AA42 and ABattleMap

@HolKann:

That would be great! Also, I’m thinking of making some kind of ABattlePack with modules not present in the standard ABattleMap, including a self extractor and extra image files and stuff. Just a one-click install file, with some extra functionality for those who want to adapt a module to their needs. Though I would need to learn how first. 'nyway, ideas for later.

Sounds great to me :-)

So here are the promised files:

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ltrqtmtomyq
(574 KB, 7zip-format)

Included in the 7zip you will find the .pdn in which I added seperate layers for SZ-numbers, territory-names nation by nation and the Neutrals.
Also included is an alternative Info Items layer. Here I removed the Axis&Allies label in the left corner and “lined” the unit collect zones.
In AA50 I sometimes had problems to see the number of units placed there because of the black numbers on a dark background.
It is all optional of course.

You will find 2 bmp in the 7zip with an example of how the maps look like - one including “Axis&Allies”, one without.
By the way: Removing the Axis&Allies label reduces the file size of the map.bmp from 4.33 MB to 1.44 MB, because of the color reduction from 24 BPP to 8 BPP.
:-)

Addition:
When Iceland and Formosa will be added to the background layer, I will update the other labels.
Labelling is done in Arial 8 with setting “sharp” in Paint.Net, no AntiAliasing and overwrite blending.

Wow, thank you for that great improvement!

@HolKann:

Many thanks! You forgot Gibraltar though :p

blush

Those vertical black lines… shudder Though you are right the a&a logo does block sight (I never noticed cuz I never use that unit gather area). I tried something, tell me what you think.

I think what you did now in the unit gather area is quite a good compromise between “art” and “visibility”. Although in some parts it is still hart to distinguish numbers from the background.

Now, one thing I changed: all your names were centered in the territories. As a result, most of them were blocked by IPC value or by units in the territory. So I moved the names to the sides of each territory (your layers are still in the .pdn file ofcourse). Also, I tried “fancying up” a little. It’s got kind of a 3D feel now, with a slightly scorched earth and flintly clouded seas. As a result, the .zip file is a bit bigger now, as is the .pdn file. Tell me what you guys think about it, cuz I tend to like it :roll:

The map looks very, very nice… congratulations :-)
The names at the sides are a good idea, some are harder to read now though… but all in all this comes near to perfection in my opinion.

@Panther: do continue making your own versions of the map, it’s fun to compare ideas and merge the best ones together.

I’ll do :-)

What I did with your .pdn is:

• removed my “alternative Info Item”-layer
• added a layer with the AA-logo removed
• added another layer with AA-logo removed and “black lines” added

So this leaves all possible combinations to meet one’s individual needs ;-)

Download it from here if you like (2.96 MB, 7zip):
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jgtm5iegmjz

The “new” colors of the BigPieces are nice.
I’m just thinking about the AA-guns… I think I prefer the guns in national colors on a white background, because they are easier to identify in a territory with many units in it.

But this is an individual question of “taste” of course and can be easily modified.

@HolKann:

@Imperious:

Iceland and Formosa aren’t actual game territories for AA42 either…

They both are actual territories on the OOB AA42 map.

Really? I mean, can you land on them with a fighter or conquer them like in AA50? But you’re right they are present on the map

@HolKann:
Amazon.de rescheduled the delivery for AA42 to September, 18th so I could not check this myself.
From the photos they are present but do not have an IPC-value. I don’t know if including these territory may have a deeper impact to the game.
At least I can think about a situation in which landing a fighter or bomber in Formosa may make more sense than landing it on the continent.
So… are you going to add these territories to the sektor.bmp and map.bmp and do whatever is necessary to work with the modules?

:-)

I got my copy of 1942 today.

What is named “Kenya” in the ABattlemap-1942-module is “Rhodesia” on the “real” map.

I will go through the other territories before re-labelling

;-)

I quickly checked the setup before … everything looks fine :-)

@HolKann:

@P@nther:

What I did with your .pdn is:

• removed my “alternative Info Item”-layer
• added a layer with the AA-logo removed
• added another layer with AA-logo removed and “black lines” added

So this leaves all possible combinations to meet one’s individual needs ;-)

Sry, I like the logo too much, but your map will definately in the future ABattlePack  8-)

I’m fine with this… I just think we should continue to work with one *.pdn.
This is why I “updated” it: to have all options for the individually preferred map.bmp.

@HolKann:

On a sidenote, am I right you like this version of A&A also better than AA50? You once stated you had hoped AA50 would be an “upgrade” of AAR, but that it turned out to be a whole new game. I for one like it better than AA50 because it doesn’t take so damn long to play a game :x

I cannot say that I like it better. AA50 has been my first and up to now only AA-game. And I must say I really love it. Time is not really an isssue because I only play PBF although I own a copy of AA50 and now AA1942. In the thread you refer to I was just curious about the development from Revised to AA50.

I bought 1942 because I am curious about the impact of a smaller map, simplified rules, no Italy, no China etc.
I really do not think that I will prefer it over AA50 - but at least I want to give it a try.

:-)

@HolKann:

Allright, Kenya == Rhodesia, will be changed in the next upgrade ;) Tnx for the keen eye!

Only one other issue:
What is Cuba in the module is “West Indies” in the original map. Same as in AA50 btw. There we labelled it “Cuba” - what I would prefer to do here, too.

And another interesting issue:

From the rulebook - at a first glance - only SZ16 (Dardanelles closed) and fighter escorts/interceptors are optional rules.

“Tech” is simply not existent. So what about the technology field in the module?

@a44bigdog:

I would say leave it in. Some of us will probably play AA42 with the techs from AA50 irregardless of what Larry or the official rules say.

Yes, why not.

@HolKann:

@P@nther:

The “new” colors of the BigPieces are nice.
I’m just thinking about the AA-guns… I think I prefer the guns in national colors on a white background, because they are easier to identify in a territory with many units in it.

But this is an individual question of “taste” of course and can be easily modified.

You’re probably right… I’ll try something else when updating the map again.

Just an approach:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ujnmmhwdojz

@P@nther:

@HolKann:

@Imperious:

Iceland and Formosa aren’t actual game territories for AA42 either…

They both are actual territories on the OOB AA42 map.

Really? I mean, can you land on them with a fighter or conquer them like in AA50? But you’re right they are present on the map

@HolKann:
Amazon.de rescheduled the delivery for AA42 to September, 18th so I could not check this myself.
From the photos they are present but do not have an IPC-value. I don’t know if including these territory may have a deeper impact to the game.
At least I can think about a situation in which landing a fighter or bomber in Formosa may make more sense than landing it on the continent.
So… are you going to add these territories to the sektor.bmp and map.bmp and do whatever is necessary to work with the modules?

:-)

Krieghund states:
@Krieghund:

The official word is that these islands are game spaces.  Iceland should have a UK roundel, and Formosa should have a Japanese one.  This will be in the FAQ.

So it should be integrated.
:-)