Project Akar : UI Enhancement Developement Thread

[unnamed 174]

 

Hello, thanks for the awesome mod. But I am having trouble with the RCI plopping, it does not let me plop buildings larger than the small trailer houses. Did I miss something or install incorrectly? Because I re-downloaded it and placed all the files in the SimcityData folder.

 

in some cases, you might need to save the game, and resume. or try on new region, leave and resume.

 

Ok, thanks for your help.

[banwashere 14]

I was discussing with Yayie on the issue of overcrowding the submenu and would like to suggest the following solution.

 

 

Instead of the current submenu, which currently categorised based on wealth, we could change it to be categorised based on DENSITY. Within the new icon of each building, I will add the WEALTH indicator as above for each and every buildings (there are about 500+ according to yayie) and it should only take probably half a day for me to modify all the building icons.

I am not sure if this will improve the lag situation unless I have the data of exactly how many (for example) low density high wealth buildings,so on and so forth are there for me to do the math. This method should be able to avoid overcrowding the submenu with tons of buttons.

[Yayie 311]

I was discussing with Yayie on the issue of overcrowding the submenu and would like to suggest the following solution.

 

 

Instead of the current submenu, which currently categorised based on wealth, we could change it to be categorised based on DENSITY. Within the new icon of each building, I will add the WEALTH indicator as above for each and every buildings (there are about 500+ according to yayie) and it should only take probably half a day for me to modify all the building icons.

I am not sure if this will improve the lag situation unless I have the data of exactly how many (for example) low density high wealth buildings,so on and so forth are there for me to do the math. This method should be able to avoid overcrowding the submenu with tons of buttons.

 

yes, users may discuss about this.

 

 

 

 

 

new set of icons is ready but not for download yet Credits banwashere

[SethySquirrel 12]

I was discussing with Yayie on the issue of overcrowding the submenu and would like to suggest the following solution.

 

 

Instead of the current submenu, which currently categorised based on wealth, we could change it to be categorised based on DENSITY. Within the new icon of each building, I will add the WEALTH indicator as above for each and every buildings (there are about 500+ according to yayie) and it should only take probably half a day for me to modify all the building icons.

I am not sure if this will improve the lag situation unless I have the data of exactly how many (for example) low density high wealth buildings,so on and so forth are there for me to do the math. This method should be able to avoid overcrowding the submenu with tons of buttons.

Interesting Ideal ^^

[Yayie 311]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i3mmIElWkY

By Capton - Akar v1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrQKNmLH6rc

by TheTrunkleton - Akar v2

[TheCraftKid 52]

I was discussing with Yayie on the issue of overcrowding the submenu and would like to suggest the following solution.

 

 

Instead of the current submenu, which currently categorised based on wealth, we could change it to be categorised based on DENSITY. Within the new icon of each building, I will add the WEALTH indicator as above for each and every buildings (there are about 500+ according to yayie) and it should only take probably half a day for me to modify all the building icons.

I am not sure if this will improve the lag situation unless I have the data of exactly how many (for example) low density high wealth buildings,so on and so forth are there for me to do the math. This method should be able to avoid overcrowding the submenu with tons of buttons.

That's a better idea than overcrowding menus. Honestly, I think the wealth for buildings is pretty obvious when you look at them, but there are some people who need a bit of help.

I would prefer if buildings could be seperated by type (shopping mall, high-rise, slums, etc.), but tht would be a lot of submenus.

[Yayie 311]

Alright, seems like everyone like the above idea. Allow me to list what's more to come in regards of Avalon.

 

Currently, we have Low Wealth, Medium Wealth and High Wealth sub-menus. ok

Inside one of the each classes, there are 3 different densities (Low Mid, High). ok

 

If we change the Sub-menu into :

Low Wealth Low Density , Low Wealth Medium Density, Low Wealth High Density,

Medium Wealth Low Density, Medium Wealth Medium Density, Medium Wealth High Density,

High Wealth Low Density, High Wealth Medium Density, High Wealth High Density

 

that would be 9 submenus' Adding them is fine, its easy, i can deal with that. No problem

 

When CoT avalon arrive on my lap.

There are set of 9 as above + another set of 9 CoT bots buildings.

 

Therefore, the Residential menu will be flooded with 27 submenus - which i find insane. Im skeptical what would be like to scroll submenu's

[SimmsCity 22]

I was wondering if perhaps a change could be done to the UI for putting the buttons more to the left for some of us who can't use the higher resolutions,  cause as of right now I don't see all the buttons for the ones on the far right are hiding behind other buttons.  It would be very nice to be able to see all of em.  For those of us who graphic cards can't handle the higher resolutions.  Thank you.

 

Oh yeah the mod is awesome, and works really great now that the R.C.I. are separated and have thier own buttons, loads much faster and are a breeze to use.

And again thank you all for this wonderful creation.

[xoxide 377]

ICONS online for new look for everyone

[banwashere 14]

New icons for Akar's Commercial, Industrial and Custom Content menu.

Option 1


Option 2

 

I've redesigned the Custom Content icon because of its' similarity with Commercial's new icon.

One concern for the commercial icon is it doesn't fully resemble commercial, but also could confuse user that this menu is for High Density buildings. Please let me know if this is a concern or I could change it to something else.

Feedbacks and suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!

[Prso82 4]

I had an idea for the icons, if it helps maybe put a small R on the residential one, a C for commerical and an I for industrial on the icons.

 

With a small letter on the icons it would help save any confusion over whats what.  Finding the room to put them in would be an issue though.

[banwashere 14]

I had an idea for the icons, if it helps maybe put a small R on the residential one, a C for commerical and an I for industrial on the icons.

 

With a small letter on the icons it would help save any confusion over whats what.  Finding the room to put them in would be an issue though.

