Problems with maputility program

[gemini]

Hi everyone!!!!!

I'm having trouble with the map utility program. I've been trying to convert pcx maps from that noaa site but ever time I convert one it changes the water into land and the land into water. Is there a newer version out other than the one I downloaded off apolyton's site? I tried to go to the author's site but it does not exist. Has anyone successfully converted a pcx picture into a map? Is there any trouble converting civ2 and smac maps? I haven't tried those yet.

Also I have a similar question to what omnigod is asking. I am creating a ww2 scenario on a global scale. What map size would be good with tolerable loading times? I don't have to much experience with map sizes I'm afraid. Thanks

Also Nordicus, I'd like to try your map again. I saw the radar picture and it looks good but the file you sent me of the map does not work, I noticed you mentioned a newer version on the forum and was wondering if you would mind e-mailing the map again. If you have time.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

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Gemini

[skorpion59]

Gemini,

Allyn moved. He has a new site (not yet up though) and a new email address. I'll email him and see if he minds me giving out his email address on the forums here.

The current v1.1 Map Utility program does have a few problems with the CTP maps it creates. NOAA-PCX to CTP can produce some strange results. Civ2 to CTP will produce a map that looks right but in fact will not function correctly. Sit tight a little longer. He is actively working on v2 which fixes the CTP problems and will include many enhancements, including seeing and printing the maps. The corrected CTP code was finished today.

Don

[gemini]

Hey, Thanks Skorp, I owe you one. You wouldn't happen to know if there is a limitation on the map size for conversion. I saw the warning about the legel size for ctp maps in the map utility program but wasn't sure if it would create the map anyway. I'll have to try it maybe. But if it only supports standard sizes maybe you could pass on that there is a need for larger size maps. I know Nordicus and omnigod enjoy larger maps. Ok Thanks again.

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Gemini

[MarkG]

I think that in order for the map to wrok, you have to put one of the default sizes(or at least one of those contained in that text file I cant remember )

[skorpion59]

Gemini,
Send me an email, second icon from left above, with your email address and I will send you Allyn's address.

Map Utility Update:
The MU program WAS limited to the 4 default CTP map sizes in v1.1. It will now accept larger maps, currently 24x48 to 198x396 in increments of 16. It can go to 400x800 so the size might increase more or a generic 'you fill in the blank up to' might be implemented. Additionally, an unpassable east/west divider for flat map support has to be finished.

Don

[gemini]

Hey, Thanks again Skorp and Mark. I'll email you right now.

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Gemini

[Nordicus]

Gemini, hello...
Don's just got the latest 198 X 396 editted earth map--when he finishes converting it into a format anyone can use (stupid me, saved it with all my files in it), I'll ask him to send one out or I can (do you still have the other files that went with the last one?). I had the size in mind for a reasonable WWII/Cold War scenario...proportions are okay: naval battles are quite realistic (Atlantic's good, the Pacific's a tad small--mostly in the north, but it'll do...oversized islands make naval bases productive--once saw the Polynesians plant 15 or 16 cities across the Hawaiian Island chain, and a few more thru the Christmas Islands and Tuamotu region). As for the continents: North America's slightly too big, but Euro-Asia is good; takes me most of the game to conquer Asia, when things go right (I'm Russia) and I don't have Mongolians to worry about ) And I just finished fixing Europe, capable of holding the Netherlands, and I added Finland (Lucky's civ making program--> quite good).
No significant slow down or CPU taxing that I've noticed with this map and 32 civs (as the game goes on, it will slow down though), but there is a bit of an initial load time when starting it up, a minute, sometimes two, depending what mood my machine's in.
I think Don would have more to say on slow downs, though. Any bigger and things noticably drag on, and any smaller and you can't get proportions reasonable....
So...

How was your Christmas?

Later

T.

[gemini]

Hi Nordicus, Ya Christmas was good. Got a couple new games so I have to take a break from ctp for a bit. I can't believe the weather we are getting here. Feels like spring. Anyway back to ctp. I would be really interested in your map man. Just send me the map when it's ready. Ok Hey hope your christmas went well and that your recovering from the flu quickly.

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Gemini

[Dreamer]

Hey guys, how you people get the converted maps to work in CTP? I have converted the Pacific Map from Civ2 and nothing seems to happen after I loaded a new game, keyed "'" to call the chat box and typed the command /importmap filename.

Is this the way to load a new map?

[Locutus]

I seem to recall that the Pacific map was flat (Haven't played in a long time, so I could be wrong). This could be the cause of your problem since CtP still can't handle flat maps correctly.

[skorpion59]

You can import flat maps without any problem. It just turns them into round maps. (V1.1 does anyway).

The two most likely causes are 1) the 'filename' you are using is incorrect or 2) the 'filename' map is not in the ...\ctp_program\ctp directory.

A third reason would be you edited the map by hand and put in illegal text. While it is a text file, some of the data is actually hex.

It sounds like what you are doing is correct. The /importmap function is just very picky.

Another thing I do, is open the terrain option and do a clear map before importing a new one. (You have to wait a few seconds for it to clear all the settlers off.) Then set new starting locations for each Civ.

Don

[This message has been edited by skorpion59 (edited January 02, 2000).]

[Dreamer]

I did a test by starting a new game with a new map generated and /exportmap test then start another new map and /importmap test. I waited for a minute and same ... nothing happen, why???

[skorpion59]

Dreamer,

That should be working.

When you did the '/importmap test', did the '/importmap test' totally disappear from the command line or did disappear from the command line and show back up at the top of the chat window?

Also, did you do a 'hide map' and then a 'show map' after you imported the map. The map doesn't show up correctly until you have done this.

Last, when you start a new game to import the map into, it HAS to be the same size as the map you are importing.

Try this. Start a new game, go into cheat mode, start the chat menu, do /exportmap test.ctp, open terrain on the cheat menu, do clear terrain, close terrain, do /importmap test.ctp, hit hide map on cheat, hit reset LOS on cheat, hit show map on cheat.

This can't fail. If it does, something is not right. Send a copy of your test.ctp file to me at skorpion59@netzero.net and I will look at the file.

One final note. You do have CTP v1.2 don't you?


Don

[Dreamer]

hmmm... I don't know what size is the Pacific map from Civ2 to be in CTP, but anyway thx skorpion59 I'll try all the size options and see.

[skorpion59]

Dreamer,

Civ2 and CTP map sizes do not coincide with each other. In fact, they are totally opposte. Civ2 map sizes are HxW w/W doubled while CTP map sizes are WxH w/H doubled. (This isn't exact but it is close. I would have to find my notes to give you the exact specs.)

How did you convert the map? If you used the map utility pgm, it is the same size you specified when it was converted. If you did it by hand, well, you should know what size you made it. To find out what size an exported map is, open the file you created (test.ctp above) with notepad. The first line will say, '24 48 2', '64 128 2', '70 140 2', etc. The 24x48, 64x128, 70x140, etc is what CTP is looking for.

Don