#4363258 - 06/11/1703:57 PMThe missing forts around Verdun in WOFF: Mod is now available
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
.
Greetings All,
While working on the training modifications to the current Köln aerodrome for OldHat's project I discovered there was a fort nearby. At almost the same time I made this discovery Shredward sent me a plethora of information about not only the fort but also about the historically important Köln-Butzweilerhof aerodrome as well. Now I should point out that said aerodrome is a project that has been, for quite some time, on my list of things to build for WOFF as it is to Die Fliegertruppe what Farnborough and the CFS were to the RFC/RNAS. However, as this is another one of those LARGE projects it will have to wait a while. But in the course of trading e-mails with Shredward we got on the subject of the ring of forts around Verdun that have never been added into the WOFF landscape. There have only ever been the two forts of Douaumont and Vaux to the NE of the city and unfortunately little time was given to even those, (understandable as there were far more important things to add and refine in the sim). I told Shredward I would look into what I could do in terms of placing the additional dozen or so facilities around "The Devil's Anvil". As I have no clue how to build 3-D models for WOFF, (or any other sim for that matter), I am limited to working with what we currently have. So I've spent some time creating a generic facility file for the forts, (which will allow me to more easily fit them into the landscape), and I've gotten creative with some repainting of the stock textures. I've also added in a few buildings and trees and such to give the thing a bit more depth and life. I have attached a couple of screenies showing the "before and after" differences at this point. While it is not ideal I think what I currently have should show fairly well around Verdun and elsewhere.
(right-click on an image and open it in a new tab to view it full size)
The stock Fort Douaumont.
My reworked Fort Douaumont.
As always, any and all feedback will be much appreciated. What would be even more appreciated would be someone willing to build new models for each of the many forts that formed the ring around the city during the Great War.
Cheers!
Lou
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Looking good Lou,i really hope somebody can come along and help with the 3d models
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.
I concur with Adger!! I wish we could entice a modeller into this sim. That would be fantastic.
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
I think, even if Lou encircles Verdun with the existing fort model, and sprinkles a few more of the important ones up and down the line, that will be a tremendous addition to atmosphere, as well as navigation. However, if someone does want to step up to build landmarks, I have work for them. Cheers, shredward
Another great idea for a mod, Lou. I'm afraid I can't help with the object modelling, but please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
“With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable.”
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
.
Thanks for the input and encouragement everyone and for the offers to help. I have four forts located in the sim landscape so far which is a start, albeit a meager one given that the list I have at the moment contains 21 forts that need to be in and around Verdun. Here is that list, (and if I am missing any I am counting on Shredward to inform me of such):
Fort de Belleville Fort de Belrupt Fort de Bois Bourrus Fort de Chana Fort de la Chaume Fort de Choisel Fort Douaumont Fort de Dugny Fort d’Haudainville Fort de Landrecourt Fort de Marre Fort de Moulainville Fort de Regret Fort de Rozelier Fort St. Michel Fort des Sartelles Fort de Souville Fort de Tavannes Fort de Thiaumont Fort de Vacherauville Fort Vaux
It will go more quickly as I move along since I will not need to rework the landscape textures for every facility because once I have a choice of five or so I can pick the best one that fits the situation. Unfortunately I won't have much time this week to devote to this project what with a four-day work trip coming up. Ah well, c'est la vie.
Later All.
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
21 forts! That is quite a project! If you can merely place one-quarter or one-half of those, that will still be quite an addition to the sim. Heck, even one or two would be great. Bonne chance, mon ami.
“With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable.”
I asked Geezer, and he has given me permission to convert his Models to use in WOFF. No promises on when they will get done, but I'll work on it. I can't make new models, but I can adjust these to fit the WOFF terrain, as needed. Gives me something to do while I wait for the rest of the training models to be completed.
While working on the training modifications to the current Köln aerodrome for OldHat's project I discovered there was a fort nearby. At almost the same time I made this discovery Shredward sent me a plethora of information about not only the fort but also about the historically important Köln-Butzweilerhof aerodrome as well. Now I should point out that said aerodrome is a project that has been, for quite some time, on my list of things to build for WOFF as it is to Die Fliegertruppe what Farnborough and the CFS were to the RFC/RNAS. However, as this is another one of those LARGE projects it will have to wait a while. But in the course of trading e-mails with Shredward we got on the subject of the ring of forts around Verdun that have never been added into the WOFF landscape. There have only ever been the two forts of Douaumont and Vaux to the NE of the city and unfortunately little time was given to even those, (understandable as there were far more important things to add and refine in the sim). I told Shredward I would look into what I could do in terms of placing the additional dozen or so facilities around "The Devil's Anvil". As I have no clue how to build 3-D models for WOFF, (or any other sim for that matter), I am limited to working with what we currently have. So I've spent some time creating a generic facility file for the forts, (which will allow me to more easily fit them into the landscape), and I've gotten creative with some repainting of the stock textures. I've also added in a few buildings and trees and such to give the thing a bit more depth and life. I have attached a couple of screenies showing the "before and after" differences at this point. While it is not ideal I think what I currently have should show fairly well around Verdun and elsewhere.
