Who uses "mountainizer"?

David boutwell · Post by **David boutwell** » Sun Aug 18, 2002 7:30 am

Gentlemen,

I was wondering if anyone uses Mountainizer, and if you do, what are, in your opinion, the "pros" and "cons" of using the program.

Here's my initial opinion. It is a neat program, because it gives us more "levels" and it allows a map/scenario designer to accurately reproduce lines of sight. However, at this point, the "cons" are outweighing the "pros". Here are several "cons" that will probably prevent me from using it in my next map, which, by the way, ranges in elevation from the Rhine River up to about 70 meters. It would be cool to show the correct elevations (which I can still do with WAWMAP, but I'll have to input the elevation of each hex, and it won't show slope), but:

1. Once you get the correct elevations and you make a mistake while laying down terrain, and have to erase, you do major damage to your elevation. For example, you want to change the path of a road that passes through a slope hex with an elevation of 60 meters. You can't clear the hex, or you are back at 0. You can't click on a level three hill, because you'll now have 30 meters, plus your slope disappears! In order to get that one hax back to 60 meters (you'll still have a visual elevation difference, though, you could do two things: edit the elevation in WAWMAP,along with all of the other screw ups, most of which you won't find, or go back into Mountainizer, which will get that hex back to 6o, and everything else, including your River and hexes whose elevations you are happy with, will increase 30! So, if you can make a whole map without making any changes, you are OK.

2. Any part of your map above 30 meters will be dark brown in your strategic map, depriving you of the ability to look at the disposition of your units in relation to high ground, etc. (Maybe not such a big problem, unless you are the map designer and you've got to listen to the complaints of those who rely on the strategic map.)

I'd like to hear the comments of others. Maybe there are solutions to some of the barriers to using this program, and I've just not found them yet. I know that there are some who swear by this program. Maybe their comments can restore my confidence in its use.

Regards,

David Boutwell

"Out of ammunition. God save the King."

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Sun Aug 18, 2002 7:39 am

I use mountainiser fairly regularly. Normally, I try to limit how much of the terrain is +2 or higher so as to have at least some of the terrain that does not show dark brown on the jump map.

There are a few tricks to getting the most out of this utility - the primary trick being planning beforehand in some detail about what elevations are to be used and where.

Getting slopes to work right is a bit tricky with certain terrain tiles but with practice and pre-planning, I am getting the hang of it.

LOS over ridges is the problem I have the most trouble with but Fred's map editor can improve LOS.

There is still a lot to learn about mountainiser and the map editor but it is clear that it is possible to do many things with these that are quite desireable.

So far, the most elevation levels I have used is 9.

Don Doom · Post by **Don Doom** » Sun Aug 18, 2002 4:48 pm

I have use it on two maps of Italian mountain terrain, and on some in Germany hill sides.

So far I have found it to be very usefull. I does require you to preplan your map pretty well before hand or you could be in deep do do if you don't. But that is only when you are building high hills, the woods and roads feature is pretty usefull too.

Warrior · Post by **Warrior** » Mon Aug 19, 2002 2:32 pm

I've used it on occasion, but mostly stick with the standard editor, particularly since I tend to change a map as I test the scenario.

BruceAZ_MatrixForum · Post by **BruceAZ_MatrixForum** » Tue Aug 20, 2002 7:05 am

I only use the standard map editor as I try and keep it simple. Like Steve, I like to play with the map as I design the battle. This way I can easily add changes to improve play as i go along.

Bruce
Semper Fi

RockinHarry · Post by **RockinHarry** » Tue Aug 20, 2002 6:35 pm

Yes...I use "mountanizer" (and other SDQ modules) occasionally. As Redleg and Don Doom already mentioned some preplanning is required to get maps looking and working just right. Don´t forget,..Mountanizer is not to be compared with SP2WW2 system of building 15 height levels! SP2WW2 has this feature inbuilt into the game and also can handle the levels properly, while SPWAW can´t always. In fact the SPWAW game code doesn´t know anything about levels higher than 30!

