 

[Hister]

Aaw, sorry for creating problems Titan! Was not my intention. Looks like our communication didn't come through as intended. Probably my fault, won't re-read the thead to see who is to blame since this doesn't matter. Probably me anyway - most likely mixed up hoi_counter_size and hoi_counter_strip between each other which then caused mayhem.

The problem is that CORE uses a different hoi_counter_size as well (the file were I recently added the dots in the bottom-right corner, to be clear) which has the Xs to indicate divisions (XX), army corps (XXX) or armies (XXXX) on the left border instead of top border, like vanilla's one.

Let me set the record clear now. I've checked both of those files in your latest corrections pack:

- I'm totally OK using your hoi_counter_size variant present in the corrections pack-> makes no difference visually to me if x's are on top or on the side of the counter so since your current setup makes an easier job on the hoi_counter_strip I'll stick with it!

- I really like your hoi_counter_strip present in the corrections pack with the exception of vessel icons -> in this case I prefer the ones used in core. Of course icons for Garrisons need to be swapped with S for Security and Military for R aka Reserves.

... and that's it!

I'll try doing this in Paint for fun and to possibly relieve you of any additional work but I doubt I'll succeed! Hold your fists...

Edit: Nah, looks like one is not supposed to change it with paint since it messes it up (see pic below) although I saved it in proper format. Any suggestions?

 

[Titan79]

In Australia that would make it a perfect nickname for you. We're attracted to irony, so we'd call a redhead 'Bluey', and someone who's overweight 'Slim'. In a summer job nailing up framing with a carpentry team, I aquired the nickname 'Lightning' - not because I worked quickly, but because I never struck in the same place twice.

On the more serious subject of suitable images - I can get you highly detailed line-drawings, but I'm inferring that what you're after instead is a top view of the aircraft showing an authentic camouflage scheme. Yes? No wonder you're having trouble. I'll continue the quest.

Ha ha, in Italy such kind of irony is often used as well, so I guess that Mr. Tan would do the job .

Anyway: yes, detailed colour top-view images is what I'm after. Apart from some exceptions where I can paint the icon myself, I'm looking for those higher-quality images, as the final results are far better.

P.S.: so you're from Australia? I would have bet my house you were English! (basing my assumption on your sense of humor)

Aaw, sorry for creating problems Titan! Was not my intention. Looks like our communication didn't come through as intended. Probably my fault, won't re-read the thead to see who is to blame since this doesn't matter. Probably me anyway - most likely mixed up hoi_counter_size and hoi_counter_strip between each other which then caused mayhem.

Don't worry. But yes, it was you who didn't want to use my hoi counter size in conjunction with CORE counters, some time ago .

Let me set the record clear now. I've checked both of those files in your latest corrections pack:

- I'm totally OK using your hoi_counter_size variant (...)

- I really like your hoi_counter_strip present in the corrections pack with the exception of vessel icons (...)

... and that's it!

Ok, now I know what kind of setup you'd like.

And...

I'll try doing this in Paint for fun and to possibly relieve you of any additional work

Ooh, that is what I call speaking wisely!

Edit: Nah, looks like one is not supposed to change it with paint since it messes it up (see pic below) although I saved it in proper format. Any suggestions?

Yes - you've got to keep the original format (i.e. # of colours) of the starting file, which Paint ain't unfortunately gonna do for you, young Padawan. In this particular case, i.e. to mod these two counter files, what I do is using a free program like Gimp (which is indeed much more awkward than the program I normally use for editing the remaining part of AoD's gfx, and this is why I particularly hate to have to use it more than necessary...)

 

[Hister]

Young Padawan will install Gimp and try to understand the force hiding behind the dark counter magic. If the Republic survives that long then we have nothing to fear don't we... :x

 

[Epaminondas]

Here's the only coloured plan view I could find, Mr T.
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?sta...0&tbnw=106&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:360,i:238

If you're looking for historical accuracy, though, you're going to have to tone down the green until it's something more like the colour here.
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?sta...9&tbnw=199&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:427,i:173

I understand from my studies under Maestro Major, however, that that shouldn't be terribly difficult. Not sure if it's sufficiently detailed however. I will continue my quest.

 

[Titan79]

Young Padawan will install Gimp and try to understand the force hiding behind the dark counter magic. If the Republic survives that long then we have nothing to fear don't we... :x

Ok, I appreciate your good will, young apprentice, so for this time I'll spare you the burden . Here it is:

Hoi_counter_strip (CORE) updated

Here's the only coloured plan view I could find, Mr T.
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?sta...0&tbnw=106&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:360,i:238

If you're looking for historical accuracy, though, you're going to have to tone down the green until it's something more like the colour here.
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?sta...9&tbnw=199&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:427,i:173

I understand from my studies under Maestro Major, however, that that shouldn't be terribly difficult. Not sure if it's sufficiently detailed however. I will continue my quest.

