Seeking map or need advice on making it

[diamondspider]

I'm looking for a map for PBEM with the following traits:

1) 2 player and about 35 provinces,
2) land only,
3) starting locations limited to perhaps 4, all of which are carefully chosen to be "fair" for two player e.g. not cramped in a corner or in the center.

The idea is to make a map that is good for beginners, like me, to practice on without the complexities involved in water and without the long turn cycles often required when many players are involved: aka a newbie map

I sort of suspect that this map doesn't exist, or at least I haven't been able to find it.

Assuming it hasn't already been done, any suggestions of where I could find an appropriate base graphic, or any other tips or suggestions on how I might best go about creating such a map would be much appreciated!

[ January 30, 2004, 16:13: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

[diamondspider]

OK, I have the map scanned in and understand the map editor tool.

I'm stuck on how to indicate the locations of the territories in the map tga file.

[ January 30, 2004, 16:56: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

[Targa]

Do you have pure white 1-pixel dots where each capitol is supposed to be (and no pure white anywhere else on the map)?

I've asked in another thread if anyone knows if the built-in prog works well, and if someone could explain how to use it, since there are no instructions at all, but no responses.

Basically it goes like this: You make/get a tga map. Make sure it has no white pixels. Draw province borders in your paint prog, and 1-pixel pure white dots where the capitols are supposed to be. Load it in the Dom2 map editor and every capitol should have a white flag on it. Then you have to start assigning stuff...somehow.

I've tried clicking, and get an arrow from the current province to the one I clicked on (no idea what that's supposed to mean). Tried right-clicking to change the active province (that doesn't work). No idea....

[ January 30, 2004, 17:02: Message edited by: Targa ]

[diamondspider]

Originally posted by Targa:
Do you have pure white 1-pixel dots where each capitol is supposed to be (and no pure white anywhere else on the map)?

I've asked in another thread if anyone knows if the built-in prog works well, and if someone could explain how to use it, since there are no instructions at all, but no responses.

Basically it goes like this: You make/get a tga map. Make sure it has no white pixels. Draw province borders in your paint prog, and 1-pixel pure white dots where the capitols are supposed to be. Load it in the Dom2 map editor and every capitol should have a white flag on it. Then you have to start assigning stuff...somehow.

I've tried clicking, and get an arrow from the current province to the one I clicked on (no idea what that's supposed to mean). Tried right-clicking to change the active province (that doesn't work). No idea....

HA! Thanks, that is pretty simple. I saw the white dots on the maps but thought there was more to it than that

Thanks again!

P.S. the arrows show where you can move to and you can Ctrl-click to remove an arrow.

[ January 30, 2004, 17:19: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

[Gandalf Parker]

I could easily whip out 50 or so with DomMap that you could pick from. But even if it does look like it offers you a balanced game you might want to lock in the starting provinces.

[diamondspider]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
I could easily whip out 50 or so with DomMap that you could pick from. But even if it does look like it offers you a balanced game you might want to lock in the starting provinces.

Yup, I love that "No Start" feature. I'm sure I can create a few per side that are fair. I think that if they are each exactly one off of all edges and are surrounded by the same number of types of provinces plus having the large provinces only in the center that it should be very fair.

Also, no starting on fresh water and I'll probably start the players on large, mountain, just to givem a jump-start

Any other ideas to add?

[Gandalf Parker]

Most maps will hit a limit if you do #nostart. Those are best for marking off a large map with certain provinces which would suck as a starting capital, such as a 1-province island.

Better to use #start and pick a bunch of locations. The game will make sure that all players start in one of those spots. Makes for a shorter list.

[diamondspider]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
Most maps will hit a limit if you do #nostart. Those are best for marking off a large map with certain provinces which would suck as a starting capital, such as a 1-province island.

Better to use #start and pick a bunch of locations. The game will make sure that all players start in one of those spots. Makes for a shorter list.

Nice idea!

Thanks again...

[diamondspider]

Wow, that was easy: all done!

Thanks again for your help, guys. I'll post it tomorrow.

[ January 30, 2004, 22:36: Message edited by: diamondspider ]

[Targa]

Already?!! If you can make a map that quickly, I'm throwing in the towel!

This is all I've gotten done in a day and a half so far:
http://www.techno-mage.com/~targa/webmap.jpg

[ January 30, 2004, 23:21: Message edited by: Targa ]