Beta test of my first map

[benpark]

Just called "BPD Test". It's from Google Earth around Neu Tucheband area of Germany.

Is there any way to rename a map once it's done the first time? I tried and had it crash in game. Will work fine under the present crappy name, however.

This is for people who know how to install it at this point, with a better system when I can be sure it's working properly.

Thanks.

[Stridor]

Ben,

I won't mince words.

You map is superb [&o]

Erik you should definately check this one out.

It is very well balanced, your textures and masks look gorgeous and are believable.

IMHO This is better, *cough*, *cough* than any of the stock PCK maps (though the PCK map artists didn't have your tools to be fair).

1st Class!

I am adding some support for map name changing in the next map maker version. For now you need to get the name right from build #1 so choose carefully.

[Erik Rutins]

VERY nice, I must agree this is an outstanding map. I'd love to make a template for this and add it into the official game maps when you're done tinkering.

[benpark]

I'm redoing the models on this map, for a more rural German atmosphere. That, and I somehow junked the models that were on there.

[Stridor]

Nice. I see you got the hang of texturing in MS3D.

Regards

S

[Marc von Martial]

Did you texture this on existing house meshes?

[benpark]

No, all new. You can see that it's really just two models, with different textures. The two story building shares the same basic top as the others.

I finally am getting the hang of doing it by vertex mapping, then extruding and creating another side and flipping it. Best for non-geometric structures it seems.

Now to see if I can actually get them on the map.

[Marc von Martial]

Ah okay,

if I can suggest something. That little outward bend in the roof in the upper third always "americanizes" the whole perception of the building for me as a European. I was telling that Koios already and they update it on a very few houses.

If you want a dent I would suggest an inward facing bent in the lower third. Way more european looking that way.

Or no bend (very common), or inward bend gables.

Brick fillings in the framework are also pretty common. If you look for texture alternatives.

Here a some nice references:
http://www.muzeum.swolowo.pl/welcome_lang-en.html

[benpark]

Better?



I can't change the model much more without having to redo the textures (which I can't handle at this point). As is there is a little stretching, but lines in old houses aren't always straight...or so I can tell myself.

Thanks for the link-those buildings will be good fodder for the last few I need.

[benpark]

I have put a test model and .dds into my "PzCK/Media/Mods/Benpark" folder and edited the "Media.xml" file in my test map folder with the model and .dds file names. The model keeps crashing the scene editor, however. Am I forgetting a step?

File attached with model and .dds. (edited to replace with linked .dds)

This is the error I get on the scene edit crash:

************** Exception Text **************
Error in the application.
-2005531760 (Unknown)
at Lib.Scene.XFileNode.Init()
at Lib.Scene.XFileNode..ctor(String path, String filename)
at Lib.Data.Scene.SceneData.BuildXFileNodeFromDo(XFileNodeDo xfileDo)
at SceneEditor.Form1.insertMenuItem_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.MenuItem.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.MenuItemData.Execute()
at System.Windows.Forms.Command.Invoke()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmCommand(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.TreeView.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

[benpark]

Even stranger- the two 2 story buildings are loading, but none of the 1 story buildings. I've saved them with all with the same settings. Very weird.

[old man of the sea]

Ben is as always the master modder!
 
E

[benpark]

Why thanks, EY. Learning the 3d stuff has been a challenge to say the least.

I've totally revamped the old "BPD_Test" map. It's now called "Hackenow" (near Neu Tucheband-I noticed there was a scenario of that region and wanted to avoid confusion), and depicts a small village east of Berlin. The layout is the same, but I've lowered the height map to be more gradual (houses weren't sitting nicely on the steep slopes in the town). It has mostly brand new models now- mine and some of Biffa's from his last pack. It looks a bit more German, hopefully.

The units are occupying the houses now (see pic), and I have a few more things to do before putting it up for download-but it should be soon.

I'm not sure of the best way to package it so that people can use it with the minimum of installation woes. Any ideas on how this can best be done?

[Biffa]

Ah nj Ben, taking the war to the Jerrys nice one.
 
I see you're using the vanilla factory's, I wonder if you would like a quick retexture for them. I personally don't like the orange/pinkie/red colour scheme they got going on there, I think it is suppose to be corrugated roofing.

[benpark]

Yes, indeed. If you have another one, that would be great, I just slapped this one together quickly.

Too bad you can't import the existing joints for occupancy with the importer.