Map FAQ - Revision history

Zehra: merged content into Map making

2025-12-15T04:01:42Z

merged content into Map making

Zehra: added see also

2017-02-28T20:21:22Z

added see also

@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 '''How do I add automatically-shooting weapons in my map?'''
-See [[World Weapon]]. You can configure the weapon to fire on a flag capture, like on all your favorite CTF servers.
+See [[Weapon (object)|World Weapon]]. You can configure the weapon to fire on a flag capture, like on all your favorite CTF servers.
 ===Starting a Server===
@@ Line 124: / Line 124: @@
 '''Lastly, have fun making maps. Many players enjoy mapping even more than actually playing the game, and find it an ammusing and challenging passtime. Just remember to persevere, and with some work, you could be the next Dutchrai or Louman!'''

87.194.201.134: /* Getting Help */

2009-08-06T19:41:50Z

Getting Help

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:41, 6 August 2009
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	==Getting Help==		==Getting Help==
	'''If you're looking for some further help with BZW, you can post a question ~~in this~~ forum, or you can always try the ##bzw IRC channel on irc.freenode.net.'''		'''If you're looking for some further help with BZW, you can post a question on the BZBB forum, or you can always try the ##bzw IRC channel on irc.freenode.net. Make sure you've searched this Wiki thoroughly first - probably 80% of issues can be resolved with information from this site.'''

	'''Lastly, have fun making maps. Many players enjoy mapping even more than actually playing the game, and find it an ammusing and challenging passtime. Just remember to persevere, and with some work, you could be the next Dutchrai or Louman!'''		'''Lastly, have fun making maps. Many players enjoy mapping even more than actually playing the game, and find it an ammusing and challenging passtime. Just remember to persevere, and with some work, you could be the next Dutchrai or Louman!'''

Optic Delusion: /* Moving Objects */ drawinfo is no longer difficult to generate.

2008-10-29T00:07:53Z

Moving Objects: drawinfo is no longer difficult to generate.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:07, 29 October 2008
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	The short answer is no, and there probably never will be moving objects that tanks can interact with. You can, however make moving textures with the textureMatrix object.		The short answer is no, and there probably never will be moving objects that tanks can interact with. You can, however make moving textures with the textureMatrix object.

	The long answer is yes, simple moving objects have been made that move in a circle around the central Z axis using a method of mesh drawing called DrawInfo, however these objects are always shootthrough and drivethrough, and tanks cannot interact with them in any way - in other words decorative only. The DrawInfo code was never fully documented, ~~and as such~~ is ~~very hard~~ to generate. ~~It's probably best to steer clear of it~~.		The long answer is yes, simple moving objects have been made that move in a circle around the central Z axis using a method of mesh drawing called DrawInfo, however these objects are always shootthrough and drivethrough, and tanks cannot interact with them in any way - in other words decorative only. The DrawInfo code was never fully documented, but is relatively easy to generate using [[modeltool]]. If you can make an object in wavefront.obj format, you can make drawinfo.

	===BZEdit For Mac OS X===		===BZEdit For Mac OS X===

84.134.146.13: /* Common Misconceptions */

2007-07-27T14:40:45Z

Common Misconceptions

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:40, 27 July 2007
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	• Team numbering occurs frequently in BZW. Each team is given a number, and these are as follows: 0 = rogue; 1 = red; 2 = green; 3 = blue; 4 = purple.		• Team numbering occurs frequently in BZW. Each team is given a number, and these are as follows: 0 = rogue; 1 = red; 2 = green; 3 = blue; 4 = purple.

