Kuban Autumn Nth Africa Desert Beta upload - Updated version to 8. 10-01-2023

[Off_Winters]

UPDATED TO BETA 8 FILES - link has been updated to V8.0 file.

Hi All,

This is the 8th installment that replaces part 7 of the mod that changes the Kuban Autumn map to North Africa. I've called it Beta-8 and I will continue to use this thread to post updates, changing name to beta8 beta9 etc. Please uninstall part 7 and delete. then install part 8 with jsgme.

It is JSGME ready, place the unzipped folder into your mods folder and install. (please note it should always be the last MOD installed into your game as many other mods also change some of the files I have edited, which will not hurt your install but it will take out some of the desert edits I've made and replace them with whatever the other mod has done).

It is compatible with game version 5.004b

LINK for download Beta-8.0: updated link 10-1-23

https://www.mediafire.com/file/jdpogtnbxggdhnu/Kuban_Autumn-1943_Desert_Beta_8.rar/file


so the step process in JSGME
1. install "Kuban_Autumn-1943_Desert_Beta_8"
2. replace the "Kuban_Autumn-1943_Desert_Beta_8_mission_set-332FG" mission folder in your mods folder with the Kuban_Autumn-1943_Desert_Beta_7_mission_set-332FG included in the download. these mission files have been resaved to work with latest game version.

******************************************************************************************************************

Readme included with installation instructions. PLEASE note: you need to tick the option "Enable MOD's" in your settings screen for this to work. The next update will be Beta-9 at some point in the future.
 

The files included change the following:
The main work has been the retexturing of ground files to replicate the look of something similar to Tunisia/Libya landscapes.

Additionally there has been a lot of work swapping out the Russian themed 3D models and paint schemes with those of US and British 3D model types and schemes. Example the Russian tanks models have been swapped for Sherman M4 models, with various styles of camouflage applied to each version. Static Russian aircraft have been replaced with various US and British aircraft.

Allied pilot models have been amended to replace the Russian pilot models. So in game in QC or missions that have not set the country designation to either US or British you see an RAF pilot flying the spitfires, Hurricanes, A20, P40’s P39, etc. rather than the Russian pilot model. The pilots have had new textures applied to be more in line with Nth African theatre uniforms.

Building models have also been swapped and repainted to be more in line with the Nth African/Mediterranean environment. Ships and trains have been repainted to show correct markings for German and Allied nations. I have changed all the default aircraft skins for the aircraft used and allied vehicles in the Desert War to desert schemed skins. And lastly I have modified in game menu screens to include historical content and to give the game more of a Desert War theme.

The ingame map has been completely reworked with all place names now replaced with real place names that fit geographically with real world locations.
Our own Stonehouse was the driving force behind getting the names sourced and then checking my poor spelling to make sure they were all correct. this part of the mod was a large amount of work, to photoshop out all the old names and then put the new names in across 3 sets of map tiles at different resolutions, 400 textures had to be altered in all. So please use the map to navigate  
Thanks Scott for all your help with this. There is another reason behind having the real place names that drove this work. But Stonehouse can make that announcement as its his baby..

In addition to my own work on retexturing, and the file manipulation of the items mentioned above, I have had a lot of help with the repaints for German vehicles and a lot of aircraft skins. The following people have generously given permission to use their existing work and have also volunteered to make specific skins to suit the Western Desert theatre of operations.
 

HBpencil skins ......................Malta spitfires, early and late spitfire camo schemes.

E69_julian57 ...........................Aircraft skins Me110, Churchill MkIV tank.

SARFlytitus .............................Italian Stukas, Bf109g6, Mc202 skins, original idea for grass replacement.

FF*VaSoK*22…………………….. original idea, and base textures to work from for grass replacement.

FoxbatRU ................................Ju.88A-4, Captured Mc202.

Raptorattacker.........................Bf109E7, Hurricane skins.
SR603-flowbee…………………...Me110 skins.
Reflected………..........................Bf109E7 skins.

Beebop ....................................Ju52 Afrika Korps generic, P38 Torch generic.

SKG210_Molders......................helping co-ordinating work with his Tank Crew Mod. Also a desert Mod.

