SP maps from bmp's for SPww2/mbt/ etc ...

[danstudentvcc]

Hello.

It is possible to make SPWW2/MBT/WAW maps from the same bmp images, in fact for topographic features it is possible to reuse the same bmp image file in combination with Chlanda's programs. Image maps greater than 10 000 hexes from one tiny 200x200 pixel image! Again imagine hundreds of maps in a mere hour(s); even thousands such as, Normandy to the Ardennes!!

I was interested in using my Chlanda, Ectizen and graphics programs to make maps for each of the SP versions running from SP2/3/WAW/WW2/MBT.

Some individuals already have experience with WAW maps from bmp's and as well as knowledge useful for implementing Chlanda edits.
If you wanted to learn or already have knowledge to share please write to me at, mailto:danstudent_ubco@yahoo.ca
I can then email you any of the necessary files you may be in need of. For instance SP2/3 blank maps; Chlanda or Ectizen updated programs.
On weekends I will update a page and send you the latest findings by others or myself:-

http://www.geocities.com/eyespymind
(top of the page)

Why learn or use these programs? Essentially a bmp image made into a map eliminates the need to go hex by hex as in the games own editor. As well, by using map templates it is possible to make roads that allow only 1 or two vehicles as well as other fantastical edits that enhance the comes with the game editor. You may even layer map cutouts much as in the road maps; or rotate a town or other to any degree ...
:)
Gus
Aliases:
MindSpy
Danstudentvcc

[Achilles]

Gus,

I am very interested in this kind of stuff.

After the end of the Anzac project, I will probably ask you a couple of things.

Btw, Fred Chlanda asked the community if we were interested in an expansion of his designing tools toward the WinSPMBT direction.

Check this out (and try to get in contact with Fred) :

http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37503

cheers,
Pyros

[danstudentvcc]

Hello.

SPWW2 & SPMBT maps from topographic or bmp images.
To make a SP map from a bmp or topographic trace out on a bmp file you will
need Fred Chlanda's SP map editing programs and some blank Steel Panthers 2 PzMaps.
Fred's sp map editing programs for SP2/3; his updated SPWW2 SPMap editor (the older DOS WW2 map editor will do, although you may not be able to open WinMBT and WinWW2 SP maps saved in the game itself).

Open a blank SP2 file with Fred's SP2/3 spmap editor. Upload your topographic bmp or the one Fred provides with each of his SP Map editing programs. Save your map.

Open your updated or older SPWW2 spmap editor. Convert your newly saved SP2 map to WinMBT/WW2 map naming and numbering schemes. (From PzMap00.dat to SPMap00.dat)

Open your WinMBT extended map editor and load your newly converted
topographic MBT/WW2 spmap. Or if you only downloaded the free version of the WinMBT game. Start the game. Start the editor and select your converted topographically correct map. Voila just as in SPWAW.

You have now crafted in mere minutes an accurate topographic map from a bmp image. Congratulations.

Those of you who have been making SPMaps from bmp's in the past know the value of such a quick and simple method of making historical maps. For the newly converted in WinMBT: Keep it up, it gets even easier over time!
Afterall imagine how cool your Cold War maps will look if they are 'identical' to the road and topographic features maps available at the gas stations and local libraries! Even your American Civil War Maps can be minted.

You may find that the WW2 SPMap editor does not load your SP2 maps.
As well that the conversion tab does not show!
The problem can be resolved by preloading a valid SPWW2 or MBT map.
The conversion tab will now show and you can begin to convert each and everyone of your SP2 maps into SPWW2/SPWinMBT form..
You may find that you get error messages or failed openings of WinMBT or WinWW2 maps with Fred's WW2 SPMap editor. If so simply reboot or log on - log off. As well if your video graphics are easily corrupted I recomment obtaining the blank SP2 map files. SZO membership has perks eh! so there should be some there soon

