Better Minimap

In the many updates to Empires, one thing that hasn't changed are the bad minimaps (buildings and players are not aligned to the terrain properly). Because of the lack of updates to them, I've made a better minimap for emp_isle, which I feel was the most inaccurate.

<link removed>

If Krenzo approves, this could be a part of 1.08, and I might work on some other minimaps.

Also, I'm using my brother's webspace to host the file, and I do not intend to keep it there forever.

List of maps that are done/need changing:

<links removed>

Added image to show minimap differences for people too lazy to try it.
Old minimap on the left of the attached image, new minimap on the right of the attached image

EDIT: changed for neatness
EDIT2: Empires 2.0 has been released with these minimaps, and they are no longer needed.

 

the current ones are made by going into worldbuilder, looking down on the map, and taking a screenshot, right? so at the edges of the map, it's bound to be a bit twisted, for instance, the cliffs will overlap some of the terrain...

 

The current ones are done with something similar to that, while my new one was made with the method described here.

 

Umm isnt that prity much the same thing?:confused:

 

No, with the old way, there's depth in the picture, which causes things to get misaligned. Play emp_isle on NF and place some refineries, you'll notice how inaccurate it is. With the new method, instead of a 3D view with depth, you get a 2D-like image of the map which is much more accurate.

 

Holy Crap.
I would love you Jcw87 if I wasn't loving someone else in the boards. (Not ^Dee^ Shinzon...)

 

That is awesome.

 

Outsider contribution is something that always comes in handy.

 

I'm glad people like it. The minimap could be considered as an early Christmas present to the community. Also, I will be leaving for a week starting tomorrow, so I may not be able to make more till afterwards.

 

I don't plan on downloading it. I'm lazy.

 

I updated the minimap, and so far I have found that emp_duststorm is one of the few maps that needs a new minimap, however, the corners keep getting cut off... anyone know any console commands to fix that?

 

fov [number]?

 

I never knew anything about that technique, this will certainly prove very usefull in the future. Good job on the isle map as well. I look forward to seeing all the others :D

 

Woa, Nice job, will take out the guess work of reading the mini maps....

You get a cookie... :D

 

*eats cookie*

Thanks.

I'm posting from Arizona on a dial-up connection, and all I have is a laptop with DX8 capabilities, so if minimaps were made, they wouldn't look right (water being most noticable.) If nobody cares, I could attempt to make more right now anyway. Heres a list of maps I think need fixing:

emp_canyon
emp_duststorm
emp_isle
emp_gauntlet (should I even bother? nobody plays it anymore.)
emp_money
emp_slaughtered

Thats all I can think of ATM, I may update the list later.

I should be returning to my good 'ol DX9 computer January 1st.

EDIT: Links to minimaps moved to first post.

 

thanks for the fix. Its something that always bothered me but never did anything about it.

 

Yours seem more 2d, the originals looked more 3d.
Just thought I'd point that out..

 

That's the whole point of these minimaps.

 

....lol

 

It is partly that 3D look that makes them innacurate in the first place. Effectively, this technique takes the image from an infinite height, and as a result removes all perspective.
It's like looking at a satellite image, rather than one taken from a plane.