SMACK

Tips and tricks for the designers, playtests.

Moderator: Wonderdoctor

Post Reply
User avatar
Ale
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 1251
Joined: 2019-10-07 17:14, Monday

Re: SMACK

Post by Ale »

if question is for Polish language only i'll pass :) nothing against it, i was born in times when (modified) Polish anthem was official........ but never liked, too racist for my boiling Persian blood :lol

if you mean users in general and after watching your work - however dubious you'd be surprised by simple answer - the answer is yes, why not. I made few historical collages with sounds too for old times... no one would say anything against Drag's OG intro i think
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

What does SMACK mean? Anyway, i agree with Ale. Why not? If you like it, do it! :cool
Of course, for an international audience, it would be nice to have maps and texts and whatever you use in your videos in english, but if you just want to create some tense atmosphere prior to the campaign/scenario, then go for it. But i'd keep an eye on the file size. Of course it is easier to handle smaller files. Every video adds up to the overall file size of the efile download.
Image
User avatar
lvjtn
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
Posts: 768
Joined: 2019-03-09 23:23, Saturday
Location: budapest / hungary
Contact:

Re: SMACK

Post by lvjtn »

randowe wrote: 2019-10-27 21:31, Sunday What does SMACK mean?
it was a special video format used by pg2 nad opengen kept the folder name (not the format)

imo adding a few new generic videos (like germany, uk, usa, ussr winning / losing) would be a nice idea (btw. we can check the existing efiles what videos they refer now)

otoh i'm strongly against adding dozens of videos for each efiles and campaigns. even the smallest multimedia file is large if you multiply it by the number of the existing campaigns, and it would make the size of the repo too large :2cents

of course, designers storing multimedia pack elsewhere can be a solution, and that's what happened in the pg2 times... and basicaly nobody used them, and the most sites were dead long before pg2
»my real name is csaba (tʃɒbɒ)«
efiles:
Image Image Image Image Image

campaigns:
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

Thank you all for your reply :howdy
Ale wrote: 2019-10-27 21:10, Sunday if question is for Polish language only i'll pass :) nothing against it, i was born in times when (modified) Polish anthem was official........ but never liked, too racist for my boiling Persian blood :lol
I don't understand this -> is the Polish anthem too racist?
randowe wrote: 2019-10-27 21:31, Sunday What does SMACK mean?
If you want to read the history -> look at http://www.adlerkorps.com/
and select the cover - Smacks & Sounds .. you'll see how many there were.

And now in turn
In 2012, I started making the first smack files
These were other tools and encoders ...
What I uploaded to the first post is just an example ...
I wanted to see how you relate to it (not to my work - but to the idea)
I never thought to load your server with my work ..
All old smacks have been quietly napping on Kowdar's server for over 7 years. There is 783 MB of this in a sealed zip file.
Later works were also saved ..
Gustlik liked to add such files to his special campaigns.
The file size obviously depends on the quality and size of the image

best regards
User avatar
Ale
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 1251
Joined: 2019-10-07 17:14, Monday

Re: SMACK

Post by Ale »

on the idea, thumbs up from me... back in first half of the 2000s i downloaded all videos when available. if one doesn't mind extra work, i'd use them for example. Not in Polish if there are text in videos. And if designer specify place to get them and they are hosted/downloaded separately (as Csaba was clear how it is in general)... just for an answer as you've asked what you think.

