Making a Map

[Cranialwizard]

Well, I've been interested in making my own map for quite some time but I have a few obstacles...

1. My Laptop is not very good at handling world builder, for example loading the Object Placement menu takes about 30 seconds :/

2. I'm much of a beginner in world builder, especially with splats, roads, and textures.

3. I am never sure how big my map should be or how much detail I should provide in one specific area.

4. I am not good with code, but I can learn. (Learned HTML a while back, about 5 years ago, forgot most of it by now  )

Is there anyone who can help me out with splats and roads? Or a suggestion to boosting my laptop performance to help world builder? What about destroying walls and such? Or map size suggestions?

Help would be much appreciated. I would love to contribute and possibly give a shot at re-creating a map similar to that of my Italian homeland

[pariah]

A map set in Italy would be cool.

I'm afraid laptops aren't very versatile with upgrades. Do you know what piece of hardware is holding you back? It may be possible to upgrade the R.A.M. or hard drive.

For map size you need to leave some room for terrain and objects around the edges, otherwise it will look pretty stupid. And also make sure you make the H.Q. sectors a good size, so players can build all their buildings.

[Cranialwizard]

Alright, but where should I start? I Know I should put the HQ down first but that still prevents me from saving?

I have a HP Pavillion DV4 with Vista, with 4gb of ram IIRC.

I have a desktop that runs XP and POSSIBLY might be able to run it better, but it has blue screened with COH before. (Replaced the hard drive on it a couple years later, unrelated error, it's a work computer.)

[pariah]

Someone can correct me on this, but i believe you need these to save:
Starting locations for all players, with their own H.Q.s, territories, and off-map call-in points.
I think that's all you need.

I'm not sure what's wrong with your laptop. 4GB of R.A.M. should be fine. Maybe it's the processor, or graphics card? I can't help you there, sorry.

[Max 'DonXavi' von B.]

You don't even need a territory assigned to the HQs. The program does only whine when either no HQs or map_entry_points are placed. All of the other errors have to do with undone or failed territory placement, but you don't need it to play your map.

You can always ask me, Cranialwizard. I'd be glad to help you, if a good map appears as result.

I have to agree with pariah about modifying your laptop, it's very risky and not that easy as if you would do that with your Desktop PC.

[Cranialwizard]

Thanks Maxi! Much appreciated.

The laptop's major flaw is lack of a cooling system. (Or Power Intake? I sent it back NINE TIMES under warranty and HP Failed to correct the problem)

Essentially I must keep the laptop in Power Saver Mode at all times and have a secondary cooling pad under it. If I put it in Balanced it will last about 30 minutes and then just completely crash, and if you go as far as high performance, it's about 5 minutes. It just blacks out like you took the power source from a desktop. Frankly I don't have the funds to fix it at the moment :/

[pariah]

HP? Well, there's your problem.

Any idea how much it would cost to get a decent rig?

[Cranialwizard]

You mean to modify it? I would estimate somewhere in the 300$ neighborhood, which in reality is a waste, because for about 200$ more you might as well just get a new desktop :/

Alas, I'll live. So you have the HQ points set up, what then? Where do you start? Get your terrain modified?

[pariah]

I meant to get a decent system. I honestly don't think a HP is even worth upgrading. Nor do i know how much P.C. hardware usually costs in Italy.

[snailcommando]

[.... I have a HP Pavillion DV4 with Vista, with 4gb of ram IIRC. ...]

vista 32bit? then just swap 64bit version.

A map set in Italy would be cool.

full ack

[Cranialwizard]

I meant to get a decent system. I honestly don't think a HP is even worth upgrading. Nor do i know how much P.C. hardware usually costs in Italy.

I'm currently living in the USA so no currency issues xD

I think a decent system would be in the range of 600$ or so, but I am not too sure.

And yes, I was going to purchase an Asus, which I hear are fairly good, but it was no longer on sale when I had the money, and the salesman at the store said this laptop had an advanced graphics card...but he didn't tell me it doesn't have the performance to run such card.

[.... I have a HP Pavillion DV4 with Vista, with 4gb of ram IIRC. ...]

vista 32bit? then just swap 64bit version.

It is 64-bit

A map set in Italy would be cool.

full ack

I do not understand? 

Hmm, and splines, what is a good spline to make a nice road? I mean there are loads of splines, and a lot of them are rather odd-looking in my opinion.

[pariah]

Hmm, nor do i... I think 'ack-ack' is supposed to be anti-air or something.

Also, i'm not sure how much P.C. hardware is in America.

[Max 'DonXavi' von B.]

Hmm, and splines, what is a good spline to make a nice road? I mean there are loads of splines, and a lot of them are rather odd-looking in my opinion.

It depends on what kind of map you'd like to create. Tell me about your idea, and I'll tell you about the perfect splines to use to realise the idea

[Cranialwizard]

Hmm, and splines, what is a good spline to make a nice road? I mean there are loads of splines, and a lot of them are rather odd-looking in my opinion.

It depends on what kind of map you'd like to create. Tell me about your idea, and I'll tell you about the perfect splines to use to realise the idea

I was thinking mainly some small, light dirt roads and maybe a medium-sized stone/cobblestone road. I'll have to think back a bit though.

[snailcommando]

Full Acknowledge...

A italian landscape would be nice