The CUBE

[army of nobunaga]

i like the changes natty, but i think its gonna run into the same problem and that was lack of a theme or artwork right? I like astronauts too

change the "yellow balls" into tiny dense stars?

I dunno, I would play it like this... but it kind of lacks the whole "Why is there a cube in middle of space? :S" thing.

[MarshalNey]

I do have to say, I liked the little astronaut guy when he was in there, maybe right by the title... I think, honestly, that may be all the "theme" or "flavor" the map needs. It's already got a very dim starfield in the background. Maybe bring the moon back in the corner if you need to.

Anyway, the 1-2-3-4 layers thing really helps this map. I like. I daresay you could even increase the opacity of them a bit (they sort of disappear if my laptop screen is at the wrong angle)

[army of nobunaga]

i said a long time ago.... dont even be afraid to add little monkeys or astronauts INSIDE the cube, with bar layers on the forefront and backgrond of an image inserted, it wouls only create more of a 3d effect.

[natty dread]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I have enough material to start working on the next version...

[natty dread]

Added astronauts:

Click image to enlarge.

[RedBaron0]

ohh, that's nice with the astronauts, I get the impression of a space station being built! Maybe throw a little more towards that theme.(solar panels, satellite dishes, etc.) don't go crazy though.

[army of nobunaga]

AWESOME!!!! yes add more space station stuff... this map finally has a theme!

[natty dread]

Heh, will do... I'll try to get an update made today-tomorrow.

[natty dread]

Ok added spaceship and moon.

Click image to enlarge.

[nippersean]

looking good - i've been looking forward to playing this one for ages - I'm Spock - you're Kirk

[ender516]

I thought Woodruff was Spock?

[natty dread]

small version, s'il vous blah

[ender516]

I was just thinking that the balls in the small map looked a little too small for troop numbers, and realised that in both maps, longer numbers will spill to the right over the labels. I suggest moving the labels to the opposite side of the balls, and expanding the balls on the small map to be just as big as on the big. Then the numbers should be nice and clear and consistent.

[natty dread]

I was going to do that, but the balls are just big enough to fit the numbers now... I can't make them large enough to fit all 3 numbers, so what's the point in enlargening them?

[ender516]

Well, they must look more cramped on the small map than the large right now, don't they? You can leave the large map's balls alone, but make the small map's balls the same size. (I hope this discussion ends soon, I am growing uncomfortable typing the word "balls" so much. )

[natty dread]

If I make the small map balls the same size as the large map balls, I'm afraid it will clutter the map... with balls. However, I have the balls to give it a try.

[ender516]

Glad to hear it! Honestly, since the CUBE is mostly framework, I don't think clutter will be a problem.

[natty dread]

I am growing uncomfortable typing the word "balls" so much. )

If that makes you uncomfortable, try working on a map file where layers are named "new balls", "yellow balls"... and now, when I'm copying balls from large to small version, I got a layer named "big balls!"


edit... "big yellow balls"...

[natty dread]

So here it is, small map with big balls

Click image to enlarge.

(put in a few army numbers as a test)

[ender516]

I like the look of that. (That, of course, is not what you would hear from your doctor if you showed him your big yellow balls. "If this condition persists for more than four hours, consult a physician.")
You may not even have to move the labels, because the troop numbers will barely touch them.
I find that the balls, however, look more like cups. Maybe you should change the lighting angle. I think most things on computers nowadays (like the window borders and decorations) are drawn to appear lit from the upper left, but the balls seem to be lit from the lower right, so they seem to invert.

[natty dread]

Good point. I didn't draw my own balls here, I just took paulk's balls and used them shamelessly. But I can easily twist my balls so the light hits them better...

[RedBaron0]

Quit playing with your balls. Wait. No, go ahead.

Check'um with 888 too, I think you'll have to adjust your territory names a smidge here and there.

[natty dread]

I'll do that..

[ender516]

Good point. I didn't draw my own balls here, I just took paulk's balls and used them shamelessly. But I can easily twist my balls so the light hits them better...

I'm tempted to put most of this in my sig....

[natty dread]

Ok, I have been fiddling with my balls and trying to stick numbers on them...however my balls were still too small so I had to stretch my balls a bit. Overall I'm happy with my balls now...

(ok, this is getting old...)

Click image to enlarge.