Edit World (Map Editor)

 

Introduction

This is a very old map editor. For recent releases of Warzone you should use FlaME instead.

History of Edit World

<add history from Rman and LA here>

The Edit World guide shown below was released in January 2000 by Lord Apocalypse, a member of NEWST. It has been reformatted and edited in a few places to better suit this wiki (you can ).

Installation

You will need a full installation of Warzone 2100 to use EditWorld. EditWorld loads Warzone 2100 game data, so you may have to change the destination directory from the default if you have installed Warzone 2100 in a non-standard directory.

Render modes

There are two rendering modes for EditWorld:

• The software-rendering version should work on any machine with DirectX 6 installed, as long as the Windows colour depth is set to 16bit (you can do this using Start → Settings → Control Panel → Display → Settings → Colors).

• The hardware-rendering version should work on any machine with DirectX 6 installed and a 3d accelerated video card that features 8MB of video memory and the ability to draw textured 3d in a window, again, ensure your windows display bit depth is set to 16. This version has been tested with the Permedia 2, Matrox G200, ATI Rage Pro and Riva TNT video cards. Voodoo 1 and Voodoo 2 are not supported.

File Types

The following file types are used in Edit World:

Overview and General Principles

EditWorld is the map editor for Warzone 2100. It exists as a 32 bit Windows application. A modified version of it was used in creating all the levels for the original game. Using EditWorld you can create your own maps for use in the Skirmish and Multiplayer game modes.

A Warzone 2100 map is made up of a height map, a tile map, gateway information, some structures and some optional features. All of these can be edited in EditWorld.

The height map is a grid of height values. At one end of the scale is sea level, and at the other the top of the highest mountain in the game.

The tile map is a grid of textures. These textures are stretched over the height map so as to provide graphical detail. Using the textures you can create areas of grass, mud, concrete, sand or snow, and then run roads through them. There are three sets of tiles or textures, known as datasets. One dataset exists for each Campaign in the single player game mode. These are not to be confused with technology sets, which are independent of the map on which they appear.

Gateway information exists to keep the pathfinding in the game running smoothly.

Some of the 3D objects that appear in the game world are known as structures. A good example would be a player building or unit.

Other, non-player 3D objects, such as boulders, are known as features.

Pretty dry isnt it... well thats why this file came about. To teach you new and fun tricks. Ok, here's my run down of some of the above.

A warzone 2100 map is made up of:

• height map

• tile set

• gateway routing info

• player data

• tile types (explained later)

• structures (explained in advanced section)

• optional edge brush info

• various other files i will get into later

Height map = greyscale .pcx file with black being sea level and white being the highest point of the map. Best reference I have using a height map is my own map, rolling hills. If youve already played it you know what im talking about. Its a beautiful map.

Now the next statement from the original doc has me confused. Are they refering to tile types or tile set? Who knows.. and i have no comment on it.

Gateways. Oh joy, they are correct. You need a good gateway system to keep your units from getting stuck anywhere. Ill have an entire section devoted to this very sore topic later.

Last two entries should be pretty explanitory.. no point in saying that over again.

Credits & Contributors

These people get the bigget thanks for all the work theyve done so for all of us, and the help they have provided me with:

• Shang - Original edit world faq, and several 3rd party add-ons, plus his first try at adding custom tilesets

• HB - For his amazingly easy TMLink program that has helped all of us add custom tiles

• Maynard - For his help in allowing me to understand some features i didnt know or use, and everything hes done or helped me with through out this project.

• Striker - For his help as my guinea pig through the begining and his help with designing some really cool height maps

• Troman - for being soooo annoying and trying to prove us wrong on alot of different things, and als for helping with our understanding on some less known features

• Alex McLean - For his support when i first started this project several months ago.

As for everyone else, thanks for giving me a reason to write this file for you. Hopefully all of you will find help and use with this and create some new and interesting maps for the rest of us. And as always, if you create a new map please send it to me so i can post it on my site for all to see.

Updates

.01c update info:

• Added section on creating custom maps

  • Tutorial on makewdg

  • Item on custom tilesets

• Added updates section

• Decreased wav file size

• Minor spelling corrections

• Misc other changes

User Inteface

When you run EditWorld you are presented with the EditWorld display.

