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Heroes Community > Tournament of Honor > Thread: User-made template for RMG
Thread: User-made template for RMG This thread is 4 pages long: 1 2 3 4 · NEXT»
Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 29, 2007 08:09 PM
Edited by Zilonite at 11:36, 05 Nov 2007.

User-made template for RMG

Heyo there!

I’m not sure whether there are some posts on this topic in HC already, but there is a possibility to create user made templates for HOMM V Random Map Generator (the first one who started making those is one Russian dude with a nick moz).In Russian heroes sites those templates are in use for several month already and feedback from players is very positive.


So here is some basic info, how this thingie works...

1.Firstly, you should go to „data” directory of the game (full path in my case is C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Heroes of Might and Magic V - Tribes of the East\data).
2.Create here folder „RMG” and in that folder create one more subfolder „Templates” (so full path in my case is C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Heroes of Might and Magic V - Tribes of the East\data\RMG\Templates)
3.Dowload zipped template file and unzip it in the newly created Templates folder (for example, my template „Onward” or other templates).
4.Launch the game, go to random map generation section (option „Generate a Map”).
5.Put the check-mark on „Custom Template” (after putting the check-mark you will get the message that this is an advanced game option and bla bla bla – just click „OK”) – and you will see the user-made templates.
6.Pick the template you want to play and set other options for the map you want to play (size, monster strength etc.). Important - put the check-mark on the option „random towns”, too.
7.Generate the map and save it or play right away!


Some side notes for multi-player game:

For ToH games or any other internet playing you can use user-made templates. For that purpose both players should have the template and should have it in the very same folder (meaning – the path to the template should be the same).


How to load saved games here?

Unfortunately, loading saves with user-made templates takes a few additional actions.

Situation A - you are playing on Ubi server.

1.Before loading the save, both players should delete folder "RMGTemp" (it is located in the "data" folder of the game).
2.The player, who will load the save, should send the map file to the opponent (map can be found in Maps folder).
3.Second player should put recieved map in his Maps folder (thus replacing the map file he had).

Situation B - you are playing via Hamachi.

This is a bit more complicated.
1.The player, who will load the save, should open the file of the map (all homm5 mapfiles in fact are zip files that contain a bunch of folders). To do this you can use, for example, winzip.
2.Go to the place where files are stored (if you are doing it in winzip, path can look something like: mapname.h5m\Maps\RMG\5305-2002-1327-1705 - ZIP archive, unpacked size 4 489 481 bytes).
3.Copy all those files (there are something like 10 of them).
4.Then go to folder "RMGTemp" and go to the files there.
5.Replace all files there (in the "RMGTemp" folder) with copied ones (the ones from the map file).
6.Send the "RMGTemp" folder to the second player (most likely, easiest way to send it would be to zip or rar it before sending).
7.Send the map file to the second player.
8.Second player should replace both - "RMGTemp" folder and map file -with recieved ones.

Its not that complicated as it seems from the first glance


Where can you get user-made templates?

You can check my own creation „Onward” just one post below or download a whole bunch of other user-made templates in a single zip file. Most of those templates are designed for large (176x176) maps with strong monsters (again, if anyone is interested in more info about those templates, either learn russian and check here or let me know, I will do my best to help).

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 29, 2007 08:14 PM
Edited by Zilonite at 14:17, 31 Oct 2007.

Template „Onward”

Following is the description of the template „Onward”. The desciption pursues twin aims – to highlight basic features of this particular template as well as to show what you can expect from the user-made templates in general.

Link to download the template: „Onward (ver.1.1)” (on the issue where to put this file and how to create maps with user-made templates in general see the post above).

Settings for maps generated with Onward template
I recomend to use following settings, when generating the maps with this template:
Map size – Large (176x176)
Underground – Absent
Monster level – Strong
Number of Players – 2
Random Towns – checked

The template Onward can be used to generate maps with other settings as well. However above listed settings are „polished” ones – all my testing was done on those settings.

