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

[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.

[Sepp von Ch.]

Great idea! Thank you! Love this Kriegsmarine version

[Abd_von_Mumit]

I need some feedback from users:
Is it ok with the big circle as ruler in KM/Flat Styles, or would you rather have all tools of the same size as default (then all of them would be KM/Flat Style), and the big circle as an option (added by installing an add-on)?

I can't choose what's better. I have ease of installation (user friendliness) on one side of equation, and flexibility on the other... Need your opinions.

[Sepp von Ch.]

Current KM Style is OK for me.

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Still working on KM-Woody. Shadows gave me a hard time (I never worked with graphics before).

As it is supposed to be a luxurious set of tools (a gift from the Onkel?), I made a Golden version as well.

Only handle added:


Eagle changed from Party Eagle (incorrect) to Reich Eagle (correct). RIght now looks to dark/heavy, will work more on it.



Eagle in gold:

[Sepp von Ch.]

Really nice!

[pascal4541]

It's a very good Mod and very good job
Thank's for the communauty

[Abd_von_Mumit]

As I don't like the big-pitch-black eagle I posted above (too heavy and consists of too many details, that produce a messy stain), I searched the internet for some REAL markings used on tools/equipment. And I found them. There were basically 3 to 4 versions of a single marking used throughout whole the Nazi era: A very simplified eagle holding a svastika in a wreath, and letter M below it (where M stands for "Marine" - "Navy"). Whatever was marked with this sign was KM property.








I saw at least 1 original plotting tool marked with this sign (a large wooden triangle), so it is historically VERY accurate to us those markings instead of the black, detail-heavy eagle we can find on Wikipedia pages nowadays (actually the little one would look cute if not the svastika, wouldn't it?). This is what I got so far:





I paste it not only for anybody interested, but also for me... to see how little I achieved in sooo many hours. Couldn't there be less colours?




EDIT:
More noteworthy examples:

[Kentrat]

Dzien dobry AvM,

Like the stylized line-drawing version; very simple, very effective!

Keep up the good work

Regards

[pascal4541]

Very nice

[Abd_von_Mumit]

Updated to version 01.01. See the first post for new Styles descriptions and pictures. Quite a few new styles added, some refurbished, added "To do" section. Users of previous version: read at least the highlighted part of Changelog below.


Changelog
2010.09.22, v. 01.01

• Researched symbols used by logistics service to mark goods and equipment that belonged to Kriegsmarine, then copied most often used markings and applied them to chosen Styles.
• Added "Add-on - Large Style Ruler". Also replaced large Ruler (as in "Large Style") with a Ruler of size and style in line with rest of the tools in: "Flat Style", "Kriegsmarine Style". To have your large Ruler back, just install "Add-on - Large Style Ruler" after installing your standard sized tools.
• Discontinued "Kriegsmarine Style", it now became a whole Family of Styles (see below). They have now much better quality and historically correct Eagle ("Reich's Eagle" instead of "Party Eagle"), the very one used by Kriegsmarine logistics.
• Added "Kriegsmarine Light Style" - historically accurate, very simplified Eagle.
• Added "Kriegsmarine Regular Style" - historically accurate, simplified Eagle.
• Added "Kriegsmarine Golden Style" - eye-candy, large golden Eagle.
• Added "Kriegsmarine Woody Light Style" - "Kriegsmarine Light Style" plus wooden handles/grips.
• Added "Kriegsmarine Woody Regular Style" - "Kriegsmarine Regular Style" plus wooden handles/grips.
• Added "Kriegsmarine Woody Golden Style" - "Kriegsmarine Golden Style" plus wooden handles/grips.
• Refurbished "Woody Style" - same handles, but better new shadows and looks now more three-dimensional.
• Renamed "Medium Style" to "Medium Clean Style".
• Added "Medium Faber-Castell Style".
• Replaced default Eraser Tool in "Double Set - Large plus Flat Style" with coloured Eraser from "Add-on - Coloured Simple Tools". Future double sets will use coloured Eraser as well.
• Replaced all .dds files with .tga files, for disk space economy and better performance on slower computers. Added corresponding ".dds-remove" files for JSGME (this makes EQuaTool fully JSGME dependant - it won't work unless installed via JSGME).
• Added "To do" section to documentation.
• Fixed some minor issues with documentation files and folders.

Enjoy!

[andycaccia]

WOW!

That's BRILLIANT! Well done, it's a great mod!! Great quality, and it adds a considerable amount of "immersion" and realism. Excellent!
Keep up the good work!!

Andycaccia!

[pascal4541]

The 1.01 is GREAT
Very very good job
Thank you very much Abd_von_Mumit