"march, march Dombrowski la-la-la do Polski la-la" i didn't mean that :D music was same but other anthem was pan-Slavic and Slavic people is "a race", shouldn't be in any anthem. (besides being Sarmato-Persian myself) Sometimes surprised how clever were our text writers in XIX century by intentionally not mentioning any other nation in 2 texts to patriotic famous songs, while music was original too. Just imagine German PM going around constantly talking about race in Norway, Sweden etc. would be called things ; sorry for puzzling you if you didn't know history of the other song and even better effect of your question, to clear to all readers not knowing. I just like historical facts and talks and sometimes assume that people know about things as much as me, as we are all "versed" in history so welcome to pub sometimes, learning from others is plus side of internet :) ...... buuut my point - anyway - was more about language you would use in works/videos, not anthems so back to that...
User avatar
lvjtn
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
Posts: 768
Joined: 2019-03-09 23:23, Saturday
Location: budapest / hungary
Contact:

Re: SMACK

Post by lvjtn »

sympatyk wrote: 2019-10-28 18:39, Monday All old smacks have been quietly napping on Kowdar's server for over 7 years. There is 783 MB of this in a sealed zip file.
is this file available anywhere? unfortunately Adler's site is dead, nothing can be dl-ed anymore, and vlc plays only the sound part of the original pg2 smk files

i discussed it with Luis and maybe at least 4 generic avi files (scen win / lose + camp win / lose) can be added to the og repo, if there is any 100% user made materials not violating anybody else's copyrights. imo 10-20 sec movies would be enough, with neutral musics like the old 1.smk - 23.smk were :dunno

i definitely hope we shouldn't add 700mb to the repo, but i just reduced the openintro.avi to 7mb with ffmpeg, so i think a few generic videos wouldn't require more than 10mb :2cents
»my real name is csaba (tʃɒbɒ)«
efiles:
Image Image Image Image Image

campaigns:
Image
User avatar
lvjtn
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
Posts: 768
Joined: 2019-03-09 23:23, Saturday
Location: budapest / hungary
Contact:

Re: SMACK

Post by lvjtn »

sympatyk wrote: 2019-10-28 21:54, Monday old smacks - http://opengeneral.pl/files/SMACK.ZIP
dziękuję! :bow :thanks

the g22_loss is an excellent video :clap

personally i think the generic win/lose videos shouldn't be strictly related to a specific nation or campaign, just a few original ww2 pictures about parades, marching armies vs. abandoned / damaged equipments and dead / wounded soldiers, and efiles covering other areas like kaiser, can use ww1, cold war, etc. themes instead :2cents
»my real name is csaba (tʃɒbɒ)«
efiles:
Image Image Image Image Image

campaigns:
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Short smack - victory - is that what you mean?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3sHbi ... sp=sharing
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

sympatyk wrote: :howdy
Short smack - victory - is that what you mean?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o3sHbi ... sp=sharing
Looks good :cool Maybe add one more picture and make it 15 seconds?
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Yes, while doing this I thought about 5/6 photos
However, it is difficult to find photos that meet the criteria of copyright, technically good and similar in exposure, size, color ... (usually they are black and white -> so they are colored)
I will try to add one more ...
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy

Smack - according to your wishes, one photo longer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yS7PO ... sp=sharing
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

Looks good :cool

I guess Csaba's idea is the best way to go. That means to have 16 generic smack-videos. 4 each for the 19th century, WWI, WWII and modern era.
And keep the overall file size roughly around 100mb for all 16 videos would be the best compromise between good looking videos and hosting/traffic numbers i think. But i also think that smack-videos will not be used often and that there is not much interested in making the videos anyway :dunno
If you (generic you) dig deep, you can find copyright free pictures at wikipedia. It is still some work to check all the pictures but there are also copyright free ones.
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Thank you
You're right
There is no interest in smacks
Therefore, with us - smacks were made only for special campaigns
User avatar
lvjtn
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
General, VII. Upper Danubian Corps
Posts: 768
Joined: 2019-03-09 23:23, Saturday
Location: budapest / hungary
Contact:

