New Toolbar may be in the Works

[Hancock the Superb]

I'm somewhat interested in upgrading the toolbar to make it more personal and more historical (such as including a US Light Infantry Tactics book instead of formation buttons).

I'm just experimenting with ideas at this stage. What do you guys think?

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Kudos to anyone who knows what these three of these generals share in common.

[Ingles of the 57th]

I'm a little bemused by toolbars at the moment. They are probably the most modded thing in the whole game and the most conflicting and non-mutually-compatible.

Every mod and game extension seems to bring its own variant. Unless the mod is toolbar (GUI) specific it is becoming very hard to remember just which mods have GUI content and to what effect.

It would take something very exceptional to entice me away from Reb Bugler's current offering ..... but let it not be said I stand in the way of progress.

Geoff Laver Late of Her Britannic Majesty's 57th Regiment of Foot

[Saddletank]

I second Ingles' words. If a new toolbar could be designed that was official and was released under NSDs authorship but included community efforts, I'd support it, but we need fewer toolbars, not more.

As to the graphics on them, I'm not the least bit interested, the least distracting graphics the better for me. Its gameplay issues that are key. Lets focus on those.

[Hancock the Superb]

I guess I should have asked for artistic feedback. Such as what looks good or what could be improved.

Certainly, when I get done, I would put the toolbar out for the community, but it is really just something I wanted to spice up the game. When I play HITS and Couriers, I figure the last thing I should see is the point scores of each of my subordinates, how many men they have left, etc.

I asked myself, if I was a Civil War General, what would I know when I meet a fellow general. I decided:

• His name
• His rank
• What he looks like
• Perhaps his unit
• Is he in a sound state of mind

All but the last are easily modded into the game.

I'm contemplating including a pocketwatch, compass, and map as well.

To move commands around, I'm hoping to include Hardee's Tactics with some bookmarks to specific pages...you can click on a formation to move your regiments.

[Blaugrana]

Certainly, when I get done, I would put the toolbar out for the community, but it is really just something I wanted to spice up the game. When I play HITS and Couriers, I figure the last thing I should see is the point scores of each of my subordinates, how many men they have left, etc..

Yes, this is a very unrealistic limit to the fog of war. It would be good to have the option of not having this information.

I use and like the GCM toolbar, which is based on RB's toolbar. The former is compatible with MTG's Courier and Maps mod while I believe the latter isn't. If I think of any things I would sorely like to see on a toolbar I'll let you know. An AttackMarch button for artillery is on my wish list but MTG insists I need to learn to command artillery via the courier window...

I will be interested to see what your toolbar looks like and see how it works. The links to Hardee's Tactics sound intriguing.

[Hancock the Superb]

Updated first post. Please do include artistic critique: things you don't like, things you do.

What do you guys think of the two images below?

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I want the New York flag from the first image behind Colonel Walter Phelps Jr (of the 22nd New York), but I don't think the flag looks quite as good as the US one. The red looks brilliant on the national and the white reflects the red nicely. I'm trying to get the blue to a "deadlier" hue. Any pointers?

Maybe I can make Civil War general trading cards...

[Hancock the Superb]

Added shoulder strap to bottom. Do check previous posts and please write what you think about the look.

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I don't like the old look to these actual shoulder bars. Maybe I'll get some reproductions instead.

[rudy]

Kudos to anyone who knows what these three generals share in common


Haemorrhoids?


Just guessing from the expressions.

[Saddletank]

Sorry about my first reply, I missed completely that you were seeking critique of the artwork.

I would avoid "signature" names - hard to read and with the black ink over the dark tones of some uniforms, even harder.

I think you need to be more selective with the officer portraits. The top one is grainy and of poor quality - it looks odd against the crisp, colourful flag graphic. The second image is better because the officer photo is crisper.

Perhaps do away with the fade effect to the right of the flag, or if you want to keep it, desaturate the colours in a gradient as well as the contrast so that the flag graphic "joins into" the b/w officer portrait.

[rudy]

Kudos to anyone who knows what these three generals share in common


Haemorrhoids?


Just guessing from the expressions.

OK, seriously.

They all served with the US armed forces in the pacific northwest of the USA, prior to the Civil War.