Screen centering/cycling around map UI idea

[LaFayette]

Some additional notable behaviors:

• The 'f' key which highlights all moveable units is being updated to not highlight skipped units.

I also think it makes sense to print the territory name in the scroller to add more context of where the units are. Here is a latest example:

[Cernel]

@LaFayette Well, that is very easy to do, though I can do it with the bars more horizontal or more vertical, if preferred.

[LaFayette]

@Cernel Thanks, though the image should match the existing buttons, background color and foreground.

I'm thinking, not for right now, but as a follow up, it may be really good to classify the look and feels as "dark" or "light" and switch to a "dark" button image when using a "light" L&F. The white button text can be a bit difficult to make out. For now though the buttons should just match.

[LaFayette]

@Cernel said in Screen centering/cycling around map UI idea:

While looking/thinking about the image, the padding from the edge of the image to the icon is probably the last ingredient for the image to match the existing set.

I uploaded the current button images here: https://github.com/triplea-game/assets/tree/master/images/unit_scroller

If it's of any help, I can get you @Cernel the existing image files in 'xcf' format.

Of note, the vertical bar in the right hand arrow image should be removed too.

[Cernel]

The file in xcf format I can't see how it can help. If those images where shrunk from bigger raster ones, it would help some getting closer having the original dimensions. Unless this is already good enough:

And for the vertical bar removal (I was wondering about that), I just flipped the left arrow (that, btw, it is not 40x40 pixels, but 25x39):

[Hepps]

There are any number of options...

I can't fathom how anybody could misinterpret a crescent moon as anything other than rest or skip... but either way... the X is far less clear as an icon.

Here are some others just to muddy up the water further.

[Cernel]

@Hepps I like the "zzz" even less than the moon. I like the stop about as much as the X.

[Hepps]

@Cernel Well the idea here is just to make suggestions...

And since an "X" button is pretty much universally accepted as a "close" button it is really the least appealing option of anything.

[Cernel]

@Hepps Well, as I said, if not the "X", my preference would, then, go to the open hand symbol meaning alt (that has this meaning since at least ancient Roman times).

I would also like just a "OK" or "Skip" writing (or, as said, a check mark).

[Cernel]

How about the standby symbol?
https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IEC5009_Standby_Symbol.svg

[Black_Elk]

Oh nice just saw this!

Gotta say I also find that the crescent moon doesn't make me think immediately of sleep. Perhaps if going for that might try something like this... Its the spell symbol for Sleep from the old Baldur's Gate D&D games.

Basically like a closed eye. Not sure if that reads in the way you were thinking?

I'd take just the word "SKIP" if need be, since that would be very hard to confuse and only 4 letters.

[Cernel]

@Black_Elk Ahah, I thought about it too but didn't dare propose it. I surely like it, but doubt it will be clear to non nerds.

[Cernel]

@Black_Elk That is generally the "sleep" symbol in Baldur's Gate. Also when you rest your party.

[Frostion]

This is great! I love the idea about unit stacks.

The term "Sleep" and it's moon symbol are already well know to gamers and therefore a good choice. (Didn't we have this discussion years ago?) Anyway, if it is OK for game like Civilization, it will be OK for TripleA.
https://i0.wp.com/ladiesgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Civ-6-builders-icons.jpeg

PS: It is just a "term". No matter if the map/game intends the unit to go dormant for I hour or 100 years, Sleep just means go inactive until woken up.

[Cernel]

Ok. I personally hate relating the night to sleep, but since it seems that everyone else likes it I guess go for it. What can I say?

[Black_Elk]

The insomniac icon, just all hella bloodshot beady eyeball hehe. I'm with you I suppose, but yeah I guess it's whatever, MOON, 'that spells moon' and all. Having the feature in any form is killer. Great work

[LaFayette]

Code update is submitted: https://github.com/triplea-game/triplea/pull/4960, once that is merged then the feature will be included with the next prerelease and live on the next release.

[Cernel]

@LaFayette That's probably going a nice boost of playability. The cycling didn't works so well, as sometimes it is hard to spot what's being highlighted.

[LaFayette]

@Cernel There are still some issues, see the new bug reports opened. Though, now 'm' will select previous and 'c' will center on current. Hopefully that should help. I hope also the listing of 'units left to move', having a count of unmoved units will be of use.

I've had a lot of problems personally of forgetting to move the random sub or AA gun, with luck the 'space bar' to skip and then trying to zero out the units left to move will greatly reduce the forgotten units. If things go really right, it'll help make TripleA about who makes the fewest mistakes vs who played the better game.

[Frostion]

@LaFayette
In regards to shortcuts, Civilization uses
Select Next – Period
Select Previous – Comma
for the cycling through units and so does Total War and Age of Wonders series. If TripleA would do the same, I would think it would be more intuitive and make it easy to learn/control for new players.