Matrix Games Forums

Here's a blank map with an 8bit grayscale height file. You can use this to easily create 15x15km custom maps.

1. To enable the in-game map editor mode, edit the data\scenario\development.cfg file and change the 'mapEditMode' value from '0' to '1'.

2. Unzip the attached archive to the game's data\map folder.

3. To edit elevation data, use any image editor to open the 8bit grayscale height.bmp. It's important to save it in this format! I'm sure there are 3rd party map editors out there that can be used. The downside in using the 8bit format (instead of the 24bit format that the official maps use) is that you are limited to 0-255 meters.

4. Generate a battle on the map, so you can edit terrain in the map editor. Ctrl+S saves the changes.

5. If you share your map with others, remember to change the 'ID' value in the map.xml to something unique.

I created the hills with a single stroke using the 'Galaxy, Big' brush in Gimp. A few more strokes created the depressions for the lake and river. Then I added the terrain features in-game.

I for one appreciate Veitikka's Blank Map on this post, so I made three fun maps based on it to share with all; hopefully others will join in, it is MUCH easier than making the big maps from scratch. I used technique like Veitikka for one map, but used real elevation data converted to gray scale then smoothed then normalized to maximize elevation change for the other two. Enjoy!

Wildlands: Uses elevation data from hilly SE Pennsylvania; complex forested terrain with fairly short line-of-sights. Interesting terrain for trying tactics where you don't have long standoffs and being cut off from DF support is likely if you aren't careful.

Rolling Hills: Does not use real elevation data; European style gently rolling hills for classic mech/armored battles.

Jungle Highlands: Uses real elevation data from Khe Sanh region of Quang Tri Province, for those who want to experiment with Jungle warfare from that era. Not intended to perfectly replicate any specific battle, but given the elevation limitations, it is a lot of fun.

Thx for the maps, always appreciate new maps to battle on. Looked at the maps, like wildlands the best by look.

One more map; this is from a very heavily wooded area similar to Wildlands, but much rougher in terms of elevation. Also has two bridges and a river. I call it Wildlands II, basically very remote area with tight lines of sight and restrictive terrain.

Could someone in the know elaborate of the Gimp software (I have it) and its brush procedure to create elevations?
Seems there is a LOT more to be done than a few mouse clicks.
Thanks.