MAPS!

[DRG]

Use this thread to post end user created maps for use in WinSPMBT

Don

[AB]

2 x Korea in Winter maps (from a long time ago)

[AB]

These are three large maps of the Western Desert of Egypt between El Alamein and Alexandria, done for an unpublished alternative history campaign (Hell-on-Wheels, 2nd AD). Use as you wish.

[AB]

three jungle maps from various unpublished campaigns. These are modifications of others maps (don't know who or i'd credit them)

[AB]

an original map of the Ukraine in the fall, and a modified map (bastogne), changed to a russian blizzard map.

[Pepper]

A quick question -- is there any reason maps cannot be any larger than 200x160 or whatever the max is now? I sure would love to be able to do a 2000x2000 map -- that would really test your tactical use of recon, forward observers, supply lines, etc.

Seems like it shouldn't require much in terms of engine editing, although the AI perhaps couldn't handle it. But really, as long as the max force isn't raised, shouldn't it be possible?

[DRG]

Pepper said:
A quick question -- is there any reason maps cannot be any larger than 200x160 or whatever the max is now? I sure would love to be able to do a 2000x2000 map -- that would really test your tactical use of recon, forward observers, supply lines, etc.

Seems like it shouldn't require much in terms of engine editing, although the AI perhaps couldn't handle it. But really, as long as the max force isn't raised, shouldn't it be possible?



Becasue 32,000 hexes ( 200x160 ) was the maximum number of hexes the game can handle. It already bogs down even some modern machines. A 2000x2000 map is 4000000 hexes ( 4 million ) Imagine the size of the save files ! Imagine the delays as the program wrote info on 4 million hexes at the end of every turn.

Keep in mind the original game allowed three map sizes to a maximum of 100x80 and we now allow 285 different sizes from 20x20 up to 200x160.

Also keep in mind that a 2000x2000 hex map represents an area 100km x 100km and even if it WERE possible ( and it's not ) that takes this game WELL beyond what it's intended to represent

[Pepper]

I certainly appreciate the game and all your work. Thanks for the quick explanation!

[Alpha]

i would need a map of a radar inst. on a wooded hill and another one with bridge and main road about it....german terrain type. more info on thread about my bundeswehr camp. thanx!

[tempes156]

Looking for a good map maker. If anyone is interested, please pm me. Attached is a large overhead of the area i'm wanting mapped.

Tempes

[blazejos]

Map of the Polish base in Iraq "Camp Babylon" near the ruins of the famous antical city Babylon in the middle Iraq

[blazejos]

Better map of the Gdansk city to replace orginal in game made before by me.

[blazejos]

Some new maps from My Campaigne in Iraq

- Oil Tanker
- Dam near Bagdad
- city Umm Qasr in Iraq
- Mina Al Bakr offshore oil terminal
- Karbala city suburbs
- Oil Tanker another version

[Beeg]

Great maps, as always. I use many of the maps you've created. Many years ago, I made a campaign based on Poland Sept. 1939. One of the scenarios involved the assault on Gdansk/Danzig and I realize how much work goes into the maps you make. I wish I had your patience.

My question is how do you place certain buildings on the map, i.e. the oil tanks in the Umm Qasr map you just uploaded...the white round shapes. I cycle through endless buildings before I find the one I need. Is there a better way?

Thanks for your efforts,
Beeg

[blazejos]

I d'like tell thank you for your intresting of my maps.
Your qestion was how put on maps only one type of buldings for example here fuel tanks. This is in game helps file in editor put buldings and when this is that what you want push ";" and this bulding should be locked when you push this again the bulding is unlocked and you have now difrents buldings.

[Beeg]

Thanks, I never noticed the ';' key before...it sure is a big help. Another question is how do you find the fuel tank icon...right now I cycle thru all the stone building icons until I find the one I need, but the fuel tank never shows. Is there a way to select certain icons?

Beeg

[Weeble]

Fuel tanks are an 'Airfield Bulding' type in the 'Special Buildings' selection.

Andy "Weeble" Weaver

[WBWilder]

Blazejos! YOu are quite the map maker. We should call you the "Magellan" of SPMBT. QUite interesting maps on Iraq. I can tell you worked long and hard on these.

Wild Bill

[jamiep1]

Wow! Excellent maps Blazejos! Thanks for providing these.

Hi Wild Bill!! Glad to see your scenarios here. What a great game, I appreciate all the hard work from all the fine folks involved.

[Pepper]

Beeg said:
Thanks, I never noticed the ';' key before...it sure is a big help. Another question is how do you find the fuel tank icon...right now I cycle thru all the stone building icons until I find the one I need, but the fuel tank never shows. Is there a way to select certain icons?

Beeg



beeg - AFAIK there is no way to select any particular building icon, I think you just have to cycle through them until you get to the one you want.

[21sec]

Here is the first in what I hope will be a series of maps based on actuall terrain in Germany. This particular map is from an area in the infamous Fulda Gap. I have also included a bmp image of the area. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[21sec]

Try this again.....Here is the first in what I hope will be a series of maps based on actuall terrain in Germany. This particular map is from an area in the infamous Fulda Gap. I have also included a bmp image of the area. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[JaM]

Nice map! Fulda Gap fighting is my favorite...

[21sec]

JaM said:
Nice map! Fulda Gap fighting is my favorite...



Thanks, I think I will do one more Fulda map, probably near the Hunfeld area and the "Three Sisters". After that I will switch to a different part of Germany.

[Chapman2424]

Looking for the following maps (types) if anyone has something similar to these can they post them - please and thanks.

1. Desert Beach-head - similar to Iraqi defense of Kuwaiti shoreline
2. Desert Airfield
3. Balkan/Yugo Airfield Map
4. Desert City Large
5. Yugo/Balkan City LARGE
6. Desert and Yugo/Balkan River Crossing
7. Balkan Moutain terrain (????) Don't know if its possible


If anyone has Yugo Civil War Maps or Iran/Iraq & Persian Gulf War or OIF maps - could they post them please....thx


Cheers,



Stephen

[Chapman2424]

Disregard the majority of my request guys - I just found all the maps available with the 2.5 version - my bad.

Anyways does anyone have a map of Baghdad Int'l Airport for a mission ? I am looking for a civilian airport for desert AND for Balkan based scenarios (maybe a Sarajevo Airport Map ????) if anyone has something similar that would be great - most of the other requests can be disregarded. But I still require a Kuwait Coastal Map if possible - much appreciated - thanks.


Cheers,




Stephen

[Alpha]

Hi,

any more of the nice cold war german maps out there ?

[RecruitMonty]

Anyone know where I can find maps of Siberia that I can port into the game?

