[REL] EQuaTool - Elite Quality Map Tools for SH5 by AvM

[SteelViking]

Originally Posted by BowfinSS287

I use your Kriegsmarine Style, but the wood really looks good
i bet you'll get the request for all versions to have the wood

I completely agree, the wood grips for the tools really adds a nice touch of realism. Excellent job.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Working on KM Style + wooden handles/grips (which word suits better? - I'm not an English native speaker).

If you have any more requests, shoot.

[Trevally.]

Hi Abd_von_Mumit, thanks for this mod

Dont know if this is possible but it would be great if we could draw parallel lines with the ruler.

At the mo we can grab a line at either end and adjust.

X------------X

If there could be a way to grab the whole line, say from an extra point and move it keeping the same bearing.

X-----X-----X

I know this would require more than image work.
What do you think?

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Originally Posted by Trevally.

Hi Abd_von_Mumit, thanks for this mod

Dont know if this is possible but it would be great if we could draw parallel lines with the ruler.

At the mo we can grab a line at either end and adjust.

X------------X

If there could be a way to grab the whole line, say from an extra point and move it keeping the same bearing.

X-----X-----X

I know this would require more than image work.
What do you think?

I dream about such solutions as well - REAL applied geometry, with rulers, set squares, drafting compasses... But this is much more than simple substitution of tool images.

At the moment I have no idea if and how your request could be done. However I started experimenting with lines manipulation, and if I find anything useful, I'll let you know.

As to the very issue of parallelity - the tool used in Large Style could do the job to an extent - when you start drawing the line, you check where the original line starts (close to which tool's dot), and then you end drawing the line when the second end of the original line is alligned exactly in the same spot. Not a very handy method, but good as a workaroud.

Actually... you gave me an idea.

[Trevally.]

This ability is within the compass tool (grab and move).
If somehow that could be copied into the ruler

[Abd_von_Mumit]

When playing with lines I discovered a damn useful feature: with tool selected, hold Ctrl when pressing left mouse button - this will start drawing the line exactly in the middle of your boat. No more need to scroll all the way to biggest zoom before plotting bearing to target and so on. It also lets you start multiple lines in the same pixel.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Lots of ideas for further mod development. Chances are the next update for EQuaTools would include:

1. Depth checking tool (modified SH3 tool). No idea were to add it though - I can:
- add it to marker in extended lines of tools (every Style would then have one),
- make an add-on out of it (which would allow to supply it in various flavours if need be, for mods that use various map depth colours), that would add it to marker,
- include it in the basic line of tools with marker.
Adding it as a draggable tool is not anoption because of compatibility issues with major mods.



Still trying to figure out strange map behaviours/colours in various zoom states.

2. A nomograph tool instead of one of simple line tools, based on of good-looking SH3 nomographs, like this:



3. "Plastic Style" tools, again based on what we can see in SH3:



4. Also considering replacing the rather coarse looking marker in EQuaTool Styles with a smoother looking one, like for example this one:




The pictures shown are just mock-ups. I still don't have all owners' permissions to include them in the mod.

Requests/suggestions welcome.

[Venatore]

Abd_von_Mumit,

Awesome mod presentation matey, thank you for your time in delivering a mod with such good quality.

Kind Regards

Ven

[Zedi]

Is this mod include the compass from TDW UI ...



or something similar? A 2 ring compass that can be rotated with keys or mouse.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Originally Posted by Magnum

Is this mod include the compass from TDW UI ...

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=1985

or something similar? A 2 ring compass that can be rotated with keys or mouse.

No, this mod only replaces regular NavMap tools. It doesn't add any new items to NavMap view, also doesn't add new interface elements. I want it to stay this way to avoid incompatibility with major mods people use, and for simplicity sake.

Frankly speaking, I don't even know (yet?) how to add a new interface element, however I seriously consider trying to develop a slipstick (a trig slide rule) in foreseeable future.

Right now this mod only uses one file from TDW's mod (part of the draggable compass), but only to use it as a regular NavMap tool.

Although I'm think

[SteelViking]

Wow Avm, this mod is going to really increase the realism of navigating not just from an aesthetic point of view, but also from a functional point of view. Thanks for your work on this.

I really like the idea of the depth checking tool, because realistically, using the atlas echolot could alert a nearby enemy ship to your presence. I don't know if this behavior is actually in SH5, but I am always afraid to check depth when near an enemy either way.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Originally Posted by SteelViking

I really like the idea of the depth checking tool, because realistically, using the atlas echolot could alert a nearby enemy ship to your presence. I don't know if this behavior is actually in SH5, but I am always afraid to check depth when near an enemy either way.

And you're right. If the sound is lound enough to bounce of the muddy bottom and come back to you so that you hear it - it's definitely loud enough to alert enemy sonar monster (who never sleeps). I'm stuck with the depth tool, but will unstuck on weekend. Hopefully.

[dan corvs]

I can't put the equatool files on jsgme. I have download the file put it can't be unzip like when I download the others mods.

[mia389]

I had no problems unziping. I used winrar. I just installed them yesterday. They are GREAT! and a must for real navigation. Maybe try unzipping to desktop and then open the folder and you will pick one folder to copy to your mods folder. I use large style

[CVKolm]

Very nice mod. This nav tools do really look greate. But there's one thing making them not so convinient to use with real navigation. The scale is reverted - 0 is down and 180 up. So, when plotting bearings have to subtract 180 all the time.