Upcoming text change...

Post by **Vice** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:31 pm

I've had several requests for an update to the text rendered to the cockpit displays. Some players would like a much brighter text effect that is clearer and less 'bloomed'. So I've been working on a prototype that includes those changes and I wanted to post a comparison screenshot to show the difference. Even though the text is brighter and clearer, there is not performance hit as the rendering method is the same. You'll see how the lower image uses wider characters that are fuzzier, have minor pixelation in some parts, and are darker while the text on the upper image is brighter, narrower, and much clearer. Do you like the difference? Too bright?

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:41 pm

The top sceen looks best to me.

azpatriot · Post by **azpatriot** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:52 pm

I agree the top screen looks the best of the two.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:53 pm

The top screen is obviously the best, but I have to ask, which one will look best @ 640X480?
[Don't let your jaw drop to the ground, guys. There is a good reason why I ask!]

Post by **Vice** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:13 pm

Seems to be very similar to me, with capital letters being somewhat easier to read with the brighter system.

Another benefit of the new system is better character support. Certain basic symbols will now be supported, so if you use any in your callsign, they will be rendered correctly on the target MFD.

Knight Rider · Post by **Knight Rider** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:21 pm

The top screen looks the best.

ShoHashi · Post by **ShoHashi** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:23 pm

Yeah, I think the top screen is better too!

-Sho

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:38 pm

Top screen is the best...this old war dog's eye can see it much clearer...Thanks for the improvement

....When do we get it?

Tempered · Post by **Tempered** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:15 pm

The top picture is a huge improvement in my humble opinion. Now when do we get normal and specular maps

Post by **Vice** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:34 pm

Existing specular effects will still apply, any mod options for those would be way down the road, if they ever become available.

These changes are planned for the next update, which may have a preview build available this week.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:02 am

Really nice improvement...Look great...

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:36 am

Oh dear... I like the bottom one better... It 'fits' better into the cockpit.

But heck, the game doesn't change and it's a change many would like. I'll grow used to it.

Good work

Straker Nova · Post by **Straker Nova** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:43 pm

Top pic, definitely!

Post by **Vice** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:11 pm

As you may have noticed, this next update is focusing on some cosmetic changes. Another change is the replacement of the 'cotton ball' / 'cotton puff' missile exhaust with a cooler contrail look (streaking trail of exhaust that is in the shape of the missile's flight path). The target indicators will also be brightened to better match the more vivid text. Another feature addition is getting the server status in the game, including getting a list of the players before you join a session. Simply right click on a listed server and it will give you the status and list of players in the game, without having to go through the entire loading stage.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:31 pm

The # of players sounds like a great feature. Looking forward to that.

Tpol · Post by **Tpol** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:02 pm

Looks great! And it'll be great to be able to see players in the servers when looking for a place to play.

tha_rami · Post by **tha_rami** » Wed May 07, 2008 12:09 am

Ah, but that second post is really cool stuff!

BraveHart · Post by **BraveHart** » Wed May 07, 2008 12:30 am

Great Changes Vice...Thanks

Pariah · Post by **Pariah** » Wed May 07, 2008 3:43 am

All sounds great, I really like the new text.

luckyluca · Post by **luckyluca** » Wed May 07, 2008 11:23 am

The new one seems better, perhaps you could try one with a hair less brightness and saturation so to blend more with the cockpit?

R
Luca

Berdyon · Post by **Berdyon** » Wed May 07, 2008 3:55 pm

I agree with Luca,

Altough I do like the brighter one more than the old one, I also agree with tha_rami that the brighter one seems to be somewhat off the cockpit.

I would like to see an example of one in between the two that might have the best points of both.