Changing the time scale during a game

[Vuldacon]

Given that EFZI uses "Supplies", rather than "Gold", there is presumably a line(s) somewhere (also in the labels.txt ?) where it might be possible to shorten "... Gold (... per turn)" to e.g. "... G (... /turn)" -- or even "... gpt"?

Absolutely... combinations of adjusted areas can be used. Certainly Text but sometimes Graphics adjustments as well.

 

[WildWeazel]

I thought of that too, but I couldn't remember what button would appear on that line to cover it up. You could probably also add some extra spaces after the "per turn" string to pad the text on the right and shift the whole line left. But in any case this is about as long as it will ever get, so there's some wiggle room.

 

[Ozymandias]

There's no commonplace English usage. Finance would be "Q1-Q2" & "Q3-Q4." "Jan-June" & "Jul-Dec" are much better IMO. I also change "BC' to "BCE & "AD" to "CE" in labels.txt.

 

[Civinator]

It seems even with the abbreviation H2 for the second half-year, the place in the table for the letters is a little bit too small:

If I enlarge the size of the "table" for the letters, would the buttons at the edge of the "table" (here the clock for starting the next turn and the letter shortcuts at the right edge) need a re-adjustment, too - and if, how to do it ? I think in a first try I will do a test with an enlarged "table" (box trans) for the letters and see what will happen.

Edit:

I enlarged the size of the "table" from 294 to 300 pixels in width, but this only enlarged the space in the formatting between AD and the sum of gold. It did not change the problems with the letters at the left and right edges of it. Additionally now the original Civ 3 button is appearing partly behind the clock button.

Edit 2: I deleted the text "per turn" completely and I think, that now the result is acceptable.

 

[WildWeazel]

If I enlarge the size of the "table" for the letters, would the buttons at the edge of the "table" (here the clock for starting the next turn and the letter shortcuts at the right edge) need a re-adjustment, too - and if, how to do it ? I think in a first try I will do a test with an enlarged "table" (box trans) for the letters and see what will happen.

See my previous comment #19. You can fix this by not resizing the background but redrawing it to make more usable space.

 

[Civinator]

not resizing the background but redrawing it

This is the part that I didn´t understand. For me resizing and redrawing is the same, as the result are changed graphics.

Btw.: The solution to completely delete the labels text "per turn" and letting that line empty, causes some strange results in the game with the message of mutual protection pacts:

There must be a readable letter (like G) or sign left in that line of the labels text, to avoid such problems as shown above. To insert signs, that cannot be read by Civ 3 like $, is not changing the problem in those messages.

Edit: Another wrong text in the lost supply message, that is not been fixed, even with the changes above:

When using the term H2 by Vuldacon for the second half-year, all is working well and the date is not playing havoc with other messages like lost supplies and mutual protection pacts.

 

[Vuldacon]

Civinator... Yes, rather than deleting Text in the labels text the area of the text needs to be replaced with something to hold the place position even if the replacement is shorter.
Deleting text essentially creates the same problem as the Steam situation concerning the labels text.

 

[Civinator]

H2 can even be found in the English Wikipedia:

 

[Vuldacon]

H2 can even be found in the English Wikipedia:

and it is after all the shortest way to state a Half Year.

The Box Frames can also be adjusted for more text area, specifically by adjusting the frame and inside areas. This would be different than the Normal/Original Frames that eat up space with the ornate rods.
The exact outside dimensions of the original Box Graphics can remain the same and the New Frames be narrower at least the left and right areas and that will leave more inside area for text.

That said, I think the way you are handling the space situation concerning the limited space for text using H1 and H2 is the easiest method without having to alter the graphics of the left and right game boxes.

 

[WildWeazel]

This is the part that I didn´t understand. For me resizing and redrawing is the same, as the result are changed graphics.

Maybe "redesign": as Vuldacon mentioned, the decorative frames take up quite a bit of space. Eliminating these margins (as crudely shown in my last image) frees up more usable area without changing the overall size of the image.

 

[Vuldacon]

Maybe "redesign": as Vuldacon mentioned, the decorative frames take up quite a bit of space. Eliminating these margins (as crudely shown in my last image) frees up more usable area without changing the overall size of the image.

Precisely ... I did that for several MODs.
If the Box graphics dimensions are enlarged, it also affects the bottom center buttons.

When the original Right Box for Transported Units is seen, part of the pixels on the right side of the Bottom Box (if I remember correctly) are cut out and placed higher on the Right side of the game screen.
This is corrected by shifting the Box Graphic.

Bottom Line... changing the text to accommodate the Box is one way but to gain more space in the Box it is best to change the Box Graphics, keeping the same over all dimensions as I stated in Post E#29... (plus the needed adjustment to correct the Transport Box).

I believe if programing is used to change the Box size and position, it would require far greater changes than what it is worth.

 

[Civinator]

This is real modding art!

 

[Ozymandias]

In labels.txt there's a list of months ... ?

 

[Civinator]

In labels.txt there's a list of months ... ?

Yes, I posted this in post 15 of this thread.

 

[Alekseyev_]

I think it should be possible to cycle through one or two different terms if needed. Have the "january" entry empty, then at some point instead of moving 12 months ahead, move 13, and then you can go in intervals of 6 or 3 for example, to rotate through the terms defined by the "months" other than january, never hitting Jan. again But that's probably what you already did anyway

 

[clamel]

I must say that this discussing about time in Civ is very interresting and the aim (I think) is to solve the problems the game runs into in Era 4 and/or later periods. It has always botherd me and forced to keep my eyes from any timedate.
I do hope you solve it somehow Civinator and present a splendid solution for the long awaited 2.6 of your Mod.
Keep it up mate