Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: RyanCrierie

How do I turn off the grid? I don't want it on my maps [:@]

Ryan

In the textures box select the "grid" item from the list. Then look at the drop down controls at the top of this selection box. The one furthest to the right is the Grid transparency control. Select 0 from here and your grid will be gone.

Thank you for the bridge auto write. That is a tough one to do by hand.

Here is the link to a new map that is 75% finished. It is made to test bridges with the MM primarily.

It's also a region in Hungary that I've been wanting to map for PzC. This is the town of Simontornya, where "Operation Spring Awakening" died out. I have added two bridges to help out the AI, one depicting a hasty pontoon, and one that exists/existed in 1945. I may want to make some custom models for this map depicting the castle in the town and a few other things I made pictures of two years ago when I visited.

It's not finished by any means, but I'll post it so that I can get some advice...

This is the link to the file:

http://www.myfileupload.net/download.ph ... 35616ae414

Stridor, this is made with the build I just got. I don't see the bridges on the AI map. I rebuilt twice, and no go. One other issue is the water height. I need this canal at the center of the map to be "deep water" I can't get that with the auto writing of the water as is now. I don't think I can sink the depth much lower without the map getting odd. Any advice on the best method to get to be deeper without making a mess of things? Thanks.

Ben,

Why is it that every time I look at one of your maps I feel like I am a 4 year old at the hobby shop looking at the uber cool trainset they have set up! You maps just burst with detail. Jaw dropping Amazing. You seem to have your map build times down to just a few hours now!

Ok a few comments and issues.

1. The auto bridge color does work, you just need to make sure you select what type of bridge it is from the building type drop down (there are 2 plain and paved).
2. I would suggest tat you don't normalize your bridges (unless you want them to lean)

Issues.

3. The right bridge (the one with the railings) needs to be fixed up in 3dsmax or milkshape. My autocolor system can work with objects which are naturally designed along either the X axis (eg - ) or Y axis ( | ) but not both ( \ ). For some reason the deisgner of that bridge just ignored all good model making practice. I suggest you use a new bridge model for the time being.
4. I am also noticing texture mapping issues with the bridges?? May need to talk to Mraah about cleaning them up.

The Big issue your water level.

Ok this is something which will require me to change how height maps are imported. Essentially I import all the heightmap data and then make the lowest height point black "00" and the heighest point white "FF". In image editing terms I max the contrast. This provides lots of room to play around in the midpoints, but if you wanted to heightmap sculpt a point which was lower or higher than those which were imported you couldn't! This is what has happened with your map. Don't despair there is a fix in the works, I will work on the importer settings. Because MM saves all georeferences all you will need do is load up the new build and then reinport the heightmap.

Here is a SS showing that the auto bridge color is working and the wonky bridge (on the right).

Regards

S.

Thanks a mil.

Ah, the olde pull down menu to mark what type of bridge...I was getting used to practically having the MM nearly read my mind.

Here is a small scenario to use with the Ludwigslust map. Nothing complicated, but will get you in game on the map.

http://www.myfileupload.net/download.ph ... 5895076820

Stridor,

When importing a terrain map, you get a dialog for processing the google earth map.

It has four parameters:

noise reduction, segment size, smoothing and unique colors.

Can you give a brief explanation of what these do in terms of Map Maker? I had initially thought unique colors would consolidate the GE image to that number of unique colors, but when I left at the default 8 colors, then checked the resulting terrain map, in the color mapping field I found quite a few more colors listed.

Benpark - you're really zipping through this new map maker!

I would also second someone's earlier suggestion to move a copy of the original imported terrainmap to the map folder with the map name appened for reference purposes, if it can be doen easily.

Thanks,
Rick

ORIGINAL: Rick

Stridor,

When importing a terrain map, you get a dialog for processing the google earth map.

It has four parameters:

noise reduction, segment size, smoothing and unique colors.

Can you give a brief explanation of what these do in terms of Map Maker? I had initially thought unique colors would consolidate the GE image to that number of unique colors, but when I left at the default 8 colors, then checked the resulting terrain map, in the color mapping field I found quite a few more colors listed.

These are moving targets as I am improving the terrain simplification filtering all the time. I might even just go with Noise Reduction + color reduction in the end. Will give you the final info when I am happy.

I would also second someone's earlier suggestion to move a copy of the original imported terrainmap to the map folder with the map name appened for reference purposes, if it can be doen easily.

Thanks,
Rick

Well there is no real need to do this. If you ever want to get back to where you were simply click on the little target icon on the google map bar and then click terrain import again. Next click cancel and you can have a brand new generated Terrainmap.bmp anytime you want. I would rather autogen as needed than store a copy. In fact you don't even really need the copy. I have setup MM + GM so that their zoom levels are very similar. This allows you to place buildings for example with pin point accuracy to the real thing [;)]

ORIGINAL: Stridor

These are moving targets as I am improving the terrain simplification filtering all the time. I might even just go with Noise Reduction + color reduction in the end. Will give you the final info when I am happy.

Sounds good - I'll put place holders in for them for now - Thanks!

ORIGINAL: Stridor

Well there is no real need to do this. If you ever want to get back to where you were simply click on the little target icon on the google map bar and then click terrain import again. Next click cancel and you can have a brand new generated Terrainmap.bmp anytime you want.

