ADC-2 help/sites

[Ivan Rapkinov]

http://209.216.35.195/

http://cryhavocgames.net/OtherStuff/CreatingWithPSP21.htm

the first site is the unofficial ADC homepage, with lots of stuff (like terrain sets and so forth)

the second site is about how to use PSP to create a map - maybe not as relevant, but still rather helpful :)

[Don Maddox]

Thanks for the links.

[Alex]

I'm the guy who wrote the tutorial on using Paint Shop Pro to create wargame maps at: http://cryhavocgames.net/OtherStuff/CreatingWithPSP21.htm

I'll be happy to answer questions on that subject. IMHO, it is both the best and easiest way to go. ANY bitmap (*.bmp file) can be imported into ADC2 (or other similar programs, for that matter) so the question of whether to use ADC2's built-in graphics editor turns on convenience and your level of familiarity with the alternatives.

Alex

[Charles McLellan]

Here's a starter on ADC2 map tutorials:

First, is there any chance that you have ADC2?

Second, I don't have Point of Attack and doubt that it would fit on my machine; so I don't know of the interface between ADC2 and PoA.

ADC2 maps are made in two methods - scan and bricks (my terms).

The "scan" method uses an image. The image can be almost anything a scanned photograph, an actual military map scan, a map directly from the internet, a print screen image from another computer program, hand/computer drawn, etc -- as long as the image is or can be made into electronic format. Then the image can be worked, resized, enhanced, turned, recolored, etc in any paint or picture program. (I use Jasc's Paintshop Pro, but there are many others and some, such as MS Works, are probably already on most computers.) The picture format is then converted into ".bmp" (bitmap) format for use in ADC2.

The "brick" method creates maps from terrain symbols prepared with ADC2's symbol editor. Bricks can be made from many interesting sources. In the Blitzkrieg module, the "mountains" come from a sponge and "artic" from frosted glass for example. There are lots of sample terrain bricks in HPS's module library at this URL < http://209.216.35.195./Game_Sets/Terrain%20and%20Map%20Samples/terrain_symbol_sets.htm >

Both methods can be combined as needed.

Here are some references for map construction:

I made a AH Blitzkrieg module for ADC2. I added many different terrain "bricks" so that folks could make their own maps or change the maps that are available. The module is available for downloading at this URL. <http://209.216.35.195./Game_Sets/Avalon%20Hill/Avalon_Hill.htm> Go down the list of AH games to "AH Blitzkrieg" and download the v2.0 Module, the v2.1 Update, and How to Play Using ADC2. The How to Play contains a "How to Make Your Own" document that details how to make changes to the Blitzkrieg Module map. The Module itself contains a Sampler that shows all the terrain pieces that are available.

Alex Henderson has made a guide on How to Draw maps at this URL < http://209.216.35.195./Game_Sets/Avalon%20Hill/Avalon_Hill.htm >: Find the "Creating Maps & Counters With Paint Shop Pro 7 (ver. 2.1): a tutorial describing an efficient method of creating wargame maps & counters" section.

Nick Bell has some Scan Map Tips at this URL < http://www.hpssims.com/Pages/Hints_Tips/Hints_ADC2/Hints_ADC2_Scanmaps/Hints_ADC2_Scanmaps.htm >: Don't miss those cautions from yours truly at the the bottom and see that A House Divided composite Atlas scan and terrain bricks map.

If you need any help at all, be sure to e-mail me or post a note on ConsimWorld.

[Don Maddox]

Thanks for the input guys, we can certainly use it.

Okay, let me give you some background on how POA2 uses maps. First, ADC2 is the only method for making maps that will work with POA2. The scenarios that came with the game all use a combination of both .bmp images and symbol sets (bricks?) to create the maps. A topographic bitmap image is used for the two zoomed out modes, while the symbol sets are used for the close-up view. I have included some samples of what it looks like.

One of the main problems we were having is how to properly resize an image prior to importing it for use with ADC2. POA2 uses 100 meter hexes, thus the maps need to be the right scale. Scott has given us some guidelines for doing this, but I won't be able to test it until the morning.

I'm sure I'll have additional questions soon.

[Alex]

PSP will do a decent job of resizing. The "Smart Resize" option works well - try it first. You calculate the exact size, in pixels, of the image you want and enter that in the Resize Options Window. Be sure to check "maintain aspect ratio."

[Combatengineer]

http://209.216.35.195/

http://cryhavocgames.net/OtherStuff/CreatingWithPSP21.htm

the first site is the unofficial ADC homepage, with lots of stuff (like terrain sets and so forth)

the second site is about how to use PSP to create a map - maybe not as relevant, but still rather helpful :)

The second site might help with the 3rd zoomed layer, the one where it switches from Topo to symbols, don't know.