Original Map Makers - kudos

[rickier65]

I have a new appreiciation for those that made the original maps for PC:OWS and PC:K.

I'm not a great amp maker, but with the Map Maker app. I can do pretty good (well at least ok). Yesterday afternoon though, I spent several hours starting to lay in phone lines along a road in my map.

You can do a lot with Map Maker, but the final tweaking for allignment, etc has to get done in Scene Edit. Wow, trying to get those poles and telepohone lines matched at the end took for ever, I mean you had to look at them from different views I discovered somethime they'd line fine from one view, but from another there were gaps some times big gaps - after 5 poles - finally went back into Map Maker and put in telephone poles with no lines attached - had to tweak a little to get cross tee's lined up right, but got the whole road north-south in about half hour.

But then it occurred to me last night that I've got tools now the original map makers didn't have - the least I could do was put in the time - besides, I don't think anyone is holding there breath for this map anyway - and the shadows those tilepohne lines make - well they look pretty neat. So back to "doing it right".

If anyone has any tips for getting the phones lines matched up to the poles along the line feel free to post (g).

And if any of the original map makers are reading - good job guys you must have a lot of patience.

Thanks
Rick

[Stridor]

Rick,

Is your road straight along an X or Y axis?

If so just input the coordinates via the double click mechanism. This will align then perfectly.

Eg

100,100 110,100
100,110 110,110
100,120 110,120
100,130 110,130

etc

another way is to draw unique color dots on your terrain map and then use the autogen with minimum distance options.

Also use the max zoom option.

Where it gets tricky is if you want to line up wires.

By using the shift click option to place the next object it will inherit most of the properties of the last selected object (eg rotation, sink etc)

Remember

1. It is a warzone
2. I doubt anything is built "pixel perfect" in the motherland circa 2009. That goes double for 1942.

I hope that helps

Regards

S.

[rickier65]

Stridor -

Hey thanks for ideas -

Unfortunately, the road is kinda curvy, and also not level (going up and down some and through a valley). Finally sorted out that 3 variations of the poles are for angling the wires one way or the other, so that helps.

It's mainly the wires that give me the trouble. I'm using the shift click method to place 3-5 poles, then I go into Scene Edit and match the wires up - usually have to adjust the yaw and the pitch a little to get the wires into th wooden tees - then go back into MM and import the changes, do a few more.

But hey, I got time - no young ones at home for me anymore. (except when grandchildren visit).

Hope things are going well for you - sounds like your keep ing really busy with your work (good for you - but I guess bad for those that are sick).

Thanks again,
Rick

[Mobius]

Rick, those early PCOW maps were pretty flat and were laid straight so it was easier to line up the telephone poles.  I had a telephone line going along a curving rail line over a slight hill and it took forever to get that right.  And you are right.  From one view they looked right but another some ends were left flailing in the wind.  After that one map I used the telephone poles only sparingly.
 
There are a number of pole models listed but I couldn't find a dimes worth of difference between most of them.

[rickier65]

ORIGINAL: Mobius

Rick, those early PCOW maps were pretty flat and were laid straight so it was easier to line up the telephone poles.  I had a telephone line going along a curving rail line over a slight hill and it took forever to get that right.  And you are right.  From one view they looked right but another some ends were left flailing in the wind.  After that one map I used the telephone poles only sparingly.

There are a number of pole models listed but I couldn't find a dimes worth of difference between most of them.

I've just about got a technique down now. About halfway through this morning, I realized that pitch and roll isn't imported back from Scene into MM - which makes sense since you flad as normal or vertical - but that means I'll have to do a final pass in Scene Edit after finishing everything else in MM - no bit deal. Just time.

I've got it where I can eyeball when I need either pole 23 or 3 rather than pole 1 now. so that helps. I almost went with the single wire to simplify it but decided to stick it out. It's working ok. I can't really finish the OOB for the battle until Mraah finishes the lend lease M3 anyway he's working on the the scenario- so I got time.

(the poles and wires will be easier in a more Urban setting with straight runs and level ground)

Thanks!
Rick