- For subsectors, you can now specify the Stellar Density which varies the odds that a system will exist in each hex on a subsector map.
- For star systems, there are detailed rules for creating the entire system of worlds and moons in their orbits.
- For worlds, there is now extended data defined by the Second Survey format.
The excellent TravellerMap website supports this new format and provides a Poster API to allow the mapping of any arbitrary sector or subsector with user-defined data.
So I've decided to create my first Traveller5 application and I'm calling it SectorMaker. It will allow you to specify the stellar density for each subsector in a sector, generate random star systems for the entire sector, and map the results. But that's not all, you can name the sector and all subsectors, create trade routes and allegiance borders, and edit most world data. You can even create individual worlds one by one and place them where you like. Not all Second Survey format data will be user-editable, but the important stuff will be. SectorMaker will not create an entire detailed star system beyond the main world but will include some system data like star types, numbers of gas giants and belts, and the orbit of the main world.
I've already completed the design of the user interface and have started coding. I'll be posting progress updates and screenshots in the future.