IL2 Great Battles Easy Mission Generator

[p78nutz]

Hi Vander,

 

first of all thank you very much for creating this tool- it brought me and my friends a lot of joy. I have two observations/ requests:

 

1.) BF110 should be available for bomber and ground attack intercept missions. It was definitely something the plane was used for and somehow I cannot select that plane type under intercept type missions

2.) When creating armor attack missions it would be great if there is a way to actually set the number of tanks. I usually fly with three friends and a standard convoy of vehicles or a standard set of tanks is just not enough targets ?. I have tried to use the "multiple targets" option but found that the the second target has no waypoint/ sometimes hard to find and will not follow the same target type like the one original set for the mission.
For example: I set an armor missions with more than one target and the second target was vehicles. When I selected vehicles for a multi target mission I got an airport as myu second target

 

Again, these are just some thoughts on my part- really appreciate your work!

[Ski3143]

Is it possible to create a co-op mission using this generator where all players are on the same side but they can fly any aircraft? And if so how?

[spreckair]

@SYN_Vander Hi Vander:  I am really enjoying this tool a lot; it has changed the game for me.  I need some help with one problem that I am having.  The Macchi MC.202 is not populating the aircraft drop down under either Italy or Germany.  I own it and it is also on the two aircraft lists.  Any thoughts on why I am experiencing this?

[DD_Friar]

Salute

@spreckair - Which map are you using for your mission?

 

In the maps.json config file each map has a defined set of planes available (see example below). Perhaps you are using a map where the plane has not been added. If that is the case and you really want it on a particular map I guess you could try adding it as per the required format. (make a backup of your maps.json first of course)

 

Also have you ticked "Custom Plane Set". This gives you access to all planes (unless you have modified the list, which is possible to do).

Edited September 29, 2021 by DD_Friar

[SYN_Vander]

10 hours ago, spreckair said:

@SYN_Vander Hi Vander:  I am really enjoying this tool a lot; it has changed the game for me.  I need some help with one problem that I am having.  The Macchi MC.202 is not populating the aircraft drop down under either Italy or Germany.  I own it and it is also on the two aircraft lists.  Any thoughts on why I am experiencing this?

 

It's available on the Stalingrad map by default. But you can also use it on other maps if you use a custom plane set as DD_Friar already mentioned.

I guess it's not very intuitive, so let me try to explain:

 

Every map has a pre-defined plane set, based on what was historically available (or could have been). If you do not tick 'Custom plane set' in the Scenario tab than you will see only planes from this plane set.

If you want a different plane set then you can define one in the Plane sets tab. You can start with an empty list, all planes list or a pre-defined plane set from a map. As follows:

-To start from an empty list simply click 'Clear custom plane set' button on the right.

-To start from the complete list select 'All Planes' as preset on the left and click ' Copy preset'

-To start from a pre-defined plane set from a map select the map name as preset and click 'Copy preset'

 

Then to add or remove planes from the list:

-There are actually multiple lists ('subsets'), one for each category per side.

-On the right select the subset you want to edit. It is possible to select multiple entries using ctrl or shift + left click.

-You can select any entry on the right and click on 'Remove' to delete the entry

-To add an entry select a plane on the left and click 'Add'. You may have to select the proper subset first to find the aircraft you are looking for.

-Click 'Save' when you are done

-In the Scenario tab tick 'Custom plane set' in order to use your plane set.

 

An example. Let's say you want to create a custom plane list which is the same as for Kuban, but adding the Macchi as an Axis fighter:

-On the left choose the preset 'Kuban'

-Click 'Copy preset'. Your custom plane set is now the same as the one for Kuban.

-On the right select the 'fighters_axis' subset. You will see all the current axis fighters in this plane set.

-On the left select the preset 'All Planes' (top)

-On the left select the 'fighters_axis' subset. This will show ALL axis fighters available in the game. Note I have clubbed Axis(WW2) and Central Powers(WW1)  together, same as for Allies and Entente.

-On the left select 'MC.202 Series VIII'. The entry will be highlighted.

-Click 'Add'. The Macchi will be added to the fighters_axis list in your custom plane set.

-Click 'Save'

 

Edited September 29, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[spreckair]

@F-Dog  Thank you for the info; it works!  

@SYN_Vander  Thank you for your patience Vander--your explanation makes it very clear.  And thank you for this really nice tool.

[SYN_Vander]

34 minutes ago, spreckair said:

@F-Dog  Thank you for the info; it works!  

@SYN_Vander  Thank you for your patience Vander--your explanation makes it very clear.  And thank you for this really nice tool.

