New Infantry Animations

[Adrian Taylor]

I am pleased to say that BBFred (RTV fame) has joined the Ostfront team and is presently working on some new infantry animations.

He has so far created a new animation for the German Grenadier, thus allowing this infantryman to use both HE and AT rifle grenades.

Also he has created a Radioman to go with the Officer in the German Forward Observer team



You can look forward to further work from BBFred scheduled for release in the near future


Adrian

[Bogan]

the radio operator looks really good.
i can see him holding the radio mic and directing artillery!

these little details make a lot of difference in my opinion.
part of what makes this game so enjoyable is the animation, so any more is greatly appreciated.

keep up the good work BBFred.

ps, the grenadier is also Great.

[sunray]

Yes. Great work!! It will be good to see those new animations.

Then all I need to do is get a 21 inch monitor, so my tired old eyes can see those animations to the extent that willl do them justice. I play the game with my resolution set to 800X600, and I still can't see the details on the infantry as well as I would like to, even with my 17 inch monitor.

I have been over on the Nival and CDV forums, telling them that BK 2 needs to have a camoflage command for all units. To achieve reasonable realism, you need to be able to spring ambushes properly, and hide your units from being spotted from the air. In "World War 2: Frontline Command" they had a camoflage command, and when you used it the unit erected a camo net that stopped it being spotted until the enemy were very close. And you make the unit hold its fire, until you ordered it to.

I also think (only my humble opinion)that the engineers trucks (and halftracks in OstFront) should have at least 4 engineers doing its work. It looks more realistic.

Sorry, I just get over enthusiastic about realism.

The idea of extra animations in OstFront is very appealing. Please give us more.

regards

sunray
;D ;D

[Adrian Taylor]

Yeah, my eyes start going cross eyed

There is a camouflage model in BK 1, but it looks like its one of the features that got dropped at Beta. I gather it would of been similar to the entrench facility for tanks.

Anyway, back to Ostfront. I have taken a number of steps to reduce the spotting ability of planes and tanks.

1) I have decreased the Sight Power of all tanks from 1 to 3. It makes alot of difference which is not apparent in the Demo.

2) All transport vehicles I have found are crap at spotting unless they are towing a gun. So no more using the Ambulance as a Recce vehicle.

3) Increased the camo rating of most vehicles and guns.

4) Also decreased the Sight Power of Planes. The Po 2 and Storch have 2 while all the rest have 3. So apart from the two mentioned above the other planes will need to fly over units to spot them.

5) Scripting. If I want to set-up a ambush position that can't be spotted by planes or long distance recce I will use scripting. Basically the ambushing units will only appear on board once the player moves units within an area. This I have already done in the Demo and in the "All Quiet" mission.

Yes, there will be a few more new units with corresponding animations appearing in the next release. I take your point about 4 engineers, but I think this will increase productivity. Okay for mines but nor sure about repair or building trenches.


Adrian

[sunray]

Hi Adrian,

I would really like to see the extra engineers per truck. If doubling the number of engineers doubled their repair/build speed, couldn't you just halve the repair/build speed of an engineer? But hey, it's your mod, the last thing I want to do is try and tell you what to do.

Re the camoflage model in BK. I was one of the beta testers, and I honestly don't recall seeing it. It may have got scrapped before the game got to us. You do seem to have the bases covered though, when it comes to many of the ways to stop the player, and the AI, from seeing units easily.

And when the OstFront release comes, and goes, don't forget to have a little R and R. Go and check out some Napoleonic websites. HistWar is looking amazing. If I don't miss my guess, it will set the standard for wargames of that era, for a long time to come.

regards

sunray
;D ;D

[Adrian Taylor]

I will check the engineers out. Yep, can reduce their rate of work, Duh!

I think my R&R will be spent with my family, otherwise . Although she is interested in going to Normandy/Brittany for a break during the summer (time to do some research, me thinks).

Adrian

[Bogan]

i had a really good look at the grenadier today on 800by600by32 resolution., the animations are a real treat.

if these bitmaps come out ok, then here are a few stills of the animation.
there is a bit more to it than this, but it gives a reasonable impression for anyone who is curious.

the full animation shows him grab a grenade from his webbing/pack, load it up on one knee and then aim and fire.







.

[foxy]

Nice work Otis, busy chap you are mate ;D