Detcord28.................................Complete desert repaint of German vehicles and German uniforms.

XQ_Lothar29…….......................Bf109 skin.
BP_Iceman…………………………..Ju87 Skin.
BlackHellHound1………………….Bf109 skin Stigler 1942.

No457_Stonehouse................helping with town names and locations to match the Kuban map  (fake Tunis) for game map repaints.
Meplanes1969……………………Allowed use of some of his effects textures for sand bullet strikes and the overall default.dds texture which imparts subtle desert hues over the main base colours.
DD_Sid………………………………New textures for Russian tank crew to resemble US/British uniform.

I have included a text document that lists the aircraft in the mod that have had new paint schemes applied. It lists the aircraft skin number to match to the skins in the mission editor drop down menu and a brief description of what the skin relates to. The list also names person who created each skin.
This file is to help people identify a correct texture to apply to an aircraft in the mission editor. So that if you wish you can have correct Nth. African schemes on all the spawned aircraft in a mission.

For those who would like to have tree’s included in this MOD I have included a second file that you install after installing the main MOD. This will put the trees back in game.

There is a third file included with the download called "Kuban_Autumn-1943_Desert_Beta_5_mission_set-332FG"  a 14 mission set based loosely around the US 332FG flying P40's. Missions created by our own Falcon41 here on the IL2 forums. Access these via the single player mission screen in game. The pack includes 332nd P40 skins by Raptorattacker, and one skin by myself which is named to replace a skin originally done by Tom Weiss.
If installed this set will show up in the single mission folder in game, in a folder called "DAW - P40 332ndFG mission set" missions named 1 - 14 should be flown in numerical order.

You need to fully uninstall this MOD when flying in any other map area, or you will see desert schemed camouflage on Buildings, vehicles and some aircraft whilst flying in Europe. it does not hurt your install stock/vanilla in any way.

regards Rob.

 

Many new textures added with historical descriptions, both Allied and Axis.

more buildings have had textures changed to be more inline with desert location.

 

 

British drivable M4

US makes their entry to the drivable M4.

Detcord's great German vehicle textures.

slight alteration to river/lake water colour. A little less blue.

 

 

 

 

 

A random picture of our small online group in the desert. reworked some of the static ground models textures to reduce "glow" effect

Almost have all of the default skins now in desert schemes for aircraft you would expect to see in theater.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11, 2023 by Off_Winters
Updated link to newer version. revised description.

[Beebop]

I have your short grass mod installed.  Should I remove it before installing the repaint as I see it has short grass as well.

 

TIA

[Off_Winters]

46 minutes ago, Beebop said:

I have your short grass mod installed.  Should I remove it before installing the repaint as I see it has short grass as well.

 

46 minutes ago, Beebop said:

 

No you can leave it in, this mod when installed will become the highest in the hierarchy of files and the game will use the grass files included. When you uninstall the game will then go back to using the grass files you added earlier. 

regards Rob.

[Blitzen]

Great fun...Quite a difference in textures from Desert Wings Tobruk too. I hope someone will do a desert Air Force mission or two using this new beta!

[Beebop]

OK.  I tried it with the flowers and they show up.  I told my mech to pick a bunch and send them to that cute nurse at the field hospital ( if he could find some spare water to put them in). ?

 

I took a few spins in Quick Missions and must say I AM IMPRESSED thus far.  I'm really liking what I see.  The Afrika Korps train looks great!  The vehicles were still default but I understand this is only Beta 1.

 

Now, with that in mind, an observation NOT criticism.... the well trod ground in the revetments of the "sand" airfields as well as a few areas around outbuildings and runway ends look a little too bright to my eye.  Toning them down a bit, taking out the yellow-ish-ness and moving to a light tan/brown would help them blend in IMO.  

 

Again I realize this is Beta 1 and so I'm just making an observation, perhaps of something you will be addressing down the line.

None the less this is going to be an outstanding map!  Overall it looks great and "sells well" as a desert map.  And without trees I can finally strafe convoys and trains with more impunity.  (but...my marksmanship still needs work LOL)

 

I look forward to the next "Beta".  Thanks for all the hard work!

??

