Matrix Games Forums

Hi!

I'm a single player kinda guy who has had TOAW loaded up on my computer since day one.

In the last couple years I busied myself with trying to do some scenario work, which was fun, but not very good at.

Here is a screen of the last project I was working on, a world map (sure to raise the hair of those who hate big scenarios):



This is a compiled shot of the jump maps of the work I have completed. I used all kinds of resources including your standard atlas and TOAW maps I DL'ed. This thing has taken a huge amount of time to put together and is only about 40% complete. The map continues south to encompass all of Africa (the borders of which are complete) and South America, which I have as yet started to work on.

Don't ask me what I was going to do with it. I have no idea.

Anyway, thought I'd post it to see how many people I could scare!

[X(]

Ray (alias Lava)

I'm working on a map of the USA at 20km, but may have to abandon any hope of ever completing it. I've got the outline of the nation, most of the interstates, a few rivers, and most of the west coast completed. However, I've been working on it on and off for over a year and it just isn't moving very fast. In the perfect world of hopeful TOAW additions it would be nice to see an improvement in how you build maps...but this would be well down the list of proposals. [:D]

Yep, know what you mean.

I didn't really realize just how much work I was getting myself into. Then of course, there you are, having spent an hour or so slaving on the darn thing and accidently hit the "fill" button and "boom" just like that the entire map is crise crossed with railroads! [X(] Having not saved most of the work, I then go into a rather unseemly fit of rage which leaves my whole family looking at me like a mad man. [:D]

Well, anyway, it's amazing just how fun constructing the maps really are.

Maybe one day, especially now that TOAW is coming back to life.. I'll finish it.

Ray (alias Lava)

ORIGINAL: Lava
Anyway, thought I'd post it to see how many people I could scare!

looks great!!! Now we need a few scenarios to go with it [:D]

Nice looking map. What scale is this? 30km? Maybe 50.

Not so intelligent, but possibly useful thoughts concerning this thread:

1) I seem to remember a program for 'stretching/hexing' maps that was once posted.........ie: a program that allowed one to make a map-board for toaw from any map, with tools to 'scale' said map.......

2) Google Earth has some interesting maps/sat photos........

One imagines a useful combination of such resources.........eh?

ORIGINAL: L`zard

Not so intelligent, but possibly useful thoughts concerning this thread:

1) I seem to remember a program for 'stretching/hexing' maps that was once posted.........ie: a program that allowed one to make a map-board for toaw from any map, with tools to 'scale' said map.......

2) Google Earth has some interesting maps/sat photos........

One imagines a useful combination of such resources.........eh?

You are talking about ODD, here:

http://www.tdg.nu/download/odd.htm

However note that it does not make an allowance for map projection, wich needs to be corrected beforehand (the Greenland bigger than US problem)

ORIGINAL: Siberian HEAT

I'm working on a map of the USA at 20km, but may have to abandon any hope of ever completing it. I've got the outline of the nation, most of the interstates, a few rivers, and most of the west coast completed. However, I've been working on it on and off for over a year and it just isn't moving very fast.

... Ditto.

ORIGINAL: Lava

Here is a screen of the last project I was working on, a world map (sure to raise the hair of those who hate big scenarios):

Can't hurt to have more well-made maps. Is this a modern world map or what?

The one point I will raise is that with most scenarios covering widely seperated areas, it makes more sense to cheat, cutting large chunks of the world off, in order to fit everything on at a larger scale. At a guess your map is not even 50km/hex.

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

At a guess your map is not even 50km/hex.

Hi!

Correct, but to tell you the truth I'm not sure what it works out to.

It's made basically as a WWII era kinda map, but I figured at this scale, it could be used for modern as well.

Like I said, I'm not sure why I even am doing it as I am not, repeat, not a very good designer. I was thinking that when finished possibly someone else could use it. They would have a real large area to work with and could cut out the portions they didn't need.

When I was working on the map, it struck me that it would be nice if you could "import" sections of map, allowing several people to work on a map at a time. But I don't think that is doable.

Ray (alias Lava)

ORIGINAL: L`zard

Google Earth has some interesting maps/sat photos........

Hmm..

Checked it out. Have never used it before, have you?

