> From: Timothy Little [email removed]
> Use a simple shifted pattern like:
> __ __ __ __ __ __ _ __ __
> \__/ \__/ \ _/ \__/ \__ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \
> / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ __/ \__/ \_ / \__/ \__/
> \__/ \__/ \ _/ \__/ \__ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \
> / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ __/ \__/ \_ / \__/ \__/
> \__/ \__/ \ _/ \__/ \__ \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ \
> / \__/ \__/ \__/ \__/ __/ \__/ \_ / \__/ \__/
> Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4 etc...
The problem with this, of course, is that you have to consult
(and think about) numerous maps just to get a picture in your mind
of one area (unless you put the maps on transparencies as you
suggest, and overlay these transparencies... a bit of work for
all concerned). Alternately, by tossing all the data in one map, you
get the picture more readily, but you also end up getting confused
by stars which *look* close to each other but really aren't. For
us programmers, we also have to contend with the difficulty that
arises when two stars occupy the exact same z-coordinate (and you'll
run into the same problem with your transparency idea). Suddenly it
becomes rather difficult to display both stars at the same time unless
you have some way of pivoting the perspective.
Hence the computer-aided map-viewing idea, which is okay as long as
your players don't mind.
Another poster:
> On the other side of the coin there are a couple of stat programs (the
> original was something like "Mac Spin") that allow the entry of 3D
> data, and then you can maipulate the "Cube of Data". You can spin it
> around, flip it, whatever, on the computer screen. I'm pretty sure I
> read somewhere that GDW used such a program to create the 2300 Map.
** Is there an IBM utility that does this available via ftp? **
The main trick is that it has to at least be able to display characters
(names of the respective star systems) beside each dot.
Eric Edward Moore [email removed]
> The easiest thing for doing 3D maps that I ever worked out was to draw
> lines connecting all the planets of a certain distance. i.e. plot out
> a map of all jump-1 routes, another of all jump-2 routes, etc.... it
> shows connectivity well, and allows planoing out merchant trips, etc
> easy...
Yeah, but again, you still run into the two-stars/one-z_coordinate
problem. I'd prefer a mac-spin type arrangement and just make
sure we're playing somewhere close to an IBM with decent graphics
(not a terribly difficult feat, at least with the people I tend
to game with). I wouldn't want the machine on all session, but for
a brief consult-the-maps interlude, it could work out nicely.
Then again, there's always 2D. *gasp*
_ /| Jim Vassilakos
\`o_O' [email removed]
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