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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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 Posted: 16-Oct-2007 12:48 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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I'm working on some custom megamek maps right now, which I intend to eventually release on megamek's Sourceforge page, and am interested in getting input from the community.
What kinds of maps do you all want to see? What do you think is the ideal size for a megamek map? etc. etc.
I'll probably start posting some previews here and at other places around the btech sphere, as I finish them.
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Vagabond
Mercenary
Mr. Referee
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 5724
Location: United States
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| Posted: 16-Oct-2007 15:42 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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I have been pondering a project to use topographic maps of key regions of the world at the appropriate scale [90 meters] to create battlefield layouts for use in BT.
I honestly think that some of the greatest battlefields to use are ones based off of real life environments... any body wanna battle in death valley?
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one must work hard to cultivate the mind and body. and one must always cultivate the mind.
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AWAD
Draconis Combine
Chu-sa
Joined: 06-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 766
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| Posted: 16-Oct-2007 22:05 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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Mud,
School must be keeping you busy. You are not posting much. Enjoying that swirling sound? It is the Michigan economy. Run back east when you can.
On the Mega map you either need to do it standard size so people can use it with others or 35x35. Which is roughly 2X1 or 1X2 depends on how you look at it. That is what I do when I have it generate a map.
1) A road through a light spread out forest and lots of little ponds. No hills.
2) One big mountain in the middle. Trees all down low.
3) A river, a real one, wide like 3-5 hexes. Bridges with good CF. A few low hills and some feeder rivers.
4) An airfield or dropship pad and surrounding terrain.
That ought to keep you busy. BTW I have made and printed about 9 maps with Heavy Metal Map Maker. Pretty nice program. Got a nice ridge line for one 3 map set and a city with palace and military base for another 3. Forgot the other set.
AWAD- Custom maps rock.
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 16-Oct-2007 22:47 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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I've been using 50x50...a bit large, I know, but I like having the space. The "edge" of the mapsheet should never really be allowed to be a tactical factor, I think.
I've been thinking about doing recreations of real-life battlefields...I thought Gettysburg would be a good place to start. Of course, the nice thing about Google maps is that you can actually look at the topography of any site, and work from there.
I've been starting with urban maps though. I don't think there's enough around, and most people don't want to be bothered with setting up buildings before a fight, so we rarely ever see them.
Urbanmech's, anybody?
p.s. I actually left Michigan in April...I'm living in Philly right now 
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ralgith
Blighted Sun Battalion
1st Company
"Ralgith's Renegades"
Colonel
Joined: 18-Aug-2003 00:00
Posts: 2021
Location: United States
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| Posted: 20-Nov-2007 16:10 Post subject: Re: Megamek Maps |
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| mud wrote: | I've been using 50x50...a bit large, I know, but I like having the space. The "edge" of the mapsheet should never really be allowed to be a tactical factor, I think.
I've been thinking about doing recreations of real-life battlefields...I thought Gettysburg would be a good place to start. Of course, the nice thing about Google maps is that you can actually look at the topography of any site, and work from there.
I've been starting with urban maps though. I don't think there's enough around, and most people don't want to be bothered with setting up buildings before a fight, so we rarely ever see them.
Urbanmech's, anybody?
p.s. I actually left Michigan in April...I'm living in Philly right now |
Too bad on the MI part, guess I can't meet ya before I go to TN 
Real maps would be awesome.
I agree, the map edges should only play a tactical part during a retreat or other such thing.
| AWAD wrote: |
On the Mega map you either need to do it standard size so people can use it with others or 35x35. Which is roughly 2X1 or 1X2 depends on how you look at it. That is what I do when I have it generate a map.
1) A road through a light spread out forest and lots of little ponds. No hills.
2) One big mountain in the middle. Trees all down low.
3) A river, a real one, wide like 3-5 hexes. Bridges with good CF. A few low hills and some feeder rivers.
4) An airfield or dropship pad and surrounding terrain.
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I love those ideas.
I also agree with your statement of using standard map sizes. Though I'd prefer the 3x3 total size.
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Colonel Ralgith t'Mayasara
Blighted Sun Battalion
1st Company 'Ralgith's Renegades'
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Oafman
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 18-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 1657
Location: United States
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| Posted: 21-Nov-2007 09:44 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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While you are on the subject of 'real' maps. Try making a drop zone at the bottom of that huge crater out in the southwest. I like the visual image of a shallow curve on the bottom with progressively steeper walls and a 2 level high vertical wall around the rim. That would leave the opportunity to make 1 path in and out of the crater for vehicles and mechs that cannot jump.
Come to think of it, I might have to draw one of those up by hand (no programs at hope to help so I do it old school with paper, pen and markers)
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 26-Nov-2007 22:47 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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Megamek has an OK terrain editor, but there's no way to print it out, so its not really useful outside of Megamek.
Anyone have any suggestions about other map editors...with printing ability. Of course, I could always rig up something in Illustrator and drop some raster images into it, but that would be a royal pain.
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Vagabond
Mercenary
Mr. Referee
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 5724
Location: United States
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| Posted: 27-Nov-2007 00:23 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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www.heavymetalpro.com/HMMap_Features.htm
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one must work hard to cultivate the mind and body. and one must always cultivate the mind.
//^(^_^)^\\
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Mordel
Mordel.Net
Administrator
Joined: 03-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 6061
Location: United States
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| Posted: 27-Nov-2007 10:07 Post subject: Megamek Maps |
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HMMap is the best. Of course, you have to buy it. But it makes darn good maps!
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