Map editor needs serious help!

geoschmo · #1 November 22nd, 2002, 03:17 PM

I couldn't agree with you more Kwok, but we've been asking for improvments to the map editor since it was initially released and it just doesn't appear to be a priority. As frustrating as that can be.

Geoschmo

Q · #2 November 22nd, 2002, 07:16 PM

I fully support your demands Kwok.
I was very enthusiastic when the map editor was released, but soon got tired to use it because it is so user-unfriendly.

Master Belisarius · #3 November 22nd, 2002, 07:28 PM

Agree 100%!
Also, would like to see some things like copy and paste...
For the contest, create the map was a nightmare... but if I would had the copy and paste feature, I could have done a better map and more fast!

Gryphin · #4 November 22nd, 2002, 07:46 PM

I would happily give up all changes for the next 6 months if I could have a Drog and Drop / Copy and Paste Map Editor.

TerranC · #5 November 22nd, 2002, 07:48 PM

Blasphemy; it should read my mind rather than drag and drop.

Serious note: hear, hear.

capnq · #6 November 22nd, 2002, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Improve the randomness of map generation

I've never noticed this to be a problem.

geoschmo · #7 November 22nd, 2002, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capnq:

quote:
Improve the randomness of map generation

I've never noticed this to be a problem.

Well, I don't know if this is what Qwok is refering to, but there is most definetly a problem with the random placement of empires on the map. Probably 90% of the maps I have ever created were randomply generated and I then placed common starting positions evenly spaced through the quadrant. The game just does a terrible job of that on it's own. Five players all crammed in the corner fighting for planets, and one guy way off by himself with noone within five systems of him. Wonder who's going to win that game?

capnq · #8 November 22nd, 2002, 09:22 PM

Quote:

I don't know if this is what Qwok is refering to, but there is most definetly a problem with the random placement of empires on the map.

I have seen that problem, but I doubt that's what he meant, since the Set Up screen does that, not the Map Editor.

geoschmo · #9 November 22nd, 2002, 09:31 PM

Yeah, good point Capn. Not sure what he meant then.

Desdinova · #10 November 22nd, 2002, 10:09 PM

i think what he means is if you randomly generate a map they all are the same. i have just sat and generated maps and the first one is usually the same one each time.

1. open the editor and select a quadrant type. pay attention to what it looks like. generate more maps and just study what they look like.

2. close the editor and reopen it. select the same quadrant type and generate a map. after a while you will notice the same general shape of maps are created.

the only way i have been able to vary the design is to go into the quadranttypes.txt file and either alter the minimum angle between warp points or minimum distance between systems fields.

edit: i dont think the random # generater changes its seed. if the seed is not changed it will generate the same "random" number sequence each time. so if all values remain the same the editor will create the same maps.

edit2: you can generate some pretty unusual maps by changing those two fields. however if you make the angles to large do not make the minimum distance greater than 2 or it will cause the editor to fail.

edit3: also changing the type of placement will affect the map. check out FYRONS QUADRANT MOD it has several good examples in it.

[ November 22, 2002, 20:31: Message edited by: desdinova ]