One vision, one purpose! jonwil, the leader of W3D and W3X Export Tools, has recently released W3D and W3X Export Tools for 3DS Max 2023 1.8.0. For those unaware, W3D and W3X Export Tools is a set of tools that allows you to export 3D models created with 3Ds Max to your modifications for Command & Conquer Renegade, Generals, and Zero Hour Expansion, as well as Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth 1 and 2 and the Rise of the Witch King expansion, using the W3D exporter. With the W3X exporter, you can export 3D models to Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars and Kane's Wrath Expansion, Red Alert 3 and Uprising Expansion, and Tiberian Twilight. Bear in mind that 3Ds Max is a commercial and costly 3D modeling tool. Here is jonwil's announcement from W3D and W3X Export Tools for 3DS Max 2023 1.8.0 at W3D Hub:

Quote:
I have released a new version of the W3D and W3X export tools. These are now built to work with 3DS Max 2023 and contain various fixes.

This pack contains:

  • W3D Exporter for 3DS Max 2023 - New tools for Max 2023 to export W3D files
  • W3X Exporter for 3DS Max 2023 - New tools for Max 2023 to export W3X files
  • W3D Viewer -  A model viewer for W3D files
  • W3D Dump - A tool to open W3D files and see the contents
  • The source code to the W3D Exporter, W3X Exporter, wdump.exe and memorymanager.dll


Read the readme.txt file for details on how to install the plugin and notes about how to use it.

Please test this and please report any bugs to me so they can be fixed.

If you have any questions, you can find me here, on the w3dhub discord, on the 3rd Age discord, the SAGE Engine Modding discord or various other C&C discord groups.


If you are curious about W3D and W3X Export Tools, visit the topic about it at W3D Hub Forums, and W3D Hub Discord Channel to obtain further information about it. Grab the latest version of W3D and W3X Export Tools by clicking Here. And this is all for today! Enjoy W3D and W3X Export Tools and provide your feedback about it so it can get better.

Notepad++ 8.5.1 has been released!
March 24, 2023 - 17:40
Hello ladies and gentlemen! The staff from Notepad++ has recently released Notepad++ 8.5.1. Notepad++ is a free and open-source code editor and Notepad replacement that runs on Windows. It supports several programming languages, multiple tabs, plugins, and is based on the powerful editing component Scintilla.

Here are the updates from Notepad++ 8.5.1:

Quote:
Notepad++ v8.5.1 Release is available here:
https://notepad-plus-plus.org/news/v851-released/

Notepad++ v8.5.1 bug-fixes and new features:

  • Use the new modern shell "Edit with Notepad++" of Windows 11 instead of hijacking "Pin to Quick access".
  • Update scintilla to 5.3.4 and lexilla to 5.2.4.
  • Add MS Transact-SQL support.
  • Add GDScript language support with autocomplete & functionlist.
  • Fix UDL empty button regression after changing localization.
  • Add the ability to copy “Find what” to “Replace with”, and vice versa in the Find Replace dialog.
  • Fix the DocSwitcher RTL problem, and use the edit field instead of a small popup value dialog.
  • GUI visual enhancement: Fix whole dialog items blink when an item value changes.
  • Make the tray icon context menu translatable.


For people who have ARM devices, could you test http://download.notepad-plus-plus.org/repository/8.x/8.5.1.RC/npp.8.5.1.Installer.arm64.exe and confirm if the newly added Explorer context menu entry ("Edit with Notepad++") works fine with your Windows 11 ARM64.

Auto-update will be triggered in one week if no critical issue is found.


For further information about Notepad++, visit its Official Website, and Forums. You can download Notepad++ 8.5.1 Here. And this is all for today! Enjoy Notepad++ and provide your feedback about it so it can get better.

VectorIV, the leader of Zero Hour Enhanced, has recently shared another update about his project with the public. Claws of the Eagle 5 covers vehicles from NATO, among a few other things. For those unfamiliar with it, Zero Hour Enhanced is a modification for Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour that enhances the gameplay experience of the game according to VectorIV's visions. Here are the official words about it:

Quote:
Hello, everyone. It looks like we've finally arrived at the end of the NATO vehicles and tanks update. Do you know what that means? We're only two series away from completing the essential art assets for a new release, so let's end this series with a bang.

First off, the Stryker is back and even better than before. Much like the PLA Crawler APC, there's hardly any difference except that the Stryker is initially equipped with M2 HMG remote weapon station, and it's not amphibious. Er, that's about it really. Oh yeah, and remember, these are TOTALLY DIFFERENT units. JUST DON'T LOOK AT THE CODES.

Up next, we have #EasternEuropeanCommunistsLoveNATO Zoopark-1 ADS-2 'Disruptor' Tank. After the anti-climactic demise of the USSR using just one signature, there's an abundance of leftover MT-LBu in many ex-Soviet and ex-Warsaw Pact states.

Some communists now openly declare that they believe true communism can be achieved only through NATO's benevolence and denounce any reactionaries from trying to encroach and subvert its just rule. When asked to prove their credentials and credibility, they stated that "Can't you see that I'm wearing the red star hat? That means I'm objectively a communist. Everyone knows that red star hats are the only credentials anyone needs to be a communist. Every famous communist does it. Haven't you tried googling once in your life?!"

With NATO having iron-clad control over these states, these MT-LBu are converted into advanced active denial systems, AKA high-powered microwave emitters or just microwaves that we use to toast some slices of bread. Except now they're powered up to toast people alive in seconds. Not only that, but they can also "disrupt" production in target structures, preventing them from functioning, and slow down infantry caught in its area of effect once deployed to hinder them from easily achieving their objectives. So think about that the next time you meme about the Microwave Tank.

Next in line is undeniable proof that the American education system has failed humanity and is in need of serious overhaul and funding.

The American version of MIM-104E has to be the stupidest piece of high-tech military hardware I've ever seen. Like, who the ztype in the right mind could come up with this sort of monstrosity and goes, "looks fine to me." Like what? I'm convinced that the person who came up with this design has to suffer with some sort of brainrot and you can't change my mind.

With the introduction of the NASAM battery in replacement of the OG Patriot battery, the ZHE Patriot battery is now an actual Patriot battery.

Finally, we have that Titan tank first introduced in 2013 but somehow never made it into the mod for some reason. Well, "Titan" is still the codename of the entire experimental super-heavy tank project, so now, each variation will have its own unique name.

First of its kind, the Themis. It started development during the GWOT, not to combat terrorists effectively, but as a contingency against China. With the revelation of the close-guarded secret Chinese Overlord project and its proven domination on the battlefield, Pentagon went, "gotta get me some of those war crime machines."

And just like that, project Titan was a go.

Not quite as advanced as the Overlord yet, the Themis is still a force to be reckoned with its experimental 140mm smoothbore gun and 4 TOW ATGM launchers.

You may be thinking, "wait a sec, where is the rest of the addon upgraded versions like them Overlord tanks?" Well, truth be told, I can't be bothered to do me right now so I conveniently came up with the lore-friendly reason of "it's still experimental right now, so the Pentagon is still evaluating its use cases to authorize further research and funding." so you can cope about it.





NATO M1126 'Stryker' Infantry Carrier Vehicle is NATO's most reliable armoured troop transport. Named after its fallen compatriots who served in World War 2 and Vietnam, the Stryker is a stark reminder of what its people must sacrifice to maintain liberty and peace in the world.

M1126 comes equipped with fully packed smoke grenade dischargers allowing it to mask friendly infantry or vehicle to ensure a successful assault on the enemy or retreat without casualty.

Armaments: M2 12.7mm heavy machine gun remote weapon station.





NATO ADS-2 'Disruptor' Tank is NATO's advanced support tank and advanced mobile microwave for troops to prepare their frozen pizzas.

