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Post by Major Pain on Feb 1, 2016 13:24:36 GMT 1
One more time... It always seems to go this way when I get on a roll...
Mistakes are being found, and now documented.
Those that have already downloaded the StuGs, must study these for a new round of issues. Please report any issues.
In the meantime, they have been removed from the download area.
I know this is frustrating to many of you. No one is more frustrated than I. But what has caught me off guard than anything else is the number of people that this Series has truly made angry. I do not understand how 30 models can make someone angry.
Perhaps, my StuG Series was overreach and was never meant to be released... but damn, it had cost me more in time than anything else over the last 7 years. So I urge patience. I ask your forgiveness. It is not like these StuGs are going to change the world. But rest assured... I am doing the best that I can do.
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atlas555
General
I know not what course others may take. As for me, give me liberty or give me death.
Posts: 1,069
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Post by atlas555 on Feb 1, 2016 14:02:01 GMT 1
We know you are doing your best-and a big thanks for doing so!
When it is ready-it is ready.
Thanks to all who are involved in this!
I love my StuGs
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2016 14:37:12 GMT 1
One more time... It always seems to go this way when I get on a roll... Mistakes are being found, and now documented. Those that have already downloaded the StuGs, must study these for a new round of issues. Please report any issues. In the meantime, they have been removed from the download area. I know this is frustrating to many of you. No one is more frustrated than I. But what has caught me off guard than anything else is the number of people that this Series has truly made angry. I do not understand how 30 models can make someone angry. Perhaps, my StuG Series was overreach and was never meant to be released... but damn, it had cost me more in time than anything else over the last 7 years. So I urge patience. I ask your forgiveness. It is not like these StuGs are going to change the world. But rest assured... I am doing the best that I can do. If a model has StuGIII malfunction, it can always be arrange, slowly and calmly.
But if a member of this community you have problems with StuGIII, that's a serious problem, and I would advise to go to a hospital emergency room to be admitted to intensive care.
In short, in life there are more important problems a StuGIII.
Major Pain, you do not worry about this problem, for me you can be very quiet.
I have a lot of patience and there are always many other projects on hold to do.
A hug friend.
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Post by Major Pain on Feb 1, 2016 18:49:43 GMT 1
Most of the issues already reported are limited to the weapons. Only one other issue was detected with a gun not working... and I think it does work, but it is just finicky. Keep in mind... a MG with a range of 30 does not mean 30 from the front of the StuG... the end of the gun barrel is where that range begins, which might be 3 to 5 as a setback. So setting up a 30 range to test is not going to activate the MG if the front of the StuG is at 30.
Since the issues all seem to be around the Weapons, let me go over this so there is no mistake.
Each StuG has it own Main Gun weapon file. It is not the standard BK file. The weapons files are new, even though the name is very similar.
What is the difference?
The new weapons allow the StuG to adopt two additional aspects not found on the BK StuGs. Bombardment and Ranged Attack (Area). This is done with purpose. The strength of the StuG was not one on one with a tank. They would lose this encounter almost every time... since a tank can easily flank the StuG and destroy it with one or two shots. No the StuG depends on Concealment and Range.
However, the StuG cannot see any further than a tank, so for the weapon range to be effective, there are two things that must happen first.
1) A target is acquired by answering a location when it fires.
2) A forward observer reports the location of the enemy.
In BK, there really was not a system as such for Forward observers, for the purpose of Artillery. We kind of fell into that as a natural evolution. With some of my recent works. I have been creating forward observer type vehicles. The purpose here is they are usually fast and offer some kind of defensive weapon and armor. They are not designed to 'shoot and scoot'... and the StuG is not designed that way either.
Now about the weapons found on the StuG. Some of us expect that the gun must elevate to provide range. That is not always true. A howitzer usually elevates the barrel to reach maximum range, so it will always be based on the arc and dropping in the round. There is not much about a direct ranging effect on a howitzer, and their accuracy is more chance than fact. Of course, there are lucky shots.
