Spring RTS Engine

am currently working on creating height map in GIMP but not sure what to do realy once it is done somebody was saying about adding metal etc but dunno how yet lol do i do that in Springmapeditor?

AI shard? where do i find?

I'm a complete newb at this game and was looking for a simple AI for BA that wont kick my ass, im fine against some of the AI's i have but the problem is i like a realy slow game and when i take things slow and build up my base etc, the AI rapes me rather roughly. Can anybody provide linkes etc. for...

i have been scanning the hundreads of posts on here for a water based map, something like the old 'Coast to Coast' map. where the two parts of land are completely segragated by water, i love theses types of maps as i realy love the naval units, =[ so if anybody could send me a link or something =] c...

so... for expamle if i created on on GIMP how would i then be able to play in via spring? save as certain format?

oo just read links, problems solved ty =]

ok so i will go insearch of springmap thingy =]. ty and where would i find the greyscale images? just in forums or in certain place?

I am new to spring and have downloaded BA and a load of maps, but i would realy like to go about making one myself but have no idea where to start. any help would be much apreciated.
(sorry for being such a overwhelming newb)