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Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 3:43 pm
by WidowMakers
What type of files can maps be? If I look at the folder that contains all of the current maps, the actual maps are .jpg and the thumbnails are .png. Is there any way to use animated gifs?

By using animated gifs, water on maps could move and clouds in the sky could blow around.

You could have flashing arrows pointing out attack routes and such.

Is this possible?

Re: Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:23 pm
by Wisse
WidowMakers wrote:What type of files can maps be? If I look at the folder that contains all of the current maps, the actual maps are .jpg and the thumbnails are .png. Is there any way to use animated gifs?

By using animated gifs, water on maps could move and clouds in the sky could blow around.

You could have flashing arrows pointing out attack routes and such.

Is this possible?


that would be irritating, and lagging for slowly computers i won't play one of these maps

Re: Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:28 pm
by DiM
Wisse wrote:
WidowMakers wrote:What type of files can maps be? If I look at the folder that contains all of the current maps, the actual maps are .jpg and the thumbnails are .png. Is there any way to use animated gifs?

By using animated gifs, water on maps could move and clouds in the sky could blow around.

You could have flashing arrows pointing out attack routes and such.

Is this possible?


that would be irritating, and lagging for slowly computers i won't play one of these maps


it would be great but only if there would be an option to switch them on/off.

PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:33 pm
by KEYOGI
From the Official How to Make A Map thread:
Step 2). Image Creation——Create a visual layout of the map. Include a working legend with speculative bonuses, tentative border divisions, names, barriers, colors and textures, aesthetic images (I.E. compasses, picture designs, etc), and background image (I.E. ocean or something to discriminate the playing field). A map should be ‘inherently unique either in gameplay, location, or style’ . Maps that aren't just the same tried and true formula from the Classic Map disguised will be more successful. Host the image using Photobucket.com or something similar. The type of image file must be PNG, GIF, or JPEG. You must design two versions of the map: a small (up to 600 px wide), and a large (up to 800 px wide). Height is flexible, but it is recommended that you do not exceed 350 px on small maps and 600 px on large maps so that users will not need to scroll down to attack.

So yes it's possible and something I'd like to see done if it's done tastefully and doesn't create too much of a distraction. I think you're one of the few people that could pull it off WidowMakers.

Re: Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:18 pm
by Coleman
DiM wrote:
Wisse wrote:that would be irritating, and lagging for slowly computers i won't play one of these maps


it would be great but only if there would be an option to switch them on/off.


I remember that you can right click on and stop an animated gif from moving somehow, but I don't remember exactly what it is.

Re: Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:28 pm
by Wisse
Coleman wrote:
DiM wrote:
Wisse wrote:that would be irritating, and lagging for slowly computers i won't play one of these maps


it would be great but only if there would be an option to switch them on/off.


I remember that you can right click on and stop an animated gif from moving somehow, but I don't remember exactly what it is.


thats a flash movie not a .gif movie

Re: Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:30 pm
by DiM
Coleman wrote:
DiM wrote:
Wisse wrote:that would be irritating, and lagging for slowly computers i won't play one of these maps


it would be great but only if there would be an option to switch them on/off.


I remember that you can right click on and stop an animated gif from moving somehow, but I don't remember exactly what it is.


yes it is possible to right click and stop the animation but it would be a bitch to do this to 10-15 animations every time you refresh the page.

and not to start another thread i post here my question?

is it possible do do a rotating map?? i was thinking of a 3D earth which you could rotate.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:32 pm
by yeti_c
Could you make the "small" image flat - and the "large" image with motion?

C.

PS DiM - technically a hijack there but - no it wouldn't work the co-ords of the armies are fixed thus the rotation would leave the armies behind.

Re: Can map picutres be Animated GIFS?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:08 am
by rebelman
WidowMakers wrote:What type of files can maps be? If I look at the folder that contains all of the current maps, the actual maps are .jpg and the thumbnails are .png. Is there any way to use animated gifs?

By using animated gifs, water on maps could move and clouds in the sky could blow around.

You could have flashing arrows pointing out attack routes and such.

Is this possible?


yep and the first one has just been quenched, you may have noticed the thread :lol:

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:17 am
by Keredrex
would it be possible for weather conditions that give a "FOG OF WAR" effect where clouds roll in and cover the numbers of armies?

basically can it be set to animate VERY slowly like once in a 24 hr period?
and can it cover the army numbers?

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:23 am
by gimil
Keredrex wrote:would it be possible for weather conditions that give a "FOG OF WAR" effect where clouds roll in and cover the numbers of armies?

basically can it be set to animate VERY slowly like once in a 24 hr period?
and can it cover the army numbers?


This is a rather good idea. Although i dont think this is a cartograpy hing. More a game engine change. I would advise suggesting it in suggestions and big reports.

If you PM i could wipe up a quick draft for you to post with.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:54 pm
by Kaplowitz
Keredrex wrote:would it be possible for weather conditions that give a "FOG OF WAR" effect where clouds roll in and cover the numbers of armies?

basically can it be set to animate VERY slowly like once in a 24 hr period?
and can it cover the army numbers?


This would not be part of the map because the army numbers are put right over the .gif image. the cloud would go under the number

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:32 pm
by Keredrex
Kaplowitz wrote:This would not be part of the map because the army numbers are put right over the .gif image. the cloud would go under the number


Is it possible to have a 3rd layer? a layer that is transparent except for animated weather

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:34 pm
by Kaplowitz
Keredrex wrote:
Kaplowitz wrote:This would not be part of the map because the army numbers are put right over the .gif image. the cloud would go under the number


Is it possible to have a 3rd layer? a layer that is transparent except for animated weather


IDK, im just syaing that suggestions would be a better place for that, cause its not actually part of the map/

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:39 pm
by Keredrex
Kaplowitz wrote:IDK, im just syaing that suggestions would be a better place for that, cause its not actually part of the map/


Yes it is...During map making if you now have the possibility of animated maps and an animated weather system above it all you need to plan for it during creation.... the map maker will need to make the 3rd layer weather pattern to fit his map.... It has to be custom to the map just like XML numbers & army circles...So technically yes it needs to be in both forums

PostPosted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:09 am
by yeti_c
Keredrex wrote:
Kaplowitz wrote:This would not be part of the map because the army numbers are put right over the .gif image. the cloud would go under the number


Is it possible to have a 3rd layer? a layer that is transparent except for animated weather


Yes... But Lack would have to code it in...

C.