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Map layer Vs. Objects layer?

August 04 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter

Is there a performance difference between placing things on the map layer vs the objects (token) layer? For example when I furnish a room in a dungeon will it get better performance if it's on the map layer instead of the objects layer?

Mainly why I'm asking is because I've been working on a pretty sizable "overland" map for long distance travel and all my graphic objects are on the objects layer. Should I move them to the map layer? Is there any performance difference at all?

This is the map in question:


Just wondering if I should move all the tokens (except the "party flag") to the map layer?

August 04 (7 years ago)
vÍnce
Pro
Sheet Author

Not sure if one layer will have better performance than another, but anytime you can limit the number objects the better.  Not sure if it will work for you, but if you are worried about performance(who isn't?) I would recommend "flattening/merging" as many objects as possible.  PIT@, but you could capture multiple screen caps and stitch them together using an external editor(gimp, ps, etc.) so that it creates one large image/map.  Otherwise, you might want to split your overland map over a 2+ pages in your game.  I'm sure there will be some other suggestions.  Cheers

August 04 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter

I'm well versed in Photoshop (Been using it since CS2 which I still use from time to time for Imageready) I just don't know at what zoom level I would have to take screenshots to make sure each token/object fits in the hexes. I have a pretty powerful PC so I haven't been having any issues with the map I just worry maybe some of my players might.


The reason I ask if switching it from token to map layer would improve performance is because AFAIK on the objects level the token has a bunch of variables you can set. But do items on the map layer still have those token options/variables? That's why I asked.

August 04 (7 years ago)

Edited August 04 (7 years ago)
Ziechael
Forum Champion
Sheet Author
API Scripter

They aren't necessarily visible nor editable but tokens on the map layer still have all the same attributes as if on the token layer... it may make a difference to have them all set as 'is drawing' and on the map layer (although the layer part might not make the difference in that scenario)?

edit: Just tested as even 'is drawing' objects still have attributes that can be referenced as per a standard token ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

August 04 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter


Ziechael said:

They aren't necessarily visible nor editable but tokens on the map layer still have all the same attributes as if on the token layer... it may make a difference to have them all set as 'is drawing' and on the map layer (although the layer part might not make the difference in that scenario)?


Excuse my noobness. How does setting them to "Is Drawing" help with performance?

August 05 (7 years ago)
Ziechael
Forum Champion
Sheet Author
API Scripter

Merely supposition based on character sheet performance... mo' attributes, mo' problems.

If setting things to 'is drawing' removed the attributes from an image it would theoretically reduce the load time per 'token'... although testing has proven that to be a misguided theory anyway :/

August 05 (7 years ago)
Gold
Forum Champion


Kastion said:

This is the map in question:


Is this a map with Roll20 Hex and Hex Labels turned on?


Can't tell for sure from the screenshot at that size. If it is, just wanted to let you know that Hex Labels is (can be) a performance-affecting factor, when there's a large number of hexes.

August 05 (7 years ago)

Edited August 05 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter


Gold said:


Kastion said:

This is the map in question:


Is this a map with Roll20 Hex and Hex Labels turned on?

Can't tell for sure from the screenshot at that size. If it is, just wanted to let you know that Hex Labels is (can be) a performance-affecting factor, when there's a large number of hexes.

You are correct. I'm using hex and pretty sure hex lables are on. I'll just them off as I have no use for them anyways (They appear to be on by default it seems)




August 05 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter

Ziechael said:

edit: Just tested as even 'is drawing' objects still have attributes that can be referenced as per a standard token ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(ノಥ,_」ಥ)ノ彡┻━┻


August 05 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter

I just did the math and I have over 10000 tokens on my "world map" ლ(ಠ_ಠლ)


I hope my player's PCs can handle it o(╥﹏╥)o

August 05 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter

Would grouping tokens make any a difference or are they still "the sum of their parts" so to speak, still containing individual token variables whether or not they are set?

August 05 (7 years ago)
vÍnce
Pro
Sheet Author


Kastion said:

Would grouping tokens make any a difference or are they still "the sum of their parts" so to speak, still containing individual token variables whether or not they are set?

Wouldn't grouping be even more taxing since the vtt still needs to handle each token's individual properties as well as it's relation to the group?  Your map size and amount of tokens seem HUGE to me(the fact it's still functional should be encouraging..), but really, the only way you can test performance is how it handles in-game with your players.


August 05 (7 years ago)

Edited August 05 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter

I was supposed to run my weekly game tonight. I didn't want to take any risks so I deleted the 10k+ token World Map. (They're currently on Part 2 of the currently 5 Part campaign so the map is saved on other games)

However, my players had load times upwards of 15-20 mins and some were crashing 20 seconds after getting in. If you delete a page does it still stay in the system for a time or something and still load up? We had none of these issues last session.

August 06 (7 years ago)
Pat S.
Forum Champion
Sheet Author

If you removed the problem map, you might want your players to clear their computer's cache. I'm using my phone at work otherwise I would be tossing a link or instructions up also.

August 06 (7 years ago)
MyRoll20Stuffs
API Scripter


Pat S. said:

If you removed the problem map, you might want your players to clear their computer's cache. I'm using my phone at work otherwise I would be tossing a link or instructions up also.


I actually deleted the map from the game 1 day before any players even joined the game. I don't think clearing their cache will fix this issue.

August 06 (7 years ago)
GiGs
Pro
Sheet Author
API Scripter

It might not be the map that's causing the problem (though it's a good contender). Do you have a lot of characters in the journal? Characters with a lot of attributes are the biggest source of drain, I believe. You'd probably need a lot of them to match a 10 000 token map, but i know some people have hundreds of characters in their journals, and if they each have hundreds or thousands of attributes (as some character sheets do), it adds up fast.