User talk:Physeters

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Archives 2022 2023 2024

Making the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine Map

Hi Physteres, can you give me any tips on how the map was made? I was looking to make a similar map for the Pacific Theater actions in WWII, and I don't know where to even get started. Fephisto (talk) 15:44, 13 June 2024 (UTC)

Hi @Fephisto, I would be glad to help!

The Ukraine map is an SVG image, so you will need to learn how to edit a vector image, if you have not already. I use Inkscape which is a free open-source vector editor, but you could also use a program like Adobe Illustrator. If you have any questions about using Inkscape, I'll gladly walk you through that process in another message, but to keep this one relatively short, I'm going to assume that you already know how to use a vector editor. In theory, you could make the map as a raster graphic (PNG or JPG), but I don't recommend it, unless you want to make something very basic.

You'll need to start with a base map (unless you want to make one from scratch). The base for the Ukraine map is this file, File:Ukraine adm location map improved.svg Your base map should be a fairly simple political map of the area you want, only showing borders and bodies of water. Ideally, the base map should also be an SVG, but you could trace a PNG or JPG map to turn it into an SVG if necessary. You should also ensure that the base map your using was published with a license that allows you to re-use it in transformative works. Make sure to credit the original creator of the base map if you upload the file to Commons.

Once you have a base map, take it into your preferred editor and remove the shaded areas (called "fill" in SVG lingo) in any area of land you want to draw on, leaving only the borders behind. That way, you can draw shapes (such as frontlines) under borders, and still be able to see them (sorta like if you cut a hole in a piece of paper and then placed a different colored piece underneath it). Make sure to leave the fill on any areas of water. Place all of your shapes underneath the base map so they are only visible where you removed the filled areas. Once you have added all of the shaded areas that you want, create a base color shape and place it on the lowest layer of the file, so there are no transparent areas.

Adding text is very simple. There are basic text tools in virtually all vector editors, and you use them like any other text tool in any other program. If you want to add translations to the map, upload the file to Commons and then put it into this tool https://svgtranslate.toolforge.org/. Unfortunately, adding translations to the file does make the code of the SVG quite fragile, and a lot more difficult to edit in a program like Inkscape without breaking the file.

If you have any other questions about making a map like the Ukraine one, I'd be happy to answer them. I Hope this is helpful! Physeters^✉ 18:05, 13 June 2024 (UTC)

Russians captured Chervone village according to Politsor.

As of June 14th mid-day, the Ukrainian map maker Politsor on Telegram has reported that Chervone has been occupied by the Russians and that the Ukrainian armed forces have withdrawn to Zelenyi Hai area. It is a village in Zaporizhia oblast. I know it is quite minor but when you edit the map again, do not forget to include Chervone. Hope it helps. If you cannot edit the map, walk me through a process of how can I edit the map using Inkscape and include the supposedly occupied Chervone. It is not verified by any other source other than Politsor. 195.64.239.2 13:21, 14 June 2024 (UTC)

When editing the map, I am only allowed to use two sources, the ISW, and the Wikipedia article Territorial control during the Russo-Ukrainian War. You can discuss the reliablitly of "Politsor" on the control article's talk page, and if they agree to use change Chervone's status Russian controlled, I can mark it as Russian controlled on the map. Also, could you give me a link to the "Politsor" Telegram channel? I've never heard of it before, and I can't find it on Telegram. Physeters^✉ 20:10, 14 June 2024 (UTC)

Krynky Bridgehead Fallen

As of a few days ago, the Krynky Bridgehead failed, sources indicate that it is no longer existent. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-7-2024 SCPdude629 (talk) 00:20, 22 June 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for pointing this out to me. I looked a bit further into this, and it appears that the Krynky situation complicated. I agree that the language in in the ISW reports implies that Russia has full control of Krynky, but the interactive map still shows that Ukraine controls one section of road within the settlement, though that may be a mistake. I'm going to start a discussion about this on the Territorial control page, and see which interpretation they think I should follow. Physeters^✉ 01:06, 22 June 2024 (UTC)

File:Chesco Flag.jpg

 

Pay attention to licensing

Wikimedia Commons only accepts free content: images and other media files that can be used by anyone, for any purpose. File:Chesco Flag.jpg seems to be free (or it would be proposed for deletion), but it was identified as having a wrong license. Usually, it is because a public domain image is tagged with a free license, or because the stated source or other information is not sufficient to prove the selected tag is correct. Please verify that you applied the correct license tag for this file. If you believe this file has the correct license, please explain why on the file discussion page.

--EugeneZelenko (talk) 14:48, 1 August 2024 (UTC)

Hi @EugeneZelenko! May I ask what license you think would be correct in this instance? I took the picture myself, so I though Share Alike 4.0 was an appropriate license to give it. Physeters^✉ 23:13, 2 August 2024 (UTC)

This photo is Commons:Derivative work from flag. You need to find out copyrights status of municipal symbols in Pennsylvania. EugeneZelenko (talk) 13:43, 3 August 2024 (UTC)

Russian Counter-Attack in Kursk

Russian forces rushed to the front in the newly made Kursk incursion and reports of counterattacks from the north came in. Russia seems to be bottling them into a cauldron and a bigger counter offensive is inevitable. Please be on the look out for updates on the map.

Reports of retaken ground are around Ol'govka and Malaya Loknya, I would safely say its in either a gray zone or perhaps it was liberated but even I'm unsure of further information. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/219365/Russian-military-repels-Ukrainian-advances-in-Kursk SCPdude629 (talk) 22:53, 11 August 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the info! However, the incursion map can only use the ISW as a source. Also, the map illustrates the maximum extent of claimed Ukrainian advances, rather than the actual situation on the ground. Physeters^✉ 05:37, 12 August 2024 (UTC)

Request!

Can you make a Ukranian occupation of Kursk oblast,svg? similar to the ones like "Russian occupation of Donetsk Oblast" and etc, if you can it would be hepful, if not its fine, thanks! Lucasoliveira653 (talk) 01:03, 19 August 2024 (UTC)

Hello! For right now, I think having just one map makes sense, as opposed to having to update two dueling maps. Once it has become clear what Ukraine controls and front becomes more stable, I will definitely make a map of the full oblast. Physeters^✉ 08:44, 19 August 2024 (UTC)