One of the comments on the StuG was that the gun was not elevating. My testing shows it does in some situations, which was true on the short 75mm guns. To reach their maximum range, the gun does slightly elevate. But the two things do not necessarily go together.
The Long Barrel 75mm StuK-40 L43 on the StuG III Ausf F models was basically the same gun as the 75mm KwK40 L43 found on the Pz IV Ausf F(1). Most of the characteristics are the same. Only the mounts are different, and perhaps the firing mechanism.
The StuG III Ausf G used the 75mm StuK-40 L48 which is basically the same gun found on the Pz IV G and later; the 75mm KwK40 L48.
Both of these guns shoot very flat well over the 30 range, and out to around 50 to 60 range. In the game, my guns have a range of 135. And why not? If the enemy units are not within that range, or in the area being bombarded, then these are just random bombardments. If a forward observer is watching the enemy units, then they should move out of range, and look for the observer. Quick recon units can usually do this.
Why did I do this?
This is the StuGs only true Offensive Advantage. Otherwise, if left at a range of 30, then StuG is almost a sitting duck. Unless the player is someone who attacks another tank or SPGs straight on at its highest threat, the Stugs are not hard to defeat. The maximum range of the PzIV and StuG weapons was much further than a sight of 45 meters... that is what Sight/Range = 30 translates to in BK. They really had to scale down everything for the game, which is fine with me.
Ok, Sight/Range = 135 is 200 meters (scaled) in the game.... or 220 yards... Hell, we all can see that far on open ground.
But everyone is free to use whatever values they wish to use. I'm not the final word on range and sight... and I did not establish the BK Scale, we all must live with it though. I only report things in Scale because it does play an important role in the game.
So, all I can offer is if you do not like a StuG sending shells down range at 135, then change it. just remember, the StuGs best Defense was its Offense. When your tanks see it, it is a sitting duck unless it fires first.
The StuG was very tough and resilient. But without the range, they are no more than a armored car. It is not my job to make anyone mad or try to change their mind about BK. I do try to Educate when I have a chance. This was one of those chances. If people agree or not, largely depends on their own idea about the Game and ranges.
If no other issues are reported... the StuGs will be sent back to the download area later today.
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Mat
General
Posts: 1,814
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Post by Mat on Feb 2, 2016 0:10:49 GMT 1
Great News, Thank you very much!!! They will be all replacements in the HF45 Final Release!
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Post by Major Pain on Feb 2, 2016 1:06:06 GMT 1
Thank Mat. More on the StuG's Weapons issue. Specifically: StuGIII_Ausf=GSk_6MG StuGIII_Ausf=GSk_7MGI have received several reports that there is a Machine Gun inside the Main Gun Barrel towards the rear of the gun, or a weapon locator that is in the wrong place. When it fires, it looks like the Main Gun's barrel is blowing up. What everyone is seeing is the Coaxial MG. It is not a mistake. The Coaxial MG was added to only the late Model G, both on the Box Mantlet and the Saukopf Mantlet. I only added the coaxial to the Saukopf Mantlet... which is the long thing surrounding a good portion of the Gun barrel in from of the StuG. Some call this a Duck head... but it was better known as the Pig's head. What is hard to see is the location of where this MG actually is. There is a very small hole in the Saukopf mantlet where the end of the barrel slightly pokes out. So it looks weird when it fires, because you really do not see the MG barrel... it looks like the flash is coming from the mantlet on the left side.... which is an accurate description. When the Main Gun Fires, the barrel should recoil, and the entire StuG will job.... The weapon has a pretty violent recoil. When the MG fires, it does not cause this jogging and the barrel does not recoil. Of course we are talking about the difference between 50mm and 7.92mm. I hope this clears this up... I guess I should have announced that specific Attribute to save us all time.
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Post by gagarin on Feb 2, 2016 1:50:38 GMT 1
Models with machine guns were developed separately and it was a lot of work to gather information. There is no mistake. Three types of new machine guns were adding: 1.- paired with a tank gun (found in the mask tank gun). 2. - machine gun with a remote control (in the tower cabin. Small plate armor). 3. - machine gun with a shield cover for self-defense (on the roof of the cabin. A large armored shield)
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Post by Major Pain on Feb 2, 2016 10:55:32 GMT 1
Anyone ever had one of those days where you worked on something so much, you got sick of it?