 

Thanks. I have added this explanation to the website as well for future reference: https://sites.google.com/view/il2-great-battles-emg/tips-tricks?authuser=0

[Mtnbiker1998]

Might be a crazy request, but PWCG is currently working on implementing dates for certain aircraft modifications becoming available. looks like he's got the list of dates figured out over on his subforum. Any chance we could see something similar in the EMG?  

[SYN_Vander]

Bug report: Nedo found that when you select 'Forward Airstart (MP)' for a dogfight mission it will not generate the mission correctly. I have fixed this bug already for next release.

[41Sqn_Skipper]

I tried to generate several single player mission, but they didn't show up in the game within the "Missions" menu. I ran the resaver manually but that didn't help.

There were some other older missions in the folder that also weren't shown in the game. 

I was able to generate and run a COOP mission. 

 

Any ideas?

[SYN_Vander]

On 10/7/2021 at 10:21 AM, 41Sqn_Skipper said:

I tried to generate several single player mission, but they didn't show up in the game within the "Missions" menu. I ran the resaver manually but that didn't help.

There were some other older missions in the folder that also weren't shown in the game. 

I was able to generate and run a COOP mission. 

 

Any ideas?

Plz upload your config.ini here so I can have a look (of a mission that failed).

[41Sqn_Skipper]

On 10/8/2021 at 6:32 PM, SYN_Vander said:

Plz upload your config.ini here so I can have a look (of a mission that failed).

 

I deleted all existing missions and generated a new one and now it worked without problems. So problem was most likely not caused by the mission generator. 

[Azdack]

Hello

Thanks for your great tool Vander. I've plaid a single mission allies side on Velikieluki map front sep 41-feb 42  "custom plane set" selected into Scenario. I guess I did something wrong because I've had to fight against fighters from WW1 on red side. What do I have to fix to avoid having fighters from WW1 as IA fighting against fighters from WW2? Thanks in advance for answers.

[DD_Friar]

@Azdack - Salute Sir.

 

You can customise the "custom plane set" - that is you can remove planes from it so that they do not get used. Over at the DangerDogz we have done exactly that, removed the WWI planes to stop them being used as AI in our missions.

[co199]

Not sure if this is a bug or not, but in generated missions, it doesn't look like planes are being allocated a flight. For example, if Blue flight has two planes, they are both "plane", rather than Blue 1 and Blue 2. This extends to their callsigns, too - planes will be Stork 1, no matter how many planes are in the flight. See the attached screenshot for an example.

 

 

Also, if I may add a feature request - having flight callsigns pull from the nationality list would be cool, e.g. Filmstar for RAF, Roughman for USAAF, etc. so the audio cues work instead of having blank voice files.

 

As always, thanks for the great work.

Edited October 13, 2021 by co199

[SYN_Vander]

On 10/11/2021 at 9:45 AM, Azdack said:

Hello

Thanks for your great tool Vander. I've plaid a single mission allies side on Velikieluki map front sep 41-feb 42  "custom plane set" selected into Scenario. I guess I did something wrong because I've had to fight against fighters from WW1 on red side. What do I have to fix to avoid having fighters from WW1 as IA fighting against fighters from WW2? Thanks in advance for answers.

If you use custom plane set, make sure to customize the plane set! By default it’s ALL the planes in the game. I recently wrote a guide for this (scroll down) :  https://sites.google.com/view/il2-great-battles-emg/tips-tricks?authuser=0

8 hours ago, co199 said:

Not sure if this is a bug or not, but in generated missions, it doesn't look like planes are being allocated a flight. For example, if Blue flight has two planes, they are both "plane", rather than Blue 1 and Blue 2. This extends to their callsigns, too - planes will be Stork 1, no matter how many planes are in the flight. See the attached screenshot for an example.

 

 

Also, if I may add a feature request - having flight callsigns pull from the nationality list would be cool, e.g. Filmstar for RAF, Roughman for USAAF, etc. so the audio cues work instead of having blank voice files.

 

As always, thanks for the great work.

Thanks! I’ll look into this, shouldn’t be too hard to add. I’m not sure I understand the relationship between country and flight callsign though. Can you elaborate?

Edited October 14, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[co199]

3 hours ago, SYN_Vander said:

Thanks! I’ll look into this, shouldn’t be too hard to add. I’m not sure I understand the relationship between country and flight callsign though. Can you elaborate?