The Title Bar

At the top of the screen is the title bar, which shows the name of the .lnd (map) file that you are currently editing. On the right hand side of this bar are the standard Windows minimize, restore and close buttons.

The Drop Down Menu Bar

The next line down is the drop down menu title bar. See the section entitled "Drop Down Menu Options" for more information on this.

Icon Bars

Below the drop down menu title bar are the two icon bars.

For a complete description of each icon and it's function see the section entitled "Icons". Tool tips, activated by holding the mouse pointer over an icon, are available for a quick reminder of an icon's function. It is also possible to drag and drop rows of icons so as to rearrange the icon bar display. Some people find it useful to only have one icon bar line (thus freeing up screen space for the map and tile displays). You can achieve this by dragging the bottom row of icons over the top row of icons.

Player Selection and Enable Buttons

Moving down the screen, the left edge of the display features the player selection and enable buttons. Those buttons marked e[number] (e.g. e5) toggle the display of structures belonging to that player in the map views. Those buttons marked P[number] (e.g. P4) allow you to select a player to edit. All structures and vehicles that you paste on the map will belong to the player selected at the time of placement.

Note: Some Warzone 2100 multiplayer maps feature Scavengers. You can include Scavengers in your maps, but there are several limitations. Scavengers must take up the slot occupied by player 7, and because of this they can only appear on maps featuring fewer than seven players. Scavengers will not appear in One Player Skirmish games. If you place Scavengers on a map, be sure to give them a factory, a power generator and an oil derrick. This will allow them to build units. Without these three buildings maps featuring Scavengers may not work properly. Something i guess pumkin forgot to mention, when you use scavengers always check and make sure that if you are doing say a 4 player map, you do not enable any player after 4 except 7. ie have player e0. e1, e2, e3, and e7 pressed in. Make sure that players e4, e5, e6 are not pressed. If you dont you will get an error that says one or more players do not have trucks when you try to compile

Tile Texture Display

Once you have loaded a .lnd (map) or data set the black area immediately to the right of the player selection and enable buttons will fill up with available tile textures, structures and features. This is the tile texture display. Each tile texture, structure and feature is numbered. You can scroll down through the list using the slider bar and arrow buttons on the right edge. The currently selected tile texture, structure or feature is highlighted with a white rectangle. Clicking on another tile texture, structure or feature will select it. Double clicking on a tile texture will bring up the Paint Orientation dialog box (see "Rotation & Flips" for details).

3D Map Display

To the right of the tile texture display is the 3d map display. This shows the map, as it will appear in the game.

You can use this view to edit almost all aspects of the map. When you are editing the height map, each vertex is displayed as a white dot at the corner of a tile texture.

Use the cursor keys to move around the map. You can rotate the 3d map display by holding down the left shift key and the left mouse button while moving the mouse in this view. See also Drop Down Menu Options, View Menu, Look North. It is also possible to change the depth of the display using the Key Commands W and Q.

There is an overlay on the top left corner of the 3d map display known as a locator map. This shows the whole map in miniature. The crosshair on this display shows the current camera position. You can move it by clicking anywhere on the map. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Options Menu, Locator Maps, Show Heights, Show Textures and Large Scale.

2D Map Display

The 2d map display exists as a section that can be dragged up over the 3d map display. It shows a top down view of the map without any height information.

As in the 3d map display, you can use this view to edit almost all aspects of the map. It is recommended that you do not edit map heights in this display, as you will not be able to see the results of what you have done.

Again, the cursor keys can be used to move around the map. You can also use the slider bars at the edge of this display for the same purpose.

There is also a locator map overlay on the top left corner of the 2d map. As in the 3d map display, this shows the whole map in miniature. The crosshair on this display shows the current camera position. You can move it by clicking anywhere on the map. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Options Menu, Locator Maps, Show Heights, Show Textures and Large Scale.

Information Bar

At the bottom of the EditWorld window is the information bar.

Hold the mouse over a menu option or icon and the left of the information bar will display a quick description of that option or icon's purpose.

• Position: This displays the current camera co-ordinates.

• Angle: This displays the current camera angle.

• This: The current cursor position in tile (T) and world (W) co-ordinates is displayed on the far right of the information bar.

Rotation & Flips

The Paint Orientation dialog appears when you double-click on a tile texture.

