Hesco Infantry Base MoD 1.0

[Cross]

This mod replaces one multi-hex stone building icon with an infantry platoon sized Hesco base (not for vehicles).

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28868437/Forum%20Images/screen.print.2.png

HOW TO USE THIS MOD (after installing)

Go to the Map Editor
Click on Special Building button
Scroll to: Factory – Multiple Hex
Place a factory on the map and scroll through the factories until you see the Hesco Base

ZOOMS
Mod includes all 6 zoom levels (magnifications).

DEFENSE
The base is considered a ‘stone building’ so infantry get roughly the correct protection. My understanding is that a single Hesco will stop rifle bullets, but RPGs can get through 60” which is more than the thickness of most Hesco sizes. But RPGs can go right over the top anyway.

MAP MAKING
If you make a map using this Hesco base mod, and share the map with other players, they will also need the mod in order to see the Hesco base on the map. Without the mod they will see the vanilla factory building.

NB. While you have this mod installed, any map that normally uses the vanilla multi-hex factory building (icon 30 in TER 27 shape file) will appear with the Hesco base instead.

This mod installs a backup of the vanilla shape files so you can easily switch to the vanilla building.

Before and After
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28868437/Forum%20Images/Hesco.hedge.screen.print.7.png


Download
Download the attached zip file: Hesco_Base_MoD_1.0.zip

Installation
1. Unzip ‘Cross Hesco_Base_MoD_1.0.zip’ to your winSPMBT folder, and ‘replace all’:

This mod will replace these six files in your GRAPHICS folder:

TER27z0.shp
TER27z1.shp
TER27z2.shp
TER27z3.shp
Ter27z4.shp
TER27z5.shp

but only replaces one building (icon 30 in TER 27).

Your Graphics folder is located here:
winSPMBT/Game Data/Graphics

This mod will install a back up of the original shape files in a folder in your Graphics folder; so you can easily revert to the vanilla building.

FUTURE HESCO MODS
Ideally, we would have a variety of Hesco bases in different designs and sand colours.
If anyone designs additional Hesco bases - or even has ideas for Hesco base design - and wants help turning them into a mod, please contact me or post here.

There is the possibility of a Hesco hedgerow mod in the future, where Hesco can be laid out on a map instead of hedgerow. This would be ideal for larger bases and airfields that vehicles could occupy.

See this thread regarding Hesco hedgerows:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=49832&page=2

Shrapnel Mod Advisory:
This mod is not endorsed or supported by Shrapnel Games or The Camo Workshop.



Cross

[Simicro]

Hi Cross,

I am too new to winSPMBT and wargame to play with MODs (I'm too busy learning the game at this stage) however your new building looks nice!

[gila]

Hi Cross,

I am too new to winSPMBT and wargame to play with MODs (I'm too busy learning the game at this stage) however your new building looks nice!

Welcome!!
have fun learning "it ain't easy" take your time learning, and wait to see if you actually want to add MODs later,as they don't change how the game works much really,just eye candy really.

[Simicro]

Thank you gila for your advice.

[shahadi]

This mod replaces one multi-hex stone building icon with an infantry platoon sized Hesco base (not for vehicles).

FUTURE HESCO MODS
Ideally, we would have a variety of Hesco bases in different designs and sand colours.
If anyone designs additional Hesco bases - or even has ideas for Hesco base design - and wants help turning them into a mod, please contact me or post here. Cross

My next idea for a "Hesco" design is to model a typical Afghani village compound. The layout would be similar to the current Hesco base, however, replace the tents inside the base with buildings.

The following depicts an Afghan compound using level 1 hills, then placing single stone buildings inside. One big problem is height, the building elevations are not higher than the level 1 hills so platoon members have an obstructed view of the surrounding space (non if the surrounding is level.) I would like a shp file similar to the Hesco base but depicting an Afghani compound similar to the pic below:


https://sites.google.com/site/winspmbt/config/pagetemplates/winspmbt-assets/Afgan%20compund%20level%201%20hill.jpg?

Most of the Afghan operations involve securing an Afghani compound for SBF or overwatch position, thus an Afghan scenario would benefit from Afghan compound and a Hesco base as well.

Is it possible to elevate the buildings higher than the level 1 hill?

All comments/suggestions appreciated.

[Imp]

Takes a bit of time as have to set each hex individually but why not use hedgerows.
Set to height 5 & density 20 as a guess for starting point if you want LOS across them.

[shahadi]

Takes a bit of time as have to set each hex individually but why not use hedgerows.
Set to height 5 & density 20 as a guess for starting point if you want LOS across them.

Hmm... how to set height and density?

Thx

[Imp]

Hex height *
Obstacle Height <
Density >

[shahadi]

Hex height *
Obstacle Height <
Density >

Can you point me to the documentation?

[Imp]

Map editor help files though < > are new so may not have been added in which case will be in patch notes

[DRG]

All the shortcuts are listed in the help file that appears when you are in the editor. In the case of < and > for Obstacle Height and Density , these only perform that function in the custom editor and are clearly marked "CUSTOM MAP EDITOR" in the help file

Don

[shahadi]

"...with the ability to adjust the building code to allow the ground under buildings to be raised up (my emphasis added) so troops in them have the ability to overlook the surrounding terrain." SpMBT Guide Extended CD Features, Game Manual, version 13 March 2013.

I'm looking forward to the 2014 release!

[DRG]

You forgot the important part at the beginning of that sentance--------- "We hope" It might happen, it might not. That depends on a number of factors. I didn't promise anything, I said " We hope"

Don

[shahadi]

You forgot the important part at the beginning of that sentance--------- "We hope" It might happen, it might not. That depends on a number of factors. I didn't promise anything, I said " We hope"

Give Hope a chance! So, with the 2014 release will designers have the ability to allow the ground under buildings,"...to be raised up so troops in them have the ability to overlook the surrounding terrain?"

Also, sometime in 2013, I raised the question of planned troop disembarkation from an APC, where a scenario designer can plan a unit to disembark from an APC at the end of a waypoint. If not considered in 2014, how about in 2015? I think it would add tremendous value to the game.

[DRG]

Not going to happen this year. We had hoped it would but as simple as it sounds it affects a fundamental part of the building placement code that has spin off effects we neither have the time or enthusiasm to tackle at this time

Don

[scorpio_rocks]

This mod replaces one multi-hex stone building icon with an infantry platoon sized Hesco base (not for vehicles).

FUTURE HESCO MODS
Ideally, we would have a variety of Hesco bases in different designs and sand colours.
If anyone designs additional Hesco bases - or even has ideas for Hesco base design - and wants help turning them into a mod, please contact me or post here. Cross

My next idea for a "Hesco" design is to model a typical Afghani village compound. The layout would be similar to the current Hesco base, however, replace the tents inside the base with buildings.
All comments/suggestions appreciated.

Just a "quick stab" (mostly cutting and pasting existing stuff) - Would this work? Could / would be a replacement for a multi-hex factory as Cross' Hesco Base above.
This is the "Level 4 zoom" .bmp file (I dont have the ability to create the other zoom levels, sorry)

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb192/scorpio_rocks/afghancompound_zoom4_zps85cc127e.png

If someone can create the other zoom levels (Cross?) and add it to the mod I would be gratefull (perhaps as 29 or 31, alongside the hesco base?)

[shahadi]

I like it! Maybe, a light infantry platoon sized area it appears to me. Really, the project is kinda stalled until we can raise the ground under the buildings.

[Paderborn]

Very nice!:D

[scorpio_rocks]

Is anyone able to "work the magic" necessary to create the different zoom levels for buildings?