Map development

Development < Map development

Getting Started (Tools)

Blueprint: https://github.com/jk3064/Map-Blueprint 

The only other tool really needed is "Mapconv". The other tools available are there simply to make your life easier. A list of common mapping tools are as follows:

Mapconv

SMFED (Depreciated, no longer useful)

Grout (Depreciated, no longer useful unless texture was generated with L3dt utilizing tiles)

SMD Creator (Depreciated, no longer useful)

Start Position Editor

Das Bruce's Mapconv frontend

These tools have been compiled into a zip available here: http://springfiles.com/spring/tools/mapping-tools

Keep in mind that mapconv is still being developed, so it may be necessary to update the included Mapconv to a later version, located here: http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=21458

The Components of a Map

Texture Map

Heightmap

Metal Map

Feature Map

Compiling a Map (MapConv)

Texture Specifications

Texture map size is related in pixels and in spring map size. 2x2 MapSquares in spring are equal to 1024x1024 Pixels. Texture maps must be in multiples of 2. I.E. 2x2, 6x10, 12x16, 16x16, etc. No odd sizes are allowed (Example: 15x10).

Height Map dimensions are Texture Map size / 8 + 1 pixel. In other words, if your texture map is 8192x8192 (16x16), 8192 / 8 + 1 = 1025x1025

Metal Map dimensions are Texture Map size / 8 + 1 pixel. In other words, if your texture map is 8192x8192 (16x16), 8192 / 8 + 1 = 1025x1025

Feature Map dimensions are Texture Map size / 8. In other words, if your texture map is 8192x8192 (16x16), 8192 / 8 = 1024x1024

Using MapConv

MapConv is a command line program that is generally started via a batch file .

Below is an example set of parameters given to mapconv:

MapConv -i -l -c 0 -x 101 -n 100 -o EvoRTS-Craggy_Creek-v01.smf -t terrain.png -a height6.png -m metal.png -f feature.png -z "nvdxt.exe -dxt1a -nmips 4 -Sinc -quality_highest -file"

Once compiled, you will get 2 new files: <mapname.smt> and <mapname.smf>

Utilizing Blueprint

Unzip the blueprint archive into your Spring Maps folder.

You will notice a new folder called "mapcontainer.sdd". The .sdd ending on the folder name is very important for testing as <foldername>.sdd tells spring to load map files from that folder. This way you can work on your maps without having to zip them up over and over again.

mapcontainer.sdd

Inside the map container folder you have the following file/folder structure.

LuaGaia

mapconfig

maphelper

maps

mapinfo.lua

mapoptions.lua

Now, copy your compiled map files into the "maps" folder.

Texture Splatting using SSMF

SSMF mapping is adding detail textures all over the map based upon specified distribution areas. This will make your map infinitely more detailed and beautiful.

Adding SSMF to a map consists of the following steps:

Distribution Map

Detail Textures

Specular Map

Grass Shading Map

Placing Features

As previously mentioned, features can now be placed via LUA based upon a coordinate system that looks similar to this:

local features = { 

unitlist = {

},

buildinglist = {

},

objectlist = {

{ name = 'btreeclo_4', x = 7760, z = 112, rot = "0" },

{ name = 'btreea_3', x = 2520, z = 6904, rot = "0" },

{ name = 'btreeblo_5', x = 7736, z = 536, rot = "0" },

{ name = 'btreeclo_1', x = 2504, z = 7112, rot = "0" },

{ name = 'geovent', x = 177, z = 192, rot = "0" },

},

}

return features

Of course, features can be placed by editing the set.lua file in a text editor, but that would take an extremely long time. Enter FeaturePlacer.

Featureplacer

Feature Placer

SSMF Mapmaking Tutorial (Using JK's Blueprint)

*A Note to wiki Editors*

The below listed tutorial needs to be pulled apart and separated into proper pages following an outline, making it much easier for future addition and proper documentation separation.

Creating a Map using Blueprint

Skyboxes

• Notes about skyboxes notes on a prerendered sky box or cube map.

Mutators

Mutators are files that add new content to exiting game files. "Spring Features" is an example of a mutator.

This section needs a proper description.

http://springrts.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=21808

Tools

• Frostregen's SpringMapEdit. 3D editing, Compiles and import SM2 directly. Beginner friendly but still powerful.
• MapConv Map converter program, compiles maps.
• MapConvNG Rewrite of MapConv that works on linux / 64 bit.
• Maps:Map Designer (Outdated, Depreciated) Hugh's 3D map designer. Splatting, heightmap editing, splat painting, SM3
• Starting position creator: Or you can always find out the hard way which x/y coordinates are good by starting spring and having a look at the mouse cursor coordinates.
• Coordinate Helper widget A small widget that helps you with finding coordinates ie for start positions. Every time you put down a marker it will log its position in Infolog.txt and also in MAPNAME_coordinates.txt Helpfull if you need to get lots of map coordinates and do not want to write them down by hand. (it writes SpawnResource in front of the coordinates but you can ignore or edit the widget)

Depreciated and Outdated Map Making Documentation

Depreciated Map Making Guides