Layout of the template



Bubbles and lines in this layout illustrate rough skelleton of the maps that will be generated with this template. Numbers inside of the bubbles are the ID numbers of the zone. Small numbers nearby connection lines roughly indicatates the strength of guards on the entrance to the zone.

General description
Template is reasonably rich, so hard or heroic difficulty is ok (although on heroic monsters will be quite a challange). Both players have to struggle their way towards treasury zone, where the first battle between player will occur most likely. However meanwhile there is a „back-stabbing” option available as well – all that stands between starting towns of both players, is a couple of lots level 7 units. For this reason I would suggest making „no astral gates” rule on this template (yet this is not obligatory).

Zones:
There always will be eight zones on the map.

Zones 1 and 2 are starting areas for both players. Each of those contains starting town, ore and wood mine and several dwellings of same allignment. Terrain – always grass.

Zones 3 and 4 are mine zones. Each of those contains all mines (gold included). Terrain – always grass.

Zones 5 and 6 each contains neutral town (so in total there are 4 towns on the map always). Also second wood and ore mine for both players as well as a few major arties are here. Terrain – random.

Zone 7 is the treasury zone. It is biggest zone on the map by far (something like half of the map). Contains couple of utopias (usually 2, but sometimes you can get 3 or 1 or even none), many major arties and stat boosters. Also one more ore and wood mine and 3 gold mines are here. Terrain – random.

Zone 8 is very small. It is very heavily guarded and its only purpose is to serve as a shortcut between starting areas of both players. Although a few major artifacts or some nice buildings can be there as well. Terrain – random.

EDIT: Got some feedback and fixed one minor bug as well as slightly reduced guard strength (so I changed links in all posts to newest version of the template)

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the_teacher
the_teacher


Supreme Hero
Talk to the hand!
posted October 30, 2007 11:54 AM

interesting, ill play around with settings. good news, ty.
i wonder if any map can turn into a template...and follow the original map line in proportion of 70-80%, changing decor, terrain, few mosters types, artifacts (= /-) , boosters (+/-) but keeping intact the whole idea of the map. that would be really great. ill dig up for more info.



have a nice day

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 30, 2007 04:05 PM

Quote:
i wonder if any map can turn into a template...and follow the original map line in proportion of 70-80%, changing decor, terrain, few mosters types, artifacts (= /-) , boosters (+/-) but keeping intact the whole idea of the map.


It depends on what you mean by "whole idea of the map"

Some things you can preset in the template:

- which zone is connected with which (i.e., logical layout of the template)
- relative size and terrain type of zones
- relative size of the monsters that guard passages between zones
- which zone will have towns, which - no
- relative strength of neutral town guards
- type and number of mines in each zone
- type and number of creature dwellings in each zone
- relative amount of treasure chests/resources/artifacts/treasure buildings/stat boosters in each zone
- relative strenght of monsters that guard goodies in each zone (this can be preset only very approximately)

Some things you cannot preset in the template:

- exact location of the zone on the map
- the way how zones are connected (i.e., via gap in the mountains or via two-way telereport)
- type of particular monsters that will inhabit particular zone or any other presize guardian preset
- presize amount of some particular buildings or artifacts on particular zones or on the map in general


In short words, template making is very similar with template making in HOMM3 - you can preset very vague framework of the map, but there is no way how to preset particular details.

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nevermind
nevermind


Famous Hero
posted October 30, 2007 04:35 PM
Edited by nevermind at 16:36, 30 Oct 2007.

Hey Zil , Sup ?

Strange.. you say several months? How come we never heard of this so far?


What are the most popular templates - Is there a figure like for other templates..
And when are you going to make true random


I think its a good time to post the "preview" if you will for my rmg it don't create maps yet but the gui and machanism for templates is almost ready.. People might get a better clue of what a template is, I'll get a zip and upload the program now.. be ready so a view soon.
Impressions and comments will be welcomed..

