SP Online Icon Database...

[MarkSheppard]

Trying this one out with my ISP provided webspace, let me know what you think:

Link (http://home.comcast.net/~mksheppard/SPCAMO/SPCAMO.htm)

Unfortunately, I can't show LBMs in their native format on webpages, so I converted them to 256 color GIFs, which should convert back to LBMs without any problems...

[thatguy96]

I think its awesome. I think the format's pretty cool too. Are you looking to fill in all the information to allow people to dl the icons and add the units by themselves?

[MarkSheppard]

Yeah, basically

[thatguy96]

That's a really cool idea too. I'll definitely keep an eye on this for updates. How much spaces does one of the entries take in comparison to how much space you get? Can people submit things to you?

[MarkSheppard]

Yeah, just submit any icons or whatever you've done to me at ryancrierie@yahoo.com

[MarkSheppard]

Hm I'm faced with a quandary....

Should I maintain the icons as they are in native .bmp format; which sometimes does not work well with modern web browsers; and takes up space; or should I convert them to 16.7 million color PNGs?

The BMPs for the Crusader SPH are: 97~ kb
The PNGs for the Crusader SPH are: 7~ kb

But I'm not sure whether to do it or not; because I imagine a lot of people don't have decent image editing programs that can be used to convert between formats...

[thatguy96]

Would you save enough to then provide a .zip or .rar to dl with the original .bmps and still have it be practical in terms of space saved? Just a thought.

I know that's in many ways very complicated too, but I have noticed that converting back from other formats somethings changes the colors dramatically and causes "flickering" because some of the new colors are dynamic.

[PlasmaKrab]

I agree, getting a lightweight front pic and a link to an archive may be the best solution, though more complicated.
PNG pics I have tested tend to stick to the original colors but don't lose much weight. Anyhow, retroconversion in itself is a moot point since even the Windows image browser can handle PNGs. Now if there has been the slightest change in the image, the end user will need to reindex it to the palette, which 1) isn't something everyone will spend time to do and 2) takes a large bit off the point of having icons delivered ready to use when in fact they aren't.
It all depends on the storage space and working time you are ready to devote to this.

BTW, do you store and sort LBMs as well?

[MarkSheppard]

Yeah, it's very practical in space

Example:

M2001 Crusader Icons in BMP: 93 kb

Same icons zipped up with PNG placeholders: 19 kb

[MarkSheppard]

Updated all the pages to use the new PNG format + zip of BMPs; and added one new page: the Marder 2 by Plasma.

[MarkSheppard]

BTW, do you store and sort LBMs as well?

I have about 2,379~ LBMs sorted taking up 69 MB of space on my hard drive; most are in color or sorts. But the big problem is categorizing them, perhaps I should do it by series, like put all the Panzer IV related LBMs onto a single page+download?

[oragus]

So how much stuff you gonna put on here? I have all kinds of stuff I could give ya to put on there?

[RecruitMonty]

Ok,The IS 7 is mine. Other than that if you want any icons for Germany drop me a line and I will hand over everything you want for the icon forum thingy. Great idea by the way.

[MarkSheppard]

So how much stuff you gonna put on here? I have all kinds of stuff I could give ya to put on there?

I have about 1 GB of webspace from my ISP; and well, the average page costs about 100~ kb to put up (I'm now including a picture of the unit for some rare items); and at 1 GB, that's roughly 10,000 pages.

[MarkSheppard]

Ok,The IS 7 is mine.

Right, I've been going through the back pages of this forum to find out who made who; seeing a file saying 342321-Patton.zip isn't very informative; and I've switched to a new save file system, such as:

Oragus-Patton.zip

to let me know who did it.

[MarkSheppard]

Ok,The IS 7 is mine.
Right, I've been going through the back pages of this forum to find out who made who; seeing a file saying 342321-Patton.zip isn't very informative; and I've switched to a new save file system, such as:

Oragus-Patton.zip

to let me know who did it.

[RecruitMonty]

So when are you going to change the file then? The offer for units still stands I made some winter icons for the Marders and the Leopards.

[MarkSheppard]

I'll change the files tonight; and for the Marders/Leopards, send the icons to ryancrierie@yahoo.com

[oragus]

So when I release a new set you want me to send a set directly to the above email also, or do you want to pick them off the forums?

[MarkSheppard]

Either way works.

[RecruitMonty]

Ok will do asap.

Done!

[MarkSheppard]

Got your leopard 1s in winter Monty...

Oragus; I'm working up your Pershing series M26/M45 icons and am setting up the HMTL work now.

I'm also modifiying my earlier "Super Pershing" icons, making new ones based off your new Pershings, and making a T99 MRL icon to round out the Pershing series...

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4708/m26witht99pl7.jpg
Da M26 with T99...

Great Innit?