Re: SMACK

Post by lvjtn »

sympatyk wrote: 2019-11-02 19:12, Saturday Smack - according to your wishes, one photo longer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yS7PO ... sp=sharing
it's amazing :clap :bow

i'll ask Luis again what he thinks about adding generic videos

btw. the copyright is 70 years in most european countries afaik, so original ww1, ww2 pictures and videos (i don't know the english term of the short movies / video news what were played in the cinemas during ww2 before the actual movies, according to my dictionary the term is "newsreel") can be used freely
»my real name is csaba (tʃɒbɒ)«
efiles:
Image Image Image Image Image

campaigns:
Image
User avatar
LuisGuzman
General, Special Forces
General, Special Forces
Posts: 673
Joined: 2019-03-10 08:35, Sunday
Location: Spain
Contact:

Re: SMACK

Post by LuisGuzman »

lvjtn wrote: 2019-11-09 09:49, Saturday
sympatyk wrote: 2019-11-02 19:12, Saturday Smack - according to your wishes, one photo longer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yS7PO ... sp=sharing
it's amazing :clap :bow

i'll ask Luis again what he thinks about adding generic videos

btw. the copyright is 70 years in most european countries afaik, so original ww1, ww2 pictures and videos (i don't know the english term of the short movies / video news what were played in the cinemas during ww2 before the actual movies, according to my dictionary the term is "newsreel") can be used freely
I fully agree with the idea :clap :bow :notworthy

Big thanks to Grzegorz for such good job :yes and looking forward for the next generic smack-videos :cool
:banana :banana :banana
  Visit my website to get my latest tools.
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Thank you
I don't know if I can do it - do the remaining files ...
I really need good photos .... I am looking for, but ...
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
I didn't know how to start smack for the First World War ...
Photographs (photos) - they were framed in those days, or they were carefully hidden in a box.
The idea came to me ... I don't know how it sounds in English ...
We look at that war through the time frame and the picture frame.

... so these smacks have their frames ...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J9V6Ko ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ejbxL3 ... sp=sharing
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

I like the second video, nice work :cool But the first video does not work?
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Thank you
It should work - I reloaded
User avatar
von Schweinewitz
Captain
Captain
Posts: 25
Joined: 2019-09-27 20:29, Friday
Location: Am Arsch der Welt.

Re: SMACK

Post by von Schweinewitz »

Great stuff, Grzegorz! After so many years of indifference I'm finally SMACKed again! :bear
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

von Schweinewitz wrote: 2019-11-12 09:42, Tuesday Great stuff, Grzegorz! After so many years of indifference I'm finally SMACKed again! :bear
:howdy
Thank you

I thought for a long time ...
Important events in the 19th century - were documented using images
So to make this smack I used paintings - Prussian wars, Napoleonic wars, Civil War
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M-SYxR ... sp=sharing
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Age 21 - smack for victory and defeat
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I-9kOv ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fy3JWV ... sp=sharing

And now a small question
Who of the creators of the campaign - would like to use these smacks?
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Just for information ...
I changed the music because a few people didn't like it (21Th_victory -> 21Th_victory3.avi)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-I4gCz ... sp=sharing
User avatar
panzerdarek
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 247
Joined: 2019-11-26 19:16, Tuesday
Location: Kluczbork, Poland

Re: SMACK

Post by panzerdarek »

Hello,
I have a question, if it is possible to convert old PG2 smk videos to avi, which could be played by OG? I have a lot of smacks downloaded and stored in my PG2 installation. Now I tried to play Adler's FOFY campaign (that from CC33) in OG and that's not the same without those extras which he prepared for original PG2 version. If we have no solution for that, then I will play it rather with PG2, as smacks are valuable addition for the campaign.
Image Darek22 / panzerdarek
since Jan'2002 with JP's
CC PG2/OG: 02/03/04/05/06/07/09/10/11/13/14/16/18/21/22/24/25/27/32/33/34/35/41/43/45/46/47/52/53/71
CC PG3D(A/SE): 08/09/12
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

Kowdar udostępnił już dawno wszystko na polskim forum
http://forum.opengeneral.pl/kampanie-w- ... /#msg39324

i smack , i muza ...
.... Czy to nie Ty chciałeś kiedyś w ostatniej chwili na zlot z synem przyjechać?
whereis
Captain
Captain
Posts: 76
Joined: 2019-12-27 22:18, Friday

