New VASL Extension - BoardZoomer.vmdx

DougRim

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Thanks to the good work of @jyoung, there is now a new extension available at VASL.info/extensions: BoardZoomer.vmdx.

This extension will allow you to zoom in-and-out on the map while leaving counter sizes unchanged. Great for counter-dense scenarios.

Once you download and add the extension to your extensions directory, look for this button on the toolbar: 28613

Clicking it will give you a dropdown that will allow you to shrink or enlarge the map:

2861428615To spread units out in the hex as shown in N7, you must select the Snap 2 option from the dropdown.

The extension works in conjunction with the existing zoom tools on the toolbar (beside the LOS button) which will zoom both map and counters. It removes the need to select the "Use Deluxe-sized Hexes" option from boardpicker when setting up a game.

NOTE: You MUST have VASL-6.6.8 or greater to use the extension. Having it loaded with an earlier VASL version will do no harm; it simply won't work.

EDIT: Both players must use the extension, particularly if using the Snap 2 option
.
 
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Sparafucil3

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Thanks to the good work of @jyoung, there is now a new extension available at VASL.info/extensions: BoardZoomer.vmdx.

This extension will allow you to zoom in-and-out on the map while leaving counter sizes unchanged. Great for counter-dense scenarios.

Once you download and add the extension to your extensions directory, look for this button on the toolbar: View attachment 28613

Clicking it will give you a dropdown that will allow you to shrink or enlarge the map:

View attachment 28614View attachment 28615To spread units out in the hex as shown in N7, you must select the Snap 2 option from the dropdown.

The extension works in conjunction with the existing zoom tools on the toolbar (beside the LOS button) which will zoom both map and counters. It removes the need to select the "Use Deluxe-sized Hexes" option from boardpicker when setting up a game.

NOTE: You MUST have VASL-6.6.8 or greater to use the extension. Having it loaded with an earlier VASL version will do no harm; it simply won't work.
Do both sides have to be using it? -- jim
 

jyoung

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Do both sides have to be using it? -- jim
You can zoom your view of the board in and out as often as you like without affecting the other player's view, just like the regular zoom function.

The zoom values > 100% will be the most useful, but values < 100% are included in case you want to use existing Deluxe boards at a reduced zoom to give a bit more situational awareness.

The Snap 1/2 option is similarly there to allow you to play on Deluxe boards (which by default have 2 snap levels to allow spread out counters) as if they were regular boards with snap 1 (counters only snap to hex and hexside centers), or to use regular boards at Deluxe zoom levels and play using spread out counters (like what happens now when you select the Deluxe-sized Hexes option in the board picker). The extension defaults the snap level to 2 for Deluxe boards and 1 for regular boards. If you change your snap level and your opponent doesn't, it shoudn't be an issue - I think the worst that can happen is that when you move a piece, it may appear to your opponent that you have moved the piece off-center rather than the center of the hex.

The extension proved to be much harder to implement than envisaged when I started it, and there may be the occasional odd behavior that pops up as I'm not 100% sure that I've caught and accounted for every possible situation and interaction. Let me know and I'll do my best to fix any weirdness. Thanks to @DougRim for helping me with the code - VASL is a complex beast.
 

Stewart

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If it simply puts the USE DELUXE in a button format, beware of counters off the map.
They tend NOT to move with the map.

Don't know if this extension addresses that.
 

DougRim

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If it simply puts the USE DELUXE in a button format, beware of counters off the map.
They tend NOT to move with the map.

Don't know if this extension addresses that.
@Stewart No, it does not do what you describe. It is a completely different approach that solves many of the problems that we didn't seem able to solve with the Use Deluxe approach.
 

ibncalb

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This is without a doubt the best VASL extension I've ever seen. We've tested this a lot over the last month.

I am (was) a fan of using the deluxe sized hex option.

Using normal sized hexes is ugly.

I've been using deluxe sized hexes exclusively for about 18 months.

I cannot play on normal sized hexes anymore. I cannot even spectate a game. The normal sized counters/hexes means the terrain is completely obscured necessitating extensive mouse overs or remove counter button clicks.

This extension removes the need to use the deluxe sized hexes option, which as I have posted elsewhere was not perfect.

Contrary to what is posted above both players do not need to have the extension installed, so if you have it installed then you can easily spectate others games with a much better world view.

You can change the zoom setting easily and as many times as you want during a game. The settings work independently of your opponent.

So in a less counter dense CG such as SME one may not use the 300% zoom à lot when in the bocage, but when fighting in the town with greater density, a quick zoom allows much clearer views.

Another benefit is that one can now use the normal draggable overlays whiwh are far more extensive than the deluxe sized overlays.

I play VASL on average 6 days a week. My extensions are wide and varied. I have found no negative interactions between this extension and others bar a (not always repeatable bug) when using deluxe sized hexes option and hideable control markers.

However for various reasons this bug is now irrelevant.

So to be clear, if you're not playing using this extension you are doing yourself a great disservice.

Install it now. Tell your friends to install it now.

John well done!
 

Stewart

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What is the purpose of the zoom levels LESS Than 100?

LOOOOONG overdue
 

PresterJohn

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I like the idea of having the hexes just wide enough for two half inch counters to sit side by side and also expose a small amount of the hex centre between them, to allow one to see the dot and the terrain that it sits in.
 

Robin Reeve

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What is the purpose of the zoom levels LESS Than 100?

LOOOOONG overdue
Reducing the hex/counter ratio for Deluxe.
Really helpful, as DeLuxe normal size has you squinting to see the counters or Zoom in too much and lose the overall sight of the map.
 

pensatl1962

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... The normal sized counters/hexes means the terrain is completely obscured necessitating extensive mouse overs or remove counter button clicks...
I couldn't agree more! That happened to me more times than I care to admit, especially with one-hex wooden buildings that always took cover underneath an MMC.

This is a terrific extension.
 

nslcole71

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It is a very cool extension and I think will use it a lot.
However, I have problems with the movement trail not working when the BoardZoomer is for example, at 125% and 67%.
Movement trail works fine when BoardZoomer is at 100%.
 

jyoung

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It is a very cool extension and I think will use it a lot.
However, I have problems with the movement trail not working when the BoardZoomer is for example, at 125% and 67%.
Movement trail works fine when BoardZoomer is at 100%.
Thanks @nslcole71, I think I can see what is causing the problem, but as most of the code for this extension is embedded in VASL rather than the extension itself, it would need to wait for the next VASL release.
 

Robin Reeve

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Guess what, for those like me who thinks DASL boards in VASL makes the counter look minisule, you can (go the other way) and shrink DASL boards (but not the counters) as well!
Yes. See my two last screen captures in post #8.
It really improves playing DASL with VASL.
 
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