HeavyMetal Pro Features

Program Summary 

HeavyMetal Pro is the Official advanced BattleMech design program, that is capable of designing all 'Mech types and sizes, as described in the latest releases of BattleTech Master Rules as well as the Level 3 equipment and vehicle types in Maximum Tech. This includes the following BattleMech types:

 • Biped 'Mechs

 • Quad 'Mechs

 • OmniMechs

 • LAMs (Land Air 'Mechs), with Level 3 rules

 • Utility 'Mechs, with Level 3 rules

Level 3 rules also provide for multiple turrets, additional engine, gyro, armor, internal structure and cockpit options, and a wealth of other toys to play with!

As you've come to expect from all of the HeavyMetal programs, HeavyMetal Pro gives you all the tools to design, including custom weapon design, manufacturer and model of equipment information, professional quality record sheets and Technical Readouts (both with pictures, if desired). All available weapons and equipment are included, and are updated as more are published. A Selection utility assists in choosing 'Mechs  for games, full mixed arms BattleForce2 printouts and support is included, and much, much more!

With HeavyMetal Pro, you will have available every official design published in all of the tech readout and record sheet books, which are constantly updated as more are published. HeavyMetal Plus includes all of them on the CD, along with hundreds of custom designs submitted by HeavyMetal users, while HeavyMetal Pro includes a selection of about 500 designs, with all of the rest available for free download from this web site.

Please check out the specific features and screenshots (click on the screen thumbnail) below:

The CD Package

HeavyMetal Pro has been packaged for sale in out our New Slim DVD case, a high-quality DVD case, which looks better, is much stronger, ships better and has more convenient room for the instructions insert, than standard CD jewel cases. The thumbnail shown below is from a scan of the package; click on it to see an enlarged version.

                Program Requirements 

The Main Screen

HeavyMetal Pro has three main screen versions: Regular, Veteran and Elite. This is done to ease the learning curve and reduce clutter for the new user (and make HMPro run well on lower resolution 640x480 monitors), as well as provide additional design information for the experienced user (provided he/she is running higher resolutions). The Regular main screen, shown to the left below, is the default when first running HMPro. It will fit comfortably on a standard VGA screen (640 x 480 resolution). While there is a fair amount of information, this is a good starting point for the new user, as information overload is avoided.

After you're somewhat familiar with the operation of HeavyMetal Pro, and assuming that your video is capable of displaying at least 800 x 600 resolution, you'll probably want to take a look at the Veteran and Elite versions of the main screen. The Elite version, shown to the right above, expands the standard main screen and provides additional information to both the right and bottom of the screen (the Veteran only has the added information to the right). This provides a wealth of graphic and text information for the experienced designer, allowing operation with less screen or tab switching as well as providing summary information on the design, two graphs (damage and HTAL armor), design status and weapon specifics.

One of the most important things on any 'Mech® are the weapons, of course. HMPro's weapon selection screen is very comprehensive, allowing you to view all available weapons, or filter them so that you only see the missile, projectile, short, long or medium range, and many other factors. If you get a 'Mech design from a friend who used HMPro and included custom weapons, you can even "Absorb" them into your custom weapons database. Full information is always available for each weapon during selection. Also, notice the little check-marks to the right of the equipment listing; you can select to display the specialty weapons from Unbound, the Tactical Handbook and MechForce UK when using Level 3 rules. The weapon selection screen is shown below to the left.

After selecting your weapons, you probably want to take a look at the armor type and distribution. The armor and structure tab has this information, as shown to the above right. HMPro will automatically add the maximum armor possible using the remaining weight, and allocate it for you, if you want. Of course, you can still fine-tune it. Or, you can specify the total points or tons or armor, or manually add exactly the amount desired at each location. Naturally, you can select all the published armor types, and can even have Patchwork armor, where each location can have its own armor type. On this screen, you also choose the internal structure, gyro and cockpit types, as well as other construction options.

