EasyMissionGenerator-v85-all-new-Normandy-fronts-V01

[kraut1]

Hi All,

I was asked by @Letka_13/Kukulo for airfield B-10 Plumentot and the rest of the Normandy fronts for 134th Czechoslovak Wing missions.

This EMG is my Normandy work version for Campaign missions generation.

Very modded, I have used it from January to March for creating german FW190 missions.

Today updated to V85 and B-10 Plumentot added.

-with 2 134th Czechoslovak wing Spitfire Missions

-and for information a folder with screenshots of the EMG settings that I have used for the Missions

 

Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sbxvac0ag27zfob9dw0zc/EasyMissionGenerator-v85-Normandy-modded-for-Trials-V01.zip?rlkey=25n04kuydoei4gyq4e51t56y0&st=pray2jaq&dl=0

Installation:

-copy the EMG folder to a location of your choice

after first start you have only to define the location of IL-2 BoS Main Program

-copy the "134th Wing Missions" folder in your IL2 GB missions folder

 

This is not an official version of EMG. If anyone has problems, questions:

Please ask me, not Vander! (I don't want create extra work for him)

Edited September 2, 2024 by kraut1

[Letka_13/Kukulo]

Thank you very much for including B10 airfield into template and for missions. Mod works as intended. I can create SP and MP missions for 134th Czechoslovak wing easily now 👍

[Stonehouse]

@kraut1

 

In case it makes your life easier I have packaged your download as a JSGME mod so you can flip back and forth easily between stock v85 EMG and your modded version. I have given it a quick test and it seems to work fine.

 

I do like the finer granularity your fronts give!! I think it gives a better experience for the period leading up to and after the D-Day landings.

 

Caveats:

• Your normal EMG install must be within the IL2GB main folder and the EMG folder name must be EasyMissionGenerator 
• After enabling this mod and running EMG for the first time you will need to set the IL2 GB main folder (everyone's install location is different). This will only be needed again if you disable this mod and then re-enable it.

EG of a folder structure for the stock EMG install. 

 

 

Otherwise just unzip into your JSGME mods folder and enable as normal.

 

From the point of view of you making changes you would disable the mod (returning EMG to stock), edit the templates etc in the mod folder until you want to test something, re-enable the mod and then run EMG and generate missions.

EasyMissionGenerator-v85-Normandy-modded-for-Trials.zip

 

PS you did have some stuff in there that was not the same as stock EMG but also not related to Normandy. I figure it was WIP things you are editing. I retained anything that was different to stock v85 in this JSGME package so it isn't lost.

Edited August 31, 2024 by Stonehouse

[kraut1]

4 hours ago, Stonehouse said:

 

 

PS you did have some stuff in there that was not the same as stock EMG but also not related to Normandy. I figure it was WIP things you are editing. I retained anything that was different to stock v85 in this JSGME package so it isn't lost.

-The Basic idea was that I create drafts for front lines and Vander selects some and implements them into the "real EMG".

-Currently 1 of my fronts is integrated in EMG. Maybe some further will be intergrated.

It is always the best if new content is integrated in the "real EMG" by Vander.

 

-The here published version is my personal version for mission generation. I have created and flown ca. 25 missions for my Excel Log Book Careers.

-For me it worked very well. I have reduced the individual ground unit sizes (e.g. the batterys) for better FPS, there are Warship units with destoyers and the so called "patrol ships" are now Warships too.

Because this version works for me really good I don`t plane to do further systematic updates in the next future.

But if a user would ask for e.g. another airfield, I would add it.

[kraut1]

On 8/31/2024 at 3:53 AM, Letka_13/Kukulo said:

Thank you very much for including B10 airfield into template and for missions. Mod works as intended. I can create SP and MP missions for 134th Czechoslovak wing easily now 👍

Hi,

If you would like have more dense heavy AAA fire with more explosions when flying the missions you could try https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/74938-aaa-mod/ by @Stonehouse

For a modded EMG the basic AAAmod could be combined with the Simulated Flak fields mod.

I have tested it with a FW190-A8 fighter bomber mission and it worked well.

In EMG I have selected harmless for AAA.

 

Edited September 1, 2024 by kraut1

[Stonehouse]

4 hours ago, kraut1 said:

For a modded EMG the basic AAAmod could be combined with the Simulated Flak fields mod.