[marsorder]

Can some on confirm that I have the correct map scale calculations. Or make correction / suggestions

1 hex equals 150 feet
I mile equals 5280 feet
35 hexes equals approx. 1 Mile

Thank you.
Marsorder

[zaphod72]

I am preparing a campaign over the Greek-Turkish borders (heavy armor). It is based on a "what if" scenario during the "Imia-Kardak crisis" in 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imia).
According to this scenario, a month after the events, an incident in Thrace rises the tension again leading eventually to war.
There will be about 8 maps in the area of Thrace. At the present time I have completed four of them.

400. Edirne (140x160)
401. Orestiada (160x120)
402. Didimoteicho (160x140)
403. Mandra, Lavara (140x100)

[Koh]

Here's a 140 x 140 map of south east Finland I made for a PBEM game against a friend. It worked pretty well so I thought I'd share.

Uses slot 0 so rename the files based on your needs.

- Koh

[redcoat2]

I am preparing a campaign over the Greek-Turkish borders (heavy armor). It is based on a "what if" scenario during the "Imia-Kardak crisis" in 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imia).
According to this scenario, a month after the events, an incident in Thrace rises the tension again leading eventually to war.
There will be about 8 maps in the area of Thrace. At the present time I have completed four of them.

400. Edirne (140x160)
401. Orestiada (160x120)
402. Didimoteicho (160x140)
403. Mandra, Lavara (140x100)

Thanks for the maps. I keep meaning to play a hypothetical Greece-Turkey random battle - 1974 or 1996 - and now I will be able to use a map from the actual frontier.

[Artaud]

Is anybody out there making city maps? Especially "center of city" maps about 50 x 50 to 80 x 80 in size.

I can't believe I'm the only one who is interested in city fighting.

[Artaud]

Since there don't seem to be many generic city maps around, I decided to make one. It's time to give something back to the community! :)

Here is my first MBT map. This is a small, nicely landscaped fictional capital city, 60x70. It should be fun for short scenarios showcasing government vs rebel fighting, coup attempts, etc.

Please tell me what you think.

Enjoy!

(In my game I have it in map slot 317)

[Marek_Tucan]

Is anybody out there making city maps? Especially "center of city" maps about 50 x 50 to 80 x 80 in size.


I am toying with an idea of making the center of Prague for SP, so maybe... maybe... ;)

[zaphod72]

Is anybody out there making city maps? Especially "center of city" maps about 50 x 50 to 80 x 80 in size.

I can't believe I'm the only one who is interested in city fighting.

Here a 50x60 map of the "military district" of Athens.
Have a nice day :)

[Marek_Tucan]

New map ready.
Available HERE (http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?p=670556#post670556).

[Marek_Tucan]

NEW MAP ALERT!

Originally thought I will finish a surface... err, finish of the large Czech map I am doing, but frankly, the green is soo boring after a while... Plus today evening a document on asteroid impacts was on our TV. It inspired me. So here is the famous US Meteor/Barringer/Canon Diablo Crater. 60x70 hexes. Map slot 399. Source used: exclusively Google Earth. Just a few quick map overlays to get the contour lines.

EDIT: Oh, altitude levels from 0 to 9.

Preview here:
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/400/meteorpretj1.th.png (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=meteorpretj1.png)

Enjoy!

(copyright stuff the usual: use as you like, if use it in scenario or so, mention me in the credits, use at your own risk only yadda yadda :))

EDIT 2: fat fingers and sleepy eyes syndromes :)
EDIT 3 and hopefully last: realised that you prolly aren't psychokinetics, so I have to upload the map here for you to obtain it. I really should not post here so late in the evening :doh: :)

[junk2drive]

If this is the famous Meteor Crater in Northern Arizona, I have been there and this looks pretty close.

If not, it looks pretty close anyway, lol.

Well worth the time to see it if you are in the area.

[Marek_Tucan]

Yep, it is the one. It was in the documentary as a classic example of an impact crater, so I told immediately to myself "this would be an interesting map" :)

[Koh]

I've been working on a number of scenarios and I decided to share some of the maps I made for them. Attached is a pack of five maps, all from various locations in Finland. I've tried to pick locations which allow for diverse terrain instead of mere impassable woods or uninhabited wilderness. References used vary from 1:40000 maps to 1:1000 maps to having been there. Uses slots 300-304, so rename if neccessary.

The maps included are:
SE Finland 140x140 (already included in an earlier post in this thread, slightly improved version)
Hirvikoski 120x120
Joensuu 120x120
Kustavi 120x120
Marienhamn, Aland 140x140

I hope you can enjoy the maps. Feel free to use them in scenarios if you wish, just give me credit for the map.

- Koh

[Skirmisher]

I downloaded the map pack. May I ask what force's are fighting in the scenario's your making? When I look at the maps and try to decide what combatants should be present, I keep thinking Finland vs Russia.

[Koh]

SE Finland and Joensuu were designed with Finland vs Russia in mind, while Hirvikoski, Marienhamn and Kustavi were designed for a scenario pack featuring Finland vs Sweden. However, all of the maps are well suited for Finland vs Russia fighting, as Russia reaching the western coast of Finland or performing a landing on Aland islands is not too far fetched.

SE Finland and Joensuu are both located near the eastern border of Finland, so Finland vs Sweden all the way back there would be a bit of a stretch, however.

- Koh

[marsorder]

Attached is a map of FALUJAH, IRAQ. I designed this for an OPERATION VIGILANT RESOLVE (APRIL 2004) scenario I am currently completing. The order of battle is proving to be the most difficult aspect of the design. I will follow this up with a map/scenario of OPERATION AL-FAJR (NOV 2004)

SLOT NUMBER 350

Any comments, corrections, suggestions, and or feedback would be most appreciated.

Thank You
Marsorder



Sources:

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Fallujah

Global Security: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oif-vigilant-resolve.htm

Strategy & Tactics Number 247 Battle of Fallujah by David R Higgins

The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200407/kaplan

No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah, by Bing West

[Epoletov___SPR]

Four map I have made these for campaign "Bad Kissingen ' 85".

To be continued...


Muhlfeld, Germany 120x120
To the east Eichenhausen, Germany 120x120
Mellrichstadt, Germany 120x120
Oberstreu, Germany 120x120

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/34_10.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/31_19__32_18.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/32_11__33_12.jpg

[Koh]

The game crashes every time I try to access the map list page where those maps are located. The problem was fixed when I removed the map name files. Possibly one or several of the map names is too long and causes the game to crash.

- Koh

[Epoletov___SPR]

Thanks for the help!

I earlier renamed map-files into a program "Notebook".
Now I have renamed map-files in WinSPMBT.
The problem has disappeared.

Muhlfeld, Germany 120x120
Saal an der Saale, Germany 120x120
Mellrichstadt, Germany 120x120
Oberstreu, Germany 120x120

[Mobhack]

The game crashes every time I try to access the map list page where those maps are located. The problem was fixed when I removed the map name files. Possibly one or several of the map names is too long and causes the game to crash.

- Koh

The other thing (as mentioned in the manuals) that can cause crashes is if some foreign-language ASCII is used. The game only tolerates plain English standard characters as found on the UK/USA keyboards, no graves, cedillas or umlauts etc.