 

Each country has callsigns that match up with voice files - Germany / Russia / Italy share the bird filenames (Swan, Duck, Eagle, so on). The RAF and USAAF have their own callsign set. In the missions as they are generated now, if you're flying a USAAF plane on the Rheinland map, it will allocate one of the callsigns that the Axis side use - Stork, as shown in my screenshot. If you look under \data\GUI\DefaultCallsigns.eng, you can see where the allocation is set (under ObjectType). So going back to my example of a USAAF plane, it's being allocated a default callsign rather than an American specific one.

[SYN_Vander]

Small update on EMG, fixed a bug and now supporting proper radio callsigns.

 

Release Notes EMG Version 54

-Fixed bug where mission would not be generated correctly when 'Forward Airstart (MP)' was selected for Dogfight mode.

-Added individual unit names to all aircraft based on colour, eg 'Blue 1' and ' Red 3' 

-Added correct callsign per country and correct number in formation so radio callouts will make sense again (thanks co199!)

-Increased distance to waypoint 2 for air starts

-Increased intercept zone for counting enemies to 20 km around intercept objective

 

Download here: https://sites.google.com/view/il2-great-battles-emg/

[co199]

Just generated a mission using v54, clean install. Great job on the callsigns and the flight allocations - worked properly!

 

 

A couple bugs (?) I noticed during the mission:

 

- Again, good job on the flight allocation. One thing (if you compare to my screenshot above) is that there's no airfield interaction now - e.g. Asch (where I took off from) doesn't give takeoff permission (you can see that in the chat on the left - it's just the airborne confirmation). Not sure if it's airfield unique since I only generated from Asch.

 

- Once the target is destroyed and you get an objective complete confirmation, the waypoint from the target to WP4 doesn't change. I completely destroyed the artillery emplacement at the waypoint even after the confirmation, but the waypoint didn't change.

 

Everything else seems to work well!

 

I've attached the mission here if you would like to test.

 

Attack.zip

[SYN_Vander]

45 minutes ago, co199 said:

Just generated a mission using v54, clean install. Great job on the callsigns and the flight allocations - worked properly!

 

 

A couple bugs (?) I noticed during the mission:

 

- Again, good job on the flight allocation. One thing (if you compare to my screenshot above) is that there's no airfield interaction now - e.g. Asch (where I took off from) doesn't give takeoff permission (you can see that in the chat on the left - it's just the airborne confirmation). Not sure if it's airfield unique since I only generated from Asch.

 

- Once the target is destroyed and you get an objective complete confirmation, the waypoint from the target to WP4 doesn't change. I completely destroyed the artillery emplacement at the waypoint even after the confirmation, but the waypoint didn't change.

 

Everything else seems to work well!

 

I've attached the mission here if you would like to test.

 

Attack.zip 470.51 kB · 0 downloads

I guess I need to work on call signs for the airfields then.

I’ll check that mission to see what is wrong with the scoring.

 

EDIT: Missing link between target destroyed event and the logic in the flight. I have fixed it.

The airfields I will give some default call signs, hopefully that helps. I will test.

Edited October 16, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[co199]

1 hour ago, SYN_Vander said:

The airfields I will give some default call signs, hopefully that helps. I will test.

 

Airfield and Spotter callsigns are under ObjectType=2 and ObjectType=3, respectively. Also, if you wanted to enable callsigns in the Tank EMG, that's under ObjectType=4 all in DefaultCallsign.eng.

[SYN_Vander]

Adding the correct callsigns to the airfields works.

 

Release Notes EMG Version 54.1

-Fixed bug where mission would not be generated correctly when 'Forward Airstart (MP)' was selected for Dogfight mode.

-Added individual unit names to all aircraft based on colour, eg 'Blue 1' and ' Red 3' 

-Added correct callsign per country and correct number in formation so radio callouts will make sense again (thanks co199!)

-Increased distance to waypoint 2 for air starts

-Increased intercept zone for counting enemies to 20 km around intercept objective

-Added callsigns for airfields

-Fixed a bug where bombers would not immediately move to next waypoint after destroying the target

 

Download here: https://sites.google.com/view/il2-great-battles-emg/

Edited October 16, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[co199]

Just generated a new mission off a fresh install of 54.1 - waypoints worked fine. Takeoff comms didn't work (starting from runway - haven't checked a ramp start) from Deurne this time, but landing comms did (hello Hightower!). All around great work - thanks for the effort!

[SYN_Vander]

Thanks! In my test as British flight the tower talked to me while starting from runway.

[CorvusX]

Hi Vander 

 

are there any news/progress/conformation about this issue?