4 minutes ago, Beebop said:

The vehicles were still default

After re-reading I see that you recommend DetCords repaints.  They look perfect.

Now yet another question, He says you can only use them one at a time, OK.  I fly with a bunch some of whom are not too adept at modding so is there a way to incorporate one of these repaints directly into the desert module?  It will save me at least an hour with them getting the mod to run right.  If not, I'm retired and have nothing better to do LOL.

[Off_Winters]

1 hour ago, Beebop said:

OK.  I tried it with the flowers and they show up.  I told my mech to pick a bunch and send them to that cute nurse at the field hospital ( if he could find some spare water to put them in). ?

 

I took a few spins in Quick Missions and must say I AM IMPRESSED thus far.  I'm really liking what I see.  The Afrika Korps train looks great!  The vehicles were still default but I understand this is only Beta 1.

 

Now, with that in mind, an observation NOT criticism.... the well trod ground in the revetments of the "sand" airfields as well as a few areas around outbuildings and runway ends look a little too bright to my eye.  Toning them down a bit, taking out the yellow-ish-ness and moving to a light tan/brown would help them blend in IMO.  

 

Again I realize this is Beta 1 and so I'm just making an observation, perhaps of something you will be addressing down the line.

None the less this is going to be an outstanding map!  Overall it looks great and "sells well" as a desert map.  And without trees I can finally strafe convoys and trains with more impunity.  (but...my marksmanship still needs work LOL)

 

I look forward to the next "Beta".  Thanks for all the hard work!

??

After re-reading I see that you recommend DetCords repaints.  They look perfect.

Now yet another question, He says you can only use them one at a time, OK.  I fly with a bunch some of whom are not too adept at modding so is there a way to incorporate one of these repaints directly into the desert module?  It will save me at least an hour with them getting the mod to run right.  If not, I'm retired and have nothing better to do LOL.

no worries Arthur, I'm hoping for peoples feedback. I'll look at the areas you pointed out.

I will be repainting the vehicles in proper desert schemes both allied and axis. as for Detcords vehicles I'll zip up just the nominated set and send you a PM with a link to download and you can give that link to your group to install.

regards Rob.

[esk_pedja]

Looks great, although it takes a few minutes of flight to get used to differences... I will not waste a space for good things...

Just a few initial impressions...

- dark green "desert bush" should be slightly more emphasized (darker ?)

- smaller airfields color should be less grey - more light yellowish (95% of "airfields" were simply yellow dust)

- Contrast in a main city near the port is too emphasized, tones of colors should be closer to each other.

  It looks too neat, to geometrical... like a Swiss village  struck by a sandy storm

- Is there a way to make "white roads" more yellowish or slightly darker ?

 

Otherwise, great job - congratulations! 

 

Maybe we are getting too spoiled with this mod... treating you as team of 3 profi developers !

[Bodenplatte]

Excellent work OW, the landscape is like Tunisia, Afrika early 1943. 

 

It is incredible all the work you lads put into modding the game, this Mod has fantastic potential, thank you for posting the map.

 

Have a safe journey, looking forward to updates in the future.

[jollyjack]

Wow ... Wow ! ... Wow !!

[JG_deserteagle540]

@Off_Winters, Excelent work done here! This Mod has great potential. I really enjoyed a QMB flight in the desert!

I agree with the comments above that the grey roads should be more yellow, but that is normal for the Beta version.

 

Thanks a lot for your time and efforts.

[Thad]

Salutations,

 

Can anyone recommend a reference book(s) covering the North Africa Theatre of operations. I desire to create historically based missions. 

 

[Mysticpuma]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desert-Air-Force-World-War/dp/1844158179

[Mysticpuma]

On 10/14/2020 at 12:53 AM, Off_Winters said:

Hi All,

This is the first part of the mod that changes the Kuban Autumn map to North Africa. I've called it Beta-1 and I will continue to use this thread to post updates, changing name to beta2 beta3 etc. 