Its hammer and sickle logo is undeniable proof that the crews are communists, but they just love NATO.

Being armed with an active denial system, the Disruptor tank utilizes heat rays to damage enemy infantry and disrupt enemy structures, halting production and preventing them from functioning.

Once deployed, the Disruptor tank can project its heat ray in a wide area of effect, slowing down enemy infantry within its radius.

It doesn't come equipped with pre-installed smoke grenade dischargers, but they can become available via a local upgrade. Despite that fact, ADS-2 can still use its engine as a smoke screen generator to create a small smoke screen surrounding it in case of emergency.

Armaments: High-powered microwave generator.





NATO MIM-104E 'Patriot' Mobile Surface-to-air/Anti-ballistic Missile System is the impregnable guardian of NATO's sky. Capable of destroying enemy aircraft and ballistic missiles with ease, the Patriot can ensure that NATO and its allies' territory will never be under attack from the sky.

The Patriot has to be deployed first before it can fire its missiles.

Armaments: 4x PAC-2 missile launchers.





NATO M1 'Themis' Superheavy Tank is NATO's ultimate peacekeeping arsenal and answer to its Chinese counterpart, the Overlord. Built and designed by pure-blooded Caucasian Americans, born from hundreds of generations exclusively in Christian nuclear families, this thing consumes oil 10x times that of the Abrams (not but to worry, it's subsidized by the money of good US patriots.)

While slightly less armored than the Chinese counterpart, the Themis, with its unlimited resource of oil, can move faster than the Overlord.

Being armed with an experimental 140mm smoothbore gun and potentially TOW missile launchers, the Themis can terminate any hint of communism with extreme effectiveness both in the homeland and almost every corner of the globe.

It doesn't come equipped with pre-installed smoke grenade dischargers, but they can become available via a local upgrade. However, the M1 can still use its engine as a smoke screen generator to create a small smoke screen surrounding it in case of emergency.

Due to its high cost and maintenance, only a relatively small number of M1 can be deployed on the battlefield.

Armaments: 140mm smoothbore gun, coaxial 7.62mm M240 machine gun, and (upgradable) 4x BGM-71 TOW ATGM launchers.

And that's it for today. Stay tuned for the next update!


For further information about Zero Hour Enhanced, visit its ModDB Profile, and Discord Channel. And that's all regarding Zero Hour Enhanced for now. Stay tuned at PPM for more news about Zero Hour Enhanced!

Vermins of Dune: March Update!
March 23, 2023 - 03:27
Greetings, Comrade General! Daniil Hayrapetyan, the leader of Vermins of Dune, has been busy recently working on it and shared its progress report with us. For those unfamiliar with it, Vermins of Dune is a modification for the Dune mod from OpenRA, which includes the Smugglers as a playable faction. Here is what was shared about it:

Quote:


Hello guys!

I hope you all enjoyed the beta version of Vermins of Dune I released last month. Since that, I have worked on polishing the already existing content, and my estimates are

Vermins of Dune 1.0.0 will arrive before July (hopefully much sooner)



Balance
One of my focuses now will be to make the faction more balanced. I'll appreciate any help on that. Please write down in the comments how you think the balance can be improved.



Upcoming Changes


Installer
According to your feedback, the installer for some of you couldn't download game files, which prevented a successful game installation. To tackle this problem, I added an additional mirror for game data, and the mirror list is now stored on GitHub.

Also, we now finally have an installer for the Linux version!

Visuals
Several sprite polishes will also arrive in 1.0.0.

  • Smoother Radar Animation for Outpost
  • Polish for Palace Sprite
  • Loading Screen image will feel slightly less flat






Breaking Change
Custom map folder is now relocated to d2k_smugglers/1.0.0 instead of d2k/{DEV_VERSION}

Other
The update will also include some minor fixes, like polished encyclopedia entries.



For those of you that want the freshest news the soonest, this changelog is continuously updated. Please note as this changelog is updated more frequently, it might contain some nonfinal statements.


