New to map making

[Jeffy]

Hey everyone,

I've been playing Soldat for almost a month now. Right when I started playing I was hooked just like that! I've been getting pretty good and it is a ton of fun. I play the newest version obviously, and i've noticed a few maps that i've joined that were completly custom. They had like Homer Simpson in the background, and all these cool little featues, etc. So that is what brought me to this forum in order to learn how to do that as well.

I've been searching the forum and looking under the map making section but it seems there is a lot to choose from. So I thought I would create this thread in order to a get a better understanding on how to create my own custom map. It would be really nice if you guys could lead me on the right path of which program to use to create my own custom map and do all that fun editing stuff, along with a guide on how to use it, and most importantly being able to play my custom map in game. Links or attachments to the appropriate files would be very helpful as well.

So all in all, a basic run through to get me started would be awesome!

Thank you very much!

[Laser Guy]

Chek out this link
http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=62.0

[mar77a]

the program: http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=174.0
the guide: http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=17943.0

[Ekoz]

i have actually made a complete guide for beginners, from drawing a polygon to simple waypointing,
at my clan site. i'll go dig it up for you.

here we go:http://fallin-angels.org/smf/index.php?topic=3712.0

[Laser Guy]

Ekoz, yours requires registration in order to view it.

[Ekoz]

oh. well, i guess i can just copy and paste it to a new thread here.

it really is just a complete walkthrough.

[Jeffy]

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately Polyworks doesn't work on my computer. I loads up, but I get an error and the Polyworks program runs as a black screen.
I tried fixing it, couldn't get nothing to work out though.

So I was wondering if there are any other decent mapmaking programs for soldat, along with a guide for it as well possibly?

[mar77a]

There's the official mapmaker which comes with a manual http://www.soldat.pl/downloads/soldatmapmaker12.zip. I suggest replacing the binary with mapmaker+ tho, which you can find here: http://soldatmaps.s58.xrea.com/dl/dl.cgi?MapMakerPlus.zip

[Jeffy]

Thanks mar. The first link was dead but I was able to search Soldat's Official mapmaker up manual, and it actually works on my computer. Now I just got to learn how to use it, and import the maps I make, etc.

Edit - I just fired up the program and started messing around with it and it's very easy to use. I made a quick map, set some waypoints, and I was all set to go. Just a few questions:

When I click a polygon it highlights it, but how do I delete it if needed? I tried clicking it then hitting delete on keyboard, and Esc, nothing working. So knowing how to do that would be great.

Also, I tested out my maps with some bots on Soldat and it went well. Now would other users who play soldat just be able to join my server and start playing my map? Does it just automatically download it into there Soldat/Maps folder when they try to enter the server?

If you guys could answer this questions and give me a few pointers it would be great. I'm very new to mapmaking, and it looks like it would be a lot of fun, i've very interested.

Thanks all!

[mar77a]

Yes, if downloading is allowed (which is by default) and the ports forwarded, it should be auto-downloaded. Also, for help about the controls, click the "Help" Button at the far right on the top menu.

[Jeffy]

Okay awesome, thanks again.

[Biggles]

There is also another mapmaker Polyworks but I think you should use the original one first and after awhile start with polyworks. Aswell to learn how to make sceneries nice and things like that you can look at other maps threw the mapmaker just to understand how to do. But I guess its best if you do your own art aswell.

Polyworks: http://individual.utoronto.ca/caek/Soldat_PolyWorks.zip

[Dusty]

I guess he told it's not working on his comp. I personally would prefer Polyworks for beginners too, adding colors and such is much easier in it, as far as I remember. Mite be wrong tho.

[Jeffy]

Yes, unfortunately Polyworks does not work on my computer which is quite disappointing, but the official map maker on the soldat site does work for me. I've been practising with it quite a bit and it seems to be working quite well. Some aspects of the program can be a bit annoying and a little tricky but it is quite fun. I made a quick test map and it turned out well. I threw in some waypoints and scenery and all that fun stuff. I then tested out the gameplay as well with some others online and it went quite well. The map was a bit small, about the size of the original 'arena2' but it was fun. It looked nice for my first map, and now there is just room to improve. When I get a nice map finished I'll be sure to post it in the appropriate section!

[Biggles]

I guess he told it's not working on his comp. I personally would prefer Polyworks for beginners too, adding colors and such is much easier in it, as far as I remember. Mite be wrong tho.

Oh I fail I should really sometimes read more carefully. Anyway whats the problem when you start polyworks and how good is your computer? My old one was really bad still polyworks just worked fine even though I only had windows 98 which was less problems with when I changed to Windows Xp