Deckplans

[McPerth]

Sometimes, you get a book of deckplans, but there is no illustration of the exterior of the craft. And, sometimes, the deck plans do not match the illustrtion.(...)

While I can agree with you in this, not all of us are good drawers/painters, and if I try to make some deckplans, the most you can expect is just what you say you don't like (the tactical plans).

In fact, I posted in this board some ships that I don't dare even to try to make the plans (at least in some computer format)...

 

[GypsyComet]

In fact, I posted in this board some ships that I don't dare even to try to make the plans (at least in some computer format)...

Oh? Where?

 

[McPerth]

Oh? Where?

In the fleet forum. When I said I posted some ships I meant its specifications as traveller, not as drawings. Now I see I didn't specify.

 

[HG_B]

I played the Adventure text game on my Amiga A1000 computer back about 1989. It was a conversion of the DEC Fortran game.

I had that game loaded on a VAX 750 back around '82. I had forgotten about it.

 

[aramis]

Example 1.

Example 2.

Example 3.

All three of those have too much extraneous "Junk" on the deckplans for my tastes. In B&W, Ditch the tables and chairs. Just workstations, showers, drive outlines. (passenger seats on small craft.)

My preference is for clear vectors that I can blow up or shrink, and can later draw my own junk onto if needed.

If in color, have the non-workstation seating and tables, the bunks, commodes, etc in different color from the outlines, and doors in a contrasting color (including swing arcs for swinging doors/Manual Hatches.).

Exterior B&W is extremely useful.

THe worst for me is just about anything from the over-color-saturated Star Wars fansites.

 

[Baron]

All three of those have too much extraneous "Junk" on the deckplans for my tastes. In B&W, Ditch the tables and chairs. Just workstations, showers, drive outlines. (passenger seats on small craft.)

My preference is for clear vectors that I can blow up or shrink, and can later draw my own junk onto if needed.

If in color, have the non-workstation seating and tables, the bunks, commodes, etc in different color from the outlines, and doors in a contrasting color (including swing arcs for swinging doors/Manual Hatches.).

Agreed.

I like exterior color illustrations though, for flavor.

 

[Supplement Four]

While I can agree with you in this, not all of us are good drawers/painters, and if I try to make some deckplans, the most you can expect is just what you say you don't like (the tactical plans).

I'm referring to my taste in all plans, but mainly in plans that I get in purchased products.

All three of those have too much extraneous "Junk" on the deckplans for my tastes. In B&W, Ditch the tables and chairs. Just workstations, showers, drive outlines. (passenger seats on small craft.)

What you call extraneous is exactly what I like. I want to see what the place looks like. I want a map of the space as it is lived in--not a map of an empty house.

My preference is for clear vectors that I can blow up or shrink, and can later draw my own junk onto if needed.

And, I was talking in terms of printed maps, too. Not something I can get with software.

THe worst for me is just about anything from the over-color-saturated Star Wars fansites.

And, I love most of those. They're a bitch to print, though, I'll grant you.

 

[aramis]

And, I love most of those. They're a bitch to print, though, I'll grant you.

They're hideously over-done - needless and distracting details. Often, useless additions of flotsam and detritus. And often, mind-numbing eye-bleed-inducing color schemes. They violate nearly every principle of good drafting.

 

[savage]

2d 3d

The basic CT sketch is a bit boring now. And the star wars color on color fansites are also pretty useless.

I think the problem is when an internal 3d does not have a 2d version with gridlines. Space needs to be understood for play and movement onboard.

A 2d is not useful, if it cannot be used in any for of reference to actions on the ship. Details are great for player movement during the action.

Then again rehashing the classic scout over and over is only useful if its done with different forms of CAD technology. Variants are interesting but not the same old thing.

 

[Supplement Four]

They're hideously over-done - needless and distracting details. Often, useless additions of flotsam and detritus. And often, mind-numbing eye-bleed-inducing color schemes. They violate nearly every principle of good drafting.

And, I think they paint a sublime picture of what the ship looks like on the inside, giving the view much more to see than just lines on a grid.

They're an imagination aid. Like a good hand-out a Ref can pass his players during a game.

 

[Baron]

While I would normally agree with you, from an illustrator's POV, I've got to say that as a gamer, my eyes dash around, and my brain just freezes up. I can't get a quick, easy, 3D vision of the space inside the ship from looking at those busy, multi-colored layers. Where the heck are the walls? Doors? What is firmly on this level, what's on another? Where can I get to, quickest? Where can I barricade myself? It's not clear-cut, it's not intuitive, it is, ultimately: muddy.

For me, of course. IMO. But as an artist. You have to look at the purpose that your creation is aimed at. An evocative illo is one thing, deck plans serve a different purpose.

To me. By way of explanation for my opinion.

 

[Supplement Four]

You have to look at the purpose that your creation is aimed at.

This looks like it's directed at my comment.

Take a look at the first three examples linked in my post above. Those are DGP style deck plans. I like 'em.

Are we on the same page?

 

[Baron]

I'm not all that "aimed at" anyone. But as to your post up- thread, it runs quite the gamut, no? Your minimum is really my maximum, and I wouldn't choose those examples for my game. While your preferences are quite beyond my tolerance level. So all in all, I don't think our tastes are a good match, no.

 

[Rigel Stardin]

I've stay away from this thread because I know most of my designs are too complex for gaming usage. My tendency is to make it as real as possible. I've also never really provide a detail "map" of each room so a GM or player can point at a room and say "I'm in the engine room, etc". I have left this up to the people who use these design to interpret in any way they see fit. I'm part of that 26% who like great stats and drawings, yet I don't find the time to create the details which would make my drawings great than what they are. This is mostly due to my job and my personal life.

 

[savage]

Drawing quality

I'm part of that 26% who like great stats and drawings, yet I don't find the time to create the details which would make my drawings great than what they are.

Rigel. There is no intention to negatively attack any Traveller work that someone publishes on personal sites or COTI. I think your work is very Traveller ships artistic and even useful for starport variety. Still I looked at and enjoyed all of them. This is a lot of work.
http://www.TravellerRPG.com/CotI/Gallery/index.php?u=4946

In fact, for me I'd like to thank EVERYONE that has offered stats and ship graphics. I look over each one with great enjoyment! Please, keep doing it. Hence, I started this thread. Free is very cool whether a ref needs it or not. And ship art is your choice.

I believe that there are different levels for items we "purchase" and the refs that are commenting show what they use. The frustration most people felt over the CT Merc cruiser and a few other designs that we're inaccurate have resulted 30 years later in a certain level of expectation. I wanted to understand that level of interest/concern through this poll.

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Savage:
I'm speaking from a personal level and don't think you poll is an attack on me. I wish I had the time to devote more to my drawing than I have. I would really like to do detail explanations of each ship I've created. My problem is I just don't have enough time in the day to dedicate to the projects I've posted without ignoring things I have to do around the house.

 

[aramis]

[m;]Thread Closed for administrative reasons.[/m;]

It's getting spam posts from users who should be unable to post.

A revised poll may be created with my blessings.