3D & Animation WIP: Stug III F/8 - late model

[Slyk]

Technically, we worked through the hit detection with Ramm. It works, but not for prone animations. Don't use those. The current code for the BT7 supports hit detection. If you have questions or want some general suggestions on do-don't type stuff with the code, PM Teufelhund. We were talking about this thread today and he is more than happy to consult with you through his lessons learned. There are certainly some things you do not want to do. Making use of the existing code would be the best route, depends on your comfort level with it. We have riders on several stock tanks, if you recall the April video we put out, we had the T34/76 run by with four or so guys on the back. It's possible, and not difficult once you know what/where/how but there are technical implications to consider and Ramm more or less gave us a "let's wait and see" as far as CPU impacts etc. There is no question that riders add to load so you have to assume that being efficient with your code and model is vital. Just ask, we'll do what we can to help you out.

By the way, clock is ticking toward the AT gun package release. I assume you still want the pak40 and maybe the 251/22 for your late-war map. Hopefully within two weeks.

 

[Shurek]

Thanks Slyk!!! I will definitely get in touch with Teufelhund about some of the issues I've encountered. I'm going on vacation for about a week and will have to put this project aside for the time being though.

As I mentioned, it's only been about one week since I first started picking apart the vehicle and cannon pawn codes, and then jumped into coding this vehicle, so no doubt there are tons of mistakes and inefficiencies in what I've done. I'm actually more familiar with the infantry weapon code than the vehicles. Still I have a lot to learn, I know. And I do remember your video...it actually inspired me to start working on the StuG (along with a History Channel docu on the run up to Stalingrad).

And last, but not least...yes, bring on the new guns...Altdamm is waiting!

 

[Slyk]

Well, depending on your experience or desire to learn/work with the code, we are always looking to add some free-lance guys to the team. Teufel is your best non-TWI resource at this time, no point wasting the opportunity to just ask!

 

[RemyS]

WOW I WISH WE HAD THIS DURNING EFO IN MY OLD REALISM UNIT, we needed it on bonderavo when our stug was close inf support.

 

[Nugetti23]

Ah again great job.
It would be allsome if TW add it on game!

 

[Capt.Marion]

nifty nifty nifty

 

[[VFD]HH]

Any chance on an getting an update on how this project is doing?

 

[Shurek]

Sure thang...

It was more or less finished anyway except for the following items which have been taken care of now:

1) Added a custom tank skin by Welt, specifically designed for the Voronezh map
2) Fixed (I think) the rider hit detection issues, thanks to the AHz guys
3) Went back and created a panzer grau and a dunkel gelb version just in case

The final package will be released when I put out the first Beta for Voronezh at the end of this month.

 

[Heldentod]

how about raising the rider amount to 5 slots ? it would be a better use for transporting and supporting the troops

 

[Shurek]

For what it's worth, I added a fourth rider. This is enough to call this thing "Final", I believe. If you think about it, at max capacity, you're looking at potentially 7 people riding into a cap zone all at once (3 tankers and 4 infantry). That is, if you all make it there alive!

ps. White men can jump!

 

[=GG= Mr Moe]

Excellent!

 

[Captain Obvious]

Great Success!

Btw, did you add hatch animations for the loader/gunner? or is it 'permamently' open?

 

[Shurek]

Great Success!

Btw, did you add hatch animations for the loader/gunner? or is it 'permamently' open?

Unfortunately, it's a perma-open...and kinda faked at that.

Also, I should state that in the interest of realism/historical accuracy, I'm remounting the gun without the HT shield. As all the experts know, the MG34 didn't have a permanent mount on the StuG until Winter of '42-43, when the 'G' version was introduced. Before that , a "loose" MG34 with bipod was carried on board to take care of those pesky anti-tank guys The work shouldn't take me too long. Will post pics later.

 

[Shurek]

Just put the finishing touches on the remounted MG34, which makes the StuG more historically accurate for maps portraying summer and fall of '42

 

[[VFD]HH]

Looks great.

I demand it.

NOW!

 

[SchutzeSepp]

now THAT is an infantry support vehicle! great job.

 

[_MB_]

Great work

 

[GS_Schimpf]

Very nice! Already looking forward to using that on Voronezh.

 

[mat69]

Looks nice, but it seems that there is some kind of clipping error (parts of a body) at the last picture you posted. To the left of the driving slit, close to the gun.

 

[Shurek]

Yeah, I noticed that too. I didn't mess with the driver or commander's configurations, so not to point fingers, but I think that's an error from the stock StuG vehicle.

As for additional improvements or work, the only thing I could think to add would be a muzzle flash and ejecting shells to the MG. That would require additional time on the coding that I don't know if I have right now. Maybe before final release I can get to it, but my progress on my map has been WAY slower than anticipated.