Map data

[Turuk]

Not sure what you mean here by paired maps - can you give an example?

Bad word choice on my part, I should have said linked/selected map boards for the scenario. One example would be Farello - I also realized I can do an advanced search on Map Count 0. It comes up with 267 scenarios without Map Boards selected.

Thanks Turuk for your continued work on this!

You are welcome, it's been an enjoyable process!

 

[daveramsey]

Ah - no worries. Adding the missing maps is something that can be done when people who are inclined come across them. Having the map images and tagged up adds more value, I think for now.

 

[Turuk]

Le Franc Tireur is complete, minus the maps coming with LFT16. I assume they will be LFT11 onwards, but assumptions always get me in trouble.

Now that all of the TPP on here are complete, I'm going to move to using the Maps page to identify maps not tied to a publication and link them.

 

[Turuk]

A minor update - I am still working through the Maps page. When I find maps that are duplicates, I am moving those scenarios to one version of the map and deleting the other. I should finish with the "C" section by today, which will put me at 383 out of 880 complete. Slowly but surely!

 

[Hutch]

I know your pain.
I've been going through the AFV graphics one by one for the Archive, and fixing the ones with broken images with the proper VASL image (if available.)
Working backward, I am at T-38. With the exception of the CH one time use AFV's, they are fairly complete.
Next will be the Guns, .

 

[Turuk]

You really do, I would argue that yours is the more arduous task by sheer numbers!

 

[Hutch]

AFV’s complete. There are some of the KFW that need to port over, as well as some BFP’s and CH’s that need to be updated. I do not have the files on those.
I am sending Dave a list of the ones to port over.

 

[Turuk]

All of the maps have now been mapped to publications, though @daveramsey if you could run a check to confirm I did not miss any, that would be greatly appreciated.

Also, let me know if there is any other work that would be helpful in scrubbing data in the Archive. One of the other items I thought of was reviewing official publications to ensure location data was present for the Scenario Map.

 

[von Marwitz]

Also, let me know if there is any other work that would be helpful in scrubbing data in the Archive. One of the other items I thought of was reviewing official publications to ensure location data was present for the Scenario Map.

Well, I might have an idea:

Doug Rim (the VASL guy...) has programmed a feature into VASL which allows old VASL setup files to be automatically updated to the current version of VASL. Most recently, at least in a beta stage, he is programming to batch-update piles of VASL files.

For example some collections of VASL files are found here:

VASL - Download Scenarios

vasl.info

These already have been batch-updated to VASL v6.6.7

The thing would be to get these into the VASL scenario user-files of the ASL Scenario Archive.

Doing this manually one by one would probably be a chore. Especially when VASL progresses to the next version.

But maybe Dave Ramsey could create some sort of interface that would allow for

a) automatically extricating VASL files in the ASL Scenario Archive automatically and putting them in a zip-file. Then get the zip over to Doug Rim to run a batch update on them.

b) automatically importing (updated) VASL files back into the ASL Scenario Archive.

The great benefit would be, that over time there would be an ever growing collection of up-to-date VASL setup files.

The thing which still would have to be done manually (at least initially) would be to check if any of the VASL files contained VC or SSR (in the form of Draggable Overlays within a VASL file). These would have to be removed to ensure that copyright is not violated unintentionally.


von Marwitz

 

[Turuk]

Well, I might have an idea:

I like this idea, anything to help reduce set-up time and facilitate more play of ASL. The sorted and organized list also makes this process easier to work through from top to bottom.

I will start working through the list; even if there is no bulk update ability, it gives a starting point for the time being that people can use later to update with the Game Update function.

It would be helpful if it was more visible on each scenario in the Archive that a set-up file is available. This could be some sort of check/flag/mark by the scenario title, which could then also be a searchable item.

Obviously, I am spitballing ideas and am not presuming on Dave’s or Doug’s time (greatly appreciate all of their volunteered efforts!).

 

[Hutch]

If you know how to transfer the VASL Vehicle and Gun Files into the Archive, there are some HP Russian, FW files that need to be added. The counters are in VASL but the Edit AFV section on the Archive doesn't pick them up. There are also 4 RCL Counters that need (L) added to them. (SK, UN).
I will attach the PDF list here. I have sent it to Dave but he could be busy with regular life.
Also included is a list of the counters that should be show up in the TotR release on VASL.

 

[Turuk]

If you know how to transfer the VASL Vehicle and Gun Files into the Archive, there are some HP Russian, FW files that need to be added. The counters are in VASL but the Edit AFV section on the Archive doesn't pick them up. There are also 4 RCL Counters that need (L) added to them. (SK, UN).
I will attach the PDF list here. I have sent it to Dave but he could be busy with regular life.
Also included is a list of the counters that should be show up in the TotR release on VASL.

