Sensor arc colours in the database viewer

[meltingSnowdrift]

The database viewer was recently changed to show the field of view of a sensor graphically instead of using text.

As far as I understand, in such circular diagrams, the dark region of the circle represents the region where the sensor cannot see while the white region represents the region where the sensor can see. Even after noticing this, I have found it deeply counterintuitive. This is probably mainly because, in the database viewer and most of the rest of Command's user interface, the background is dark and foreground elements are light. These sensor arc diagrams appear to be the only exception.

In a crude attempt to make sure I was not alone in this, I asked a few people around me in person to try to interpret the same diagrams. They generally agreed that this was counterintuitive; one of them entirely failed to consider that white may be the background colour in the circles until I explained it.

Though I do not claim that myself and my friends are a representative or adequate sample of the users of Command, I hope that some further thought and discussion occurs regarding the foreground and background colours in the sensor arc diagrams being the opposite of those in the rest of the user interface.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Deserere]

Hi meltingSnowdrift,
This will be discussed and we will let you know, in any case thanks for a constructive feedback on our UI, this is always appreaciated

[Dimitris]

Logged #14999

[michaelm75au]

The black indicates where the sensor can see. An all-round sensor would be a black circle.
A different color might have been desirable, but I was building the images as black and white. [Images are in <install>\symbols\arcs.]

[Dimitris]

We are currently doing some tests for this internally.

An example:



Better?

[DavidRN]

We are currently doing some tests for this internally.

An example:



Better?

Yes

[Faceplate]

Might I suggest the colour representing 'no coverage' (currently white) becomes the same as the DB background? It would give a seamless appearance, showing only the arc of the sensor, hopefully creating a minimum of ambiguity.

[michaelm75au]

image.png (39.29 KiB) Viewed 784 times

[artao5]

I had wondered about this myself but have largely become used to it.
I would think simply inverting the existing colors would do it. White where a sensor can see, black where it can't. KISS principle eh.

[boogabooga]

I had wondered about this myself but have largely become used to it.
I would think simply inverting the existing colors would do it. White where a sensor can see, black where it can't. KISS principle eh.

+1

[michaelm75au]

I had wondered about this myself but have largely become used to it.
I would think simply inverting the existing colors would do it. White where a sensor can see, black where it can't. KISS principle eh.

Just inverting the colors would probably cause more confusion as players are/would be use to the current color meaning. Giving it a different color should reset player's perceptions - KISS in my opinion.

[boogabooga]

Just inverting the colors would probably cause more confusion as players are/would be use to the current color meaning. Giving it a different color should reset player's perceptions - KISS in my opinion.

No. Don't over-think it.
Just put a note in the release notes.

[Quark73]

I personally like the weapon arcs, these semi-transparent shadows are most intuitive to understand to me. This would even work with the sensors color scheme white/yellow/green air radar/land&surface/sonar sensors.

Inverting would imho not a good idea since the black/white scheme works in both directions for different people.

[thewood1]

"Just put a note in the release notes."

Because we know everyone reads those.

[meltingSnowdrift]

I strongly approve of the new way it is now done with a dark background and bright green arcs.
Thank you. I am left with a positive impression of the developers and the community.