No need to look further, Epa! Your mission proved to be a complete success. Scrolling down the page in the 2nd link, I've found a couple of perfect top-view drawings of the Hs 132, already with the appropriate colour tones.

Thank you very much!

P.S.: "Mr. T."...? Now he was really tanned!


Edit:

Let me give you just some examples of why I care so much about detailed illustrations for icons, Epa.

These are the results when starting from b/w images like line drawings. I added some colour myself but - altough better than no icon at all - much is left to desire:





These, on the other hand, are aircraft made from already in colour, detailed drawings:

 

[Hister]

Ok, I appreciate your good will, young apprentice, so for this time I'll spare you the burden . Here it is:

Thank you master! although your goodintention probabbly prevented young apprentice to learn how to use GIMP. Which in turn will result in bigger burden for you!

Jokes aside Mr. Tan, I'm very happy for this favour!

Edit: Oh, I see you've left the "M" and "G" icons in - I guess I'll do have to learn using GIMP after-all!

Edit 2: I've put them in, they are one pixel bigger then the rest but it will have to do. Next up is rearrangingyour hoi_counter_size since those flags cover the name of the unit. Flags look dandy and all but they simply overlap so I need to get rid of them.

 

[Titan79]

Thank you master! although your goodintention probabbly prevented young apprentice to learn how to use GIMP. Which in turn will result in bigger burden for you!

Jokes aside Mr. Tan, I'm very happy for this favour!

No problem! But this doesn't exempt you from learning it - be wary, no more burdens for poor ol' Titan .

Edit: Oh, I see you've left the "M" and "G" icons in - I guess I'll do have to learn using GIMP after-all!

D'oh - I must be really tired. Here is the right one:

Hoi_counter_strip (CORE), 100% tested this time

 

[bestmajor]

liked both sets, actually. just try to add some contrast on the first ones, that will improve them significally i think.

 

[Hister]

D'oh - I must be really tired. Here is the right one:

Thank you. I've played around with it - needed to move LR SS a bit to the left in order to avoid the white and black dots to overlap with letters (I've erased the flags in hoi_counter_size successfully so that only crosses and dots remained). Both those changes worked fine in game.
Then I wanted to do the same with CVL only that this time I got similar problem like in the screenshot in post 510 (icons blurred again). I used GIMP, copied the letters and pasted them more to the left while covering the now redundant letters with the pink background that I took from the same icon (I copy pasted a small portion of the pink background and put it over the redundant letters).

Any ideas why I'm having this problem? Maybe I should have copied pink background from another separate file?

P.S. It's really fun doing this - now I can even tackle other icons myself! Fun, fun, fun!

 

[bestmajor]

P.S. It's really fun doing this - now I can even tackle other icons myself! Fun, fun, fun!

Oho! Behold young yedi, these are strong powers you're toying around with, you can get addicted easily!

 

[Titan79]

liked both sets, actually. just try to add some contrast on the first ones, that will improve them significally i think.

Good idea. I'll do this in due time, however... (there is a lot of such aircraft).

Thank you. I've played around with it - needed to move LR SS a bit to the left in order to avoid the white and black dots to overlap with letters (I've erased the flags in hoi_counter_size successfully so that only crosses and dots remained). Both those changes worked fine in game.
Then I wanted to do the same with CVL only that this time I got similar problem like in the screenshot in post 510 (icons blurred again). I used GIMP, copied the letters and pasted them more to the left while covering the now redundant letters with the pink background that I took from the same icon (I copy pasted a small portion of the pink background and put it over the redundant letters).

Any ideas why I'm having this problem? Maybe I should have copied pink background from another separate file?

P.S. It's really fun doing this - now I can even tackle other icons myself! Fun, fun, fun!

Heh, at last you've discovered the pains (and joys!) of modding... welcome to the club!

As for the problem you've run into: hmm, that's odd, I would have done almost the same. You've probably done the right thing but in a wrong manner - for example, it was right to take the pink background from the same file. Mmmmh.

Ok, try this way. Make a copy of the file, then open both in GIMP. Select the area you want to copy from one file, tap ctrl-c and paste it by ctrl-v on the other file, then move it to the position you want it; rinse and repeat. After you're done, save the file and choose the "export" option when asked.

After this, you can cancel the remaining, unwanted parts by simply taking the pink colour from the file and paint the black pixels you don't need. I hope it's clear enough...

Oho! Behold young yedi, these are strong powers you're toying around with, you can get addicted easily!

Good warning. Hister, take note! I, for one, am a living example of people who have fallen to the Dark Side of modding - working on HoI2 icons from 2005 to 2012 and still counting . And I'm sure Bestmajor himself has an all similar story to tell...