So is any help anyone willing to offer..
____________

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nevermind
nevermind


Famous Hero
posted October 30, 2007 04:46 PM

Here is the link

http://www.savefile.com/files/1159240

*notice you must have .net frameWork 2.0

*Also notice its best to use in 1024*768 resnowion ,I assume other can have some problems i am not sure When of if those Will be solved. -Tell me hoW it looks on other resultions
____________

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insatiable
insatiable


Supreme Hero
Ultimate N00bidity
posted October 30, 2007 04:48 PM

spider and maze look cool..

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 30, 2007 05:34 PM
Edited by Zilonite at 17:37, 30 Oct 2007.

Quote:
Hey Zil , Sup ?
Strange.. you say several months? How come we never heard of this so far?



Heyo mate
Guess, main reason is that almost none of the active ToHers speaks russian

Quote:

What are the most popular templates - Is there a figure like for other templates..



Most of those other templates are for really long games. Some say that Spider is a really good one, but for really long game. For shorter games you can try out Smile.

Quote:
And when are you going to make true random

Hehe, dude, nice to see that you still remember that one

Quote:

I think its a good time to post the "preview" if you will for my rmg it don't create maps yet but the gui and machanism for templates is almost ready.. People might get a better clue of what a template is, I'll get a zip and upload the program now.. be ready so a view soon.
Impressions and comments will be welcomed..

So is any help anyone willing to offer..


Although I'm almost not playing right now (apart from Arena Bandita ), I will take a look on this for sure (however i'm not sure how much non-programmer can help you here )

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myydraal
myydraal

Tavern Dweller
posted October 31, 2007 06:51 AM

Hey! This is great, I like that this is possible, and I'm thanksful you guys are doing this.  I have a few questions though.
1. Where can I find more templates?
2. Is it possible to generate a map with more than 8 zones?
3. Anybody know of 4+ players templates?
4. How are these templates made? Where can I learn the language they're made in?

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 31, 2007 10:34 AM
Edited by Zilonite at 15:35, 31 Oct 2007.

Quote:
1. Where can I find more templates?


Only place (of which I know), where all the new templates are posted in, is Russian Heroes League forum. In posts above I posted a link to zip file that contains all tested templates they have (this file). This file contains 6 fully tested temlates, which should be ok at least for some time

Quote:
2. Is it possible to generate a map with more than 8 zones?

Sure, only then you need different template - each template has its own number of zones. If you want something really unpredictable, try, for example, Spider, it contains 15 zones. On this one actually map size should be a bit bigger, may be L with under or XL.

Layout of Spider:


Quote:
3. Anybody know of 4+ players templates?

So far all templates are for 2 players game, as I don't know of any finished online 4 players game But if there is a demand, I can think of making one - just say, what kind of maps you want to be generated

Quote:
4. How are these templates made? Where can I learn the language they're made in?

All template files are in english (to see, how the template looks like, just open one of those xdb files with Notepad). Its fairly easy to learn how to make templates - i'm not a programmer myself. However making really playable ones (unlike the crap that Nival made) takes lots and lots of testing time.

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insatiable
insatiable


Supreme Hero
Ultimate N00bidity
posted October 31, 2007 02:59 PM

so when creating the rmg map, we just pick a template, we dont toggle with other settings, right?
each template auto-tunes things in its way, right?
____________

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 31, 2007 03:32 PM

Quote:
so when creating the rmg map, we just pick a template, we dont toggle with other settings, right?
each template auto-tunes things in its way, right?


Nope, everything is manual. You should pick the template and select all other settings as well - size of the map, yes/no underground, number of players etc.

Standart size of the map for those templates is large (for Spider and Maze - L with under or XL, for Smile you can try even Medium).

Number of players always is 2, monster size is strong.

Also don't forget to put the check-mark on "random towns".

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insatiable
insatiable


Supreme Hero
Ultimate N00bidity
posted October 31, 2007 04:04 PM

would you know the suggested optimum settings  for each template?
____________

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Elit
Elit


Famous Hero
posted October 31, 2007 04:41 PM

Can you post link for program (what you use)to make templates.

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Valentin
Valentin


Adventuring Hero
grr
posted October 31, 2007 05:01 PM

Good job Zil, I hope you will be active soon in Toh, we can try to play "Onward"

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 31, 2007 06:37 PM

Nice to see some interest in this matter rising

Quote:
would you know the suggested optimum settings  for each template?


