Galaxy types...

[iamrobk]

It also doesn't look too realistic, but who knows, galaxys could be any size, I guess.

[modulus]

Again, suggestions please, thats why they were posted at this early stage.

[tzlaine]

I think you should weight the 2- and 3-arm distributions more towards the center. There should be a perceptible disk in the center of the galaxy, though it doesn't have to be large.

[utilae]

How is the nebula part of the galaxy generated or is it a background?

[EntropyAvatar]

I can weight them towards the center easily. As for which you like, each is an individual option (2,3,or 4 arm) so tell me how to improve each on an individual basis....

Perhaps the curvature could be higher for the 2-arm form, and somewhat lower curvature for the 4-arm form (so that individual arms are more distinct). Certainly a higher density in the center would be nice.

Not a v0.1 concern, but are the locations of starlane determined soley by star position, or might the galaxy shape provide a bias (say, connections only along the arms)?

[tzlaine]

I can weight them towards the center easily. As for which you like, each is an individual option (2,3,or 4 arm) so tell me how to improve each on an individual basis....

Perhaps the curvature could be higher for the 2-arm form, and somewhat lower curvature for the 4-arm form (so that individual arms are more distinct). Certainly a higher density in the center would be nice.

Not a v0.1 concern, but are the locations of starlane determined soley by star position, or might the galaxy shape provide a bias (say, connections only along the arms)?

You're right. That's not a v0.1 issue. One thing at a time, okay?

[Ablaze]

I think you should have a variable for the speed of rotation, so that a five arm galaxy can be generated that has very little rotational velocity and almost looks like a starfish, or one could or a lot of rotational velocity could be used which would create something more like our Milky Way.

Incidently, I just noticed this little paragraph on that page:

"It should be emphasized that there are almost as many stars between the spiral arms as in the spiral arms. The reason why the arms of spiral galaxies are so prominant is that the brightest stars are found in the spiral arms. Spiral arms are the major regions of star formation in spiral galaxies and this is where most of the major nebulae are found."

[utilae]

If the stars were generated like that milkyway picture it would be cool.

Also, how is the nebula generated or is it a background?

[skdiw]

We don't have to make galaxy shape spiral; we can make clusters, rings or other neat patterns. Maybe do a standard map for game testing purposes.

[modulus]

As of now there are options, in game, for two,three, four arms, cluster, ring, and scattered (maybe one more I'm forgetting on a monday morning). I was only trying to fill in these options, as I figured they matched with some sort of game design.

As for the comments, thank you for them. I agree there should be some nonconforming stars that are dispersed between the arms, but not too many, and they probably shouldn't be options for homeworlds later on (they would more than likely be older (redder right). I think, since we don't actually have billions of systems , a little design license is in order and the stars should have a higher weighted probability for being in an arm.

I agree with the stars towards the center idea, and actually built it in, but turned it off for better definition of the arms. The only thing I worry about is that makes a LOT of systems in one tiny area.

I will play with different curves for the 2-4 arms. Personally I never really played the spiral galaxies they always seemed too linear, but they look the coolest.