Adding Symbols to Random Maps

Here's a short tutorial on how to add your own symbols to a random map.

If you have a random map, you can extend this map to a certain degree. For example, if you have an area of the map where you have no good control points you can add some new ones. You could even add slope lines to ambigous contours on the map. (What you can't do is to add extra roads/paths or to change directions of the contrours on the map.)

The method here is simple:

Step #1. Locate the random map's folder.
This might be the the hardest step if you have many random maps, since all random map folders start with the "rnd-". By looking in the events subfolder for the rnd- folder, you can see the "real" name of that map. When you have found your folder, write down the name of that map folder.

Step #2. Open the random map chunk(s) in a graphics program
Each map consists of a number of map chunk pitctures. They are named map0000.jpg, map0001.jpg, etc, and are located in the map's main folder. By opening them in a graphics program, you can draw any extra information you would want.

Use a graphics program that can use layers and that supports transparent PNG files. If you don't have any such program, I would recommend GIMP, which is a totally free and really excellent graphics editing program.

Locate the map chunks where you want to add symbols and open them in your graphics program. When you work on a map chunk, save it by another fil name, in another work folder (I personally use the naming convention map0000-work, map0001-work, on my files). And save it in a file format that support layers so you perserve them while you're working.

Step #3. Draw symbols to the map chunks
By "drawing", I actually mean to import PNG files for the symbols (see below) and merge them into the . When you work, add each symbol as an extra layer so you easily can move each symbol around on the map. Name each layer "Ruin 1" or "Well 2" for example, so you easily can trace the symbols.

Step #4. Save your edited version of the map chunks
When you've completed the editing of the map chunks and inserted all the objects needed, resave the map chunks to their JPG files in the map's folder.

Step #5. Insert the object in the terrain
All that's left now is to insert the needed objects in the terrain at the location of the new. Do this by opening the map file in CF Edit and use File/Import 3DS... to import the needed object(s).

Here are some symbols to get you started. Download the image on the right side (to download, right-click on the image and select Save Image As... or similar option) and merge it with your map chunk picture.

Big Tower
Grave
House 12x8 m
Pile of Stones
Small Building
Small Ruin
Small Tower
Special Object 1
Special Object 2
Special Vegetation 1
Special Vegetation 2
Special Vegetation - Small
Stone Wall (straight chunk)
Water Object
Well 1
Well 2