need info to make a custom whiz wheel

gutted · 10-29-08, 05:54 PM

what software do you guys use to make those whiz-wheels or other dial-like things. also how do you go about ones that may have differing/progressive scales. .ie where one bit of info may advance from tick to tick on the wheel in a progressively larger fashion. and a different bit of info advances at a different rate. (sorta like the nomograph).

i'm pretty good with photoshop.. but i'm just wondering what you guys use to make them with; as accuracy needs to be spot on.

i have a need for a few custom wheels.

Hitman · 10-30-08, 08:02 AM

I did most of my wiz-wheels using the old Paint Shop Pro 7. I searched the web for an accurate template of the style of wheel I wanted to do, and then I simply drawed mine in a new layer over that graphic. Worked very well always.

I admit it is a bit of a prehistoric method pf doing things, and labour intensive, but hey I'm spaniard and that's how we do everything, and why our coutry is still lagging so much behind the rest of the developed world

Dietrich · 10-30-08, 09:17 AM

I've not done much on this, but I once did a sort of nomograph chart which I coded up in PostScript (as a programming language, not a printer file format). I used GSview to convert it to a PNG and I then used that as a layer in Gimp to generate the actual graphics for the game.

Graf Paper · 10-30-08, 12:01 PM

There was someone who had released a printable Whiz Wheel based on the actual tool used by the Kriegsmarine. It is a series of high-res bitmaps that you could print out and then layer them together to make a working wheel.

Fortunately for you, gutted, I have these files and have uploaded them to my FileFront account for you to download. I think it is exactly what you're looking for.

Link here---> KM_Whiz_Wheel_1.0_SW

Sailor Steve · 10-30-08, 12:10 PM

That would be Hitman, who already posted above.

Graf Paper · 10-30-08, 01:25 PM

I'll be dang-digitty-doggone!

You're absolutely right, Steve. I took a closer look at the documentation included and it is indeed Hitman's handiwork. I should have known!

Did I ever tell you how much I love that Whiz Wheel and that you did an awesome job creating it, Hitman?

10-29-08, 05:54 PM	#1
gutted The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA. Posts: 1,379 Downloads: 487 Uploads: 11	need info to make a custom whiz wheel what software do you guys use to make those whiz-wheels or other dial-like things. also how do you go about ones that may have differing/progressive scales. .ie where one bit of info may advance from tick to tick on the wheel in a progressively larger fashion. and a different bit of info advances at a different rate. (sorta like the nomograph). i'm pretty good with photoshop.. but i'm just wondering what you guys use to make them with; as accuracy needs to be spot on. i have a need for a few custom wheels.

10-30-08, 08:02 AM	#2
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	I did most of my wiz-wheels using the old Paint Shop Pro 7. I searched the web for an accurate template of the style of wheel I wanted to do, and then I simply drawed mine in a new layer over that graphic. Worked very well always. I admit it is a bit of a prehistoric method pf doing things, and labour intensive, but hey I'm spaniard and that's how we do everything, and why our coutry is still lagging so much behind the rest of the developed world __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

10-30-08, 12:01 PM	#4
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	There was someone who had released a printable Whiz Wheel based on the actual tool used by the Kriegsmarine. It is a series of high-res bitmaps that you could print out and then layer them together to make a working wheel. Fortunately for you, gutted, I have these files and have uploaded them to my FileFront account for you to download. I think it is exactly what you're looking for. Link here---> KM_Whiz_Wheel_1.0_SW __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

10-30-08, 12:10 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	That would be Hitman, who already posted above. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

10-30-08, 01:25 PM	#6
Graf Paper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest United States Posts: 1,146 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	I'll be dang-digitty-doggone! You're absolutely right, Steve. I took a closer look at the documentation included and it is indeed Hitman's handiwork. I should have known! Did I ever tell you how much I love that Whiz Wheel and that you did an awesome job creating it, Hitman? __________________ Still sailing the high seas, hunting convoys with those who join me.

10-30-08, 09:17 AM	#3
Dietrich Sparky Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 152 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've not done much on this, but I once did a sort of nomograph chart which I coded up in PostScript (as a programming language, not a printer file format). I used GSview to convert it to a PNG and I then used that as a layer in Gimp to generate the actual graphics for the game.