Macedonia map [Gp, Gr, X, BETA, Qnchd.]

[skeletonboy]

The straight lines are quite hard on the eyes, can you maybe curve the corners or something?

[n.n.]

Well, the lines are that way intentionally, it is the way map is originally drawn as a vector.
I could make them different in the way you are suggesting but it would break the look i was trying to achieve - kind of broken glass vector shaped look.
In my opinion it is not needed nor it would be beneficiary to maps design/look/feel to change or make the lines curved.
I AM willing to make changes to the map to make it better looking and to make it work in conquer (to be a conquer club map) but this particular request is not something i think should be done and i do not agree that it is a good thing aesthetically in this case.
It could be done though if the opinion of the many outweighs the opinion on the few (myself included).

edit: just wanted to say this - the map is completely vector shaped (and then of course exported to jpg) except the bitmap relief background which is the actual relief in the mapped region

[skeletonboy]

I disagree with you but we would have to get more opinions. Maybe do a version with curves and put up a poll?

[n.n.]

Maybe...

Anyone else wanting a curved lines version?

[natty dread]

Maybe. Do a version with curved lines so we can compare!

[kristijan_mk]

yay! the map got its first stamp

I like the straight line look. It adds some uniqueness to it.

[natty dread]

Some kind of subtle texture on the land area could be worth a try too. If you do it right it can be done without disrupting the clean visual style of the map.

[Pandemonium]

I also vote Not to curve the lines - shattered glass effect looks perfect.

[n.n.]

Maybe. Do a version with curved lines so we can compare!

Is that an order sir?

[natty dread]

Is that an order sir?

Well, that depends. If it is, Will you follow it?

[RedBaron0]

There's plenty to do! Welcome to Graphics-land

Why do some territories have larger, bolder text?
The outer white outline is awfully think, it could easily be thinner, and I'm not sure about the drop shadow, it really lifts the map off the surface of the rest of the image.
Never hurts to try something different, lets see come curved lines, you don't even have to do the whole thing just a bonus or 2 and we'll get the idea.
Mountains can be better, they're very angular and generic a little bit of difference will do wonders.
The river as it goes into Skopje probably doesn't have to be that long, it might cause confusion that there is another territory there.

[kristijan_mk]

There's plenty to do! Welcome to Graphics-land
Why do some territories have larger, bolder text?

Those territories (towns) are major towns in those areas (in real life) and the regions are named by them.

[n.n.]

Thank you all for your remarks, i work on the map on weekends so i will try to make a couple of versions with all of your suggestions included (including those i am ordered to by Obersturmführer natty ) this weekend or maybe the next one at the latest.
This goes for all suggestions posted in the meantime.

Glad that the discussion is alive and kicking!

[RedBaron0]

Keeping natty happy is a good idea... Fat lot of good it'll do you though!

[n.n.]

Hi all,
here are some variations for the new version of the map (should be 1.6, when the variation is chosen), as requested in the discussion.

Changes on all versions:
- River shortened in the Skopje continent/territory
- Map background/shadow is thinner and lighter

1.6.1 Basic Variation:


1.6.2 Relief Variation:


1.6.3 Curved Borders Variation:



Guys who requested the variations (and others of course), please comment so we can choose how to proceed with the map.
Thanks.

[RedBaron0]

The one in the middle with the texture throughout, definitely looks best to me. Let's hear some other opinions though.

The outer white border is way to thick, I'd almost make that border be a slightly thicker version of the "line-dot" country borders you have separating the non-playable countries. You might not need the bevel that if that looks good.

The mountains fit with the graphical style, but they are still too uniform, Do a couple that are a bit different (a little bigger/smaller, double peaks, etc.) and have less mountains, right now you've got tons of mountains sitting right on top of each other.

[natty dread]

I don't like how the river just ends abruptly in Skopje. Make it narrower in that end...

[kristijan_mk]

I still like the first version. Second is fine, but the colors in first are stronger. (and stronger colors are better colors )
I kinda like the thick border. It makes the country to look like it's slightly up.

[natty dread]

Oh and I like the 2nd version best.

[MrBenn]

Version 1.6.2 with the texture all the way over definitely looks the best. As for straight vs curved borders, I think that judgement should be left to the mapmakers, as it's a stylistic thing.

The mountains are definitely the biggest concern for me; they're too small really - they could be a bit wider and a tiny bit taller? You don;t necessarily need to make them different sizes, but you do need to make them less linear. You also need to make the colour from the background go to the edge - check out the mountains on Wales to see what I mean:

Spoiler

[n.n.]

Hello,
here's a draft for the 1.7 version, am i on the right track here?
(- too much burn in photoshop, i know, just wanted to ask is this the kind of thing we want...)

changed (the obvious and not-so-obvious):
- the mountains
- the river beginning
- size (it's 840px now instead 800px)
- all the various transparency settings - the relief is more visible now
- the country border - its black now - i like it better that the white one for the relief version

[natty dread]

Looking really good!

A couple of issues though....

- the river colour. It's a bit bright, don't you think? I liked the old colour better.
- that weird splotch in Tetovo... did you accidentally erase part of the texture?
- green mountains? Looks a bit weird. The design is nice though. Maybe try the same design but grey? Or at least lower the saturation considerably.

That's all I can see for now... good work!

[isaiah40]

- green mountains? Looks a bit weird.

Those are trees on them mountains!!

In all seriousness now, this map has come a long way since I last stopped in. I'm thinking I want to play on it now! AS was previously mentioned before about the river going into Skopje. It really needs to taper down so that it doesn't look like it just ends. You could also just continue it to the northern border as well. As Skopje will be on both sides of the river, it will not affect the game play. I understand that the river might not go all the way to Serbia, but for graphics wise I think (IMO) that it should go through to Serbia.

This is my 1 cent worth. Keep up the great work, and hope to see this in Beta soon!!

[RedBaron0]

Looking good, still need to work on your mountains, take MrBenn's suggestion, use your bonus colors to color the mountains. Check out that Wales map for a good example.

840 pixels is too big, the maximum length is 830 pixels, the image must be reduced to this restriction limit at least.

[ender516]

- green mountains? Looks a bit weird.

Those are trees on them mountains!!

In all seriousness now, this map has come a long way since I last stopped in. I'm thinking I want to play on it now! AS was previously mentioned before about the river going into Skopje. It really needs to taper down so that it doesn't look like it just ends. You could also just continue it to the northern border as well. As Skopje will be on both sides of the river, it will not affect the game play. I understand that the river might not go all the way to Serbia, but for graphics wise I think (IMO) that it should go through to Serbia.

This is my 1 cent worth. Keep up the great work, and hope to see this in Beta soon!!

I think splitting Skopje in two would just cause confusion in the long run. It won't be clear that it is one territory, it will just look like one label was lost.