Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Terrain Editor => Topic started by: MrSmog on August 23, 2004, 11:55:55 AM

Title: Map Maker
Post by: MrSmog on August 23, 2004, 11:55:55 AM
I have been using MapMaker for a long time and I would like to know if there is a Newer Version out there, or if there is a better Program that can do what MapMaker does.
Title: Map Maker
Post by: NHawk on August 24, 2004, 06:25:24 AM
Actually Photoshop and Paint Shop will open USGSTPO files directly. Search this forum for "USGS" for instructions. They've been posted a few times.
Title: Map Maker
Post by: FalconSS on August 25, 2004, 10:21:25 PM
Map maker? Is that anything like AKbmp2map program, because thats what I use.
Title: Mapmaker
Post by: MrSmog on August 26, 2004, 02:03:36 AM
They both create .typ and .elv files for use in the TE.
The Difference is that AKbmp2map uses greyscale .bmp files to create the .typ & .elv files.
MapMaker uses USGS DEM info to generate the .typ & .elv files needed to create Real World Terrains.
There are a lot of DEM files to download and it takes a little work to get the exact location you want but the results are Terrains that have a more real look to them.
I have not tried using it with AH2 TE yet, but I have converted some of My old Terrains that were generated with it and the look good.
You can get the MapMaker Program here (file system- Utilities)
http://www.ah-terrains.com/
be sure to also download the instructions.:D
You can get the USGS DEM files here.
http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/gtopo30/gtopo30.asp
Enjoy:cool:
Title: Map Maker
Post by: la7'sRule on September 07, 2004, 09:11:07 AM
i just use ah2terrain editor....

i make the map in paint 1st
then place the tiles in terrain editor... Looks a bit cartooony but its good enough for me lol

If i wanted to i could do a prnt screen from within the game
and make my own tiles for the maps using the corect terain colours with psp8 (paint shop pro 8)
But i make to many maps for to many games to be that fussy lol

And i spose i could use terragen seems to work for every other game :)
Title: MrSmog could I get a favor?
Post by: FalconSS on September 07, 2004, 03:34:14 PM
Could you please send me the map maker program the AH terrains isn't working right and I can't download from there, I've contacted nhawk and posted messages on there BB and even thats not working right lol, would be very grateful, please and thank you.  Here's my address (FalconSS@mchsi.com)
Title: La7'sRule
Post by: FalconSS on September 07, 2004, 03:38:43 PM
Go to the AH terrains site that MrSmog has listed above your post, hopefully you'll have better luck there then I have check zmegs message post on editing terrain tiles very useful, hope this helps.
Title: Re: MrSmog could I get a favor?
Post by: MrSmog on September 07, 2004, 11:59:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by FalconSS
Could you please send me the map maker program  


You've Got Mail :aok
Title: Map Maker
Post by: FalconSS on September 08, 2004, 08:23:16 AM
Thank you.
Title: Map Maker
Post by: MrSmog on September 08, 2004, 09:06:50 AM
Your Welcome:D

Enjoy:)

Also, Don't forget to get the USGS DEM files and { READ THE INSTRUCTIONS for the MapMaker }   :aok
Title: Map Maker
Post by: FalconSS on September 08, 2004, 09:11:14 PM
I seem to be missing the 3D viewer, unzipping folder I only have the glut32.dll and the CFG file, reading instructions gets me to the part of clicking icon to open viewer which I don't have, am I having a stupid attack or am I missing something, please help thanks.
Title: Missing File ?
Post by: MrSmog on September 08, 2004, 10:35:43 PM
The zip fle has 3 files within it.
the glut32.dll file.
the mmaker.cfg file.
and the MapMaker.exe file.
I Have sent the MapMaker.exe file to you in a New E-Mail.
Hope this helps:aok
Title: All is good.
Post by: FalconSS on September 08, 2004, 11:29:13 PM
Settings in my outlook express was the trouble, I have the whole program, thanks again MrSmog.
Title: Help finding?
Post by: FalconSS on September 11, 2004, 01:08:01 PM
Hey MrSmog could you direct me to, Global USGS Ground Cover data set, the http is incorrect in the instructions, I have the DEM files uncompressed w/WinZip9.0 no uncheck for smart tar conversion w/version 9.0, once uncompressed I'm needing files marked as gusgs1_2.img, MrSmog can you direct me to these files please. thanks
Title: Map Maker
Post by: zmeg on September 11, 2004, 05:13:33 PM
USGS Land Use/ Land Cover Scheme (http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/glcc/glcc_version1.asp#Global)
 
  After you download and unzip, the file you will need is gusgs1_2.img it will be 662 megs unziped.
Title: Thanks zmeg
Post by: FalconSS on September 11, 2004, 06:50:04 PM
Everythings working great, started my first map using mapmaker picked a region near North Africa, used the shaded relief map of the world from the same website to help pick the location, awesome tools thanks again for the help :aok
Title: I was away
Post by: MrSmog on September 11, 2004, 11:16:05 PM
9pm in Calif. and I just checked my messages.:rolleyes:
Looks like zmeg has already got ya covered.:D

