What's so great about Universe?

[Malenfant]

I don't mean the subject line in a facetious way.

It looks interesting, but the threads here seem to be a bit lacking in info on what it's capable of, how it works, how easy it is to use, and so on. AFAIK there are no reviews, and no demos available (if there are, please point me to them!). So how does it shape up? Where does it really shine? Where does it really suck?

And if I was to buy a copy now, what are the upgrade options later on? Would I have to pay again for 2.0 or would the upgrade be free?

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Malenfant:
I don't mean the subject line in a facetious way.

It looks interesting, but the threads here seem to be a bit lacking in info on what it's capable of, how it works, how easy it is to use, and so on. AFAIK there are no reviews, and no demos available (if there are, please point me to them!). So how does it shape up? Where does it really shine? Where does it really suck?

And if I was to buy a copy now, what are the upgrade options later on? Would I have to pay again for 2.0 or would the upgrade be free?

Release 1 of Universe is basically a windows alternative to Galactic. It makes pretty maps. And it uses an SQL database (handy for finding systems that match specific criteria, or other analysis). There are other features, including translating CT stats into GURPS format and making Jump-6 maps.

Release 2 of Universe (currently being worked on) will add system generation. Think of a fusion of Galactic with Heaven&Earth. The intention is that Release 2 will be available as both a full version and an upgrade version ... with the upgrade version being significantly cheaper (maybe even half price, but that's still to be finalised).

Between the two there will probably be an interim release. This will include support for MS SQL Server (as an alternative to the supplied RDBMS) and a bugfix. This interim release will be free to all those who already have Release 1.

If you go to this web page you can find further information (including several screenshots).

Regards PLST

 

[kaladorn]

I find, myself, that the maps are rather breathtaking. I also find that the J-6 map is a very handy feature. I like that because I can print them and show my players a map of the nearby area to the planet they are at.

(PS - is there any chance of having an option to make all white colours on the map black and vice versa? Just to make a map that isn't quite so expensive on ink, while retaining colour in the other parts... this would be nice for V2)

Support for MSSQL? Yehaw! (Didn't a little bird tell me it lacked requisite trigger support?)

I'll be buying V2!

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
(PS - is there any chance of having an option to make all white colours on the map black and vice versa? Just to make a map that isn't quite so expensive on ink, while retaining colour in the other parts... this would be nice for V2)

Support for MSSQL? Yehaw! (Didn't a little bird tell me it lacked requisite trigger support?)

I hadn't considered the issue of ink cost. I'll try to get this added into Release 2 ... could take a little fiddling to get the world icons to look good on a white background.

As for trigger support in MSSQL: AFAIK trigger support in MSSQL is fine. Are you getting muddled with mySQL?

Regards PLST

 

[clementk]

Originally posted by kaladorn:
(PS - is there any chance of having an option to make all white colours on the map black and vice versa?

I'll second that. While a black background map resembles the big maps found in the boxed sets there is no way I'm going to print out what would otherwise be a *great* resource. Perhaps there is some graphic trick I could do but flipping the colors (invert or negative whatever it's called) doesn't work from my experience.

I've had some problems with imported planets not showing up with any "descriptives" (desert, ice, garden planet etc.) but I need to look into what determines that further. Had to redo some borders as well but that wasn't too difficult.

Overall though well worth the purchase price as is let alone what will hopefully be included in the future.

Casey

 

[Flynn]

What's Universe's capacity to store world-based notes, ala Galactic's world, subsector and sector notes files? Also, is there menu support as there is in Galactic?

Thanks,
Flynn

 

[Flynn]

Oops... ignore previous comments about notes, as I am now looking at the screenshots.

Nice!

Does it do subsector maps as well?

Does it do quadrant (2X2 subsectors) maps?

Does it do domain (2X2 sectors) maps?

Thanks in advance,
Flynn

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Casey:
I've had some problems with imported planets not showing up with any "descriptives" (desert, ice, garden planet etc.) but I need to look into what determines that further. Had to redo some borders as well but that wasn't too difficult.

First off: If anyone experiences any problems please contact me and I will see what I can do to help. Also, I am always open to suggestions for new features (but no promises).

As for world descriptions (and their related icons), I use a modified version of a system created by P-O 'BeRKA' Bergstedt. The definitions can be found in the Universe help file (in the index look up BeRKA world types).

Regards PLST

 

[BeRKA]

Hi!

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Flynn:
Does it do subsector maps as well?

Does it do quadrant (2X2 subsectors) maps?

Does it do domain (2X2 sectors) maps?

The 'rich detail' style maps are produced for sector, subsector, and jump-6.

There is an outstanding user requested feature to include non-standard areas (small polity sized).

If there is a lot of interest I could also include domains and 2x2 subsectors. (Where is 2x2 subsectors defined as a quadrant? I've seen it used as an alternative for single subsectors.)

Regards PLST

 

[Malenfant]

Hmm.

How customisable is Universe? Can you make J3 maps or J7 maps similar to the J6 maps?

