SFR Yugoslavia [Quenched]

[koontz1973]

Looking great natty, but the mini map needs to go up or to the side a tiny bit. It touches the bottom but misses the side. Either way would be good.

[natty dread]

It doesn't touch either.

[koontz1973]

It doesn't touch either.

My eyes need testing then, is it closer to the bottom than the side?

[natty dread]

Not really, maybe by a pixel... probably an optical illusion caused by the drop shadow.

[natty dread]

Here's an alternative possibility...

Click image to enlarge.

[koontz1973]

Nice alternative. I certainly like it and it fits better than the poster (a little) and the straight mini map. Covers the sea route though.

How about a concrete block wall instead of another slab?

[Victor Sullivan]

Not really a fan. It just looks awkward to me. It's like adding a 3D element, when the rest is 2D.

-Sully

[isaiah40]

Not really a fan. It just looks awkward to me. It's like adding a 3D element, when the rest is 2D.

-Sully

Think of it as a piece of concrete laying on top of a larger piece of concrete, though in that case the mini map piece needs to be tilted a bit.

[natty dread]

Think of it as a piece of concrete laying on top of a larger piece of concrete,

Yes! This is exactly what I intended.

How's this....

Click image to enlarge.

[natty dread]

--- Concrete slab ---
Pros:
- Consistent with the theme
- Looks cool
- Balances the layout of the map
Cons:
- Covers the sea route slightly
- Maybe stands out a bit? Competes with the title?

--- Plain minimap ---
Pros:
- Consistent with the style
- Blends in with the rest of the map
- Doesn't cover the sea route
Cons:
- Less balanced layout
- Unoriginal

[isaiah40]

How about "breaking" a chunk off from the top right corner so the sea route is seen?

[natty dread]

I'm not sure. On one hand, it'd be nice to see the sea route. On the other foot, covering the sea route sort of adds to the 3d effect...

Still not sure which version I should choose. Need more opinions here!

[cairnswk]

How about "breaking" a chunk off from the top right corner so the sea route is seen?

Concur with this, although you are correct in that it does compete with the title, and the reason that happens is because you've got the drop shadow and 3D effect.

[natty dread]

I could always make the title more solid and pop it up more, to make it on the same level as the stone slab.

But then, would the map itself be too much in their "shadow"? I don't know, I guess I should try it out.

However, the stone slab has to have that 3d effect, otherwise there's not much point to having it... it would look stupid if I'd make it flat, I'd then rather just have the minimap only.

[cairnswk]

Depending on which angle you look at things from, sometimes you don't see the 3D because of where its edges are i.e. behind the outer edge of the slab, depdning on how the lump of concrete is broken. It doesn't have to have the entire right edge visible, it could be only a small portion of it at the bottom.

[natty dread]

Ok but how about thisss

Click image to enlarge.

Looks kinda cool but then again I still don't know... aaaaaaaaaaah it's so hard to decide!

[cairnswk]

Now i think the title is too dark and has taken over.
Doesn't have the same feel as previous version title; i think the previous title is not the problem. It's the concrete.

[gimil]

I am still in the camp that is for the minimap as it is currently. But if there is no agreement on the issue and natty still feels it is difficult to make the minimap work, then how about this. Move the title down to the bottom, move the minimap into the top right corner and move the capitals and ports stuff on top of the flag.

This way the title can better utilise the unused space at the bottom as well as stand out on the darker colours while the minimap will pop more because it is on top of grey. This will also address DiM concerns about the bottom left not standing out. With the title at the bottom and the flag at the top, both areas have something that pops out in there area.

What about my unaddressed suggestion above, I think you will have more success natty if you go with this!

[natty dread]

I am still in the camp that is for the minimap as it is currently. But if there is no agreement on the issue and natty still feels it is difficult to make the minimap work, then how about this. Move the title down to the bottom, move the minimap into the top right corner and move the capitals and ports stuff on top of the flag.

This way the title can better utilise the unused space at the bottom as well as stand out on the darker colours while the minimap will pop more because it is on top of grey. This will also address DiM concerns about the bottom left not standing out. With the title at the bottom and the flag at the top, both areas have something that pops out in there area.

What about my unaddressed suggestion above, I think you will have more success natty if you go with this!

Sorry gimil for not responding earlier... I'm getting forgetful at this old age...

I don't think having the title at the bottom is a good idea though. Firstly... the upper right corner is narrow and sort of "uncomfortable" in shape (I can't explain it better...) so cramming all the other elements there would make it too cramped... Also, I feel having the title at the bottom would be sort of backwards... the current layout has a sort of flowing order, when you go from top to bottom: first the title, explaining the setting, and the special rules, then the map itself, and lastly, the minimap explaining the bonuses. I think it's a good order, it flows well, and reversing that order would not be productive for the purposes of this map - I would have to redesign the whole layout and redraw the map to make it work, and I frankly don't think it's worth the effort...

I hope this explanation satisfies you, even though I have to decline your suggestion for now.

Now i think the title is too dark and has taken over.
Doesn't have the same feel as previous version title; i think the previous title is not the problem. It's the concrete.

So... what's the problem with the concrete, in your opinion? Just that it covers the sea route, or it's too 3d?

I'm going to try playing with this concrete/solid title setup a bit more and see if I can make it work. If not, I'll go back to the minimap-only version.

[natty dread]

So, how does this?

Click image to enlarge.

[koontz1973]

natty_dread, title works great as it's colours match the playing board (bold striking colours but with that concrete feel). The mini map slab works better now. Less deep and without that corner you can see the sea route. Before, I always felt there was more to the map just underneath. Just my humble opinion.

[cairnswk]

So... what's the problem with the concrete, in your opinion? Just that it covers the sea route, or it's too 3d?

i think it was that the 3D edge was too thick.

So, how does this?

Your V18 works much better for me now., as i see you've adjusted both title and concrete.

[Victor Sullivan]

Perhaps I'm being too picky, but the broken-off corner of the concrete slab looks awfully smooth to me. It looks more like it's supposed to do that... Idk, just a thought.

-Sully

[natty dread]

Perhaps I'm being too picky, but the broken-off corner of the concrete slab looks awfully smooth to me. It looks more like it's supposed to do that... Idk, just a thought.

-Sully

It's an aesthetic thing.

[theBastard]

natty what about something like this? and in small map delete all small names, stars and so on and only write here bonuses and names as you had in previous versions...

Click image to enlarge.