Instructional Guide for Eastern Front: Soviet and Ostheer Overview

Hello Eastern Front Community,

I have been thinking about doing an instructional, in-depth guide for Eastern Front concerning units, buildings, gameplay, practically anything a new player will need to know to be a good player at the new factions.

I was hoping I could format it to mimic Relic's instruction booklet that came with box-copies of Company of Heroes.

Here is an online copy of the vCOH manual, in PDF format for download and available to view online otherwise.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2358213/COH-user-manual

I am willing to do this, but I need the community's help:

Currently, I have the basic tempelate I need to write for each of the buildings, units, and explanation on a couple Soviet features, along with doctrines.

I also possess access to most of the Tank Icons, Building Icons, and Doctrinal ability Icons.

What I DO NOT have is:

• Infantry Icons; I would need these to write a summary about each unit.

• A decent program to create this in mind; I was hoping to mimic the Relic guide, but I'm clueless as to what kind of program I should use, suggestions appreciated.
  
  Currently using Serif Page Plus, Thanks for suggestions!
  
  

• Large background pictures of heavy equipment; Notice that when reading about the Wehr, there's pictures of Flak 88's, Tigers, Panthers, etc. I was hoping that I could possibly have pictures of T-34s, IS-2s, ZIS-2s, and maybe an ISU-152 for background if possible.

• 
  A terms of service clause, if I could obtain the one upon installing EF that pops up, that would be great! Is it stored on my CPU?
  

Comments and Suggestions appreciated, once I have a program under-my-belt I can get to work, thanks!
Progress:

• Basic Structures: ✔


• Infantry:


• Tanks:


• Doctrines:


• Terms of Service:


• Introductions: A quick few tips to playing the new factions:

Last edited April 22, 2011 at 5:53 AM by Cranialwizard

Have you tried Photoshop? It can do anything! Apparently...

How did u extract the unit and doctrine icons? they would make good avatars

REDcommissar wrote:
How did u extract the unit and doctrine icons? they would make good avatars

If you can use them without the button background, you must use Corsix Mod Studio.

Thanks Blackbishop, but I already had those :)

I don't need the Portraits, I'm in search of the icons you click for deployment, do you think you could get those? Like the Icons you have for the T-34/76 and T-34/85 in that package.

If those icons are absolutely unavailable I'll try to use the portraits.

And thanks Pariah, do you know if I can get it for free?

No, Photoshop's a pretty expensive program, actually. :( Although it might be possible to download a trial version or something, i dunno. :-\

Yea, and I am reluctant to download a "Free Photoshop" at the risk of catching a virus, especially since it is quite a popular and expensive software, it would attract quite a few free-loaders.

I could use Paint.Net as a last resort, but that could potentially be painful.

I'm already working on a guide like this (http://easternfront.org/forums/index.php?topic=5538.0), but will not include strategies. My idea is make a guide like the ones on retail games. It will include:

- Eastern Front original cover, like the DVD one on website.
- Legal disclaimer.
- Installation guide (like the one on forum).
- Game modes guide.
- Basic Unit guide
- Units stats guide.
- Credits (all EF staff).
- Back cover.

All will be "ready to print", Adobe PDF file. Will use Photoshop and Corel Draw to make (i'm a professional photographer, probly will use mostly PS) then export to a PDF.

You can help me, or go on with your project, maybe after we make a vote to decide witch one will be the "one" :D. Alternativelly you can make a Strategy guide, because mine will not have strategies.

I will need a english revisor, because my native language is brazilian portuguese and my english sux.

If you want to team up, we can talk, my MSN is thiago.hdp (arroba) gmail.com.

Last edited April 21, 2011 at 12:16 AM by SuperSoca

I don't have a MSN but we can email or use EF Messaging from now on.

I can proofread your english, and write some entries if you would like.

You seem to be more progressed than I have so far, so sure, we'll team up.

Photoshop is not really the software you want to use for Desktop Publishing. I recommend Serif PagePlus. It's in the same vein as Microsoft Publisher, but immensely more powerful (and it's main grabbing point is its ease-of-use for noobs).

I use it for my professional work, but even my 10 year old sister uses it for her schoolwork with excellent results.

Thanks WartyX, I'll consider it :D

EDIT: Oh wow, I didn't see the price-tag :/

EDIT EDIT: Just saw the "Free Download" Thanks!

EDIT EDIT EDIT: Fail, it wants a product key. :/ Thanks for the suggestion though.

Last edited April 21, 2011 at 1:42 AM by Cranialwizard

I'm not exactly sure what you want to do with Photoshop, but i find the standard Microsoft Paint that comes with Windows to be very effective for editing. As you can see, it was quite easy to turn the first picture into the second, for application onto my t-shirt:

Yeah, I would recommend something along the lines of Publisher. Fairly good program.

pariah wrote:
No, Photoshop's a pretty expensive program, actually. :( Although it might be possible to download a trial version or something, i dunno. :-\

just try gimp. its free and can do the same as photoshop.

http://www.gimp.org/

Last edited April 21, 2011 at 2:05 PM by snailcommando

It also has an awesome name. I have gimp. It's not pretty but it works really well.

GodlikeDennis wrote:
It also has an awesome name. I have gimp. It's not pretty but it works really well.

I use GIMP to handle picture edition too :).

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I have Paint.Net, it's extremely similar to GIMP, it's essentially the same program.

I'll try and see if I can use Paint.Net to get those grey backround pictures, and Publisher is an excellent idea.

Now all that's left is Infantry icons, I'll get to work! ;)

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I'm using Serif Page Plus to create this, and suprisingly I've found it incredibly easy to use! In fact, I have the entire section with base-buildings and defenses complete! Now all I need are backgrounds and infantry icons! :)

Last edited April 22, 2011 at 5:43 AM by Cranialwizard

Excellent, did you end up buying PagePlus X5? Also what is the progress? Remember to export as .pdf so we can all see it properly when you are finished :D

Well I ended up not going through all the way in concentration of other things but I can most certainly pick this back up again when I find the time.

Nah I didn't end up buying it, been using their basic demo version, I'll see what I can do with 5 pages per document...If not I'll have to find another program.

Don't worry about numbers of pages. When you're finished, send each page to me and I can compile it for you into as many pages as you want.

That sounds good. Alright you've got me motivated.

Should I wait for the next patch? Check your PM

You could always update after. Either way, as a balance don't you have access to the latest Soviet changes?

Woudn't want to release info that's not final.

Yes but like sandy it can always be updated for the final release.