November 2007 Entry: Superstition Valley

[RPMiller]

Regarding matching colors and such - Don't discount translucence. If you keep them black lines on white and then make the white transparent, people can drop the symbol onto any background and have different mountain colors and such.

[Gamerprinter]

Regarding matching colors and such - Don't discount translucence. If you keep them black lines on white and then make the white transparent, people can drop the symbol onto any background and have different mountain colors and such.

Although that is certainly true, the fact that you can't see the join in my maps is because the white is solid. The transparency area beyond the outlined shape is by default "gray". thus the white covers overlap area between mountain modules.

If I were to make the object as "black lines" only, you limit what the modules do by requiring to meet the exact "seam" - its more difficult to join.

I can see the advantages in solid line graphics only, if I could figure a clean way to match up the seams.

Otherwise I only see requiring both black and white to make this object. In the case of color, same thing. Which brings up another problem - if the mountain tops do not touch, the open area at the tops of the mountains are the color of the background beneath the mountain objects. The mapper would be required to place a matching color or fill at the mountain top levels, in situations like these.

[RPMiller]

I've tested out my idea and works just fine with the sample you posted up above of the canyons and mesas. Yes, the mapper has to be creative with the colors/textures used, but the hard work, the symbols, is all done so the background is a matter of splashing around some texture fills.

Once you get a larger volume of symbols done, I'll post an example of what I'm talking about if my description isn't very clear.

[Gamerprinter]

I can understand what you're meaning, and please do provide a sample - I'm interested.

I was just trying to create something more user friendly in this regard, however I hope this wouldn't be a restriction for more creative mappers.

So, what if I were to create a Mountain Mods pack, that includes black and white, black line only and outline with color fill versions all included. So the mapper can decide which module type works best for their methods?

And for this Old West Map and map object challenge, I'll provide all three in the final submission. This of course will be for all map object elements, not just the mountain modules.

[RPMiller]

Sounds like a really great plan!

[Gamerprinter]

OK, I've created a few more mountain faces and a couple buildings - Fort Joachim and Mission of San Pedro, as well as a frontal mine entrance with an ore car on rails.

I want to create some pointed ridge mountains as well to round out the mountain mods.

It was getting late, so I didn't make any more for tonight.

WIP so far...

[ravells]

I think you should do all your maps by hand from now on!

[RPMiller]

A nice watercolor effect would go really well with those to add the color. I think more realistic or textured coloring would ruin it.