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Post by WarDragon on Feb 24, 2005 17:35:16 GMT -5
Take all the time you need.
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Post by Neo Samurai on Feb 24, 2005 17:43:06 GMT -5
The way things are going, I probably won't be actually starting my game anytime soon. So, I can patiently wait for your FAQ to release. Thanks for taking your time to share your tips and tricks with us. Good luck.
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Post by MC Solidus on Mar 13, 2005 18:45:16 GMT -5
God, I'm so glad someone is making a Map Editor FAQ, heh. I am having trouble even starting with that damned editor...
I'm looking forward to the FAQ my friend.
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 21, 2005 19:51:45 GMT -5
The guide itself is done. I'm in the process of typing it all up and proof reading it all. I'll have the guide up for download in MSword .doc format this Saturday along with a .max save file featuring the images that I refer to in the guide as well as the maps themselves. I can't promise anything, but I'll stay up late friday and try to put together a full size world map built using the techniques covered in the guide. A full guide complete with the images inserted will become available when Doan sends the pictures from my file back to me. Till then any questions about the techniques or other questions on map development can be directed HERE to my MEGuide forum in my Endless Dreams forum.
EDIT: ok so it wasn't completely done, and some of it still isn't but it will be.
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 25, 2005 20:16:55 GMT -5
Well, I'm about 98% done now. Only two sections left to finish. Once I get done I want everyone to tell me your every thought about it.
I can't properly update it without proper feedback.
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Post by Neo Samurai on Mar 25, 2005 20:21:08 GMT -5
Only 98% left? Damn! I can't wait! ;D
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 25, 2005 20:33:53 GMT -5
Tomorrow morning, probably around 10:00am central standard time (I live in TX) I should have it up and ready for downlaod.
And um, Hitou don't you mean only 2% left?
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 25, 2005 22:21:52 GMT -5
It's 9:30 here, and I am finally done!
See you all tomorrow.
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Post by Neo Samurai on Mar 26, 2005 7:56:19 GMT -5
My bad. I meant to say "you have 98% done?" ;D
Anyway, great to hear. I can't wait to see it!
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 26, 2005 11:09:42 GMT -5
Well, here it is.
For some reason my MAX Drive didn't save my game file so I'm gonna have to go back to my apt to get, but I'll try to get it on before the end of the day, if not I'll have it up on Monday.
Click on the 'downlaod it' in my signature to do so.
It's in Microsoft Word Document format.
Also, remember this is only my first release, so unless you absolutly feel you have to I don't recommend printing up the whole 40 pages until I at least release the next update.
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 26, 2005 13:44:48 GMT -5
So, I went to go eat lunch and while I was enjoing some finely brewed java I began looking over my guide, and oh my god did I miss a lot of things last night during my proof read. So, I'm again editting it so it won't have some many mess ups. Till I get it out you can still download the first version. There won't be any real differences, but it might be easer to read and understand once i get the revisions finished. Whatever, its up to you.
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Post by Neo Samurai on Mar 26, 2005 14:32:50 GMT -5
I've been reading your Map Editor Guide, and I must say, it is very good. I feel like I am becoming wiser in the ways of the Map Editor.
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 26, 2005 14:36:04 GMT -5
Since I will likely be constantly be updating the guide you can always click on the 'Download It' in my signature to grab the newest version. Wondering how to tell if your old version and the new are different? Just check the version number at the top of the document.
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 26, 2005 14:54:33 GMT -5
In the guide there are sections dedicated to the creation of city and dungeon based maps using the map editor. I've left it empty in this release, because I'm still compilling information to put in them.
This is where I would like some feed back. What would you lake to do with your maps?
What have you envisioned, but been unable to create?
I fairly well believe that just about any thing can be made in the map editor, but I need you to tell me what you want to make. Once I have a goal I can find a way to make it work. But, I've been feeling so drained these past few months that my creativity is not what it used to be and thus I'm suffering from major writer's block. Give me a challenge please so I can try to get my mental juices flowing again.
Throw any map idea you want at me, no matter how weird or impossible it may seem to you.
