Graphic mods

Editing Tools

HeloSwapper

version 4.5
by fng2k

with thanks to Pretzel, Bryon the pilot, Venom Viper and the fearless test pilots of 1BHS

If you already have an earlier version of HeloSwapper installed, version 4.5 will detect it, and automatically upgrade it.

During the HeloSwapper installation, it will create backups of your GUNSHIP 3D objects and Flight Model parameters, as well as re-named copies of numerous files. All this will use about 10MB of hard drive space.

Changes in version 4.5:

-New background graphics for the Arming and Loading screens, showing the currently selected aircraft.
-New Flight Models, thanks to the advice generously provided by a former combat helo pilot named Bryon.
-Detects your current ReverseCollective setting, and uses it for the new aircraft's Flight Models.
-several minor bug fixes

Changes in version 4.2:

-A no-CD setup option is available.
-The program tests to make sure it is in the right place before creating folders. (Thx VV)
-Menu Option 2 lets you easily install new versions of HeloSwapper without manually deleting old files
-Fixed "invisible tree line" bug
-An additional aircraft, sort of...

New version 9/21/2001

(click to view screencaps)

click below to download

HELOINST45.EXE (55kb)

This is a self-extracting,
self-installing zip file.
(the install path is US default, but is user definable)

(mirror site):
Heloinst45.exe

This version includes customizable Flight Models for each helo. It also includes 2 scenery enhancements:

Europe Plus replaces the individual deciduous trees with conifers.

Tropics replaces the individual deciduous trees with palm trees, and replaces houses, barns and outbuildings with mud-brick buildings.

All of these mods are selectable, and you can return to the original settings at any time.

THAT'S ALL VERY NICE, BUT HOW DO I ACTUALLY USE IT?

Skin swapping means that we take a helicopter that you can fly, and dress it up as one that you normally cannot. But we must still instruct Gunship to include the flyable helo we are re-dressing in the mission we want.

For the Red helos, this is easy because Gunship only shipped with one flyable Red helicopter. Therefore any mission that you would normally fly as a Red pilot in the Havoc, you can now fly a Hind, Hokum or Hip instead.

For the Blue helos, it's a little more complicated. There are three flyable Blue helos: The US Apache, the UK Apache, and the EuroCopter Tiger. The two Apache's share a Flight Model, but the Tiger has it's own. I needed to pick one Blue helo to use as host and because the Tiger had it's own FM, it seemed like the best compromise. This way Apaches and Sea Stallions could fly together and still perform appropriately.

So in order to fly any of the Blue helos, you must include Tigers in the mission programming. Many of the original missions included with GUNSHIP will allow you to fly any of these aircraft without editing the mission files. They are listed below.

You can also edit any other mission in the Battle Builder (or manually by opening a mission in a text editor like Notepad), and then changing at least 1 Blue helo unit to Tigers (127 or 112). Make backup copies first if you're unfamiliar with mission editing.

Here are the aircraft "PLATOON:" codes:

*The OH-58 Kiowa and V-22 Osprey were included, but not activated when Gunship was released.

A note about cockpits:

As of now, we don't have any way to edit or modify any graphic elements such as cockpit design or aircraft paint. These graphics which overlay the 3D wire frame models are called "skins", and are usually in .pcx format.

Microprose used an unknown compression method to store the several hundred graphic files in one single file, probably \data\images1.cat. If you have any information about how we can extract those files, edit them, and re-load them, please contact me and we will arrange for you to join our secret team of researchers who are laboring to crack this puzzle at a small farm outside Spokane, Washington.

Because of this, all the red helos use the Havoc cockpits, and all the Blue helos use the Tiger cockpits. The only cockpit edits I've made are for the Hind gunner. I've removed the windscreen frame as a crude way to emulate the bubble canopy used on that aircraft. There may be a way to emulate the door gunner position on the Blackhawk, too. Stay tuned.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MULTIPLAYERS

When playing Gunship in an on-line multiplayer session, you can change sides to play as Red and use one of the new helos, but only you might see it. Unless you are the host.

What happens when using HeloSwapper mods during multiplayer sessions is complicated and not completely understood yet. Apparently the host of a multiplayer session somehow sends his versions of the 3D object files to all the players in a session. At first glance, that's great, because now all will see Hinds or Blackhawks. However after the mission ends, the other players still have the modified files. Flight Model settings do not appear to be affected.

In short, do NOT host multiplay while using mods on your aircraft unless ALL the other players in the session have also installed HeloSwapper. (When HeloSwapper opens, it offers the option of re-setting all 3D objects to the original configuration.)

The worst that can happen if someone finds themselves always flying a Hind instead of a Havoc after a multiplayer session, is that the player would have to install HeloSwapper, or replace his 3DZ folder with the one from his Gunship CD.

Installation notes:

On some PC's, the installer may not be able to create a shortcut automatically. If a shortcut does not appear on your desktop, right-click on your desktop, select New>Shortcut, and browse to your Gunship folder, (in the US, the shortcut path is usually C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROPROSE\GUNSHIP!\DATA\HELOSWAP.BAT)

Co-Pilot / Gunner Speech pack ver. 2

by James Trapp

New version 12/11/2001

GSCPGspeech.exe

154 kb with self-installer

OVERVIEW

--------

This patch will change the intercom messages heard when playing as the CP/G. It will also sound a "beep" when a weapon is selected, before the intercom message is played that announces what weapon has been selected.

DESCRIPTION

-----------

I. CP/G Phrases

This patch will alter what intercom messages are heard while sitting in the CP/G cockpit. Rather than hear the pilot acknowledge commands, you will hear the CP/G issue them. For instance, rather than hearing the PILOT say "Speeding up" after pressing the '0' key, you will hear the GUNNER (you) say "Increase speed."

As an added bonus, I inserted one second delays of silence in the voice "script" after the CP/G says "Come down" or "Come up." I did this because, sometimes, I like to hold down the '-' or '=' key for more than a brief moment. I don't, however, like to hear the CP/G continuously repeat the command to a point of insanity.

II. Avionic Beeps

When selecting cannon, rockets, or air-to-ground missiles, you will first hear a beep, followed by the usual corresponding intercom announcement.

INSTALLATION: Automatic

------------

1.Copies the following included file: select1.wav

To each of the following directories:

Gunship!/Data/Speech
Gunship!/Data/UKSpeech
Gunship!/Data/GSpeech
Gunship!/Data/RSpeech 

2. Copies the following new included file: Phrase.txt

To the following directory on your hard disk: Gunship!/Data/Speech 

UNINSTALLATION

--------------

Simply grab the phrase.txt file from the gunship!/data/speech directory on your Gunship! CD and put it in the gunship!/data/speech directory on your HD.

You may delete the select1.wav files from the speech directories, but it does no harm to leave them there.

I can be reached at jtrapp8136@aol.com

Enjoy!

GunTool

By Rudi Klaes

US version  1.3c ( current beta )

This is a terrific GUI toolbox built by Rudi for editing Gunship mission profiles, rosters and briefings.  Now you can edit the original Gunship campaigns, and even insert new missions. And writing briefings has never been easier. It even analyses your mission, and places the correct unit sprites on the mission briefing screen! A must have for serious mission writers. The author welcomes feedback.

GunToolUS1_3c.zip

(zipped 848kb)