To facilitate your map editing ventures you should make a special folder path; say "Chlanda Maps"
Into this folder create subfolders with the following names:
SP2; SP3; WW2; MBT; WAW.
Into each of these game version subfolders copy the most up to date - for each version SHP files.
WINMBT calls them Graphics so you will want to rename the subfolder SHP. This will help you since you won't be required to reset the path to the shp folder with each SPMap Editor program open.
As well place each proper Fred SPMap editor into these subfolders (but do not place them into the SHP folders! since there are hundreds of shp files.) Hence SP2/3 spmap editor goes into the SP2/3 folders. Similarly for the WW2 SP Map editor - this program is used in both the WW2 and WinMBT folder. Be sure to make sub folders for the maps; backups of your blank SP2/3 maps; of course be sure to save and to backup your finished WinWW2 - WinMBT maps since you will want to reuse slots often to avoid having to scroll through the custom maps extended map game editor (or for those with free dload versions only - starting the game only to find that you have to search thru several pages to find a newly minted map!).

You can now make Level 0;1;2;3 maps in mere minutes.

Over the weekend I will prepare some images and word pad files (pdf); write me if you get stuck and would like to receive one.

There is more to discover so don't think you are done here.
A first step is complete though and you now have a head start on the coming release of SPWinWW2 since the maps can be opened in the SPWinMBT game.

Gus

[danstudentvcc]

Gus, I am very interested in this kind of stuff.
After the end of the Anzac project, I will probably ask you a couple of things. Btw, Fred Chlanda asked the community if we were interested in an expansion of his designing tools toward the WinSPMBT direction. Check this out (and try to get in contact with Fred) :.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37503 (http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37503)
cheers,
Pyros

Hello Achilles. Sure I'll be around and will respond.
Thanks for the link but it doesn't show how to make a WinMBT or WinWW2 SPMap from the same bmp images that can be used in the SPWAW map editor. The SPWAW map editor by Fred does it in one step. Using the SP2 v1.1 blank maps and SP2/3 map editors for uploading bmp images; followed by the use of the WW2 map editor, to convert the file to a proper MBT/WW2 nomenclature (name and numbering) you can make SP maps from bmp images.
This means 1 grey bmp image works for all three games - a great time saver.
By using the proper SHP files for each game it is possible to avoid terrain interpretation conflicts. Meaning, SP2 forests require a SP2 bmp while WAW forests require a WAW bmp. Yet, since 160x160 pixels is enough for a 80x80 hex map you can see that it takes only seconds to change the paintrush color of either file so that you can reuse it ... some colors work for both. Lastly, since you can always use Ectizen to make changes, then alter the saved bmp. By resizing your bmp you would then be able to quickly change an WinMBT or WinWW2 map.

I generally don't try to bother the God's of SP. Either they don't listen or they never write you back; even if they do they often prefer instead to give you the answer they want to give you - completely evading what you originally e-posted. However I've already thanked Fred profusely for updating his WW2 editor to include maps saved in WinMBT. I recently came across one of his other game editors. It was more of his usual pretty darn good work!!

I like the work of Fred; ModHacker; Ectizen; Alby; WBW and some others. They seem to respect in general the good practice of making programs that do not destroy the hundreds of hours previously spent working on things. A programmers or musicians or mathematicians most basic of creeds or beliefs. Afterall just because a new version is out, it should not mean that everything done before should be tossed out the window.

If you should bump into Fred be sure to ask him if he can move the bmp map uploading of SP2 to the WW2 editor. This way the MBT and WW2 map editor will be as quick (1 step) as the SPWAW map editor although certainly not as edits rich as SPWAW map editor.

Gus
Dvcc

[Achilles]

Ok, Gus

I find all these very interesting,
If you have some free time we should talk about this issue after the completion of the ANZAC project.

Another issue that puzzles me is that a good topo is 1:50000, while a very good topo is 1:25000, and the city map will vary around 1:10000 - 1:5000.

My problem is that the extreme zoom-in of the SP game covers 10-12 hexes, which is 500-600 meters. Now, when the time comes, I will have to calculate what scale topo map can give a nice and accurate representation of a 600 meters on a full screen monitor.

But, we should discuss these in a couple of months :)

cheers,
Pyros