Custom Train Icon

[GabeKnight]

I hate how the train and truck symbols look similar with transport-previews. Of course there're differences if you look closely, but I'd often mix them up in the heat of the battle... and then I'd often reload when this happens, because if not, that unit will be unavailable for the next three turns or so.

Screenshot 767.jpg (871.97 KiB) Viewed 4337 times

[Horst]

I bet we all have already accidently put units into trains and sent them to the front-line without any possibility to unload there.
One solution is to recolor the transport-move icons found in Graphics\Markers\atlas.tga for a better visual difference between truck and train.
I’m so terrible with the alpha-channel stuff though to get right. Maybe someone else could change it for the better.

[GabeKnight]

One solution is to recolor the transport-move icons found in Graphics\Markers\atlas.tga for a better visual difference between truck and train.
I’m so terrible with the alpha-channel stuff though to get right. Maybe someone else could change it for the better.

Didn't even know what an "alpha-channel" is, before I read this. Now I know it's used for transparency. I have some limited experience with Paint-Software, but changing that kind of layer is above my pay-grade at the moment, too, to quote Bruce. But I'd be grateful to anybody willing to make a change for the better.

I think at least one of the pics (truck or train) has to be changed drastically for immediate recognition. They're too similar as they are IMO.

It could be a set of rails instead of the train-icon (or something like that).

atlas2.jpg (85.44 KiB) Viewed 4310 times

[Horst]

I could only see a marginable color difference after my pitiful attempts as these graphics still look too transparent.
Well, you could change these graphics to a text "Truck" and "Train" for immediate recognition.

[terminator]

It could be a set of rails instead of the train-icon (or something like that).

Something like that ?
Made in 5 minutes.
We could also add a little smoke which goes out of the fireplace ?
It has been several times since I say that these markers are badly visible, but it seemed to interest nobody

Screenshot 1029.png (906.37 KiB) Viewed 4295 times

[Horst]

Yes, Termi, looks very good with the rails beneath! Some additional smoke and no one should have trouble distinguishing these icons anymore.

[GabeKnight]

Well, you could change these graphics to a text "Truck" and "Train" for immediate recognition.

Good idea. Or a "T" for truck and a "T" for... wait...

Something like that ?
Made in 5 minutes.
It has been several times since I say that these markers are badly visible, but it seemed to interest nobody

Yeah! Mr.T., that's the way to go! Make the rails a bit wider and we might have a winner after 5 mins. Care to share, please? I'm definitely interested in those new icons
I'll gladly try out multiple versions, even if they may not look perfect.

[terminator]

Sorry but it will be necessary to wait for this weekend. I have to work to gain Resources Points to pay my invoices

[GabeKnight]

Sorry but it will be necessary to wait for this weekend. I have to work to gain Resources Points to pay my invoices

I'm about to start the Greece scen, and I'd gladly take the test-pic you made above as advance.

[Horst]

Here's my quickie available to download. I've also made the anchor and truck icon brighter like the other ones:

atlas.7z

(91.4 KiB) Downloaded 132 times

train.jpg (572.09 KiB) Viewed 4276 times

[terminator]

Here's my quickie available to download. I've also made the anchor and truck icon brighter like the other ones:

What it looks like in winter and in the desert if you make the icon brighter ?

[Horst]

Looks as good or bad as originally with winter climate, as the train/locomotive icon hasn't changed in brightness. No idea why the truck and anchor was made darker.

[GabeKnight]

Thanks Horst. It's better than before. This'll do as a temporal fix, but it's just not enough for my taste. I really liked terminator's version far better; so I'll await the weekend. Let's see what he comes up with...

Screenshot 768.jpg (604.09 KiB) Viewed 4315 times

[GabeKnight]

Playing with the changed icons, it's definitely better. No more confusion at all. I'd suggest something like this as a general change in the game.

[terminator]

My result here is by using the image of @Horst as base :

Screenshot 1034.png (951.72 KiB) Viewed 4264 times

atlas(T).zip

(151.69 KiB) Downloaded 127 times

[Horst]

My result here is by using the image of @Horst as base

Thanks, I'll keep your version! Looks very nice and should be more noticeable with the tracks now.

[GabeKnight]

Yes, thank you terminator, almost forgot about this again...

I've done a quick test and I still think that the rails have to be thicker or the whole icon completely reworked. The rails and steam are barely visible on some hexes. Maybe it's just because of my screen resolution (1920x1080) or maybe it's my bad eye sight, but look on the screenshot. I need an icon that I don't have to look on twice to recognize it.

Screenshot 780_1.jpg (698.85 KiB) Viewed 4243 times

If you'd be so kind to try some different version, please? If it's too much to ask, alternatively, I think that the one you posted first (screenshot 1029) would even do for me, if you still have that.

[Horst]

His smoke looks nicer although somewhat thinner too.

[GabeKnight]

His smoke looks nicer although somewhat thinner too.

True. The whole image is quite nice actually. Terminator proved many times, that he know his stuff when it comes to graphical design. The problem here is that nice is not functional. Both would be perfect, but in this case: functionality over looks.

[terminator]

I deliberately decreased the opacity of the smoke and the rail not to overload too much the image.It suits me.
Tomorrow I shall try a version with an opacity identical to that of the locomotive.