[oragus]

So, that a request to add that on my Pershings? lol For the record, I was gonna look into those kinda things when I got around to doing those "Tiger Killers" you posted a while back. Just haven't gotten around to doing those quite yet....

Oh, it just hit me, you gonna snatch up the M-46s as well? Which reminds me I need to put the Tiger/Dragon faces on my Pershings and Shermans to round out the Korean Pact I was flirting around with on the M-46. I know the Chaffee had some kinda Eagle face. I don't know on any other armored units that the faces?

[oragus]

Make sure you test those icons with the double baffled muzzle brake. There is a bug that you have to work with to prevent them getting messed up when converting .bmps to .shps in ShpEdit. Look at my M26s and you'll see the lonely pixel out in front of the muzzle brake. That is the first pixel of the row 0, front right to left. It has to be moved out in front or it will "squeesh" your brake together in the .shp.

[oragus]

I just had an idea for you Mark. What about only displaying the whole icon? Instead of showing the hull and the turret with 2 files. Why not just show the complete icon as in the game in one file. The turret on the hull in the proper location? Cuts down on files you have to display. I also include a complete icon file to show what its supposed to look like in game as well as proper placement of the turret and what not, when I release a set. I don't know about you but when I am checking out people's work, the first thing I do is get the hull and turret and mount the turret on the hull and then check it out. Just a thought for you.

[RecruitMonty]

You like? I can give you the Marders too.

[MarkSheppard]

Yeah send me the marders

[MarkSheppard]

So, that a request to add that on my Pershings? lol For the record, I was gonna look into those kinda things when I got around to doing those "Tiger Killers" you posted a while back. Just haven't gotten around to doing those quite yet....

Ha, already up at:

Link (http://home.comcast.net/~mksheppard/SPCAMO/Pershings/Pershing.htm)

But if you want to try them yourself, I can send you the drawings for the T26E4.....

Oh, it just hit me, you gonna snatch up the M-46s as well?

Yup. It just takes me some time to do each page....

[MarkSheppard]

Pattons by Oragus (http://home.comcast.net/~mksheppard/SPCAMO/M-46_Patton/M46_Patton.htm)

I incorporated your "view them as in game Idea", but don't expect me to change over everything RIGHT away, conversions will take time for every page...

[oragus]

Ha, already up at:

Ha, that is funny...lol. Guess not! lol...

But if you want to try them yourself, I can send you the drawings for the T26E4.....

Once I get to the "Tiger Killer", I'll mess around with those most likely, but I am in no hurry.

Yup. It just takes me some time to do each page....

I am not trying to rush you whatsoever Mark, please don't think I am, not my intention.

I incorporated your "view them as in game Idea", but don't expect me to change over everything RIGHT away, conversions will take time for every page...

So I take it you like the idea? Mark, I have learned to not expect anything, so therefore if something does happen, its all bonus. I bet it does take time to do all that? Now keep in mind, my idea was to make less work not more work. ie, dropping the "just hull" and "just turret" files. Only display the "in game view". Cuts down on storage space used and the amount of files the page has to display.
But if you want all that, that is cool too!

[Djuice]

Just to let you know your M46 Patton link, doesnt work.

You have a backslash instead of a forward slash in the address.

[oragus]

It works for me!

[RecruitMonty]

So... updates?

[MarkSheppard]

I'll try to do some more tomorrow, lol.

[MarkSheppard]

I've added Oragus v1.2 Panthers:

Panther Ausf A, D, F, and G
Panther II
Jagdpanther
Bergepanther

Oragus' P-1000 Ratte

to the DB

[oragus]

Mark,

The Panthers look good, but one small error. The first Ausf G. You have labeled as "skirtless" when in fact that one has skirts. No problem or anything, just a minor oversight most likely, thought I would point that out if you haven't already saw that.

[oragus]

Well, looks like I need to make some Ausf A Bergepanthers by your sources Mark? When I looked around all I saw were Ausf Ds and hints that a small number of Ausf Gs were built. I'll add those to my to-do list.

[RecruitMonty]

and the Winter icons? Or do they need re-doing?

[SGTGunn]

Hey Mark,

Love the database idea - I'll be nice to have a central place to consolidate new icons. BTW - the MBT-70, XM-8 AGS, and AH-56 Icons are by me ~_^.

I've got a bunch more kicking around my computer MBT and WW2. I'll email them to you when I get a chance (I don't have my laptop with me at the moment).

Some WW2 ones:

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=533659&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#Post534009

MBT ones:

http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=spmbttoe&Number=530936&For um=All_Forums&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=52 0782&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=7410&daterange =1&newerval=5&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bod yprev=#Post530936

(though the link is down, so you can't download them anymore - I'll have to email them)

Adrian

[SGTGunn]

Hey,

Sorry I haven't mailed those icons yet - the computer I normally have access to in Iraq blocks all "game" related websites, so I can't get onto the forum. I'm heading home on leave in about a week, so I'll send them from home.

Adrian