Andy

[Epoletov___SPR]

Reuthof, Germany 120x120
Hainhof, Germany 120x120
Wood - Rodles, Germany 120x120

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/31_10.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/25_12.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/34_12.jpg

[Epoletov___SPR]

Bastheim, Germany 120x120

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/28_09__29_10.jpg

[Jack_Dionne]

I only PBEM and once in a while I will make up some maps. The following 3 maps are 160x200

[Epoletov___SPR]

Wollbach, Germany 120x120

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/28_12__28_13.jpg

[Epoletov___SPR]

Lohrieth, Germany 120x120

Unsleben, Germany 120x120


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/30_12__30_13.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/30_17_30_18.jpg

[Epoletov___SPR]

Map.

[Epoletov___SPR]

Wollbach-west, Germany 120x120

Wollbach-south, Germany 120x120

Heustreu, Germany 120x120


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/27_13__28_12.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/28_13__28_14.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/30_13__30_14.jpg

[Wolf_Warrior]

Mala Subotica & Palovec, Croatia 2010. 60x75

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8136/mapagotova.jpg

[Oche]

I have to say you have made an excellent map, congratulations, you are one fine map maker.

[EJ]

Map makers,
Thanks for the maps. Can any of you experienced map makers post a step by step "how to" guide on making maps?

[Wolf_Warrior]

Map makers,
Thanks for the maps. Can any of you experienced map makers post a step by step "how to" guide on making maps?


Here is the thing...

First of all, you need to define an area of which you want to make amp... for example... i used Google Earth to give me detailed plans of the map i want to make.
when you define an area... like this:

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8136/mapagotova.jpg

You make your next move. I saved the image. (In Google Earth go to File > Save > Save Image

When you save your image of the map, you edit the map to get a hexagonal grid, like this (Remember, one hex = 50 meters, you can use the tools in Google Earth to mark 50 meters (Go to Tools > Ruler), but do this before you save your map as an image in google earth):

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/6262/mapa2r.jpg

As you can see, i marked my 50 meters in the middle of that large field on the center. To get the hexagonal grid you can use the Paint.NET program, its free and easy to use, but to get the hexagonal grid, you need to get some plug-ins. here is the link for the program and the plug-ins:

Paint.NET program (http://www.getpaint.net/)

Hexagonal grid plug-in (http://paintdotnet.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3607)

When you get the map with hexes, you just open the map editing program (WinSPMBT > CamoMapEdit.exe) and create your map by looking at the image. Sometimes, the hexes would not fit the image, so you need to improvise, but basically thats it... The rest is your imagination and sense for environment. This will get you started. If you need any more help, just contact me, or write here and i will gladly help.

Good luck with your map making, hope to play them soon :D

[EpoletovSPR]

It maps from Campaign " Hamburg - Ratzeburg 1985 " (winSPMBT + Modern campaigns: Danube Front 1985).

1 round campaigns = 8 battle.

Highway A24, Germany 120x160
Duwenseerwall, Germany 120x160
Hornbek, Germany 120x160
Belau, Germany 120x160
Breitenfelde, Germany 120x160
Breitenfelde Sity,Germany 120x160
Walksfelde, Germany 120x160
Sandesneben, Germany 120x160



http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/20_15__21_16.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/20_14__21_15.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/20_11__21_11.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/20_9__21_10.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/20_7__19_8.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/20_3__21_3.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/19_11__20_10.jpg


http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/19_5__20_5.jpg

[Mobhack]

The one thing I really wish that Google earth (or any of these other mapping sites) had would be an option to display contour lines as an overlay.

Cheers
Andy

[EpoletovSPR]

Maps for campaign "Hamburg -- Ratzeburg 1985"
7:00 -- 8:00 5 july 1985 (2 turn campaign).

Size 120х160 - 10 map.

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/H_R_T2_movement.png

Battle # 1

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_1battle.jpg

Battle # 2

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_2battle.jpg

Battle # 3

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_3battle.jpg

Battle # 4

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_4battle.jpg

Battle # 7

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_7battle.jpg

Battle # 8

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_8battle.jpg

Battle # 9

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_9battle.jpg

Battle # 10

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_10battle.jpg

Battle # 11

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/12345/2turn_11battle.jpg

[RazGator]

The one thing I really wish that Google earth (or any of these other mapping sites) had would be an option to display contour lines as an overlay.

Cheers
Andy

Maplandia has a "terrain" button that shows contours.

[Mobhack]

The one thing I really wish that Google earth (or any of these other mapping sites) had would be an option to display contour lines as an overlay.

Cheers
Andy

Maplandia has a "terrain" button that shows contours.

yes - a pseudo 3D showing of the bumpy bits. Useful for visualising terrain, but not proper contour lines unfortunately.

Andy

[RazGator]

The University of Texas Perry-Castañeda Library has a number of maps world wide, some military reference with contour lines.

http://lib.utexas.edu/maps/

[EpoletovSPR]

Map airport Onjiva, Angola (1981) 100x60
Operation "Protea"

File: spmap334

[Koh]

While toying around with some scenario designs, I created a 160x160 map of Keuruu, Finland. It turned out pretty OK so I decided to share it.

The map is a mix of dense uninhabited woods, a small town of roughly 10 000 inhabitants and large bodies of water. Best suited for scenario design or human vs human battles, as the computer tends to get confused with the large lakes restricting movement.

Occupies map slot 325.

- Koh

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I've used this for my MRR, I thought it might be of some use here for you design types. It covers the U.S. but you might find other areas from this site.
http://forestry.about.com/od/forestresources/tp/Forest_Cover_Type.htm

Regards,
Pat

[Imp]

Google maps does show contours just not that clearly, select map then terrain. Dead hard to see though unless you zoom in.

[Mobhack]

What I really wish there was in Google maps, is a tool to overlay a 1KM grid over the map, starting at some arbitrary point chosen by the user.

(It had some sort of lat and long grid as I recall last time I checked, but that is useless for scenario design)

Andy

[Imp]

If you take a screenshot & load it into a paint editor you can do that, Paint.NET for instance allows you to do it.
Its free & you have to fiddle a bit to get it the right size using the scale on google maps as a guide. Once done though can save it as an overlay to use at that zoom level for the future.
You can set it to overlay hexagons to though if I remember correctly thats a plug in, also free.
Doing at same scale as WinSP I find to fidly but setting up a hexagon the size of 7 hexes or larger works fairly well.
Can have multiple overlays if you wish in diffrent colours, say a KM one & a smaller scale one

[Mobhack]

I know - but that is fiddly. Just wish there was the facility in the base Google programme, so e.g. it scaled as you zoomed.

Andy

[Artaud]

This past weekend I began working on a map of downtown Damascus, but it occurred to me that perhaps someone has already done one.

Any Damascus maps out there?

[EpoletovSPR]

Cyprus Island 2012 - no original size.

