Map editor

[Kamog]

Yes, I have experienced the same problem!

It seems to depend on what Quandrant Type you choose to generate. With the maximum set to 255 and I get:

Mid-Life: This works. I get lots of star systems.
Cluster: Doesn't work as well. There's always a blank area around the four borders of the galaxy without any systems.
Galactic Edge: BAD! Get nowhere near 255.
Spiral Arm: BAD! Most of the stars form a rectangle on the outer edge of the quadrant window, with not many stars in the middle.
Grid: BAD! Get a quadrant with stars neatly arranged in a grid, but nowhere near 255 stars.
Ancient: This works OK. Get lots of systems.

So try using Mid-Life or Ancient.

Does anybody know how to fix the other quadrant types?

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by alarikf:
I am trying to use the map editor to generate a large map using FQM standard. I keep getting access violations and then crashes. Would really like to create a 255 system map, but can;t seem to get past the crashes. Anyone, help available?

(I do have the settings.txt data file set to 255 systems max)

thanks,

Alarik

Do you happen to be trying to make a grid map? Grid maps can't have that many systems.

Also, are you using gold? Older Versions of the game had more frequent problems with crashing creating larger maps.

Geoschmo

Edit:
You were faster then me and more detailed Kamog.

Originally posted by Kamog:

Does anybody know how to fix the other quadrant types?

Nope, don't think they can be.

[ January 04, 2004, 04:12: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[AMF]

Yep, you describe the same problems I'm having. Oh well. Good to know that I'm not alone, at least.

thanks,

Alarik

Originally posted by Kamog:
Yes, I have experienced the same problem!

It seems to depend on what Quandrant Type you choose to generate. With the maximum set to 255 and I get:

Mid-Life: This works. I get lots of star systems.
Cluster: Doesn't work as well. There's always a blank area around the four borders of the galaxy without any systems.
Galactic Edge: BAD! Get nowhere near 255.
Spiral Arm: BAD! Most of the stars form a rectangle on the outer edge of the quadrant window, with not many stars in the middle.
Grid: BAD! Get a quadrant with stars neatly arranged in a grid, but nowhere near 255 stars.
Ancient: This works OK. Get lots of systems.

So try using Mid-Life or Ancient.

Does anybody know how to fix the other quadrant types?

[Fyron]

The grid is specifically limited because it has to be for the game to generate a grid-pattern of systems every time. Spiral has a limit on how many it will place in the "spiral", and then it places the rest around the edges of the map. There are only so many border squares, so you might not be able to get 255 systems on spiral type maps.

[Gryphin]

Originaly posted by kamog
Spiral Arm: BAD! Most of the stars form a rectangle on the outer edge of the quadrant window, with not many stars in the middle.

To avoid the systems placed around the edge I Think you need to change
Maximum systems := 160 or less and then experiment.

Can someone correct me here? It has been a while since I did this.

[Slynky]

I think (but who cares, right?) Shrapnel made a mistake there. Why? OK, here is why:

Look at the success of DOOM/DOOM II. Look at the success of Mechwarrior. (and how many other games that I don't even know about) I believe one of the reasons is the ability to make one's own maps...especially in DOOM. They released the specs on mapmaking and several people made free map creating programs...I used one to make many many levels myself. It was as much fun as playing the game. AND, playing over modem over "home-made" maps by people all over the place made the game ALWAYS have a "new" touch.

Now, imagine if Shrapnel and invested time into making a REAL map creator (instead of a map editor) .

With a few features like these:

(1) Mark and copy several systems in a mirrored fashion;
(2) Positioning warp points between 2 systems with drag (the warp point) and drop (while showing both systems in separate windows);
(3) BMP images to chose from instead of guessing at what each of the pictures looked like;
(4) Wizards for planet creation...that walked you through the various steps...quickly and easily with pulldowns;
(5) Don't like where you put a planet? Drag it to a new location;
(6) Don't like where you put the system? Drag it to a new location (warp points updated automatically);
(7) Library of planets definitions (you like one you created? Store it and retrieve it at any time and plop it down where you want it;
(8) Choosable ruins...decide what you want to be found;
(9) Cross-check routine (like Frontpage has) for any warp connection glitches;
(10) Right-click properties editor for various items (planets, warp points, storms, etc.);
(11) Click on a warp line and delete it;
(12) Statistics report (how many planets, which types, which atmospheres, resource percentages, etc...to be used to decide on play balance).

I think the inclusion of an editor like that could have more than made up for the investment in creating it with sales to people who, like the thousands of people I saw making DOOM maps, like that added dimension to the game. After all, who wants to be limited to what the program generates when it can't even space players on the map correctly? Who wouldn't want an easy way to make tournement maps that are play-balanced?

OK, I'm done ranting. (I just hate it when a great game could have been even greater!)

[userx]

Originally posted by Slynky:

Now, imagine if Shrapnel and invested time into making a REAL map creator (instead of a map editor) .

With a few features like these:

(1) Mark and copy several systems in a mirrored fashion;
(2) Positioning warp points between 2 systems with drag (the warp point) and drop (while showing both systems in separate windows);
(3) BMP images to chose from instead of guessing at what each of the pictures looked like;
(4) Wizards for planet creation...that walked you through the various steps...quickly and easily with pulldowns;
(5) Don't like where you put a planet? Drag it to a new location;
(6) Don't like where you put the system? Drag it to a new location (warp points updated automatically);
(7) Library of planets definitions (you like one you created? Store it and retrieve it at any time and plop it down where you want it;
(8) Choosable ruins...decide what you want to be found;
(9) Cross-check routine (like Frontpage has) for any warp connection glitches;
(10) Right-click properties editor for various items (planets, warp points, storms, etc.);
(11) Click on a warp line and delete it;
(12) Statistics report (how many planets, which types, which atmospheres, resource percentages, etc...to be used to decide on play balance).

I hope someone from Shrapnel is reading this and takes serious attention to your comments! After making the Star Trek mod map, I can say that the map editor is seriously flawed and your suggestions would be outstanding.