I gave a thought about that earlier but consistency is an issue because of Maxis' original icons doesn't have any letter on them.

[banwashere 14]

Option 3-ish

 

Here's another option for the commercial icon. Replaced the generic looking buildings with PAPERBAGS! Also, I took the industrial from Option 1 and place them together to see if it could blend in with other icons.
 

[Prso82 4]

That could work, or there is the option of taking the icon from data maps for commercial and resizing it.   Although I think the option you just posted is probably likely to be better. 

[Yayie 311]

New icons for Akar's Commercial, Industrial and Custom Content menu.

Option 1

Option 2

 

I've redesigned the Custom Content icon because of its' similarity with Commercial's new icon.

One concern for the commercial icon is it doesn't fully resemble commercial, but also could confuse user that this menu is for High Density buildings. Please let me know if this is a concern or I could change it to something else.

Feedbacks and suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!

 

i like number 2 personally.

we need to cast a vote.

[Yayie 311]

 

 

in the works

[Prso82 4]

Looks good, this should eliminate the residential menu lag.

[TheCraftKid 52]

New icons for Akar's Commercial, Industrial and Custom Content menu.

Option 1

Option 2

 

I've redesigned the Custom Content icon because of its' similarity with Commercial's new icon.

One concern for the commercial icon is it doesn't fully resemble commercial, but also could confuse user that this menu is for High Density buildings. Please let me know if this is a concern or I could change it to something else.

Feedbacks and suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!

 

 

Option 3-ish

 

Here's another option for the commercial icon. Replaced the generic looking buildings with PAPERBAGS! Also, I took the industrial from Option 1 and place them together to see if it could blend in with other icons.

 

 

 

I made a straw poll: http://www.strawpoll.me/2074695

 

 

Honestly, I prefer option 2. It has the 3D-ish buildings.

[Panther6308 14]

Hi Ban,

 

I prefer option #3. I like the idea of shopping bags for commercial.

 

The industrial icon on option #2 look like a big liner boat see from the front. Keep it, maybe it can be use in the boat section.

 

Pinky!

[xoxide 377]

you missed the vote pinky

it was 5 - 7 in favor of icons 2 for C I with new Custom

[mgomrjsurf 16]

If Commercial can be broken down into Groups like Fast Food gets it's own area so would Gas Stations,Department Stores and so on.

[xoxide 377]

mgomrjsurf add me on origin

 

but answer is .. yes and we are not even close to being dowe

[Drengs 18]

You could put one building and one smaller paperbag in the comercial and services icon, thus eliminating any mistakes.
Just an idea...

[banwashere 14]

You could put one building and one smaller paperbag in the comercial and services icon, thus eliminating any mistakes.

Just an idea...

 

I think that's a great idea. Will ask the team if they are okay with this idea.

[Yayie 311]

So I was listening to those who have smaller resolution, as small as 1024x768. I've manage to move the whole menu to the left as seen below.

 

(1024x768)

 

As you can see, the menu is bearable and continue to be better on anything above till 1920x1080 (which is my current monitor high res). So consider that a problem solve for the menu but there's a downside, Since we are breaking the RCI submenu into 9 different subs :

 

$Low Density

$Medium Density

$High Density

 

$$Low Density

$$Medium Density

$$High Density

 

$$$Low Density

$$$Medium Density

$$$High Density

 

Users on 1024x768 may not able to see the last 3 submenus, this also effects the rest of the users with 1152x864 (7 submenus visible), 1280x720 (8 submenus visible),

 

---

 

 

1360x1024 May able to get to see the last remaining submenu for the RCI as seen in the image above

 

1360x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900 and above are the only resolutions that able to use all 9 submenus.

 

---

 

Therefore, I decided to make 2 copies of  Avalon with different resolution available for download.

• One with the first release of the current 3 submenu (Low Wealth, Medium Wealth and High Wealth) and had to continue experience with the small lag issues.
• And those with larger monitors/resolution users may choose Avalon's 9 subs breakdowns ($ L.Den, $ M.Den, $ H.Den, $$ L.Den, $$ M.Den, $$ H.Den, $$$ L.Den, $$$ M.Den, $$$ H.Den). Which improve the small lag issues, as well as organized buildings.

 

This is about the only solution I can provide for those who use smaller monitors at this time.

Changes will be made on both 01-ProjectAkar-2.0 base file as well as 01-ProjectAvalon-Akar-1.2.

 

Will try to update the the files today.

 

-Yayie

[xoxide 377]

we have run into the issue of no matter what text is in the windows .. we are and have the same size of menu item

we are working on a work around and are talking to maxis on the subject

 

so for now.. I would say most of you use old or new and live with it as we look at alternatives

 

you know us by now.. we never say impossible we just don't know how easy it will be to modify haha

 

AGAIN we need people whom are GRAPHIC ARTISTS AND 3D ARTISTS

[mgomrjsurf 16]

A problem I'm notching is when trying to place a place it won't yet and sometimes open another Menu and can't get to Pork or Transportation Menu.

[xoxide 377]

@mgomrjurf last night during the demo of the newer version we noticed it on the new park menus where you would drift to menus on use.. we are not sure why but we did see it.. most of us are not really doing much this weekend to relax and catch a breath before releasing some of the new stuff akar, Avalon, decorations and new content.. but we did notice it and other things that we will address.

THANK YOU though we I appreciate your constructive feedback and it is something I wish more people would do since this is a community EP and represents more than just one mod and shows how much we have done and how far we can go but what we still must complete and clean up in general.

 

Jeff

[Yayie 311]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJCFJFZWIsY

[mgomrjsurf 16]

Thanks,will do it and yes I have 8.1 so screen shouldn't be a problem. Maybe combined Transportation into Road and Police/Fire together.