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/Epoletov/CyprusIslandmap.jpg

[SaS TrooP]

4 maps, huge scale from Showdown: America series:
Esterella, Uruguay, 200x160
Isoqui, N Argentina, 200x160
Guazuvira, Uruguay, 200x160
Ciudad Outskirts, Paraguay

[Kurt Montandon]

Is there a Gibraltar map, by any chance? Or someone willing to make one?

[Mustang]

What happened to Canada?

[Warhero]

Any Ukraine maps exist? How about Debaltseve, Ilovaisk, Donetsk, Horlivka, Avdeevka? Now as we have separatist OOB too, it could be nice at least 1 Eastern Ukrainia map...

[Warhero]

Bump;). Ukraine maps anyone? Even one, please?

[Tomas]

There is Donetsk airport map included in http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/showthread.php?t=50487

[Warhero]

Sorry but I already have that scenario/map. It's bit too small for my "taste"... I will appreciate more rural/suburbian area map (size 100x100 or something like that for example) which could be more suitable for tank/mech inf warfare (if any way possible).

Warhero

[OpArt222]

MAP: BEIRUT, LEBANON 1958
SLOT NUMBER: 550
HEX SIZE: 200 X 160
MAP DESIGNER: OPART222

This map includes the following features and neighborhoods of Beirut, Lebanon (Circa 1958).

American University
Ancien Basin
Army Barracks
Army Hospital
Army HQ
Avenue Of Paris
Bashoura (District)
Bay Of Saint Andre
Beirut International Airport
Beirut Railroad Station
Beirut River Dam
Customs House
East Beirut (District)
Eden Roc Hotel
Fedral Hotel
Four-Ech Chebbak
German Embassy
Grand Serad
Harbor Police
Hippodrome
Iraqi Embassy
Lebanese University
Mazar (District)
Military Depots
Ministry Of Finance
Moussaitbeh (District)
Nahr Rhadir
Naval Base
Palm Beach Hotel
Parliament
Pigeon Rocks
Police HQ's
Port (District)
Port Authority
Presidential Residence
Protestant College
Rail Classification Yard
Ras Beirut (District)
Red Beach (Landing Zone
Safi (District)
Signal Tower
Sports Arena
St. George Hotel
U.S Embassy
U.S Navy's - Sixth Fleet, Phibron 6
West Beirut (District)
Yacht Club

SOURCES:
"Operation Blue Bat 1958" Globalsecurity.Org
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/blue_bat.htm

"1958 Lebanon Crisis" - Wikipedia.Org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_Lebanon_crisis

"Marines In Lebanon 1958" By Jack Shulimson - The Air University
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmchist/lebanon.txt

Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection - UT Library Online
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/

[DRG]

Saw this ( the terrain the A-10's flying over )

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14585&stc=1&d=1486331374

After some experimentation I used these settings
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14586&stc=1&d=1486331469

and got this
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14587&stc=1&d=1486331533

after 19 years at this the game still surprises me

[RecruitMonty]

Here is a map I've been working on since January. It is a map of the Engadin valley in the Canton Graubünden (Switzerland). It covers the area roughly between Silvaplana (southwest) to southwestern Samedan (northeast). It is a winter map created with the help of the excellent topographic tool. It is the maximum size, which I believe is 255 x 255.

[RecruitMonty]

Here is a preview of the map:

<a href="https://ibb.co/ge1KMF"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/mZyc8v/Preview.png" alt="Preview" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'>bbcode image</a><br />

[DRG]

Very, very nice

[RecruitMonty]

Thanks! :)

[SaS TrooP]

And here come SPMBT maps from my scenarios.

[DRG]

That's weird....... I thought there was a WW2 MAPS ! sticky thread......there is now

[shahadi]

My struggles with maps has led me to request an enhancement to the Editor permitting the user to enable Hex numbers displayed on the map.

I propose that by pressing the Visible Hex Sides button (in the Editor) the user can cycle through three states: Turn Hex Off, Turn Hex Numbers On, and Turn Hex off.

It is my contention this option will significantly improve map making and scenario design. Certainly, showing the hex numbers on the map is more efficient than using two computers.

<br>

[Beeg]

Hi all. I have a map that I've wanted to make for years. I've tried a few times but I just don't have the time, skill, or patience. I'm wondering if there are SP gamers who design maps for other gamers? I would want to offer some compensation, it's a large, detailed map. I've attached an overhead view. Thanks!

[wulfir]

...it's a large, detailed map. I've attached an overhead view.

Here's a suggestion using the Venhola program - the black border being the edges of the map (max size).

https://66.media.tumblr.com/2b46a387eb785222fc2966cc537a20e4/tumblr_pkd83q6LQZ1u8xigto1_640.png

The terrain is fairly hilly - the Donau will be about 10-12 hexes wide.

What season? Summer? 200x160?

Did you want it to be a river map (assault mission generates inflatable boats for infantry), or not?

Also - roughly what kind of battle is meant to be played on the map? Focus on the bridge, areas north of the river, or maybe south of the river?

Using Venhola you can also rotate the map if you need to, like this:

https://66.media.tumblr.com/b6463b54b04ef021aa4e5f49b818aa62/tumblr_pkd91kCBVi1u8xigto1_500.png

[Beeg]

Wow, great suggestions! Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with Venhola. I would like the map to be as big as is feasible, in summer, with river crossing (assault) as the mission.
I was raised in this area of Bavaria and it may have been a strategic location if the Soviets decided to continue into Bavaria from Austria after WW2. My hypothetical has Patton refusing to turn over White Cossacks and recruiting German army prisoners for defense. I envision the main Soviet thrust coming from the southeast, towards Vilshofen, with allied (Czech?) units securing the area north of the Danube. The town would be defended by a mixture of US personnel, Cossacks, and German civilians/soldiers. There would be a US relief column coming from the northwest as reinforcements.
The terrain is very hilly, as you said. The part of Vilshofen to the south and east of the Vils River, which splits the town, would not have been very developed at that time. That part of town is mostly new since the war. I've attached a map showing roughly what I have in mind for the force locations but I had to reduce it and it may not be legible.
Sorry to carry on like this but I'm excited about your ideas. If you have other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks much!

[Mobhack]

Looks like there are islands in the river - those can give the AI hiccups. It will cross to them and unload a barge, the dropped off troops are then marooned on the island, usually. (The same can hapen with sandbanks in say a beach assault map).

[wulfir]

I'm not familiar with Venhola.

It is an amazing tool for map making. Highly recommended.

So, the setup is meant to be 1945?

If the AI is to make the river crossing it will be able to send infantry across, but will struggle with non-Amphibious vehicles...

[Beeg]

Looks like there are islands in the river - those can give the AI hiccups. It will cross to them and unload a barge, the dropped off troops are then marooned on the island, usually. (The same can hapen with sandbanks in say a beach assault map).

Thanks, great info. Probably best to do without those islands, they weren't part of the overall scenario anyway.

