Maps, maps and more maps.

[cbelva]

You are right, the maps in FPG were beautiful. The problem with them was that you could not read the terrain in order to properly set you forces. You had a hard time telling elevation and los/lof. I have been testing FPC since July last year and I really like these maps. I wasn't all that wild about them when they were first unveiled. However, after playing a few games I learned to appreciate them. They are extremely easy to read in regards to elevation and los/lof. I now consider the maps one of the better elements in the game. There is nothing more satisfying than to find what I call a "sweet spot" on the map where the terrain is a huge bonus to the unit sitting there because of the terrain. Terrain and tactics work very well in this game. If you don't spent time studying the terrain before you develop you plan (just like a real commander would), you will probably fail. Terrain in many cases will dictate how you should fight a battle.

[22sec]

Will it be easy to share user created maps? Lets say I make maps, but forego creating scenarios, all one will need to do is copy and paste the maps into the appropriate folder, correct?

[CapnDarwin]

Yes. There will be your map image and map values file (. fp9).

[22sec]

Thanks to MR's help I am we'll on my way with my first map, the infamous area near Rasdorf along the IGB.

[MikeAP]

ORIGINAL: 21SEC

Thanks to MR's help I am we'll on my way with my first map, the infamous area near Rasdorf along the IGB.

Which program are you using to create the PNG?

[22sec]

ORIGINAL: MikeAP

ORIGINAL: 21SEC

Thanks to MR's help I am we'll on my way with my first map, the infamous area near Rasdorf along the IGB.

Which program are you using to create the PNG?

Ultimately HexDraw - but I'm using height and terrain data exported from Global Mapper.

[MikeAP]

Will you be so kind as to post the FPCRS template for HexEdit?

This way we can create maps that look similar.

[CapnDarwin]

MikeAP,

The template and art files will be going up with the guide this week when things are ready.

Thanks.

[22sec]

Made good progress over the weekend including some new map graphics. Still a work in progress.

[Mad Russian]

Looking good! [&o]

That map is going to make mine look like a kindergartener drew them...[:(]

Smoothing out the bends in the road can be interesting at times.

Good Hunting.

MR

[NickGen]

I worked for a certain amount of time
to a map editor based tileset ...
but difficult to progress as the modding tools and information are not available ...
In the meantime I started in reworking a map in a more "boardgame" style ....
Here are a picture of the map "Red Storm Fulda Gap",first I reworked ....
it's still a work in progress, still need to add fields and text ....




Nick

[CapnDarwin]

Nick,

That looks great! What program are you using?

[Mad Russian]

Another great map! [&o]

Good Hunting.

MR

[NickGen]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

Nick,

That looks great! What program are you using?

I use Photoshop CS6 but the same type of graphics
can be done with free program like Gimp...

Nick

[wodin]

Nick69..love it..esp the town\city icons..perfect. The elevation aspect..I think the light highlight should get a touch darker for each elevation.

[fredmn]

Nick69, just one word : WHOAAA ! [&o]

[22sec]

Is there a limit on how big a map can be?

[Radagy]

I like Nick's maps very much.
Height/level changes are much clearer that way.

[CapnDarwin]

21Sec. You can probably double the size and have the game run on most systems. What you get into is a lot more counters because someone wants division sized fights and the game crawls along moving all of that stuff. I did make and test a 40km by 30km map. And on my fairly beefy rig the action was slow. That being said the maps just need to have a 64 pixel per hex vertical height. So smaller maps are possible too and so are longer maps like 10km x 30km. Assuming you scale your image correctly.

Another down side to a large scale custom map is plugging in the 20000 or so map values required. a 20 x 15 standard map is 4000-5000 values. Hence the auto map values routine and the somewhat simple map art color scheme. [;)]

[NickGen]

My first reworked map is available here:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3439883