Rail map

[red_one]

We should make a rail map.

[DaedalusAlpha]

Yes I have thought about this myself, the system is quickly becoming pretty complicated for someone who isn't used to it. The least we should do is put up signs that can be shown on the map for each station, that would help for creating an overlay.

[Sp!at]

Great idea. I started building a 'Metro-style' map in one of my stations using a matrix of signs but the system is too complex now to do it that way.

[MadMax]

Can station signs be made in a particular way such that the map generator can allow for a separate box to tick/untick to only show stations?

Then a variation on that sign can be signs along the track at regular intervals, for lengthy portions of track with no stations, so we know where the track is.

[red_one]

Here is my rail line so far.
i'm working my way towards spawn, hopefully going to meet the western link at some point.
red - ground level
yellow - bedrock level.

[DaedalusAlpha]

You should definitely meet the western link soon, I'm surprised you haven't already :-/
Make sure you aren't at the wrong depth or something.

[Thermal Ions]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Can station signs be made in a particular way such that the map generator can allow for a separate box to tick/untick to only show stations?

Then a variation on that sign can be signs along the track at regular intervals, for lengthy portions of track with no stations, so we know where the track is.

It would require:
(a) a rewrite of the functions embedded in the map html page with these changes subsequently being made to the page again after each map render
(b) EITHER
Agreement to use one of the special symbols (!, -, = or ~) only on rail tracks and then come up with a way to split the generated sign.js file into two separate files, one with the special railway signs and the other with regular special signs
OR
Decide on another special symbol (not !, -, = or ~), have all signs rendered and then split the sign.js file into two separate files, one with the new special railway signs, the other with regular special signs, and all other signs discarded.

If anyone wants to take a look, you can access the current survival map's index.html and signs.js files below.
http://tog.swoit.as/minecraft/mc2_su...day/index.html
http://tog.swoit.as/minecraft/mc2_survival/day/signs.js

Unfortunately a request for Tectonicus to be able to render certain block id's (e.g. tracks) isn't implemented (yet?). The author is currently updating it to enable layers and the ability to switch between multiple renders (e.g. day/night) so that would provide a nice base on which to overlay a rail render. Don't know if that's what OrangyTang's thinking is on the future of layers at this stage however.