HeavyMetal Pro allows you to associate or include a picture of your design, in a variety of formats, with the 'Mech data file. It will be displayed on the third tab of the main screen, as shown below on the left. From this tab, you can also enter all the standard "fluff" text, such as Overview, Capabilities, Battle History, etc., plus a Personal Notes section where you can place added info about your design (such as source of info or designer) which while saved with the 'Mech and visible, does not print along with the normal fluff text. A Damage Graph is also visible, which gives the maximum, probable and heat-limited damage for the 'Mech up to a 30 hex range.

One of the many neat things about HeavyMetal Pro is its ability to select 'Mechs based on many criteria. One of those criteria is usage, so the last tab of the main screen, above to the right, allows the user to choose any and all Inner Sphere Houses and/or Clans which should have access to this particular design. Your selections here make it possible to select only 'Mechs available to certain factions. You can use the I.S. and Clan User #1 and #2 selections to indicate those designs you actually have miniatures of, so that when you select units for a game, you'll be sure you can "put your iron on the table."

Since we're discussing selecting 'Mechs, below to the left is shown the Select 'Mechs screen. You can specify a total based on Battle Value, C-bill cost or Tons, and optionally specify the number or tonnage of 'Mechs desired as well as many other criteria, and HMPro will select what it feels are the best units. You can even define "best" as the highest Weapon Value (HMPro's special rating), Short-, Medium- or Long-Range Factors (again, special to HMPro), BattleForce2 or other ratios. You can even select "Random" to make up listings of random 'Mechs, but ones which still meet all your criteria. Selecting 'Mech for matches and campaigns was never easier!

The Print screen, shown above right, provides for several different printout types. The standard record sheet can be printed, or reduced size versions can include the movement grid, hit tables and Level 3 heat table, all on standard 8-1/2" x 11" or A4 paper. Several versions of the TRO (Technical Readout) can be printed, with optional picture, fluff text and manufacturing data, in addition to all the technical information. Battle Value calculations may be printed, and a separate movement grid with space for recording movement and other information for up to 5 'Mechs is available. Of course, you can enter a MechWarrior name and skills, or use the built-in MechWarrior roster to select your pilot.

While not actually part of the main screen, the Distribution screen, show below left, is where you place your equipment in desired locations. Equipment is color-coded for ease of use; some equipment, like XL Engine crits, can be moved only within the location they are in, while others, such as most weapons, can be moved around as desired and as space permits. Added buttons on this screen also allow automatic distribution and un-distribution of certain equipment, as well as moving crits up to eliminate gaps.

Printouts

Naturally, designing 'Mechs is no fun unless you can print the results of your work. HMPro provides many options for printing, as shown on the screen above to the right. You can specify the MechWarrior's name and skill, manually or using the included MechWarrior roster feature, include pictures and logos, even make up to 3 presets for your favorite configurations. Samples of the printouts are shown below. Left to right they are: Tech Readout (TRO) with 'Mech picture and manufacturers, the second page of the TRO with all the technical information, the Record Sheet with many options I'll discuss in a moment, and the BattleForce2 printout:

Notice that the Iron Cheetah TRO (Complements of Canis Dirus aka Dave Briedis) also includes the 'Mech's picture. Dave did this one in black and white, but it could just as easily be in color, and prints in color as well. The Record Sheet shown is one of several available, and includes the optional Turn Grid, Hit Tables and Level 3 Heat Tables. The BattleForce2 printout is in the standard format, and can even include blank units to be filled in later by hand. Incidentally, once HeavyMetal Vee (BattleTech Vehicle Design Generator) and HeavyMetal Lite (ProtoMech Design Generator and Battle Armor and Infantry selection and printing program) are released, you'll be able to combine all these elements on the same BattleForce2 sheet, if desired.

HTML Output

HeavyMetal Pro can also output a 'Mech file to HTML format, which makes viewing using a browser, either on the Internet or locally, a breeze. This feature is great for posting your designs on your site or others, or giving them to people for review. A sample of the HTML page is shown below, again compliments of Canis Dirus.

Other Screens

In addition to the main screen and Distribution screen which are shown above, HMPro includes a wealth of features which are implemented from separate screens. For example, the Open 'Mech screen, shown below left, is actually available in two versions: a standard versions (not shown), and the advanced version shown which gives you excellent control over exactly which 'Mechs are shown.