(right-click on an image and open it in a new tab to view it full size)
The stock Fort Douaumont.
My reworked Fort Douaumont.
As always, any and all feedback will be much appreciated. What would be even more appreciated would be someone willing to build new models for each of the many forts that formed the ring around the city during the Great War.
Very nice Lou, I would like to help, but I have absolutely no computer skills. I can turn it and off. I built it, but that is the extent of my computer skills. I t is god that we have talented people such as you and all the other fine people who increase the immersion of this sim.
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
.
Thanks for the continued input and support folks, it is always inspiring. The following is a screenshot of a very nice fort model built and provided by Geezer and ported over into WOFF UE by OldHat. I am about done with the repainted textures you see here, which I just put together in order to have it all blend better with the landscape and look a bit more "organic".
(right-click on image and open in new tab to view it full size)
I have all the forts placed around Verdun and am now going around a second time and giving each a final tweak to fit them properly to their immediate surroundings, (having them hook up to nearby roads and such).
Must head out now for the day but I am hopeful that I can get back to this project again soon as there is still a fair amount to do.
Later all.
Lou
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked. _________________________________________________________________________
Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
Very nicely done Lou. Color tones and feeder road placements are spot on mate!
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4
Incredible work as always, Lou. Forts, airfields...I vote you to be the Official Landscaper for WOFF UE. Seriously though, your talents and dedication are deeply appreciated, good sir.
Incredible work as always, Lou. Forts, airfields...I vote you to be the Official Landscaper for WOFF UE. Seriously though, your talents and dedication are deeply appreciated, good sir.
WOFF:UE Computer Specs and set-up: Homebuilt Computer! Intel i5-3570k mildly overclocked to 3.8ghz AsRock Z75 mobo Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB (EVGA one fan version) 16 GB RAM 42 inch Sharp Aquos LCD TV with 120hz refresh Very old (over 20 years now) Aiwa Receiver/Amplifier Very old giant stereo speakers with newer sub-woofer Very old Logitech Wingman joystick with two buttons and a throttle slider Very old CH Thurstmaster analog footpedals Manhattan analog/USB converter W10
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 4,879RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
.
Good Morning All,
I can't believe it has been nearly five months since I last touched this project, what with the various curve balls RL has thrown at my family and I during the interim. However, I am easing back into my WOFF building efforts and this will be the first one I intend to complete. This last weekend I had time to work on the damaged textures for the forts in order to represent the first half of 1916 when a fair number of them were being attacked. By the last half of 1916 most of the forts to the east and north of Verdun were entirely flattened so my intent will be to have you see this in the sim landscape even if the front lines have not yet swept across the aforementioned forts. As is always the case with OFF/WOFF and its vintage game engine compromises must be made in order to get to where you want to be with such projects.
In addition to the ring of forts around Verdun I am also intending on adding in a few of the more historically important forts along the Western Front that can serve as additional landmarks and navigation aids. I traded emails with Shredward about this and he heartily agrees and will no doubt provide me with more info about such facilities than I will ever be able to use - the man's a wealth of such knowledge.
I am attaching a teaser showing the beginnings of the first of these historically important forts. I knocked together the skeleton for it over the last couple of mornings before work and I have the scale of thing fairly sorted out at this point and am now getting things placed about before I further refine and tweak the textures to blend and fit with the surroundings. You folks will now know at a glance when you are flitting about in the area of Lille.
I am happy to see you finding time for your pleasures in life. I know it's been a long haul and it's not over yet. Hang in there mate. Oh and by the way, how is the read going on Barker?
Best Regards!
(System_Specs)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Trooper PSU: Ultra X3,1000-Watt MB: Asus Maximus VI Extreme Mem: Corsair Vengeance (2x 8GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, Unbuffered CPU: Intel i7-4770K, OC to 4.427Ghz CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 240M Liquid CPU Cooler Vid Card: ASUS GTX 980Ti STRIX 6GB OS and Games on separate: Samsung 840 Series 250GB SSD Monitor: Primary ASUS PG27AQ 4k; Secondary Samsung SyncMaster BX2450L Periphs: MS Sidewinder FFB2 Pro, TrackIR 4