Zephyr Net

Okay here is what I just had a relevation in, not that I haven't in the past, just in the past 16 seconds. WE NEED MAPS.

I want to get a map group together and start making tons of them but the thing is that I don't know much about it, yet I want to learn how to. So can we have someone write a very detailed and very sophisticated write-up on the process of making a new map (from start to finish) and submit it to me. I will post it on the Underworld and get cracking right away!

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"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

Well perhaps first you should be more detailed...

Do you want to create all new maps IN ADDITION to the existing ones in FA or do you want to make new maps that REPLACE the ones currently in FA

Do you want to use default FA terrain

Do you want to use default FA map design or make new area with water and ground

Do you want to change elevations dramatically or use default FA elevations

This is just a beginning list. If you really want to start generating alot of maps then you will need to start thinking along these lines

CAG out...

I would like maps which replace the old ones (i.e. in modular libs) as I dont see how u could add lots of maps in addition to the existing ones.

The 2 parts which will be the hardest work is making new tiles (textures, could maybe come from sattelite photos somewhere else) and the elevation/terrain type editing.

The FATK Map editor sucks!!! What we would need is a tool to edit maps including features like "painting" height and terrrain type data as well as showing an edited small scale map instead of the default ones.

Everything Cag. Everything needed to know about map-making.

_________________
"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

Cent,

There is no 'map making 101' that I can send to you. Making new maps is damn near impossible, making replacement maps is alot easier, but changing elevations and alter land/water placement is massively time consuming.

I would suggest the use of new terrain tiles, as no one really enjoys flying the default terrains. Matching pallettes from the old terrain to the new is difficult without substancial alterations to the new tiles(unless you get lucky)

Add to this that there are two seperate standards for maps in FA... 128 x 128 like that Islands map and then 256 x 256 like the Korean Map. So you have to decide which map you want to use as the basis of your work and adapt tiles from there.

A really realeastic map is something that has to be reserached and then implemented. The worst thing anyone could do for FA right now is to slap together some half ass maps without adquate research or development and make them available to the users. It will kill the remaining interest in FA and sabatoge future development of FA-2...

The idea is to make a "Mapping 101" with information for new maps, map replacement, tile editing, terrain, etc. And it should be from everyone who knows anything about mapping, not just one person. I know Speedy has mastered some excellent theaters with map-replacement and alteration so his insight is very key to this.

_________________
"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

Well then I wish you alot of luck Cent, since I dont have the time available to go into indepth information on making maps. I will attempt to send you what Ih ave, though much of it isnt written down.

Perhaps you could make an article out of it to post on VNFAWING.com?

I'm going to try to offer it as a manual supplement. Actually I'd love to take all the knowledge we know about FA and editing and what not and put it into a manual in PDF format so that everyone could just download this one single file instead of having to hit up all the tips. Something I am currently working on but it's a little slow at the moment.

_________________
"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

Sounds like an excellent idea Cent. I will try to organize my notes and then send you what I have. We can always use high quality maps.

Heck I am hoping to incorporate the new Taiwan/China map from Speedy into FA Futures...

Yeah that one sounds like a good one. Speaking of Speedy anyone seen him lately?

_________________
"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

I have noticed he comes and goes on a 2 week swing... I think it has to do with his education system there.

He's on summer vacation last time I heard.

_________________
"Smile, AMRAAMs love you!"
"May the PATRIOTS down the FROGS!"
1Lt. Centurian57_76/369th

For all your FA needs and Game Remod 6 visit

I was mountain climbing until today, just got back this afternoon, I'm at an
internet cafe right now... One of the most challenging mountain routes in Taiwan, it is SO BEAUTIFUL and challenging, there aren't many who have finished it.... 8~9 days of living in tents, cooking my own food, sleeping in a sleeping bag, whatever... anyway, just wanted to tell you why I haven't showed up until now, I'll post more on maps when I get back home...

But before I sign off I've got to say... I may delay the release of Aerial Inferno considerably because I realized the map I made of Taiwan is simply... NOT ENOUGH! Going through those mountains and such... My original version of the map just wasn't good enough for me, but I don't know if I'll redo it again.

Sounds Good Speedy! The more realeastic the better! THis is what we should all strive for in FA...

Glad to have you back active, plus, if you still need it, I have some additional cockpit graphics for you, please let me know.

CAG out...

Some maps of the South Pacific would be nice to go with Daggers WWII Lib.

Phillipines, Solomon Islands, Guadal Canal, Iwo Jima, Guam Marshals, etc.

<S>

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1Lt Outryder_13/369 TFW
Screeamin Eagles