KingTigerZip.zip

Vincent "MEGA" Crane

This modification replaces the default low resolution M4 Sherman tank with a more sophisticated model that references two high resolution bitmaps. 
 
Installation
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Before installing this, or any other, custom modification, you are advised to make a backup of your original ww2.sqs archive. 

This distribution includes high resolution (512x512) textures. If this high resolution skin is installed on a system with an inadequate video card, a crash to desktop will likely occur during the game.

Instructions

Extract the contents of this archive to the WWII Fighters\Data directory.  Assuming the
default installation, this is: C:\Program Files\Jane's Combat Simulations\WWII Fighters\Data

The files will be extracted to a new directory WWII Fighters\Data\Sherman.

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the WWII Fighters\Data\Sherman.

To install the updated Sherman J3D model and bitmaps double-click on the install_Sherman... icon. This will open up a DOS session and the installation will proceed in this window.  When the installation is complete, a message saying "INSTALLATION OF MEGA's HI RES SHERMAN WITH NEW 3D MODEL COMPLETE...CLOSE DOS SESSION" will be displayed in the window.  Close the DOS session by clicking on the X close button in the top right corner of the window.

Installation is now complete.

Designer's Notes

I prepared this modification in response to a plea by Pappy Cain for some improved western front armor. This distribution includes an updated J3D model that much more accurately reflects the shape of the Sherman. The two 512*512 bitmaps add much to the detail.

This mod employs several innovations: It is designed to make ready use of skins developed for Combat Mission. The skin distributed with this mod is 90% based on the work of "Mr. Noobie",a very skilled modder contributing to the CM Mod Database Site. The bitmaps were designed to mimic the dimensions utilized by the Combat Mission series and should facilitate additional skins based on this model.

The national markings and personalization are set on a "see through" background. The intent here is to allow for easy creation of customized  names or phrases as was frequently done with US armor- "noseart for armor" if you would. The skin is also set up in such a way that it is very straightforward to change the nationality, so perhaps we will see some English, French, or Polish skins. 

The LST file has adjusted rendering distances based on testing. This allows the new model, though more sophisticated, to be rendered only at ranges closer that Janes had originally established for the L1 files. This should counteract the frame rate impacts of the more sophisitcated model.

Many thanks to SPAM and Skycat for playtesting this mod and providing valuable feed back that resulted in a higher quality  distribution of this mod.  


MEGA

