View source for Area

{{learned|what an area is|what an area is in the Tygron Engine|how areas can be used|how to create and edit areas}}

==Area==
An area is a surface or plane. It is a 2 dimensional indication of a location, more spread out than a single point.

==Areas in the Tygron Engine==
In the Tygron Engine, an area is a generic form of data. An area is comprised of a polygon and a number of [[attribute]]s, which can be completely user-defined. They do not do much on their own, but can be used in conjuction with [[TQL]] and [[Excel]] to implement more complex and user-defined calculations for a project.

==Generic uses of areas==
A polygon is effectively just an polygon with a number of [[attribute]]s. It does not interact or interfere with other components of a project directly, such as [[construction]]s, [[neighborhood]]s, or [[terrain]]s. Areas also generally don't interact with each other directly. They can be drawn anywhere in the map, even overlapping one another.

Because areas can be drawn basically anywhere, they can be used for several of these purposes at the same time. Some areas may be drawn to indicate one thing, while other areas are drawn to calculate something else. By using attributes, it's possible to differentiate between areas for different purposes.

===Marking specific locations or buildings===
Its possible that, during a project, a specific location needs to be checked for the presence of something. For example, a specific type of construction, or a type of terrain. Using a [[TQL]] query, such locations can be checked. But to do this, a polygon must mark that location. Because [[zone]]s and [[neighborhood]]s have specific meanings, it may be undesirable to redraw those just to facilitate a query. Areas can be used to indicate a location instead.

===Integrating spatial data===
Because areas can be given attributes, areas can be used to indicate spatial data not covered by other components of the Tygron Engine. The data can then be used in, and manipulated by, other parts of the engine or by calculation models implemented when editing the project. This allows the Engine to support projects beyond basic city planning.

===Overlays===
: '' Main article: [[Areas (Overlay)]].''
Areas can be added to an areas overlay. This overlay can be used to present information to the user. By using areas, the information displayed by the overlay can be directly related to calculations based on those areas. The overlay can also be changed during the session, if the areas change their polygon or color.

==Specialized uses of areas==
Areas also have a few specialized uses, related to water models. These specialized uses can be invoked by providing the areas with attributes which indicate their behavior in these models.

===Flooding===
Using areas, it is possible to indicate areas in the world to [[Weather#Flooding|flood]]. To do this, the "FLOODING_HEIGHT" attribute can be added to an area, and set to a positive value. When a flooding weather effect is triggered, the area will visually flooded. If the attribute is changed during a session, the visualization will be changed accordingly.

===Safe zone===
A more advanced method of calculating flooding effects is via safe zones. Safe zones indicate which locations in the 3D world will not flood, during a [[Weather#Safe Zone Flooding|flood]]. To do this, the "SAFE_ZONE" attribute can be added to an area, and set to a positive value. When a safe zone flooding weather effect is triggered, the 3D world will be flooded, with the exception of the locations indicated as a safe zone. Safe zones can also be expanded by creating additional safe zones during a project, or by placing [[Dike]]s.

==Changing areas==
{{Editor ribbon|header=Geo Data|bar=Areas}}

In the editor, you can add, remove, and edit areas in the project as desired. To do this, you can used the "Areas" panel from the "Geo data" menu in the editor.

===Adding and removing areas===
{{Editor ribbon|header=Geo Data|bar=Areas}}
To add an area to the world select "Add" at the bottom of the [[Editor#Left Panel|Left Panel]]. A new area will be added. To remove an area, select an area in the left panel, and select "Remove" at the bottom of the panel.
{{Editor steps|title=add an area|Select "Geo Data" in the ribbon header.|Select "Areas" in the ribbon bar.|Select "Add" in the [[Editor#Left_Panel|left panel]].}}
{{Editor steps|title=duplicate an area|Select "Geo Data" in the ribbon header.|Select "Areas" in the ribbon bar.|Select the area you wish to duplicate.|Select "Remove" in the [[Editor#Left_Panel|left panel]].}}
{{Editor steps|title=remove an area|Select "Geo Data" in the ribbon header.|Select "Areas" in the ribbon bar.|Select the area you wish to remove.|Select "Remove" in the [[Editor#Left_Panel|left panel]].}}

===Editing areas===
{{Editor ribbon|header=Geo Data|bar=Areas}}
[[File:area-right.jpg|framed|left|The right panel allows you to edit the properties of areas.]]
[[File:area-right-tabs.jpg|framed|right|The tabs allow for switching between types of properties.]]
Selecting an area in the left panel makes its properties adjustable in the right panel. Multiple kinds of properties exist for areas. It's possible to switch between the various types of properties by selecting the desired tab at the top of the right panel.

====General====
Areas have a number of general properties. <br style='clear:right'>

=====Name=====
[[File:area-right-name.jpg|framed|right|The field for the "Name".]]
The name of the area. This is used to differentiate between different areas. If the area is part of an overlay, the name is also used in the legend of the overlay. The name can be changed by changing the text in this field. <br style='clear:right'>

=====Original Color=====
[[File:area-right-color.jpg|framed|right|The selector for the "Original Color".]]
The color of the area. When the area is displayed in the 3D world, the area is displayed using this color. You can change this by selecting the color field. A panel will appear in which you can specify the desired color. The color will be available as an [[color attribute|attribute]] as well. <br style='clear:right'>

=====Different Color for Maquette=====
[[File:area-right-color-maquette.jpg|framed|right|The checkbox and selector for the "Maquette Color".]]
Whether a second color should be used for [[maquette]] displays of the area. This option an be toggled by checking the checkbox.

When checked, the option for selecting a maquette color will appear. You can change this by selecting the color field. A panel will appear in which you can specify the desired color. The maquette color will be available as an [[attribute]] as well, with a similar behavior as the [[color attribute]]. <br style='clear:right'>

=====Active in simulation=====
[[File:area-right-active.jpg|framed|right|The checkbox for whether the area is "Active".]]
Whether the area should be considered active. When an area is not active, it is not displayed as part of overlays, and has no polygon in the 3D world. You can toggle this by checking the checkbox. <br style='clear:right'>

=====Adjust Area=====
[[File:Area-right-adjust-area.jpg|framed|right|The "Adjust Area" button opens the [[brush panel]] to draw the area's polygon.]]
The "Adjust Area" button is used to indicate which part of the 3D world will be part of an area. To do this, select the "Adjust Area" button. This will open the [[brush panel]], which will allow you to indicate which part of the 3D world should be covered by the area. <br style='clear:right'>

====Attributes====
: '' Main article: [[Attributes]].''
Areas can be assigned (user-defined) attributes. Some attributes are automatically created or modified when certain properties of the area are changed.