Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: MANDOBLE on March 07, 2003, 12:21:18 PM

Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: MANDOBLE on March 07, 2003, 12:21:18 PM: Is the bitmap map itself on the clipboard. All the texts and icons are messed up and, at least for me, there is no way to read them clearly with the coloured bitmap map.

Just a proposal to optimize space for the texts and icons on the map, and the map itself:

1 - Base icons already inform about the type of base, so the letter left to the base number may be erased ("124" instead of "A124").

2 - Friendly base icons are green, so the image showing the country at the left of the base number may be erased for friendly bases.

3 - Base altitude is always in Ks, so, the "K" right to the number may be erased.

4 - The bitmap of the map really doesnt offer information about terraing altitude, but the different colours are a pain to read the texts painted over it. It would be much better (but not so eyecandy) to draw all the land in one single colour and all the sea in another with the grid lines in light gray.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: mars01 on March 07, 2003, 12:47:37 PM: Good Ideas for the icons,

I do wish they would use the colors from Low alt VFR charts to show terrain and alt.

Mars01 - MAW Blacksheep
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: pugg666 on March 07, 2003, 01:18:42 PM: about the color of the map

how about using a color scale to depict height on the map.

the lower alt the terrain is the darker it's color is/ the higher the alt it is the lighter ( yes i know it will look smurfy but i think it will be easier to read)
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: vorticon on March 07, 2003, 01:22:12 PM: i dont have any problemns with it...i zoom i till it shows where i am and any bases i mnight be interested in choose a base up in its direction and close the clipboard until next flight...i never look at the entire map together...
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: Furious on March 07, 2003, 01:42:12 PM: Dux makes very nice clipboard maps.

an example:
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: NoBaddy on March 07, 2003, 02:31:05 PM: Dux has done the new clipboard map for Trinity. I believe HT is looking into the possiblity of doing something similar for all future maps.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: jordi on March 07, 2003, 03:45:38 PM: He did a GREAT job on the Map for the new SLOT Terrain.

DUX !

Mike Bowman
AH CM Scenario Staff
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: Dux on March 07, 2003, 03:53:10 PM: Thanks all .

This is the deal with the future of MA clipboard maps... HTC is interested in using my technique; I just have to find time to finish up the tutorial... should be soon.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: mars01 on March 07, 2003, 05:22:25 PM: Whooo Hooooo!!!

Beautiful Maps Dux!!!!

I downloaded the slot last night - I was the only one in the arena - When it opened my mouth hit the floor. I had to up an F4U and fly the slot, thinking of the Blacksheep and other guys that flew it. Very nice work!!! <>

mars01 - MAW Balcksheep
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: Dux on March 07, 2003, 06:18:21 PM: Thanks, but just to be sure I don't get credit for anything I didn't do... I only did the Clipboard map; 10Bears is the Terrain Map genius in this case.

In fact, all of the CM Terrain guys that I've had the pleasure to work for can do amazing things with the TE.
Title: Re: The real problem with large maps
Post by: Rude on March 08, 2003, 09:03:52 AM: Quote
Originally posted by MANDOBLE
Is the bitmap map itself on the clipboard. All the texts and icons are messed up and, at least for me, there is no way to read them clearly with the coloured bitmap map.

Just a proposal to optimize space for the texts and icons on the map, and the map itself:

1 - Base icons already inform about the type of base, so the letter left to the base number may be erased ("124" instead of "A124").

2 - Friendly base icons are green, so the image showing the country at the left of the base number may be erased for friendly bases.

3 - Base altitude is always in Ks, so, the "K" right to the number may be erased.

4 - The bitmap of the map really doesnt offer information about terraing altitude, but the different colours are a pain to read the texts painted over it. It would be much better (but not so eyecandy) to draw all the land in one single colour and all the sea in another with the grid lines in light gray.

You must be bored
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: Suave on March 08, 2003, 10:22:35 AM: I pay little attention to icons. In fact when I login I turn them all off and zoom all the way out on the map and look at the dar bars.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: john9001 on March 08, 2003, 10:53:00 AM: basically, i do what suave does, i only turn on the icons if i need some info, like base number, alt of base, spawn point, etc, then i turn them back off, also use drag and zoom alot. so i have no problem with clipboard maps , but terrain alt would help.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: palef on March 08, 2003, 06:14:42 PM: The "Real" problem with big maps is tha constant background hum from all the whining! :mad:

I can't concentrate very well with all the NOISE!

palef
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: AKIron on March 09, 2003, 01:21:36 PM: Some good ideas Mandoble. One thing I'd like to see (not sure if anyone mentioned it) is that all text on the map be one color. Icons should remain red and green. I have a real tough time reading the red text on the clipbaord map but I like the red for enemy plane icons.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: MANDOBLE on March 10, 2003, 01:30:09 AM: Agree with you AKIron. IMO, text colours should be independent than icon colours, and, if desired by the player, enemy and friendly text colours may be set to same RGB, but always independent than plane icon colours.
Title: The real problem with large maps
Post by: AKcurly on March 10, 2003, 05:36:10 AM: I would like to see: 1) the icons color available via setup and 2) each country have its own selectable color icon via setup.

The space saving ideas mentioned by Mandoble are obviously good ideas -- clipboard map is precious real estate - don't waste it for useless data.

curly