The BattleForce2 roster selection screen, shown above right, allows you to put together rosters of any type, and print the excellent quality sheet shown above. You can work with Inner Sphere groups of 4 units, Clan groups of 5 or Comstar groups of 6 units. Skills may be changed on individual units, with the point values automatically calculated and displayed. You can even save your rosters for future use, and combine BattleMech® units with vehicles, ProtoMechs, battle armor and infantry, once HMVee and HMLite are available.

HeavyMetal Pro not only accurately calculates Battle Value, it displays the step-by-step calculations and allows them to be printed. The screen to the left below shows an example of a portion of the calculation format.

One of the many really neat features of HeavyMetal Pro is the ability to design your own custom weapons. And while intend to make new weapons databases available for free download as soon as they're available, if you can't wait, you can add them using the Custom Weapons Editor, shown above right. Any weapon you design will be available for whatever era/year you specify, although printouts will indicate that the design uses custom equipment. Standard weapon data is displayed for reference or as a basis for design of a new one. Even correct Battle Value can be calculated for weapons having both damage and range, or it can be entered manually.

HeavyMetal Pro provides for using several MechWarrior roster databases, and includes one with the program. When adding warriors to the Print screen for use on record sheets, or in 'Mech rosters, you can pop up the built-in MechWarrior Roster screen, shown below left. Using this screen, you can select various warrior databases, make new ones, add, delete or change existing warriors, change skills, etc.

The 'Mech Roster screen, shown above right, allows you to make up rosters of any number of 'Mechs, include pilot and skills for each, print out listings with all specifications and totals, save and load 'Mech rosters, and even batch print all those listed. Yes, a single button click will print record sheets for all these 'Mechs, each with its own pilot and skills! Just think how much time that will save before that big game, while you go crunch down some Cheesie-Poofs while the printing is being done for you!

HeavyMetal Pro allows you to enter the manufacturer and model number for any equipment on the 'Mech, including weapons. HMPro comes with a comprehensive database including this data for all items, and you can customize by adding, deleting and changing items to your heart's content. The screen from which this is done is shown below to the left.

HMPro also allows you to design Mixed Tech 'Mechs, as shown in the screen above right. Choose a basic chassis tech base, then separately choose either tech for engines, heat sinks, targeting systems, physical attack weapons, armor and more. With either base, all standard weapons on either side will be available for use.

Logos may be printed on record sheets if desired, and HMPro comes with a number of Inner Sphere house and Clan logos. These are selected as shown below left, and in addition to using those included with HMPro, I intend to have more for you to download from this site. Also, you can use any logo you have made or downloaded. The logo is shown on the record sheet, and also in the HTML file if desired.

The Tip of the Day screen, shown above right, is displayed whenever HMPro starts up, although you can turn it off, and is also available from the main screen menu and toolbar icon. Be sure to read through these, as they give many valuable hints about using HeavyMetal Pro, and getting the most out of it.

Customizability

HeavyMetal Pro works the way you do. In addition to the main screen appearance as mentioned above (Regular, Veteran and Elite), the Preferences screen, shown to the left below, allows you to make changes in the way HeavyMetal Pro calculates certain values. And the Page Setup screen, to the right below, gives added control to the printouts.

Even the Toolbar at the top of the main screen is fully customizable, as shown below left. You can change what icons are shown, as well as order them to your liking. Three separate icon sets are automatically saved, one for each main screen type (Elite, etc.).

The HTML Options screen shown above right allows you to customize the format of the HTML output. (Yes, HMPro provides for a good-looking HTML file produced from any 'Mech, complete with all manufacturing information, "fluff" text, and optional logo and 'Mech picture.) You can send these to friends, or use them to publish the best 'Mech design web pages available.

Many More...

There are many other screens and features available with HeavyMetal Pro, but I've probably already taken up too much of this page and your valuable time. But I hope that this will give you a good idea what HMPro can offer you, in the way of an easy-to-use yet extremely powerful and comprehensive 'Mech editor. I can safely say that there's nothing else like it, and feel that once you try it, you will be hooked!

Order HMPro Today!