FreeOrion

Anything 3D will have to be models in a format we can read. We'll be implementing that stuff for 0.4 for the combat engine, so for now:
1. Stick to 2D still renders for v0.3
2. Pre-rendered animations take up too much diskspace, so with v0.4 we will probably only want 3D models that can be rendered.

Obiwan, I'm happy with that construction icon - if there's no complaints we'll settle on that for the construction category.

That still leaves us with:
* Growth
* Production
* Learning (already in progress)
* Economics

Ill do some more work on this on the weekend.

Spinning Icons are certainly possible If theres a place for them on the interface. Once we have the whole complete set finalized we could look into it.

Thanks utilae, the model comes straight of Mystiqq's design.
Ive started work on a lightning modal (nice and simple design).
I think it will be effective.

Ok, what about Economics, was the stock market type graph a goer.

And the Hammer and Cog (I kind of like that one too) or is it too similar.

Some ideas for symbols:

* Growth: Simple tree, root system
* Production: Building, hammer/tool
* Learning: brain (side view, top down, etc, as being down), obvious is also test tube
* Economics: Graph, currency symbol (invent an FO universe specific one)

Ive got this on works atm. Tree shaped with some minor details. Im gonna work on it today and possibly see if i can rethink the learning icon too.



I think we should drop any "tool" idea, use something new for this.
The idea i had seems to be some sort of a "standard" in for "factory". I spent sometime searching for ideas on the net and theres a lot of factory icons that incorporate those shapes ive got on my "building icon".

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satyagraha created this one for research once and i like it alot:

maybe you could pick this up mystiqq?

Perhaps see if you can simultaneously convey the concept of a living tree and exponential growth (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc)...?

If i manage to do that, while making the damn thing look good, i promote myself to GOD.

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Actually, I think it just takes 1000 posts for that distinction.

I like Tyreth's "Universal Currency Symbol" idea as an economic Icon (and regardless we will want to have such a thing for other parts of the game). Thinking of real world currency symbols I realize they tend to combine one or more strait parrell strokes with a curving line, Euros, Dollars, Pounds all follow that model and Yen is close. If we follow something along thouse lines players will instinctivly think "oh thats alien money". I am thinking of something like a teardrop or Ankh shape with some lines through it.

Other general ideas

Growth: Ameba shape, abstract organic molicule
Production: a more squareish shape to contrast the roundness of the sproket
Learning: something computer oriented like a micro chip
Economics: ???

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Fear is the Mind Killer - Frank Herbert -Dune

YES! An Ankh! The universal form of currency can be based on Egyptian females!

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Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas.

Economics:
We could have a coin, slighty rotated along the z axis, like it's spinning on a table. The coin can have an icon on it. How about the star, like in the freeOrion logo, where there is a star in the center of the O.

Something like i tested before ...



Like i said before, that shape or style with the "jagged" roof seems to be common with factory style images etc.



That idea might work...

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The original Civilization had little parallel arrows pointing in opposite directions for trade. A somewhat updated version of this could work for FO

why not making the arrows circular and place a coin in the middle? just a thought...