Hidden fonctionalities AND ZOOM OUT FUNCTION

[maitrebongo]

Hi,

Nice Update...

But i see there is some new fonctionalities in the variables.txt file in the data folder of the game you don't speak about in the whatsnew file, like this one :

// Camera zoom limits
defaultZoomLevel = 30
defaultMinZoom = 20
sefaultMaxZoom = 37
defaultMaxZoomEditor = 100

What is this fonctionality ?

I tried to play with these values and managed to extend the zoom in possibilities, but impossible for me to extend the zoom out.
I thing it will be more profitable to extend the zoom out than the zoom in (to be able to have a more larger vue of the battlefield).

Could you explain us how to do that with modifying the camera zoom limits values, please ?

Another question is : Is there another hidden new fonctionalities in that update ? (and why don't tell us about ?)

Thanks a lot

Bongo

[maitrebongo]

Is there not an answer to my question ?

Developers answered all the posts around this one but not this one.
I am going eventually consider that there is a problem with my questions (or with me, maybe...).

Nevertheless, my question seemed to me justifiable :

- I discovered a new function in the game, for which there is neither information nor instructions.
- I tried to use it to modify the function of zoom.
- It doesn't work for extending the zoom out function (What seems to me more important for the legibility of the game than the zoom in function).
- I ask for help to try to understand and possibly to manage by myself even to run this damned zoom.

It seems to me sensible to have asked the question to developers, because in priori it is them who implemented this new function in the game.

Well, I am going to try to simplify the possible answers :

Hey Mrs developpers, just say "1" or "2" or "3" or "4" :

1- "No, there is nothing you can do for modifying the zoom out function of this game. You can just zoom in until you could see if a soldier is smoking a cigarette or not..."

2- "Yes, you could modify the zoom out function and you have to do this or that..." (cool, thanks...)

3- "We have absolutely no idea of how works this game. We subcontracted its programming in China."

4- "Stop annoying us with your questions."

I hope that this flash of humor will not hurt you.

[maitrebongo]

Ok,

I suppose the answer was "4"...

... Copy that.

[Schweinewitz]

Hello Maitre! Haven't replied to your thread up to now, I thought the Devs would answer in a way.

I've checked the variables.txt in my installation of the game and it does NOT contain the lines about camera zoom etc., just some number combinations I can't quote here right now (I'm at "work" ATM).

The stuff you quoted remind me of the camera zoom functions of the STUB engine games (BA, P&S).

I've reinstalled OOB recently and have all updates. Perhaps your variant of variables.txt is simply a relict and the file itself now unnecessary/unused.

[adherbal]

Sorry, bit overwhelmed with other stuff so I haven't been able to test this. "defaultMinZoom" should certainly work, lower number allowing closer zoom. Not sure about the defaultMaxZoom, there may still be a hardcoded limit to it at the moment.

[Schweinewitz]

Ah, I see! I was looking for the .txt file at the wrong place (in DATA folder of the BoB mod, the file contains Unit Model scales - interesting enough ... )

I'll check if changing the defaultMinZoom actually leads to some result.

[adherbal]

Yeah because the BoB mod is mostly pure air battle we increased the scale of the air units there.

[Schweinewitz]

I works ...



(Ok, I won't use it. It's just a good way to admire the nice icons.)

[maitrebongo]

I finally managed to find a way to zoom out as much as possible. Now I can have a global view of the map on my screen.



The way I managed to tweak the code of the game demonstrates a certain lack of seriousness in the programming of this one.

It is also incredible that no programmer could provide a simple answer to this question.

Hey guys, is that what you programmed the game ?
You do not know how to change the code?

Finally the good answer was "3"

3- "We have absolutely no idea of how works this game. We subcontracted its programming in China."

Once again, we have to do retro engineering to find out what to do ... It's boring.

[adrianoku]

Mhh this level of zoom out is exactly I asked for in another thread, could be useful in planning or for AAR, why not include it "normally"? I think many would be happy to have this nice feature!

[Horst]

It is also incredible that no programmer could provide a simple answer to this question.

Hey guys, is that what you programmed the game ?
You do not know how to change the code?

Finally the good answer was "3"

3- "We have absolutely no idea of how works this game. We subcontracted its programming in China."

Once again, we have to do retro engineering to find out what to do ... It's boring.

We live in times of theoretical coding, when no one but the end-user (also known as customer) has time to figure out what’s what and what’s wrong.

I’ve been waiting for more externalized game variables either since beginning to tweak experience, damage, ability and upgrade costs, and whatever else Santa Claus brings. I guess we haven’t behaved well enough so far to receive such gifts.

