NOTE BEFORE READING:
To make this sound less arogant to what I wrote originally; Please dont post suggesting I use a zoomed in map. I say that because I already have 100% on tyria and Elona and due to experience I find using the zoomed out is more efficient and effective at finding spots you miss.
READ ON:
Very simple...
I ask that in a similar fashion to removing the interface, we should be able to remove the clouds from the map when zoomed out.
Why?
Because if you screen capture a zoomed out map and your attempting to compare it to another to aid with exploration, the clouds are the major issue.
It may seem daft, but they do cause alot of hassle when comparing. Anyone who has done, or is doing it will understand. The clouds add alot of unneeded detail which stops you trying to find tiny variations.
Maybe removing the interface will remove the clouds also. Just an idea?
BTW, am I wrong in thinking that before factions was released we didnt have clouds? or is that just my memory failing me.
NOTE:
Clouds DONT equal Fog!!!!
I dont mean the "Fog of war", I mean those fluffy things which float around the sky.
Option to remove clouds from map, to help with exploring.
freekedoutfish
Antheus
Yep.
Or, make clouds not show at lowest graphic detail setting.
Or, make clouds not show at lowest graphic detail setting.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Antheus
Yep.
Or, make clouds not show at lowest graphic detail setting. |
Either way, that wouldnt fix the problem, because then you would have a low res and/or low detail image, and most 100% maps online are in 1024x768 or higher.
We need to be able to do it high graphics and resolutions in order to make crisper images.
Unless the map image quality doesnt change occording to the display settings?
Earth
What would be the fun in exploring then? If you can view the full map, you know where to go, you know where the paths are. It has nothing to do with exploring anymore. Unless there's a new title invented: "Failed Explorer", for "exploring" the map without fogs.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by X Earth X
What would be the fun in exploring then? If you can view the full map, you know where to go, you know where the paths are. It has nothing to do with exploring anymore. Unless there's a new title invented: "Failed Explorer", for "exploring" the map without fogs.
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Wow, has the world changed since 2 this afternoon?
I didnt mean the fog of war! I meant those things flouting above your head in the sky.
You did notice they show clouds on the map when you zoom out?
broodijzer
/signed
it is annoying when comparing, and I don't think they really add more fun to the gameplay..
it is annoying when comparing, and I don't think they really add more fun to the gameplay..
Mr Wolfmaster
/signed
It's kind of an interesting effect, but tottally pointless. To clear this up for everyone else, we are not talking removing the FOG that goes over areas you HAVEN'T explored, we are talking about removing the clouds that hover over your map. (Which are just there to add effect and have nothing to do with the map itself)
It's kind of an interesting effect, but tottally pointless. To clear this up for everyone else, we are not talking removing the FOG that goes over areas you HAVEN'T explored, we are talking about removing the clouds that hover over your map. (Which are just there to add effect and have nothing to do with the map itself)
Crom The Pale
I'd really like to see a solid black area covering the unexplored, but reachable areas and fog over the unreachable areas. This would still hide unexplored but would let us find that last 2% thats missing for the explorer titles.
Granted this would make the map a little less pleasent to look at as a whole but just removing the clouds is not enough as a small bit of fog on a map can be almost imposible to detect if its just 0.1% of that map and you need it for the title!
Granted this would make the map a little less pleasent to look at as a whole but just removing the clouds is not enough as a small bit of fog on a map can be almost imposible to detect if its just 0.1% of that map and you need it for the title!
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Crom The Pale
I'd really like to see a solid black area covering the unexplored, but reachable areas and fog over the unreachable areas. This would still hide unexplored but would let us find that last 2% thats missing for the explorer titles.
Granted this would make the map a little less pleasent to look at as a whole but just removing the clouds is not enough as a small bit of fog on a map can be almost imposible to detect if its just 0.1% of that map and you need it for the title! |
Titan Chrae
The clouds do not appear in your "U" map which is what people use when they create maps for comparison. Use "U" when exploring. The clouds are not an issue.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Titan Chrae
The clouds do not appear in your "U" map which is what people use when they create maps for comparison. Use "U" when exploring. The clouds are not an issue.
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Every person who I know, including myself, who all have 100% on both tyria and cantha already, all compare the zoomed out maps.
If you look at every thread on here, where people post maps to compare and be analysed, their all zoomed out.
The reason being that it is actually alot easier, faster and effective.
Its the way I did it for tyria and cantha to get 100%, and it works perfectly.
To attempt to use the zoomed in one is time consuming.
You need to capture seperate squares of the map for every part, and go through each one comparing it to subsiquent squares from a 100% map.
This means doing the same thing over and over again on seperate images.
If it works for you, thats great. But from my quite extensive experience of exploring, its simply inefficient.
Numerious people I know from this website would agree, including Doogal, who runs the Tyrian exploration thread.
