Topic: shield generator flash application (Read 33115 times)

agentsteel53 · « **on:** December 20, 2009, 01:01:42 AM »

just started writing this today ... all it can handle right now are old-style interstate shields, but more layouts (US, state routes, etc) will be coming very soon!

Along with various custom fonts, an interface that doesn't look like it was hacked together in a couple of hours (hey wait a minute...) by someone who does not actually know a word of ActionScript (don't tell anyone!), and the ability to export your creation out of the applet.

http://shields.aaroads.com/generator.php

enjoy!

US71 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2009, 01:49:29 AM »

Any chance of Series A fonts?

Otherwise, looks good so far.

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2009, 01:56:25 AM »

Quote from: US71 on December 20, 2009, 01:49:29 AM

Any chance of Series A fonts?

yes. I will program that in, as I do have a copy of FHWA's specification from 1966. (Just about the end of the line for Series A.) I also will have 1926 FHWA (block font) series B, C, D, E, F* and assorted custom fonts like Mass, New York and Maryland.

*Square A was not ever used on shields, I don't think; it is significantly narrower than Round A, almost to the point of being illegible. Round B, C, D, E, F match up exactly in width with their square predecessors.

anyone know of a good free program that converts vector graphics to fonts?

corco · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2009, 12:41:39 PM »

Hooray! I needed to make a map of New Meadows, Idaho today for public distribution and now I have shields

In seriousness though, this has major awesomeness potential. Good work

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2009, 12:56:16 PM »

the layout of the US shield is wrong. try the number on top and "US" at the bottom.

I just fixed it so the various widths all display at the same vertical offset.

if anyone sees any bugs, please let me know, including which browser and operating system. I've only tried it on Firefox under Windows XP.

hbelkins · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2009, 02:10:49 PM »

Quote from: corco on December 20, 2009, 12:41:39 PM

Hooray! I needed to make a map of New Meadows, Idaho today for public distribution and now I have shields

In seriousness though, this has major awesomeness potential. Good work

"U.S. Federal?" Ack, no!!!! This is a Calrog-free zone!!!

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2009, 03:42:30 PM »

business shield capability added. menu system still nonexistent

Current version is 0.24. Sometimes Firefox caches the .swf and does not reload it when you want a new version. Delete cache if this occurs.

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2009, 06:55:47 PM »

version 0.29 - now has four shield types (two interstate, two US)... that's enough for me to start building an actual menu. Coming soon ...

un1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2009, 07:01:15 PM »

There's a problem with the interstate sign. The text isn't centered onto it, sign is left of the center.

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2009, 07:08:20 PM »

Quote from: un1 on December 20, 2009, 07:01:15 PM

There's a problem with the interstate sign. The text isn't centered onto it, sign is left of the center.

you might need to do a cache clear. I resized the interstate shield to 500x300 (extra padding around the outside); if you have the older 300x300 version cached, it will display incorrectly.

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 21, 2009, 12:06:45 AM »

version 0.31 now has a menu. all hand-coded; no $700 Flash CS3 for me

Truvelo · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2009, 07:35:24 AM »

I've found when using the wider fonts it causes 3 digit route numbers to go over the edge of the shield.

US71 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2009, 09:05:24 AM »

Quote from: Truvelo on December 21, 2009, 07:35:24 AM

I've found when using the wider fonts it causes 3 digit route numbers to go over the edge of the shield.

Be patient. He'll probably have a 3d shield soon

Brandon · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:31:05 AM »

Quote from: Truvelo on December 21, 2009, 07:35:24 AM

I've found when using the wider fonts it causes 3 digit route numbers to go over the edge of the shield.

You can change from series D to series C. That makes the 3di shield work.

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 21, 2009, 12:08:11 PM »

Quote from: Truvelo on December 21, 2009, 07:35:24 AM

I've found when using the wider fonts it causes 3 digit route numbers to go over the edge of the shield.

ya think?

the 1958 spec called for Series C in that situation; the 1961 spec added the wide shield. I'll add some more shield styles today, and the wide classic interstate shield is one that's on the list. I have a copy of the 1961 spec, so it will be done right!

Brandon · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2009, 02:01:42 PM »

Quote from: agentsteel53 on December 20, 2009, 01:01:42 AM

just started writing this today ... all it can handle right now are old-style interstate shields, but more layouts (US, state routes, etc) will be coming very soon!

Nice additions to it with the various US shields (1948, modern, and California). Can't wait to see the state routes (and variations thereof)!

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2009, 02:15:40 PM »

version 0.35 is up. I added wide interstate and business shields.

furthermore, since it looks like the default font inter-letter spacing is a bit too wide (205 still doesn't fit - sorry, Jefferson!

) so I added a control to manually change the font spacing. The 1961 federal specification states that D width should be used on the wide shields, but sometimes even then, C width is the only thing that works... so try both.

since some states also had variety in the way they spaced their letters (see extra widely spaced "OHIO" on their old interstate shields), this allows you that functionality too.

rickmastfan67 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2009, 05:39:11 PM »

If you ever need a SC State Shield to work with, I happen to have a HR version that I made off of a picture I took of one in the field.

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2009, 05:43:39 PM »

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on December 21, 2009, 05:39:11 PM

If you ever need a SC State Shield to work with, I happen to have a HR version that I made off of a picture I took of one in the field.

can you email it to me please? shields@aaroads.com thanks!

rickmastfan67 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2009, 05:50:19 PM »

What format would you like it in?

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:13:20 PM »

.svg if you have it

rickmastfan67 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:16:06 PM »

I have it in .ai format. Will that work?

Bickendan · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:37:23 PM »

I have a picture of a modern cutout OR 99E shield (3dor) if you want it... otherwise I've got pictures of the standard shield on black square (both 2dor and 3dor).

njroadhorse · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:49:07 PM »

Why is that app so additcing?

agentsteel53 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2009, 07:20:07 PM »

Quote from: njroadhorse on December 21, 2009, 06:49:07 PM

Why is that app so additcing?

wait 'til I upload the next version, which lets you save your work!

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Author Topic: shield generator flash application (Read 33115 times)