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Post by Neo Samurai on Mar 26, 2005 14:58:09 GMT -5
How about a dam or a sewer entrance?
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 26, 2005 15:01:46 GMT -5
;)Ha, there you go. Now I can go home and try making a few maps to work for that.
Everyone (though I realize right now I'm the only one on) keep 'em coming!
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 26, 2005 16:29:46 GMT -5
I added access to my guide at the pavilion and agetec, but I couldn't figure out how to post at gameFAQs, so I guess they're just out luck. Hopefully everyone that reads it will come here and smarm the board. Wait, maybe that wouldn't be such a good thing. Oh well.
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Post by The Final Rune on Mar 28, 2005 11:10:06 GMT -5
Here is the map editor file containing all the images and actual maps used in the guide. There is no passcode so open it in the editor, as opening it in the player will limit you to exploring the sample world map I have created. Explore it instead by just test playing. Enjoy.
Get it this link disabled in Max Drive format.
NOTE: I couldn't figure out how to post my save at codejunkies so I did it through my website host. There shouldn't be any problems downloading it, but if there is please alert me ASAP.
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Post by The Final Rune on Apr 2, 2005 10:13:06 GMT -5
If you check the images in my save file you'll notice every place in the guide has a corrisponding image, plus, do a test play and you can explore my sample continent in an airship and see a working volcano.
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Post by The Final Rune on May 9, 2005 14:36:57 GMT -5
You know , I still haven't actually received any real feedback on my guide
There's one bit of wrong information in there, but I bet nobody has found it yet
I'm still trying to finish the next release, but for those that don't know, I've been down and out lately, and it's slowing down my thinking/creative/ambition drives and I feel wasted physically and menatlly
Hopefully I be back to normal soon
Man, I wish I had some zoloft
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Post by WarDragon on May 9, 2005 14:47:33 GMT -5
Your guide is just as good as it is. I found nothing wrong when trying some of your techniques
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Post by Rodak on May 9, 2005 17:17:17 GMT -5
I made all my maps long before I found this site (and others) even existed so I was putting off giving your guide a good read until I resolved a bunch of scripting issues with which I was dealing (many resolved here!).
But I finally downloaded it and got a bunch of ugly symbols. The PC I use for Web Access is a little old (uses windows ME) (I WILL NOT risk EVER putting my MAC online! I only recently made my first home computer upgrade in over 20 years, from a Tandy 1000 to a Power Mac G4!) (The HP with ME was obtained used). I will print your guide out from work (or just pop it onto a disc and bring it home) (I like paranthesis). You'll get a solid review when I'm done reading it. I have been a professional editor in my long and varied job history, so if anything I say sounds like J. Jonah Jameson, just understand it is a voice common to all editors. That will follow after I get a readable copy
But since you asked, I do have a landscepe feature I wanted and was unable to create. It is this: I have a big mountain on a map with a low sea level so it can rise even higher. I thought it would be cool to "Poke A Hole" in it at Airship (low sky) level, so the party can fly through. I even wanted to put something in there (an encounter, a chest, a hermit with key information... the possibilities are limitless). But I never quite managed to figure out if this was possible.
So, is that possible? I expect you would know since you are our resident cartographer.
If the answer is in your guide I'll find out when I read it this week!
Judging from your table of contents it seems to be quite comprehensive.
More tomorrow...
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2005 19:00:39 GMT -5
I got it!! I just thought of it. You make a building that doesn't look blocky by using high distortion and varied block shapes. You make a hole through it, and place it on the map. (what I mean by varied block shapes is like the land at the bottom of the waterfall seen here: www.doanthenado.com/images/Waterfall0.jpg , for example, and this is without high distortion) Others than that, you could try faking it with a sky blue texture placed on the sides of the mountain and the Bypass Objects script command, but the outcome probably won't be that good, at all.
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Post by Rodak on May 10, 2005 16:13:55 GMT -5
Well, I promised more today, so here is a brief, preliminary critique.
Very thorough and apparently complete at first glance.
Well organized. That is a huge plus when writing a guide. I also like the tutorial style of presentation. I try to do that in some of my posts but I just can't resist throwing in really bad jokes. Bad jokes make up the very core of my existence.