You can find more information about Vermins of Dune by visiting the ModDB Profile. And this is all we can offer for today regarding Vermins of Dune!

Inqubi, the leader of Combined Arms, has recently posted one music that will be featured on his mod, called March on Instinct 2. Of course, it is inspired by both Act of Instinct ( Tiberian Dawn) and Hell March (Red Alert 1). For those unfamiliar with it, Combined Arms is a mod for OpenRA that emulates the old Command & Conquer games gameplay and brings five factions to the battlefield: Allies, Soviets, GDI, Nod, and Scrin. It features new units and support powers for these factions. It also features new graphics and sound effects. Here is the video with the music:





You can find more information about Combined Arms by visiting the ModDB Profile, and Discord Channel. And that's all for now!

New buildings for Scorched Earth!
March 22, 2023 - 15:46
Howdy! G-E, the leader of Scorched Earth, has recently shared some buildings that were done for this project. For those unaware, Scorched Earth is a modification for Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge that does a massive overhaul with the game, although it retains its cannon and most existing units. AI is brutally harder and more challenging. It also features several new civilian assets, and asymmetric multiplayer maps, among other things. Here are some pictures of the recent buildings:





You can learn more about Scorched Earth by visiting the Forums, and ModDB Profile. And this is all we can offer for today regarding Scorched Earth!

Howdy! The crew from The End of Days has recently shared the USA icons and sub-faction names from their project. The End of Days is a mod for Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour. It adds Russia as a new playable faction and improves the original three with new units, structures, and special powers! It strives to bring an authentic real-war feeling, with a few fictional additions for more fun and diverse gameplay & tactics! It also replaces Heroes with elite infantry, and Superweapons are mostly presented as mobile ICBM Launchers like Russia's Topol-M or China's DF-41. It also innovates with purchasable subfactions at your tech center instead of the original choice of "Generals" before battle, which allows you to change your strategy mid-game to counter your opponents! Each of the 4 factions has 3 completely different subfactions to choose from. Here is the official announcement from The End of Days:

Quote:
New Subfaction icons and names: USA



For further information about The End of Days, visit its ModDB Profile, and Discord Channel. And this is all we can offer for today regarding The End of Days!

Phobos Build 34 is ready for testing!
March 22, 2023 - 02:36
Welcome back, commander! The team behind Phobos has been busy recently in order to post Phobos Build 34 for testing. Phobos extends the modding features from Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge and, unlike Ares, is completely open-source. Here are the goodies that come with Phobos Build 34:

Quote:
Phobos development build 34 is up!

Changes compared to build 33:

New:

  • Income money flying-string display when harvesters or slaves are docking to refineries (by Trsdy)
  • Allow random crates to be generated only on lands (by Trsdy)
  • Customizable aircraft spawner spawn delay (by Starkku)
  • Customizable Cluster scatter distance (by Starkku)
  • Customizable FlakScatter distance (by Starkku)
  • Customizable debris & meteor impact and warhead detonation behavior (by Starkku, Otamaa)
  • Custom warhead debris animations (by Starkku)
  • Multiple burst shots/burst delay within infantry firing sequence (by Starkku)
  • Attached particle system for animations (by Starkku)
  • Removal of hardcoded AA & Gattling weapon selection restrictions (by Starkku)
  • Projectile SubjectToLand/Water (by Starkku)
  • Real-time timers (by Morton)
  • Default campaign game speed override and custom campaign game speed FPS (by Morton)
  • Trigger actions that allow/forbid MCV to redeploy in-game (by Trsdy)
  • AnimList on zero damage Warheads toggle via AnimList.ShowOnZeroDamage (by Starkku)
  • Including INI files and inheriting INI sections (by Morton)
  • Additions to automatic passenger deletion (by Starkku)
  • Buildings considered as vehicles (by Starkku)
  • TechnoType target evaluation map zone check behavior customization (by Starkku)
  • CanC4=false building zero damage toggle (by Starkku)
  • OpenTopped transport target sharing customization (by Starkku)
  • Vanish animation for AutoDeath.Behavior=vanish (by Starkku)
  • Add limbo object tracking to AutoDeath.TechnosExists and AutoDeath.TechnosDontExist (by Starkku)
  • Detonating Detonate.Warhead at the firing building instead of the target cell (by Starkku)

