ADC2 Hints for symbol set preparation

By Nicholas Bell

This text assumes that you have thoroughly read the manual and have spent some time with Aide de Camp II experimenting with at least the gamesets included on the CD. I have digressed to using terms more familiar to my wargaming vocabulary. I prefer to use "unit symbol" instead of "piece symbol" and "terrain symbol" instead of "Map/Board Symbol" which the ADC2 manual uses. The following comments are more for the typical hex-based board wargame conversion process.

	First, create a new folder in your ADC2/Gamesets folder. Name the folder the name of the game you're going to make a set for and follow it by the current date.
	The purpose of putting the date on the end of the folder is to make backing up the your work easier. After every session, compress the entire folder using the name of the folder as the zipped file name. Before you start work in your next session, rename the folder with the new current date.
	By doing this you will create an archive of your work which you can go back to if a problem arises. Save these archives for 4-6 sessions before deleting them.
	In addition to backing up your gameset, it is absolutely essential that you save your map work, symbol creation, and game *.ops file frequently - every few minutes. You never know when Win2000 / XP / VISTA / 7 / 8 is going to decide to stop working properly, or when you might inadvertently make a serious error.

Zoom 1 should show the entire mapboard if possible and is used for getting an overall view of the game situation and to assist players in zooming in and out (which is often easier than scrolling). Terrain symbols may be simplified to make map more clear and locating the units easier. Because of the small size of the units (necessary because the small map terrain symbols), they do not display a lot of information. Sometimes just the nationality by color, flag, or emblem (e.g. German Balkan Cross, Russian Red Star) and/or the unit type (using the typical 'NATO' symbols as icons will be too small). Remember, the game is not intended to be played at zoom 1 - its use is for gathering information on the game situation as a whole.

Zoom 2 is used primarily for movement, with combat resolution possible, but not mandatory. Players will be able to determine terrain and its effects on their plans and unit movement. Dependent on unit symbol sizes, numeric information on the unit pieces maybe present, but unit type and function to should definitely be made accessible to the player at a glance. If possible, size the map so that number of hexes visible on the screen is twice as many across as the maximum movement rate of fastest unit. For example, if the fastest unit has a movement rate of 8, then try to make the map hex size small enough to ensure that at least 16 hexes across are visible on the screen. The greater the area of the map displayed, the easier the game will play. Of course, this is dependent on the player's monitor size and the resolution used. Those players with 19" and 21" monitors have a real advantage as they can see more of the playing area if they set their resolution to 1024 x 768. (or even higher - if they have good eyes!)

Zoom 3 is used primarily for combat resolution as not enough of the map will be visible for moving units in most cases. Unit symbols are normally shown with all numeric factors, symbols, icons, or other eye-pleasing embellishments. Again, those with larger monitors may be able view more map, but just because you have a huge screen doesn't mean everyone else does, so don't make your terrain and unit symbols too large.

1. You want to make sure that the data you wish to display on the unit is easily readable. However, if you make the unit too large users will not be able to see the type of terrain the unit is in. Furthermore, if you make the unit symbols too large, they will overlap the hexsides and block out portions of other units. Make your unit symbols 60-75% the size of your terrain symbols for the best results. Example: Terrain Symbol size is 40 x 40 pixels. Unit symbol size should not exceed 30 x 30 pixels.

2. ADC2 allows for either 1 or 4 unit pieces to be displayed. If you desire multiple units to be displayed in a hex, you need to make the symbols considerably smaller - usually less than 50% the size of the hex terrain symbol if vertical. Horizontal grain may allow displaying multiple units at up to 63%. You will have to experiment - vertical hex grain maps will display multiple units differently than horizontal hex grain maps.

Multiple Unit per Hex Displays

PLANNING AND PREPARATION

By Nicholas Bell