Optimal road map?

[funxus]

I remember that someone in the second demogame uploaded a map that showed the optimal road paths between to cities, but after looking in the archived thread I can't find it. Does anyone have it, or something similar to easily calculate the optimal path? I thought I saved it, but can't find it on my computer either.

 

[ElephantU]

Here's one I did for myself:

It differs a little from other "maps" I have seen online, most of which look nice but dont seem to work the same (I have not rigorously playtested all these paths, but I have used it several times recently for close cities and station cities and it seems OK).

Rivers and lakes can change things, though, so I like to build an Explorer at some point just to prove out routes for later RRing. Early on, before Roads, a Warrior or Settler can show the way more slowly.

 

[ElephantU]

Here's a thread to what you may be thinking about:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?postid=374357#post374357

Important to realize for Trade Routes that the Source 2 Destination route is used for the Bonus Payment calculation, but the Destination 2 source route is used for the TR. So check both ways; often you need two RD/RR routes.

 

[funxus]

Thanks, it was exactly that picture, except that background was black. I guess it's easier to see it with the squares in the background.