Map Assistance Please

[A.S. Johnston]

I wonder if each of the stock maps - at least them - have a common (x,z) origin? That is to say, is the (0,0) - or (1, 1) - point always at the lower right corner of the maps? Or perhaps not the lower right corner, but some other fixed starting point for the map location numbering system? I'm attempting to ease into MP modding, and am searching for anything that will make the process a bit easier if I were umpire in a campaign, since a part of that process is going to be creating 'battle mods' and it's quite tedious to unstack the units manually and move them about the map, it would easier to have a set of map coordinates to copy into the loc columns in the Scenario file, then open the mod in SOW and move the units about from that location. And while I'm asking, what are the direction numbers for the cardinal and sub-cardinal map directions, please? Thank you very much!

[Little Powell]

I'm sorry but I'm a little confused about what you're asking here. If you enable the debug info in the INI, you do get the x, y, coordinates in the top left hand corner of the map. Is this what you're asking?

[A.S. Johnston]

I apologize for the lack of clarity. The use of a coordinate system where each location is identified by some coordinate numbers (x,z) implies that there is a starting point for those coordinates, that is, some point where the coordinates are (0,0). For instance, Gen. Meade's starting location as shown in one of the OBBs is (49439.38, 67042.3). The numbers, of course, are in two different columns - M and N - which are labelled as "loc x" and "loc z", but no matter the format, using such a system implies a 'zero point', a location from which these number begin, at which location they are (0,0). I apologize for not writing more clearly; is the best I can do.

So, my question was intended to be: where is that 'zero point', that origin, as in a mathematical graph, located on the actual game maps? Is that point always in the same place on each of the maps? Or, is there a larger coordinate system in use, such that there is no 'zero point' on any of the existing maps? Hope that makes more sense. Yes, I understand and have used the [Debug] setting "on" and have seen the yellow-background box with the various data in it, including the locations.

At second thought, never mind. You have more important things to do and I can work out some method which will allow me to start an entirely new scenario file from scratch. Thanks for the time, sir.

[Davinci]

If, I remember correctly the top left hand corner is the coordinates of (0,0).

If, this is correct - it would be the same for all of the maps.

davinci

[con20or]

If you add the debug line to your ini you can see the coordinates ingame.

DbgLvl=1

I just checked the kansas, gettybsurg and alpine maps. It seems the upper left hand corner (NW) of the maps are the lowest coordinates, (320,0,320). Thats as near to (0,0) as makes no difference, and there must be some reason why its set to that. Probably some small buffer we cant see.

So looks like its a local coordinate system, not a larger one.

Edit - Davinci got their first, and he would know he's made some of the maps.

[A.S. Johnston]

Thank you, gentlemen. I have, however, concluded that it is a waste of time - which could be spent more profitably in playing the game! - for me to continue to attempt to mod. I am unable to understand the file and folder requirements nor am I able even to begin to debug what has been attempted. Life is too short to continue banging my head against this particular brick wall and I cheerfully leave it to those with more of whatever-it-takes.

[Davinci]

Thank you, gentlemen. I have, however, concluded that it is a waste of time - which could be spent more profitably in playing the game! - for me to continue to attempt to mod. I am unable to understand the file and folder requirements nor am I able even to begin to debug what has been attempted. Life is too short to continue banging my head against this particular brick wall and I cheerfully leave it to those with more of whatever-it-takes.

Well, don't give up, just take a step back, try something else, and then ease back into it!

Modding is nothing more than the ability to bang your head against the wall, stare at the computer in a sort of amazement, and then doing the same thing all over again!

Also – instead of trying to make a whole new scenario, why not try altering an existing scenario, and practice with that!

davinci

[A.S. Johnston]

I tried following the manual that came with the SDK, v 1.06 to alter an existing scenario. First, the file structure in the game as I have it, doesn't match what the manual talks about. Second, there isn't enough consistent detail in the manual so that I can figure out what goes in each file; one of the other players clued me on that. Third, after following the manual as best I could figure out, the scenario as modified would not run in sp, nor in sandbox, nor in mp. Fourth, I tried modding an mp scenario and couldn't open that one to move the units around and get the locations for the Scenario file. And nothing is set up in the real folders that matches the manual's version of either what goes where or which is required. There isn't any way for me to determine what's wrong because there isn't any coherent list of what folders contain which files in either sp or mp or sandbox including which ones are required for the various mods. "Allowed" and "local" and "not permitted" is nice, but doesn't tell which files are necessary and which folder they must be in, in order for the scenario to work. Very frustrating and while I appreciate your encouragement, I have a large goose-egg on my forhead and have taken two hours to pick out the chips of brick from that spot. :blink: As far as modding goes, stick a fork in me, I'm done! :laugh: