Intro

You will learn the basics of creating a heightmap (or extracting one from an existing (old) Spring map and using that, with the metal map, to render beautiful maps with the help of World Machine (full version is needed)

Needed tools:

1. A Photo-editor like Photoshop or Gimp
2. Mapping Software: World Machine‍

List of tools and useful links

• Spring Map Compiler: Github.com/Beherith
• Example map-file of: Crescent_Bay_Clean_v3.tmd World Machine tips‍
• Advanced mapping guide and World Machine tips: Advanced SpringRTS Mapping Guide by Beherith‍
• Important map style/design document: BAR Mapping Design Philosophy

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1. Heightmap

Here we will explain how to make a new heightmap. There are many possible ways, this is covering the basics.

1.1 Heightmap format & dimensions

A heightmap should be a 16-bit grayscale file, exported to an 16-bit PNG.

1.2 Building a heightmap

Soon more intel...

1.3 Optimizing a heightmap

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2. Metalmap

Here we will explain how to make a new heightmap. There are many possible ways, this is covering the basics.

2.1 Metalmap format & dimensions

A heightmap should be a 16-bit grayscale file, exported to an 16-bit PNG.

2.2 Painting metalspots

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2.3 What about a (full) metalmap

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3. Extracting maps

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4. Rendering

Here we will explain how to render in World Machine, based on a template file.

4.1 Using a template

Beherith, Nikuksis, Moose, Phalange and many other are all using awesome World Machine files, that you can easily reuse. Most of these are even included in the map SD7 file.

4.2 Setup of WM

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4.3 Importing heightmap

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4.4 Config of render/export

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4.5 Rendering

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5. Your first files

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