On 8/15/2021 at 4:08 PM, CorvusX said:

In Dogfight mode, for blue flight, in any scenario (attack, bombing, etc.) and if the plane type "any" is chosen, it always generates a mix of the attack and bombing planes which are set in the plane sets  (default as well as custom plane set) 

 

I don't want to look impatient, I just want to make sure that this is actually a bug.

Because there was no confirmation and no other reports of this issue, I thought it's only on my end, but I testet it now (54.1) on my sons PC with the same result.

 

To reproduce:

Game Type: Dogfigth 
No matter wich scenario (intercept or transport) if for plane type "any" is chosen, in the mission only the planes from the Attackers and Bombers plane set is available for "Blue Flight".

This happens for both, the axis and the allied blue flight.

 

Example:

EMG settings:

Spoiler

 

Ingame selectable planes for axis:

Spoiler

 

The workaround is quite simple:

I use an empty custom plane set and insert only the desired planes to the attackers or bombers plane set.

 

And as always and most important:  Thank you very much for keeping this great tool up to date and for your effort.
 

Edited October 17, 2021 by CorvusX

[SYN_Vander]

2 hours ago, CorvusX said:

Hi Vander 

 

are there any news/progress/conformation about this issue?

 

I don't want to look impatient, I just want to make sure that this is actually a bug.

Because there was no confirmation and no other reports of this issue, I thought it's only on my end, but I testet it now (54.1) on my sons PC with the same result.

 

To reproduce:

Game Type: Dogfigth 
No matter wich scenario (intercept or transport) if for plane type "any" is chosen, in the mission only the planes from the Attackers and Bombers plane set is available for "Blue Flight".

This happens for both, the axis and the allied blue flight.

 

Example:

EMG settings:

  Hide contents

 

Ingame selectable planes for axis:

  Hide contents

 

The workaround is quite simple:

I use an empty custom plane set and insert only the desired planes to the attackers or bombers plane set.

 

And as always and most important:  Thank you very much for keeping this great tool up to date and for your effort.
 

If you also select ‘any’ for Red flight, won’t you then see all planes available for that map?

 

Answer is "yes" (just tested). Not very intuitive, but that is how it works. Blue flight determines the bombers/attackers, Red flight the fighters.

Edited October 17, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[sevenless]

Hi SYN_Vander,

 

enjoying your tool. Just a small request/question:

 

1.) Would it be possible to include a very high altitude setting to simulate interception of strategic bombers? Those engagements took place between 25.000-30.000ft = 7.600-9.200metres

2.) Would it be possible to integrate a third flight group per side with up to 10-12 planes each?

 

Then one side could have say 2 bomber flights (waves) and one escort flight and the other side could have 2 flights going after the bombers and one flight going after the escorts.

[SYN_Vander]

18 hours ago, sevenless said:

Hi SYN_Vander,

 

enjoying your tool. Just a small request/question:

 

1.) Would it be possible to include a very high altitude setting to simulate interception of strategic bombers? Those engagements took place between 25.000-30.000ft = 7.600-9.200metres

2.) Would it be possible to integrate a third flight group per side with up to 10-12 planes each?

 

Then one side could have say 2 bomber flights (waves) and one escort flight and the other side could have 2 flights going after the bombers and one flight going after the escorts.

 

1) It's possible, probably not so hard, I'll check. (do we have strategic bombers???). EDIT: Done, it will be in next release.

2) This has a lot of impact and will complicate configuring the scenarios a lot. EMG will become C(omplex)MG in this way; it's already quite convoluted.

Edited October 18, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[sevenless]

5 hours ago, SYN_Vander said:

 

1) It's possible, probably not so hard, I'll check. (do we have strategic bombers???). EDIT: Done, it will be in next release.

2) This has a lot of impact and will complicate configuring the scenarios a lot. EMG will become C(omplex)MG in this way; it's already quite convoluted.

 

Thanks for looking into it. That´ll be great ?

 

As for strategic bombers: Nope we haven´t and possibly never will. B25s and in the future B26s will have to do the trick, that´s why I asked for the 3 flight groups. To at least have something alike simulated, which might come close to intercepting B17s or B24s, at least with regard to flight altitude, number of waves and escorts.

Edited October 18, 2021 by sevenless

[SYN_Vander]

12 hours ago, sevenless said:

 

Thanks for looking into it. That´ll be great ?

 

As for strategic bombers: Nope we haven´t and possibly never will. B25s and in the future B26s will have to do the trick, that´s why I asked for the 3 flight groups. To at least have something alike simulated, which might come close to intercepting B17s or B24s, at least with regard to flight altitude, number of waves and escorts.

