OpenGeofiction
Hey admins!
I have a quick question:
Is it possible to enable editing in iD at zoom levels like 13 or 14?
It really is annoying when you im working on something, and then load a larger render, only to find a horrendous creation of “god-knows-what”.
Please explain why if it is not.
Discussion
Comment from Thunderbird on 15 December 2016 at 20:01
I can’t help you with iD, but I strongly recommend switching to JOSM for a more powerful editing engine.
Comment from EMKLI on 15 December 2016 at 20:26
ID is not made for this, for a good reason, I guess. I think the philosophy of ID is something like “focus on the details” - and in general, OSM maps are already very well populated. You don’t need to edit coastlines or layout rough infrastructure networks with only a node every 10 km.
Switch to JOSM. This is a sophisticated editor which also allows editing on any level!
Comment from Litvania on 15 December 2016 at 20:40
@Thunderbird @EMKLI My JOSM software does not work. I had @eklas download a Litvania for JOSM, but it is old and heavily outdated now. I cannot just simply “switch to JOSM”. It just dosent work. I read the FAQ, did searhcing online, and my software just does not work. When i try to download the OGF map for JOSM, it shows red crosses.
I need change with iD.
That is all i am asking.
Comment from EMKLI on 15 December 2016 at 20:44
Maybe we can help you?
Comment from EMKLI on 15 December 2016 at 20:44
Unfortunatly, the OGF admin team has no influence on the OSM design tools. :/
Comment from Luciano on 16 December 2016 at 00:42
I think there is a misunderstanding with many recent new users, who ask for or suggest modifications to OGF tools like iD. I’m starting to feel annoyed by it.
OGF didn’t make these tools! These tools are “off the shelf” software, made for and controlled by OSM (OpenStreetMap). And this is the point. By using “off the shelf” software, OGF can be free and easy to run and maintain. The only cost OGF has is the server it runs on - everything else is done on a volunteer basis and using free, open source software. If you don’t like how things work, from a software standpoint, you have exactly one option: go somewhere else. iD, Potlatch, JOSM… these are all software “off the shelf” which OGF has no control over. If you buy a game and don’t like how something in the game works, what options do you have? You can hack the game, or buy a different game. These are similar to our options with the OSM software packages. Hacking requires time, effort, and programming expertise, none of which volunteer admins have. “A different game” means abandoning OGF and starting from scratch using a different platform. Who votes for that?
As far as getting JOSM to work… one suggestion: See if you can get it to work for OSM (OpenStreetMap). Sign up for an OSM account, and add some small thing you know well - a cafe node in your neighborhood, something like that. I did something like this, once - I am officially a contributor to OSM, in the form of exactly 1 node. It was just a test. But it will let you know if your problem is connected to the JOSM software install on your system or if it is specific to trying to configure it for OGF. If the problem is with JOSM in general, you will be best off seeking help from JOSM Help pages. If the problem is with trying to get it to work with OGF, then maybe someone in the OGF community can try to help. I’ve put out requests before for anyone with good “documentation skills” to try to put together a better write-up of the “how to” material for JOSM.
There is another way to avoid dealing with “red X’s”, too. You can use tools like osmconvert and osmfilter to get your own country size extracts on a regular basis, from the OGF backup files.
Doing all of this is is hard. You have to learn new things. So you have to decide - how important is this hobby to you? Is it worth working hard to learn new skills so that you can do it in a more satisfying way? If the answer is yes, there are lots of resources available to figure it out. If the answer is no, I would recommend returning to SimCity or something like that.
You get what you pay for. What are you paying for OGF? Only your time and effort. Lots of time and effort will lead to a pleasing results. If you don’t want to invest time and effort, you have to live with a low quality product.
Comment from Ernestpkirby on 17 December 2016 at 09:30
I would second Luciano here. These tools weren’t even originally made for OGF, and as far as I know they’re all open source so they aren’t commercially developed, and our admins have no power over the software capabilities. Honestly, even with the perhaps seemingly lower quality tools like iD, it really depends on what you put into it. JOSM is hands down the most powerful, but all of them can help in some ways and all of them have potential- if the mapper is willing to sit down and become used to the tool, how to use it, and how to use it better. I learn new mapping tricks every day, and I’ve been on OGF for what, 2, 3 years? Has it been that long already XD The quality you get out is based on what you put in.
But I’d think of it like this- you’ve been given 3 tools. Each of the first two tools, Potlatch 2 and iD, are good for different things. Potlatch 2 is good for parallel lines, certain features, quick line editing (in my opinion since you can shorten a line with the backspace button unlike iD), etc at zooms from around 13 to 18-19. iD is made especially for those super small details, like maybe a freeway exit that needs curving, or a tree line. And JOSM, the third tool, can do everything your first tools can, but may take years to comprehend how to use. Now, the question is, how do you use these tools? In my case, I chose to use tools 1 and 2, Potlatch 2 and iD, for the time being, while I slowly try to get the third tool, JOSM, operational and subsequently learn in my mostly nonexistent free time. XD But I can guarantee you, my country Freedemia would have been impossible to create as it is today if I had tried to make the whole thing on iD. It’s just not made for that. You have to use the right tools for the right job.
However, as a user who also has not gotten JOSM up and running, I understand your current dilemma. I’d probably say while you work on getting JOSM functional, use Potlatch 2 (if you click the drop-down arrow next to the edit button it should appear as an option) if you can for anything that’s not a small detail. Some might argue that it’s a little bit harder to use at first compared to iD and it needs Flash but it’s pretty simple and allows editing from zoom 13 and up. I downloaded JOSM, and plan to slowly get used to it and eventually use it, but in the meantime I use Potlatch 2 for anything larger like laying down railroad tracks or roads (especially if they need to be parallel- there’s a function for that!) and only turn to iD if I’m making something that requires intense detail or something I can easily tag on iD. That doesn’t mean give up on JOSM! I’m still trying to make myself switch over too XD But in the meantime, I think it will help to use both Potlatch 2 and iD.
I hope we don’t come across as being too harsh! It’s just some positive criticism. I’ve been in your shoes before. Relatively recently XD I do wish you the best of luck. Just work hard to learn the potential of the tools you have at your disposal, and don’t be afraid to try new tools.
@Luciano, forgive me if I’m wrong in any of this XD feel free to correct me if I am