Fractured China - [Quenched]

[natty dread]

I think you could add a gradient overlay to the map. It would make it look a bit more "alive", or "real"... If that makes any sense to you?

Here's a visual example of what I mean:

Click image to enlarge.

[isaiah40]

Yes i know what you mean, on the other hand would it fit in with the general theme of the fractured maps? IDK. I think I' wait to see what others think of it.

[gimil]

I think natty_dread idea has merit. His example itself is actually rather nice.

[WidowMakers]

Just FYI to everyone.

Isaiah has a broken laptop for at least a week. If he is not around, that is why.
He just wanted me to let everyone know.

[isaiah40]

Okay, I'm back online, but I have to wait a couple of weeks to get my Photoshop reinstalled before I can continue this. Don't let that stop anyone from making any other suggestions or ideas etc...!

[AndyDufresne]

Your trees. They look too round and cuddly.

I'm kidding. I don't think I have any to add, I like the way the map looks, and I think it looks like a map I'd give a few plays to see if it'd be one I'd add to my rotation, instead of writing it off from the get go!

Keep up the good work.


--Andy

[thenobodies80]

I know Isaiah has planned to post an updated asap, but in the meanwhile let me change this thread to sticky to see if someone has other graphical suggestions for him.

[RjBeals]

i say no to the gradient. I get what your trying to do, but it doesn't fit this map.

your wall is awesome.

I'm not a fan of the white outer glow on the terts or the land, but it's personal preference. Actually, I think the map would look a lot better w/out that glow on the names. Your borders are smooth black, and the names would look better if they blended with that smooth black as well. Not the white glow.

[isaiah40]

Okay, after further thought, I will not be going with the gradient overlay as it doesn't fit the theme of being fractured. As for the glow on the names and such, I think I'm going to leave them as is because of some peoples monitors show the maps darker than others, and the glow helps to read them better and clearer.

I tweaked the legend a bit, so let me know what you think, and I'll get the small done as well.

Click image to enlarge.

[Victor Sullivan]

The brick does not work at all It just makes the legend more messy, and it doesn't entirely seem to fit with the graphical theme real well.

-Sully

[AndyDufresne]

Hm, you could always try something like this for the legend background:

show

--Andy

[natty dread]

Those backgrounds Andy showed made me realize something...

A lot of this map is thematically focused on the "Fractured" part, but the "China" part doesn't show a lot... there's the wall, but not much else.

I think the map could use some Chinese flavour. Maybe some font changes... or something.

[isaiah40]

Okay, here are a couple of Chinese Proverbs:

- Know yourself and know your enemy, a hundred battles and you won't be drained. (知己知彼，百戰不殆。)
- Tens of thousands of bones will become ashes when one general achieves his fame. (一將功成萬骨枯)
- Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius

Any others?

[Victor Sullivan]

I remembered you had a quote on your "Fractured America" map, so I found two Chinese Proverbs that could apply:

If only you stand together no one can hurt you . If you all disagree the whole time and insist on going your separate ways, the first enemy you meet will be able to destroy you.

When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

-Sully

[gimil]

- Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius

I love this proverb.

[isaiah40]

I remembered you had a quote on your "Fractured America" map, so I found two Chinese Proverbs that could apply:

If only you stand together no one can hurt you . If you all disagree the whole time and insist on going your separate ways, the first enemy you meet will be able to destroy you.

When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

-Sully

I just knew you'd find your own post! I was just too lazy to try and find it myself. Thank you!.

I'm kind of partial to this one:

Know yourself and know your enemy, a hundred battles and you won't be drained.

Fits the Chinese theme and CC at the same time.

[Victor Sullivan]

My issue with that one is it doesn't fit with the "Fractured" theme, as "A House divided cannot stand" did for Fractured America.

-Sully

[AndyDufresne]

If you are looking for material that is 'fractured,' try looking for material around the An Lushan rebellion in the 700's, one of China's civil wars. Around the time of the Tang dynasty (and most of the famous ancient Chinese poets are spread throughout the Tang). I'll see peruse my bookshelf and see if I can find anything in a day or two.


--Andy

[isaiah40]

My issue with that one is it doesn't fit with the "Fractured" theme, as "A House divided cannot stand" did for Fractured America.

-Sully

I see your point, and will consider it.

If you are looking for material that is 'fractured,' try looking for material around the An Lushan rebellion in the 700's, one of China's civil wars. Around the time of the Tang dynasty (and most of the famous ancient Chinese poets are spread throughout the Tang). I'll see peruse my bookshelf and see if I can find anything in a day or two.

--Andy

Thanks Andy! Will look into it.

As for the wall, I think I am going to leave the original from the previous version in. Once I get a good Chinese Proverb, I'll post the update.

[AndyDufresne]

I'll have to peruse my books a little more for 'older' words, but I did come across some relevant lines of poetry by Qiu Jin, a revolutionary feminist poet in the Qing Dynasty, before the birth of the Republic of China in 1912.

A catastrophe is pressing on our eyebrows and lashes;
China is being carved up:
a melon being sliced by the sharpest knives.

How many have fallen victim to the saber's blade?
skulls have piled up in mounds, and
blood has surged in billowing waves.

--Andy

[Victor Sullivan]

Oo, I dare say I like that first one, Andy.

-Sully

[isaiah40]

Oo, I dare say I like that first one, Andy.

-Sully

I agree. I think I might have to use that one. But I'll wait to see what else Andy comes up with.

[natty dread]

I would advise trying some different fonts for the legend and maybe territory names too... something more oriental-like?

[DiM]

1. some mountains look like they're floating
2. the red fish is too bright
3. the stars on the small map are blinding and practically become the focal point of the map. the ones on the big map are much better
4. the stars on the big map are slightly tilted to the right.
5. the background image in the legend portion is too intrusive on the large map making some parts rather hard to read. on the small version it's easier to read the text but the bricks are now so small they look like spatter or something creating a messy look.
6. the barbed wire looks fake being all black like that.
7. there's nothing chinese about this map (maybe some artwork, a better font, anything)

[isaiah40]

1. some mountains look like they're floating
2. the red fish is too bright
3. the stars on the small map are blinding and practically become the focal point of the map. the ones on the big map are much better
4. the stars on the big map are slightly tilted to the right.
5. the background image in the legend portion is too intrusive on the large map making some parts rather hard to read. on the small version it's easier to read the text but the bricks are now so small they look like spatter or something creating a messy look.
6. the barbed wire looks fake being all black like that.
7. there's nothing chinese about this map (maybe some artwork, a better font, anything)

Thank you DiM for your input!!
1. I'll take a look at them - might redo them
2. Yea, while working on my next update I noticed that, especially since I moved it to another corner of the map.
3. The small hasn't been updated in awhile, so for this next update I'll do the small as well.
4. They are!? Hmmm... I'll take a closer look at them.
5. Yea, I'm not totally satisfied with that background right now and that is the main thing I'm currently working on.
6. I can try and fiddle with it a bit more.
7. Also working on this.