SH4 Map tools

Les · 08-12-11, 02:28 PM

Can anybody out there explain to me why the Compass Tool and the compass rose version of the Ruler Tool both have 180 degrees at the top instead of at the bottom? E.g. If a ship is actually sailing due East, plotting its course with either of the above would give a reading of 270 degrees - in other words, due West. Which would be kinda awkward if as a result you pointed your submarine in entirely the wrong direction to intercept.

razark · 08-12-11, 02:45 PM

Welcome to Subsim!

The protractor tool makes some sense once you get used to how to use it.

Grab the ruler tool. Place one end of the line on the map. Now, extend the line directly east from that point. What bearing shows up directly on that line? 90 degrees!

The target is traveling west. Draw a line from the ship's first position to the second position. Place the protractor on the line. Read the value from the side closest to the starting position. 270 degrees.

Target's course is 45 degrees. Start the line at the ship's position. Draw a line such that it passes through the 45 degree bearing on the protractor. Place the ending point. The line now runs toward the northeast.

Place the starting point at your boat's location. Hold the protractor over the target's position. Read the value where the line crosses the protractor. You've got the true bearing to the target now.

Hope that helps you understand the tool. It may take some time to get used to it.

Sailor Steve · 08-12-11, 08:03 PM

WELCOME ABOARD!

As Razark said, if you place the tool over either your boat or the target you'll see that dragging the tool leaves the line behind it, which means it's on the opposite side. It only works if it's backward. Say you drag the tool due west, or 270 degrees. If the tool went the "right" way the line would show 90 degrees, not 270.

I'm goin' down · 08-13-11, 04:08 AM

razark is correct as usual. Grab the compass tool and drag it from the bottom of the screen to the top, as if you were heading to the north pole on the Nav Map. The compass should indicate that you are headng towards "0" degress.

Dogfish40 · 08-13-11, 11:58 AM

Hey Skippers,
It only took me a year to figure this one out. I didn't even use the bearing tools 'cause I thought they were messed up

(I thoughtTHEY were messed up

).
Yeah, Les. As soon as you use the tools to draw a line, it becomes apparant.
And the great thing is, now I have to have them, they really do make all the differance in the world to navigate.
Good Hunting Mate!!
D40

White Owl · 08-14-11, 04:06 PM

Has anybody ever modded the ruler and protractor to make them larger and easier to read on a higher resolution monitor? I've done some searching and haven't found anything, but it seems too strange that nobody else has ever thought of it before I did. Maybe I just didn't search well enough.

If this mod doesn't already exist, I'll see about putting one together.

08-12-11, 02:28 PM	#1
Les Bilge Rat Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	SH4 Map tools Can anybody out there explain to me why the Compass Tool and the compass rose version of the Ruler Tool both have 180 degrees at the top instead of at the bottom? E.g. If a ship is actually sailing due East, plotting its course with either of the above would give a reading of 270 degrees - in other words, due West. Which would be kinda awkward if as a result you pointed your submarine in entirely the wrong direction to intercept. Last edited by Les; 08-12-11 at 02:30 PM. Reason: Misspelling

08-12-11, 02:45 PM	#2
razark Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,731 Downloads: 393 Uploads: 12	Welcome to Subsim! The protractor tool makes some sense once you get used to how to use it. Grab the ruler tool. Place one end of the line on the map. Now, extend the line directly east from that point. What bearing shows up directly on that line? 90 degrees! The target is traveling west. Draw a line from the ship's first position to the second position. Place the protractor on the line. Read the value from the side closest to the starting position. 270 degrees. Target's course is 45 degrees. Start the line at the ship's position. Draw a line such that it passes through the 45 degree bearing on the protractor. Place the ending point. The line now runs toward the northeast. Place the starting point at your boat's location. Hold the protractor over the target's position. Read the value where the line crosses the protractor. You've got the true bearing to the target now. Hope that helps you understand the tool. It may take some time to get used to it. __________________ "Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!"

08-12-11, 08:03 PM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	WELCOME ABOARD! As Razark said, if you place the tool over either your boat or the target you'll see that dragging the tool leaves the line behind it, which means it's on the opposite side. It only works if it's backward. Say you drag the tool due west, or 270 degrees. If the tool went the "right" way the line would show 90 degrees, not 270. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-13-11, 11:58 AM	#5
Dogfish40 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: LA Area, Central coast, California Posts: 1,023 Downloads: 827 Uploads: 0	Hey Skippers, It only took me a year to figure this one out. I didn't even use the bearing tools 'cause I thought they were messed up (I thoughtTHEY were messed up). Yeah, Les. As soon as you use the tools to draw a line, it becomes apparant. And the great thing is, now I have to have them, they really do make all the differance in the world to navigate. Good Hunting Mate!! D40 __________________ *Dogfish40*

08-13-11, 04:08 AM	#4
I'm goin' down Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Notify command we have entered the Grass Sea Posts: 2,822 Downloads: 813 Uploads: 0	razark is correct as usual. Grab the compass tool and drag it from the bottom of the screen to the top, as if you were heading to the north pole on the Nav Map. The compass should indicate that you are headng towards "0" degress.

08-14-11, 04:06 PM	#6
White Owl Loader Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 90 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 2	Has anybody ever modded the ruler and protractor to make them larger and easier to read on a higher resolution monitor? I've done some searching and haven't found anything, but it seems too strange that nobody else has ever thought of it before I did. Maybe I just didn't search well enough. If this mod doesn't already exist, I'll see about putting one together.