[wulfir]

Vilshofen map, 1950s, US Army Europe, appears to be based on German WW2 maps:

https://www.landkartenarchiv.de/tk25.php?q=GermanyMaps_2536_high

[Beeg]

Yea... 1945, 1946 possibly. I'm still debating whether to make it in SPWW2 or SPMBT.
I know the river crossing can be tricky. The game seems to work best when the troops are moving left-to-right and vice versa, as opposed to up & down, with a river crossing. That's why I was hoping to have the Vils running roughly north & south. That would be the major river crossing, with the main Soviet force attacking right-to-left. The forces on the north bank of the Donau can have a separate battle so that river doesn't need to be crossed. I'd like the scenario to be balanced, to be played as either side, but the AI works much better in defense so that may be an issue.
I found Venhola doing a search but there doesn't appear to be any information on how to use it. Any help there? Thanks again.

[Beeg]

OMG! That archive map is amazing! It appears that it's not downloadable though. I would love to get a full-size copy but I'd prefer not to buy a print.

[Beeg]

Quick story - my dad was part of the US occupation force in that area right after the war. That's how he met my mom. Good thing this is a hypothetical or I may not be here. lol

[wulfir]

Yea... 1945, 1946 possibly. I'm still debating whether to make it in SPWW2 or SPMBT.

:)

A quick search online says that the Donau bridge near Vilshofen was destroyed April 1945 and rebuilt in Aug 1950. Did you want to factor this in, or this being a what-if have a replacement bridge in place for the scenario?


That's why I was hoping to have the Vils running roughly north & south. That would be the major river crossing, with the main Soviet force attacking right-to-left.

Should not be a problem.

I found Venhola doing a search but there doesn't appear to be any information on how to use it. Any help there? Thanks again.

Sure. It's not that complicated, at all. Can you find Vilshofen using Venhola?

[Beeg]

That's amazing. I didn't know that bridge was destroyed. To me, at that time (a few years later), it looked new but I never gave it a second thought. I'll have to think about that for the scenario. Besides capturing both ends of the bridge, I hadn't factored that bridge in.

Yes, I found Vilshofen using Venhola.

[wulfir]

Yes, I found Vilshofen using Venhola.

Use the + button to center the grid where you want it. This will be your map, it'll be max size.

If you want to rotate the map you can do so by using shift/alt/mouse drag.

Use the arrow button to download your map.

[Beeg]

Got it. I download it to WinSPMBT and went into the editor. It seems I have various hill heights but there are no details on the map - it's all green (clear).

[wulfir]

Your map will be set for slot 999. You can change this if you wish, or you can save it to another slot after you have opened it.

The main map will look blank, but it is not. Looking at the mini map you will see a bit what it looks like.

What I do next is this:

1. Set fill range to cover the whole map.
2. Hit the blue triangle in the lower right corner (looks like a "play" button).
3. Hit the clear terrain button in the upper left corner. ("Add clear terrain to hex following the contours of the existing map")
3. Hit the blue triangle agian.
4. Hit the fill button and the height levels will show up. You will see very clearly where the Donau and Vils rivers are located.

[Mobhack]

The game is designed to play left-right only. Artillery arrives from the sides map edge, troops will retreat to thier map edge, and that map edge shall be the right map edge or the left map edge, nothing else.

Naturally a scenario can be designed to be played a bit diagonally, but up-down tends not to work.

Note that I said right, not East, left, not West. The scenario designer decides where North is and can put some text on the map detailing that. The top of the map is the top of the map - not North, necessarily.

[Beeg]

No luck, I'm afraid. What value do you input to cover the whole map? I typed in 9999 and it seemed to work? What about the 'block' vs. 'splatter' effect? I was using block. Splatter has the 1-90 option.

[Beeg]

The game is designed to play left-right only. Artillery arrives from the sides map edge, troops will retreat to thier map edge, and that map edge shall be the right map edge or the left map edge, nothing else.

Naturally a scenario can be designed to be played a bit diagonally, but up-down tends not to work.

Note that I said right, not East, left, not West. The scenario designer decides where North is and can put some text on the map detailing that. The top of the map is the top of the map - not North, necessarily.

Gotcha. Yea, the few scenarios I've played that go up and down have always been tricky. That's good to know. Thanks again!

[wulfir]

The Venhola program has a button for generating a link to he map grid. I like to copy it to a word/open office document because I can seldom finish a map in one sitting.

Then it's pretty much time go to town on the map.

I fill in rivers and water first. Notice that the Donau is wide but if you build the river using water hexes it will not read as a wide river map. I suppose the easiest way if you want a wide river (and inflatable rafts) is to deploy a stream in the middle of where the Donau will be use the Convert all streams to wide rivers and maybe set it to width 1 - and then add water hexes for the rest of the shape. I guess it would be possible to make shallow water so units can cross..., but is the river really shallow in reality?

I like to use two computers (or two screens), with the Venhola map on one and the game on the other.

Save early, save often.

[wulfir]

No luck, I'm afraid. What value do you input to cover the whole map?

I tried it with 800 and 9000, both worked.

Can you post the link to the Venhola grid, and I can try and generate the map for you.

[Beeg]

http://www.venhola.com/maps/geo.html#13.200268137756227,48.629755946799065,9.7 40282683375305

[Beeg]

I broke up the URL. If you compress them, it should work.

http://www.venhola.com/maps/geo.html
#13.200268137756227,48.629755946799065,
9.740282683375305

[wulfir]

It gives me a grid near Helsinki, Finland...

Could be my machine. I'm afriad I'll have to log off for tonight. I'll be around tomorrow...

[Beeg]

I don't know why that is. It's not your machine, I get the same thing.
No problem, I have to go too. Hopefully we can continue tomorrow. Thanks again for all your good help!

[Mobhack]

The Venhola program has a button for generating a link to he map grid. I like to copy it to a word/open office document because I can seldom finish a map in one sitting.

Then it's pretty much time go to town on the map.

I fill in rivers and water first. Notice that the Donau is wide but if you build the river using water hexes it will not read as a wide river map. I suppose the easiest way if you want a wide river (and inflatable rafts) is to deploy a stream in the middle of where the Donau will be use the Convert all streams to wide rivers and maybe set it to width 1 - and then add water hexes for the rest of the shape. I guess it would be possible to make shallow water so units can cross..., but is the river really shallow in reality?

I like to use two computers (or two screens), with the Venhola map on one and the game on the other.

Save early, save often.

search the game guide for gWideRiver and then see the table of map editing hot keys a little further down that section - ^ is the one you want

[Beeg]

It gives me a grid near Helsinki, Finland...

Could be my machine. I'm afriad I'll have to log off for tonight. I'll be around tomorrow...