Rotation Angle

Choose a tile texture rotation from 0 Degrees, 90 Degrees, 180 Degrees or 270 Degrees. You can then paint using the rotated version of the tile texture. The rotation is stored as part of the tile's Texture Flags. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu,Reset Texture Flags.

X Flip

Tick this box to flip the tile texture horizontally. You can then paint using the flipped version of the tile texture. The flip is stored as part of the tile's Texture Flags. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu, Reset Texture Flags.

Y Flip

Tick this box to flip the tile texture vertically. You can then paint using the flipped version of the tile texture. The flip is stored as part of the tile's Texture Flags. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu, Reset Texture Flags.

Random Rotate

Tick this box to rotate the tile texture randomly. You can then paint using randomly rotated versions of the tile texture. The rotation is stored as part of the tile's Texture Flags. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu, Reset Texture Flags.

Random X Flip

Tick this box to randomly flip the tile texture horizontally. You can then paint using randomly flipped versions of the tile texture. The random flip is stored as part of the tile's Texture Flags. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu, Reset Texture Flags.

Random Y Flip

Tick this box to randomly flip the tile texture vertically. You can then paint using randomly flipped versions of the tile texture. The random flip is stored as part of the tile's Texture Flags. See also Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu, Reset Texture Flags.

Note: The above options all edit the tile's Texture Flags. These are displayed in text form on the tile in the Tile Texture Display.

Drop Down Menu Options

Topics here will cover all aspects of the menus and what each option does or is supposed to do.

Icons

In this section we look at the icons on the toolbar:

New

Same as choosing "New" from the File Menu.

Open

Same as choosing "Open Project" from the File Menu.

Save

Same as choosing "Save" from the File Menu.

Undo (CTRL + U)

Undoes the last operation performed. Note that this does not work with all operations. An undo history is stored so that several operations can be undone, one at a time.

Note: This command really doesnt work well if at all so always save before making making major changes you're not sure if you will like or not.

Redo

Redoes the last operation to have been undone. An undo history is stored so that several operation can be redone, one at a time.

Select (Esc)

Changes the mouse pointer to select mode. You can then select a feature or structure with the mouse in the 2d and 3d map displays.

Move

Changes the mouse pointer to move mode. You can then click on a feature or structure to select it, and holding down the left mouse button drag it to a new location to move it.

Rotate Object

This changes the mouse pointer to rotate object mode. Clicking on an object in the 2d or 3d map display will then rotate that object 90 degrees clockwise. Be aware that although the object itself is rotated, its footprint is not. It is not usually a good idea to rotate a rectangular object, as units will use the footprint for pathfinding and pass through the object in the game. It is also worth noting that the game will not run a map if one footprint overlaps another.

Get Texture (CTRL + G)

This changes the mouse pointer to pipette mode. Clicking on a tile texture in the 2d or 3d map display will then select that tile texture for painting with.

Note: If you select a tile texture that has been flipped or rotated, and that flip or rotation is not reflected in the tile's Texture Flags (see The EditWorld Display, Tile Texture Display), you will find yourself painting with the original version of the tile.

Paint Texture/Object (CTRL + B)

This allows you to paint using the currently selected texture or object (see The EditWorld Display, Tile Texture Display) in the 2d map display and the 3d map display.

When you have a texture selected you can hold down the left mouse button to paint large areas with the same texture. A texture's Texture Flags (see The EditWorld Display, Tile Texture Display) are effective in this mode.

Objects must be placed individually by clicking the left mouse button on the map. Once you have placed an object on the map you can right click on it to bring up the properties dialog:

Fill Textures (CTRL + F)

This allows you to flood fill areas with the selected texture object (see The EditWorld Display, Tile Texture Display) by clicking in the 2d map display or the 3d map display. A texture's Texture Flags (see The EditWorld Display, Tile Texture Display) are effective in this mode.

Paint With Edges (ALT + B)

This allows you to paint using the currently selected edge brush. See Drop Down Menu Options, View Menu, Edge Brushes for more information on edge brushes.

Fill Using Edge Brush

This allows you to flood fill using the currently selected edge brush. See Drop Down Menu Options, View Menu, Edge Brushes for more information on edge brushes.

Create Routing Gateway

When you have this option selected routing gateways and the zones between them will be displayed in the 2d map view. Each zone has it's own number, and this number is displayed on every tile in a zone.

