Panzer Elite - Ostpak Redux Mod

"Ostpak Redux" is a mod that will contain an updated version of the so-called Ostpak extension, which had a heavy focus on the eastern front.

What's changing?
- engine is replaced with the latest work of Aldo - I'm trying to incorporate as much as possible from PP2-X
- updated unit models (number of units will increase ober time but this is the most time consuming
- updated smoke and particle effects
- full-scale sound mod - individual sounds for each unit
- 3D tracks and wheels being added to most of the units
- better camera handling for exterior view (camera drag/lag can be disabled now)
- various bug fixes of Ostpak
and a lot more...

I have been heavily supported by the guys at PEDG: British Aldo, Slomo, Murkz, Yamato - thanks a lot.

I plan to release a Beta version that will contain Ostpak + the update in one package, and can be simply applied over a fresh copy (GoG) version of Panzer Elite. I will post videos/pictures into this thread.

Tiger E - update:

3D tracks and wheels added, main gun & mantlet replaced (recoils). Authentic sounds added based on Tiger 131 in Bovington:

https://youtu.be/IG9TMNVl8oA

T34:

Authentic sounds, 3D wheels, exhaust smoke, and updated texturing added:

https://youtu.be/mLv4btwWi-Y

King Tiger (Henschel & Porsche) updated models:

-Slomo's PP2-X model imported into Ostpak
- texture updated with individual markings and signs for wingmen

https://youtu.be/7P45PscVoRQ

Panther update:
- 3D Wheels & tracks ported from PP2-X
- Authentic Panther sounds

https://youtu.be/l2inDzuY8-0

Tiger II update:

https://youtu.be/uB0IomUkJ_E

Daskal, I have to say that you have that rare artistic instinct when making game videos. I have been watching your releases and kudos; you have the flair for the visually beautiful combined with the dramatic and excellent choices of background music! A rare combo. Keep it up! Looking forward to the release of your PPX-Ostpak Redux mod. BTW if you need more sounds for shots,tracks and explosions I have some available .Let me know!

Thank you, and hopefully you haven't seen anything yet in terms of whats coming ; )

I would very much welcome the sound offerings if they can be used with the mod & there is no copyright issue!

I can reassure you.Many of the sounds were offered to me by a common friend-colleague (Txema). Others I got from games I own and some were given to me by some modders playing various WW2 games ( Darkest Hour etc)...

Some of the sounds you actually have in your own sound mod as I downloaded it and installed it on my PE installation.

Jagdtiger update:
https://youtu.be/cvAYysqOFdI

Daskal,
Here is a text I just emailed to Simon, please not the last paragraph.

YUKU seems to be down, and I need to record this info, so your email is my best choice.

The problem with the new tool is related to the code for add and remove rrf objects in the 1.04 and 1.05 OE. That will not make Daskal happy. The problem seems to be induced zeros that the game engine never reads. IE the miss alignment is caused by those two routines if the number of vertex count of the object added or removed is not an even number.

I am not sure yet of the exact error in my logic when I wrote that routine. I remember adding this:
// small routine to determine the memory foot print of a model part.
uint32 determineDataSize(rrObject Obj, int32 ObjectNumber, int32 LOD)
{
uint32 DataSize = (uint32)Obj->partArray[ObjectNumber].meshArray[LOD].attribVList -
(uint32)Obj->partArray[ObjectNumber].meshArray[LOD].faceList;

// now add the number of verticies
int32 vCount = Obj->partArray[ObjectNumber].meshArray[LOD].vertexCount;
if(vCount&1) vCount++;
DataSize += vCount * sizeof(uint16);

return( DataSize );
}
That ++ line is the problem.

I do know that the C language of the game program compensates by using the correct memory pointers with one exception. I can also force the new tool to read the same data regions. I have been hex comparing the new tool saved file against the original and which texture lib numbers trigger a change (32 tlb increase). That work found the bug. I can easily write the tool to compensate for the error, with the exception I mentioned.

The exception I mentioned is the Z sorting list. This data starts at the end of the 3D object data. I still do not know the exact make up of this info and if it only affects the software rendering mode..

I recommend a complete halt to any OE work that adds or removes objects to an RRF. The error is a spacing error, so I should be able to make a tool to save any contaminated work.

Hi Aldo - was about to text you here as well. Seems like I cant login to the Yuku forums for the moment. With regards to the above.

What is the exact/visible issue or impact? I have been doing the work through OE 1.04 all along. the game and models seem to work just fine.

