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2097 · 06-15-2016, 04:15 PM

This is an old thread, but:

You can use a spreadsheet program, such as Excel or Gnumeric, still.
There are two types of hex maps. In one, the hexes go N . SE NW, SW NE.
For those, every cell in the spreadsheet has six neighbors: above, below, right, left, right below, left below. For example, G13 in the spreadsheet is considered neighbor with F13, F14, G12, G14, H13 and H14.

Let's say each cell represents a five mile hex as suggested in this thread (I like six mile hexes better, but let's go with the flow here). Then to go from G13 to I15 (via H14) is ten miles. (12 with six-mille hexes.)
The only way to go from G13 to F12 is via G12 or F13. Imagine a shape like this:
#@#
@@@
@@@
when you look at the spreadsheet. If you know Shogi, it's like how the opponets Gold General can move. Back, sides, and all three squares towards you.
Similarly, the party can go north, east/west, and all three southern directions.
It's "really" a hex map, where you're keeping track of the hex keys in your spreadsheet, only that the mapping is so well organized that you can throw away the hexmap and just use the spreadsheet.

The other type of hex map has hexes that go W E, NW SE, SW NE. These don't map as well but you can use same idea.

06-15-2016, 04:15 PM	#28
2097 Join Date: Sep 2012	Re: [DF] Hex crawling This is an old thread, but: You can use a spreadsheet program, such as Excel or Gnumeric, still. There are two types of hex maps. In one, the hexes go N . SE NW, SW NE. For those, every cell in the spreadsheet has six neighbors: above, below, right, left, right below, left below. For example, G13 in the spreadsheet is considered neighbor with F13, F14, G12, G14, H13 and H14. Let's say each cell represents a five mile hex as suggested in this thread (I like six mile hexes better, but let's go with the flow here). Then to go from G13 to I15 (via H14) is ten miles. (12 with six-mille hexes.) The only way to go from G13 to F12 is via G12 or F13. Imagine a shape like this: #@# @@@ @@@ when you look at the spreadsheet. If you know Shogi, it's like how the opponets Gold General can move. Back, sides, and all three squares towards you. Similarly, the party can go north, east/west, and all three southern directions. It's "really" a hex map, where you're keeping track of the hex keys in your spreadsheet, only that the mapping is so well organized that you can throw away the hexmap and just use the spreadsheet. The other type of hex map has hexes that go W E, NW SE, SW NE. These don't map as well but you can use same idea.