Maps available

[PhilD]

Originally posted by Targa:
Ah...OK, I see it now in the map file. It says Version 0.7, so I guess it's the Dom1 prog. Well, I don't know anything about C, other than it being the 3rd letter of the alphabet so..... I found and downloaded "LCC-Win32" which seems like it's what's needed to run your Version (which I also downloaded, thanks!), but have no clue as to how to use it. Some searching comes up with some cryptic information like:

Open a DOS box in Windows, set PATH=c:\lcc-win32\bin, and that's about as far as I got.

LCC-Win32 is "C only" (won't work with C++), so I dunno about that either. But in response to Gandalf's earlier question about getting it to compile in Windows, you guys should check out this page. It seems like it would work:
http://home.worldOnline.co.za/~rmaritz/

-Targa

Hah! I forgot that source code wasn't the distribution method of choice for some OSes

Can't help you with the compilation, sorry. There isn't any C++ code in there (I even checked for C++ comments), so if you have a proper compiler it should work OK.

I have absolutely no idea what's available in the way of (free) compilers for Windows. I had a quick look at www.gnu.org, and the GCC compiler does exist for Windows if you install Cygwin, but it might be more trouble than you want.

As for the dommap program itself... it only opens two files and writes a little text to the standard output, so running it in a "DOS box" should be OK.

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by PhilD:
I have absolutely no idea what's available in the way of (free) compilers for Windows. I had a quick look at www.gnu.org, and the GCC compiler does exist for Windows if you install Cygwin, but it might be more trouble than you want.

You want DJGPP most likely for a DOS compiler that will likely run under windows. It's at www.delorie.com

You can also get ahold of Borland's C++ compiler for free nowadays.

[Targa]

OK, here's the thing (as I see it).

1) Maps that look similar to Aran map are not easy to make for most ppl.

2) Because of this, we don't see many ppl coming up with new maps, as you might see in other games with "level editors".

3) It wouldn't take much to change this, if we had someone to do a little work.

I downloaded and ran DomMap (the original), which is a great starting point, but this program lacks the following:

1) Maps can only be 800x599 maximum (should be 1600x1200).

2) The generated .map file is not the same as a Dom2 .map file (from what I'm told)

Making the .map file doesn't seem to be an issue, since you can use the built-in prog that comes with Dom2. Sure, some people might not want to do this, but alot more would if they had a decent map to start with.

What I'm trying to say: If we had a program (or someone modified DomMap prog, or PhilD's mod can do this) that would create 1600x1200 .tga's with clear borders, capitol dots, and no pixelation (as seen by using the -d 0 command-line switch with DomMap), and we had someone (Kristoffer?) who would convert the xcf mapstuff to a more popular format (preferably .bmp or .tga to retain quality), I could provide a Photoshop tutorial on how to take one of these randomly generated maps and make it look just like Aran map.

I don't know the capabilties of Phil's Version because I don't run Linux, and not many people do.

If PhilD's hack can run the -d 0 command-line switch, then all we need is someone who runs a linux machine to create a bunch of "base maps" for us (along with Illwinter converting the xcf files).

[Gandalf Parker]

1) Maps can only be 800x599 maximum (should be 1600x1200).

Phil_D fixed that in the new one. In fact I think it can do twice that big. And all of the capabilities of the old dommap are in the new one so yes it should be able to create the kindof maps you want. I just dont generate them that way because Im too lazy to do anything with a partially done map. Is this closer?
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion.../TestingXL.jpg

I don't know the capabilties of Phil's Version because I don't run Linux, and not many people do.

Hmmm I think I would have worded that as not many Users do. Even thats changing rapidly since many people run linux now as just a desktop workstation rather than a server. But Im just being picky.

If PhilD's hack can run the -d 0 command-line switch, then all we need is someone who runs a linux machine to create a bunch of "base maps" for us (along with Illwinter converting the xcf files).

Alot of us can do the conVersion. Many programmers use GIMP. Being a free and powerful paint program doesnt hurt either.

Here is a conVersion for you. You might do some other formats for others.
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion/mapstuff.tga

[ January 29, 2004, 18:27: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Gandalf Parker]

Getting closer?
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion...ndomMaps/junk/

[ January 29, 2004, 19:30: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[Targa]

Either of those would work great (as they are missing the pixelation). I'm running into more difficulties though. *sigh* This will never be easy unless someone were to create a very powerful map designer for this game.

Basically what I was attempting to do is to take a DomMap map, delete all the color information, just retaining the province borders and capitol dots, then filling in the land and sea with Dom 2's texture, as you can see here:
http://www.techno-mage.com/~targa/junky.jpg

(I just threw the mountains and stuff on there, don't pay attention to those graphics)

Problems....
The beige and blue is no problem, but then you have to draw in all the rivers by hand. If you are going to use the "mapstuff" icons (a mountain range for example), you'd have to hand-modify the province borders to follow the shape of the mountains. Have to paint in the greenery (valleys) and "forest shadows", etc... alot of work went into the maps that came with Dom2!

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Hmmm I think I would have worded that as not many Users do.

Not many people, not many Users...what's the diff between a person and a user? Yeah, you're being picky. A very good friend of mine is a linux fanatic, and I know exactly where you're coming from. No insult or slight intended. My meaning was that the vast majority of gamers out there are running MS Windows OS's. So if DomMap (Phil's Version) only runs on linux/unix, there won't be as many Dom2 fans using it to create maps.

Oh well... there's always the old fashioned way of hard work.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally posted by Targa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Hmmm I think I would have worded that as not many Users do.

Not many people, not many Users...what's the diff between a person and a user? Yeah, you're being picky.

---

Well system admins and guru's are people too.

Actually I only use linux as a server and for internet stuff. I like to keep the GUI stuff off my server. I play games on WinXP.


A very good friend of mine is a linux fanatic, and I know exactly where you're coming from. No insult or slight intended. My meaning was that the vast majority of gamers out there are running MS Windows OS's. So if DomMap (Phil's Version) only runs on linux/unix, there won't be as many Dom2 fans using it to create maps.

Oh well... there's always the old fashioned way of hard work. [/QB][/quote]

[Targa]

Since I'm still new to this, I don't really know what people are looking for. Would there be any interest in this map, if I were to make it look similar to aran (graphically):

http://www.techno-mage.com/~targa/maybe.jpg

That's 310 land, 75 sea provinces. Too many? Not enough? Choke points not good?

[Arryn]

Great looking map, Targa. 20% water, wow. R'lyeh players will love it!

That is alot of sea provinces. Maybe you could adjust it down some. ~30-40

And for kicks put in all the good 'underwater' sites that allow for a decent triton/shambler/watery creatures on the coasts.

Hard to tell chokepoints based on anything but neighbors.

Other than that, looks good.