RHS Level Map Development and Planning

[el cid again]

Although there is another RHS map thread, by a map artist, it appears he has abandoned the project.
It is daunting - RHS has a lot of detail changes. And AE was not designed for automatic coding
of road and rail art by reading the pwhexe.dat file - which would make it a lot easier.

Because it was going to be a long time before we had "proper" map art, I decided to make some 'quick and
dirty' map art based on stock. Over time I have been able to learn how to do it moderately well, and also
to simplify what is required so we have some hope of getting complete sets of art sometime soon. Indeed,
I actually DID complete the panels without hexes for most scenarios already. That is now slightly set
back because I decided I have the skill to present seasonal sea ice changes - and have begun to do that.

Basically I have found ways to present (almost) all information on every panel - sea ice being the major
exception. Testing shows this information is useful to players and far better than using reveal codes
(Y and R keys) to tell where roads and railroads are. I have found ways to present the information even
for roads and rail lines not yet built. But presenting sea ice means a few panels - in the North -
will get seasonal art. Most of the map will simply use one set of maps.

Right now I am issuing start of game panels. Most of these will not change with the season. But in the North,
there will be up to four versions of each panel. It is uncertain if all the map art can be included in one
installer. I long believed it was not. But with this simplified plan, and nearly all the panels done, I have some
hope it may be possible. If that turns out to be the case, I will add a 1942 ART folder, because all the other
panels in it will be post 1941.

A development of the non-hex panels is possible: Mifune thinks he can issue hex variations of these panels.
Mainly he needs time, which means waiting for him to finish his air art - some thing he has been able to return
to doing of late. And eventually I will do a few panels differently for Japan Enhanced Scenarios 125 and 129:
they have somewhat different railroads in particular. If the Downfall Scenario is ever able to be completed (it
has massive needs in terms of data entry) I may also do a 1945 set of panels for it.

Apart from adding RHS roads and railroads, and trails and pseudo-trails - I have been able to add notes of geographic
interest, names of towns and lakes, and names of significant railroad projects. Notes also explain seasonal variations -
how secondary roads near Yakutsk become trails in Monsoon for example - or how the Irrawaddy is not navigable in Spring
(it has TOO MUCH water for the canyons!). I very much like the indicators for trails as a player. These will tend to
channel movement and supplies along historical lines - or at least along feasible lines even if they were not used in
the historical war. I have also taken to 'cleaning up' the stock art a bit - getting rid of 'junk' (looks like rocks)
where rivers meet - dealing with how hard it is to see a black RR in some terrain which has a lot of black spots in it -
etc. It isn't purely about RHS changes, it is about clearer presentation.

[el cid again]

Low Capacity Road Ferry: BLUE [= trail]
High Capacity Road Ferry: YELLOW [= secondary road]
Rail Ferry plus Low Capacity Road Ferry: PINK [= secondary RR plus trail]
Rail Ferry plus High Capacity Road Ferry: RED [= secondary RR plus secondary road]

When the twin RR tunnels between Honshu and Kyushu are completed (one each direction) -
a PRIMARY RR will exist between them, and the Ferry will downgrade to a low capacity
road ferry [Primary RR plus trail]. It gets no special symbol - just a primary RR
and trail like all primary RR hexes do.

Green trails are year around.
White trails are Winter only.
Brown trails turn to mud and disappear in Monsoon only.

The two upper left panels (01 and 02) also have a fourth type - in the Himalaya's.
Green with a white stripe down the middle (symbolizing blocked by snow) disappear in Winter only.