This should work now. I copied the map grid link instead of the page URL...

http://www.venhola.com/maps/geo.php?lat=48.629755946799065&lo=13.200268137756227&rot=9.740282683375305

[Beeg]

BTW - I want to thank everyone involved with keeping this game updated and improved over the years. I bought the original back in the mid-90's and have been playing ever since. In fact, I still have the original disc and packaging.
All you folks are amazing and I, for one, am extremely grateful. Thanks again for all you do for us.

[zovs66]

No luck, I'm afraid. What value do you input to cover the whole map? I typed in 9999 and it seemed to work? What about the 'block' vs. 'splatter' effect? I was using block. Splatter has the 1-90 option.

Not to sound weird, but you really really need to read the game manual everything is explained in there and then you have to really experiment.

[Beeg]

Gee thanks :rolleyes:

[DRG]

Got it. I download it to WinSPMBT and went into the editor. It seems I have various hill heights but there are no details on the map - it's all green (clear).

The best way to reveal contours of a freshly downloaded Venhola map is to load it into the Extended Map Editor and press the "Strip Map" button..that will reveal all the map contours in one easy step

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15633&stc=1&d=1545926064

[Beeg]

That worked! Thanks so much. That Venhola is a great time-saving program. Now it's time to get to work.
You guys are awesome! Thanks again and Happy New Year!

[zovs66]

Gee thanks :rolleyes:

Your welcome. I just wanted to point out that everything that you were asking is in the game guide, they put in not only a lot of work in the yearly updates of the game itself but also in the documentation of the game and all the improvements to go with it. I was not trying to be snarky or anything and sorry if I came off that way.

Way-points, map editing, and a host of other items are in the guide.

There is also a ton of helpful tips and notes you wont get anywhere else like this basic one:

***IMPORTANT NOTE WHEN EDITING MAPS***

The map generation code is a lot more complicated than in the past. There are now Arid, savannah, winter,fall an spring set ups in the code. When building a map it is VERY important now to set the likely opponents for this map before editing. If you are designing it for Western or Eastern Europe in April then set the date to April and pick two likely opponents and stick with those while you edit the map. If you change to Japan and USMC in June for another map then try to go back you will see some different terrain when you try to edit. This is all part of the random map code. The code knows what we've told it to place on map when Japan and USMC are the opponents and that IS NOT the terrain you want when you are building a map for Germany. Just remember to set the two opponents you expect to play on that map and you'll be OK

[Beeg]

Understood but that's not the way the conversation unfolded. I know there's a guide but if someone is volunteering the info in the course of a discussion, that's the best way to go. If you read the entire conversation, you'll see it started out quite differently. I wasn't looking to bypass the manual and have someone spoon-feed me.

[wulfir]

That Venhola is a great time-saving program. Now it's time to get to work.

Cool! :up:

[Beeg]

Thanks for your help, much appreciated! Have a great New Year!

[zovs66]

For map makers that don't already know this.

Here is a tip.

Use this url:

https://satellites.pro/

Do a search for say Berlin in the search box.

Now grab the URL or just the latitude and longitude. So for the above search this comes back in the url field:

https://satellites.pro/#52.523300,13.413770,19

So continuing with this example grab the latitude of: 52.523300 and the longitude of: 13.413770.

Place that in a text editor and then modify the default venhola url in the text editor replacing the lat & long like so:

http://www.venhola.com/maps/geo.php?lat=52.523300&lo=13.413770&rot=0

Make sure you don't mess up the url string (i.e., you need to keep the characters in bold text and just replace the numbers, and some lat/long may have a - number in them: ?lat=12.123456789&lo=12.1234567&rot=0)

Now you can adjust and download and then just load the map into either WW2 or MBT and hit strip map if you have the extended editor to reveal the contours. Then edit the map to your heart's content.

[scorpio_rocks]

Is it not easier to find place in google maps - click on map to get latitude and longitude and paste into the boxes on the first screen at http://www.venhola.com/maps/ ?

[zovs66]

Is it not easier to find place in google maps - click on map to get latitude and longitude and paste into the boxes on the first screen at http://www.venhola.com/maps/ ?

I am sure you can use that url too, I just was using the one I posted cause someone passed it along to me. Let me know if Google Maps works.

[wulfir]

Is it not easier to find place in google maps - click on map to get latitude and longitude and paste into the boxes on the first screen at http://www.venhola.com/maps/ ?

It is possible to just hit Go with the Venhola program (without setting longitude/latitude). You'll end up in the Atlantic, south of Ghana. Zoom out, move to where you want to go, zoom in. Set the grid...

[Kailux]

Just starting with mapping but i really love it already, it's quite relaxing.

Did the following three last weekend mostly with some additional work over the week and today.

I tried to be somewhat accurate without going crazy on details. There is no elevation on this maps (well, most parts of Lower Saxony are kind of pretty flat anyways). I just recently discovered Venhola and how to use it, might just remake these three with elevation at some point.

Would love some constructive feedback: Glitches? What could have been made better? Maybe some technical mistakes i made or some special rules i missed being that mapping noob i am? :rolleyes:

Brome-Boeckwitz (https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/52.58897/10.92410)
Map overview (https://kailux.eu/images/Media/Images/winSPMBT/Maps/Brome-Boeckwitz_-_Map_overview.jpg)

Brome-Steimke (https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/52.59596/10.95989)
Map overview (https://kailux.eu/images/Media/Images/winSPMBT/Maps/Brome-Steimke_-_Map_overview.jpg)

Danndorf-Oebisfelde (https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/52.43561/10.96976)
Map overview (https://kailux.eu/images/Media/Images/winSPMBT/Maps/Danndorf-Oebisfelde_-_Map_overview.jpg)

:feedback:

[shahadi]

Just starting with mapping but i really love it already, it's quite relaxing.

Did the following three last weekend mostly with some additional work over the week and today.

I tried to be somewhat accurate without going crazy on details. There is no elevation on this maps (well, most parts of Lower Saxony are kind of pretty flat anyways). I just recently discovered Venhola and how to use it, might just remake these three with elevation at some point.

Would love some constructive feedback: Glitches? What could have been made better? Maybe some technical mistakes i made or some special rules i missed being that mapping noob i am? :rolleyes:

Brome-Boeckwitz (https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/52.58897/10.92410)
Map overview (https://kailux.eu/images/Media/Images/winSPMBT/Maps/Brome-Boeckwitz_-_Map_overview.jpg)

Brome-Steimke (https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/52.59596/10.95989)
Map overview (https://kailux.eu/images/Media/Images/winSPMBT/Maps/Brome-Steimke_-_Map_overview.jpg)

Danndorf-Oebisfelde (https://opentopomap.org/#map=14/52.43561/10.96976)
Map overview (https://kailux.eu/images/Media/Images/winSPMBT/Maps/Danndorf-Oebisfelde_-_Map_overview.jpg)

:feedback:

Wow. A lot of effort in such a short amount of time. Let me say thanks for getting into map making, we can always use maps. Although, I am the least able to comment on your maps, may I offer the following:

1) Place a few identifiers, i.e. landmarks, for example: highway 244, Ohre Lake.

