BC Scenario Tools
1. Overview
BC scenarios are a collection of directories and files, some required and some optional. Browse the directory tree of an existing scenario to get a good idea of the files required. The necessary files can be created and edited using one of the Excel spreadsheet or other utilities listed below.
Using an existing map and unit templates directory makes scenario creation very easy:
1. Unzip BC_ScenarioEditor.zip to a new directory named for the scenario.
2. Use BC_ScenarioEditor.xls (from BC_ScenarioEditor.zip) to:
A. Specify basic values for the scenario, such as name, start and end time, visibility, etc.
B. Create an OOB table for the scenario.
C. Generate the OOB directory tree automatically from existing unit templates.
3. Copy the desired map into the new scenario directory.
4. Load the scenario and position the units.
5. Save the scenario.
2. Required Scenario Files
BC scenarios include the following files and sub-directories:
| Scenario Required Files: | Description | Tools to Create and Edit |
| ScenarioName.BC Scenario File | Includes basic values for the scenario, such as name, ID number, start and end time, comments, location, wind, and temperature. Also included are tables of sides, users, and visibility points. | XLS: BC_ScenarioEditor.zip [02FEB13] |
| Scenario Cargo.mdb | Tables of all possible ammunition and fuel cargo types in the scenario. | |
| Scenario Order Of Battle.mdb | A table of data listing all separate units in the scenario. | |
| Scenario Required Sub-directories: | ||
| \Order Of Battle Units\ | The Order of Battle Units directory contains a file sub-directory for each seperate unit in the scenario. |
“ |
| \Map\ | The map sub-directory includes map digital terrain elevation data files, and overlay images for 2D and 3D maps. | See Creating Maps |
3. Creating Unit Templates
Unit template directories contain all the data and image files necessary for specific types of units. For example, one unit template type may be a US Light Infantry Platoon. These file directories are copied to a new scenario as needed and used as a basis for the numerous unit being generated for the scenario. Creating new unit template directories requires data input, as well as creating some bitmap images to represent the unit counter appearance.
| Unit Required Files: | Description |
Tools to Create and Edit |
| Unit Main.mdb | Basic fixed data for the unit 9 tables | XLS: BC_UnitEditor.zip [02FEB13]EXE: BC_ColorPicker.zip [02FEB13]
EXE: BC_FireAccuracy.zip [13JUL13] |
| Unit Weapons.mdb | Weapon data for the unit 16 tables | |
| Unit Equipment.mdb | Equipment data for the unit 11 tables | /td> |
| Unit Variable Data.mdb | Variable data for the unit 5 tables | |
| Unit Orders.mdb | Orders values for the unit “ 8 tables | |
| GraphicSilentSpottedAsEnemyUnit.bmp | Preferred format: 128×128 pixel 256 color bitmap | EXE: BC_CounterCreator.zip [02FEB13]Or any bitmap editor |
| GraphicSilentSpottedAsType.bmp | ||
| GraphicSilentSpottedAsSpecificUnit.bmp | ||
| GraphicFiringSpottedAsEnemyUnit.bmp | ||
| GraphicFiringSpottedAsType.bmp | ||
| GraphicFiringSpottedAsSpecificUnit.bmp | ||
| Unit Optional Files: | ||
| GraphicFileName_NN.bmp | Up to 10 additional unit counter style sets,where NN is a number 01 to 10. |
4. Creating Maps
The map sub-directory includes map digital terrain elevation data files and overlay mages for the map.
| Map Required Files: |
Description |
Tools to Create and Edit |
| MapName.BC Map File | EXE: BC_MapCreator.zip [19JUL13]EXE: BC_MapElevationUtility.zip [19JUL13]
EXE: BC_TerrainEditor.zip [18SEP13] |
|
| MapName Map Overlay 1.bmp | One 2000×2000 pixel 256 color bitmap of entire map area | Any bitmap editor |
| MapName Map Overlay 2.bmp | ||
| MapName Map Overlay 3.bmp | ||
| Map Required Sub-directories: | ||
| \Full Resolution\ | One 2048×2048 pixel 256 color bitmap per 2.5km x 2.5km | EXE: BC_OverlayProcessor.zip [02FEB13] |
| \Half Resolution\ | One 512×512 pixel 256 color bitmap per 2.5km x 2.5km | |
| \Low Resolution\ | One 128×128 pixel 256 color bitmap per 2.5km x 2.5km | |
| \Mini Resolution\ | One 32×32 pixel 256 color bitmap per 2.5km x 2.5km | |
| Map Optional Sub-directory: | ||
| \SkyDomes\ | One 512×512 pixel 256 color bitmap |
5. Optional Scenario Sub-Directories
If the sub-directories in the table below exist in the scenario directory, they will be used as the source for the images. Otherwise, default images will be used.
| Scenario Optional Sub-directories: |
Description |
Tools to Create and Edit |
| \Documents\ | PDF, Word, or image files with mission or other information for the scenario. | Any |
| \Decals\Casualities\ | Custom casualty counters | Any bitmap editor |
| \Decals\Markers\ | Custom marker images | |
| \Decals\ModifiedMapTerrain\ | Custom modified map terrain images |
6. Creating Scenarios
New scenarios can be created using the following steps:
1. Create the necessary unit templates for the scenario(s) you wish to create, or use pre-existing unit templates.
2. Create the map(s) you wish to use, or use pre-existing maps.
3. Input the OOB for each scenario using a copy of the BC_ScenarioEditor.xls spreadsheet.
4. Use the BC_ScenarioEditor.xls spreadsheets to generate the OOB directories and files for each scenario.
5. Load each scenario and position the units. Save the scenario.
6. Place any documentation or images you wish to include in the \Documents directory of the scenario.
 Unit Graphics
Terrain Encoding
Scenario Editing
Scenario Creation