I'm fine with that - but you might need to check the coding on the target button - It hasn't worked for me. I've imported 3 map areas and the target button still brings me back to the original target area it had when I installed it.

Thanks!
Rick

I believe I can confirm what Rick is seeing with the target button not taking you back to the original map position. I will have to double check. I assume that we have to have the GE button also pushed? If so, maybe I had forgotten to do that.

One coding question as far as rivers go- would it be better to code a thin (1-2 squares) AI area of "impassable" on the two banks? There would be an opening for bridges, of course. This way units would be dissuaded from hugging the bank. This isn't something that the MM should do, as I see problems with all kinds of issues (bridges etc).

Is there another type of terrain in our AI set that could be used for prohibiting any vehicle, and allowing infantry movement only? Since bogging down doesn't seem to be simulated, keeping tracked and wheeled vehicles off any area where they would be wary of going is important for something I would like to simulate.

ORIGINAL: benpark

I believe I can confirm what Rick is seeing with the target button not taking you back to the original map position. I will have to double check. I assume that we have to have the GE button also pushed? If so, maybe I had forgotten to do that.

Strange, works just fine for me? Shouldn't even need GM displayed. The ability to go back is essential!

One coding question as far as rivers go- would it be better to code a thin (1-2 squares) AI area of "impassable" on the two banks? There would be an opening for bridges, of course. This way units would be dissuaded from hugging the bank. This isn't something that the MM should do, as I see problems with all kinds of issues (bridges etc).

Sure, you can do that if you want. Sounds like I should make deep water 2meters however

Is there another type of terrain in our AI set that could be used for prohibiting any vehicle, and allowing infantry movement only? Since bogging down doesn't seem to be simulated, keeping tracked and wheeled vehicles off any area where they would be wary of going is important for something I would like to simulate.

Yes the tank obstruction color should do the trick. You will need to check it out to be sure.

Regards

S.

I get the overview map when I select the GE toggle and then overview. That solution works for me. Just hitting the "return to last imported map location" without GE toggled doesn't take me back to the original map, though.

2m seems good for the difference between shallow and deep. "Shallow" should be for things like a stream that is no more than waist deep, I would think.

ORIGINAL: benpark

I get the overview map when I select the GE toggle and then overview. That solution works for me. Just hitting the "return to last imported map location" without GE toggled doesn't take me back to the original map, though.

2m seems good for the difference between shallow and deep. "Shallow" should be for things like a stream that is no more than waist deep, I would think.

So it does take you back just need to make sure that the google map is toggled on.

Zoom down to the next level in GM and then zoom a level in MM and move the map to make it line up with GM. Press the google key to toggle between the two. That is a tip which makes placing buildings really accurate.

Now you mention it maybe deep water should be 1.5m?

What does Erik think?

Regards

S.

ORIGINAL: Stridor
Now you mention it maybe deep water should be 1.5m?
What does Erik think?

Seems like 2m and up generally requires bridging or amphibious vehicles, so perhaps 1.5m is a better point to differentiate between fordable and not.

Regards,

- Erik

Stridor,

Have you had anyone complain about the height maps being totally flat when there should be at least a 1m bump or two?

I created two maps so far and I've had rotten luck ... mostly if not all flat. I know the terrain is bumpy and I've been blaming it on the height data but I'll need to get more maps built to verify if there really is a problem.

To give you an example, I downloaded the height map and it gave values like this :

M_Ht0 : 460
M_Ht1 : 490

Now, I'm assuming there is 30 meter change somewhere showing on the map but when I look at the height map generated it's all showing flat using the M_Ht1 value of 490 [&:] ... I've been using 1km maps for my tests.

Also, I'm not in Russia but in eastern France/luxemburg etc .... like Singling, Chaumont area ... These areas are hilly for sure and shouldn't show as flat but have at least a bump on them.

Anyway ...... I need to still check out other areas known to be really, really bumpy ... ie swiss alps! If I can't get some height going then I'll check other places and see what's going on ... if the problem's on my end or the height data is bad or whatever.

I'm not worried about it but frankly my luck seems bad and I'm selecting location that have ~ 1000 m resolution!

Rob

Trying to make a summer map template; with a perfectly flat height file; and I'm getting this error when I try to build the map for distribution:

Rob I have noticed that the srtm v4 data is not filled out everywhere in the world. Try somewhere else.

Regards

S.

Ryan,

This is the second time you have had this error. Did you have the colors > 32! warning box this time?

Can you build any maps at all?

I will have to get you an unencryted build to see what the issue is.

Regards

S.

I've been intermittently getting the same error msg that Ryan is getting when I build a map. I can usually (but not always) reproduce error.

If I delete the processing string to import the google earth image as terrain map without processing. Add a texture such as dirt road, select my skybox and then build. I get the same error (line number and all).

Also, if it helps any, I see that in the media map directory, I have some temp files created map_tmp31 is last and they start with 0.

Also,
if i stop MM, restart it, load the same map, import the terrain map from GE and accept the defaults, then I can proceed to build the map.

Rick

This is the second time you have had this error. Did you have the colors > 32! warning box this time?

Nope.

Can you build any maps at all?

I can build some maps, but I'm not so sure what I do sometimes that causes the problem on some maps, and not on others.

In my map directory, I get up to map_tmp26.png before that line