Cause of this some issues are to be expected when "mountanizing" and editing mountanized maps, but most can be worked around! (see my Ardennes44 and After Cassino44 scenarios for good results)

Well...there´s a lot to be said on how to use Mountanizer properly and I need some time to prepare some useful instructions. I´m now busy completing my Barbarossa1941 Mod for the "Panzer Elite" Simulator, so don´t expect a "How to use Mountanizer" help file before september coming.

;)

_______-
Harry

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Wed Aug 21, 2002 3:20 am

I like it...a lot. I use it. I recommend it. A few shortcomings? Well, yes, that is true. But then I have a few of those myself, but I keep on ticking

So if you want higher hills for Norway, Italy or even a Suribachi, Mountanizer is worth learning how to use.

And Redleg offers sound advice. Plan ahead because you'll be building from the top down

Wild Bill

CatLord · Post by **CatLord** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 11:07 pm

Originally posted by RockinHarry
Well...there´s a lot to be said on how to use Mountanizer properly and I need some time to prepare some useful instructions. I´m now busy completing my Barbarossa1941 Mod for the "Panzer Elite" Simulator, so don´t expect a "How to use Mountanizer" help file before september coming.;)

Harry

Where could this mountainizeer thingy be found, and did Harry have time to create his helpfile ?

Cat

Squirmer · Post by **Squirmer** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 3:08 pm

http://www.ectopia.net/~ectizen/

RockinHarry · Post by **RockinHarry** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 8:00 pm

Originally posted by CatLord
Where could this mountainizeer thingy be found, and did Harry have time to create his helpfile ?

Cat

sorry....time is still scarce.

Just try mountanizer and don´t forget to read included readme file!;) Post your results here please!:)

RockinHarry · Post by **RockinHarry** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:08 pm

Originally posted by Squirmer
http://www.ectopia.net/~ectizen/

oops! What did happen with ectizens site???

RockinHarry · Post by **RockinHarry** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:32 pm

Originally posted by Squirmer
http://www.ectopia.net/~ectizen/

oops! What did happen with ectizens site???

tracer · Post by **tracer** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:41 pm

Originally posted by RockinHarry
oops! What did happen with ectizens site???

I don't know, but he sounds pi$$ed!

If someone wants to send me a copy of Mountainizer I'll be happy to upload it to my site so that its available.

RockinHarry · Post by **RockinHarry** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:58 pm

Originally posted by tracer
I don't know, but he sounds pi$$ed! If someone wants to send me a copy of Mountainizer I'll be happy to upload it to my site so that its available.

Uh...I wouldn´t do that without asking ectizen for permission!

He´s not only holder of the site, he´s also the programmer of all that goodies!;)

ectizen@ectopia.net

tracer · Post by **tracer** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 4:36 am

Good point...just trying to help.

Has anyone tried contacting him lately?

RockinHarry · Post by **RockinHarry** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 7:42 pm

Originally posted by tracer
Good point...just trying to help.

Has anyone tried contacting him lately?

we exchanged lots of mail in 2001, but lost contact in 2002 when he appeared to have lost interest in developing stuff for SPWAW and headed to other games. He also appeared to be very busy with his job and real life since.

Beside Fred Chlanda, he´s the guy who gave us the most useful and interesting SPWAW tools! It´s a big loss that they both aren´t available for SPWAW anymore.

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 7:53 pm

Indeed he does! I'll try to drop him a line. So Chlanda is not doing anything more with SPWAW? How sad?

Still, these two have provided us with a nice assortment of tools that you don't find in most games and deserve our sincerest thanks for their efforts.

Wild Bill

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 8:08 pm

I really appreciate the utilities provided by these two gentlemen.

tracer · Post by **tracer** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 7:30 pm

Chandla's programs are what made any SP editing possible...thank you Fred!