Suggestion:Enhanced zoom

[Havan_IronOak]

I'd like to see two changes to zoom. Not sure if either are at all possible but it never hurts to ask.

1) Allow zooming further out. It's impossible even with a small map to get the entire map on the screen.
I'd like to be able to get the entire map into a jpg file so that I can plan my network ahead of time. The only way to do this now is to take screen shots and stitch them together using other software. Given the forced perspective, not even that is really doable.

2) Allow zooming further in. I've been playing Oriental Empires a bit recently and the zoom there allows one to get right down to eye level. It's amazing how well detailed things are.There is a LOT of detail in this game that we just can't really appreciate as well as we might if the reegular view zoom got in as close as what we get in "ride along" mode.

[Vimpster]

There is a way actually, though it isn't all that convenient. If you go to your settings file for Transport Fever in your steam userdata folder, you can turn on debug mode by replacing the false with true. With debug turned on you will get a camera button under the menu in the upper right corner while playing. clicking on it will automatically enhance your camera control so that you have much more freedom on your distance as well as your perspective.

Here is a shot looking straight down on a small 1:2 map I just randomly generated.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1295666810
Here is one even further away where the fog starts to obscure it.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1295666845
You can zoom out even further till all you see is fog as well.
Now here is one zoomed in really low and looking up a bit.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1295666939
You can go even lower but sadly the camera starts to clip through the ground if you go any lower which doesn't look very nice.

[Havan_IronOak]

Thanks for that. It will definitely help with my problem. Any idea why that level of zoom is prohibited in regular game play? I suppose the ground clipping is a bit ugly but it seems like the zoom out is harmless enough.

[rg-williams]

Not realy a solution to the zoom request, but the best way have found to plan the network is using a MkI pencil and a sheet of paper. I usually develop a few lines, then map out the rest of the map, and mark in the links I want. This enables me to make sure I have enough platforms when I place stations

[Havan_IronOak]

Originally posted by rg-williams:

...
the best way have found to plan the network is using a MkI pencil and a sheet of paper.

Pencil and paper is old school, and it works. But the same thing can be done on a computer if the image is accessible. Planning such things on a computer means that they can be replanned easily when changes or inspirations occur.

[Didz]

The inabilty to capture a digital image of the entire map in 2D is a definite issue and a shame. There have been numerous scenario's when i would have loved to be able to do so, and then annotate it with notes and plans. It would also help no end in sharing idea's and strategies with other players.

[ChunkHunter]

Thanks for the tips @Vimpster

I, for one, would also love a simple map I could save.

[Havan_IronOak]

I've tried the suggestion that Vimster made here and it does work to a degree...

Anyone know how I can turn OFF the "fog" effect?

There is a value in base_config.lua for fog color

fog = {
color = { 0.55, 0.95, 1.05 }
},

Does that control it? Can anyone suggest what might turn it off?

[Thork]

I don't think you can disable it, but I might be wrong. Maybe there is another (hidden/unused) value or a workaround. I tried a few possible solutions, but could not get it to work yet.
RGB colours intrinsicly don't support alpha channels (transparency).
RGBA can be used instead in some cases (e.g. CSS or some image formats), which adds another value for transparency. It is used in some other functions but does not seem to work on fog.
Fog is mostly used to limit draw distances and would probably drastically impact performance.

However, I'd also be interested to try it if someone has a solution.

[Dirkels]

If you change the fog setting to:

fog = {
    color = { 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 }
},

it more or less removes the fog. With the camara tool I have been able to get a full 1:2 small map in view:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1302399524
But if you try on medium map this is the best I could get for 1:2 map (almost full map):
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1302399594
And if you zoom out more parts just disappear:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1302399646
Even further some road appear again but only on screen (and steam screenshot) on the screenshots of the camera tool the lighter parts are black:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1302399738

[Havan_IronOak]

Thanks! I'll try that