Using the zoomed out maps, you can layer one on top of the other and change visibilities to see subtle changes.
All of which can be on one image.
Removing the clouds would make it easier because you wouldnt have to take into consideration clouds changing brightnesses and visibilties.
Series
/signed
Rera
/notsigned
GMC should not be made easier. Map comparison isn't necessary to get the title if you are thorough, and if you can't bother to be thorough then you simply don't deserve the title.
The practice of difference/comparison mapping has already reduced the title to a trivial photoshop exercise. In my mind this greatly cheapens the title because it allows you to instantly and easily locate your missing spots.
I have no sympathy for people who have difficulty with this title. I have Tyria/Cantha GMC on two characters, and Elona GMC on one, and I know for a fact that firstly, the leeway allowed is more than generous, and secondly, that map comparisons aren't necessary.
GMC should not be made easier. Map comparison isn't necessary to get the title if you are thorough, and if you can't bother to be thorough then you simply don't deserve the title.
The practice of difference/comparison mapping has already reduced the title to a trivial photoshop exercise. In my mind this greatly cheapens the title because it allows you to instantly and easily locate your missing spots.
I have no sympathy for people who have difficulty with this title. I have Tyria/Cantha GMC on two characters, and Elona GMC on one, and I know for a fact that firstly, the leeway allowed is more than generous, and secondly, that map comparisons aren't necessary.
MithranArkanere
You won't get full detail for exploration with a zoomed out map. Beleive me, I have 97.6% Cantha and you won't.
Th best wahy it t make several screenshot with the mission map [U] and collage them all to get a Bigger one with good definition of the exploraion fog.
Th best wahy it t make several screenshot with the mission map [U] and collage them all to get a Bigger one with good definition of the exploraion fog.
vojnik
Exploring is rather very easy as it is... (all 3 100% explored here).
They're like giveaway titles
They're like giveaway titles
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MithranArkanere
You won't get full detail for exploration with a zoomed out map. Beleive me, I have 97.6% Cantha and you won't.
Th best wahy it t make several screenshot with the mission map [U] and collage them all to get a Bigger one with good definition of the exploraion fog. |
"Beleive me, I have 97.6% Cantha and you won't."
I have 100% on tyria, 100% on cantha, and 99.8% on Elona, so I'll turn down the offer to belive you. The only method Ive ever used to find the bits I missed are....
*drum role*
....comparing zoomed out maps. I cant remember any instance (except when first doing it in tyria about a year ago) when I looked at zoomed in ones. But then I saw the light and started with the zoomed out ones.
And its worked fine for me and alot of others I know.
You can see more then enough detail on a zoomed out map to notice subtle changes when you layer the two, which your comparing, on top of one another, and change visibilties of the layers.
I already ranted about the differences above, but if the zoomed in method work for you, thats grand.
birdfoot
/signed
But perhaps intead of removing it, make it an option to turn off.
But perhaps intead of removing it, make it an option to turn off.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by birdfoot
/signed
But perhaps intead of removing it, make it an option to turn off. |
birdfoot
Quote:
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Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Thats what I meant :P
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milan
/unsigned
As a poster above said, it's not exactly rocket science working it out yourself and map comparison cheapens the deal. Add to that I find the op faintly annoying with an oversize ego.
As a poster above said, it's not exactly rocket science working it out yourself and map comparison cheapens the deal. Add to that I find the op faintly annoying with an oversize ego.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by milan
/unsigned
As a poster above said, it's not exactly rocket science working it out yourself and map comparison cheapens the deal. Add to that I find the op faintly annoying with an oversize ego. |
Have you tried staring at a 99.8% complete map and trying to see where you've missed? Zoomed in or out.
Its like trying to find a needle in a haystack if you dont have a map to compare to.
crazy diamond
Quote:
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Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Its like trying to find a needle in a haystack
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freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by crazy diamond
Call me crazy(zing!), but I think that's the whole idea.
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I could be wrong, because its been a while since i first played GWs, but at the start I dont remember Tyria having clouds. I first remember seeing them in factions.
So I cant help but get the feeling they added them on purpose, aswell as just looking nice.
Rera
The clouds were always there. Even if, as you suggest, they added the clouds on purpose, it would be a good thing. It doesn't actually hurt the people who are exploring on their own - it only hinders people who need to resort to map comparison.
You shouldn't need to compare maps at all. I have never had to, and I always get GMC on the first try, without revisiting previous areas. Does this mean I am some kind of uber cartography god? Absolutely not. It means that the rest of you are not being thorough. There isn't any skill involved in cartography; it's all patience and attention to detail. Being able to compare maps, especially on the level of differece-mapping comparisons that I see in the GMC threads here at gurus, just sickens me. If you need Photoshop to tell you what you're missing, you don't deserve the title.