Otherwise, do I understand you created these maps without Venhola? If so, stop whatever you're doing, get up to speed on Venhola as the next patch should be "magical." And, let me say I find it impressive the inclusion of spmap txt files!
<br>

[Kailux]

Thanks for your feedback shahadi :)

I have to confess i play SP since 1997 or so but i've always been shut in playing the AI.
There's so many maps and scenarios that entertained me over all these years, i think it's time to step up and give a little bit back :)

So far, i took a screenshot of the map area and used Photoshops measuring tool on the 500m distance mark on the map (length in pixels).
Then just set the "grid overlay" option to that distance (and adding 10 sub divisions). Pretty straight forward, the result is the "topo" image i included for each map which i used as a reference.

But then i found out about Venhola, holy! Even easier :)


1) Place a few identifiers, i.e. landmarks, for example: highway 244, Ohre Lake.


I included some map text on town centers, rivers, roads and such, i placed some * along the (former) border, but for some reason just some or none show up on lowest zoom. On second lowest zoom they should show up.
If not, there's something else going wrong too.

These spmaptxt files are great. Stumbled upon this earlier today and loved the idea of giving some info on the region. Most of the time you load up a map and got no real clue where the heck this place is exactly :D I'm into this kind of gimmicks.

(To be honest, i would have loved to include some pictures of how it looks like in reality too but i am afraid that's way out of the scope of whats possible with spmaptxt. SpmapHTML would be awesome)

[Isto]

Here i am going to post some of the odd maps i have created.

This one is first to enter the BETA state. I would appreciate some feedback on the map.

The spammed farm in the right side of map is something i might change, but it wont affect the gameplay much.

[Warhero]

Well it's ok map in particular but it's bit too "symmetrical" for my taste. So it just seems to be "unnaturally unrealistic" (how many areas in world have almost identically located places, almost two "mirror images" near each other)... That farm area is only exception.

Warhero

[Warhero]

Well it's ok map in principle but it's bit too "symmetrical" for my taste. So it just seems to be "unnaturally unrealistic" (how many areas in world have almost identically located places, almost two "mirror images" near each other)... That farm area is only exception.

Warhero

edit. fixed wrong word in 1st sentence;)

[zovs66]

Nice map, the only odd part is the center of the map, like warhorse posted its a little too symmetrical. I like the left and the right sides of the map, those seem natural.

One thing to consider is to use a real location via the venhola tool, and then flip back and forth and paint the map (or section of it) per what it really looks like.

This is very time consuming, addictive, but very rewarding.

So far I have created around 30 venhola maps (not all of them use the full map size a few do and those take many hours to create).

For MBT I have a couple of scenarios like that coming up in the next patch that uses only a part of the venhola map (more for WW2) that you can see for some examples maybe.

[Isto]

I am creating different kind of maps. Symmetrical parts are just being artistic but the basic idea is to think of tactical perspective and how the map is played, realism is not part of my odd maps.

I have several others to come, one of them which is a Steel Panthers remake from old and legendary RTS map called "The Hunters".


Here is my first try on the map editor, i am just learning. Here is also a new version of that map above as i found some places to fix.

I might try more realistic approach in the future. Two other maps that are under production are "Canyon Wars" and "King of the Hill" but those are just at the concept state.

[zovs66]

Wow you really like patterns and wild designs in 437, shows your artistic side.

[Karagin]

This map has some interesting features if anyone runs a battle with let me know how the AI does.

Devil's Bath, offers an interesting tactical level of control, how do you manuever across the map and not get a bath, that is the key.

[Karagin]

This one has slight twist to it. The river bend allows for an interesting set of crossing for the AI or player depending on how the user sets things up.

I have run three battles with this map, and each time the AI has responded pretty well to the river course on the map.

[Karagin]

This is a fiction map based on a sand table set we had in Germany during a training event. I filled in more details than were on the sand table, actually a lot more. This gives the user a mix of terrain to deal with.

[Imp]

This is a city outskirts to urban map 100x130

It is a portion of WINSPmbt map 103 so I hope the creator does not mind me modifying their work.

Played this a long time ago in a PBEM & enjoyed it so decided to do a version that should work fairly well in a standard battle with the defender on the right.

Main changes are removal of the highway so it can be used in WWII as well along with adding a train station & large building on a hill as possible objectives.

Created 30 odd hex rows to the left to shift the deployment line to hex row 65.
Largely done with fill tool on splatter - thanks Don great time saver.

[Karagin]

Here is a map pack, several maps, roughly 5 maps. They give you a mix of terrain to battle over and some could double for WW2 maps as well. Commnets are always welcome.

[Karagin]

Mountain Farms. Nice farmland with some peaks to fight over.

[Karagin]

Villages and Farms. A Good map for Central Europe or North America or Southern parts of South America.

[Roman]

Hi. I couldn't open the latest maps. When the low they tell me that the file is corrupted. Did it happen to someone else?

[DRG]

I just tried 757 and it extracted OK and loads in the game. Nice map ...would be good for generated battles or PBEM

[Karagin]

I can upload them again, but I get them to download no issues.

[Roman]

Hi. I could already open them. My problem was that the winrar was not updated. Thank you.

[troopie]

I used 7zFm to extract them. It worked just fine.

troopie

[Roman]

I used 7zFm to extract them. It worked just fine.

troopie

:up:

[Karagin]

Based partly on a town near where I lived in Michigan, USA, and some artistic license with things.

Good for a meeting engagement or a delayed fight.

[Karagin]

This map is a tough one, the roads are the key. Watch the elevations and use the roads.

[Isto]

Here is a new map on the "Abstract Map Series". The map might be changed in time, but this is the first version.

Enjoy.

[Karagin]

Okay, I am trying my hand at a beach/coast map. Feel like something is needed, but not sure what. So ideas and suggestions very much welcome.

[Isto]

I do not know. I always like forest and forest paths.

Maybe there could be a landing spot with forest and if you could conquer that you could sneak up in the flank through forest as unnoticed. I always like forests in steel panthers.

There could also be a little island somehwere on the map where you could unload troops behind a hill, and then travel to that hill (possible with rough/forest/grass to hide on) to support your landing with either machine guns, anti tank guidance missiles or such.

[Karagin]

Penzo Valley. Not a lot of cover but the terrain does offer some interesting movement patterns.

[Karagin]

Map 783 this one seemed to confuse the AI. Which did lend itself to some funny moments. Overall a fun map and one that has you thinking about how to get to the VP flags that always end up in the castle.

[Karagin]

This one has a ton of ambush spots, along with terrain that so far has driven the AI a bit crazy. Looking forward to seeing how it works for others.

[MarkSheppard]

I'm not sure whether this feature can be implemented; but in places with a shoreline, such as Betio Island, Tarawa when using Venhola, we get this:

https://i.imgur.com/78bNapc.png

Is it possible to have a "sink map by one level" feature? i.e.
height 20 becomes height 10
height 10 becomes height 0
height 0 becomes open water hexes?

