Height map for 2d (and possibly 3d) (Full Version)

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zoikkis -> Height map for 2d (and possibly 3d) (1/21/2022 12:42:00 PM)

Was wondering if it would be difficult to implement a heat map for the JTCS engine to show the height differences on the map? Basically, you'd press a shortcut during the scenario and the engine would temporarily hide all the textures from the terrain hexes and instead just show a color coded height map plus all the unit counters on top of it. Something like in Armored Brigade, to read the height differences with a quick glance.

Elevation contours can sometimes be a bit hard to read and elevation values are not easy to quickly read especially when zoomed out, for an overall picture.



Crossroads -> RE: Height map for 2d (and possibly 3d) (1/21/2022 12:59:42 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: zoikkis

Was wondering if it would be difficult to implement a heat map for the JTCS engine to show the height differences on the map? Basically, you'd press a shortcut during the scenario and the engine would temporarily hide all the textures from the terrain hexes and instead just show a color coded height map plus all the unit counters on top of it. Something like in Armored Brigade, to read the height differences with a quick glance.

Elevation contours can sometimes be a bit hard to read and elevation values are not easy to quickly read especially when zoomed out, for an overall picture.

Thanks for the suggestion, @zoikkis! Separate slope graphics for 2D maps are on my wish list, but I don't have a date for that. That would improve things as well. Meanwhile, be sure to toggle the Map > Elevation hints ON to get a better understanding of heights each hex represents:



[image]local://upfiles/32195/CE1886ECE19D48A1B2378A0275C9E9F4.jpg[/image]



berto -> RE: Height map for 2d (and possibly 3d) (1/21/2022 1:04:52 PM)


You can also toggle ON/OFF the on-map elevations display using the . (period) hotkey. It is one of my most often used hotkeys.



zoikkis -> RE: Height map for 2d (and possibly 3d) (1/21/2022 1:09:01 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: berto


You can also toggle ON/OFF the on-map elevations display using the . (period) hotkey. It is one of my most often used hotkeys.


This is what I currently use and it does help a lot, especially when zoomed in. For zoomed out view the color coding would be helpful though.



berto -> RE: Height map for 2d (and possibly 3d) (1/21/2022 2:03:09 PM)


A problem with an elevation "heat map" or any other color-coded depiction of elevations: There are 50 elevations in the game, from 0 to 49. It is quite difficult to shade elevation differences across so many different elevations, in a consistent manner anyway. In the original Campaign Series, there were only 12 elevations (IIRC). Much easier back then to differentiate elevations by color. Now, the color differences are so very subtle. Let's not forget the overlaying terrain features. In the standard display, we can't have underlayer colors blending in with colored terrain for roads, paths, vegetation of various types, etc., etc. (I know that in your "heat map" scheme you suggest omitting display of vegetation etc., just show bare terrain tiles and units.)



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