I bought HCE a few weeks ago and have been transfixed. I since discovered your incredible site. I like playing with the units in the database of the current latest version, my question (and I'm sure it's really obvious) is this: if I were to download and overwrite with one of the fictional DB's available here, would I keep all the platform I already have and gain some new fan-created ones, or would I lose some of the platforms I have currently?

 

Much obliged

 

 

Also, I've begun learning how to mod and add ships to my current database (am being cautious and have not exported any frakenstein type platforms yet), is it simple to create a "clone" of a platform (ship), and then add a few new systems creating a new ship in the ship database? (I would imagine so but then again I know nothing.) In this case it is for the Type 45 "Daring" class of Destroyers, fitted "for but not with" phalanx, cruise, and of course Harpoon. I would like to create and upgrded version to reflect what the ministry of defense will do when they can scrape the money together.

 

Much obliged again

I'm hoping Brad piles on here since he switches back and forth between editing multiple databases but I'll give my 2 cents.

 

The first general rule is that platforms are not shared between databases. If you add a F-14T Wacko Tomcat to the HCDB, it won't appear in HCWW unless you recreate it there by hand.

 

You don't, however have to lose custom platforms when switching between databases. I keep a different pfData file for each database I might tinker with. So I have pfDataHCDB.mdb, pfDataHCWW.mdb, pfDataStrikerFict.mdb,... They don't have to start with pfData, that just helps me keep them straight. As long as I remember to re-link to the proper DB before importing, I'm in good shape. Your custom changes will stay in each .mdb file until you import over the top of them.

 

The implication of that last is that there is no easy way to maintain your custom changes to HCDB over multiple versions of the HCDB. You may import HCDB-090726, add a few platforms, export and use them. Now Brad releases HCDB-090921 and you like some change he made. There is no easy way to get your few customized platforms into HCDB-090921, manually entry is the straightforward way to go.

 

It is simple to create a clone of a platform. There is a Harpoon menu in the PE (Platform Editor) that allows you to copy platforms.

 

Things can be automated, I haven't taken the time and neither has anybody else so the manual approach is not set in stone, it is just what the situation bears today.

 

Welcome!

Welcome, we're very glad you're enjoying HCE and HarpGamer.

 

I bought HCE a few weeks ago and have been transfixed. I since discovered your incredible site. I like playing with the units in the database of the current latest version, my question (and I'm sure it's really obvious) is this: if I were to download and overwrite with one of the fictional DB's available here, would I keep all the platform I already have and gain some new fan-created ones, or would I lose some of the platforms I have currently? Much obliged

 

You can swap out databases easily, but you cannot mix and match, so switching to another DB will overwrite your existing additions and mods.

 

You need to save your existing DB (with your additions and mods) before overwriting it (swapping) with another.

 

Also, I've begun learning how to mod and add ships to my current database (am being cautious and have not exported any frakenstein type platforms yet), is it simple to create a "clone" of a platform (ship), and then add a few new systems creating a new ship in the ship database? (I would imagine so but then again I know nothing.) In this case it is for the Type 45 "Daring" class of Destroyers, fitted "for but not with" phalanx, cruise, and of course Harpoon. I would like to create and upgrded version to reflect what the ministry of defense will do when they can scrape the money together. Much obliged again

 

Absolutely. You can create as many different versions of the same basic platform as space in the annexes will allow.

Welcome, we're very glad you're enjoying HCE and HarpGamer.

 

I bought HCE a few weeks ago and have been transfixed. I since discovered your incredible site. I like playing with the units in the database of the current latest version, my question (and I'm sure it's really obvious) is this: if I were to download and overwrite with one of the fictional DB's available here, would I keep all the platform I already have and gain some new fan-created ones, or would I lose some of the platforms I have currently? Much obliged

 

You can swap out databases easily, but you cannot mix and match, so switching to another DB will overwrite your existing additions and mods.

 

You need to save your existing DB (with your additions and mods) before overwriting it (swapping) with another.

 

Also, I've begun learning how to mod and add ships to my current database (am being cautious and have not exported any frakenstein type platforms yet), is it simple to create a "clone" of a platform (ship), and then add a few new systems creating a new ship in the ship database? (I would imagine so but then again I know nothing.) In this case it is for the Type 45 "Daring" class of Destroyers, fitted "for but not with" phalanx, cruise, and of course Harpoon. I would like to create and upgrded version to reflect what the ministry of defense will do when they can scrape the money together. Much obliged again

 

Absolutely. You can create as many different versions of the same basic platform as space in the annexes will allow.

 

Thankyou.

