Is there a way.....

[Heinkel]

To get a 256x256 map by using either Orge's Map Maker, or AKBMP2MAP. Both of these tools are really useful, I am just not sure if I am missing somthing.

Is there another wasy way to make a 256x256 map with out having to go in and manually add all the elevation points yourself?

Thanks!

[NUTTZ]

I use AKWabbits mapmaker, you need a 1024x1024 pixel greyscale to make your map from.

Heres how "I" make my maps.
I start with a greyscale .BMP

I open a new page in Corel that is 1024x1024 24 bit RGB black background.

I place my greyscale on it and paste, save ( we will assume the map is called "coffee" so I save that as coffee512.

I take my original greyscale  and reduce the size by 50% Cut and paste that onto another 1024x1024 24 bit RGB. Save and call it Coffee256.

Take Coffee256 reduce it by 50% copy and paste this onto a 1024x1024 pixal page and name this Coffee128.

Take Coffee128 reduce by 50% cut and paste onto another 1024x1024 black background RGB 24-bit and call it Coffee64

Now i have 2 different versions. so i can make the map 512,256, 128, 64.

Change all the saved .greyscale.bmp's and convert them to 8-bit greyscale. Theres a reason you MUSt start with 24 bit artwork! When you cut and paste in 8-bit, it really degrades the artwork. working in 24 bit and saving to 8 bit there is little to no degrading of the art ( only a VERY slight Hue change).


Now save your 4 8-bit greyscaled .BMP's to a folder.

Open up AH terrain editor and create a new map in 64x64 ( again we will call this new map "coffee". It will be all water and flat at this point. Exit and save.

Open up AKWabbits mapmaker, open up the "coffee64.BMP" and target the files it makes to the folder AH terrain editor just made for the map ( drop it in the coffee file) It will make your elevation files and texture the map.

Go back to AH terrain editor and your map will open up Textured and elevated

repeat using the other .bmp's for 128,256 or 512.

NUTTZ

[kanttori]

Yes, you can make your elevations manually, too. I have made all elevations manually to my Finland-Russia map (256 X 256 miles). It was big work, but result is cool looking (It is coming to Combat Theater soon)!

Of course I looked World-Atlas to make correct elevations in different areas. My map scale is 1:4 and I made elevations in some areas three times bigger than they are in normal world. That's because Finland Russia area is mostly very flat. Only in North Finland and Norway coastline is hills and mountains. There my elevations are only two times bigger.

You can use Terrain Editor Tools to make natural looking hills and mountains:

1) First use Terrain tool "Set Alt" and set there the LOWEST alt of your area what you are editing, for ex. "500" (ft). Near water use settings "0 - 100", because water is alway 0-level.

2) Then Click "Setup Filter". There you see three equal looking boxes: "Sin Wave, Saw Tooth and Square Wave". If you want natural looking hills and mountains, use only "Sin Wave".

3) Set from "Alt Feet" the elevation variation (height: for ex. 800 ft). Then click X and Y boxes active and set Xmiles (length: for ex. 4.800) and Y-miles (wide: for ex. 3.700). That makes nice looking "round-type" hills.

4) In the bottom of "Setup Filter" window is "Enable Transition" box. Active it and set "Number of Transition verticles" for ex. "4". Then active 1-4 "Apply Transition to" boxes. They are "points of the compass" where your transition affects! Normally I click all the 4 boxes.

5) Write your settings down (pen and paper:-) and close the "Setup Filter" Window by clicking OK.

6) Drag some BIG area (for ex. 20 X 20 miles) in your terrain active with your left mouse button and then click "Perform Op".

7) And look: you have nice looking hill area in your terrain! :-)

It is now very regular looking: all the hills are in rows and same altitude. You must broke this regularity by using here and there other settings in "Setup Filter" windows (Sine Wave) "Alt Feet", "X-miles" and "Y-miles".

Don't care very much water areas when you work with elevations (You maybe have some water hills:-). You can always put them back to 0 -level by using "Water not 0" tool!

I "blowed" my Finland-Russia map terrain (each different looking areas) about five to ten times with different settings and now it's very natural (irregular) looking!
 

If you want my map to look the elevations and some other ideas, write to me:
ismo@kesalesket.net
I cand send the FinRus.res file to you!;)

[steely07]

Mail otw Kanttori,have been reading your posts and wanted to ask for a copy,,but not be too pushy

Thanks again
Steely

[NUTTZ]

Kan, Send me the files I'll help you check it.

I'll Need all the files not just the .res file, or i cannot run it threw the editor to check for problems.

But i'll be glad to help.

Dflora@Graphixone.net

Don't worry about file size.


NUTTZ

[Heinkel]

Thanks for your help Nuttz/kanttori

I would be very intrested in seeing your map kanttori, if it's not too much trouble, send it to:


Thanks again for the help