Menu improvement - Show minimap preview when selecting a new map

[Stiller]

You guys already got some nice code to show an overview of a map - the minimap feature, why not use it elsewhere in the game as a preview whenever you have to pick a map from a list? Should not be too hard to implement (I only know java, so if this were java code it would not be too hard, no idea about C or Delphi, so please accept my apologies in advance in case of shit-talking).

[Bonecrusher]

I think it was suggested long time ago, but still f12

[homerofgods]

F12
was suggested here: http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=30463.msg368105#msg368105

[Shoozza]

Nothing is easy in soldat.

Minimal uses loaded maps which means you would have to load each map (which i guess would be slow because it loads textures and stuff).
Also the soldat gui rendering is totally different from ingame (ingame uses directx).

But the idea is good.

[DorkeyDear]

Another idea is to have an image associated with a map, and if the image exists, display that.

Or if it is possible to generate the image when you click on it by loading the map, 'zoom fitting', taking a 'screenshot', and saving that image automatically, and unloading the map (i dont mean zoom fit and screenshot litterally). I can imagine for having many maps, this still would be extremely slow, but it would only need to do it once per map, and never again.

[machina]

I'm sure it was suggested. F12, anyway...

But choosing map during a match is the most annoying, I mean about Menu2 picture. Some list would be cool.

But maybe improvments like that should wait until new GUI code that (Shoozza is already maiking) will be done.

[Adam]

F12

[Stiller]

Sorry guys,
yes it has been suggested before _Oops. I think someone who has the Force can close this thread.

[L[0ne]R]

When compiling a map in, let's say, polyworks, a preview image could be generated (possibly with additional options like "just polygons" or "include sceneries"). And then a preview image could be built-in directly into the PMS file?

[machina]

When compiling a map in, let's say, polyworks, a preview image could be generated (possibly with additional options like "just polygons" or "include sceneries"). And then a preview image could be built-in directly into the PMS file?

So then a new PMS standard would be needed.

[L[0ne]R]

When compiling a map in, let's say, polyworks, a preview image could be generated (possibly with additional options like "just polygons" or "include sceneries"). And then a preview image could be built-in directly into the PMS file?

So then a new PMS standard would be needed.

There's a lot of features that have been requested many times that require map format change. So map previews could be done along with that, when dev team gets their hands on map format.

[machina]

There's a lot of features that have been requested many times that require map format change. So map previews could be done along with that, when dev team gets their hands on map format.

So then we should make some list of things those should be added to new PMS standard like Metadata (not sure it already exists but it always can be improved)... New topic's needed.

[L[0ne]R]

Nah, we can do this when the time actually comes to make a new map format. Looks like the devs are still busy cleaning up the code, so even if a list is made now - it'll later get lost and forgotten.