Representation of size of stellar objects

[ralf_maeder]

These days I am exploring and encountering systems with small brown dwarfs, bigger stars, gas giants and so on. What strikes me after thinking about it, is that there is a lot of variety of size of stellar objects but it's difficult to impossible to reckon a difference in size in the game. This is of course a limitation of how 3d objects are represented on a 2d screen. But another reason is that ED manages Supercruise speed in an almost logarithmic manner, there is no real topspeed that would help to gauge sizes. I suppose users of an Occulus Rift can gauge the size of stellar objects in a striking way, is that so? Can you guys imagine how ED could improve the impact of different sizes of stellar objects?

I thought about some ways of representing different sizes of stellar objects. One way could be when selecting a stellar object to add a sphere of the size of earth in the HUD. Another addition could be to standardize speed or top speed when near to stellar objects, so moving around a giant star will take more time in comparison to smaller stars. This still would represent issues with planets,since these are way smaller than stars, so once again demanding a type of topspeed when close to them. On the other hand this would slow down the game significantly. What ideas have you guys?

 

[Obsidian Ant]

These days I am exploring and encountering systems with small brown dwarfs, bigger stars, gas giants and so on. What strikes me after thinking about it, is that there is a lot of variety of size of stellar objects but it's difficult to impossible to reckon a difference in size in the game. This is of course a limitation of how 3d objects are represented on a 2d screen. But another reason is that ED manages Supercruise speed in an almost logarithmic manner,there is almost no topspeed. I suppose users of an Occulus Rift can gauge the size of stellar objects in a striking way, is that so? Can you guys imagine how ED could improve the impact of different sizes of stellar objects?

I thought about some ways of representing different sizes of stellar objects. One way could be when selecting a stellar object to add a sphere of the size of earth in the HUD. Another addition could be to standardize speed or top speed when near to stellar objects, so moving around a giant star will take more time in comparison to smaller stars. This still would represent issues with planets,since these are way smaller than stars, so once again demanding a type of topspeed when close to them. On the other hand this would slow down the game significantly. What ideas have you guys?

The Rift really only gives you a sense of scale if you are up close, or if there is another object close by in relation to the planet you are looking at.

A relatively simply way to fix this issue would be to place a "grid" long the horizontal that overlays your entire environment. The gap between the grids would be standardized to perhaps one Earth diameter. This would help perceive distance and scale much easier.

 

[ralf_maeder]

This grid sounds interesting. If it can be turned on and off it shouldn't be a topic to discuss a lot. Another idea to improve in this direction: when we scan a stellar object, make visible a grid overlay on the spherical object, advancing with the scanning process. At the end of the scanning we could see detailed information about the object and also a size comparison taking earth as a standard parameter and the earth moon for smaller items for example.

 

[Mercury Shift]

The grid idea sounds nice if it could be toggled. Currently I just use the view and take into account the distance from the object. For instance, EZ Orionis, out by the Orion Nebula Complex, from a distance of 1000LS filled my canopy.