How to 'deselect' a unit on the map?

[mazex]

Well - just bought the game and ended up here after only playing for 5 minutes before quitting the game to Google about this... I just managed to move one unit currectly before I accidentally passed the 38 degree line while trying to check the stats of an enemy unit

And having worked as a software development manager for 15 years I can tell you that one of the most important thing about usability is to follow the standards that the users expect. I have played tons of war games and can't remember one where you cannot deselect the current unit since the Spectrum days Like others said here you very often WANT to be sure that no unit is selected when clicking around to decide your next move. Check your own units, the enemy, the terrain etc.

I actually think I will put this game on the shelf until this is implemented, as it is too annoying for me at least. Sure - long time players get used to it but we all seem to agree that the standard is that it should be possible to deselect units, and the devs seem to agree and where looking at it. But this thread was started after the release - is this still considered - or implemented in some options screen?

[LeeChard]

I did pose this question before and got the same results.
That arrow following you around is really annoying.
I guess I'm sort of used to it now like I'm used to mosquitos in July.
This would be my #1 fix for the next big patch.

[RichG]

ORIGINAL: LeeChard

This would be my #1 fix for the next big patch.

+1

[sPzAbt653]

As Ralph said previously, there are who knows how many areas of code require a unit to be selected, so it is not an easy thing to bypass. And as with all things TOAW, if you 'fix' one thing, two or more others get broken [:)]

Probably the reason why, in twenty years, no one has complained is that with the new TOAW IV graphics, the issue has been magnified tremendously with the change to those movement arrows that make them HUGE and RED. The original ones where much less obnoxious, as seen below.

[sPzAbt653]

If anyone wants to try the original arrows, unzip this file into your :
Documents/My Games/The Operational Art of War IV/Graphics Override
folder.

[RPKUPK]

I can't count the number of times that not being able to deselect a unit has caused accidental movement that cannot be undone when spotted. Frustrating!

[HobbesACW]

I also find the bright trail very distracting when I am trying to do other things rather than move a unit. This and not being able to scroll up and down by hitting the top and bottom of my screen are my main peevs at the moment. But hoping to get used to them eventually.

[mazex]

Well - if the arrow was less prominent the risk for errors would be even bigger

Like said here by winkr7, try a "hack" by adding a "static invisible" unit that is selected if you press escape. Set the name to "No unit currently selected" and all other properties to "empty". Sure - there will be other places to change in the code to supress messages like "cannot move there" etc, but it sounds like an idea to try out? For a bonus - place it dynamically at the centre of gravity of the battle if possible

[Shadrach]

Another thing about this when you always have a unit select, and which is constantly an annoyance during play:

When I move around the map, examining forces, and want to look at a stack, I hover the mouse over the stack and press 'C'. The group dialog appears, but the map also jumps to the location of the *current selected unit*, and I have to move the map back to the location I was examining. I need to select a unit in the stack, or nearby, to avoid the map jumping to the current unit when examining a stack. Kind of annoying when it happens, and it's quite a lot.

[HobbesACW]

ORIGINAL: mazex

Well - if the arrow was less prominent the risk for errors would be even bigger

Like said here by winkr7, try a "hack" by adding a "static invisible" unit that is selected if you press escape. Set the name to "No unit currently selected" and all other properties to "empty". Sure - there will be other places to change in the code to supress messages like "cannot move there" etc, but it sounds like an idea to try out? For a bonus - place it dynamically at the centre of gravity of the battle if possible

I also thought of this - but I assume it is a possible fix the devs would already be aware of. As far as the map scrolling is concerned - am I the only one that finds it a pain that you have to move the cursor to a particular spot when attempting to scroll up and down? If I am maybe players get used to it? The arrow keys work well but they are on the right hand side of the keyboard so not much use for a right handed player. If a player could change some of the key bindings that would help. These are the only two UI issues that really bug me.

Cheers,
Chris

[Shadrach]

Here's a fix for being able to scroll by just moving the cursor to the edge of screen:
https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming/releases

This has an option called "Use Mouse Lock Hotkey (Scroll Lock)" which enables you to lock the cursor to the active window. Basically you can then "slam" the mouse any direction you want. The only drawback is being unable to access the menus if you use those a lot, but you can easily disable it again, or use the keyboard to open the menus.

