[MUD-Dev] Re: MAPPING: Creating a bitmaped graphic from map

["Jon A. Lambert" <jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com>]

On 23 Apr 98 at 10:13, J C Lawrence wrote:
> On Wed, 22 Apr 1998 17:17:06 -0700 
> John Bertoglio<alexb#internetcds,com> wrote:
> 
> > Here's the problem:
> 
> > We have a mud world with main grid of 1200 by 800 cells. Each of
> > those = cells is stored in a database along with x,y coordinate
> > information, cell = color, terrain type, etc. I have written a
> > simple mapping function which maps = local areas using HTML
> > tables. These work pretty well but since the minimum = size on a 17
> > inch monitor is about a 1/4 inch square, it is not possible to
> > render large areas or even consider the whole map.
> 
> <nod>
> 
> > Here's what I need:
> 
> > I can write my data to any text configuration. 
> 
> Of course you *can*.  The question is whether you need to, and whether
> there is a benefit to use either a text, binary, or other storage
> format.
> 
> First thought: I'd suggest dynamically generating .GIF's of the map
> (perhaps even a single large .GIF covering the entire world), and then
> exporting from that a sub-.GIF to the client for the segment he's
> interested in.  The .GIF format is widely documetned, quite simple,
> and has extensive libraries available for its manipulation.  PNG is
> another (quite likely better) format.  JPEG would seem problemic.
> 

Hmm.  Good answer.  Also GIF format is already HTML browser supported 
and not only that, one might do away with tables and have the server 
dynamically generate a hotspot graphical map.  

<MAP NAME="WhereAmI">
<AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="10,10,20,20" HREF="forest.html">
<AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="20,10,30,20" HREF="ocean.html">
<AREA SHAPE="RECT" COORDS="30,10,40,20" ALT="You Are Here" 
HREF=foobar.html>
 ...
</MAP>
<IMG SRC="localmap.gif" BORDER=0 WIDTH=30 HEIGHT=10 
USEMAP="#WhereAmI">

:)

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