map creation tutorial

[Fuel]

I would like to create a map for BA.

http://springrts.com/wiki/Map_development is confusing, it gives a lot of links to different tools, doesn't tell about basic concepts.

is there a basic step by step tutorial how to get started?

a basic simple tutorial showing how to create a simple map, something like Green Fields for example.

not mandatory, but a video tutorial would be great. it would be also easy for someone to create one instead of writing

[Silentwings]

I suggest http://springrts.com/wiki/Mapdev:Tutorial_Simple, and then (as the tutorial suggests) skip the second stage of the creation tutorial and proceed too http://springrts.com/wiki/Mapdev:Tutorial_Finalizing.

Making a map is more complicated than most newcomers realize & perhaps the tutorial could be a little more self contained, but basically everything it says there except the bit about grassmaps, which you can omit is needed to create a working map.

There are lots of different tools you can use/combine to create texture maps, height maps, etc with. They are not all free, and you'll need to take a while experimenting to make a system that works for you.

[Johannes]

Best to just first compile a really simple map, that you understand how compiling and the different map settings work, and how the different *maps translate to ingame. Only then start working on the proper design, height-, and texturemaps.

[Silentwings]

Best to just first compile a really simple map

He is asking for a tutorial on how to do this.

[Johannes]

Yep but you already provided the right instructions for that! Mine was just a suggestion what to do with them, get a simple, even flat images, ingame, before trying to do a proper, playable one.

[The Yak]

There's also a few tutorials at the bottom of http://springrts.com/wiki/Mapdev:Main

They are getting outdated now, and missing a lot of new features like SSMF maps, best is just to follow the tutorials Silentwings and make posts here about any problems you encounter.

[Forboding Angel]

Fuel, this is the only thing you will need: http://springrts.com/wiki/User:Forboding_angel

[knorke]

There are many ways.
You could download SpringMapEdit and experiment with that.
http://springrts.com/wiki/Maps:SpringMapEdit
See the readme because the camera controlls are a bit confusing.

Try creating a new map and export the texture or heightmap.
Then use some graphic program to scribble around on the exported image. Then import the edited image back into the editor.
Or manipulate the map with the editor's tool and note how the exported images change.

Unless you have ATI you can even use springmapedit to compile your map. Imo the easiest way since you do not have to use any commandline tools.

[Forboding Angel]

Springmapedit only supports the old standard of smf maps. Moreover it also supports only old methods of placing features as well. You will end up wasting more time using SME than by doing it manually.

[knorke]

Springmapedit only supports the old standard of smf maps.

yes but for "my first map in greenfield style" it is perfect.
Later, you can export the created heightmap, texturemap and combine it with whatever advanced things you want to.
Everything you do can be exported from editor to be used elsewhere, so there is no work lost.

Moreover it also supports only old methods of placing features as well.

Features do not matter for first map. But nothing stops you from adding features to a springmapedit-created map via any other way you want.

You will end up wasting more time using SME than by doing it manually.

For me, it saved lot of time because I did not have to think about getting images in correct dimensions and the preview function is nice. Compiling is also easier. Had I been forced to use the commandline stuff tools right from start, I would probally have given up there.

[Silentwings]

SME is fantastic for editing heightmaps, but I think its not so useful for other things. For me its a necessary part of the toolbox. I've never got SMEs compile to work.

To add features, there is the feature placer, but I agree, save working out how to add features for later.

[Cheesecan]

Fuel, this is the only thing you will need: http://springrts.com/wiki/User:Forboding_angel

This is the tutorial everyone should use. It explains the best technique right now. All other tutorials are obsolete. But it needs to be made easier to follow and more clearly structured.

[Silentwings]

Imo that tutorial makes ppl do so much work before they can actually see their map that most beginners will give up before they finish it; its not a bad reference for when you forget things though.

Beginners don't need (or as Fuel says, want) the best technique, they just want the simplest technique.

[Cheesecan]

I know the feeling, but if you follow Forbs tutorial you will get a result that is attractive with less work. Whereas if you follow the old tutorials you will have to work much harder to get something even remotely decent. Then later, you have to unlearn all that rubbish and learn the new way. This is why it's better to learn the new way immediately.

[knorke]

The other linked map page (by enetheru) is just as new as Forbs.
There is not really "a new way", not in the sense of say .cob vs .lua scripts: If you make a really eloberate cob script it is later useless if you switch to lua.
But if you keep the files from your old/beginner maps, no such thing happens. You can go back to them and add the extra things like a specular map, detail textures or features.

[Forboding Angel]

But it needs to be made easier to follow and more clearly structured.

I completely agree. Working on it

[Funkencool]

personally I think L3dt would have to be one of the easiest possible ways of making a map, and if I remember right the free version has everything you need for a spring map. It does everything from heightmap and texture to compilation and ssmf (basically).

[Silentwings]

Can L3dt compile into a format that spring can read?!

[Funkencool]

Yea it compiles into smf/smt and creates an smd (which I personally don't use)

[Silentwings]

Nice, I'll try that one out.