Full Version : Map Making
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Saint666- 06-17-2006
Was wondering if some one knows how to do this and is willing to teach some one the basics hehe well enough to get them into trouble =). but am wanting to learn this not sure on where i should start ie what programs needed to do this. so any help on this matter would be great.
thank you for your time on this matter..
=)
godfood- 06-17-2006
Two great site's to check out are,
OrbSydia.com http://www.orbsydia.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=56
and Ryandor.com www.ryandor.com
Saint666- 06-17-2006
TY for the info i knew of orb as of today this morning did not know of the other one. any other hints or tips? out there to help me out as well..
=)
thanks again
Lara- 06-20-2006
The biggest trick to making a good map is knowing photoshop (or other program). Both Dragon and the UO Map tool generate their maps off a file created in photoshop. You can make very basic maps if you have a basic concept of how to use photoshop. But real sophistication requires an understanding of some of photoshops more advanced tools.
A map can take may weeks to make. I made my first map in about 6 days ... and it LOOKED it. My subsequent maps have take upto 2 months to really fine tune and get to look detailed.
If your not prepared for that, www.ryandor.com offers some nice maps available publically. Additionally, my old sanctuary map is also publically available, and has been used for a few shards.
Best of Luck.
Lara
ArteGordon- 06-20-2006
good to see people with mapmaking experience. I havent done any custom maps myself so I'm afraid I'm not much help.
Saint666- 06-22-2006
ty for the info and i plan on learning as much as possible i planned on working on this map form 6 months to a year so i can fine tune and add what i learned in the map.. hehe just getting tired of scripts and need a break from time to time hehe.
i am willing to learn what it takes to make a good map or two. i mean what is time ... hehe the song says it best, " time is on our sides yes it is." =)
i hope if i have a question in the future you could give me some pointers.. =)
learning is everything well besides my 2 boys =)
Lara- 06-23-2006
*smiles*
Then your real question will be which tool. Both dragon and the UOLandscaper tool work about the same. I know the dragon tool better, so let me give you a quick break down of its pros and cons.
I've used dragon 10 and 11. The biggest disadvantage of dragon that I see is the limitation of map tile Z range. Most of the palette only offers a range up to 30 Z and no lower then 0.
Dragon also doenst do a great job of coast line. There is a work around I use, but its not perfect.
On the other hand, Ive found the scripts to modify the statics for plants and trees to be easy to change and very convienent.
The primary difference between Dragon and the UOLandscaper tool is that Dragon uses one map to set map tile and Z value, while the Run UO tool (name escapes me), use two maps. One for the map tiles and one for the Z values.
There are pros and cons to both methods. For example I like to use a lower grass map with tall forested hills to give a rolling land feel. In dragon its just a question of using the higher forest map color. In the run uo tool you'd have to make sure you got the Z on the second map clearly lined up.
That shouldn't be too hard if you know how to work with layers but it an extra step. On the other hand, the Run UO tool lets you create far more realistic topographical maps as you can paint your hills and valleys regardless of the map tile you choose.
That is important to some people, I deceided it wasnt critical to me, as players can't really fully appreciate it when they see only a single screen.
As a suggestion as to where to begin, start with 6 small blob like islands in the six quadrants of the map, and then practice detailing them. Try to cut roads thru different Z changes, you get some really nice optical effects of going up and or down. Try to keep your detail tight, as players really only see detail within a screen or two.
Here is a JPEG of my finished dragon map in photoshop. I've left it at its full size, so its big, for you to be able to load up and look at the variations. I suggest you down load it and look at it in photoshop.
http://www.sanctuaryshard.com/images_temp/...ation-final.jpg
ArteGordon- 06-24-2006
impressive.
Saint666- 06-28-2006
very nice and ty for the information i will look at it and see what i can come up with. probly not as good as your map to start =) but am learning something almost dayly. would like to try dragon but the places i have to get it the links seem to be bad. know of any link i could get the latest for dragon?
i am playing with UOL right now and am learning the alt map am planing on making a few maps to toy around with.
thanks again for your info and tips