LazyLOS 4 Vassal

For this version of LazyLOS you will need a working installation of VASSAL and VASL 4. This version has been tested with VASL4.0b4. To complete the installation you will need a copy of WinZIP or similar and be fairly au fait with its operation.

Rodney Kinney has single-handedly changed the face of wargaming with this outstanding program and we are all in his debt. What's more, he has thoughtfully produced developer documentation with VASSAL to allow anyone to add to or modify the module files, hence this version of LazyLOS.





Download:

The easy way to use LazyLOS in VASSAL is to download a vasl.zip which already includes LazyLOS. Once on your machine you should rename it to vasl.mod.

Alternatively, the LazyLOS 4 VASSAL zip archive contains everything you need to add LazyLOS to your VASL controls toolbar and is intended for those who may want to find out more about how VASSAL works. For this method you will need to follow the 'Installation Instructions' below.

The zip archive contents have the following structure:

buildFile
/hexentric/*
/src/*

The buildFile is an important part of the module, containing all the information VASSAL needs to load all the module programs and graphics. LazyLOS is a small set of Java programs in the 'hexentric' folder of the zip archive that we will add to the VASL module using the instructions below.

The 'src' folder contains the original source code for those fluent in Java and interested enough to try creating their own plugins for VASSAL modules, or indeed their modules. It is not well documented, but could serve as a template for adding simple functionality along the same lines.

Installation Instructions:

1. Prepare the vasl.mod file for editing

1.1 Temporarily rename your vasl.mod file to vasl.mod.zip

2. Place the 'hexentric' files into your vasl.mod.zip

2.1 Unzip the contents of LazyLOS4Vassal.zip, maintaining folder structure, into a suitable temporary folder (EX: To do this in WinZip you open the LazyLOS4Vassal.zip, hit CTRL-A to select all files, hit the 'Extract' button on the toolbar and ensure that 'Use Folder Names' is ticked.)

1.2 Open the vasl.mod.zip file in WinZIP.

2.3 Drag and drop the newly created 'hexentric' folder from an explorer window into WinZIP. Hit the 'Add' button in the Add Dialog.

3. Edit the buildFile to tell VASSAL where LazyLOS is

3.1 If you have no other non-standard VASL4.0b4 release features installed you can drag and drop the newly unzipped 'buildFile' into your vasl.mod.zip and skip to 4.

3.2 Wow you're adventurous! You need to add lines something like this to end of your custom 'buildFile':

</VASSAL.build.module.ChartWindow>
<hexentric.LazyLOS/>
</VASSAL.build.GameModule>

and drop it back into vasl.mod.zip after saving.

4. Rename vasl.mod.zip back to its original name of vasl.mod

Usage instructions:

It is fairly self-explanatory and if you have entered plausible data it will calculate whether LOS exists or not in the given situation. To get help inside LazyLOS click on the '?' icon in the top right hand side of the window.

The key thing to remember is to put in the full level that the firer is at, i.e. for a firer at Building Level 1 in a Building whose base level is 2 you must enter 3 for 'F'. For the obstacle height put in the full height of the obstacle, i.e. for woods whose base level is 1 you must enter 2 for 'O'.

(Usual disclaimer about no warranties blah, blah, blah, it shouldn't blow up your 'puter.)



Jens: Looks like they've burnt the Wurst stew again Gunther!
Gunther: Shut up, my feet hurt.

Feedback:

If it is causing you excessive grief or wonderment then please feel free to email me. (Remove 'nospam.' from my address before sending.)

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