It is JSGME ready, place the unzipped folder into your mods folder and install. 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/yogmhha57f7jisn/Kuban_Autum-1943_Desert_Beta1.rar/file

 

The files included change the following:
Desert ground textures (based off Esk_Pedja original idea and base texture)
updated rail and road textures.
Revised forest area textures.
Afrika Korps uniforms on Germans.
Trains and wagons repainted with camo and historical markings.
Russian and USA pilot models are replaced with RAF pilots with three different uniforms showing in game. (just for beta1, in future release you will be able to pick either RAF or USAAF to replace pilot models.)
Trees are removed.
Revised short grass and field vegetation.

 

 

Hi Off_Winters. I had a play with the Mod and put a side-by-side comparison video together. Here's the video, cheers, Mysticpuma

 

 

 

[Beebop]

Well done comparison.  ?

[Off_Winters]

3 hours ago, Mysticpuma said:

 

Hi Off_Winters. I had a play with the Mod and put a side-by-side comparison video together. Here's the video, cheers, Mysticpuma

 

 

 

Thanks mate, the video looks really good, and thanks for spreading the word on the il-2 Facebook group.

[Bodenplatte]

Hi Thad,

 

Military Reference for the North African Campaign = "The Desert War, Then and Now" by Jean Paul Pallad.

This book is from "After the Battle" series, it contains many relevant B/W photos of the period with reference to the modern period. Also contains maps and Sat images of relevant battlegrounds.

 

For the NA Air war I would recommend the excellent "A History Of The Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945, Volume Two: North African Desert Feb 1942-Mar 1943" by Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello.

 

Hope this is of some use for future campaigns. Good Luck.

[Blitzen]

Love the Mod , but it has one small feature I’m not crazy about but could have expected : it seems to change ALL German uniforms in the game on all the maps to Afrika Korps uniforms. I haven’t checked whether turning it off thru JSGME reverses this change.I hope so.

[Beebop]

12 minutes ago, Blitzen said:

I haven’t checked whether turning it off thru JSGME reverses this change.I hope so.

It does.

[Off_Winters]

34 minutes ago, Blitzen said:

Love the Mod , but it has one small feature I’m not crazy about but could have expected : it seems to change ALL German uniforms in the game on all the maps to Afrika Korps uniforms. I haven’t checked whether turning it off thru JSGME reverses this change.I hope so.

Hi Blitzen,

 

The mod by nature will change many things on the other maps, when not wanting to fly in NA take the mod out with jsgme as described in the notes in the first post or you will see other out of place items in the European maps.
 

regards Rob.

On 10/15/2020 at 6:36 PM, Thad said:

Salutations,

 

Can anyone recommend a reference book(s) covering the North Africa Theatre of operations. I desire to create historically based missions. 

 

Hi Thad,

 

a quick guide to RAAF 3 squadron activities that gives a good idea of mission types flown. I’ll be making skins for the P40 and P51 in 3 sqdn colours that will become the default skin for those aircraft while the mod is installed.

http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAAF/3_wwII.html

 

regards Rob.

[Off_Winters]

Hi Thad,

 

another group worth researching. 

450 squadron also having a great deal of experience with the desert airforce 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._450_Squadron_RAAF

 

regards Rob.

[Beebop]

41 minutes ago, Off_Winters said:

I’ll be making skins for the P40 and P51 in 3 sqdn colours that will become the default skin for those aircraft while the mod is installed.

NICE!

[esk_pedja]

1 hour ago, Off_Winters said:

 

a quick guide to RAAF 3 squadron activities that gives a good idea of mission types flown. I’ll be making skins for the P40 and P51 in 3 sqdn colours that will become the default skin for those aircraft while the mod is installed.

http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAAF/3_wwII.html

 

regards Rob.

 

You are confusing me a bit... the only available P-51is D version, that could fit above the Reich in a new year 44/45.

I can not even imagine P-51D in any event above Rommel's North Africa corps ( P-40, Bf-109 F2/F4/G2, Spit Mk V, M.C202 ...etc. would be OK, but Mustang D above Tobruk... ? )

[Blitzen]

Will do & thanks again!

[Beebop]

22 minutes ago, esk_pedja said:

Mustang D above Tobruk... ?

We work with what we've been given.  The P-51B did fly during Operation Torch with Allied squadrons, the 152nd Pursuit Squadron in Tunisia and the 154th Observation Squadron in 1943.