Just throwing this idea out there.

[DRG]

It would be easier to just do the adjustment by hand or adjust the height between levels in Venhola

[MarkSheppard]

I'm a complete moron.

"

CD owners Only. You can now flood fill areas of zero elevation with deep water using the " key in the map editors. This was primarily added to be used with the Venhola map generator but it can be used for hand made maps as well. For shoreline maps it saves a great deal of time but be aware that sometimes beach areas are recorded by Venhola as the same level as the water so those areas and any areas of shallow water you may want troops to wade through need to be added manually

Once that's done, you can load up Google Maps/Google Earth Pro and fly to the location in question along with (https://elevationmap.net/) to see just how steep those hillsides are in question and whether or not that land is justified as being a flat level 0 beach; which is about 150m (3 hexes) of sand in the most ideal condition (Ocean City MD)

[Karagin]

And knowing is half the battle...along with of red and blue lasers.

[MarkSheppard]

Tips for map designing in heavily rural/remote areas:

Set

Urbanisation to 0
and
Road Code to 0

In Map Gen

And then once you have a pleasing map design, add in the road and house(s) along that road.

####################

Another tip is that once you find a map design you like for it's contours; hit the KEEP CONTOURS button in MAPGEN.......

Wait, I'm such a freaking moron....

1.) Load VENHOLA map.

2.) go into MAP GEN.

3.) KEEP CONTOURS

4.) Have the game place nice, randomly generated detail onto your nice Venhola map.

5.) PROFIT.

[Imp]

Just a note KEEP CONTOURS is only available when using MAP GEN in the Extended Map Editor.

On the same theme if you want to do a quick map by hand doing a couple of passes first with the FILL TOOL set to scatter can quickly make the map look quite nice. Experiment a bit with scatter percentage & press undo if need to.
Example
Initial fill another terrain colour, repeat for anything else you want over most of the map - fill area large
Follow up fills to place things like trees, rough, orchard, buildings etc - fill area as required.

When doing things like trees rather than trying to fill the whole area you want can set smaller & place several times instead. This lets you adjust the scatter each time if desired say from fairly dense to light.

Once at this stage you can see how things should sort of flow & finish by hand. far faster than doing from scratch & you only need a rough idea of what you want at the start what appears will motivate you.

[MarkSheppard]

Small feature request:

Is it possible to have KEEP CONTOURS also respect water hexes? As it is, if you strip a map, then use " to place water at level 0, then try to use KEEP CONTOURS, it overwrites the water hexes and you lose your nice coastlines.

[Karagin]

This map is good for meeting engagements or delays. Has a river to cross, limited to one stone bridge.

Limited LOS due to farms and woods, but opens up plenty of changes for sharp engagements are mid-ranges for most of the weapons.

[Karagin]

This one is based on a description from "What if" novel about fighting in US the at some point after 1940.

Has plenty of terrain features to keep things interesting and a mix of farms with small towns and a mid-sized city. The railroad is there as a possible objective. Hills will keep things from becoming a ranged fight. Good for ambushes and skirmish battles.

[Karagin]

A simple map for a meeting engagement/delay or defend.

[DRG]

Guys......... The map editor in the game and the extended editor both allow the use of TXT files to offer information about the map and who created it.

PLEASE START TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS FEATURE


I have started going through the maps to see what could be included with the upgrade and I know YOU will know if it's yours but nobody else will. Some info about the map would be helpful as would who made it. Of all the maps submitted only one map maker on three maps submitted text.

If you need guidance on how a txt file for the game should be created just open any scenario TXT file and use it as a guide

* is used to end paragraphs and make spaces and DO NOT use Umlauts or their equivalent.

Thanks

[DRG]

OR ( better still ) use the Txt file associated with the first map in SPMBT or the first map in SPWW2 as a template then simply rename it to the slot you are using for your map when done.

Use a text editor or Notepad or similar

[Karagin]

Making note to do this going forward

[carp]

Is it my machine or did I miss an update that took out the map replacement functions in generated battles? Now all I get is an arrow choice. I can't modify victory points or locations either. Thanks

[carp]

Never mind. It seems to have cured itself.

[Karagin]

Map 894

Zangaro

My attempt to make the city/area from the novel and movie DOGS OF WAR. Will try a scenario using it here soon.

Comments welcome.

[Karagin]

Here is my attempt at a generic Eastern France to Middle European map. Perfect for those wanting an area to battle over.

[DRG]

This is the Revision for MBT map 416-- Goldap, Poland 2022

[DRG]

This is an 80x75 section of the town if the full map is too much

https://i.imgur.com/HIs8G99.png

[wulfir]

My MBT map folder is a mess, so is my memory...

I don't remember if I ever uploaded any of the Danish maps used in that older model Centurions against the Warsaw Pact campaign (like Humlebaek or Fredensborg)?

Did I ever send Axtorna, Sweden or Falkenberg, Sweden? (both fall maps)? I have sat on them for a while but don't think they were ever included...

Wildendürnbach, Austria?

Also, I seem to have overwritten some Negev desert maps that were made with the Venhola program, but I still have the scenarios they were used in - is there any way of removing unit flags and entrenchments from the map? I guess I could try and stack everything into one hex in some corner and that would leave only one unit flag and one entrenchment on the map...

[DRG]

I assume ( maybe ) you have a "virgin" copy of the game ?

Click on the maps folder and do a search for the names you remember ( I know I have no idea ) the search will read the CMT's

NONE of the names you listed show up....... don't use umlauts etc becasue they won't be in the CMT

[Karagin]

Attached are two maps.

I used the number slots 512 and 514

Each has a brief text file about the maps.

Map 512 is a fictional city/harbor that could be found anywhere.

Map514 is a fictional valley region based on a tabletop map board my Battletech group made many years ago. Fun times on it, so I tried to recreate it in the scale of SPMBT.

[DRG]

A Hostomel, 2022 map created by Dan Combs ("Carp")

The map is a hard one to play, few places to hide. The two battles, or one big one were assaults by both sides separated by 24 hours. The battle narratives are on wiki an several other sites with a query for Antonov Airport or Hostomel Airport.

The giant Antonov aircraft was destroyed here as well as several Il-76 on the ground.

[Karagin]

Map question: Can buildings be placed in swamp hexes or does that change the hex to dry land?

[DRG]

Map question: Can buildings be placed in swamp hexes or does that change the hex to dry land?

Buildings cannot be placed in swamp

HOWEVER

There are ways to do it......

https://i.imgur.com/gQpkDXk.png

if you place a clear hex into the swamp first

Try various combinations. Sometimes the hex you change and place the building will report swamp as shown here and sometimes it will report clear

Bottom line.... Experiment

[Karagin]

Thanks, I am working on a map and had some ideas; I thought I would ask, so now it's off to work on it and see what I can do with things. Thanks again.