Map/Scenario Editing & Creation | Forums

[chirambo]

Ya, there are definately tricks to it (which I'm still learning). My first map is kind of a compilation of a bunch of different things I tried to mimic from parts of campaigns/scenarios just to try and figure out how things worked. I'm pretty excited about a few maps I have in mind though, can hopefully work up some nice single player stuff (with text a la HOMM III). But I get ahead of myself, I need to finish this other map first.

A few of the tricks for covering that black space and making it look like water is flowing over is clever placement of cliffs so that you don't actually *see* underneath the bridge (Haven 1 has a section like that, I think). Sometimes, the mapmakers also put rocks and then put "Wave effects" over the rocks to make it appear that water is flowing, when in reality there is not even a water plane. The results, when done properly, are quite convincing. Look on the Heart of Nightmares map for underneath the walkway by the cave, and you should see an example of that. Haven 1 also has one, I'm pretty sure. And yes, there's the water plane. I don't really like it, because I haven't figured out if you can change color, and even when I do use it there are some graphical artefacts. It's all about smart map design, I guess.

[Warspite2]

Yeah I will have to mess around with the bridges more but the editor pretty much has become straight forward now. I have 3 melee maps I uploaded to maps4heroes the past week... Grimstalk Beach, Hopedale Bay and Clover Island my alias there is fatespinner. My friend and I had a fun time playing them. I have about 3 more I intend to upload in a couple days. My latest map so far it is coming out really good! We are going to play through it 2 human vs 2 ai on hotseat tonight and if it all tests out ok, I will upload it as I expect it to be a great play. It's called the Dungeons of Oldsmond and here is the description as of now...

"Welcome to the Oldsmond Valley region. Six factions have settled this area many years ago. At the center of the valley is the Oldsmond ridges which at the heart is 6 dungeons. These dungeons were constructed years ago to use as underground prison chambers and storage facilities for all the nearby castles. They are constructed to represent each faction, for example the Sanctuary dungeon is shaped like an anchor. When a crime was commited, the suspects were sent here for punishment, some with were tortured or executed. Many years after, these dungeons became overran by monsters who lived in the nearby valley. Some prisoners still live in the dungeons but most were killed or eaten alive. Large amounts of treasure is said to be found throughout each dungeon. Today, heroes have formed armies to enter these dungeons and bring the treasures back to their loyals. The four factions of the area have the same goal, to own the lands and it's treasures."

[Warspite2]

Anyone know how to load up the built in maps into the editor?

[chirambo]

Grab the orc2zip utility, open the necessary .orc file in the game directory (I'm not sure which). They are located inside. It's basically a glorified .zip file.

[dchalfont]

I've unpacked the games map files and have done some alterations.

But I need help with a few things.

How do I place a hero ( not one of the default 2 ) and make it so that is my primary starting hero.

Also is it possible to make a custom hero ( all I want to do is add the specialisation to another hero ). Eg. I want the Ghoul Rousing ability to be
on a Necromancer Might hero ( rather than a Magic hero ).

I unpacked the Data2.orc but it only seems to have a few of the custom maps in it ( Rise to power iss the one I'm using now ). Where are the other custom map files. Are they in one of the other data files?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[chirambo]

As far as the maps, I'm not sure exactly where they are (I have not unpacked the .orc files myself). I would not be surprised if they were spread over a number of files as the organization appears to be slightly lax.

There is an entity (under adventure map entities) called FactionHero. You may place one per player, and your dynasty hero will take the place of this marker once the game starts. There is another entity called hero, which allows some degree of customization (name, portrait, etc.) but I have not fooled around enough with it to change those details. Scripting may help in that regard.

[Warspite2]

My latest thing is trying to make a custom combat map. I know there are options in the editor for this. Combat map itself is easy to make just saving it where I have the problem, editor thinks it's a scenario. Anyone been able to do this?

[TDZGamer]

After I have rotated and moved around the map I get confused. How do I know which way is north?

[AmericanHappy]

Hey Guys - can anyone tell me where to go to get fan made maps (good ones only, please ) Do we have any on this site, for example? Thanks!

[a.svetlakov]

Good day.

1) Are there any updates for function "random map" like in HMM3 "Armageddon's Blade" ? What I have to do to get this update?
2) What keys I have to use to unblock "exclusive" and "addition materials" ? Base key for registrating game isn't usefull for it.