When we get the correct model skins can be made for them.  In the meantime....

[esk_pedja]

25 minutes ago, Beebop said:

We work with what we've been given.  The P-51B did fly during Operation Torch with Allied squadrons, the 152nd Pursuit Squadron in Tunisia and the 154th Observation Squadron in 1943.

When we get the correct model skins can be made for them.  In the meantime....

 

In the mean time... We'll be flying P51D alongside desert Hurricane ? ...and Hurricane will escort Mighty 8th over Duisburg ?

 

GB series is simulation, not arcade game... Simulation means simulating reality.

 

If arcade imaginations makes some members happy, I have no problems... but I beg you mate, keep this gorgeous landscape project separate from these skin games, at least in installation.

 

We have tons of ready planes "compatible" with desert landscape... and 3-4 masters of skinning in this community, that could make 10 desert skins in a fortnight...

 

...and where is the fun in P51D chasing desert Ju-87 ? 

Edited October 16, 2020 by esk_pedja

[Thad]

Salutations,

 

We also currently don't have the tanks for the allies in the game. 

[Off_Winters]

1 hour ago, esk_pedja said:

 

You are confusing me a bit... the only available P-51is D version, that could fit above the Reich in a new year 44/45.

I can not even imagine P-51D in any event above Rommel's North Africa corps ( P-40, Bf-109 F2/F4/G2, Spit Mk V, M.C202 ...etc. would be OK, but Mustang D above Tobruk... ? )

Hi Esk, 

 

P40 1941-44 Nth Africa, then P51 1944-45 Tunisia, Italy. I know the planes aren’t 100% correct, but then again the scenery is not correct either. We just work with what we have.

 

i intend to do tropical skins for most of the German stuff (both German and Italian skins for things like the Stuka and Ju88 etc) and a large part of the Allied stuff (RAF and commonwealth counties, SAAF and some US options for late 42 onwards) and have them as the default skins when the mod is loaded.
 

regards Rob.

43 minutes ago, Thad said:

Salutations,

 

We also currently don't have the tanks for the allies in the game. 

Hi Thad,

 

that is correct, it will be the Sherman  that will have to fill the gap until a few more allied types are built. Shipping is also lacking as well. I’ll make standalone of some of the ships so mission builders can bring in Both RN and kreigsmarine destroyers With appropriate paint schemes/markings at the same time.

 

regards Rob.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Off_Winters

[=VARP=Dragunov]

Jeeeeeeeeees! Thank you very much for this MOD ! ?

[Beebop]

Honestly I don't understand all this wringing of hands over faux skins.  We're working with faux maps.  Both this and the Rangoon Pacific.

What is really wrong with having temporary stand-ins for planes we do not yet have?  We're sitting here lauding temporary (we hope) map textures for areas we do not yet have. What's the difference really?

 

The IL-2 franchise has long traded in using existing content and manipulating it to represent things we don't yet have.  Heck, it's almost a tradition.  This iteration is still young but many have come from 1946 which, even in it's stock form, has a lot of content covering a lot of areas.  Many of us want the Pacific, Finland, the Mediterranean, the Spanish Civil War, 4 engine bombers, radar equipped night fighters, on and on but understand that the Dev's don't have the manpower nor finances to give us everything we want as fast as we want it.  And they have their priorities too but so far they haven't shut down map repaints or skins that aren't 100% historically accurate.  They have said that they are concentrating on making as historically accurate content that fits the current time period but haven't discouraged us from  playing around with the visual content.

 

If a person doesn't want "hacked" skins, don't download them.  I think having and using your imagination is a good thing.  I do all kinds of repaints, check out my 'Beebop's Hack Shack'.  I'm proud of the work I do and so far there are a lot of others who seem to like it too.  If you or anyone else doesn't like them that's fine.  No one is making you use them.  However while doing these "hacks" I am gaining knowledge about actual WWII paint schemes and skills necessary to execute them.

As for this game being a simulation, yes, the flight models, damage models plane 3D models, maps etc. "simulate" war on the Eastern Front.  That's why I play this game, it does the best overall job of simulating WWII on a computer.

