Viable Animated Maps Concept

[metalflame]

Within a map you can change the layers of the map in order to show one version of the map over another. If there was a mod that continually changed the order of the bottom handful of layers you can create the perception of a low quality moving image across the whole map for smoke, water, environmental effects, or other types of visual changes.

Is there a programmable function from the engine that can allow a mod to continually change the bottom layers of the map without interrupting the GM's ability to control the rest of whats going on? Perhaps a button to start and stop the rolling layers would make it more usable.

This would open up a LOT of options to create more immersion within FGU.

I am not a software developer, but if it is viable hopefully we can inspire FantasyGrounds, or community devs to expand on this.

[Zacchaeus]

You can have fx layers which do what you want, smoke, water, clouds etc. see video six here for how you can do this https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...-do-I-in-Unity

[LordEntrails]

You can already use animated images (.webm) for your base map. So if you don't want to use the built in FX MR. Z mentioned, you can just animate the map on your own and import it into FG.
Working with Images as the GM - Fantasy Grounds Customer Portal - Fantasy Grounds

[metalflame]

You can have fx layers which do what you want, smoke, water, clouds etc. see video six here for how you can do this https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forum...-do-I-in-Unity

I totally get what you are referring to, and have used FX with some disappointment, but instead of an overlay of a once size fits all for any image you can implement any kind of graphical animation using the map itself. For example you can show moving gears across an artificers dungeon, sprites of a constant purple magical effect, or anything else not incorporated in the FX layer. You can also do both for better effects. For example you can have 3-4 layers effectively animate a flame trap. Rolling layers allows for anything you can do with the images itself such as static NPCs having a couple layers of animation just standing around, or something to do with the map, and people instead of the environment.

by no means do I expect this to be perfect, but it seems like it would expand what the players do with the images instead of a simple layer on top

[metalflame]

You can already use animated images (.webm) for your base map. So if you don't want to use the built in FX MR. Z mentioned, you can just animate the map on your own and import it into FG.
Working with Images as the GM - Fantasy Grounds Customer Portal - Fantasy Grounds

This may be what I was looking to do if it allows animation outside of the FX layer. I am not familiar with VP8, or 9. Does FGU support animated webm assets? I didnt know, or expect this.

[Zacchaeus]

This may be what I was looking to do if it allows animation outside of the FX layer. I am not familiar with VP8, or 9. Does FGU support animated webm assets? I didnt know, or expect this.

Yes FG supports animated webp vp8 images.

[metalflame]

Yes FG supports animated webp vp8 images.

Wow, I just found an example that works. This is very much under the radar for most people, and I would say many think animated map compatibility is something that doesnt exist in FGU. Its a hard selling point for Fantasy Grounds competitors at least.

Now I got to figure out how to do what I want with them. At least I can throw animated memes at my players.

LordEntrails, and Zacchaeus you are complete bosses!!!

[Laerun]

Wow, I just found an example that works. This is very much under the radar for most people, and I would say many think animated map compatibility is something that doesnt exist in FGU. Its a hard selling point for Fantasy Grounds competitors at least.

Now I got to figure out how to do what I want with them. At least I can throw animated memes at my players.

LordEntrails, and Zacchaeus you are complete bosses!!!

I also believe that if an animated map contains audio, you may wish to remove that as Fantasy Grounds does not support video audio. Also, keep in mind the dimension and file size if most third party maps.
Animated maps often have an audio channel, even if silent, because they mostly start off as short movies. I have had great success with the free Shutter Encoder app, which converts, has minor editing tools, and you can elect to convert in batches, plus it's rather "light weight".