Uploading map to the vault

[Fichom]

Heyho everyone,

I've made some maps quite a long time ago but never went and uploaded them. I got back to FAF recently, so I though I could upload one. Of course, if it all wen't smooth, you wouldn't be reading this. So off to the problems I've been having.

When I tried to upload my map, I got the "The folder doesn't contain valid map data." message, so I went to check if I could run the map in the SupCom, and of course, I could and there was nothing wrong(more or less). So being unable to upload it anyways, I decided to open up a folder of one of the maps I for certain know that works(I opened Gap of Rohan, but basically all the maps have the same files), and here are the things I noticed:

My map folder contained:
gcheight (RAW file)
gcstrat1 (RAW file)
gcstrat2 (RAW file) - note that the "gc" comes from initials of the name of my map, or so I presume, since i didn't name them this myself
Map Name.scmap (SCMAP file) - I'm not writing the name of my map here since I don't want to spoil the surprise once it is uploaded!!
map name_save (LUA file)
map name_scenario (LUA file)
map name_script (LUA file)
mapnamerav (RAW file)

The Gap of Rohan v0001 contained:
gap of rohan.scmap (SCMAP file) - this one i got, check
gap of rohan.v0001.dds (DDS file) - the scorching puddin' is this?
gap of rohan.v0001 (PNG file)
gap of rohan.v0001.small (PNG file) - im guessing this one and the one above I am supposed to make myself? any tutorial on that?
gap of rohan_save - check
gap of rohan_scenario - check
gap of rohan_script - check

Now it doesn't take a genius to notice these 2 folders contain some totally different files. I downloaded the map editor like a year ago(I mean, I doubt there was an update for it), could it be it is out of date or something? I mean I reopened the map in the map editor, I resaved it, but never did I get some of those files you can see in the gap of rohan map, and I got some extra in comparison. Of course, my next step was to try and actually run it in SupCom: FA, and guess what: not working. I swear, I followed all the steps in creating this map, but in the end, it only works in vanilla SupCom. And yes, I have realised in this moment that my map actually isn't compatible with SupCom: FA, and that that is mostly the reason I can't upload it to the vault. I'm here to ask: how did this happen, is this normal, and what do I have to do to get it running in SupCom: FA

Thanks a lot in advance, and sorry if I'm making some noobish mistake here and/or reintroducing this problem(I really haven't been able to find anything quite like this in the forum).

[speed2]

only files you need is scmap, script, scenario, save

dds and png are priviews that are generated automatically when uploading map. RAW files are not needed since you have those just for creating map.

Upload the map somewhere Dropbox or something, I ll look at it, (maybe its just current server acting up)

[Fichom]

only files you need is scmap, script, scenario, save

dds and png are priviews that are generated automatically when uploading map. RAW files are not needed since you have those just for creating map.

Upload the map somewhere Dropbox or something, I ll look at it, (maybe its just current server acting up)

I PMed you the link to get the map, I hope you noticed, if not, I hope you notice this post

Thank you for the help!

[speed2]

ok I would blame the ongoing server migration that broke map vault. I didnt find any problem in the map itself.

[Fichom]

Alrighty, thx a lot.

I guess I will be uploading it once it is a bit stabilized

[speed2]

Meanwhile you can still work on your map

you hills one side are way to big, causing the map bug out and show most of the map black. Lower those hills since they dont have any great puspose anyway to fix this.

Another thing to look at would be to make sure all mexes are buildable and that you can place storages around them, or better factories for some adjacency, Ive seen some mexes that are not excatly on flat ground. That is very annoying for players and usually call it bad map.

Also the main texture (stratuum) doesnt look very good, you might wanna do mix or at least two, paint the map a bit. And then the main thing: highlight the details with decals. I used over 1000 declas on my 5 km map, just so you make a picture about the amount.

You can always open already done maps, especially original maps, to see how and where are the decals used, if you lack inspiration

[Fichom]

Thanks for advice!

Hmm, last time i tested it, there were no blackouts and I know mountains are kinda tall, it's what I was aiming for, but yeah, I could tone them down a bit.

If I remember correctly, all my mexes were fine(I remember testing them for storage), but I guess another test won't hurt.
I'll try to fix the stratuum, and decals are not in large numbers, because I wanted to see the map in action first, so I knew if it needed structural fixes(like hight-map changes, mex and AI markers reallocation) before I went and did the decorating. If i remember correctly, I just threw in 50ish or so with purpose to test how the decal loading works, how values set for LOD Cutoff correspond with different zoom levels.

But yeah, don't worry, I know it is not a finished product, and do remember it is my first attempt, so I think it worked out fine(I had other attempts looong time ago but those were just me playing with heightmaps, not thinking about dynamics of a map).