This is a three-part wish since they evolved out of each other. They are more applicable to FSO. The second one is the one I really want if it is possible.
1. Add the ability to zoom and scroll the clipboard maps (the ones that show field and factory layouts).
In FSO, some CiCs make some elaborate battle plans that include maps that show routs and patrol areas. I will take their map and make a 512x512 bitmap (knee.bmp) of the area that pertains to my squad. I have added a new map described as “Kneeboard” that points to the bitmap so I can bring up our squads assignment in flight. If the squad’s assignment covers too much of the map, shrinking the area to fit a 512 by 512 bitmap makes the sector numbers too small to read after the map gets reduced even more to fit the clipboard. Being able to zoom and drag using the same techniques use for the main map would help.
2. Add ability to replace the clipboard’s main map with a custom map.
Again, in FSO, there is quite a bit of information to keep track of besides what your squad is doing – which fields are active, what is being attacked or defended, etc. If you where actually flying you would take your sectional map and mark it up with course lines, waypoints, times, altitudes, frequencies, etc. Between making a kneeboard map and using the back of an envelope to scribble some notes, the necessary information is covered but not very convenient and it would be nice if all the information was shown on the default clipboard map.
I would like to take the planning map that is sent out with the objective/orders, bring it into an image editor like Photoshop, add routs and notes, convert it to a 1024x1024 bitmap, and save it in the AH map folder. Then from inside the game, right-click the clipboard map, select Clipboard Maps, and have a section in there where I can select the main map to be Default or Custom with a way of selecting the map I want. The custom map will only stay in effect for that session; so if I log out or change terrains, the map goes back to Default – no settings to save.
I would like to be able to select the map I want; but if there are problems with the map folder getting too big, a default map name (like mymap.bmp) could be used. This map would load automatically when I select to use a custom map.
The custom map works just like the default map showing location, dots, and dar-bars. Icons, labels, winds, etc. can be turned on or off as with the default map.
Note on Dar-Bars: Dar-bars are drawn on the map in specific locations or grids and the graphic used for the map has no effect on where the dar-bars are displayed. The planning maps that are sent out have the grid already shown. As long as the planning map covers the same area, sizing the map to 1024x1024 will make the grids lineup correctly so a single dar-bar will not stretch across several sectors.
3. Add the ability for the Mission Editor to export 1024x1024 bitmap images that can be used as custom clipboard maps.
The Mission Editor already has the ability to do some basic route calculations and can be used as a mission planner if it had some modifications. By adding the ability to output a bitmap showing the routes, it would give the Mission Editor another use and could eliminate the need for a third-party image editor.
The output would consist of:
1. The Terrain’s Default Map. Might be nice to have the ability to de-saturate or convert it to grayscale so course lines stand out better.
2. Course Lines. Only base course lines need be drawn – not the lines showing the actual flight path through the air. The user needs the ability to change/set colors to distinguish one route from another.
3. Waypoint Labels. The labels would simply be “0”, “1”, “2”, etc. and the user should have the ability to turn them on or off, set the font size, and maybe change the color. I envision having the labels the same color as the course lines but may get obscured if the label and lines are on top of each other. Definitely want the labels to be on top.
4. Additional Info. True airspeed (sss), altitude (aa.aK), and time (hh:mm) at each waypoint should be listed. Font size and color would be the same as the waypoint labels but the user would be able to turn them on or off separately from the waypoint labels.
5. Add Notes. Have the ability to add notes anywhere on the map and control the font size and color.
There are other things I would like the Mission Editor to do to make it a more useful mission planning tool. Some of these are:
1. Ability to show filed names and altitudes.
2. Ability to show radar rings and modify their distances.
3. Show maximum terrain heights along a route segment.
4. Improve the algorithms for climb performance and fuel usage.
5. Ability to add and adjust for wind at different altitudes to modify ground speeds for timing purposes.
