Map Properties Maker - Is it used?

redrum

@LaFayette So the reason that the map.properties is included in the map maker tool is some of the properties directly relate to the graphical tools and how they function in comparison to many of the other properties files and XML which just influence how the game plays. So I think it is important to keep some form of it involved in the map maker tool. If you haven't done so, I would highly recommend walking through the map maker tool steps to create a little base map.

LaFayette

@redrum Please don't assume I haven't walked through it. If the map.properties is needed for future steps, and the configuration is inter-dependent, then how would importing a PoS2 config solve that?

LaFayette

I'd like for us to now instead focus on whether we want PoS2 to be the tutorial process, or map maker. I'll post a new forum thread dedicated to that topic. The feedback that map.properties is more easily hand-edited was the desired outcome of this thread.

redrum

@LaFayette I didn't say whether you did or didn't. I just said if you haven't then you should as you seem to be suggesting you don't think map.properties should be grouped together with the other graphical map making tools.

The idea would be importing the file as a starting point for users with good default values and instructing them to edit the file directly rather than use the existing UI to generate one. Honestly the map making tool should just create the base folder structure and import a default and commented version of things like map.properties. Having to write documentation to explain how to do all that is about just as much effort to having TripleA do it and would avoid lots of user error where they make a typo or a capitalization error.

POS2 should be the tutorial for everything beyond making the graphical map portion and already is.

But yes, I think we have agreement that unless we improve the existing map properties UI tool then its easier to just have users edit it directly.

LaFayette

@redrum

@LaFayette I didn't say whether you did or didn't. I just said if you haven't then you should as you seem to be suggesting you don't think map.properties should be grouped together with the other graphical map making tools.

The implication seemed patronizing, I take some offense. I'm not suggesting the map.properties not be grouped together, and in fact I stated that my reservation to removing it is that map maker tools would then be missing it, which seems like a big omission.

beelee

@LaFayette hmm... seen a lot of negative triplea stuff from you lately. Take a break if you're not happy

LaFayette

@beelee I don't like being talked down to or patronized, I'll express that sentiment when I see it or feel it. It's indeed tiring to continually fight old, unpopular battles like 'ice-box'.

The goal is to get the community to have the same vision/direction. The map maker tools themselves is a symptom of that lack of harmony as it's one solution in of itself, pact of steel demo map is another vision of the same solution, and the documentation and forum posts are yet another.

My latest question/response on this thread was that it seemed like trying to incorporate the best of Pact of Steel into Map maker is trying to have the best of both worlds without paying down the cost of differing visions. I do find it an interesting idea nonetheless as it does unify one aspect of the map making experience.

prastle

@LaFayette I did read your, "I would like to propose" part my earlier comment," Which is why I upvoted it or more specifically this part
https://forums.triplea-game.org/post/26964

beelee

@LaFayette sorry brother

you just seemed a little down. My comment was poorly worded. You've done a lot as i n massive stuff for triplea. Sorry for the way way it came out

LaFayette

@beelee Thanks, though you're not completely wrong, optics and motivating groups has never been a strong suite of mine.

Cernel

Surprised @Frostion hasn't chirped in. I cannot think of anyone else who made more maps from nothing (of course, you don't use this utility if you are starting from an existent map).

LaFayette

@Cernel I'd suspect even if making a map from 'nothing', you'd still copy an existing map, remove everything that is going to change, and then open the map maker tools to then do the map image work.

Frostion

@Cernel I am still here Just mostly listening. Will be more active in the near future hopefully.

I used all the map making tools in the beginning, when making my first maps. But now I think I use them to break down tiles, make polygons/centers/connections/placements, also when placing art and PUs on the map.

I don't really have any input in regards to redeveloping any of the tools ... not rigth now anyway.

Edit: Yes I do a lot of copying files from other maps and then edit them. I think my new Warcraft map was originally just a copy of Iron War.

wc_sumpton

FWIW

I was at one time trying to recreate the map used in 'A Game of Thrones'. So I traced out an original map making is about twice the size of what is use in the game now.

What I found awkward was first naming for the centers.txt and not being able to see the territory selected (polygons.txt). If there was a way of creating both the polygons and centers at the same time, I think the 'Map Maker' tool would be easier to use.

/FWIW

Cheers...

Captain Crunch

@LaFayette hey no problem everyone gets sensitive just like how I get annoyed that every forum I've ever been at has trolls with 4 or 5 accounts who are only there to spam fake topics and be constantly facetious ... oh and thanks for now following me Ubernaut ... I think

ff03k64

@Frostion Warcraft map? Is it done, or are you currently creating it?

Frostion

@ff03k64 It is a work-in-progress map. I have had a little pause in developing it, but I think that I am about ready to begin working on it again. I have not released a playable beta version yet, but it will come out eventually.

Look for it in the maps and mods category.