Can you enter your own UWPs? Can you make your own sectors? Can you change what the atm or pop codes mean?

 

[Morte]

Originally posted by Hemdian:
(Where is 2x2 subsectors defined as a quadrant?)

T20

 

[Flynn]

I personally thought that a quadrant was originally defined in one of the entries in the Library Data supplements, though it probably was originally an alternate name for either sector or subsector. Somewhere, I think in MT, it mentions that quadrant represents a former unit of astrography organization that was falling into misuse, but was defined as four subsectors arranged two by two. T20 has definitely run with that definition, and that presentation is what sparks my interest for an appropriately scaled campaign background that I enjoy running.

So, PLST, if it helps, please count this as a vote for quadrant support.

Thanks,
Flynn

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Malenfant:
Hmm.

How customisable is Universe? Can you make J3 maps or J7 maps similar to the J6 maps?

Can you enter your own UWPs? Can you make your own sectors? Can you change what the atm or pop codes mean?

At the moment there is no facility to make J3 or J7 maps. I hope to have a customisable map size option is Release 2 ... but this would be "X by Y hexes" and not "N hexes from a specific point".

At the moment if you want to add your own sectors you need to make up a text file in a recognised format (I'd suggest H&E's HES format) and import it. You can also add and delete individual systems (subsector display maintenance menu option), and can alter a system's UWP code (system display maintenance menu option). This sort of thing should be easier in Release 2 which is all about system generation.

The definitions of the UWP codes are stored in a set of database tables. As such you could alter them if you use IBconsole and log in as TRAVELLER_DBA (password TRAVELLER_DBA). Obveously you will need to know how to use IBconsole. Also, note that as the tables are stored in each database, making a change in one will not affect any others you might have. I'd be curious as to what changes you'd want to make.

Regards PLST

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Flynn:
So, PLST, if it helps, please count this as a vote for quadrant support.

Okey-dokey!

Regards PLST

 

[Malenfant]

I must admit, this talk of tinkering with databases and consoles is not encouraging me to pick up Universe... is it not possible to get it to read a normal text file containing the UWPs, like Galactic?

 

[Hemdian]

Originally posted by Malenfant:
I must admit, this talk of tinkering with databases and consoles is not encouraging me to pick up Universe... is it not possible to get it to read a normal text file containing the UWPs, like Galactic?

There may be some confusion here. You shouldn't really need to change the UWP code descriptions ... they are supposed to be be static data. I was just saying how you could do it if you really wanted to.

On the other hand, the UWPs of systems are imported (via options coded into the main program) into a relational database. A pre-imported sample database is also provided. One advantage of using a relational database over normal text files is the data is validated of crude errors before even being used. There are occasional invalid UWPs in many of the publically available data files that will crash programs like Heaven&Earth. Galactic doesn't process the data to the same extent (so can survive garbage data).

Regards PLST

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Hemdian:
I hadn't considered the issue of ink cost. I'll try to get this added into Release 2 ... could take a little fiddling to get the world icons to look good on a white background.

Most excellent!

As for trigger support in MSSQL: AFAIK trigger support in MSSQL is fine. Are you getting muddled with mySQL?

Sacre Bleu! Mais Oui, I am stunned indeed.

Okay, pretend I didn't do the little happy jig...

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Hemdian:
At the moment there is no facility to make J3 or J7 maps. I hope to have a customisable map size option is Release 2 ... but this would be "X by Y hexes" and not "N hexes from a specific point".

Why? (curious)
You've figured which hexes are in the J6 map. I've got an algorithm that works to figure all hexes within N hexes of the target (and I can do anything from 1 to >> but generally limit it to six). Now, I just figure out the hex numbers, and would let the software then figure out how to pull the contents out of the DB, myself. But I'd like to second a request for J1..6 maps.

At the moment if you want to add your own sectors you need to make up a text file in a recognised format (I'd suggest H&E's HES format) and import it. You can also add and delete individual systems (subsector display maintenance menu option), and can alter a system's UWP code (system display maintenance menu option). This sort of thing should be easier in Release 2 which is all about system generation.

And obviously, some of us anxiously await it. (But, consider that anxiousness tempered by the desire for a solid release, so please don't rush it... do the bug-clubbing as much as possible before release!).

 

[Malenfant]

Originally posted by Hemdian:
There may be some confusion here. You shouldn't really need to change the UWP code descriptions ... they are supposed to be be static data. I was just saying how you could do it if you really wanted to.

Oh, I see. Gotcha.

On the other hand, the UWPs of systems are imported (via options coded into the main program) into a relational database. A pre-imported sample database is also provided. One advantage of using a relational database over normal text files is the data is validated of crude errors before even being used. There are occasional invalid UWPs in many of the publically available data files that will crash programs like Heaven&Earth. Galactic doesn't process the data to the same extent (so can survive garbage data).
[/QB]

Would Universe would actually reject (or try to correct?) UWPs that don't make sense or can't be randomly generated though? Sometimes UWPs are tweaked deliberately to be a certain way after all.