[maitrebongo]

You want it ?

Getting this level of zoom is very simple (finding out how much was harder, much like a criminal investigation.).

Just edit the file variable.txt (in C:\Program Files (x86)\Slitherine Ltd\Order of Battle World War II - Blitzkrieg\Order of Battle - WW2_Data\Content\Data)

replace the Camera zoom limits section by this (correction are in red) :

// Camera zoom limits
defaultZoomLevel = 30
defaultMinZoom = 20
defaultMaxZoom = 200
defaultMaxZoomEditor = 100

That's it...
Merry Christmas

Note that defaultMaxZoom is wrongly write sefaultMaxZoom in the original file (that's a typo )

[Horst]

"sefaultMaxZoom" sounds like an encryption for unwanted manipulation. I'm glad someone could crack this code now.

[Erik2]

Great tip. I've been looking for a wider zoom-out.

Thanks

[Ichthyic]

You want it ?

Getting this level of zoom is very simple (finding out how much was harder, much like a criminal investigation.).

Just edit the file variable.txt (in C:\Program Files (x86)\Slitherine Ltd\Order of Battle World War II - Blitzkrieg\Order of Battle - WW2_Data\Content\Data)

replace the Camera zoom limits section by this (correction are in red) :

// Camera zoom limits
defaultZoomLevel = 30
defaultMinZoom = 20
defaultMaxZoom = 200
defaultMaxZoomEditor = 100

That's it...
Merry Christmas

Note that defaultMaxZoom is wrongly write sefaultMaxZoom in the original file (that's a typo )

...over a year later, and that typo is STILL there btw. It's so good to see the devs pay close attention to bugs like this.

LOL

I like setting the default min to 10 and max to 60, and speed up the mouse zoom.

lets you see that they really added some nice detail to most units, and 60 gives you a good wide range of field view without everything becoming too tiny. I might set defaultmax to 100 on really big maps.

[GabeKnight]

Nice find, Ichthyic, thanks! I've been looking for something like this.

I like setting the default min to 10 and max to 60, and speed up the mouse zoom.

lets you see that they really added some nice detail to most units, and 60 gives you a good wide range of field view without everything becoming too tiny. I might set defaultmax to 100 on really big maps.

Good setting, works with me, too.

...over a year later, and that typo is STILL there btw. It's so good to see the devs pay close attention to bugs like this.

(I had the file opened in my text editor and didn't see the typo myself until further reading the thread... )

[steevodeevo]

How long has this been broken?
I've done the manual fix as suggested (thank you) and it radically changes the perspective of the game. min to 10 and max to 60 works very well.
Not only can I now zoom in and see the lovely landscape and details of the unit models and zoom out for a decent strategic view, I have a kind of 'fine tuning' that allows me to select the level of view I need for a particular situation, it enhances the game-play.
I've played OoB for years and I don't think I've had these ranges of zoom views before. I'm pretty gobsmacked its due to a typo in a prefs file that has been there for over a year, as suggested..

[Ichthyic]

likely that typo has been there since long before that... let me check.

edit:

yup. it's in the original OOB: Pacific as well.

so I gather it has been there since the very first OOB.

[bru888]

Holy smokes. This forum needs "Thank You" buttons. You gotta be kidding me. Who the heck knew? I've been playing this game for TWO YEARS and I never realized that this could be possible and that what was preventing it was a darned typo!?! (Notice that I cleaned up my language, having moderated myself. )

Below is a typical "before and after," from something near and dear to me. Maximum zoom in both:

Screenshot 1.jpg (679.51 KiB) Viewed 4822 times

Screenshot 2.jpg (462.38 KiB) Viewed 4822 times

I am going to post this in Tech Support. I am going to continue to moderate my language, watching myself sternly like a hawk. I'll report myself if I have to. Don't me make me do it!

Guys, a quick note. On some systems, you are prevented from directly editing a file in the Programs folder. That is the case on my computer. What I need to do is to either move the file out to my Desktop, or better yet, copy it to my Desktop and rename the original file (append, say, "OLD" to the end of the file name) just in case. Make the changes, then move the edited file back into the Programs folder.

[GabeKnight]

Well, hold your horses, at least a little bit, Bruce...

I never realized that this could be possible and that what was preventing it was a darned typo!?!

As I understand it, even though the original file has a typo, the "defaultMaxZoom" of 37 still applied and was therefore hardcoded as default. So in either case you'd have to edit this file to a higher setting (e.g. 100) yourself manually with an editor. It's actually modding.