Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Its seems abit squarish in the way it does its tiles. I suppose that could be smoothed out abit in a paint program.

Im thinking I might prefer to take things from the image and use it to add some variety to Dom3 generated maps.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

It takes minutes to correct those tiles with Adobe Photoshop or Corel. In fact paint programs are excellent to improve the quality of the generated terrains/maps, regardless of what editor did we used to make them.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Okay, I've made a test with the Kohan map editor.
I've also added test borders.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/834/new2fg3.jpg


I think that it looks good.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Yet another one.

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3700/new1hh9.jpg

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

..and one more. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
Sadly this is Kohan Immortal Sovereigns, not the expansion, so I dont have snow mountains in the editor for example.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/244/new10lo9.jpg

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Age of Wonders 2. Shadow Magic editor. I knew that I bought this game, and I've found it finally.

Test screenie with test borders. I've also added a small hill, you can see it on the right side of the mountains below the border. [The AoW editor doesnt contains hills so I had to draw it.] I've also modified some parts of the screenie already, because the AoW editor maps are a bit pixelated.

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1491/new11kz1.jpg


This is definitely looking awesome to make Doms 3. maps, however a decent pain program is needed to rise the quality of the maps.

PS. Gandalf if you manage to take a look at these screenies...what do you think, which editor is better to make maps? Kohan or AoW2?. Personally I cannot decide it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/stupid.gif

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

There is never a best, only pros and cons.

We can certainly use some maps done by any generator. You are proving that. I like the variety for things like tree types and wasteland. I like special icons like a skull mountain or a sorcerors tower that a special province can be built around. I like that they will allow creating continent-style maps, temperature zone maps with jungles in the middle and snow at top and bottom, and also maps that can be wrapped.

On the other hand.. The mountains need abit squashed. Especially in the Kohan maps. They are great barriers but they dont look like livable provinces to me.

They might also be abit to visualy busy for good play. A person might want to create two versions. A jpg for web display, and a tga or rpg version that is globally softened in a paint program so that map features are a soft background impression that wont get in the way of seeing the game graphics while you play. A soft "impression" of mountains and forest and swamp in the background that the game plays on top of.

Gandalf Parker

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Indeed, I had the same feeling about those Kohan maps. Provinces don't look like provinces actually. I think that the mountains in Kohan are too big. Actually these things can be solved, however overall imho the AoW 2 editor is better to make Doms 3. maps.

Anyways I still say that the best would be to create 2d maps, not isometric maps.
That would be the best for dominions. Take a look at this awesome overland screenshot Gandalf. IF we could make overland maps like this.....but it is impossible sadly. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Injured.gif

http://www.thg.ru/game/20040430/images/map.jpg

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Yep those are great.
Well there are more games we can dig thru http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Gandalf, I've found the perfect map editor to make Doms 3. maps. [at least I hope so]
My friend will introduce it to me today afternoon. I've already seen 2 screenshots from that editor and imho that will be the best.
Sadly I don't have that game, but my friend does, so I will be able to make screenies today.
Stay tuned. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Ok finally I had a chance to check out this map editor what I've mentioned. I guess this will be perfect.
The editor contains more then 1800(!!!!!) different tiles, so these 2 screenshots are just a small presentation of the capabilities of the editor.
[It is not that easy to make maps, because you must place all tiles 1 by 1 and they must be in the perfect place, but it is worth of it, since you can make wonderful maps this way. I've made this overland image in like 1.5 hours.]
These 2 images were photoshopped 1 time so far, but it is only a simple plastic effect, because the images are looking better this way. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
If you want to see the original image, just ask and I will post it too. [It is looking very good also, but I just love the plastic effects on the images. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif]
I had to post this image in 2 parts, because it was too big.
I will definitely use this map editor to make Doms 3. maps for our MP games here, but of course I will share them with all of you on these forum as well.
So Gandalf, what do you think about this map editor? Here are the screenies:

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8272/scr1kq4.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1897/scr2rd5.jpg

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Okay I decided to post the original screenie #2. This is the original image, without photoshop effect[s].
So originally, the map is looking like this, when you save it in the map editor.
I guess you can see the difference, the photoshopped one looks better imho. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif


http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2...plasticfx5.jpg

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

You are right. Thats an excellent result.

