A couple more thoughts - let's make the Train HUD - the Train HUD - and remove information that doesn't pertain to actually "driving" a train...
I'm a minimalist - while we need the information - we need it compact, concise, and as unobtrusive as possible - how about something like this ?
(19 characters wide in example)
TRAIN HUD ---------------------- TIME: 12:00:55 SPED: 0,0 kph THRO: 0% DIRC: N BTRA: Serv 41% EQ60 FOT BC30/BP60 EOT BC30/BP60 BLOC: 0% BDYN: 0% PANT: Down/Down CIRC: Open POWR: Off ----------------------
Deletions:
- We don't need the software version staring us in the face - all the time - available elsewhere.
- Gradient is already on the Track Monitor.
- FPS - get it some other way - tends to be more of a distraction anyway - move to DEBUG HUDS ?
- Multiplayer - do something else for the probably relatively few that use this feature - "Multiplayer HUD" ?
Using Carlo's Example of Electrics:
- SPED = Speed
- THRO = Throttle
- DIRC = Reverser or Direction
- BTRA = Brakes Train
- _FOT = Front Of Train
- _EOT = End Of Train
- BLOC = Brakes Locomotive
- BDYN = Brakes Dynamic
- PANT = Pantographs
- CIRC = Circuit Breakers
- POWR = Power
Four letter identifiers should be more than sufficient to get the point across for any value and would probably only take a few minutes to get used to... It also keeps everything aligned nicely which helps get the needed information to the user as quickly and efficiently as possible...
The multiline train brake string seems to make it more "readable" to me vs the single line long string...
I think if we implemented something like what's listed above - in a window with tinted background - it may pretty much negate the need for control confirmations... The whole reason we needed "Control Confirmations" was the HUD was so difficult to see... Perhaps we could (one or more of the following) highlight/blink/bold/underline the actual value being actively changed by the user for a few seconds - in the HUD - as a new control confirmation - to immediately draw your eye to the value being modified ? This would eliminate the redundancy of control confirmations and the additional screen clutter that comes with it... This will also free up the key (in short supply) to blank "Control Confirmations" for PIX or VIDS - as you can simply close the HUD...
If there's any interest - I'll certainly make Steam and Diesel examples as well...
Very happy the HUD is finally getting some much needed and deserved TLC - please don't give up on us - Mauricio...
My nickels worth - thanks...
Regards,
Scott