Map Symbols

[kato13]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how Morrow units would be represented on the Project Strategic/Tactical Maps (possibly found when players activate prime).

Below is an example of how I have used traditional US TOE symbols overlayed onto a dynamic map.



Here are all the symbols I have built already for another project.

http://games.juhlin.com/font/

It is pretty easy to add new ones so I am open to suggestions.

[Matt W]

I would suggest something that used the symbols on the rulebook. The symbols would be circular rather than rectangular.

UNIT TYPES
green + eye = Recon
red + spears = MARS
blue + microscope = Science
and add
gold + initials of specialist type = Specialty

Combined units would look a little like "pie charts". For example, the symbol for a MARS/RECON team would be a circle - half-filled in green and half-filled in red

UNIT SIZE
Team (less than 20) = no additional marking
Group (20 to 50) = 1 additional concentric ring
Area Group (50 to 150) = 2 additional concentric rings

[dragoon500ly]

The whole purpose of a map graphic is to deliver the maximum amount of information with the least effort. In other words, Keep it Simple!

[nuke11]

It looks like you are using the APP-6 symbol set, these where replaced with the APP-6A and then with MIL-STD-2525B and then MIL-STD-2525C.

Where can I download the font set you are using on that page?

Also for TMP you could add the Homeland Security Emergenct Management Map Symbols as well: http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/ref_pages/D...ymbols_ref.htm

They are kind of what Prime Would be looking at from the information coming in from the recon teams from there AO's.

[kato13]

Originally Posted by nuke11

It looks like you are using the APP-6 symbol set, these where replaced with the APP-6A and then with MIL-STD-2525B and then MIL-STD-2525C.

Yeah some of the information is a little older. The original reason I made it was to make new counters for GDW's Third World War game. Therefore the standard from ~1989 was the base. I might switch to the "rectangle = friendly" and "diamond = enemy" standard that is in use today but it would be a doubling of the work I have done so far so it is on the back burner.

Since my project has a more military flavor the symbols work well for me, but for I am going to work on some more project specific ones.

Originally Posted by nuke11

Where can I download the font set you are using on that page?

I was kinda waiting until I tested it in several programs and could write up an instruction sheet (based on the page i linked to), but if you want to call the below a "beta" you are free to use it.

http://games.juhlin.com/font/TOE_Unicode.ttf

Originally Posted by nuke11

Also for TMP you could add the Homeland Security Emergenct Management Map Symbols as well: http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/ref_pages/D...ymbols_ref.htm

They are kind of what Prime Would be looking at from the information coming in from the recon teams from there AO's.

Cool and copyright free

I had been focusing on pre war mapping and had not thought of post recon symbology but that would make a lot of sense to have some available.

[Matt W]

Here are some MP symbols that might be useful

http://web.archive.org/web/199902090...pictures1.html

Apologies if they've already been mentioned

[helbent4]

Kato,

Have a look at these:

http://www.ungiwg.org/maps/?q=system...l+Handbook.pdf

These are map symbols that are specialised to UN Peacekeeping I have used in my own TMP and T2K games.

I think they would be very useful for the Project because unlike pure military sets, they incorporate crucial information on political, social and criminal activity. The UN symbols have additional designations and symbols for useful non-combat events and objects like "Safe House", "Refugees", "Ammunition Cache", "Assassination/Execution/Murder", "Drug Operation", "Drive By Shooting", etc. which are things teams would be dealing with.

Tony

[kato13]

Originally Posted by Matt W

Here are some MP symbols that might be useful

http://web.archive.org/web/199902090...pictures1.html

Apologies if they've already been mentioned

Cool. I might have to change these a bit for both readability at all sizes and copyright reasons but they are a really good starting point.

Originally Posted by helbent4

Kato,

Have a look at these:

http://www.ungiwg.org/maps/?q=system...l+Handbook.pdf

These are map symbols that are specialised to UN Peacekeeping I have used in my own TMP and T2K games.

I think they would be very useful for the Project because unlike pure military sets, they incorporate crucial information on political, social and criminal activity. The UN symbols have additional designations and symbols for useful non-combat events and objects like "Safe House", "Refugees", "Ammunition Cache", "Assassination/Execution/Murder", "Drug Operation", "Drive By Shooting", etc. which are things teams would be dealing with.

Tony

Very nice. And also free of copyright.

I am still working on a system where the map user will be able to place there own elements on the map. Currently you can place markers for measurements and stuff.My initial goal for expanding the capabilities was for the placement of up to 26 additional nuclear strikes. Some of these additional symbols could be really useful for tactical maps to provide to players, rather than the strategic maps I had focusing on.

[nuke11]

What software are you using to impose the symbols onto the map?

[kato13]

Originally Posted by nuke11

What software are you using to impose the symbols onto the map?

Custom built web software that I wrote. Check your PMs

[nuke11]

Here is another set of symbols to think about. Mine and demining symbols.

http://www.imsma.ch/index.php?id=1226

It really depends on how WWIII starts in the US, but the Army could lay large amounts of mines to protect the northen and southern borders. A recone unit could run into them.

Here is the finial report on them: http://www.gichd.org/fileadmin/pdf/I...inalReport.pdf

[helbent4]

Originally Posted by nuke11

It really depends on how WWIII starts in the US, but the Army could lay large amounts of mines to protect the northen and southern borders. A recone unit could run into them.

Nuke11,

Mining the northern border doesn't make too much sense, Canada and the US are strong allies and even after the war commerce and assistance needs to be able to go both ways. Its also unlikely invasion or civil disorder would come across the border from Canada, although if that's possible then it seems equally likely (if not moreso) the Canadian Army would be laying mines instead to prevent an invasion or civil disorder spreading from the USA.

That said, Mexico is certainly a cause for concern for many Americans. Further, there are actual Soviet airborne invaders in the Pacific Northwest and mines would be one way of restricting their expansion regionally and within the city. In my game based on FW, random minefields are common in the city of Seattle, mostly in the no-man's land between the Reds and Rebels but also marking the many former urban battlefields where Soviets and insurgents/US Army clashed. (Mostly laid by the Soviets to protect their strongpoints and outposts, or to control insurgent movement within the city.) The same could apply to other areas where there were Soviet invaders.

Speaking more broadly, based on the almost random use of mines in Cambodia, even where there wasn't open combat between US, Soviet and even Mexican forces mines could be laid. This would be in addition to established mine-laying doctrine. As mentioned, there could be a desire to limit migration into (or out of) the USA or between different parts of the USA (on the border between Oregon and California, for example). In places where there was open factional conflict (between American units or competing governing bodies) mines could be used as terror weapons against civilians or laid to disrupt supply lines. Military units could lay them to protect their positions, laagers or cantonments, then neglect to remove or even mark them with signs or on maps.

Basically, depending on how things went mines could be anywhere.

Tony