Kdriver got me thinking... Layout File Mods

Rami

Rami

Administrator
Staff member
Hey guys,

Kdriver suggested too me that I should create a GSL file for my rail yard...and it got me thinking. My only problem with this is that I use it for mission purposes only, and if it's GSL, it would be a permanent structure.

My thought instead is to perhaps upload a package of ready-made layout files for aspiring mission builder writers which allow you to place rail yards, aircraft factories, munitions plants, oil refineries, and perhaps a factory complex.

I could comb through my archives and see what other layout files I commonly use...
 
Map Orientatiuon?

My question is: is it possible to change the orientation of a layout or must it always remain the same as the original?
 
SW 07,

Yes, you can change the orientation of a layout.

Once you install the layout file into your scenery through the MB:

1. Left click on one of the objects to turn it green.
2. Hold Shift and Left click outside the group of objects and drag your cursor around them. You will create a box around them and the objects will all turn green.
3. Once they are all green, you can move them anywhere on the map and place them where you want them on their original axis.
4. Now you'll need to orient their axis to fit the terrain or the harbor.
5. Hold Alt and place your cursor at the point you want the Layout to rotate around. A red + will appear at the rotation point.
6. Hold alt and then click and drag the group of objects around around the rotation point (Red +) until you are satisfied with the orientation.
7. When you are satisfied with the orientation, left click outside the group of objects and they will turn white and be locked in position.
8. Save and continue on with the mission building project.
Like the MB GSL tools, most of this detail about the layout files was not included in the CFS 2 handbook or the internal Help file. Instead, it was discovered gradually by Leroy, Pen32 and others.
 
Layouts Continued

Layouts continued:

I have a library of theater specific layouts built and I can generally find one that will work for most scenery building projects. You can modify the whole layout or portions of each layout or use it as is depending on your terrain features, roads or rivers.

When I save a layout file in the library, I also take a top down screen shot of it and name it the same so that I can choose and pick the applicable one quickly when building scenery.
 
What is also needed, especially in the ETO and MTO, are harbours and docks filled with all the wonderful ships which have been created in recent times.
 
Reply...

Kdriver,

I've made a few.....Portsmouth, Dover, and several in the Med for that Beaufighter campaign.

But in all honesty, that's a tall order which would need more than one participant.

I have a few in mind outside of England...Antwerp, for one.
 
Interesting...

I've been working on a few layouts like that for MB use here... An Ammo Dump, A Weapons Supply station, a dockside vehicle staging / loading area.....

Bet I'm not the only one, either.. Do I hear group collaboration ?

SC
:kilroy:
 
sc7500 said:
I've been working on a few layouts like that for MB use here... An Ammo Dump, A Weapons Supply station, a dockside vehicle staging / loading area.....

Bet I'm not the only one, either.. Do I hear group collaboration ?

SC
:kilroy:
Click to expand...

SC,

If they are as good as your Peenemuende layout, I would be looking forward to them.

I did one for Gibraltar but it was made totally obsolete by Jean Bomber's fabulous scenery.

KD
 
Reply...

sc7500,

This sounds like a wonderful idea. Just let me know!
 
Jagdflieger said:
SW 07,

Yes, you can change the orientation of a layout.

Once you install the layout file into your scenery through the MB:

1. Left click on one of the objects to turn it green.
2. Hold Shift and Left click outside the group of objects and drag your cursor around them. You will create a box around them and the objects will all turn green.
3. Once they are all green, you can move them anywhere on the map and place them where you want them on their original axis.
4. Now you'll need to orient their axis to fit the terrain or the harbor.
5. Hold Alt and place your cursor at the point you want the Layout to rotate around. A red + will appear at the rotation point.
6. Hold alt and then click and drag the group of objects around around the rotation point (Red +) until you are satisfied with the orientation.
7. When you are satisfied with the orientation, left click outside the group of objects and they will turn white and be locked in position.
8. Save and continue on with the mission building project.
Like the MB GSL tools, most of this detail about the layout files was not included in the CFS 2 handbook or the internal Help file. Instead, it was discovered gradually by Leroy, Pen32 and others.
Click to expand...

Jagdflieger,

I tried this, and it worked perfectly. Thanks for the tip! :ernae:
 
Jagdflieger said:
Layouts continued:

I have a library of theater specific layouts built and I can generally find one that will work for most scenery building projects. You can modify the whole layout or portions of each layout or use it as is depending on your terrain features, roads or rivers.

When I save a layout file in the library, I also take a top down screen shot of it and name it the same so that I can choose and pick the applicable one quickly when building scenery.
Click to expand...


Jag,

Silly simple question...but how do you get the pix of your Mission Builder screen? Is it Shift Print Screen?:salute:
 
Reply...

PJMack,

One way is to hit "Print Screen," then go into MS Paint and hit CTRL + V. Then save the image.

By the way...these are my ETO layouts if anyone's interested.
 
I like the idea of keeping a layout library,
layout files are quite small so you could package up quite a lot together.
May be one could organise them with a list of the object librarys required.

on a theme of "templates for mission builder"......!
how about convoy, formation and waypoint template missions.
or tank, truck and troop movements.

Man, you got me thinking now....

.......Rami just took a look at your layouts, do you have list of the librarys they need.
 
Reply...

Simon,

I'm taking those down and will upload a "proper" package tomorrow.
 
Sort of on subject...


I'm missing :

model revetment sb c
model revetment sb L
model revetment sb S
model revetment sb XL
model revetment sb M
model windsock S
model cliff
model lighthouse 01


This should bring me up to speed and thanks for any help.:jump:
 
Reply..

PJMack,

Check the other thread.

Simon,

Over the next week or so, I will upload four packages...

1) English / Allied base layouts (1940-era)
2) English / Allied base layouts (1943-onward)
3) German base layouts in Belgium, France, Austria, Holland, and Germany (1939-1945)
4) Harbors, factory complexes, and other misc. layouts

German bases are easier because I don't use static aircraft, just Paul Rebuffat's Bf-109 objects. These layouts do not cover EVERY base, just the ones I have used during the course of my ETO campaigns.
 
This has got me thinking about the different ways layouts may be used, and indeed the different ways chaps are using CFS2, perhaps I should start a new thread about that.

Keeping to layouts

1, Layouts intended for transfer into GSL (using MB);That contain permanent infrastructure either at air bases as with stock PTO, or around areas of common interest like target areas. Here we might count railyard buildings, factorys and dockyard piers and warehouses. Also incude here city landmarks, generic town and village layouts, forest layouts...

2, Layouts of transitory static objects for use in mission and campagn building.
These are layouts that fit in with GSL; procedural (FS)scenery etc.
All static trucks trains planes and vessels, Antiaircraft defenses, tents and items with dynamic effects that dont play in GSL, like smoking factory chimneys.

This second definition covers Rami's ETO packages.

I can understand why some people might like to add more transient infrastructure to GSL though.....as eyecandy for quick combat.
 
Screen Shots

PJ,

Sorry to take so long to get back to you on your question. I use Martin Wright's "MultiGrab" program to capture the shots, but any screen shot program should suffice.

I then use "Irfanview" (irfanview.com) to crop and adjust the shot for my records.

As for a list of objects in the layout, the layout file itself contains all objects used by the file.

Here are some shots from my layout library of standardized layouts:
 
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