Map problem answers/tips for people making maps

[TheApplePie]

If this topic isn't in the correct place on the forum, please tell me where I should put it.

This topic won't be me asking you for help, it will have basic and complex answers to the problems you may have experienced while making maps.

Firstly, lets take a look at making the height map. As you may have noticed, paint won't work. Photoshop and Gimp are the the things you need to look for.

Canvas sizes? Ah, here you go! 513 x 513 is the answer.

Greyscale mode should also be selected. RGB colour mode will make your game crash while typing it into the map maker.

Make sure you use simple brushes while making the height map.

Don't make it to detailed unless your computer won't lag while opening it in map maker.

To make it more natural, use SHARP edged brushes! There isn't a lot of  smooth hills in the mountains (in real life), is there?
That was just a tip that I stick to, but do what you want.

I think you should referance from the real world if you want it to be realistic. Instead of using only the default feralheart objects, why don't you download some new ones from other great and fantastic players?

Flat areas are quite boring on maps, it hardly ever happens in real life too. If you have a flat terrain somewhere, why don't you add some splodges of darker and lighter greys? It will add more realism into your map. It is all about the details!
Unless you want to have a simple and boring map...

If your game crashes, make sure your map:
-Is one layered, make sure you flatten all of the layers down while drawing out the height map.
- Has no alpha channel
- Is in greyscale
- Uses simple brushes
- Is 513 by 513 pixels!
- Make sure this is the name of the map: MapNameTerrain.png

Masks are quite simple to make. As a starter, why don't I explain to you what map masks are?
If you have a height map and want more than one terrain colour, why don't you add a mask to it?
Masks should be in the RGB (Red Green Blue) colour mode. Copy your heightmap and paste it into your RGB canvas.
Now, make a new layer and cover one  part of the terrain in the map you want  in red. Next, make a new layer and do the same with green. Finally, do the same with blue. Remove your heightmap from the bottom of the canvas and save it.
Make sure this is the name of the mask: MapNameMask.png

If you blend the colours together, the mask will have a smooth meeting point of the two. If you don't blend them together, it will have a cutt off point on the map terrain. (It won't be blended in nicerly, it will be a solid line inbetween the two terrain textures)

- Use any type of brush you want!
- Want help? Look at photos of terrain in  real life to get inspiration. For example, look at these links.
http://4cornershikesancients.blogspot.co.uk/2010_05_01_archive.html
http://nature.ca/en/about-us/museum-news/news/press-releases/remains-extinct-giant-camel-discovered-high-arctic-canadian
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=ETVcDSw1Vn82cM&tbnid=oKv_Wcir-31tJM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chi-ad.com%2FSkyline%2FForum%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D32%26t%3D35&ei=jexwU9qmKuGJ7Aaoj4GADw&bvm=bv.66330100,d.ZWU&psig=AFQjCNFP701Ni018RyjeOejmx4EwM9p5EA&ust=1399995897813430

I hope I helped you at least a little bit, any other questions from you will be answered, or at least I will try to give you the correct ones. Thank you for reading!

[Aicosu125]

I think this could go hear, but that's me. It also could possible go to the FeralHeart Tutorials. I'm not to sure. A staff member will move your post if they feel it is in the wrong area it has been posted it.

[TheApplePie]

I think this could go hear, but that's me. It also could possible go to the FeralHeart Tutorials. I'm not to sure. A staff member will move your post if they feel it is in the wrong area it has been posted it.

I was thinking about that too, but people would find it quick enough. When they go and ask for help in the help section, they might stumble up-on this. So I thought I would put it here..Because..Why would people look for help in the tutorial section? (There are actually a lot of reasons, but they rarely notice that xD)

[Vespian]

Movin' this thread to the Mapping Tutorials board.

It is much appreciate that ye've taken the time to make this, ma'am. No doubt it'll come to be of much use to many users seekin' aid and/or advise when it comes to map-makin'. I also like the detail ye've put into this. A job well done.

[TheApplePie]

Thank you for moving it where it should be.
I'm glad that ya' like it, I hope other users do too.
Thanks for reviewing!

[Revie]

That's really quite helpful!

But I still have a question left... not sure though if you can help me with it.

Doing heightmaps isn't the problem itself, but often it happens, that my ground isn't flat... I mean I make hills and all, but the ground has everywhere some sort of echelon form. Even at places, where it would be all flat, there are those stairs.. I'm not sure hiw to describe them, English isn't my mother language sorry ><

But I added a pic so you can see what I mean...

[TheApplePie]

That's really quite helpful!

But I still have a question left... not sure though if you can help me with it.

Doing heightmaps isn't the problem itself, but often it happens, that my ground isn't flat... I mean I make hills and all, but the ground has everywhere some sort of echelon form. Even at places, where it would be all flat, there are those stairs.. I'm not sure hiw to describe them, English isn't my mother language sorry ><

But I added a pic so you can see what I mean...

Make sure you do the background (one gray/black/white) at the bottom layer. Everything else you should draw on different layers. Then just flatten it down. If it doesn't work then try re-installing the game. If hat still doesn't work, try to find an answer I. The help board. If it still happens after re-installing and checking your files, it must just be a problem with your computer.