Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Terrain Editor => Topic started by: artik on February 09, 2017, 02:19:15 PM

Title: Using geographical grid for historical terrains.
Post by: artik on February 09, 2017, 02:19:15 PM
I've added an option to create clipboard map with grid represented in real latitude and longitude for next makeahmap release.

For example: http://cppcms.com/files/ah/tunissia.png

Now it can serve two purposes:

1. During terrain design it helps to put the objects in their correct coordinates using real lat/lon grid
2. If you ship the terrain with geographical coordinates it can bring some better historical immersion as you can provide coordinates in real latitude / longitude or so.

I wonder if this alternative grid can be used at SEA instead of standard grid?
Title: Re: Using geographical grid for historical terrains.
Post by: Nefarious on February 10, 2017, 03:55:09 PM
That's pretty neat.
Title: Re: Using geographical grid for historical terrains.
Post by: ghostdancer on February 14, 2017, 08:53:56 AM
Will be a discussion for the CMs since we can't really quickly change out the CBM maps all the time (would have to upload the terrain each time wanted to use this grid or the normal grid). My personal first reaction is I think it over complicates things for an event especially during the event.

For example ...

Squad X where are you located?

2,10,5

Versus ...

33.30N 12E ???? (6 rows by 6 columns).

So yeah, the grid is nice for historical immersion but I think would not benefit play-ability during the event with squads trying to coordinate and report positions and contacts.

x,y,z -> 9 positions for last number (matches up to number keypad) is easier to report and locate in flight than xx.xx, y, z -> 36 positions for last number (doesn't match up to number keypad so if I say 21 takes a lot more thought to locate). Just my two cents.
Title: Re: Using geographical grid for historical terrains.
Post by: artik on February 14, 2017, 12:22:46 PM
It should be 30.45', 15.20' for coordinates in degrees/minutrs or 30.75,15.40 in decimal degrees , as using ticks would eliminate need of keypad notation.

Also regarding uploading the map technically you can have two versions of the same map.

This way or another it is just an option for makeahmap, you as terrain designer don't need to use one.

However it can be extremely useful during terrain deign helping to place objects accurately

But I agree it can be confusing for players that are too familiar to keypad notation
Title: Re: Using geographical grid for historical terrains.
Post by: ghostdancer on February 14, 2017, 01:51:29 PM
Agreed don't take out the option for it. As I said it is just my opinion that the current grid is easier for players to understand while in flight but that is just my opinion and the CMs will have to discuss if they want two versions of the maps.
Title: Re: Using geographical grid for historical terrains.
Post by: Easyscor on February 14, 2017, 02:21:59 PM
I've always thought that such a program with Lon/Lat producing maps would be useful in the education market for students and teachers.