Mapdev:Main

Map Development

Maps are the fields on which the battles are fought, made with the implicit contract that they shall not alter game mechanics. They are made up of images and text files which describe the environment and its features, such as height, colour, background, details features, atmosphere and lighting etc. These images and text files are then compressed into a 7zip archive for distribution.

In-Game Screenshot

Beginners Tutorial

This beginners tutorial is split into three parts, the basic stuff, the more advanced basic stuff, and how to compile and create a map archive for distribution. It is intended to get you started, when you are comfortable with the concepts, please look over the technical documentation to further your knowledge.

• Stage 1
• Stage 2
• Finalizing

Blueprint

Due to the amount of boiler plate files needed to create a fairly feature complete map, Jk has created a blueprint map to get things started

• Link to blueprint zip

Technical Documentation

General

• mapinfo.lua
• set.lua - feature set
• SMT format
• SMF format
• Mapdev:archive
• Mapdev:sounds
• Mapdev:performance

Terrain Shading

• Mapdev:diffuse
• Mapdev:detail
• Mapdev:splatdetail
• Mapdev:specular
• Mapdev:normal
• Mapdev:parallax
• Mapdev:skyreflectmod
• Mapdev:lightemission

Terrain Features

• Mapdev:height
• Mapdev:metal
• Mapdev:terraintype
• Mapdev:grass
• Mapdev:features
• Mapdev:water
• Mapdev:borders
• Mapdev:minimap

Environment

• Mapdev:skybox
• Mapdev:lighting
• Mapdev:atmosphere

Scripting

• Mapdev:MapOptions
• Mapdev:LuaShaders
• Mapdev:Mutators forum discussion

Howto's

• Mapdev:Howto_voidwater/space
• Mapdev:Howto_spring_features_v1
• Mapdev:Howto_skybox

Tools

A big list of tools used in developing spring games and assets:

• Map,_Game,_And_Unit_Development_Programs

Specific to Map Development

Tools vs Platform

Tool	Windows	Linux	MacOS
MapConv	Yes
MapConvNG	Yes	Yes
Start Position Editor	Yes
Das Bruce's Mapconv Frontend	Yes
FrostRegen's SpringMapEdit	yes	yes	yes

Spring Add-Ons

• FeaturePlacer
• Toolbox
• Spring Features V1.0

Common Problems

Pink Map

Renaming the SMT file and not defining the new name in mapinfo.lua will result in a map with a pink texture. Also don't put any spaces in the name.

Map doesn't show in spring after compressing with 7zip

The most likely cause is that it was compressed using the solid archive option.

FIXME: Add windows and MacOS solutions.

For linux the option -ms=off needs to be given on the command line. eg.

7z a -ms=off myarchivename.sd7 dem files I want to archive

Flipped Images

Heightmap images compiled into map files are inverted. It is necessary to use the -i parameter of Mapconv to vertically flip the image so that it matches the texture.

smt name defined in smf

The SMT file name is hardcoded in the SMF, and renaming the SMT used to cause pink map issues, but the SMT can now be manually defined in mapinfo.lua thereby bypassing the entire issue altogether.

Map Development Wiki

• Mapdev Wiki Guide

Deprecated but not Deleted

We plan on integrating any and all useful knowledge from these pages into the rest of the wiki, they are kept here so that they are not hidden away.

Full Guides For Map Making (Outdated)

The guides listed below are outdated and scheduled for archival.

• aGorm's map creating Guide
• aGorms Ultimate Map Making Guide(unfinished)
• IceXuicks Map creating Guide
• Forboding Angel's map creating Tutorial
• Another tutorial from a designing point of view
• A Complete Map Making Tutorial (under construction)
• Runecrafter's Map Tutorial
• Beherith's map creating tutorial using the World in Conflict map editor

Specific Guides (Extremely Outdated!)

The linked pages below are scheduled for archival.

• Gras on maps
• Spring Map Definition(smd) reference
• Everything about Compiling your map
• Some things about map balance
• Map sizes in pixels and memory information about map sizes
• RogerN's height map tutorial
• Basic howto: create map texture with Povray

Features. Stones, rocks, trees, for your map can be found at: http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=25752

Map making: SM3 (Experimental) (DEPRECATED)

SM3 (Spring Mapformat 3) was an attempt at creating a splatting-based map format. It has been superseeded by the SSMF (Specular Spring Map Format) iteration of the preceding SM2 (SMF) format.

• jcnossen's brief description on how this mapformat works.
• The first FAQ for the new mapformat.
• SpringMapDesigner