I have tested it with a FW190-A8 fighter bomber mission and it worked well.

 

Thanks for the feedback - that is what I hoped for.

 

Not sure if you are interested or not but I have a version of your Normandy template mostly converted to use flak generators in addition to normal flak (ie you would not use the simulated flak fields mod in this case just the base AAA mod and flak generators). I really do like the fronts you have added.

 

All the ambient flak is converted over (so the generic template is updated for the AAA group and the AAA helpers are converted in your Normandy template) but I haven't done the objectives so far. Usually, the way I convert these is to remove flak from objectives like airfields and ports and railyards and add flak for these locations to the AAA helpers' group as these kinds of locations should always be defended. Places like artillery or bridges I will often keep AAA assigned to the objective (ie so they only spawn when the location is an objective) but make use of the more realistic unit compositions from the generic template plus the odd flak generator if needed. Because I haven't yet converted the objectives the AAA won't be quite correct at present but if you want to try it let me know.

 

 

For whatever it's worth an example mission. P51D escorted B26 raid against an ammo dump near Cherbourg. You need the flak generator mod enabled to use it. Suggest also the AAA mod but that's optional. Note for speed and convenience you have an air start.

 

Cherbourg raid example.zip

 

For anyone else not familiar with my EMG more realistic flak environment work - stock EMG scatters a random selection of single heavy AAA guns over the landscape and otherwise only adds something better at your tasked objective. The more realistic flak environment mod aims to have flak at all places that should be logically defended. So, for example, in stock if you fly over Le Havre harbour on the way to bomb another target further east there are no port defenses and you don't get shot at except for perhaps the odd flak puff or two if you are unlucky enough that random selection places a single flak gun near there. In the missions from my modded template you would avoid flying over Le Havre harbour if you could because you know there are flak defenses there and you don't want to take the chance they will damage your aircraft enroute to some other place and cause your mission to abort.

Edited September 1, 2024 by Stonehouse

[kraut1]

42 minutes ago, Stonehouse said:

 

 

Not sure if you are interested or not but I have a version of your Normandy template mostly converted to use flak generators in addition to normal flak (ie you would not use the simulated flak fields mod in this case just the base AAA mod and flak generators). I really do like the fronts you have added.

 

All the ambient flak is converted over (so the generic template is updated for the AAA group and the AAA helpers are converted in your Normandy template) but I haven't done the objectives so far. Usually, the way I convert these is to remove flak from objectives like airfields and ports and railyards and add flak for these locations to the AAA helpers' group as these kinds of locations should always be defended. Places like artillery or bridges I will often keep AAA assigned to the objective (ie so they only spawn when the location is an objective) but make use of the more realistic unit compositions from the generic template plus the odd flak generator if needed. Because I haven't yet converted the objectives the AAA won't be quite correct at present but if you want to try it let me know.

Thanks very much.

I would say it will be especially interesting for pilots who like to fly medium / high altitude missions  (bombing missions with the A20, escort missions for A20, B25, B26, night bomber missions with Mosquito / Ju88 or offensive patrols / fighter sweeps)

I could add the 2 modified templates either as optional or default templates.

I will continue with IL-2 GB work next weekend.

[Stonehouse]

28 minutes ago, kraut1 said:

I could add the 2 modified templates either as optional or default templates.

Ok I'll finish up the other changes for the objectives in the Normandy template and pass it on when done. 

[Kapteeni]

Thank you kraut1! Really good work! As always!

[Stonehouse]

@kraut1 Sorry been caught up with real life stuff and really haven't had much time to do any more work on the template or ships - in the interests of time saving can you advise which of the helper_objective groups you've altered from stock EMG. For example, I can see that you have altered the positions_airfields group by adding Tangmere and others. 

 

If you haven't made changes to the stock group, then I can import the groups from my EMG more realistic AAA environment without much/any change and this will save a lot of time if possible.

 

Thanks

[kraut1]

24 minutes ago, Stonehouse said:

@kraut1 Sorry been caught up with real life stuff and really haven't had much time to do any more work on the template or ships - in the interests of time saving can you advise which of the helper_objective groups you've altered from stock EMG. For example, I can see that you have altered the positions_airfields group by adding Tangmere and others. 

