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| Thread: H4Util and Picture Map for Dummies |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 · NEXT» |
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ByteBandit
Promising
Famous Hero
Soul Merchant
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posted December 09, 2007 11:04 AM |
bonus applied. |
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H4Util and Picture Map for Dummies
I don't see it anywhere here, so I thought I would post something about how to make an H4 map quickly, and not through the RMG part of the H4 Utility either. First, you should have 3 things other than the H4 Campaign Editor of H4.
1. Equilibrus. Not really needed, but you should have it anyway. If nothing else, for game balance.
2. H4 Utility. Perhaps the most powerful tool here. This is 95 per cent of what you will use.
3. H4 Runner. Instead of typing stuff by opening the H4Utility with CMD, you open everything with this. A very handy tool to have.
Okay, now we can begin. This may be the real hard problem you have. Selecting a picture to turn into the picture map. For my example, I select something out of an Atlas. Sounds good. Okay....let's see....
Ahhhh.... Hawaii looks fun to make. Yeah! Hawaii. Now, my next problem. The size of the map. Here are my choices:
All pictures have to be in Bitmap format:
For SMALL - the dimensions are 56 x 56
For MEDIUM - the dimensions are 109 x 109
For LARGE - the dimensions are 162 x 164
For EXTRA LARGE - the dimensions ore 218 x 218
Okay. I have my picture. I've trimmed it to one of the sizes mentioned above. And I've saved it as ByteBandit.bitmap using the 256 bitmap img in my Paint program.
1. Let's say, I've chosen the XL dimensions. My images are 218 pixels by 218 pixels. Next, I change the name of one map to MiniMap. And for now, the other one MiniMap1.
2. I go to my H4 Campaign Editor and prepare to make an XL map. With Underground. I title the map ByteBandit. Save the map in the H4Util Folder and rename the map ByteBandit. It's just a blank H4 XL map with underground with nothing in it, but the title.
3. Make sure that both MiniMaps (We are making a map with above and under grounds here.) and the blank XL map are in the H4Util folder.
4.Open the H4Runner. You'll see 3 boxes that need information. Simple enough. But simpler would be just 2 boxes. And that's all we need.
5.The first line type in ByteBandit.h4c (This will be the name of your map.)
6. Leave the 2nd box empty. That's right. Don't type anything in there.
7. The 3rd and last box. For the picture map, type this for aboveground: -w -l0. (NOTE: It's not "Minus Ten." It's Minus "Small L" as in landscape.) The Zero at the end means aboveground.
8. Run it. Wait a few seconds. And Voila! You've made a picture map! It'll have the name ByteBandit1.h4c Now you can delete the blank ByteBandit.h4c. Change the name of ByteBandit1.h4c to ByteBandit.h4c
9.Remove the MiniMap from your H4Util folder. Rename MiniMap1 to MiniMap.
10. Open the H4Runner again. Leave the first box alone. It should still read ByteBandit.h4c
11. Leave the 2nd box alone, yet again.
12.For underground, type: -w -l1. (Again, it's not "Eleven" but Small L as in landscape.) The 1 at the end is underground.
13.Run it. In seconds, you have a Picture Map both above and under ground!!
But wait!!!!
Everything is "Tiled!!!" All the pieces of land are in squares. They can easily be smoothed out. Select the Road Tool tab. Select "Cobblestones." Also, select the Extra Large Brush to speed up the process. Lay Cobblestones everywhere on the map. Both above ground and below. After you have covered every inch of your map with cobblestones, erase them. All of them. No more cobblestones. Close the map and save it. Now your map is ready to make into something playable.
Now it's time to decorate it. Use the Cobblestones again with H4 objects anywhere you want on the map. You're making your map basically using cobblestones instead of trees, rocks, mountains, flowers, etc. I use the medium brush to lay cobblestones. Okay, your finished and ready to make your map come alive.(Boring cobblestone.)
It's time to go back to the H4Runner again.
The first line should still read ByteBandit.h4c
The 2nd one is still blank.
The 3rd box. Type in: -wd
Run it. Open ByteBandit1.h4c
WoW!!! Pretty! Very Pretty.
Finally, go into the map and erase all the cobblestones from the map. Save it. And there you have it! Enjoy!
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BAD
Promising
Known Hero
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posted December 09, 2007 01:47 PM |
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@ByteBandit
Nice Tutorial 
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ByteBandit
Promising
Famous Hero
Soul Merchant
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posted December 09, 2007 08:57 PM |
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Thanks, Alexandru. I wanted to do this for our younger players who are'nt as intuitive at reading Slavas' interpretations. And sometimes he can be a bit intimidating with his instructions.
He does'nt mean to be, of course. He's a programmer. Not a regular player or mapmaker like most of us.
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 10, 2016 05:19 AM |
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When I got all done with steps 1-13 the picture did not appear on the map or the mini map Do I have 2 Select the Road Tool tab. Select "Cobblestones." and Lay Cobblestones everywhere on the map. Both above ground,below and After I've covered every inch of my map with cobblestones, erase them. All of them. No more cobblestones. Close the map and save it. 2 get the picture 2 appear?
