EQAtlas-in-One (LF Flash Devs)

[Packet]

I started working on this a while back until I lost the original source files due to hard drive crash (before I setup raided network storage) so I just gave up!

Well, recently I found a backup that I did have on a flash drive that I had lost and I'd like to get back into it and finish it.

If anyone is remotely decent with Flash and would like to help me finish this project, let me know! I can do just about anything but it's always nice having some help if you can get it.


Here's what I've got so far: Project 1999 Atlas (In Development) (http://www.eqc.xonos.net/proj/P99.html)

Only the top left section of the maps work so far. I haven't completed the integration yet but honestly, time-line based sequencing just isn't the way to go considering massive lag with large bitmap processing.

Todo:

Rework information on each map that will allow hovering over points to display tool tip.
Rework text information to a printable map.
Rework display of text to be more user-friendly.
Add Odus.
Add Kunark (before release).
Add 3D swivel menu for world continent selecting.
Demand salary in pp.

[tristantio]

Looks nice however I think you could implement better with PHP/Javascript using AJAX calls so you don't have to load all the maps at page render time.

Edit: Using a Javascript framework like Jquery (with fancybox plugin) would make this easy even if you were not that familiar with Javascript. Also come to think of it, since you will just be parameter passing, the PHP could even be left out and run entirely via Javascript.

[DevGrousis]

wow it looks great! and the maps that do work come up very smoothly! only critique i have is that the text on the side of the maps is verryyy small


great job though!!

[tristantio]

If you like to work in Flash only, I would recommend:

http://www.entheosweb.com/Flash/loading_external_images.asp

So you can minimize load time. As it is, most map users would likely not view all available maps in one sitting, so if you can break it down to loading just the main map at run time and calling individual images (maps) in response to the onclick events I think it would be much quicker.

By the way, I think I was a bit brief in my first post, but nice job! Looks very well polished.

[Packet]

If I knew anything about AJAX, I just might do that.

My original idea for this project is to make an easy-to-use one-paged mapping system. Considering I only know flash and the scripting behind it, this is the limit to my ability which is unfortunate which is why I'd like to request help from anyone with the time to invest in this.

I can complete the project using only flash and actionscript however I know there are better ways to do this. What I want is a swiveling menu of continents. Let's say you select Antonica, it will zoom into the the land thus showing the zone connections. When you select your zone (depending on how many maps are in that one zone), a horizontal map selection will appear ascending from top to bottom levels. You will select your floor and then hover over the points on the map getting details about each point (which will be pulled from an xml datasheet). There will also be a print button and a info button which will give you a soft-popup giving the information in bold legible text.

[Packet]

If you like to work in Flash only, I would recommend:

http://www.entheosweb.com/Flash/loading_external_images.asp

So you can minimize load time. As it is, most map users would likely not view all available maps in one sitting, so if you can break it down to loading just the main map at run time and calling individual images (maps) in response to the onclick events I think it would be much quicker.

By the way, I think I was a bit brief in my first post, but nice job! Looks very well polished.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I may use XML files to store images internally that way they're all pre-downloaded however not rendered until used. I just have to write the map/information object first.

[Shamalam]

This is awesome! Thank you and keep up the good work!

[Versus]

Will definitely use this when it is complete~ Thanks

[toddfx]

Sweet! I've always wanted something like this. The old EQAtlas is nice, and I have it in my bookmark toolbar, but theres just too much clicking involved. An all-in-one unit like this would be great.

My primary comment is about the Lightbox style popups of the maps. On normal HTML based Lightbox, you can click anywhere in the outer region to close it. On yours, it seems like there is only a ~100px radius around the content that allows you to close it. On larger maps, the range is even smaller and I find myself hunting around for a clickable region close the map. That is, on Chrome v9.0. [EDIT: I now see that the logo at the top always closes the map, but that was not obvious to me at first. Perhaps a labeled close button would be good]

The only other suggestion I have is to include "connecting zone" links to each map popup. That is one feature of EQAtlas I always use a lot, and it will reduce the number of clicks required even further.

[stonebeard22]

Looks really really neat, missing Kedge on the Main map.

Wish I could help you, I'm just good with SQL Databases. =D

[Rhodes]

Really nice, I can't wait to see the whole thing finished.

[Ravhin]

I agree, the best use of this would be if you can include a way to move between adjacent zones without heading back to the world map. Also since your legend's on each map are just HTML you could link items, NPCs, and quests to their pages on the p99 wiki (http://wiki.project1999.org) if you were so inclined.

[Packet]

Great input! I will definitely incorporate zone connections so you can easily swipe to the next zone.

[tristantio]

In the meantime while Packet finishes his to do list I have put up a page that makes EQAtlas a little easier on the eyes.

http://ahungry.com/eqatlas.html

Let me know what you think (not nearly as nice as Packet's implementation but I only felt like spending 10 minutes on this).

Edit: It is modal and involves not having to load up a ton of separate browser tabs to keep your place.

[Drowed]

Excellent work on this Packet - I really appreciate the effort!

Looks neat - everything seems to load quickly.

Kudos sir