Grismar's EVE Wiki : OverView

Overview

This article explains a key part of the interface: the overview. Configuring it, using it and its relationship to the scanner are explained.

Parts of the overview window

The overview window is always in the top right corner of your screen, when you're in space. Only the map browser (F11) appears to its right if you open it. The window is made up of three major parts:

• Selected Item
  This shows shortcuts to actions on whatever you have currently selected: a planet, a ship, an asteroid, etc. Depending on the object it allows you to access actions like 'warp to' or 'target'. Hover your mouse cursor over the icons to find their meaning.
• Overview
  This lists specific objects in your immediate surroundings (aka 'the grid'), as well as some distant objects. Selecting or rightclicking the objects in the list has the same effect as selecting or rightclicking them directly in space.
• Drones
  If your ship has a drone bay, the bottom part of the overview window will list any drones you have in it. See also: UsingDrones.

Configuring the overview

By default, your overview won't show you everything it can. You can change the settings by clicking the icon next to the 'overview' label and selecting 'open overview settings'. Make sure you spend some time configuring the overview for specific situations and save these setups from the same menu for quick access.

In the Filters part of the settings, you can set what your overview will show. Everything with a checkmark in front of it on those pages will appear on the list. You won't be able to tell if an object will only appear when it is close (on the same 'grid') or whenever it is in the same solarsystem. Generally, only stars, planets, moons, stations and beacons appear at any range (if you have them selected in the filters).

Keep in mind that selecting something on your overview allows you to target it, so be careful to add items to it that you do not want to attack by accident. Only add items that you either want to be able to target (like asteroids or npc's), access frequently (like gates to warp to or containers to open) or that you need to be aware of instantly (like player enemies warping in).

On the Appearance tab you can change the look of items as they appear on the overview. It is recommended you leave these settings in their default position, as other players will often refer to object they see with these attributes. For example "a blinking red guy just appeared, what do I do?". Once you're comfortable with all the default meanings, you can consider customizing some.

On the Columns tab you can select which columns are displayed. Desktop real estate is limited, so turning them all on is counterproductive, but here's what they do:

• Icon
  Gives you an idea of what an object is at a glance, essential. Yellow icons indicate objects that you can access but that aren't yours (see ContainerTheft). Red icons indicate objects that are hostile to you. The icon will be animated to indicate targeting, being targeted and firing.
• Distance
  The distance of the object to you. Very useful for keeping targets at optimal range, keeping asteroids within laser maximum range or to determine what appears on your scanner at specific ranges.
• Name
  The full name of the object, essential unless you fly solo and can go by the icons alone.
• Tag
  Useful for gangs only. The leader of a gang can rightclick objects in their overview, setting 'tags'. These same tags will appear in this column for all gang members and they help assign pilots to targets, ect.
• Corp
  The corporation ticker for an object, if it has any (ships, containers, etc.).
• Ally
  The alliance ticker for an object if it has any (not all corporations are part of an alliance).
• Size
  The size of the object, relevant for tracking and missile damage. Also useful for determining needed range of InstaJumps.
• Velocity
  The current actual speed of the object (relative to the system, or rather the grid you are both on).
• Radial velocity
  The current speed of the object towards (-) or away from (+) you. Speed along the line of sight.
• Transversal velocity
  The current speed of the object moving across from you. Speed perpendicular to the line of sight.

Transversal velocity is what you're interested in if you're trying to improve your guns tracking. Lower transversal velocity is better (your guns don't need to turn as fast). Radial velocity is only interesting if you need to find out if you're getting closer or farther away from something. Velocity is relevant if you use missiles and want to maximize the damage dealt. Lower velocity is better (the ship won't leave the explosion radius in time).

Finally, on the Ships tab you can actually set how ships appear in space, when you have them selected. The name of the ship will be composed of the parts you select on this page.

Effective use of the overview

Don't clutter the overview with items you don't really need. Most pilots prefer to set their overview to sort by distance, getting the closest object at the top. You can sort the overview by clicking on a column header. Clicking it again will sort it in the opposite direction.

If you leftclick an item in the overview, it will become the currently selected item. Weapons or modules you activate will be aimed at this object (if you have it targeted). If you rightclick an item in the overview, the menu for it will pop up, just like you rightclicked it in space. Depending on your distance to the object, some options may not appear. Doubleclicking an item will open the info window for it, if it has one. Holding the Ctrl-key when leftclicking an object in the overview will target it.

The rightclick menu also has an option to remove the object (and all other objects of its kind) from the overview. If you want to add it again without going into the settings, rightclick the object in space and select 'add .. to overview' from there.

The overview and the scanner

The overview can also be instrumental when using your scanner. You can set the scanner to use the overview filter settings when scanning. It will then only scan for objects that your overview would show if you were near them.

Also, if you find something on your scanner at a particular range, you can select it using the overview, if you have the distance column turned on. Also, the overview distance will tell you the distance to large objects like planets and moons without having to scan for them. If you find objects at a specific range using the scanner, the overview can tell you what celestial object might be close at a glance.

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Current EVE version: 2.13.25245 (Dragon)