Mystara Mega map? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Mystara Mega map?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
havard
Jun 10, 2004 9:38:55 From: http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=88805

Dungeon #112 has arrived

There is also a note that Dungeon issues 117-120 will contain a massive 4-part map of the World of Greyhawk.
#2
spellweaver
Jun 10, 2004 12:12:25
Originally posted by havard
Does anyone think we'll ever see something similar for Mystara?

I'd sure like to see one, maybe even create one. Unfortunately, I don't have access to any good mapping software and postersize printers.

I tried downloading some hex-mapping software from a link at Thibault Sarlats website

www.mystara.fr.st

but couldn't really make it work. A friend of mine is getting me a copy of something called Campaign Carthographer, which should be able to produce hex maps. But how the heck to piece them together in multi-poster-size without using ugly duct tape I don't know...

:-) Jesper
#3
Goldrak
Jun 10, 2004 13:17:31 If someone as the patience, he could try to conbert the Trail Maps to a hex progam...

#4
zombiegleemax
Jul 02, 2004 13:51:02 Well, I wrote a hex mapping program in C# for my user interface design class last quarter. (Got me an 'A', incidentally.) It's far from done, but you can create basic maps and save them.

The problem with hex maps is they get really really big, memory-wise. I'm storing them as bitmap images, because I don't want to limit the engine to a stock set of hex tiles. And I also have three layers so you can have borders over top of water and smooth features and then basic hexes. Not to mention text labels, which I haven't implemented yet. I wrote in an import so I could port in some of my other maps backdrops to assemble a nice demo with.

Anyway, the program runs fine with small hex counts, less than 20x20. But performance really suffers when you go up in the 40-50 size range. I set the program to a maximum of 127x127, but even a 2ghz machine is going to have problems running THAT.

Basically, your best shot for a mega-map is to make it in pieces and assemble it into one large piece later. It will be easier to edit and store that way, and really, a big complete map isn't as great as it sounds.

Adamantyr

P.S. I'm not sure if I'll finish the hex map program or not. I have to write my own drawing tools, which will take awhile (fill command, anyone?) and C# isn't too efficient with graphics. But switching to C/C++ will entail even more work, and will require rewriting it from scratch. I'd want to know that people actually want the program before I'll put in the time.
#5
spellweaver
Jul 03, 2004 7:35:10 I'd love to see an easy-to-use freeware programme that allows me to make even small hex maps

:-) Jesper
#6
zombiegleemax
Jul 05, 2004 18:04:01 I'd be interested in it myself. Would make life a dream when setting up a nice detailed campaign. I'm a terrible artist myself, so I would love a hex map program.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 havard Jun 10, 2004 9:38:55	From: http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=88805 Dungeon #112 has arrived There is also a note that Dungeon issues 117-120 will contain a massive 4-part map of the World of Greyhawk.
#2 spellweaver Jun 10, 2004 12:12:25	Originally posted by havard Does anyone think we'll ever see something similar for Mystara? I'd sure like to see one, maybe even create one. Unfortunately, I don't have access to any good mapping software and postersize printers. I tried downloading some hex-mapping software from a link at Thibault Sarlats website www.mystara.fr.st but couldn't really make it work. A friend of mine is getting me a copy of something called Campaign Carthographer, which should be able to produce hex maps. But how the heck to piece them together in multi-poster-size without using ugly duct tape I don't know... :-) Jesper
#3 Goldrak Jun 10, 2004 13:17:31	If someone as the patience, he could try to conbert the Trail Maps to a hex progam...
#4 zombiegleemax Jul 02, 2004 13:51:02	Well, I wrote a hex mapping program in C# for my user interface design class last quarter. (Got me an 'A', incidentally.) It's far from done, but you can create basic maps and save them. The problem with hex maps is they get really really big, memory-wise. I'm storing them as bitmap images, because I don't want to limit the engine to a stock set of hex tiles. And I also have three layers so you can have borders over top of water and smooth features and then basic hexes. Not to mention text labels, which I haven't implemented yet. I wrote in an import so I could port in some of my other maps backdrops to assemble a nice demo with. Anyway, the program runs fine with small hex counts, less than 20x20. But performance really suffers when you go up in the 40-50 size range. I set the program to a maximum of 127x127, but even a 2ghz machine is going to have problems running THAT. Basically, your best shot for a mega-map is to make it in pieces and assemble it into one large piece later. It will be easier to edit and store that way, and really, a big complete map isn't as great as it sounds. Adamantyr P.S. I'm not sure if I'll finish the hex map program or not. I have to write my own drawing tools, which will take awhile (fill command, anyone?) and C# isn't too efficient with graphics. But switching to C/C++ will entail even more work, and will require rewriting it from scratch. I'd want to know that people actually want the program before I'll put in the time.
#5 spellweaver Jul 03, 2004 7:35:10	I'd love to see an easy-to-use freeware programme that allows me to make even small hex maps :-) Jesper
#6 zombiegleemax Jul 05, 2004 18:04:01	I'd be interested in it myself. Would make life a dream when setting up a nice detailed campaign. I'm a terrible artist myself, so I would love a hex map program.