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.

[put some images here] I'm thinking a couple of minimaps and perspective views. of the prettiest maps.

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

• mapinfo.lua
• set.lua - feature set
• SMT format
• SMF format
• Mapdev:height
• Mapdev:diffuse
• Mapdev:specular
• Mapdev:normal
• Mapdev:parallax
• Mapdev:detail
• Mapdev:minimap
• Mapdev:skybox
• Mapdev:metal
• Mapdev:terraintype
• Mapdev:grass
• Mapdev:water
• Mapdev:lighting
• Mapdev:atmosphere
• Mapdev:features
• Mapdev:sounds
• Mapdev:borders

Scripting

• Mapdev:MapOptions
• Mapdev:LuaShaders

Howto's

• Mapdev:Howto_voidwater/space
• Mapdev:Howto_spring_features_v1 Spring Features V1.0

Tools

Tools vs Platform

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

Spring "games"

• FeaturePlacer
• Toolbox

Common Problems

Pink Map

umm from what i remember it has something to do with the name of the smf/smt files. if you change their name it buggers up the texture thingo.. anyway cant remember exactly. and probably should search it out again.

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

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

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

due to images vs spring coordinate space issues.. will have to describe the problem and solutions..like the -i option in mapconv..

smt name defined in smf

One big GOTCHA in mapping is that the SMT's filename is defined in the SMF file at compile-time, so make sure you decide on your filename before you compile your map.

Map Devopment 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) is getting allong nicely and maps using this format can be made. The following is documented so far.

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