3D Extreme Zoom-Out Mode?

[Otto von Blotto]

I like others don't use it for much playing but do for planning it's easier to see the lay of the land in 3D I also like it for long range spotting and HQ ranges.

A 2D close up would be interesting and give a more board game counter feel but I think I would still play in 3D most of the time.

[Herr Straße Laufer]

I switch back between 2D and 3D. If they were the only remaining graphics modes it would be fine by me.
I do not use extreme in either 2 or 3 D.

I'm also not caring much for close in 2D. Sounds like what Tiller did for OpC?
If I want counters I find a counter-like game.



HSL

[Kool Kat]

Hey Robert:

I rarely use the 3D Extreme Zoom-Out mode - primarily because the icons are too tiny for these "mature" eyes of mine!

I would not miss this mode... if the decision is to remove it from CS.

I play exclusively in "normal" 3D mode.

[berto]

Having to support so many units over three levels of 3D -- each unit with six different facings no less -- it's a heavy, heavy burden. Just gauging whether players use 3D Extreme Zoom-Out -- seems so -- and how much effort we would save ourselves if we jettison it. At this point, jettisoning 3D Extreme Zoom-out? Seems not.

[Herr Straße Laufer]

I would get rid of both extreme 2 d and 3 d.

HSL

[Crossroads]

Having to support so many units over three levels of 3D -- each unit with six different facings no less -- it's a heavy, heavy burden. Just gauging whether players use 3D Extreme Zoom-Out -- seems so -- and how much effort we would save ourselves if we jettison it. At this point, jettisoning 3D Extreme Zoom-out? Seems not.

Come to think of it, the units have only one bitmap file, with six facings, but without a different copy for each of the zoom levels. However, for terrain tiles, there needs to be a bitmap file for each one of them.

How does the engine scale the unit bitmap to each zoom level? And can it handle the terrain tiles the same way give a code change of some sort?

I mean, both are bitmaps. The other scales, the other doesn't. Can you get rid of the terrain tile zoom level bitmaps? That would be a bonus wouldn't it?

And if the unit bitmaps do scale, would they support other zoom levels as well: ie. a variable zoom? That would be great... Of course, I do not know anything about the engine, just speculating here...

[berto]

Having to support so many units over three levels of 3D -- each unit with six different facings no less -- it's a heavy, heavy burden. Just gauging whether players use 3D Extreme Zoom-Out -- seems so -- and how much effort we would save ourselves if we jettison it. At this point, jettisoning 3D Extreme Zoom-out? Seems not.

Come to think of it, the units have only one bitmap file, with six facings, but without a different copy for each of the zoom levels.

Yes, you are right. I don't know how I came to believe that. Brain fart?!

[Crossroads]

Yes, you are right. I don't know how I came to believe that. Brain fart?!

Well to make up for it there's several sets of bitmaps: early war, late war, desert camo, winter, loaded, ...

But how come the terrain tiles require the three sets of files while the units do not...

[Warhorse]

Good question, Petri!!

[K K Rossokolski]

I find the extreme 3D useful for map building...it gives a good idea of the "feel" of the map. Also for moving formations.
The 2D zoomout is useless.