The YUKU hosted, PEDG forum has been down since YUKU moved it to a new server. It seems to be back up for reading, but not everyone can log into there YUKU account. I am one of the people who is unable to login.

The exact issue is that adding a part to the model that has an odd number of vertices is adding zeros to sections of the data. The game engine uses memory pointers and data read sizes, so the extra zeros have are ignored in most of the sections of data. My concern is the Z sorting section and the unknown data at the end of the RRF file. I am still working out the exact impact on all the data and how it is affected. Once that is done, I can write a tool that will remove the unused zeros.

It is very probable that the 3D rendered version of the game engine is unaffected. I only found the problem when the texture ID tool I am writing thought the PP2x Firefly was using texture library #1.

Further update - Slomo's excellent Jagdpanther model in Ostpak setting:

https://youtu.be/vZ7hyKhR7zI

Where can I get all these wonderful toys?

Looks great, can´t wait to fire it up.

Daskal is a one person project. You have to ask him about early release and beta testing.

I am of the opinion that the error in the PEx OE does not cause an error in the game.

___
Article 10 of the US constitution.

So, I have spent the afternoon testing the OE, working with old models, etc, and I have come to the conclusion that the error is not an error. The "error" only exists as an unused vertex attribute. Deleting an object that includes the unused vertex attribute is the only time it may be a bug.

Sorry to disrupt your progress, carry on.

Thanks for checking Aldo - glad its not a show stopper!

Ardennes offensive - Stavelot:

https://youtu.be/yvxbnqz1q2A

Couple of screens from Normandy:

OUTSTANDING!!!! Still my FAVORITE armour sim...I cant wait to try it out..
Next question..I have reinstalled Pazer Elite Special edition..straight off of the CD..I believe I still have the original disk I made with all the OSTPAK addons..can anyone help me ..that is.walk me through what I need to to do to reinstall all the ostpak mods to get it up and running? Back in the day..I knew this all by heart..and the game right off of the CD..well the graphics are very limited..I THINK i have to just install one patch that came out after PESE and then install the mods...is that correct? Also...is there any time frame for when the new REDUX will be up and running? If soon..I will simply hold off and install it. Lastly..any help I can be with anything..testing..etc..please do contact m...I have tons of time..really looking forward to dedicating time to a good tank sim again.
I helped in 2007 with the beta testing of Tiger v. T34 when I lived there..that was fun...although the game never matured into what it could be...I remember there was one individiual who took on the take to mod that game..and it was pretty good but glitchy non the less for me for reasons I dont know..thanks again..very exciting to read this after all these years!

Where oh where can I download this wonderful mod? Thanks!

Question..what is a GOG version of Panzer elite? I read the Redux will be added over a fresh install of PE GOG..right now I have simply Panzer Elite Special Edition installed..CD..and nothing else..am I ready to go or am I missing something? Thanks.!

Anyone Anyone offer some help Please?

Chill baby baby chill. PE is an old game and support is slow and by users.

The original pressing of PESE was version 1.1. The second pressing was 1.2. Early GOG was English 1.1. There latest version should be English version 1.2. The main menu displays the version number.

You can find patch 1.2 for French, English and German versions of the game on the net. They are the same patch. Other language version did not have a patch and the original source for them was lost by JoWooD. It is not hard to create specific language versions.

You can find PE patch 1.2, at least for the next year, on the front page of brit44.com.

Edit:
Daskal is updating Ostpak to PEx standards (Ostpak Redux) as his own project. You could PM him through this forum, but PE is a hobby. He will be done when and if he is done.

Thanks Aldo..I sent you a PM re proper install and install location of PE SE 1.2 with the three ostpak scenarios and the three terrain addons. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi! Ostpak Redux will be a stand-alone mod that will include the Original Ostpak scenarios/campaigns + the new engine by Aldo + the enhanchements.. in short all you will need to do is to enable this mod over a fresh install of Panzer Eilte and you are good to go.

I will release a Beta version in January, right now I'm in the process of putting together the package, so stay tooned. I have been away durin gthe last week on holiday so have only seen your post now.

Thanks Daska. That is good news. And thank you for your work on this project and the package, and of course to Aldo the ever faithful as well.

Eugene

Thanks Daskal. That is good news. And thank you for your work on this project and the package, and of course to Aldo the ever faithful as well.

Eugene

Another sneek-peak from Operation Zitadella / Kursk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDNCAxGO2Mk

love the eastern front, Tigers and playing with mods!!
would give PE and ostpak a go!