Maps need to be broken up into zones to speed up routing (unit movement, also known as pathfinding) operations. Zones are separated by routing gateways. Create routing gateways by using the mouse to select straight lines of tiles that seal off one zone from another. Gateways should not be more than 5 or 6 tiles in length. Use blocking tiles such as cliffs to break up the map into managable sections, then place gateways at the entrances to these sections to create zones. Try to avoid having to many gateways as this may slow the game down. Note also that computer players build walls along gateways.

The zone numbering system is updated when you either re-select the Create Routing Gateway icon or select Drop Down Menu Options, Map Menu, Refresh Zones. See also the extended section on Creating Routing Gateways.

Apply To Tiles

This changes the properties of the Icons, Drag Vertex option.

Apply To Vertices

This changes the properties of the Icons, Drag Vertex option.

Get Height (Alt + G)

This changes the mouse pointer to pipette mode. Clicking on a vertex in the 3d map display will then select the height of that vertex for painting with.

Paint Height (CTRL + H)

This allows you to paint at the currently selected height (see Icons, Get Height). Clicking on a vertex in the 3d map display will change the height of that vertex to the currently selected height. You can also hold down the left mouse button and run the mouse over several vertices to change all of them in one action.

Paint At Sea Level (ALT + H)

This allows you to paint at sea level. Clicking on a vertex in the 3d map display will change the height of that vertex to sea level. You can also hold down the left mouse button and run the mouse over several vertices to change all of them in one action.

Drag Vertex (CTRL + D)

This changes the mouse pointer to a pair of pliers. Using this mode you can drag vertices up and down in the 3d map display, thus changing their height values. Basically this is how you add new height to the map manually if your not using a height map.

Mark Area (CTRL + A)

This allows you to drag a box over an area in the 3d map display or the 2d map display using the mouse. The area you have selected can then be copied to the clipboard or flipped (see Icons, X Flip Marked Area, Y Flip Marked Area, Copy Marked Area To Clipboard).

X Flip Marked Area

This flips the contents of the currently marked area (see Icons, Marked Area) horizontally.

Y Flip Marked Area

This flips the contents of the currently marked area (see Icons, Marked Area) vertically.

Copy Marked Area To Clipboard (CTRL + C)

This copies the contents of the currently marked area (see Icons, Marked Area) to the clipboard.

Paste From Clipboard (CTRL + V)

This allows you to paste the contents of the clipboard (see Icons, Copy Marked Area To Clipboard) into the 2d map display or the 3d map display. The current paste preferences (see Icons, Set Paste Preferences) are taken into account. This is a good way to do multiple bases instaed of redrawing them over and over again.

Set Paste Preferences

This brings up a dialog allowing you to edit the marked area paste preferences (see Icons, Paste From Clipboard):

Export Clipboard

Same as "Export Clipboard" on the File Menu.

Import Clipboard

Same as "Import Clipboard" on the File Menu.

Set Tri Direction 1 (CTRL + T)

This allows you to click on a tile in the 3d map display and change the direction of the triangle rendering on that tile's surface. Changing the triangle rendering direction can be useful in avoiding rendering errors in the Warzone 2100 game engine, especially at boundaries between land and sea.

X Flip Tile

This allows you to click on a tile texture in either the 2d map display or the 3d map display and flip that tile texture horizontally.

Y Flip Tile

This allows you to click on a tile texture in either the 2d map display or the 3d map display and flip that tile texture vertically.

Rotate Tile

This allows you to click on a tile texture in either the 2d map display or the 3d map display and rotate that tile texture 90 degrees clockwise.

See also: Options Menu → Terrain Types.

Sand

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Sand. 

Green Mud

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Green Mud.

Water

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Water.

Road

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Road.

Baked Earth

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Baked Earth.

Sandy Brush

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Sandy Brush.

Red Brush

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Red Brush.

Pink Rock

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Pink Rock.

Sheet Ice

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Sheet Ice.

Slush

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Slush.

Cliff Face

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Cliff Face. Tiles with this type are treated as blocking tiles by the Gateway system and the game.

Rubble

This changes the terrain type of any tile texture you select to Rubble.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Note: Some of the Drop Down Menu Options and Icons have keyboard shortcuts. See the sections on these features for more information.