Here is what authors of templates suggested:

Onward - L no under, may be M with under
Smile - L no under/M with under
Chaos - L no under/M with under
Spider - L with under (guess, XL no under should be ok, too)
Maze - L with under
M3 - L with under (author also said that M with under is better then L no under)
Diamond - no info about this one (and i'm right now a bit lazy to make any experiments myself )

Quote:
Can you post link for program (what you use)to make templates.


The programm is the most simpliest Notepad Basically all template making means to make a plan of template (how many zones+how they are connected) and then toying around with zone parameters. And lots and lots of testing

Quote:
Good job Zil, I hope you will be active soon in Toh, we can try to play "Onward"


Not sure about myown active playing, although playing myown creations sounds verrry tempting

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted October 31, 2007 06:57 PM

Here goes layouts of other templates..

Sorry, description is in russian and i'm too lazy to translate it all. Still hope those pictures will give you some rough picture of what to expect from each template...

Chaos


Smile


M3


Maze


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nevermind
nevermind


Famous Hero
posted October 31, 2007 07:54 PM
Edited by nevermind at 19:56, 31 Oct 2007.

Quote:

B.The map is generated in the „standart” rmg way during connection. In that case both players should have the template and should have it in the very same folder (meaning – the path to the template should be the same). Also in this way there are some difficulties with loading saves afterwards (nothing deadly, but takes a few more actions before you can load a save - if anyone will have troubles with this, I will write more details later).




What are those actions??

Me and odiak started a game on spider...  Was a bit of a ruff start as the setup to templates seem to have to be done exactly right or things mess up , Anyway we played a game then game crash and we try to load and get error  Checksum don't match check mods ect ect something like that , What is the solution to this?
____________

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Elit
Elit


Famous Hero
posted November 01, 2007 05:23 AM

Quote:
Can you post link for program (what you use)to make templates.


The programm is the most simpliest Notepad Basically all template making means to make a plan of template (how many zones+how they are connected) and then toying around with zone parameters. And lots and lots of testing

Quote:


Yes i know RMG can be open with Notepad...but you know in h3 have smal prog for open and making them. I mean do you have same good tool like in h3 ....notepad is hell for making rmg.

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Zilonite
Zilonite


Famous Hero
posted November 01, 2007 11:39 AM

Quote:
Me and odiak started a game on spider...  Was a bit of a ruff start as the setup to templates seem to have to be done exactly right or things mess up , Anyway we played a game then game crash and we try to load and get error  Checksum don't match check mods ect ect something like that , What is the solution to this?


This is what author of this whole user-made-templates concept wrote..

Situation A - you are playing on Ubi server.

1.Before loading the save, both players should delete folder "RMGTemp" (it is located in the "data" folder of the game).
2.The player, who will load the save, should send the map file to the opponent (map can be found in Maps folder).
3.Second player should put recieved map in his Maps folder (thus replacing the map file he had).

Situation B - you are playing via Hamachi.

This is a bit more complicated.
1.The player, who will load the save, should open the file of the map (all homm5 mapfiles in fact are zip files that contain a bunch of folders). To do this you can use, for example, winzip.
2.Go to the place where files are stored (if you are doing it in winzip, path can look something like: mapname.h5m\Maps\RMG\5305-2002-1327-1705 - ZIP archive, unpacked size 4 489 481 bytes).
3.Copy all those files (there are something like 10 of them).
4.Then go to folder "RMGTemp" and go to the files there.
5.Replace all files there (in the "RMGTemp" folder) with copied ones (the ones from the map file).
6.Send the "RMGTemp" folder to the second player (most likely, easiest way to send it would be to zip or rar it before sending).
7.Send the map file to the second player.
8.Second player should replace both - "RMGTemp" folder and map file -with recieved ones.

I know, this sounds like a hell of a job, but there is no way to avoid this Besides, it is not THAT complicated as it might look from the first glance

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