Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sphere?

Discussion in 'Backers Lounge (Read-only)' started by swordy12345, June 23, 2013.

  1. swordy12345

    swordy12345 Member

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    I find it easier to manage my units and buildings that way, the sphere view give me dizziness as anything. Can the 2d plane be like the over world in final fantasy games? As in there is no "edge" but it view it as flat?

    Edit: clarify title.
    Last edited: June 23, 2013
  2. RMJ

    RMJ Active Member

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    Re: Can I look at a planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Zoom in ?.
  3. swordy12345

    swordy12345 Member

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    Re: Can I look at a planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    That doesn't solve it for me.
  4. Raevn

    Raevn Moderator Alumni

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    Re: Can I look at a planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Trying to map a 3D sphere to a 2D map is actually impossible without distortion or gaps. Just take a look at 2D maps of the earth - they are heavily stretched at the poles, or require multiple maps to cover the surface, depending on the projection technique - see http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/m ... tions.html.
  5. swordy12345

    swordy12345 Member

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    Re: Can I look at a planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    I'm not suggesting that, what I am trying to say here is that I want to converting part of the 3D sphere to a 2D map, until I zoom out until a certain point that view it as 3D sphere.
  6. Raevn

    Raevn Moderator Alumni

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    Re: Can I look at a planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    The distortion occurs even if it's only a part of it. Another way to visualise this is to get a small square of paper and try to place it flush against the side of a basketball without any creases or folds.
  7. iampetard

    iampetard Active Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    The point of playing on a planet is playing on a planet. Having a 2d plane would just make everything redundant and poor.
  8. swordy12345

    swordy12345 Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    What are you talking about? It nothing more than a personal preference for me.
  9. swordy12345

    swordy12345 Member

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    Re: Can I look at a planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    There are multiple way of peeling an orange, as long the distortions is small and minimal, I don't mind which method to use.
  10. mushroomars

    mushroomars Well-Known Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Well, you or someone else can make a mod that somehow converts part of a sphere to a plane. You'd be surprised how incredibly hard it can be to make it look even half decent.

    Personally, I don't mind the planet looking like a sphere. The very moment I get the chance, I'm modding in X, Y and Z axes so I can always orientate myself.
  11. GreenBag

    GreenBag Active Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Populous the beginning if I remember was the first 3d sphere game rts of a sort and I never heard anyone complaining about it.....
  12. lapantouflemagic

    lapantouflemagic Active Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    i was wondering if someone would say that (again) :roll:

    but i agree, i fear it may be a lot of trouble to do this while it matters for only a handful of persons, and therefore i suggest you get used to it.

    i've got some kind of "transportation sickness" when playing some FPSs, and there's nothing to do about it. if i want to play, i can only try to get used to this or play by very short sessions.
  13. bgolus

    bgolus Uber Alumni

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    viewtopic.php?p=714436#p714436
  14. GreenBag

    GreenBag Active Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Ah well kudos on breaking new ground but to me it was a sphere to my eyes and I had no vision problems with that or this model.....I do bow to the knowledge though
  15. acetylene7

    acetylene7 Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Could you not just be able to scroll in any direction forever (the plane would repeat itself) on a 2D plane instead of having to flatten it into a shape? Just before you zoom out far enough to see a repeated part of the plane, the plane could wrap into a sphere as you zoom out into space.
  16. iampetard

    iampetard Active Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    You seriously see no difference from a planet surface and a 2d flat surface?

    To me its a completely different experience
  17. Grimseff

    Grimseff Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    Got to agree with you. The experience can be improved, but that's obvious at this point. I'm actually fine with how it is now.
  18. igncom1

    igncom1 Post Master General

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    If you play on larger planets at first you might find the transition easier.
  19. cwarner7264

    cwarner7264 Moderator Alumni

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    **** it, I'll bring it out again:

    [​IMG]
  20. asgo

    asgo Member

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    Re: Viewing part of planet as a 2d plane instead of a 3d sph

    the only thing missing for the ultimate thread triple is the suggestion to make it optional ;)
    otherwise we already have:
    - it's probably moddable
    - the xkcd reference


    ps: I'm still for dymaxion
    pps: one could always do the following:
    1. record your main PA window
    2. run this video live through a projection filter
    3. choose your preferred video player and show it in another window
    e voila, you get a 2d projection of you field of view - don't ask me for good fps. ;)
    getting that window interactive might prove to be a bit more ...hmm... creative.

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