Heightmapping
Bildramer's Bitmap Converter
Download.
- Create a heightmap by a method (black is lowest, and gets higher as you move towards white) and save it as a 24-bit bitmap
- Create a colourmap for it, by a method, also saving as a 24-bit bitmap
- Create and run a .bat file (or edit example.bat) to include your two bmp files rather than the example moon.bmp and moonh.bmp
- example: converth.exe pinpoint2c.bmp pinpoint2h.bmp
Ways to create heightmaps
Some tools to help easily create heightmaps.
The average graphics program
Anything that can make 24-bit bitmaps can be used for mapping! Knowing that black is the lowest (z-level 0) and white is highest (z-level 63) you can work out the gradient of each block up as the scale moves from black to white.
0 - is the water and 63 is the highest level that can't be reached with Bitmap converter. Only 62.
JoJoeStinky's Blender Solution
JoJoeStinky took the time to create a template/plugin for the well used 3D modelling software Blender.
First off, the Blender main download.
After that, there's the JoeJoeTerrain and Colormap template.
TUTORIAL for JoJoeTerrain - https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1660874/Download/tutorial.jpg
Normal Tools:
There are a few other programs that are helpful that I know of.
VOXED
Comes default with the Ace of Spades download.
Read the VOXEDhlp.txt that also comes with it, explaining all the controls (there are lots of them).
- JoJoeStinky's VOXED Tutorial
A few highlighted commands I've found useful personally:
- 'w' - After placing numbered cursors (space to insert, backspace to delete), press w to create a wall, and then page up/down to raise/lower a wall between the points
- 'u' - Importing external prefabs. After using SLAB6 to make trees, I often just use 'u' to insert the saved trees into my maps
SLAB6
Download SLAB6.
By using insert/delete (similar controls to VOXED) one can create models to be imported into VOXED (mentioned above). It is also the program used to edit the .kv6 files (guns, player models).
A help file can be accessed from within SLAB6 itself.
pyspades map editor
pyspades download page - find the latest 'map_editor' from the list.
Basic help file is found here.
The idea behind it is quite simple - it's a slice editor. There's a little set of arrows in lower right to choose to move up/down a layer, 0 being the water colour (must set) and 63 being the upper limit.
Two basic tools: Brush and Texture. Brush simply applies whatever colour you have selected onto the canvas (right-click to erase), while the Texture tool applies an image onto the current layer.
Quibicle:
Although it's a paid piece of software, it has had some amazing uses and showcases in JoJoeStinky's maps.
It has ease of use to create some very well crafted maps/map items such as buildings.
Website| JoJoeStinky's Video Tutorial for Quibicle
Other:
A couple of more miscellaneous items:
JoJoeStinky's castle maker
Qubicle Constructor version: This is where I made the pieces, and the example castle. Simply piece together your castle, and export the pieces, Or join them together, and export the entire castle.
For added Spice use the Shadow baker, or add a small amount of noise so your models do not all look like the are made of plastic.
Slab 6 version: Great way to change all the colors very fast. Chopped into 4 small files for easy viewing and editing. save as KVX s oyou can use it in Voxed.
Voxed version: Edit the piece you want to use, and export it to KV6 format by hovering your mouse over the matrix and pressing f7.
Thread & Downloads: here