Vanilla fixes:

  • Improved the statistic distribution of the spawned crates over the visible area of the map. (by Trsdy, based on TwinkleStar's work)
  • Break the mind-control link when capturing a mind-controlled building with an engineer (by Trsdy)
  • Fixed the range for a number of debris spawned by Warhead to use MaxDebris instead of MaxDebris - 1 (by Starkku)
  • Fixed LandTargeting=1 not preventing from targeting TerrainTypes (trees etc.) on land (by Starkku)
  • Fixed NavalTargeting=6 not preventing from targeting empty water cells or TerrainTypes (trees etc.) on water (by Starkku)
  • Fixed NavalTargeting=7 and/or LandTargeting=2 resulting in still targeting TerrainTypes (trees etc.) on land with Primary weapon (by Starkku)
  • Fixed an issue that causes attached animations on flying objects not to layer correctly (by Starkku)
  • Restored EVA_StructureSold for buildings with UndeploysInto (by Trsdy)
  • Allow MCV to redeploy in campaigns (by Trsdy)
  • Allow buildings with UndeploysInto to be sold if Unsellable=no but ConstructionYard=no (by Trsdy)
  • Fixed infantry without C4=true being killed in water if para dropped, chronoshifted, etc., even if they can normally enter the water (by Starkku)
  • Fixed WaterBound=true buildings with UndeploysInto not correctly setting the location for the vehicle to move into when undeployed (by Starkku)
  • Allow more than 5 AlternateFLH entries for units (by ststl)
  • Buildings with CanC4=false will no longer take 1 point of positive damage if hit by negative damage (by Starkku)
  • Buildings with a primary weapon that has AG=no projectile now have an attack cursor when selected (by Starkku)
  • Weapons with AG=no projectiles can no longer fire at any ground targets, instead of only being prevented from firing at ground cells (by Starkku)

Phobos fixes:

  • AutoDeath support for objects in limbo (by Trsdy)
  • Fixed shield animation being hidden while underground or in tunnels fix not working correctly (by Starkku)
  • Restore the MindClearedSound when deploying a mind-controlled unit into a building loses the mind-control (by Trsdy)
  • Reimplemented the bugfix for jumpjet units' facing when firing, discarding the inappropriate JumpjetTurnToTarget tag (by Trsdy)
  • Fixed RadSiteWarhead.Detonate not detonating precisely on the affected object (thus requiring CellSpread) (by Starkku)
  • Allow PowerPlant Enhancer to be affected by EMP (by Trsdy)
  • Gunner=true transports now correctly change turret if a passenger is removed by PassengerDeletion (by Starkku)
  • PassengerDeletion.Soylent now correctly calculates refund value if the removed passenger has no explicitly set Soylent value (by Starkku)
  • Animation Weapon with Damage.DealtByInvoker=true now uses the invoker's house to deal damage and apply Phobos warhead effects even if the invoker is dead when a weapon is fired (by Starkku)
  • Superweapon Detonate.Weapon & Detonate.Warhead now uses the firing house to deal damage and apply Phobos warhead effects even if no firing building is found (by Starkku)
  • Fixed script action 10103 skipping the next line or running when there are no transport units in the teams (by FS-21)
  • Reordered the buttons in the retry mission dialog (by Trsdy)
  • Fixed PCX campaign loading screen issue (by Uranusian)


If you are curious about Phobos, visit the Forums at PPM, Official Website, and Discord Channel at C&C Mod Haven to obtain further information about it. Phobos is available for download Here. And that's all for now! Have fun, provide your feedback, and enjoy Phobos!