Dynamic GV Icons

[Kingpin]

There's been lots of discussion about GV icons and spotting them on the ground from the air (it's both too hard or too easy depending on how you look at it).  Finding the correct balance for GV icons using a static distance setting is difficult.  So, this got me wondering (and maybe it's been suggested before):

Why couldn't GV icon distance vary based on whether the vehicle is moving or stationary (or engine off, perhaps)?

For example, a stopped GV might have an icon range of 1000 yards, whereas a moving GV might have an icon of 3K.

Taking this one step further, how about also basing the icon distance on the terrain the GV is occupying (to simulate cover)?

For example, trees could reduce the icon distance by 500 yards.  Being in a barn (or building) could drop it by 1000 yards (making a GV virtually invisible from the air if stopped in a structure).  Perhaps sitting on concrete (in the open) could add 1000 yards to the stopped icon range.  Again, these are just numbers to illustrate the idea.

I understand this would likely involve a good deal of coding to do this, but making GV icons dynamic based on the "state" of the GV, could add a good deal of realism for both those on the ground and those in the air.

<S>

[clerick]

+1 on the concept.

[Tilt]

I dont really know how an icon is hidden in the FE. But I always imagine that the GV / AC has an "origin" point which when hidden from view turns off the icon.

If a Gv had three origin points (only one of which locates the Gv  in game) such that all three are required not to be hidden before the icon pops up then hiding (from aircraft) may be more effective than currently the case.

[SmokinLoon]

Bases on what the coding is demonstrating now, I think it is based on range only.  There is nothing in the game the shows that the coding can be changed to what is being suggested.  Unfortunately, pick and range and that is the absolute.

Currently, it is 1500 yards (1.5k).  I'd like to see that reduced to at least 1k and that will still give a huge boost to the eye in the sky since the human eye would have trouble seeing something even as big as a tank at 1000 yards, while it was camouflaged with the surroundings.

[MK-84]

There's been lots of discussion about GV icons and spotting them on the ground from the air (it's both too hard or too easy depending on how you look at it).  Finding the correct balance for GV icons using a static distance setting is difficult.  So, this got me wondering (and maybe it's been suggested before):

Why couldn't GV icon distance vary based on whether the vehicle is moving or stationary (or engine off, perhaps)?

For example, a stopped GV might have an icon range of 1000 yards, whereas a moving GV might have an icon of 3K.

Taking this one step further, how about also basing the icon distance on the terrain the GV is occupying (to simulate cover)?

For example, trees could reduce the icon distance by 500 yards.  Being in a barn (or building) could drop it by 1000 yards (making a GV virtually invisible from the air if stopped in a structure).  Perhaps sitting on concrete (in the open) could add 1000 yards to the stopped icon range.  Again, these are just numbers to illustrate the idea.

I understand this would likely involve a good deal of coding to do this, but making GV icons dynamic based on the "state" of the GV, could add a good deal of realism for both those on the ground and those in the air.

<S>

I'm not sure changing the icons is going to do what you want it to.  I can see a GV from the air long before I see the icon.  The appear as little dots that look totally different from the rest of the scenery.  Atleast with my crappy laptop, maybe its different with better computers.

On a side note, I've noticed that the new modeled tanks blend in much better to the terrain from a ground perspective.

[Tank-Ace]

Its different with better computers. I occationally get that gray-black dot and can't help but think "hey look, a free kill  "

[Nathan60]

Wouldn't  a tank moving through most terrains at a decent clip still kick up a lot of  dust? Making a moving vehicle easier to spot?

[SmokinLoon]

Wouldn't  a tank moving through most terrains at a decent clip still kick up a lot of  dust? Making a moving vehicle easier to spot?

Depends on terrain.  Moving through the forests of Europe would be a lot different than the deserts of North Africa.

[Nathan60]

Yeah  I figured there would  be  less moving  in between trees but I assumed  even in europe moving through open feilds would still produce  dust, unless the fields were wet. Even the red clay here in GA  will take to the air  when its dry and heavy equipment is  rolling over it.

[icepac]

Its different with better computers. I occationally get that gray-black dot and can't help but think "hey look, a free kill  "

Exploiting your own system's video driver bug?

[Butcher]

Exploiting your own system's video driver bug?

Its no exploit, I can spot a ground GV 3-4k away whether its moving or not, basically I see the same black/grey square - probably because all my graphics are turned off and have no choice in the matter.

[Tank-Ace]

Exploiting your own system's video driver bug?

I get the black square only on occations, not like I'm trying to exploit something to get free kills or anything. But I'm not going to pass up a kill, especially if that black square is in possition thats threatening to me.

[Tilt]

For my graphics settings (1024, full range, 2 x AA) I can see a dot from an ac at (when zoomed) 3k.

But I do not know if that dot is a vehicle or a bit of ground achitecture unless its moving. As I get closer the icon pops up.

For me this seems about right. What is not right (IMO) is when a stationary vehicle under cover of trees is lit up by an icon as I do a fly by. When quite clearly I would never else have known it was there.

[icepac]

The black squares are allowing GV'ers to see tanks through trees.

[Tank-Ace]

If you want to buy me a system upgrade so I don't get those black dots, then be my guest.