 

So this is how I understand it now:

1. There is the standard database for the updated version of HCE which I have on my machine now.

2. The great people on this fine site have taken the time to add things to it.

3. Some modded databses have totally different platforms to reflect the 50s or WW1 and some are essentially the standard DB but with extra fan-made platforms.

4.Many of the modded databases aren't compatbile with the standard WestPac or EC2003, only fan-made scenarios for those areas.

5. If I download a fan made database I lose any units I've added to mine. (Fine for me as I haven't added anything yet, just begun to learn how to create platforms.)

 

I've read the description of each database and I think I understand it.

 

So if I downloaded HCDB-090620 then I would suffer no penalties in terms of not being able to play certain scenarios or losing platforms in my current database, and gain some new platforms? Becuase if so I'll download right away. But I'm trying to be cautious.

 

Also, would someone be kind enough to give a description of how to clone a ship entry and then save it please? I can open the DB in Acess and I know how to import the current DB and theoretically how to export the DB once I've finished playing with it, and I can play around with ship entries, but cloning I have no idea how to do. If I work it out I will add another ship name to the class along with Daring, Diamond, Dragon etc.- Dolly!

 

Thanyou all so much

So if I downloaded HCDB-090620 then I would suffer no penalties in terms of not being able to play certain scenarios or losing platforms in my current database, and gain some new platforms? Becuase if so I'll download right away. But I'm trying to be cautious.

 

 

Any version of the HCDB will be fully compatible with any scenarios created for any earlier version of the HCDB. That is to say, if you download and install HCDB_090620, you will still be able to play a scenario that was designed for, say, HCDB_080406, as well as all the scenarios included with the game. As noted, you will lose any custom modifications that YOU have made to the DB, but each new version of the HCDB includes everything that was in any preceding version, and also gives you some new stuff.

Just downloaded the new DB and I now have 3 new platforms to play with! Outstanding! Now I can concentrate on editing my own abominations against nature!

 

Thankyou all

How do I add scenarios from the download section to the game? There's a few WestPac scenarios I'd love to try.

 

Also, does anyone know of any scenarios involving the Queen Elizabeth Class future carriers (CVF)?

 

Thanks again

How do I add scenarios from the download section to the game? There's a few WestPac scenarios I'd love to try.

 

HCE scenario filenames have their own distinctive three character extension which serves to match them to the appropriate battleset. More about the filename structure here.

 

I'd recommend creating a subdirectory in your HCE directory and calling it 'Scenarios' or some such.

 

Download and unzip scenario files to that directory.

 

When you select a battleset, only the scenarios created for that battleset will show as being available to play.

Also, would someone be kind enough to give a description of how to clone a ship entry and then save it please? I can open the DB in Acess and I know how to import the current DB and theoretically how to export the DB once I've finished playing with it, and I can play around with ship entries, but cloning I have no idea how to do. If I work it out I will add another ship name to the class along with Daring, Diamond, Dragon etc.- Dolly!

 

What version of MS Access are you using? That'll help answer this. You are also asking a second question with adding ship names, that isn't too tough, navigate to the ship in question, hit the Names button and start adding names to the bottom of the list .

Also, would someone be kind enough to give a description of how to clone a ship entry and then save it please? I can open the DB in Acess and I know how to import the current DB and theoretically how to export the DB once I've finished playing with it, and I can play around with ship entries, but cloning I have no idea how to do. If I work it out I will add another ship name to the class along with Daring, Diamond, Dragon etc.- Dolly!

 

What version of MS Access are you using? That'll help answer this. You are also asking a second question with adding ship names, that isn't too tough, navigate to the ship in question, hit the Names button and start adding names to the bottom of the list .

 

I'm using the latest version of MS Acess- 2007 I think- and it seems to work okay. I've added the weapons to the Type 45 platform sucessfully, and they work in-game, but I so far have not been able to clone a type 45. I also could not create a 12 cell VLS launcher for the tomahawks which means I had to add an Arleigh burke 29 cell launcher- now I have some SM3's that shouldn't be there. The ship names thing I can do already.

 

I will play around again with getting the scenarios I have to work when I have time. Thankyou all again

I'm using the latest version of MS Acess- 2007 I think- and it seems to work okay. I've added the weapons to the Type 45 platform sucessfully, and they work in-game, but I so far have not been able to clone a type 45. I also could not create a 12 cell VLS launcher for the tomahawks which means I had to add an Arleigh burke 29 cell launcher- now I have some SM3's that shouldn't be there. The ship names thing I can do already. I will play around again with getting the scenarios I have to work when I have time. Thankyou all again

 

It can be quite a bit of work if you're trying to create a whole database (or armada), but creating a new Mount (such as your proposed 12 cell VLS for Tomahawks) should be relatively simple.