So do I, just, pls, stop teasing and let us probe it .

I hear ya! January turned out to be more busy than anticipated, but now I'm back on track!

Im very excited for this! Looks awesome!

pp2x is really nice but its not a complete package for singleplayer yet, and PE3 has some issues with gunsights and pathfinding, so im hoping this will be a somewhat consistent singeplayer mod =) Dont get me wrong, pp2x and Pe3 is really nice but I always end up playing vanilla because of the the reasons I mentioned. Id be happy to help out reporting bugs and issues as soon as the beta is out.

I hope this is not out of place, but might i suggest using this picture for the main menu?
http://rusmania.com/perch/resources/img2768-1.jpg

The belgrod diorama also has alot of cool material to choose from.

Btw will all player tanks have a model with commander?

Looking forward to it guys!

It will be East Front "only" or will include the updated packs and vahicles of the Western front/Afrika too?

Downloading ?

Thats a neat picture, but a bit overcowded - I'll give it a shot though:

I havent decided on the final menu layout yet.
In terms of gunsights - I have aligned a big portion of them, but there will be some where you will need to adjust probably.

I have made updates to Western Front/Normandy and Afrika as well. Graphically/model wise Italy campaign/setting is the only one that is stillpending. Right now I'm doing testing of the scenarios - will report back with the compatibility list shortly.

33Lima,
it looks like my main board's south bridge has failed and taken my wide screen monitor with it. You are on your own for the forseable future. Sorry. Use the latest build but follow the rules for 1.04. I know, it is crap and not worth continuing. You might as well abandon the project.
I have had to revert to CRT monitor and single core XP box.

Thanks Daskal!

Was their an ETA on this.
Getting a PE itch...

+1

I have just realized that some of the models need fixing in Italy setting (texture issues) - so I'm going through those at the moment. Other than that all is looking good. I had to step back for a few weeks from PE to "recharge", but am back in the saddle again. ETA soon - I want to release a stable and not a half-ass package.

Great news Daskal!

+ 1
Looking forward to playing it

Keep up the good work! Cant wait to try!

Thank you for trying the picture btw, you are right, it was a bit crowded =)

Happy to report that it's done. The mod is ready. In order to release there are still a couple of things left to do:
- I'm putting together a couple of pages of readme / instructions
- I need o find a way to share (size is 3 GBs - as it will include everything from Ostpak - so you will need to enable this over a fresh version PE and thats it.)

Awesome news. Regarding the sharing, perhaps moddb or Mega or MediaFire?

Looking forward to the download button!

Coming along:

If your mod is self installing and/or you have the path correct, you can automatically update the enabler when the player adds the mod. The version I made for Nordic Games in 2011 should be replaced. The only thing I fixed since the update too Wings original is adding basic support for non English text characters (ie wild cards work again).

Thankfully the latest Windows 10 update that was reported to break all versions of PE is cured by following the tech advice from GOG.

I say kick your baby out into the world unless you have a repeatable example of the floating truck bug. (the only floating truck bug left seems to be if AI is in the flat plane, is destroyed and the player moves to that area). Anyway, I do have a new build that attempts to address this if you prefer to delay.

Release and we can wade through the complaints from users.

I'm ready for release, BUT I don't know yet how to share/host the mod. The packed size is ~ 2.2 GB. Originally I wanted to host it through Dropbox, but I would have to go Pro subscription & pay a monthly fee...

Are there any alternatives where files this size could be shared?

And what, the torrent does not suit?

Never hosted through torrent & I'm not planning to host 24/7 either. I'm ok with paying a couple of bucks for space if I have to but Dropbox is too costly.

Yandex disk. May be?

Hi Daskal,

Is http://www.moddb.com/ free ?

PS
Thanks for your job

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll try these.

You can check also the one I've posted earlier.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-MEGA-Cloud-Storage

Daskal,
yuku seems to be broken and I am unable to make a new post in the pedg forum. I sent you a PM through yuku.

Maybe Google Drive? it's free, have 10-15 GB of space, and direct links to files. p.s Thanks for all work!

Google drive and such personal cloud storage options have limited bandwidth AFAIK so won't be much good if more than a few people download the mod.

:screwy :












:whoohoo :

If only it were that easy.

Hi Daskal,

First off great job on this mod, congrats. Been watching vids on YT since I got PE, any news on when we can download your newest version?

Thank you and keep up the good work!

Care,

GZ

PD.: Found the link for the Beta...

Ostpak Redux Beta