My main problem was defining topography, getting the mountains, forrests and stuff like that located.

Mind you I could work backwords, put in the cities and road/rail network first and then use that as a guide for where to put the forrests. Not sure, but Google Earth might be able to give me a leg up there.. what'ca think?

At the point I am on the map, my general conclusion was that I needed to go out and buy some books and maps to help me with places like asia, africa and south america.

Ray (alias Lava)

@Lava;

re: google earth, just starting to play around with it, seems that not all the satphotography is all that recent.

IE: while I managed to find the house I'm presently living in, the photo shows it as when my dad lived here, - as in I can see the cars in the driveway, but they're his, not mine.....

Recomend tweaking your vid-card to it's highest possible res on a temporary basis for this..........I normally run games at 1178xsomedamnthing or the other, but google earth would really like 16xx by 12xx or similar........

Neat proggy tho, as one can enter one's home address, and the proggy will shift and find it for you. Could be sort of scary, as I said, found the folks' cars in the driveway. Could tell it was thiers' from the colors of the cars and the color of the neighbor's roof. Wowsers! [X(]

As to the topography, key the 'hybrid' version, and or add 'buildings'. Play with it, it's amazing stuff, eh?

ORIGINAL: Lava

Like I said, I'm not sure why I even am doing it as I am not, repeat, not a very good designer.

You just need to practice.... No-one starts off as an expert.

When I was working on the map, it struck me that it would be nice if you could "import" sections of map, allowing several people to work on a map at a time. But I don't think that is doable.

Ought to be.

ORIGINAL: JMS2

ORIGINAL: L`zard
1) I seem to remember a program for 'stretching/hexing' maps that was once posted.........ie: a program that allowed one to make a map-board for toaw from any map, with tools to 'scale' said map.......

You are talking about ODD . . .

. . . However note that it does not make an allowance for map projection, wich needs to be corrected beforehand (the Greenland bigger than US problem)

What is really needed is a map utility that works on a sphere rather than a flat surface.

Regards, RhinoBones

I always liked the very small maps, such like Arracourt (spelling?). The only problem I had, was taking the entire german army, and pouncing on a lone American artilery unit. I'd be lucky to do 1 or 2 percent damge, while it would return 5 to 10%!! I guess I never did figure out the engine too well.

ORIGINAL: rhinobones

ORIGINAL: JMS2

ORIGINAL: L`zard
1) I seem to remember a program for 'stretching/hexing' maps that was once posted.........ie: a program that allowed one to make a map-board for toaw from any map, with tools to 'scale' said map.......

You are talking about ODD . . .

. . . However note that it does not make an allowance for map projection, wich needs to be corrected beforehand (the Greenland bigger than US problem)

What is really needed is a map utility that works on a sphere rather than a flat surface.

Regards, RhinoBones

THAT MAN THERE (RhinoBones), WELL DONE, man!

Methinx this is were the 'stone programmers/masters of C**' come in, lol!

I may be wrong - often am! - but doesn't "Capmaign Cartographer" from http://profantasy.com/ have this faciility?

Quite apart from being an absolute gem of a mapping tool! I just wish I could afford it!
Steve.

ORIGINAL: rhinobones

ORIGINAL: JMS2

ORIGINAL: L`zard
1) I seem to remember a program for 'stretching/hexing' maps that was once posted.........ie: a program that allowed one to make a map-board for toaw from any map, with tools to 'scale' said map.......

You are talking about ODD . . .

. . . However note that it does not make an allowance for map projection, wich needs to be corrected beforehand (the Greenland bigger than US problem)

What is really needed is a map utility that works on a sphere rather than a flat surface.

Regards, RhinoBones

...and Matrix needs to add this to the design editor...

Really this program has so much potential its unreal.

When is the 1984 Eurasia vs Oceania vs Eastasia scenario coming out for the global map.
It would be fun to have a trigger whereby the alliances changes every few turns....

ORIGINAL: dudalb

When is the 1984 Eurasia vs Oceania vs Eastasia scenario coming out for the global map.
It would be fun to have a trigger whereby the alliances changes every few turns....

This couldn't be done in TOAW at present- but it should be relatively easy for Matrix to implement: allow units/formations/colour sets to switch sides by event.