#2235
23rd Apr 2009 at 10:26 PM
Last edited by Mootilda : 11th Apr 2011 at
5:58 PM.
Variable parts of a curve
The GridAdjuster is using a sin wave for the curve. There are 3 variables which affect this curve: phase shift, amplitude, and period (aka cycle). I suspect that this is too mathematical for the average sim creator, so I'm looking for some guidance as to wording.
Phase affects
location of the curve; the zero point at which the curve "begins". Increasing or decreasing the phase will move the curve along the horizontal axis. Specifically, phase + 1 will move the curve one lot tile along the direction of the curve.
You can imagine picking up a picture in Windows Paint and moving the picture over to the right:
Remember that a sin wave is repeating, so when you move the curve over to the right, you will see the end of the preceding valley.
Amplitude affects the
height of the curve. Increasing the amplitude will make the curve taller and deeper. Specifically, amplitude + .75 will increase the top of the "hill" by an elevation of .75 (4 clicks) and will also make the "valley" .75 (4 clicks) deeper.
You can imagine stretching a picture vertically in Windows Paint:
Period affects the
length of the curve. Increasing the period will stretch the curve out and make it "smoother". A period of 1 means that the curve will complete an entire cycle (one hill and one valley) in one tile (which should produce a completely flat grid). Increasing the period by 1 will make the hill and valley stretch out over an additional lot tile.
You can imagine stretching a picture horizontally in Windows Paint:
So, does it make sense to use the terms phase, amplitude, and period and create a tutorial which includes an explanation of the terms (with pictures)? Or, would it make more sense to use different terms, such as location, height, and length? Or perhaps move, stretch horizontally, and stretch vertically? Or, ... ?
I'd also like to know whether people would prefer a different scale for any of these variables. For example:
The standard amplitude of a sin wave is 2 (-1 to 1); I have left this value intact, but could easily reduce it to 1 (-.5 to .5 or perhaps 0 to 1?)
The standard period of a sin wave is normally 2 x pi, I have shortened it to 1 for ease of use. If you want a cycle (one hill and one valley) to cover 10 tiles, it's easier to type in 10 than to calculate 10 / (2 x pi). Or, perhaps it would be more consistent for me to set the standard period to 2, in keeping with the standard amplitude of 2? Or, perhaps it's silly to have the default period be 1 or 2, since both of these will create a flat grid, since a sin wave touches 0 at each of these points? I just couldn't figure out what the "right" default period should be.
Perhaps people would prefer to see the amplitude and period as percentages, rather than as floating point numbers? This would make it similar to the stretch / skew ability in Windows Paint.
In a future version, I might generate a picture within the GridAdjuster, so that people can tell what they're getting, but for now I was hoping to do something simple so that I can get it out quickly.
I'd appreciate any and all comments.