Good Luck with the Program and Eager to see Your next Map.:aok
Title: Bad data
Post by: FalconSS on September 13, 2004, 12:13:16 PM
In the command promt of the mapmaker w/some locations on the globe I'll get this reading bad data and part of the visual will be spiked in portions but you can still see a good part of the map is this anything z or Mr have experianced and if so how can I correct, also wondering are there other dem files else where that can be used?
Title: Map Maker
Post by: zmeg on September 13, 2004, 12:30:54 PM
I had a similar problem when I 1st unzipped the dem files with Winzip, later i unzipped them with Winrar and no more problems.
Title: WinRAR
Post by: FalconSS on September 14, 2004, 12:18:23 AM
Wins hands down, thanks zmeg re-did tar files with WinRAR and everything is working great thanks again.
Title: winRAR
Post by: MrSmog on September 14, 2004, 12:22:12 AM
Never heard of WinRAR:(

I'll have to check it out :aok
Title: Map Maker
Post by: la7'sRule on September 14, 2004, 04:22:15 PM
win zip sux
win rar is just as bad
Win Ace is the best
Title: Win Ace
Post by: MrSmog on September 15, 2004, 08:57:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by la7'sRule
win zip sux
win rar is just as bad
Win Ace is the best

I Downloaded Win Ace and it Looks REAL GOOD :cool:

Good Call la7'sRule  :aok
Title: Map Maker
Post by: la7'sRule on September 15, 2004, 09:44:56 AM
Winace tip...

Open win ace manualy
go to view "top left its by file" then options,

You can then set compression level,
increase dictionary size for Extreem compression.
And create recovery and check crc after compression.

Combine win ace with sfx factory and create setup modules Like a pro.

if you cant beat it .....
use it :)
Title: sfx factory
Post by: MrSmog on September 16, 2004, 12:51:21 AM
Just Downloaded sfx factory and it Looks Good:aok
Too Bad about the German only Help File:confused:
I tried it out and it seems to be easy to use :)

Another Good Call  la7'sRule  :aok :aok
Title: Finding widths in degrees
Post by: FalconSS on September 23, 2004, 07:59:30 AM
Having some trouble finding the best width in degrees it says in instructions to consult atlas looked for online atlas w/this info no luck I have also found that this is important to terrain layout panning an area to close in mapmaker leaves terrain very flat can someone help w/this problem?
Title: Map Maker
Post by: zmeg on September 23, 2004, 08:25:24 AM
8 degrees for 1 to 1 scale, 16 degrees for 1/2 scale, increse as you get closer to poles.
Title: Thanks z
Post by: FalconSS on September 23, 2004, 02:14:04 PM
:aok
Title: Map Maker
Post by: soda72 on September 23, 2004, 09:58:59 PM
I'm trying out Mapmaker, how long does it usually take to do a "load data"..  It's been running for the last hour, I'm starting to wonder if its not working for me....
Title: Map Maker
Post by: zmeg on September 23, 2004, 10:16:35 PM
It takes about 10 seconds or less on my machine, you may not have the DEM file you need.
Title: Map Maker
Post by: soda72 on September 23, 2004, 10:58:45 PM
seems to be getting an error when it tries to open my DEM file... :(
Title: Map Maker
Post by: soda72 on September 23, 2004, 11:00:31 PM
ahh,, figured it out... phew  :)
Title: Map Maker
Post by: soda72 on September 25, 2004, 12:04:26 AM
When using the mapmaker, I can create a terrian with it.  The layout is correct, and the terrian types look correct but the elevation for the terrain is set at 0..
Title: Flat looking terrain
Post by: MrSmog on September 25, 2004, 12:50:13 AM
The default output files from Map Maker create a 512 by 512 mile terrain.
If you choose too small of an area in degrees the terrain will look streached and very flat. :confused:
I usually use 8 to 10 degrees of DEM info to create a terrain.

Hope this helps:cool:
Title: Map Maker
Post by: NHawk on September 25, 2004, 05:18:22 AM
Quote
Originally posted by zmeg
I had a similar problem when I 1st unzipped the dem files with Winzip, later i unzipped them with Winrar and no more problems.
A little late with this, but when you use Winzip, click Options, then Configuration. Click on the Miscellaneous tab and UNCHECK "TAR file smart CR/LF conversion".

This usually stops any problems with DEM files.
Title: Re: Flat looking terrain
Post by: soda72 on September 25, 2004, 09:31:24 AM
Quote
Originally posted by MrSmog
The default output files from Map Maker create a 512 by 512 mile terrain.
If you choose too small of an area in degrees the terrain will look streached and very flat. :confused:
I usually use 8 to 10 degrees of DEM info to create a terrain.

Hope this helps:cool:


Thanks,  I was using 1.4 degrees that must be the problem...
:)
Title: Re: Re: Flat looking terrain
Post by: MrSmog on September 25, 2004, 12:04:19 PM
Quote
Originally posted by soda72
Thanks,  I was using 1.4 degrees that must be the problem...
:)
That would explain the flat look;)

Let me know when your terrain is ready so i can log into your host and check it out.:aok