I would if I could, but I do not have access to the underlying database to add the images.

 

[Hutch]

OK, and thanks for all you are doing...

 

[Turuk]

OK, and thanks for all you are doing...

Same to you! I have used the Armory files many times, I know keeping track of all of the components of every release is not simple.

 

[Turuk]

Forgive my ignorance on who owns what on the VASL side - who would be the best contact to remove VASL setup files from VASL Scenario page? I am finding files with SSRs and/or VCs, so I want to highlight them to be pulled off the list.

 

[von Marwitz]

Forgive my ignorance on who owns what on the VASL side - who would be the best contact to remove VASL setup files from VASL Scenario page? I am finding files with SSRs and/or VCs, so I want to highlight them to be pulled off the list.

Not exactly sure what you mean with "VASL Scenario page".

For the website vasl.info Sam Tyson is your man. I think he is also present here on GameSquad (somewhere...). His contact info can be found on the website:




For tha "ASL Scenario Archive" website, Dave Ramsey is your man. He is also active here on GameSquad. Contact info for the ASL Scenario Archive website can be found here:

ASL Scenario Archive

www.aslscenarioarchive.com

(at the bottom).


I agree that VC/SSR should not be part of VASL setup files uploaded to public places to honor copyright.
For that reason, I never include this information in VASL files I do [EXC: there may be up to a handful scenarios which are freely distributed by MMP on their website].
Maybe it has escaped notice in some cases as users have the possibility for unassisted uploads to the ASL Scenario Archive.

If you are working on weeding these out, the quickest approach is likely to pull them from the site completely. However, if the work of those who created them shall be not completely for naught, it might be relatively easy (yet still some work depending on the number of files) to edit by deleting the VC/SSR from them, which likely means deleting two or three Draggable Overlays which hold the VC/SSR.


von Marwitz

 

[Turuk]

Not exactly sure what you mean with "VASL Scenario page".

I meant the former, thank you! Apparently I missed the obvious, I will chalk that up to the need for more coffee.

I agree that VC/SSR should not be part of VASL setup files uploaded to public places to honor copyright.
For that reason, I never include this information in VASL files I do [EXC: there may be up to a handful scenarios which are freely distributed by MMP on their website].
Maybe it has escaped notice in some cases as users have the possibility for unassisted uploads to the ASL Scenario Archive.

Absolutely, I am of the same mindset. It should facilitate easier play but not replace buying a product. I will not call out which ones to avoid drawing attention to them, but I can confirm they are not available for free. If Sam is the only one able to upload to the https://vasl.info/updatedscenarios.htm site, then it may be that he did a bulk add and did not see them, as they have been the minority by far.

If you are working on weeding these out, the quickest approach is likely to pull them from the site completely. However, if the work of those who created them shall be not completely for naught, it might be relatively easy (yet still some work depending on the number of files) to edit by deleting the VC/SSR from them, which likely means deleting two or three Draggable Overlays which hold the VC/SSR.

I am working through your suggestion to get the files into the ASL Scenario Archive and catching them as I go. That is a good thought, I will edit the files I have and send them to Sam to replace the existing setup files, but upload the "clean" files to the Archive.

As always, appreciate your input and help, von Marwitz.

 

[carlsson]

Guys, any idea when the TotR Maps and Overlays will be available? (18a/b + 19a/b etc)

Attached is a picture from the set up of ASL294 No Man, No Problem. Took us 2 hrs to cut and position the overlays, but it's beautiful!

 

[Tuomo]

Guys, any idea when the TotR Maps and Overlays will be available? (18a/b + 19a/b etc)

See this thread. They're mostly done but I need to get with Doug to work out the LOS stuff.

Thank you for that picture; it's interesting to see what the physical mega-overlays look like. I'm hoping the combined VASL overlays are more pleasing to the eye.

 

[pensatl1962]

Guys, any idea when the TotR Maps and Overlays will be available? (18a/b + 19a/b etc)

Attached is a picture from the set up of ASL294 No Man, No Problem. Took us 2 hrs to cut and position the overlays, but it's beautiful!

View attachment 29143

It is very impressive for sure. Four overlapping layers of mapboard and overlays…the best advertisement for VASL that I can think of!

Edit: I miscounted earlier. I actually can see seven (7) overlapping layers of overlays in his original photo. This is just insane. If we were Scouts, this effort would merit an Eagle merit badge. These railyards for me are The Third Rail of ASL overlays. Just don’t touch.