You shouldn't need to compare maps at all. I have never had to, and I always get GMC on the first try, without revisiting previous areas. Does this mean I am some kind of uber cartography god? Absolutely not. It means that the rest of you are not being thorough. There isn't any skill involved in cartography; it's all patience and attention to detail. Being able to compare maps, especially on the level of differece-mapping comparisons that I see in the GMC threads here at gurus, just sickens me. If you need Photoshop to tell you what you're missing, you don't deserve the title.
Epinephrine
Quote:
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Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Every person who I know, including myself, who all have 100% on both tyria and cantha already, all compare the zoomed out maps.
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ArcaneApostle
I'd prefer the uncharted areas to have a more pronounced "shimmer" or whatever in addition to (optional) cloud removal, only on the grounds that I sometimes can't tell that something is uncharted even if the surrounding area was discovered. It *looks* discovered, but you get over to it and, surprise, it isn't! Usually happens with dark areas or places I can't physically move into.
Besides, I've never seen a terrain map with clouds on it. It's not like it has a satellite feed or something.
Besides, I've never seen a terrain map with clouds on it. It's not like it has a satellite feed or something.
Rusty Deth
Quote:
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Originally Posted by milan
Add to that I find the op faintly annoying with an oversize ego.
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Titan Chrae
Quote:
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Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Sorry if this sounds like im picking, but who do you know who compares the ENTIRE zoomed in map?
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Quote:
| Every person who I know, including myself, who all have 100% on both tyria and cantha already, all compare the zoomed out maps. |
Quote:
| If you look at every thread on here, where people post maps to compare and be analysed, their all zoomed out. |
Quote:
| The reason being that it is actually alot easier, faster and effective. |
Quote:
| Its the way I did it for tyria and cantha to get 100%, and it works perfectly. |
Quote:
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To attempt to use the zoomed in one is time consuming. You need to capture seperate squares of the map for every part, and go through each one comparing it to subsiquent squares from a 100% map. This means doing the same thing over and over again on seperate images. If it works for you, thats great. But from my quite extensive experience of exploring, its simply inefficient. Numerious people I know from this website would agree, including Doogal, who runs the Tyrian exploration thread. Using the zoomed out maps, you can layer one on top of the other and change visibilities to see subtle changes. All of which can be on one image. |
I guess Livingston can close his thread now because it references Leighwins popular method for the the 5-7 minute full map comparison. A method that now seems to be obsolete and time consuming.
Livingston's Guide to becoming a Grandmaster Canthan Cartographer!
Livingston's Guide to becoming a Grandmaster Elonian Cartographer!
Quote:
| Removing the clouds would make it easier because you wouldnt have to take into consideration clouds changing brightnesses and visibilties. |
Still /notsigned
Titan Chrae
I actually went to the trouble to answer each point separately but had an error posting. Instead of doing all that again I'll just point you to the best thread on mapping Elona available. Note Leighwins method of map comparison. It takes only 5-7 minutes.
Livingston's Guide to becoming a Grandmaster Elonian Cartographer!
I guess my first post went through.
Livingston's Guide to becoming a Grandmaster Elonian Cartographer!
I guess my first post went through.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Titan Chrae
I actually went to the trouble to answer each point separately but had an error posting. Instead of doing all that again I'll just point you to the best thread on mapping Elona available. Note Leighwins method of map comparison. It takes only 5-7 minutes.
Livingston's Guide to becoming a Grandmaster Elonian Cartographer! I guess my first post went through. |
Titan Chrae
Quote:
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Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
im using that
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I guess we finally agree then.
freekedoutfish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Titan Chrae
I guess that means you are using the "U" map then. That is the prefered map according the both Leighwin and Livingston.
I guess we finally agree then. |
...then reading Livingstones *coughglancing* at it and assuming they used the same method.
In which case, I apologise for making an ass of myself and saying you were using the wrong method.
Plus I had miss understood the method you meant.
Nickhimself
why not just have one key-mapping that saves a screenshot of your entire map with no icons / clouds?
i mean...everyone's happy, then. You just press one button, and save yourself so much work and it's not adding anything crazy to the game.
i mean...everyone's happy, then. You just press one button, and save yourself so much work and it's not adding anything crazy to the game.
Kai Nui
Be thankful clouds don't linger at random places, I'll sign sure, don't know if it'll happen but good luck anyway. I'm already at 100-100-99.4% so I am kind of mad since I'm .6 away from KOABD, but eventually so no big deal.
Rurik Jangeer
You know, it would help, but a part of me thinks that the clouds were added for just this reason.
brokenmonkey
/signed
I like it.
I like it.
shardfenix
There are certain settings on your computer than can remove all the "fog of war" from your world map. I'm not sure what specs you need. I have opened up the world map at computers at my college and it shows everything 100% revealed. Try setting your colors/resolution down.
If nothing else, you can disable the clouds by turning your textures all the way down.
If nothing else, you can disable the clouds by turning your textures all the way down.