I,
Major Pain,
hereby now in front of witnesses,
say without any reservation....
I am sick and tired of...
of....
of...
My 40 inch Color Monitor.... It now has a 40 inch gaping hole where the screen used to be... The damn thing could not maintain resolution, so I launch it into the yard where it found the grand kid's 'quarter size' battery operated jeep. The jeep won.
See... you all thought I was tired of the StuGs... Well they made the list but I was not yet ready to launch those into the yard. That would not be fair to the Jeep.
So here is the latest, latest, latest UPDATE on the 'Continuing Saga of Major Pain's StuGs'. I am now negotiating with HBO on a weekly Series about the damn StuGs.
Anyway... after about 20 hours of testing, retesting and retesting again, the same results kept coming up, no issues found. Now let me paint this picture in a bit more detail. I was testing the actual model production builds, in MAYA, in the Resource Editor, and in the game... My data was not finding what numerous other testers were reporting. But because they also became quite ingenous in how they were showing me the mistake they were trying to report.... I continued to test, and test and test.
Now I kept asking myself this question... How in the world can 8 people all come up with the same model having the same issue, and describing it perfectly each time?
The answer was obvious, but I could not see it.
They were all showing me an image of the same model which I identified from sight as the 'StuGIII_Ausf=GSk_7MG'.
I only slightly registered the name of the model they were reporting... the 'StuGIII_Ausf=G_7MG'.
If any of you have done speed reading or proofing, you usually do not look at the middle of a word. Look closely at the two names.
Look at the Gsk on the top model name. That was the model I had identified the model from sight as.
G is the Model Version, Sk stands for Saukopf.
I was looking at the Saukopf mantlet version not the Box mantley version. What they were showing was infact the Saukopf version.
I did not see the problem until Joe (in Font Size 7 and in red and green said) "Not the StuGIII_Ausf=GSk_7MG Stupido........ it's the StuGIII_Ausf=G_7MG".
So, I was looking at the wrong model folder and the wrong model, but not for the obvious reason.
Now I'm only slightly dyslexic today after a lifetime of trying to overcome this issue.... but I could not see the difference in the two names he gave me. And he really did not call me Stupido... that is the word that popped into my brain after he put it so vividly... he was trying to help, not offend me. After reading it for the tenth time, I saw it.... and then I went to the production model folder again, which I had never inspected after release. No issue here... the correct model was in the folder.
Then it dawned on me that I had not checked the Released Series Folders. And there the issue was, standing out for King and Country...
The wrong model had been placed in the folder they all were looking at... during the final Series Build. Clearly I have not overcome dyslexia... I just read the folders wrong.
So where are we now? I hope this is the last time that I have to say.... all issues have been resolved.
What occurred over the last day was an amazing amount of support from within the group of people... pointing everything out to me as clearly as they could, and I was overlooking the obvious thing about this issue. So I feel kind of numb... I'm not sure if that is how my fingers are suppose to feel after 20 hours of crunching the keyboard, or if this is a stroke coming on. For the moment, we will assume the former.... but if my sentence ends abruptly and odd looking.... it is the later.
I am way too tired to get this back on MediaFire right this moment. VOs version was not tested because neither of those Models appear in his Skin Released Version. As soon as possible, when I wake up later today... the Series will be reposted for Download.
Now if someone did not see the humor in all of this.... I have to doubt my sanity as well as my numb fingers.
Unlike many artist who get offended or uppity because someone questions or challenges their work, I don't.
If I ever lose the ability to laugh at my own mistakes and issues, then I cease to be human. Being Human is perhaps the greatest gift given to mankind, so I celebrate it.
And because I put about half of my reading audience to sleep... I am quietly sneaking off for a while... and join them...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 11:56:48 GMT 1
I have always maintained my work and helps in "PM" you privately.
For my purpose it is to help in the best way possible and without shaming anyone.
