Atheory's Project: PzB-Normandy Campaign

[berto]

If I understand the code correctly (it is JT's code, not my own), if my investigations and diagnosis are correct, I don't think the limitation is the gross number of units.  Rather it is the number of unique unit graphics images.

Indeed, this would explain how in more than one of my tests I was able to add dozens more German units, because they were units using counter graphics in use by other units already on map.  Eventually, yes, I could add one more German unit that locked up the program.  Presumably (I can't say for sure, I didn't check) it was a new unit type, with a new set of counter graphics not already in use.

As it pertains to potential program lock-up, it should make no difference if you have one supply unit, or 10, or 100, since they all share the same several unit counter images (for the several different zooms, and the NATO variant).

Indeed, more evidence suggesting that the above is so:

  BONAtheoryBug5.JPG (Size: 447.89 KB / Downloads: 2)

In the screenshot, I have added dozens of British Supply Truck units without pbedit locking up.

(These additions are to the version of the scenario where before, in our experiments, the program would invariably lock up after adding a single new unit counter representing 23/E/12 Devonshire Regt (UK AL MG (mot)).  A new unit with counter graphics not already in use (presumably).)

But then, after the many Supply Truck additions, if I attempt to add a new unit type with a new set of unit graphics, the British airborne Supply Drop, the program locks up.

In an earlier experiment, I was able to similarly add many dozens of Supply Drop units in the manner depicted by the Supply Trucks test (but without any Supply Truck additions), and similarly without the program locking up.

So, the system limit leading to lock-up does not seem to be the gross number of units.  Rather, it seems to be the number of unit types.  Limit the unit types, limit the number of graphics images loaded for those types, and you should be good.

If I am right about all of this, if we can somehow avoid loading up the picture counter graphics, and confine all counter graphics to just NATO symbols, I believe we should be good in this way also.

No proof of any of this, the proof is in the trying.  Maybe worth a try?