 

Have you yet tried building or creating the Mount (containing the appropriate weapons) and then adding the Mounts to your newly created Ship? (As opposed to 'cloning').

I'm using the latest version of MS Acess- 2007 I think- and it seems to work okay. I've added the weapons to the Type 45 platform sucessfully, and they work in-game, but I so far have not been able to clone a type 45. I also could not create a 12 cell VLS launcher for the tomahawks which means I had to add an Arleigh burke 29 cell launcher- now I have some SM3's that shouldn't be there. The ship names thing I can do already. I will play around again with getting the scenarios I have to work when I have time. Thankyou all again

 

It can be quite a bit of work if you're trying to create a whole database (or armada), but creating a new Mount (such as your proposed 12 cell VLS for Tomahawks) should be relatively simple.

 

Have you yet tried building or creating the Mount (containing the appropriate weapons) and then adding the Mounts to your newly created Ship? (As opposed to 'cloning').

 

I tried making the mount, and it has an entry on the tplatform list and it's ont the platformmount list with the Id for the tomahwak missle where it should go. The annex is correct, but it crashes scenario editor when I try to open a battleset where I could use it on the platform. I'll fiddle with it some more later.

 

It works fine with the Burke VLS, Phalanx and RGM-84 on it so I suppose I that's a start. Had it and the CVF in a battlegroup really mess up the Charles De Gaulle, which was fun.

 

Thankyou so much and BTW are there any scenarios fan-made or official that have the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers?

 

 

 

EDIT: I fixed it! By taking the 16 cell VLS from a Japanese Hyuga DDH and making it a tomahawk VLS, and then making the Hyuga platform the same by giving it the 12 ASROC and 16 Sea Sparrow via other mount entries. (There are multiple redundancies.)

 

I also think that what I learned doing this should mean I can create a designed-for-purpose VLS for the type 45, but I will do that later when I'm bored.

 

Thanks again!

Also, would someone be kind enough to give a description of how to clone a ship entry and then save it please? I can open the DB in Acess and I know how to import the current DB and theoretically how to export the DB once I've finished playing with it, and I can play around with ship entries, but cloning I have no idea how to do. If I work it out I will add another ship name to the class along with Daring, Diamond, Dragon etc.- Dolly!

 

Allrighty, Access 2007.

 

Get to your Type 45 entry in the Ships annex.

 

Then in the Access menu go to Add-Ins (aka the Add-Ins ribbon).

 

There you will find a Harpoon menu with Copy Item as its first sub-menu item. That's your ticket to cloning a platform. Once you click it, you'll see a few flashes and then you'll note you've been navigated to the clone (the ID will be different).

I fixed it! By taking the 16 cell VLS from a Japanese Hyuga DDH and making it a tomahawk VLS, and then making the Hyuga platform the same by giving it the 12 ASROC and 16 Sea Sparrow via other mount entries. (There are multiple redundancies.)

 

admiralskippy, if you do find 'redundancies' in the HCDB, I'd appreciate you pointing them out in the 'HCDB requests' thread (look for it in the Database subforum here). I am not aware of any redundant VLS mounts, but I could be wrong.

I fixed it! By taking the 16 cell VLS from a Japanese Hyuga DDH and making it a tomahawk VLS, and then making the Hyuga platform the same by giving it the 12 ASROC and 16 Sea Sparrow via other mount entries. (There are multiple redundancies.)

 

admiralskippy, if you do find 'redundancies' in the HCDB, I'd appreciate you pointing them out in the 'HCDB requests' thread (look for it in the Database subforum here). I am not aware of any redundant VLS mounts, but I could be wrong.

 

 

Well what I meant was that the 16 cell Hyuga VLS gives 12 ASROC and 16 Seasparrow- and it was possible to give the same number of missiles through other mounts in the DB. Now the Hyuga has two mounts where there was one but functionally I think it is the same. I'm going to reverse it soon anyway since now I know how to create a VLS from scratch.

 

And thanks to TonyE- I have now sucessfully cloned a Type 45 and now have the refitted and current versions. I'm now going to start work on using bits and pieces and creating others to try and model the FSC (Future Surface Combatant) Frigate replacement programme. This will entail 3 ships as you can see on the wikipedia article for the FSC or at navy matters, though I'm guessing you guys already know about it!

 

Thankyou so much and I'll keep you posted on how it goes