 

Should this game be so ridged that anything that strays from absolute historical accuracy is to be shunned?  That would be a shame in my opinion.  In the meantime a little imagination goes a long ways in my book.

[SARFlytitus]

 

Hello everyone, first of all, my congratulations to Off-Winters for the repaint of the Kuban map which, working with a bit of imagination, allows us to use desert skins in an environment that, even if not authentic, is at least "credible" . Personally, I seek and appreciate historical correctness. I avoid Air Quake Servers very carefully because few things in the world give me hives and bronchospasm but one for sure: The messerschmitt 262 with the American insignia that make the dogfight against the very improbable Japanese Focke Wulfs with the equally unlikely Manga- Nosearts at tree top level. That said, everyone is free to choose their game as long as this is not imposed on others. Compromises exist when Mods are allowed.

SkinHacks are already big compromises (beautiful and very pleasant those of Beebop) I myself have shared some, a Recon Bf109 F6 , some Bf109 G10 Erla of the ANR obtained by somehow camouflaging the existing K4 and lately also several subversions of the Macchi C202 Series VIII. ..

To date, AFAIK not a single aircraft except the Macchi is equipped with a sand filter and, consequently, even the FM is certainly not faithful to its "desert" counterpart... and this brings us back to the famous discourse of imagining and supplying with the fantasy of the lack (so far) of such airplanes.
Team Fusion with an excellent and extraordinary job right now gives us the possibility of a very well done African scenario, with many of the planes actually employed in that theater of operations. Unfortunately, it still does not implement VR but it is no less enjoyable!

Right now, if I want to "simulate" some air warfare in North Africa, Tobruk remains my (very enjoyable and very credible) first choice.

When I feel like enjoying the immersion of VR, I put my Rift S on my head and launch IL2 GB Modded pretending that Kuban repainted is Tunisia and that the Spit MK V I just shot down while piloting my Macchi had its own clunky Vokes filter under the nose... 

 

Enjoyable? Certainly!

Credible? a little less !

Historical? Absolutely not!

 

To each his own, hurray for the imagination but, please, if you love me and you, no more Schwalbe with stars and stripes or MitsuWulf 190 ... There is already a lot of titles that allow you to destroy the Reichstag or the White House with a X-wing or a Tie Advanced.

This ours is something else,

Really!

Edited October 17, 2020 by SARFlytitus

[Off_Winters]

Hi All,

working on road textures as per comments and suggestions from above. I wish I knew more about how the light from the crossroadalphamask.dds worked/interacted with the textures. Changing the colour/hue of the road texture sheet is turning out to be a time consuming effort. They are not right yet but better than the grey that was in there.

 

regards Rob.

 

[SYN_Vander]

On 10/16/2020 at 4:51 PM, Blitzen said:

Love the Mod , but it has one small feature I’m not crazy about but could have expected : it seems to change ALL German uniforms in the game on all the maps to Afrika Korps uniforms. I haven’t checked whether turning it off thru JSGME reverses this change.I hope so.

 

If the uniforms changes are made into a separate mod , then you can choose to turn this on/off separately?

[Off_Winters]

7 minutes ago, SYN_Vander said:

 

If the uniforms changes are made into a separate mod , then you can choose to turn this on/off separately?

Hi Vander,

I did think about that, but there are so many other parts that will clash with normal European scenery if the NA mod is left in when people fly in Germany etc. I decided to put all the various parts into one install so people didn't have to remember to put in multiple options when flying NA.

But having said that, there will be a couple of portions that will have multiple choice install options. Beehop asked about trains and vehicles without German markings so the mod could be used in WWI period scenario's which I will do. I'm going to do German infantry repainted with WWI Turkish uniforms. So I guess it wouldn't be that much more to break out the Afrika Korps repaints as well.

 

regards Rob.

[esk_pedja]

1 hour ago, Off_Winters said:

Hi All,

working on road textures as per comments and suggestions from above. I wish I knew more about how the light from the crossroadalphamask.dds worked/interacted with the textures. Changing the colour/hue of the road texture sheet is turning out to be a time consuming effort. They are not right yet but better than the grey that was in there.

 

regards Rob.

