Map Graphics

[Jeff Hopper]

This map is difficult to read because the hex numbers are very faint on the printed page. The map itself does not give information in a "quick glance" format, maybe if the format used on the Traveller Map was used it would be clearer.

Aesthetically, having little planets on the hexes just makes the map look "busy" without adding any real useful data.

 

[mlooney]

This map is difficult to read because the hex numbers are very faint on the printed page. The map itself does not give information in a "quick glance" format, maybe if the format used on the Traveller Map was used it would be clearer.

Aesthetically, having little planets on the hexes just makes the map look "busy" without adding any real useful data.

Ditto. I was going to post this, more or less word for word...

 

[MongooseMatt]

There are not too many bases in this area, so they will be missing

However, what else would you like to see represented on these maps - this is important, as this map will form the base format we use for all future maps...

 

[hdan]

However, what else would you like to see represented on these maps - this is important, as this map will form the base format we use for all future maps...

Of course TravellerMap is the "gold standard", but there is room for innovation and improvement.

Clearly, the hex numbers need to be in a darker color. But that's an (admittedly important) detail that's easily remedied. I'd think that the same color as the hexes would be good, since they're both representing the same thing - the "grid" that the worlds live in. But I'm no graphics artist.

As for changes, I'm not sure where I saw this first, but I really like listing Tech Level along side Star Port in a hex. For example, Homestead would be D6, Theeve would be AE, etc.

A Class-A Starport on a world without the tech level to produce your engine part may be able to install that part, but you'll need to hope someone has it in stock, or wait for an off-world order....

I like the world icons. They give a quick impression of what type of planet the mainworld is.

Maybe move the Gas Giant marker down next to the icon, and put the Star Port designator back in the top of the hex? Just a thought, and I'm probably overly influenced by history.

Line 1: Hex Coordinate
Line 2: Starport (And TL + Bases?)
Line 3: World Name
Line 4: World Icon, Gas Giants marker
Line 5: empty, likely overlapped by Line 4

 

[Bar-en]

I like the graphic format but I agree that the starport type should be at the top with the world icon in the center. I would also like to see the base(s) icon reinstated.

 

[allanimal]

The hex map wartermark of the page is very distracting with the actual hex map graphic. Now if you could make the hexes line up, it might be OK.

Otherwise, don't make the map graphic transparent or lose the watermark on the map page.

(The same applies to the High & Dry hex map page).

The "secure system" green is just weird. Makes things busy without actually making anything useful.

Also, the Amber Zone/Imperial Border "glowing" is somehow distracting. Can you just make it a solid color?

The planet graphic - there's two types, blue and brown, but what to they mean?
I actually think this makes this busy any not helpful - especially when there is a gas giant graphic too that looks weird next to the 3D planet graphic.
Maybe I am a grognard and just like the old "traveller map" style - the pretty graphics are distracting to me and don't add anything useful. IMHO of course.

 

[-Daniel-]

The hex map wartermark of the page is very distracting with the actual hex map graphic. Now if you could make the hexes line up, it might be OK.

Otherwise, don't make the map graphic transparent or lose the watermark on the map page.

(The same applies to the High & Dry hex map page).

The "secure system" green is just weird. Makes things busy without actually making anything useful.

Also, the Amber Zone/Imperial Border "glowing" is somehow distracting. Can you just make it a solid color?

The planet graphic - there's two types, blue and brown, but what to they mean?
I actually think this makes this busy any not helpful - especially when there is a gas giant graphic too that looks weird next to the 3D planet graphic.
Maybe I am a grognard and just like the old "traveller map" style - the pretty graphics are distracting to me and don't add anything useful. IMHO of course.

This is how I felt but didn't post because it seemed this was already a done deal. Art over function seems to be the focus in this edition. I disagree with the design where they "add color" just to be doing so.

The background should be turned off for these sector maps. The green glow is unneeded. The bottom line, the Traveller map style is both easy to use and does look good.

 

[MongooseMatt]

This is how I felt but didn't post because it seemed this was already a done deal. Art over function seems to be the focus in this edition.

Actually, we are looking for Function through Art - not saying we have got there yet, and we welcome all comments!

 

[-Daniel-]

This is how I felt but didn't post because it seemed this was already a done deal. Art over function seems to be the focus in this edition.

Actually, we are looking for Function through Art - not saying we have got there yet, and we welcome all comments!

I appreciate that is the goal, I am just not sure it has been met in some cases. This map is one where I think the art is getting in the way of the function. Use of color in a map should add to the function. Example, the green boarders just to show a system dos not have an issue seems odd to me. Yellow and Red for their respective situations are warnings of special cases. when I look at this map the green seems to be political boarders that don't make sense.

As for the planet images, unless they mean something I would just stick to a single image. But if you want to use them to communicate some information, then various images might be worth it.

 

[IanBruntlett]

This is how I felt but didn't post because it seemed this was already a done deal. Art over function seems to be the focus in this edition.

Actually, we are looking for Function through Art - not saying we have got there yet, and we welcome all comments!

The ability to copy/print maps using a black and white printer device is particularly of importance to me.

 

[AndrewW]

The ability to copy/print maps using a black and white printer device is particularly of importance to me.

Normally a monotone printer will print color just fine as greyscale. Though there is also the Print_Friendly verison which doesn't use colour.

 

[IanBruntlett]

The ability to copy/print maps using a black and white printer device is particularly of importance to me.

Normally a monotone printer will print color just fine as greyscale. Though there is also the Print_Friendly verison which doesn't use colour.

As long as whoever is doing the maps tries the new maps out on both monotone and colour printers, things should be OK.

 

[Belisknar]

The more simple the better. When you start throwing in colour it can start making this rather difficult. I know I've been posting the same complaint in several places around this forum but colourblindness is a big deal and when you are trying to identify where you should and should not let your PC's go, Art over function or Function through Art can go right out the window.

Everything get's muddled up, you don't know what you are looking at it makes the whole experience just a chore.