I could only get a readable copy from the 'puter at work, so I can say with certainty that the download problem was at this end and nothing for you to worry about.
Now; the only negative thing so far. Understand that I mean no disrespect, and have no desire to offend, but the piece would benefit from a quick load into a word processor and running a spell check. I found an average of about 2 per page in the couple pages I read. It is entirely possible that I just caught the only couple pages like that... but it should be pointed out nevertheless. There are one or two grammaitcal issues too. I'll detail the lot and let you know. ... Ya know, if I recall correctly it may not have been spelling errors so much as simply using the wrong word. I think I read the incorrect spelling of the word "copying" as a spelling error (which it was), but it was spelled "coping". That would not show up on a spell check. So maybe you already did that and I just caught the ones that got past the check. It reminds me of a favorite poem, and since I am mentally disturbed, I'll post it here for your listening pleasure:
=========== Owed to a Spell Chequer
I halve a spelling chequer It came with my pea sea It plane lee marques four my revue Miss steaks aye ken knot sea
Eye ran this poem threw it Your sure reel glad two no It's vary polished in it's weigh My chequer tolled me sew
A chequer is a bless sing It freeze yew lodes of thyme It helps me awl stiles two reed And aides mi when aye rime
To rite with care is quite a feet Of witch won should be proud And wee mussed dew the best wee can Sew flaws are knot aloud
And now bee cause my spelling is checked with such grate flare Their are know faults with in my cite Of nun eye am a wear
Each frays come posed up on my screen Eye trussed to be a joule The chequer poured o'er every word To cheque sum spelling rule
That's why aye brake in two averse My righting wants too pleas Sow now ewe sea wye aye dew prays Such soft wear for pea seas ===========
You get the idea. I'm sick. But that does pass the spell checker!
If you update it soon be sure to post an announcement (HA, like I need to say that) so I can reevaluate that aspect of your very impressive work.
So far I have not tried any of your ideas (as I said, my maps were done before I found this site and am on a roll scripting) but I will do so and let you know what I think.
This Guide is a valuable contribution and I am sure it will help many people get started making more interesting environments.
After I get finished with my game I intend to write something similiar for the Visual Effects Editor, but I wont even have time to get started until near the end of the year. I still need to learn more and I want to finish a game first to maximize my experience and produce a worthy guide. If there are any aspects of that editor you have questions about, I am compiling a rough outline for the project and perhaps it's a good idea to get some input from the folks here. What would you like to see in such a guide? Should that be it's own thread? (Don't want to sidetrack this one!) Will anyone else have written one by October or November? And so on...
I'll get that critique of the Map Editor Guide up within a week. That will give me time to use it on a weekend and then I'll be able to give a better review.
Peace.
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Post by The Final Rune on Jun 1, 2005 9:49:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the review, and yes, you're right about my many spelling oops. I'm in the long process of rewriting the guide in note pad as an all text (.txt) document. Hopefully that'll allow you and all the other poor Millennium Edition users a chance to see it in clarity. Upon going over it later I couldn't believe how many grammar and spelling errors I had in there. Believe it or not I did spell check the whole thing, I just thing the comp hiccuped while doing so. My revised copy should be out before the summer is over. Assuming that the RPGM3 doesn't kill off the #2 users, I'll continue working on releasing more and more ideas and techniques.
On the mountain with a hole, Will had it almost right. You create the illusion of a hole by "stretching" a block made building, but only the area of the blocks at original size would have solid substance. Consequentially, this is what prevented me from making my thin wall style game (don't ask).
I've tried several things, but alas to no avail. There is simply no way to have the characters or a vessel pass though a land mass. Sorry, it broke my spirits too.
The only way a player can pass through an object, is if that object is an event set to by-pass members.
Sorry I couldn't solve the problem, but let me offer a compromise:
Instead of a hole, create a "special" vessel the can fly higher than other ships and either just have it able to go over mountain tops, or pass through a narrow passageway.
I recommend doing the whole thing as a cinematic event for the best effect. Think of FF9 when Vivi and crew battle the dark mage on the little cargo airship.
Best of luck whatever you do.
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