 

 

Best wishes for improvements, Rob.

When you presented your intentions initially, I asked myself "is this bloke aware what marble mine is he entering" ?

 

Step, by step, you are pushing the limits of amateur modding into new boundaries. 

 

If you mange to achieve 3-4 corrections/improvements, you will be on the verge of hand made new DLC ! 

 

P.S.

Just another proposal, if it is achievable.

Generally... it seems that your desert darkness (lightness) is closer to Arizona style desert than N. Africa colors. try to mix some darker (that you already have) and some lighter parts (patches) of landscape... just as you have on this P40 cammo... or in my initial mod.

It would certainly made landscape more realistic and attractive.

 

Excuse my  "mother in low" carping, but I am hopeless visual type...

 

Many thanks again!

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by esk_pedja

[Off_Winters]

5 minutes ago, esk_pedja said:

Just another proposal, if it is achievable.

Generally... it seems that your desert darkness (lightness) is closer to Arizona style desert than N. Africa colors. try to mix some darker (that you already have) and some lighter parts (patches) of landscape... just as you have on this P40 cammo... or in my initial mod.

It would certainly made landscape more realistic and attractive.

 

Hi Esk,

thanks for the nice comments. with regards to the last part above. the work you did with the little green bushes/patches works well on the texture sheet as its so abstract in the application of the dots that you do not notice a repetitive texture sheet when looking into the distance.
I did start to add in darker patches and it looked all right in close proximity to your location but as soon as your eye point came up and you looked even into the middle distance a very distinct repetitive pattern was visible. especially in the virgin land class areas were you could have 20 or 30 of the same texture tile covering a large area.

I haven't given up on the idea, just need to think a bit more outside the box to see what can be done.

thanks again, regards Rob.

[esk_pedja]

Well, if so, just make it generally lighter... take a look at Desert Wings color (lightness) ...or this photo from above.

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by esk_pedja

[vonGraf]

Looks good the map. Very good.

First I was wondering a bit about the German greenish uniforms but after a look I discovered they really had this color too.

 

The sand-beige color was more known for me.

 

[Beebop]

4 hours ago, Off_Winters said:

I'm going to do German infantry repainted with WWI Turkish uniforms.

Great idea.  Thanks.

4 hours ago, esk_pedja said:

Step, by step, you are pushing the limits of amateur modding into new boundaries. 

And doing an excellent job of it.

This will be so worth the "two week" wait.  ?

(thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou)

[Off_Winters]

On 10/20/2020 at 10:34 PM, esk_pedja said:

Well, if so, just make it generally lighter... take a look at Desert Wings color (lightness) ...or this photo from above.

 

 

 

Hi Esk,

Colours are a bit speculative. You cant really go off a black and white photo as they are often misleading in what colour was actually there and what tone/hue it is represented as in black and white. for example the life jacket pad on the pilot on the left was a yellow colour in real life, but it has the same colour in the photograph that is being shown for the majority of the ground in the picture. 

Your second picture is very much influenced by the rock type and the weather products being produced, garnet, iron and various levels of terracotta clay content can give a wide range of reddish colors. the area of southern Tunisia/Libya  are not made up of sandstone with high iron content etc so the colour would not match the second photo. 

The photo below is a picture of Southern Tunisia and matches very well the original sheet you started. I will try and make the ground sheets a bit lighter but it will be a very subtle change.

regards Rob.

PS my profession is geology, you picked a subject close to my heart.


 

 

 

 

 

This doesn't really add to the playability of the game, but it does help set the tone of it a bit. just messing about really.

I never could work out why Japan was included in the various menu tabs as the game has no Pacific elements to it. Italy would have been a much better country to have used/depicted given the game includes Italian aircraft.

regards Rob.

 

 

Edited October 22, 2020 by Off_Winters

[Stonehouse]

Not sure if this is of any use re colour. Noticed it while looking for aircraft types around the 1942-43 period of the DAF.  Know nothing about geology but perhaps hilly areas have different mineral deposits to flats like this pic so there are colour changes. Although photo processing also has a big impact on colour as well. 

 

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205188529

 

Edited October 22, 2020 by No457_Stonehouse