VME_PLA is now ACE Compatable

[Tom1]

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5WIX0T1F

VME_PLA mod has, unfortunatly, become open source because the developers don't have time to work on it any more.

But I have taken advantage of this and while everyone has been in a mad rush to do their bit for the VME team, I have edited the VME_PLA_MEN_C.pbo file, replacing the default VME weapons with those from ACEX_PLA.

I have also given the ZBD04 (Type 97 APC) ace configs, so now it has the armour of a BMP3 with the new ace vehicle damage system. It also uses a tank FCS and has updated weapon names. Last but not least the actual 100mm cannon has been given ace configs, so you're free to blast away at any LAV-25s and Bradleys you may encounter in your adventures

This is still in very early beta stage, there are many bugs, and many features have not been added yet.

Near future plans:
Add China to Independent side
Add ace configs to all other VME_PLA vehicles that are not included in ACEX_PLA
Give ace configs to VME_PLA static weapons
Fix backpack glitch (most likely a model problem, therefore I will need help to fix this, I only know how to config).


Future plansinvolves modifying and using ACEX_PLA content, which I probably need permission to do)
Merge ACEX_PLA and VME_PLA, and actually release as a whole mod instead of individual pbos.
Add Chinese (mandarin) voices to PLA soldiers (from Fromz's OH-PLA mod)
Change sounds of ACEX_PLA weapons.
Change yellow tracers to green.


BUGS:
Backpack will not show on any units except those with the SF or T camo scheme, yet the shadow of the backpack is visible on all units.

Some eye texture cannot load, making everyone's eyes look like those of a shark.

Current restrictions:
Seeing as China and ACEX_PLA are on seperate sides, it is not yet possible (in my understanding) to put VME soldiers in ACEX_PLA vehicles by default, but you can work around this by placing all crew members into empty vehicles.



Goals:

1. Fix up and "mainstremify" the mighty People's Liberation Army in arma 2 OA.

2. Encourage others to join in and help, this could be useful when porting over to arma 3 if china is a no show in the vanilla game.

3. Eventually merge the two mods together, deleting some models (like ACEX_PLA men, who have the wrong colour camo and that same camo scheme is on a better VME model) so that the merged mod can run by itself.

I will release a link to this mod in a week after a tiny bit more private testing, then feel free to try it out and jump on the bandwagon and help out

[Kis4m3]

Great Good luck man !

[Foxhound]

No downloadlink means not complete and as such belongs in "ArmA 2 & OA - ADDONS & MODS: DISCUSSION".

Update:
Link now added, topic moved to "complete".

[Sickboy]

Congrats and good luck mate

[Tom1]

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5WIX0T1F

Even if you have NO experience whatsoever at modding or configing or scripting and you want to help, just say so. We can easilly work something out.

[Hongjian]

Great work, Tom1!

I like the ZBD-04 IFV. Now it only lacks the thermal imaging channel and automatic range setting for the 100mm gun (for the 30mm chaingun it already works).

one suggestion for your plan, stated in the readme:

Make a new scope veiw for the QBZ95sp model. I don't know how it is meant to look but will do some research and
try to make it look awesome

The VME_PLA scopes and weapon ballistics for all the QBZ-95 Marksman version, the QBU-88 DMR, the two JS-5.8 (silenced and vanilla) and the JS-12.7 heavy sniper all already have very good and precise reticules and ballistic properities, that actually work for their intented distances. I would suggest to either leave these weapons in the mod and just try to make the ammo/magazines ACE-compatible like the rest of the rifles, or try to modify Fromz' weapons and add these reticules and ballistic properities from the VME mod.
The firearms of the VME mod are pretty much the most finished and fine-tuned elements in the entire mod. It would be a waste not to use them and an unnecessary work to make something entirely new. Perhaps the only things you could add is the ACE range-setting module to the sniper and scoped weapons and, as suggested, standarize the ammo. Also, I like the weapon textures of the VME mod more - less glossy and more "refinined". There are some glitches with the weapons, though, which can be seen from my entries in the issue tracker of devhaven.

[Tom1]

Yeah will do man, although with exams at the moment I will have only very tiny updates if any for next 3 to 4 weeks

[Kommiekat]

Good news Tom1!


Just one thing I'm not clear on:

Add China to Independent side

Why? Doing this will give me, a mission maker the option of choosing the sides for VME?

There are a lot of good scenarios that could be made with it as it is:
VME OPFOR.

If you need help, let me know BUT! I would need clear instructions and directions on what to do because I lack most skills that you need to get this together.

I could be a cheerleader for you!

[Tom1]

Yeah I would like to add VME to the independent faction but if possible keep them on the opfor side as well.

independent is probably best though, as you could have china vs russia and china vs america. Also, china vs guerilas could easilly be done using insurgents from opfor side.

But yeah hopefully both sides.

I will get back to you soon on stuff i need help with, i have heaps of work to do at the moment for exams coming up.

[stubs]

I would be glad to help write configs, I will also try to gather some info on weapons and vehicles.