I never want medals, nor anyone adore me because my great hope is that everyone is happy and enjoy a common good.
Some of us have the ability to see the mistakes of others, but we fail to see our own, this is due to overwork, but do not realize that we are in something that I love you do for our friends , there is always something that escapes us through a crack and leaves us chaos.
It's good to let us help and advice for others, whether or not you have more knowledge about a subject, always something we can open our eyes and make us see more clearly.
But we can not to defeat and embarrass, if not to make us stronger, because with experience, shame is overcome and makes us more human, until to the next job that overconfidence of ourselves, we again topple hopelessly, but it is no excuse to get up from the soil with dignity.
A hug to all and sundry.
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Post by Major Pain on Feb 5, 2016 1:23:32 GMT 1
STUG UPDATE
Well I thought I would have this project ready to go back to download way before now. One more slight delay not for any issues or problems, but for a geometry changed on some models. On the Models C- F8 there is a small Scope Hatch forward from the Commander's Hatch. The is the Driver's Hatch. In order to continue my purpose to bring Hi Detail to BK, I have corrected how this hatches were presented in earlier models.
The changed now includes the physical hatch with both the open and closed states. Open displays the scope above the interior relief. Closed only shows the opening closed as part of the hatch relief.
The C & D are not the same as the E, F1 and F8 models. Since this has been upgraded on multiple models, it has taken some time. Now this gets into the models with Skins presented by Von osten... so these skins will need to be updated before release.
@vo: Do you wish to do these and add the other newer models to your livery as well?
Anyway... the time is near for my Series to be released. Look sometime Friday.
A while back I released the Vickers Series. Gagarin took a huge interest in the USSR Models.... so we are working in collaboration to present the accurate rendition of Soviet T26 Models. So look soon for the USSR T26 Series.
More Later
MP
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Post by gagarin on Feb 5, 2016 12:23:40 GMT 1
Major, if you do not mind, can be added to versions StuH_42 - version with lateral armor shields.
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Post by Major Pain on Feb 5, 2016 19:14:07 GMT 1
Yes... adding Skirts to StuH42.... That was an oversight.
For those of you keeping the StuGs released as they are released, you may have over 50 versions when the last upgrades are completed. Just be sure to rename these before downloading. But the earlier would be considered evolution models while on the way to the finished models. I have lost count on how many some models have received changes... but with the latest Scope hatches that covers 14 models. Also, a few Models Fs have both the L43 and L48 Gun. New Chokes on Model F add another 5 models. F/8 had bother L43 and L48 Guns. Some Fs have Skirts, some do not.
As Germany was pulling everything up to service, the earlier StuGs were brought up to the latest Standards, as parts would allow. A, B, C, D and E were almost all brought to the F/F8 Standard. I offer a Model E as a Field Upgrade to indicate this Standard; skirt armor was added to many of these.
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Grot
General
J-23 znowu nadaje
Posts: 4,049
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Post by Grot on Feb 5, 2016 21:27:03 GMT 1
Fantastic job Major
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Mat
General
Posts: 1,814
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Post by Mat on Feb 5, 2016 22:59:51 GMT 1
in the meantime it became hard to understand which is what.
I choosed the method to open 1_h dds files and proof them if theyre the same but it takes a lot of time inspecting every single folder
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Post by Major Pain on Feb 6, 2016 2:51:40 GMT 1
Yes it is difficult to keep track of skins.
Did you know you can create a MOD from skins? You can add the MOD for a certain look in a theater.
Or you might keep the Skin Files in a .pak file then just drop the .pak file into the Data Folder. Remember, you just want the skins, not every file in the folders; 1_h.dds & 2._h.dds, or seasonal for Africa and Winter.
Example: VO-Skins_StuG_SeriesII.pak
In your skin collections, it is best to create sub folders under each model you have various skins in.
Example:
[+] StuGIII_Ausf=G_7MG [-] SKINS [-] GAG [-] JOE [-] MP-orig [-] VO
This way you can change the skins in the main folder as needed with copy/paste.
Perhaps some of the members have other methods they use.
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