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3D Map

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hvymtlmachine
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Joined: 01/12/2012

I may need the help of some geometry buffs for this one. I want to make a 3D map on a 2D surface for a tactical space combat game. It's basically going to be a big isometric cube made out of smaller cubes. I'm actually not sure if isometric is even the correct term to use here because it will need to be rotated to a viewing angle that allows all of the edges of all of the cubes (the movement paths) to be visible at once. Is this possible? I'm hoping that by using a fairly large board (up to 36" x 36") and different line thicknesses (or even colors) for different z- axis values, there is a board possible that has a decent amount of flight paths (at least 5x5x5?), without being too confusing to look at. Any suggestions?

The best illustration I could find on google so far is: http://mi9.com/wallpaper/3d-glass-cubes-wallpaper_668/

Thank you!

- Dan

NomadArtisan
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Joined: 12/12/2011
Why not work off of a 2D

Why not work off of a 2D board, then add the height levels by placing 'blocks' underneath the units. So the blocks don't start on the board, and are only used in the spaces that have a ship in that XY coordinate with a number of blocks underneath it elevating it to the correct Z coordinate. The Blocks could even have no walls, just a bottom, top, and bar frame holding it up, that way you can still have units underneath in the same XY.
Functionally it will work exactly the same, and probably be simpler to move things around.

hvymtlmachine
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Joined: 01/12/2012
That would certainly be

That would certainly be simpler to implement, but every time I picture doing that, I always get the feeling that placing the blocks will become a really tedious process and that that will discourage players from using the z-axis to its fullest extent. Ultimately, I would like to use some kind of 3D system to attempt to design a game based on the 'battle room' from Ender's game. I'll see if I can come up with some rough sketches and post them for feedback. It may just be pipe-dream of a game, but there's gotta be a way to do fully 3D combat in a board game.

ReluctantPirateGames
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Joined: 09/27/2011
Possibly Insane

So I'm not saying this isn't a good idea. I'm just saying I doubt that it will be easy or reasonable. Here is the best I could come up with (in five minutes).

http://oi40.tinypic.com/2djun35.jpg

This is an 8x8x8 space in which all nodes are distinct and visible, with some line weights to add clarity (barely). If you want to make a go of this idea, this is likely to be about as spaced out as you are gonna get. In fact I have made it so that there is literally the most space that is possible between nodes at the densest point. I guess if it were printed HUGE you might be able to get away with it. Hope this helps.

hvymtlmachine
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Joined: 01/12/2012
yikes!

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. I was actually going to add the vertical lines in as well, which would just be a disaster to look at. I'll start with some 3x3x3's at different viewing angles and see if I can come up with anything interesting. I'll post if I do. Muchas Gracias!

- Dan

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