[REL] PPI Circle Range Mark v1.22

[Mraah]

LukeFF,

Another way to think about the range selector (I know I'm pressing the point) .

To get a range of 40k you'd set the range sector to 80k, then zoom the sweep in to match the range scale. SH4 didn't give us a sweep selector, so, I think we really have to make do.

Besides, I'll buy any skipper a case of beer if they show me a radar contact beyond 40k with a 80k setting.

[Mraah]

Hmph ... the more I read the SJ manual the more I feel it's not the same equipment I'm thinking of .

Oh well ... until we know for sure, 8|40|80 will stay for ranges.

[LukeFF]

Originally Posted by Mraah

LukeFF,

Another way to think about the range selector (I know I'm pressing the point) .

To get a range of 40k you'd set the range sector to 80k, then zoom the sweep in to match the range scale. SH4 didn't give us a sweep selector, so, I think we really have to make do.

Besides, I'll buy any skipper a case of beer if they show me a radar contact beyond 40k with a 80k setting.

LOL, it's alright. I love electronics and all that, but I'm pretty clueless when it comes to radar technology. I guess that's why they made me a medic, lol (4 years active duty, currently in the National Guard). I'll trust that you know what you're talking about.

Thinking about it more, I imagine the SK radar display was probably a standard display shared by other other WWII-era PPI units. PPI didn't come out until 1943, anyways, and I doubt the screen would've changed much between then and mid-1945. How about we just go with your SK design you posted below, except change the way the bearing numbers are rendered (they should be angled in a circular pattern, instead of the way they are now).

Alright, I'll leave it at that. I've been up wayyyyy longer than I should be, and I gotta be at work in a few hours. I'll check this thread again Saturday afternoon. Thanks again!

[Hitman]

Looks beautiful

Any chance of tweaking the contact graphic files so that instead of a dot we see actually a stretched signal, like in the real thing?

[Redwine]

Originally Posted by Mraah

Ok, a blueish green background then, plus a bit more alpha adjustment for the edges. Do you like the ranges by the way? Let me know what ranges you'd prefer and I'll mod the scale to fit. I still think you want 8|40|80.

I like the green background a little bit more than black background.

I still prefering how looks the non too much lines version.

About ranges, at stock 6000m the ships can start to shoot their deck guns. Then 8km may be a little poor.

I think so

80km for convoy detect.

20km for flank, a little bit more precise than stock 40km.

10km for final approach, let you 4km margin from the 6km deck guns shooting range.

[AVGWarhawk]

Mraah,

You post #70 with the pics....the top three with the greenish background are dead on man! Beautiful! I seriously appreciate the work you and the others did here. Simply awesome! When is this to be ready for download?????? Come on man, I'm drooling here

[U-Bones]

I like post 56 with larger text. Maybe a little less density on range rings.
High contrast, less clutter, less precise, quadrants intact.

But thay ALL are major improvements
I'll take what I get, with pleasure in this case.

[wstaub]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Mraah,

You post #70 with the pics....the top three with the greenish background are dead on man! Beautiful! I seriously appreciate the work you and the others did here. Simply awesome! When is this to be ready for download?????? Come on man, I'm drooling here

I fully agree I am drooling the new pics on post #70 in black background are awesome. Where can I get it?

[Sledge_57]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Mraah,

You post #70 with the pics....the top three with the greenish background are dead on man! Beautiful! I seriously appreciate the work you and the others did here. Simply awesome! When is this to be ready for download?????? Come on man, I'm drooling here

I also like #70 with the black background, I don't know which is more realistic (I suspect the green background) but I can see the black much better and my eyes are getting bad (old age )

Great job btw...............

[DarkShip]

@ Mraah,
Sorry for the delay regarding my files; i ran out of time yesterday...
Your PPI file is much better anyway! Very nice bearing and range #.
Brilliant job indeed



- The blueish green background request:

I tried various settings to obtain something acceptable.
Made a new "softer grain" radar.dds .The original file is too pixelated when modifying the hue with really bad results on display.

Problem is that any variation on the PPI scope is also affecting the A-scope (one same file for both scopes background. Predictable).
The other point is related to the green radar sweep wich also affects the overall display when turned on and mixes it's color with the
circles and radar dds files colors.

In other words, a blueish screen is possible but on a limited scale of tint in order to preserve the A-scope. Result is average due to
the green sweep.



Below: PPI scope average blueish, and A-scope too blue (I think).

Below for comparisions. Standard green A-scope (PPI is a WIP bright scope)





Below, best result so far: A-scope average, PPi not enough blueish. PPI sweep on (note the slight green overlay), and sweep off:

- Regarding the PPI dark/black background and best settings:



*To preserve the dotcircles:
. alpha around 40 - 70% transp
. green layer opacity low at 1 - 2% (that's enough)
. and a Hue/sat adjustment layer: Sat (Master) around +30 and lightness set at +10.
Whatever the radar.dds dark color is, dot circles remain visible.


Below, very dark WIP radar.dds. Circles still visible below sweep (right). Balance in overall visibility is obtained with either higher values
on the Hue/sat adjustment layer or with a brighter radar.dds file.

* To preserve the bearing scale (scope edge):
. best results with same ppiCircles.dds
. and a modified radar.dds file with a combined gradient overlay layer + Hue/sat adjustment layer (gradient selected on the scope area)

*Range # color tends to fade with a dark radar.dds file:
Best results with a slight variation of Sat +30 (+/- 20) and Hue 0 (+/- 15) on the Hue/sat adjustment layer.


All screens made with gamma set to 50 in game (my on monitor is fairly well calibrated with decent colors but not as well as with
a professional calibrator device)


Uploading .psd files in a few minutes if you wish to check settings or use layers. (same link as mentioned in my previous pm)

My two cents...

Cheers

[don1reed]

Mraah:



E

In Naval terms = Four Oh (4.0)

[akdavis]

Originally Posted by Hitman

Looks beautiful

Any chance of tweaking the contact graphic files so that instead of a dot we see actually a stretched signal, like in the real thing?

We discussed this in some detail here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=115263

Basically, in reality the contacts were arcs, oriented in relation to their bearing from the sensor. I'm fairly certain that the contact graphics in game do not change depending on their location on the scope. Consequently, anything other than a circle will not be appropiate at most bearings.

There are other issues, as well. The size of the arc depended on the actual degrees of bearing cross-section of the target in relation to the sub, so the same ship would have a different-sized arc contact depending on its distance and facing in relation to the radar sensor. And then there is the tiny problem that land does not return a signal in game.

We will probably have to make due with various dots as an abstraction.

[Sledge_57]

While on the subject of scopes, can some one point me in the direction of a thread telling how to use the A scope. I'm at a total loss on this one...........

[Mraah]

Originally Posted by DarkShip

Uploading .psd files in a few minutes if you wish to check settings or use layers. (same link as mentioned in my previous pm)
My two cents...
Cheers

Great job!! More like your 2 pounds worth!!

Your help is greatly appreciated. I understand how it all works now!

[Mraah]

Good Morning everyone!!
Worked on this last night....

1. PPI Scope v1.21 Beta .... released.
2. GATO PPI Range/Text Tweak.

Download links at bottom.

1. HI-REZ 1024 size texture (works best for screens above 1024)
2. One PPI, Four Variants. Fits all skippers (hopefully). Just a beta you know.

--------
README
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--------------------------------
PPI CIRCLE RANGE MARK v1.21 Beta : Stand Alone version
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For SH4, v1.2 ONLY.
Original v1.21 of range marks NOT REQUIRED.

This mod ;
1) activates the PPI CIRCLE RANGE MARKS.
2) Changes the color and style of the ppiCircles and Radar backround.
-----
Note:
-----
I tested it while "IN BASE". I don't know if it will work on a saved game outside base.
Use at own risk!!!
Can be shared and modified into your own mod without my permission, however, please include the credits stated below. Thank you.
---------
CREDITS ;
---------
Redwine and Hitman for their work on starting the whole idea, and tweak ideas.
Redwine's Radar.DDS ideas.
Jace11 for his crazy ideas and willing to tweak.
LukeFF for rebooting the idea into a new REQUEST,and 1024 idea.
DarkShip for excellent work on PhotoShop layers, and overall demonstration.
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New stuff
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1. New PPI range marks + Scale (depends on download)
2. All images are sized to 1024. The better your screen resolution the better the quality. Looks ok on 1024 setting, however, rotate the camera a bit. Let your eyes adjust. Small bearing text tho.

That's it for now ...


1920x1200 Screen Shots below.
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PPI 1024 Black Background #1 (dimmer rings)


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PPI 1024 Black Background #2 (brighter solid rings, dimmer dotted)


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PPI 1024 Black Background + Range Scale


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PPI Green Background + Scale


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Wide Screen Shot



Wide Screen Shot ----- Night Hunting



Download link --- All Four PPI variants included!! Seperate JSGME zip for each.
http://files.filefront.com/PPI_1024_v121_Betazip/;7610195;;/fileinfo.html

Gato_PPI_Range_Text Tweak File (not possible without Timetravellers MiniTweak!!, thanks again Timetraveller). I couldn't find a NSS_Gato_CT_Sim tweak file so I made one. Only tested on Gato (might work on Gar). I need to make a Salmon, Porpoise, and S class (hence why I waited). Plus, there are more goodies inside the CT to tweak, ie A-scope ranges.
http://files.filefront.com/GATO_PPI_Range_Text_Tweakzip/;7610096;;/fileinfo.html

Holler my way!!
Enjoy!!!

Mraah