[EM] ThinHUD: Minimalism Squared

DynamicRanger · Post by **DynamicRanger** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:20 pm

I wanted the cleanest, sharpest, most minimal HUD, so I built one. I'm only including the assets I created myself, although you'll probably recognize the gunsight design from Malix's high visibility mod. With version 2, I've added a custom toolbar and main info screens. Version 3 adds custom mouse cursors, inventory and nav screens, buttons and a few miscellaneous icons. The cockpit is my custom Reganaut cockpit.

DynamicRanger's ThinHUD v3

The guiding principle behind my HUD's design is visual efficiency--I like sitting in a cockpit, so I need to fit as much info as possible on the screen without obscructing my view anymore than a cockpit already does. Tracking indicators are completely square and very slim; I got the idea from Wing Commander III. Crucially, non-targeted tracking indicators are much smaller than on most other HUDs, greatly reducing screen clutter. Enemy contacts are displayed with unique targeting crosshairs to further distinguish them from other targets. Overall, I've tried to remove unnecessary detailing and redundant indicators (IDS/Inertial, MDTS status, etc.). I also tried to increase contrast and crispness in the HUD elements, so info is visible against any background.

Toolbar and compass

Dashboard

Target List

Navigation screen

Inventory screen

(Mostly) Original assets include:

Gunsight (with thanks to Malix and onehand for bringing it to my attention)
Main toolbar and info screens
Tracking and targeting brackets
Lead indicators
Radial target pointers
Strafe indicator
Radar blips
Nav point indicator
Incoming missile indicator and vector arrows
On-screen alerts
Shield arc bars
Radar sphere
Compass strip
Inventory and nav screens
Selection buttons
Mouse cursors
Miscellaneous icons (sub-system targeting, some map icons, etc.)

[Edited on 11-28-2012 by DynamicRanger]

Chronathan · Post by **Chronathan** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 12:28 am

Awesome. Those are my new favorite targeting brackets. Downloaded.

DynamicRanger · Post by **DynamicRanger** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 12:43 am

Thanks! Let me know what you think, it's all still a work in progress.

Chronathan · Post by **Chronathan** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:27 am

Hey I like those red screens for the target info and status consoles. Mind sharing where you got those or if you made them?

I was looking for exactly this when you put this up. Very reminiscent of old Mechwarrior games or X-Wing vs Tie Fighter. I love that oldschool look

DynamicRanger · Post by **DynamicRanger** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:49 am

The red HUD panels are actually the grayscale sample ones in the customization kit. I loaded them into paint.net and adjusted the color levels, zeroing out the green and blue. It's surprisingly easy.
I'm also working on a red-shifted cockpit mod (with stained mahogany/leather interior), but don't hold your breath; I'm still teaching myself to work with the 3D modeling software. If I ever get it done, it will have a lot of red lighting.

Kikoni · Post by **Kikoni** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 4:05 pm

Really like the HUD, DynamicRanger! Clean, effective and none too distracting to boot!

If you would, please add [EM] to the title to specify that this is an Evochron Mercenary mod.

Letoras · Post by **Letoras** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 12:13 pm

Looking goood!!!!! Is there a problem if i use some of it on the perch cockpit?

DynamicRanger · Post by **DynamicRanger** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 1:00 am

The only problem I can foresee is if the targeting ring on the HUD overlaps the round window in Perch in some strange way, but they should line up nicely.

Post by **Marvin** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:23 am

Hey Ranger. Next time you save screenies to load to Photobucket, use the PNG format. The results are much better. And Photobucket accepts PNGs without converting them to JPGs.