Idea for mineral/map overlay. (page 1/7)

I know it's been suggested before; but, nothing's been done about it. We need a map overlay that makes finding mineral-rich coordinates easier!

My suggestion? A grid that's formated in such a manner as to place the coordinates in the same manner as AB does. Then, in each sector, place a color for a mineral count. Perhaps even make two maps. One for lower count and one for higher (for the players that are outside the belt).

The maps could use a very common system for color-recognition. ROYGBIV, I'm thinking. The lower map could go something like:
0-10 R
11-25 O
26-50 Y
51-100 G
101-150 B
151-200 I
>200 V

The higher map could use something like:
<101 R
101-200 O
201-300 Y
301-400 G
401-500 B
501-600 I
>600 V

Alternatively, one could combine the maps using a sort of logarithmic function.

0-25 R
26-50 O
51-100 Y
101-200 G
201-400 B
401-600 I
>600 V

The overall design is, of course, subject to change. Unfortuantely, I don't know enough Perl (still learning!) to create such a map. Though, I'm sure it could be integrated with one of the other two maps out there. It would allow people to graphically look at the map and get an idea of where the best mineral count is. Or, perhaps it would allow people to plan out a map visually. It would be much simpler than showing numbers and would allow a lot of us who are pressed for cash to more properly select routes.

So, any suggestions? Also, any takers? It doesn't seem like it would be that difficult to code. IIRC, there's a database with all of the mineral locations already parsed. The GoogleDocs one, I believe. Though, I don't believe it has the lower numbers. It would be a start, though.

Also, one could code a logarithmic function that selects a specific color depending on the number of minerals. It could then run through the entire range of colors where 1 is pure red and whatever the max is is pure violet. It could then use half of the max as indigo. Half of indigo as blue. Half of blue as green... etc. The range between each of these colors would, of course, be based on a logarithmic function. Then, the last section could be a 1:1 ratio on the color scale. If anyone needs help with the math, I can do that part. I can dicuss it through e-mails as I don't think pseudo-code would be appreacited on these forums.

PHEW! Moneymaker, if you lock this thread I'll never forgive you.

I believe this is a great Idea, If i had any skill whatsoever in programming i would help

Thanks for the support. Though, I must say that I personally think that the logarithmic method would work a little bit better. I'm already thinking of the math behind it and it seems that it would work QUITE well. Better than the other suggestions. Sorry for not thinking it through as much as I should have. I'm trying to help,t hough.

Also, I think a pure logarithm that maxed out at Indigo would work better.. perhaps we could leave some headroom for a maximum that's unlikely to be hit. Lest the script need to be rerun for a sector that has a higher amount. Of course, that hardly seems to be a problem.

Be patient, as I've said many times before, I'm currently building a map and I think it could maybe fit in what you're looking for

I appreciate it, Moneymaker! Though, why carefully? I figure an automated script would do. Also, will you be following a perfect logarithm? I'll consider giving you my firstborn if you do!

The map will be out one day, some improvements can be made on it later

There is this version (textual)

j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp.php?lang =0

and these are various graphic map prototypes
at various zoom and font-sizes:
100%, 120%, 150%, 200% and 400%,
where the magic number 1999$ is the amount of at that specific coordinate.

j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap100. php
j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap120. php
j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap150. php
j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap200. php

and bigger font-size:

j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap150c ...
j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap200c ...

or even larger (400%)
j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp_gmap400d ...

Those map will be generated from PNG and CSS/Table
on the fly from the textual version, so I need lots of 16x16 screenshots of abmap in PNG format.

If you actually like any of these, then I could spend
a day or two for doing it around the origin within Karbonis belt, but be aware this is a lot of work.

If anyone has HTML skills or programming skills (PHP or Perl)
let me know if you want to help. Just taking 16x16 screenshots of ABMap in PNG or the real map would help a lot.

The goal would be to have a picture at the bottom of the AB Path Planner page using this technique or something like that.

Personally, I get along with the text view only,
and put AB Map Haxe on the side if I need to look it up.

Otherwise, someone did an "Excel sheet view" using scatter lines to represent where you are and track your own history.

I like your ideas; but, the problme with text is that it's just too difficult to get an idea of a good path. Humans are visual creatures. : ) If you could implement colors, I think it'd work better. That's the primary point to my suggestion. Colors would make the entire situation easier. Players could glance at a map and focus on all of the blues/greens/etc easily. Plus, for those of us running missions or who are early in the game, it would work quite well.

Sorry for the doublepost; but, also, the AB map itself is unnecessary. So long as one knows their coordinates in the game and the coordinates on the mineralmap, all is well. If I'm trying to get from point A to point B with as many minerals as possible (without deviating too much), what's the point In knowing what the map looks like? I just need to know which sectors to visit.

Well, if the beautiful background is "useless" for you, I could create a dummy table VERY EASILY.

I'll create a prototype tonight just for you

Here's the final result, few hours later...

The background will always be a neutral cell,
so you will not see the planets and stuff like that.

j2k.sf.net/svg/escorp.php?x=0& ...

I could then try to generate 21x19 PNG for missile,
items, marchands, asteroides, planets and what not.

Hope you find that useful...

Enjoy!