But again, Im wondering if its too good. You might have to fade and fuzz it into a background image in order to play on it.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Yeah, this map editor will be the best. I will start to work on the first map, as soon as I can get the game. Thankfully my friend won't play with this game anymore, so he will give me his copy.
On the other hand this was just a little showcase of the tiles. There are ~1850 tiles for the editor, but the maps must be clear enough..too many tiles on a map can be "too good" as you've said. Gotta design the forests, mountains, lakes etc. so everything will be on the right place.
I also very like "maze" stlye maps with lot of mountains and water, those are more strategical imho compared to a map with 200 provinces with 1 mountain range only.

PS. Would you prefer the original image or the photoshopped one? I can make many changes to the original image, not just plastic effect of course.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

I don't think you've actually mentioned what game's map editor that last one is. The results are spectacular.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Yes, very good. Excelent stuff.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Oops, sorry guys my mistake. Personally I've never ever heard about this game to be honest. The game is: Spartan. It is an older strategy game afaik [at least my friend has just told me that].

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Hi DominionsFan,
great work with the map editors ! Excellent idea to use the AoW:SM editor for dominions :-)
Could you post a link to this spartan game from your friend? maybe i can pick up a cheap copy in ebay or in the bargain bin.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Sure Horst. Here is the 3dgamers link. Lot of infos there about Spartan. I now got my Spartan copy from my friend thankfully, I am already working on the first map. The only downside of this editor is, that we will need lot of hours to make a decent map, because of tile placement. [Well it is not necessarily bad, since the final maps will kick ***. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif]
I think that you can still order the game from Slitherine. [They've developed the game]
Oh and one more thing. The game itself is very good, I was playing it for like 2 hours now.

http://www.3dgamers.com/games/spartan/


I will definitely use the Spartan editor that is the best to make maps for Doms 3. imho at least. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

You can order both "Spartan" and its sequel "Troy" (not "Trojan" - wouldn't be a good name for a downloadable game, would it? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ) from the developer and publisher Slitherine Strategie Software UK Ltd. either as boxed copy or as download. You can order it via download from matrixgames as well, btw.
All campaigns from "Spartan" are auto-importet into "Troy" upon installation, that way you can play all the campaigns with the lastest features of the "Troy" release.

For both games there are 100Turn-Demos available, which allow access to a tutorial scen and 1 small and big map each IIRC. Sadly, it looks like the map editor is not included in the demo http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Have played the demos of both games and its predecessor "Chariots of War" for quite some hours, but never got around to buy the games because I don't have a credit card ...

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Actually, cheap software that is well made and can handle sci-fi, fantasy, interiors, actual fractal generation of terrain, and umpteen billion other uses:

http://www.nbos.com

Been using it for years along with CC. Personally I like the NBos better because it will generate a realistic world for you easily using actual scientific fractal formulas.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

That software from NBOS also looks good. But the screenshots dont seem to show alot of icon type items to add to the map. Are there upgrade libraries or something for that?

It looks like it will create wrappable maps

The scripting it allows might be good for someone creating an automated edging tool (draw around all of the terrain features), then divide them into provinces, and add a white dot to each.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

Yes, and you can add your own graphics and Icons... And they actually do have quite alot of icons that you can add, just the demo and screenshots don't add them.

Re: Excellent software for mapmakers
 

The maps made with the Spartan editor are definitely looking much better then the maps made with CC2 pro, FM 7.0 or CC3.
Eh and I ordered CC3, because I thought that it will be the best to make maps for doms 3. 3 days later I discovered the Spartan editor. [Well my friend adviced it to me to try it out.]
What a shame. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif