Map making tools & tips
I also to make a post about my map making tools I use, and share the tips I came to use while mapmaking (I'm still new at it and learning along the way)
A few points I want to talk about : sketching/planning your map, using the map editor and the utility tool, measuring, publishing
* Using a drawing software
I use Inkscape for most of my drawing process.
https://inkscape.org/en/
Inkscape is an open-source program, for vector drawing, equivalent to Adobe Illustrator.
I am personally more used and comfortable wih Inkscape than Illustrator, and find it faster for the easy tasks I need to do in this workflow. However, I'm sure you can do the same with Illustrator.
So this is what my file looks like.
http://imgur.com/HAawqOP
There are some good tools to use within the software, such as :
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layers : using layers to organize your document. I use 1 layer per element (map image, lanes, ore, ...)
You can also hide them, lock, change the transparency of a layer, ...
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dimensions : I also use the built-in units system to measure the dimensions of what I am drawing.
When importing an image into Inkscape, a OpenRA cell is about 10 cells. I just adjust the scale so it is perfectly 10px. From there on, anything will be measured with that scale : width of a lane, distances, ...
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grid : you can also superpose a grid over your drawing. Of course, will be a 10px grid, with a primary grid every 10 cells.
I also add another red grid every 50 cells. Therefore, I can quickly now the coordinates of an object by looking at the grid.
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snapping : you can snap to the grid, but also to other objects
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aligning : for symetry purposes
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measure : I just draw a line, and see the length in pixels.
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export : when done, you can export a selection. I usually add another "export" layer, and draw 1% transparent rectangle as a selection.
* Inkscape Template File
Here's an Inkscape file, with prepared layers, sized objects and ore patches(10px/cell), and defined colors the 3 environments.
Link to the .SVG file :
http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=928 ... 7576224126
https://imgur.com/Acc8utF
* Map editor / Utility tool
http://imgur.com/7yF1vVJ
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increase map size, to get more room (beware -2)
I like to see my whole map as a canvas. Increasing the space a lot allows me to get more space, if i suddently need to expand my map a bit, or leave some copy-pastable assets in the additional area.
You can even make yourself a "default" starting map, with already a lot of assets.
https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/wiki/Utility
You need to open a terminal where your Utility.exe is (in your installed folder), then type (or copy paste) :
OpenRA.Utility.exe ra --resize-map MAPFILE WIDTH HEIGHT
For instance :
OpenRA.Utility.exe ra --resize-map ./Jungle-Law_v0-4b.oramap 170 170 (./ if you put the .oramap in the same folder, otherwise you need to write the whole path)
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copy paste to reuse assets, cliffs, roads, ore patches, ...
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use versions
I suggest to save a new version every change, and to keep the old ones in an "old" folder. Also because there is no "Undo" button !!
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eco measuring :
To measure the amount of an ore patch, copy it somewhere else, and calculate the difference.
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quick sketching :
I use water tiles to quick sketch : for instance axes, circles, planned areas (obstacle, ore, ...).
For more precision, I read on the grid (in Inkscape) a few keypoints, that I precisely draw in the editor. Then I draw between those points.
Sometimes I use some highly visible actors (the orange hay stack), to note some areas (finished areas, to-do areas, ...)
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grid color : I also changed the grid color to gray, for eye comfort.
can be overwritten by setting it in your installed OpenRA folder : OpenRA\mods\ra\tilesets\temperat.yaml for instance, then change HeightDebugColors: 555555
* Publishing
I use
http://imgur.com/ , then go to my uploaded images, click the one I want to upload : gives you several links.
Choose the one that says BBCode, and you can even choose a thumbnail size.
For screeenshooting, I think native Windows would work, or the OpenRA screenshot command, but I use "Greenshot" software and works well. Then combine images on my image editor.