 

If you haven't made changes to the stock group, then I can import the groups from my EMG more realistic AAA environment without much/any change and this will save a lot of time if possible.

 

Thanks

Hi Stonehouse,

Real life is always most importent of course, no problem!

But concerning your question:

In general this was my draft for EMG Normandy Invasion Fronts and I have in general overworked all helper_objectives_groups.

And the Generic template is totally modified too.

The whole thing worked very well for me. I tried and realized many new ideas.

But sorry, in respect of object helpers,... I think this modification is more or less 100% unique.

If it is too much work for you to adapt all flak generator / environment settings we could continue using your new "Simulated flak fields install after AAAmod" in combination with your "AAAmod".

 

[Stonehouse]

46 minutes ago, kraut1 said:

Hi Stonehouse,

Real life is always most importent of course, no problem!

But concerning your question:

In general this was my draft for EMG Normandy Invasion Fronts and I have in general overworked all helper_objectives_groups.

And the Generic template is totally modified too.

The whole thing worked very well for me. I tried and realized many new ideas.

But sorry, in respect of object helpers,... I think this modification is more or less 100% unique.

If it is too much work for you to adapt all flak generator / environment settings we could continue using your new "Simulated flak fields install after AAAmod" in combination with your "AAAmod".

 

 

Ok, just have to see how it goes, I guess. Thanks

[Stonehouse]

@kraut1

 

Finished the bridge objectives and now moving onto adjust the next group I just wanted to check something with you. You seem to have removed the objective_trains group?

 

Is that intentional? 

 

If it is then no problem but if not, I will reinstate it from my mod template (since I am trying to add a more realistic flak environment)

Edited September 13, 2024 by Stonehouse

[kraut1]

57 minutes ago, Stonehouse said:

@kraut1

 

Finished the bridge objectives and now moving onto adjust the next group I just wanted to check something with you. You seem to have removed the objective_trains group?

 

Is that intentional? 

 

If it is then no problem but if not, I will reinstate it from my mod template (since I am trying to add a more realistic flak environment)

Hi Stonehouse,

Yes, my intention was that for this mod to concentrate on the combat near the front lines from june - august 44.

I wanted to avoid, that trains are placed by EMG as ambient targets and waste computer performance.

And I suppose that more or less most railway connections in the invasion area have already been destroyed before D-Day.

So in my modification I will not include trains. And in general currently for me this is more or less a final version.

 

But maybe it could be interesting if you continue independently the development of this mod.

I or we could publish in parallel 2 different independent versions.

It is for example possible to use alternative objectives.json files that can be activated with a mouse click with batch files.

One could be for general missions with focus of combat near front lines and another one with trains, railway stations,... activated for interdiction missions far behind the front.

 

But in general from my point of view train attack missions before D-Day from UK Airfields can be flown already with the default EMG Channel Map / Normandy Front, together with your already working flak environment / generators.

 

Edited September 13, 2024 by kraut1

[Stonehouse]

1 hour ago, kraut1 said:

I wanted to avoid, that trains are placed by EMG as ambient targets and waste computer performance.

OK - Fair call. Agree that all the marshalling yards would likely have been flattened in preparation for the invasion and so trains wouldn't be running near the invasion zones. Although I believe some rear area ones were used to move German reinforcements up to the front. Perhaps worth reinstating some of the more southern inland trains and railyard objectives near major towns?

 

I think these are possible objectives rather than ambient but perhaps I have missed something. ie only added to the mission if it is the objective. Certainly, it works that way for airfield objective AAA. If you remember that was what started me on this EMG modding journey.

 

I've actually been wondering if you could have a parent trigger zone - covering a large area - and have the conditions on the helper template groups within the parent zone refer to it. Perhaps the "radar" zones.

 

EG so for instance the triggers on a AAA group in the template are enemy aircraft closer than x meters activate and further than y meters deactivate. I assume all these low-level triggers are constantly checked by the game when the mission is running. If you could have a compound condition so activation was "enemy within parent zone and closer than x meters activate, if enemy not within parent zone deactivate. I know how to do that in DCS and know it's more efficient there but not sure how you would do that in IL2 and check to see if there is a benefit or not. Implementing it if there was a benefit would need Vanders intervention I imagine as there would be additional coding.