Ringworld ?

JimP

Would making a ring world of rectangular map segments work ?

Or would it be better, but harder to deal with, if someone came up with a 'curved' template to make a Ringworld ?

( note to new folks, I cannot draw, so me making a 'curved' template isn't going to happen.)

Monsen

I have never made a ringworld map, but I would suppose a very wide rectangular map for the main world would be the bast for mapping purposes. Just remember the ends are supposed to meet, so watch what you draw there.

When you talk about curved templates, do remember that we usually map our own world on rectangular maps, even if it is rather spherical (or so people say), so I don't see why you should differ from that in a ringworld. A rectangular map should be fine, and then just provide a simple schematic drawing of your world along with your world to illustrate how your world looks (If you are fancy, create it in a 3D modelling program, and project your rectangular map as a texture on the inside.

Old Guy

Rectangles won't work as a perfect representation. But neither does any flat projection perfectly represent a sphere. If you don't mind the distortion it will be fine.

However, there is a better way. Quarter a doughnut. You'll note that the inside of each ring section is shorter than the outside.

There's no reason you couldn't use a rectangular map and draw the boundaries of the ring section on it, only using the portion inside the boundaries for your map.

Each section would look something like this (the angle would be more or less based on the particulars of the ring dimensions and how much of the ring each section represents):

JimP

I'm still trying to find the time to learn Blender or Bryce or DAZ Studio 3. Sigh.

I've seen the curved ring world on the cover the book of the same name.

I think I'll go with the rectangular sections... I could start off with FT3 maps, and say they are connected or link the site pages so the maps 'connect'.

Future project. Probably after I retire from computer tech support in a few more years. But who knows, I sometimes jump on an idea and go for it.

I'll post here if I startup a site on a Ring World.

JimP

No site, but making 10 world segments that, with a bit of editing in CC3, can be linked together so they match edges, wasn't too hard.

I tried different fractal seeds, but also varied the amount of ocean so it would be easier to match the joining edges.

Old Guy

If you're interested, I did a little write-up on torus geometry

Ralf

But is a Ringworld a torus? As far as I know, it is imagined as a circular band around a sun, like in this image:
http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ringworld.jpg

As such band can be "flattened" (unlike a globe or a torus), mapping it in rectangular sections would be totally appropriate (no distortions).

sdavies2720

Even if those sections are slightly curved, the distortion will be minimal when mapped as a series of rectangles.

JimP

Yeah, the picture link Ralf posted is correct. I base it on the 'Ring World' book cover. Larry Niven is the author.

Jay_NOLA

I rember my old copy of the Ringworld RPG that got destoyed a few yeas ago had some information on mapping the Ringworld in it if I rember correctly. When ever I've seen a section of the Ringworld mapped it was done as a rectangle. When i was running a Ringworld campaign about 7 years ago I mapped out sections as needed as a rectangle

You might want to check out this link too if you haven't. The Ringworld animations and Virtual Reality Sections will be of interest

http://www.larryniven.net/media.shtml

Also look at:

http://www.hellcrown.com/ringworld/

http://settlement.arc.nasa.gov/teacher/materials/ringworld/ringworld.html

JimP

I've read most of Larry Niven's 'Known Space' books. Interesting graphics.

Old Guy

Oops.. Didn't realize you were referring specifically to Larry Niven's ringworld (ringworlds as a torus far predate niven). I haven't read the series yet but I believe he used a flat band which would simply be a very long thin rectangle.

JimP

Yup. That would be it.

And no problem Old Guy, I should have mentioned his book sooner.