[ScnelleMeyer]

I often find it hard to judge where terrain features likes hills and valleys runs on a map. - I think the overview maps in GtC is a step forward with its yellow contour lines, although the yellow lines are somtimes hard to make out and the terrain in most of the GtC maps is flat.
In WAR and PITF for example the terrain is more varied and contour OVMs are really needed IMO.

I just did a test with contours generated from the heightmap of North Eifel of WAR and I like the results:

[ScnelleMeyer]

Maybe a 3d view is more usefull for some maps? - It doesnt take any longer to make these in Blender. Simple box geometry could be added for buildings.

[Pete]

Personally I don't really like the contour lines as they obstruct the general view of the terrain. I much prefer your idea of modelling the terrain in 3d.

[ScnelleMeyer]

I see your point on the lines obscuring the graphics - especially with the current GtC OVMs - They are just screenshots from 5CC where the height coding has been blurred, causing more obscuration than necessary.
I would like to replace the yellow OVM contours with red ones like in the pic below. - I think they minimize the obscuration and provides better terrain awareness while playing.

- On second thought on the 3D OVMs - They will not work for positioning your troops and seeing the larger picture during battles, so I guess thats a non-starter anyway.
Even if 3D with contours could be done:D

[Pete]

Well, the 3D image does not have to be used as the OVM. They could also be used as an extra map preview in a pdf file or so.
As for the contour lines: perhaps decreasing width and opacity would enhance visibility of the map and unit icons on it.

[ScnelleMeyer]

Thanks for the feedback Pete. - Tried your suggestion with the contour lines, I cant make them thinner than 2 pixels - I am lacking some kind of Photoshop trick to do it, but opacity is lowered.
I also lowered the number of contours by decreasing equidistance - Before it was 0,5m - now its 1m. This declutters the image a bit too.

[mick_xe5]

[Pzt_Kanov]

I like every pic in this thread.

A way to enable/disable would be ideal, but I guess it is not possible.

[ScnelleMeyer]

Thanks Kanov! The contour lines mod is under production.
Unfortunately it is not possible to turn off the contours during the game.

Here is a link to Thoms OVMs for CC5: http://www.closecombatseries.net/CCS/modules.php?name=Downloads&op=getit&lid=4196

[ScnelleMeyer]

Contour mod for GtC to is ready - If you want a head start on your opponent - check it out here:

http://www.closecombatseries.net/Hosted/ScnelleMeyer/Gateway%20to%20Caen/Mods/
 
From mod readme:
What will this mod do?

This mod will change and add map elevation contours to all GtC overview maps (OVM) that has terrain elevation changes.
These changes will also be reflected in the minimaps.


What will you see ingame?

Maps without contours are flat except for hedges.

The following 7 maps has 1m contour intervals - that is - each line represent 1m of elevation change.

9  - POINT_100
12 - COLLEVILLE
16 - GRAINVILLE-SUR-ODON
18 - MONDRAINVILLE
20 - TOURMAUVILLE
22 - GAVRUS
23 - HILL_112

These maps are marked ingame, lower right corner with "CI: 1m".


- All other maps with contours have 0,5m contour intervals to best visualize minute changes in elevation.

[platoon_michael]

I did the .OVM's for Wacht am Rhein to include all the trees
http://www.closecombatseries.net/Hosted/platoon_michael/WAR%20Files/Maps%20in%20Jpegs/
 
Your elevation isnt including.....well elevation
Yes you have the contour lines but your not depicting the actual elevation.

10Meters/20 Meters     what is it?



Your really going to ask a person in Battle to remember this?..................

The following 7 maps has 1m contour intervals - that is - each line represent 1m of elevation change.

9  - POINT_100
12 - COLLEVILLE
16 - GRAINVILLE-SUR-ODON
18 - MONDRAINVILLE
20 - TOURMAUVILLE
22 - GAVRUS
23 - HILL_112

These maps are marked ingame, lower right corner with "CI: 1m".


- All other maps with contours have 0,5m contour intervals to best visualize minute changes in elevation.

[platoon_michael]

Where's the rise or fall of the land?


You only painted lines
With no info


If your going to do it .....Do it Right
Display the Meters in numerical # as well as the contour lines.

[ScnelleMeyer]

Hey Platoon thanks for the comments. - I would really like to see how your WAR .OVMs look like - Are they included in a mod somewhere?

I am not sure I understand what you are getting at though.
- Countour lines are what is depicted as the red lines and they do represent elevation changes like on a real map.

Most of the included .ovms have the contour intervals at 0,5 meters and a few maps are 1m. - This is explained in the readme sited above.
I opted out of including numbers for each contour as this would clutter up the view and the current elevation can always be checked by right clicking.

[platoon_michael]

Yes the red lines indicate changes in elevations but they do not depict what type of elevation change.


Is it up?
Down?

I have no idea by looking at them
Because you didn't include the actual elevation for each line.


somewhere here is a thread for the .OVM's I did but I cant seem to find it.


It is included with StockMod for WAR

[platoon_michael]

Here's a look at Champs with the Trees on the .OVM's

[platoon_michael]

If you cant include the actual distance like you mentioned because of the clutter like you mentioned then why not have the distance put on the side of the .OVM?

It can be done.


Also maybe change the lines to depict a rise or fall based on the color of the lines you make.
Say Red is rise
Green depicts a slope

[platoon_michael]

The .OVM can be manipulated

Out put it with 5CC or whatever your using

Then reduce it to whatever size you need to include the text you want to include

My original .OVM's were so large in size one could actually put a team Exactly  where one expected them to be in game while in the .OVM.


The large size of the file for the .OVM will cause some people with slowere CPU's to crash    so don't make the .OVM file to large

[ScnelleMeyer]

Those .OVM - Yeah, ofc they look a lot better with trees - I have seen them as I played your mod:) - I was thinking you had some with elevations on them that I had not seen.
Btw. the ones I made for GtC also include trees in the OVMs. I might opt not to do that for PITF though.

I also saw you edited the post at the same time I was writing - It was clear to me after I read your edit.
-You would like altitude numbers by each line signifying the elevation of each line. - If thats the case I have to disapppoint you, cause thats not going to happen.

I like them as they are and have no problem understanding where the depressions and hills are, but I guess I am fortunate to have read maps a great deal in real army life:D

[platoon_michael]

Also maybe change the lines to depict a rise or fall based on the color of the lines you make.
Say Red is rise
Green depicts a slope



Again your scale can be deciphered on the side of the .OVM with a little bit of Photoshop help.

[platoon_michael]

I understand
Its your work........not mine


And yes I did edit my posts several times over