Another bad thing about the current version of Borderless Gaming is it needs admin rights to launch, which is stupid. But a little searching and you can find the older version 8.4, or I can make it available to you (it's free software).

I also use Autohotkey to be able to use WASD for movement, as well as overriding some of the keys to make the most common commands closer to WASD.
https://autohotkey.com/

Here's the script I use:
https://pastebin.com/ZJFQyZcX

[HobbesACW]

Thanks very much Shadrach. I'll take a look in the morning.

[HobbesACW]

Hi Shadrach, I tried both methods. The only problem I have is with the Borderless gaming application. I don't have scroll lock on my keyboard and attempting to turn it on using the on-screen keyboard didn't have any effect. So I tried the Global Hotkey option and that removed all the borders apart from the file menu. The cursor will now scroll down but not up due to the file menu. Is there a way of removing that? The WASD works a treat! Thanks again.

Chris

[Shadrach]

Hey Chris - what kind of keyboard doesn't have scroll lock? [:'(]
Yeah I guess maybe a lappy keyboard - are you sure it's not bound to a function key, I know some Logitech keyboard have it like that?

You could try this - choose an F-key for Scroll Lock and bind it using AHK. I think F8 is free, so like this:

Code: Select all

 F8:: ; ScrollLock override
    Send {ScrollLock}
    Return
 

Paste that above the #IfWinActive directive and below the last Return line. Reload the script.
Then while the Mouse Lock hotkey is enabled, press F8 and it should do the same thing.

You don't really need the Global Hotkey - it's just for enabling/disabling the borderless mode for an application. Doesn't even work all the time.

What you do is, when running the game, it will show up in the left panel of Borderless Gaming, you move it to the right using the arrow button, and it will remember whenever it's running in the background.

Glad the WASD script works for you [:)]
It's my personal preference so there might be keys you don't like, if so you can relatively easy change them in the script.

[HobbesACW]

Yep - it's a Logitech. I messed around a bit to turn it on going by internet instructions. FN key and then pause/break. Nothing. Tried a few other combinations which put the PC to sleep, then it asked for a password I know longer remember but luckily it desisted after a reboot. I tried the script change but nothing happens after I press F8. I assume I put it in the correct place:

+r:: ;Shift+R; Refresh current unit
Send r
Return
F8:: ; ScrollLock override
Send {ScrollLock}
Return
#IfWinActive

I'm very happy WASD works - but I'll try again with BG later in the week as it's bugging me that I can't get it to work. Had enough for today.

Cheers,
Chris

[HobbesACW]

P.S. I had a play around with the bright red movement arrows to make them a little less garish. If anyone wants to try them just add the contents of the attached file to the Graphics Override directory. If you want to try your own colours download Paint.net. It's a free program that allows you to make simple graphic mods to many games.

Cheers,
Chris

[Shadrach]

The change in the script is fine - but I forgot to mention, you need to reload the script as well, by right-clicking the AHK icon in the tray and choosing "Reload..." It should definitely work then. Unless Logitech has decided to override the keycode returned by the F8 key as well... [8|]

Maybe F4 would be a better choice if you want, as it's closer to the left side.

And of course make sure BG is running and the Mouse Lock hotkey is enabled.

[HobbesACW]

Shadrach, you've dragged me back to this while I am trying to enjoy beer and the rare sunshine we have here! I was just going to post a few more screenshots as to how I can't find a reload option (I still can't). But it now works! I assume rebooting with the new script in the Documents directory has the same effect. Very happy that I now have two methods of scrolling up and down. If you are ever near Hemel Hempstead pop by and I will buy you a beer or two

Cheers,
Chris

[Shadrach]

Always happy to be of help, and glad you stuck with it [;)]

A reboot isn't required when doing changes, and here's a shot of what I meant, by right-clicking the icon in the "tray" you get the menu:


Anyway, enjoy the evening, and if the sun's gone again, have that beer in front of the game. I might have one too [8D]

Have a good one,
Stian

[HobbesACW]

I was getting confused between the two bits of software. I need Borderless Gaming to scroll the map but I also need the Autohotkey script to turn it on and off. I've now removed the WASD bit but kept the F8 part of the script - now I can scroll happily! Just hoping one day there will be a patch to allow us to deselect a unit. It makes the UI feel outdated and clunky at the moment without this option.

Chris