Is 256 bitmap img standard or do i have 2 change the bitmap img manually to 256, and if so how do i change it?I did not see an option for that on paint.
Do u know how 2 make random maps without a picture just using h4util & h4Runner?
Any help would be much appreciated
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Baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted September 11, 2016 12:33 AM |
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Thanks for undigging archeological topic! Its very important option - generate map from picture. I didnt know it is possible to generate picture map with H4Util! I missed it reading instruction. I see its powerfull tool! Immediately I tested it and its simple and works! But I just discover BETTER option than in instruction! It is possible beter way to generate beautiful map! :-) Great discovery for me :-)
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Karmakeld
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted September 11, 2016 08:40 AM |
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Johnnycage, there should Be a guide in the readme file on How to generate a random map, Using the H4utility. I never had luck with it though, but iLiVeInAbOx05's H4MG tool will eventually also include a rmg feature. Regarding the picture map, have you tried following every step exactly as described? Without knowing, it could Seem you need to do it all like it was stated by ByteBandit. Good luck.
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 11, 2016 03:27 PM |
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I'm an idiot because i can't get it 2 work.I can't incorporate the picture 2 the map and i can't make random maps
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 11, 2016 03:29 PM |
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Baronus said:
Thanks for undigging archeological topic! Its very important option - generate map from picture. I didnt know it is possible to generate picture map with H4Util! I missed it reading instruction. I see its powerfull tool! Immediately I tested it and its simple and works! But I just discover BETTER option than in instruction! It is possible beter way to generate beautiful map! :-) Great discovery for me :-)
How did u get it 2 work?
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Baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 02:07 PM |
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 07:13 PM |
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Baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 07:49 PM |
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You dont understand which word?
Imagem = Image
Modo = Mode
Indexao = Indexed
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 09:21 PM |
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Here are the steps I took which produced 0 results
1. Chose A picture
2.resized it to 218x218 and changed it to 256 bitmap img in my Paint
3.Made a XL map using Campaign Editor (Updated).
a). selected single scenario
b). map size XL
c). 2 level map
4. Saved as Crystal-elder-dragon in the same folder as the h4util & H4runner.
5. Placed 2 mini maps(bitmap img's) in same folder as the h4util & H4runner named Crystal-elder-dragon and Crystal-elder-dragon1
6..Open the H4Runner.
a)line 1 entered Crystal-elder-dragon.h4c
b)line 2 left blank
c)line 3 entered -w-l0
d) hit run
e) H4 map utility opens up .Press any key to continue
f) H4 map made with name Crystal-elder-dragon1.h4c
7. removed Crystal-elder-dragon.h4c
a) renamed Crystal-elder-dragon1.h4c to Crystal-elder-dragon.h4c
8. removed mini map Crystal-elder-dragon
a). renamed mini map Crystal-elder-dragon1 to mini map Crystal-elder-dragon
9.Opened runner
a). line 1 Crystal-elder-dragon.h4c
b). line 2 left blank
c). line 3 entered -w-l1
d) hit run
e) H4 map utility opens up .Press any key to continue
f) H4 map made with name Crystal-elder-dragon1.h4c
This is what it looks like
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Baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 09:48 PM |
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Error
Only one indexed not img but bmp. Named not Crystal-elder-dragon and Crystal-elder-dragon1 but:
minimap.bmp
ALWAYS NAME IS MINIMAP.BMP!!!
c)line 3 entered -w-l0
-w -l0
SMALL L!!!
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 10:52 PM |
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Baronus your a GOD!!!THANK YOU   and I am A mere mortal.
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Baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted September 12, 2016 11:02 PM |
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Im a man :-) Now try to generate random map and add picture to random NOT to blank map! Its fantastic effect!
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 13, 2016 12:22 AM |
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I'll try that next
My new problem is I do not C the map listed in the selection of maps 2 play. I've added it 2 the map list but it does not appear when I go 2 play it. Do U know how 2 do that?
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Baronus
Legendary Hero
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posted September 13, 2016 08:12 AM |
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You must search. :-) Build your folder with name My maps in Maps. HIV read folders!
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 13, 2016 02:55 PM |
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Here is what I made
Picture:
Map:
Below:
Picture
Map:
Pretty cool stuff.Thank you all for your help
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Karmakeld
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted September 13, 2016 05:46 PM |
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Wow, have to say the first one looks pretty awesome. I don't really think the 2nd one did well, it's not easy to see it's a dragon's head. Also thumbs up to Baronus for the assistance. It actually ignite a bit of desire to go try and make one myself..
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johnnycage
Adventuring Hero
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posted September 13, 2016 06:32 PM |
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Yah the 2nd 1 wasn't so good but I'M happy cause I finally got it 2 work and kudos to Baronus for his help . Now when my nephews come over we'll have some new maps 2 play
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