 

I understand. I don't like to bring the complexity of multiple groups into the tool/UI. What I can investigate is that if you select 12 bombers (now it's 10 max) the generator will break it up into 3 groups of 4. But there are complications: With the current setup and small airfields in most maps there is no way we can fit 12 bombers on the parking areas or runway, so you would need to have the other flights start in the air or something.

[sevenless]

3 minutes ago, SYN_Vander said:

 

I understand. I don't like to bring the complexity of multiple groups into the tool/UI. What I can investigate is that if you select 12 bombers (now it's 10 max) the generator will break it up into 3 groups of 4. But there are complications: With the current setup and small airfields in most maps there is no way we can fit 12 bombers on the parking areas or runway, so you would need to have the other flights start in the air or something.

 

No problemo. In reality they started in the UK anyways and were 7hours in the air to target and back, so airstart for such missions would be no problem. As mentioned, it serves as a "standin compromise" in absense of the real deal.

[blue_max]

I would really like the option of attacking large formations at really high altitude! Would make for very interesting co-op missions. Airstarts are totally fine, I don't feel like spending half an hour to get up to height anyway. Instant action! Thanks for exploring this.

[co199]

Would it be possible to get an option for no wind or turbulence? I know we have an option for light, but it would be nice to have an option for zero as well, since sometimes the turbulence movement can induce nausea. I have no wind and turbulence effects turned on in the difficulty options, but that only affects the flight characteristics, not the actual visible movement. 

[SYN_Vander]

8 hours ago, co199 said:

Would it be possible to get an option for no wind or turbulence? I know we have an option for light, but it would be nice to have an option for zero as well, since sometimes the turbulence movement can induce nausea. I have no wind and turbulence effects turned on in the difficulty options, but that only affects the flight characteristics, not the actual visible movement. 

 

I have added a 'calm' setting with 0 wind and 0 turbulence. Will be in next version. But when I look in the code, if you select "light" wind, the turbulence should already be zero.

[352ndOscar]

Ok, so I’ve only been up a short while, so bear with me.

 

I have tried, unsuccessfully, multiple times, to generate an attack/bombing dogfight scenario on the Rhineland map that has a primary objective as a railroad marshaling yard.  I could have sworn I’ve generated this type of mission in the past, yet, no soap.  All I get now is attack/bombing individual trains.  Did I miss something in a past update or should I just go have another beer to break this hangover?

 

‘Thanks Vander for the tool - love it!

Edited October 23, 2021 by 352ndOscar

[=MiSFiT=44_T_Wizard]

I really would like to use this mission editor, however, I cant get yo the functions at the bottom of the screen.  My Windows 10 task bar is in the way and there is no way to scroll down.  This also applies to your Tank Crew Editor.  See attached.

[SYN_Vander]

3 hours ago, 54TH_Twizard said:

I really would like to use this mission editor, however, I cant get yo the functions at the bottom of the screen.  My Windows 10 task bar is in the way and there is no way to scroll down.  This also applies to your Tank Crew Editor.  See attached.

 

For TankCrew generator you can click on the icons on the left to collapse the sections. It should fit on your screen then.

For The EMG you can't do that. I can investigate making the main window scrollable, but there aren't many people that run their PC with such a low resolution. What are you using? 1024x768?

[DD_Friar]

You can hide or move the task to the vertical on the left or right, even drag it to the top of the screen ala MAC.

Right click on tool bar and make sure it is not locked. Then just left click and drag.

 

When I host my squad missions and I RPD to our server to generate the missions, I sometime do that as well.

[SYN_Vander]

On 10/22/2021 at 5:09 PM, 352ndOscar said:

Ok, so I’ve only been up a short while, so bear with me.

 

I have tried, unsuccessfully, multiple times, to generate an attack/bombing dogfight scenario on the Rhineland map that has a primary objective as a railroad marshaling yard.  I could have sworn I’ve generated this type of mission in the past, yet, no soap.  All I get now is attack/bombing individual trains.  Did I miss something in a past update or should I just go have another beer to break this hangover?

 

‘Thanks Vander for the tool - love it!

 

The objective is still there isn't it? It's called  'rail yard'. However, only the first three fronts in Rhineland have these targets as in the other 2 fronts there simply aren't any marshalling yards on that part of the map, the devs didn't make them. Let's hope they add plenty on the Normandy map!

Edited October 23, 2021 by SYN_Vander

[352ndOscar]

Thanks, I’ll check that out.  I was using “dec-Jan 44” so that fits with the map boundaries.