Map file editing (errors in Zen's Europe)

[Foom]

I'm close to starting a multiplayer game on Zen's Europe map, downloaded from Arryn's site (thanks Arryn!)

I started a test game with the corrected map file from tinkthank, found on the same page. The strange thing is that the provinces "Eastern Mediterranean" (20) and "Gulf of Gabes" (9) are marked as plains types, but they look underwater to me.

Now I'm guessing I can just change the terrain types for those two provinces, e.g.

Code:

---

#landname 9 "Gulf of Gabes"

#terrain 9 0

---

.. becomes ..
Code:

---

#landname 9 "Gulf of Gabes"

#terrain 9 5

---

.. but I wanted to ask before we start a multi game that crashes around turn 50 because I screwed up the map file.

Also, is there a map making guide somewhere? Google and forum search didn't yield any results other than a map making guide for Dom1.

[Arryn]

Foom said:
I'm close to starting a multiplayer game on Zen's Europe map, downloaded from Arryn's site (thanks Arryn!)

You're welcome. I noticed this morning when I went to check my site's download stats that unknown persons had downloaded that map a whopping 60+ times since this past Sunday. Yet the error log showed no problems. Were you (and your friends) downloading multiple times or having problems my site's stat-tracker failed to log? Just curious.

BTW, once it's determined by consensus what the map fix(es) should be, I'll update the downloadable .map(s) so that they have the latest corrections.

[Foom]

I announced the game a couple of hours ago, so the multiple downloads probably aren't from us. Didn't have any download errors either.

I'll make sure to contact you if I make corrections to the *.map file.

[Foom]

There has got to be a mapper out there who can answer my question

[archaeolept]

oh, I don't know the specific numbers for terrain types, but I can't see anything wrong w/ what you propose. That seems fine. you might also wish to double check the map for any horrible starting locations that zen forget to set as #nostart, and for any contiguity problems. those, along w/ mislabled terrain types, are the most common problems in .map files.

btw, the .map file is only relevant for the server, so only the host actually needs the fixed file. players might want it though if they wish to try out the fixed map in SP though.

[Cainehill]

Here's the terrain types (had to use Google's Cache, since Shrapnel's search is busted - "terrain + 512" gives stuff that has no 512 anywhere in it, etc) :

nothing (defaults to plains) 0
small 1
large 2
sea 4
fresh water 8
mountain 16
swamp 32
waste 64
forest 128
farm 256
nostart 512 - for islands and special provinces
manysites 1024 - increased site frequency

Edit: So, I think you want to change terrain from 0 to 4, not 5, unless you want to make the province a small sea province (1 + 4). Medium would be 4, large would be 6.

[Kristoffer O]

I'm not sure if there is a good mapmaking guide available. I'll give you some basic instructions.


Use a paint program that can store in TGA format, say photoshop or Gimp (very good and free).

You can use any picture as a map. A checker board will do fine. On each square you must place one white pixel. The white pixels define a province.

If you draw red (or reddish) borders between the squares the computer can calculate borders between the pixels. This is not 100% so you will have to use the editor to add or remove some borders.

Then you open the 'checkerboard.tga' in the map editor. New map: checkerboard.tga first time. Load map: checkerboard.map next time.

Select province by right-clicking.

Add neighbours by left clicking ('alt'-click to remove border).

Change terrain and size of provinces.

Save as checkerboard.map

When finished you can edit the checkerboard.map to alter description, add special features independents and much more.

This is done in an ordinary texteditor (notepad or emacs).

Take a look at other 'scenario.map' files to get an idea on what can be done.

Good luck and ask if you have any questions. There are plenty of people here that can give you good advice.

[Foom]

Thanks, that's exactly the information I needed!

It's also good to know that the *.map files are only needed on the server. I've been wondering what would happen if server and client have different Versions of the file.

Does it make sense to add attributes like "Farm land" to underwater provinces? And what's the in game difference between sea water and fresh water?

[Zen]

Hi Foom (Go QT3!).

The difference between freshwater and seawater is that Freshwater is a land province designation, meaning it's a lake/river/coast type of situation. It changes the variables of population as well as marks the province for the flooding (bad event) as a possibility.

Seawater on the other hand marks it as a sea, requiring water breathing to enter it.

Applying farmlands doesn't seem to do anything to a Sea province (I could be wrong) but it would theoretically lower the provinces chance of Magical Sites and increase the population, but like I said, it doesn't seem to work for sea provinces. The best way to create a decently populated sea province is to use "Large" in combination with it.

Side Note: I have a redone Version of the Map (Less Tampax-like province lines) and a modified .map file in the works (I just need to dedicate an hour or so to redo it for MP balance) I could provide that one for you if you'd rather.

[Foom]

Hey Zen, great to see you around again! Qt3 is busy breaking in the next generation of fresh mea.. I mean, newby players.

I'd love to use your revised *.map file; my email address is dfrick16(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

I guess that also means I can stop messing around with your map now

Out of curiosity, did you have to get permission from Creative Assembly to use their material? Or is that the reason the map isn't featured on Illwinter's site?