Re: SMACK

Post by whereis »

panzerdarek wrote: 2021-10-01 20:42, Friday Hello,
I have a question, if it is possible to convert old PG2 smk videos to avi, which could be played by OG? I have a lot of smacks downloaded and stored in my PG2 installation. Now I tried to play Adler's FOFY campaign (that from CC33) in OG and that's not the same without those extras which he prepared for original PG2 version. If we have no solution for that, then I will play it rather with PG2, as smacks are valuable addition for the campaign.
I too miss the smacks from FOFY. If anyone knows the answer, please tag me in the answer to Darek.
Team Leader of Team Totalitär (CCC4)

Team Leader of Team Viking - Battles in the North (CCC5)
User avatar
panzerdarek
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 247
Joined: 2019-11-26 19:16, Tuesday
Location: Kluczbork, Poland

Re: SMACK

Post by panzerdarek »

Sympatyk, dzięki za link. :cool Teraz to wreszcie działa. Przydałoby się takie linki do ważnych zasobów gdzieś w widocznym miejscu podpiąć, żeby ułatwić szukanie.
P.S. To nie o mnie chodziło, bo nigdy nie byłam aktywny na polskim forum.

Hi whereis,
Sympatyk provided in his post above link to some post on Polish OG Forums. You can find there SMACK.zip (together with some others resources of old PG2 in openized version) with full package of PG2 smacks translated to avi. I have downloaded and unzipped to OG Smack folder - now FOFY videos works OK.
Image Darek22 / panzerdarek
since Jan'2002 with JP's
CC PG2/OG: 02/03/04/05/06/07/09/10/11/13/14/16/18/21/22/24/25/27/32/33/34/35/41/43/45/46/47/52/53/71
CC PG3D(A/SE): 08/09/12
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
If you would also need original smack files (* .smk files) or music (* .mus files), I will also look for
whereis
Captain
Captain
Posts: 76
Joined: 2019-12-27 22:18, Friday

Re: SMACK

Post by whereis »

Thank you both!
Team Leader of Team Totalitär (CCC4)

Team Leader of Team Viking - Battles in the North (CCC5)
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

What is the file size of all videos and music for one campaign, let's say FOFY? The file size must be gigantic, no?
Image
User avatar
panzerdarek
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 247
Joined: 2019-11-26 19:16, Tuesday
Location: Kluczbork, Poland

Re: SMACK

Post by panzerdarek »

For FOFY:
- SMACKS (avi - about 37 files) - approx. 50 MB
- MUSIC (wav or mus - 2 files) - approx. 50 MB
I think it is not big, considering todays transfer rate or disc/cloud spaces. :huh
Image Darek22 / panzerdarek
since Jan'2002 with JP's
CC PG2/OG: 02/03/04/05/06/07/09/10/11/13/14/16/18/21/22/24/25/27/32/33/34/35/41/43/45/46/47/52/53/71
CC PG3D(A/SE): 08/09/12
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

I think 100mb for a single campaign is pretty big. Especially the music files. Music must play very long?!
Anyway... transfer rates can be very slow here :bonk :lol
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

Randowe
Have you thought about adding a smack to your campaigns? ;)

I haven't played FOFY
But I am convinced that these media files can be downsized ...
Especially music if you convert to mp3
Smack - w can also be reduced - now there are different codecs for avi than before
I was messing around with smk to avi conversion and I have this tool, but it works under win 98 and under XP ...
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

sympatyk wrote: 2021-10-11 21:47, Monday Randowe
Have you thought about adding a smack to your campaigns? ;)
No, i don't have such plans. I just asked because i was curious about the file size.
For my campaigns i want to keep things small and simple :dunno

(i use 500x500 pixel scenario intro pictures, that adds around 50kb to each scenario. That's big enough for me :lol )
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

randowe wrote: 2021-10-12 18:21, Tuesday
sympatyk wrote: 2021-10-11 21:47, Monday Randowe
Have you thought about adding a smack to your campaigns? ;)
No, i don't have such plans. I just asked because i was curious about the file size.
For my campaigns i want to keep things small and simple :dunno

(i use 500x500 pixel scenario intro pictures, that adds around 50kb to each scenario. That's big enough for me :lol )
Maybe Clemens - it will convince you .. just such a small file
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14n6vdA ... sp=sharing
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

If you prefer ... an even smaller file ...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-4nz5q ... sp=sharing
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

One mb for 22 seconds is a suitable file size :yes

But how many videos are needed for a campaign with 35 scenarios?
If every scenario shows the same videos than it is more annoying than inspiring and people will klick it away as fast as they can :dunno

But i guess i have to play a campaign with all smack videos first to get an idea how it works.
Which campaign would you suggest? What is your favorite?
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
These are very difficult questions ..
It all depends on the campaign
.. There are smack that evoke emotions -> but only for certain people ..
If the script is about heroism and sacrifice, and you add a properly made video to it -> it builds the mood
If you also weave into this original recording (voice) of important historical moment ...

I managed to create two such smack .. but you have to be Polish to understand -> for other nationalities it will not matter

In general, if you want to put / assign a smack -> it is for winning / losing the entire campaign, as an introduction to the campaign ... and you want to show something important

Of course, you can also show situational maps before the scenario - e.g. marked appearance of enemy reserves -> on the principle - intelligence reports ...
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

Okay, i understand. It's is not so easy.

Instead of a video i would use a choice-scenario to show a flag or picture. For examplein the now abandoned campaign "Rise and Fall of an Empire" by Spasteur, Matze and me i created a chocie scenario before the second scenario, showing the picture you see below. The player can choose between a cavalry, infantry or artillery core unit that will be added in the next scenario. The scenario is always the same, but eith one of the 3 options.
But i think you can also show just a map with one choice. Think of a sitation map shown before every scenario. There are a lot of possibilities using choice-scenarios with or without choice. Its the only way to show big pictures in the game/in a campaign. And it is easier to use than videos.

(Unfortunately the other guys disappeared and left the campaign unfinished. 20 scenarios were already done.)
There would be a little klickable flag in every of the 3 little pictures you see below. I will add such a choice before the Sevastopol scenario in my ATOMIC Weltkrieg campaign too. It works quite well :yes

Image
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

Yes, to show the photo ... static - as much as possible. :yes

I don't know if you know my smack ..
The longest and the largest as a promotion of the G36
It combines several techniques
Length 86 seconds, resolution 1280x720 (it has a big impact on the file size - 32MB)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rU9vUm ... sp=sharing

The G22 campaign has the most smack and music assigned to it
However, not every scenario

They were created a few years ago ...

The first campaign I did smacks for is H03 - Green Devils
It was the very beginning ... the first four scenarios have movies, and a win-and-lose campaign
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

See if I chose the music well for the Germans ... :evil
Different ideas .. :evil
Then I was learning everything ...
User avatar
randowe
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 2953
Joined: 2019-09-20 19:02, Friday
Location: Germany

Re: SMACK

Post by randowe »

I will check it out :howdy
Image
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

:howdy
Two of Gustlik's campaigns received an introductory smack ( G25, G45)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1NWgr ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-73ZJU ... sp=sharing
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

New smack for the G05 BLITZKRIEG by Gustlik campaign

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-fTV78 ... sp=sharing
sympatyk
Major
Major
Posts: 641
Joined: 2019-10-03 17:05, Thursday

Re: SMACK

Post by sympatyk »

G32 FORTUNES OF WAR (by Gustlik) campaign has a new "smack" from today --> can be used as an intro to this campaign

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w5DNqX ... sp=sharing
Post Reply