	• '''Think carefully about the layout of your map: Is is going to be fun to play?''' This is a factor that many people call 'playability'. This is probably the most important thing for a map that is intended to be played on. It may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at the number of maps that are either too full of eye candy, or just badly thought out. You want to think about, among other things, distribution of obstacles, how balanced it is for CTF, concentration of ricochet bullets and sloped surfaces to rebound lasers.		• '''Think carefully about the layout of your map: Is it going to be fun to play?''' This is a factor that many people call 'playability'. This is probably the most important thing for a map that is intended to be played on. It may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised at the number of maps that are either too full of eye candy, or just badly thought out. You want to think about, among other things, distribution of obstacles, how balanced it is for CTF, concentration of ricochet bullets and sloped surfaces to rebound lasers.

	==Frequently Asked Questions==		==Frequently Asked Questions==

Mr Burns: /* Death Physics */

2007-07-08T14:30:27Z

Death Physics

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 8 July 2007
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	'''I want tanks to die when a tank touches this box... How?'''		'''I want tanks to die when a tank touches this box... How?'''

	You can create boxes that kill tanks when they are touched by using a [[physics driver]]. A physics driver can be applied to any 2.0 object. Specifically, we need the 'death' function.		You can create boxes that kill tanks when they are touched by using a [[physics\|physics driver]]. A physics driver can be applied to any 2.0 object. Specifically, we need the 'death' function.
	physics		physics
	name myDeath ## Name of physics driver.		name myDeath ## Name of physics driver.

Joevano: /* Getting Your Map Out There */ added link to BZBB

2007-06-23T20:46:47Z

Getting Your Map Out There: added link to BZBB

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:46, 23 June 2007
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	==Getting Your Map Out There==		==Getting Your Map Out There==
	There is a forum dedicated entirely to this on the [[BZBB]]. It's the 'Map Releases' forum. Please bear the following in mind when you release your map.		There is a forum dedicated entirely to this on the [http://my.bzflag.org/bb BZBB]. It's the 'Map Releases' forum. Please bear the following in mind when you release your map.

	• '''Releasing you map does not necessarily mean you will get hosting for your map''', so do not post "OMGZ this map is sooo good i spent like 2 hours making it and it's like amazing all my friends think it rawks!!!!!!11". It's not going appeal to many people. Instead give about a paragraph to describe your map, and any server settings you may recommend for playing. Be sure to use full sentences, and check your spelling!		• '''Releasing you map does not necessarily mean you will get hosting for your map''', so do not post "OMGZ this map is sooo good i spent like 2 hours making it and it's like amazing all my friends think it rawks!!!!!!11". It's not going appeal to many people. Instead give about a paragraph to describe your map, and any server settings you may recommend for playing. Be sure to use full sentences, and check your spelling!

SpazzyMcGee: It's full of sloppy conversion....

2007-06-23T01:36:41Z

It's full of sloppy conversion....

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:36, 23 June 2007
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	===How Do I Make a Map/World for BZFlag?===		===How Do I Make a Map/World for BZFlag?===
	'''There are many ways to do this:'''		'''There are many ways to do this:'''

	• You can use a dedicated map editor such as [[BZEdit]], [[iBZEdit]] or [[BZFed]]. In general, dedicated editors will only support simple map objects such as a box, a pyramid or a teleporter, and there are none in active development. On the whole, this is the easiest way to create maps for most people. See [[Category:Map_Making]] for more.		• You can use a dedicated map editor such as [[BZEdit]], [[iBZEdit]] or [[BZFed]]. In general, dedicated editors will only support simple map objects such as a box, a pyramid or a teleporter, and there are none in active development. On the whole, this is the easiest way to create maps for most people. See [[Category:Map_Making]] for more.

SpazzyMcGee at 01:35, 23 June 2007

2007-06-23T01:35:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:35, 23 June 2007
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	===Making 2.0 Objects===		===Making 2.0 Objects===
	'''How do I make a cylinder/cone/sphere etc.?'''		'''How do I make a cylinder/cone/sphere etc.?'''

	You can't do it in BZEdit. You will need to add them by hand in a text editor.		You can't do it in BZEdit. You will need to add them by hand in a text editor.

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	===Adding Textures===		===Adding Textures===
	'''I created a map in BZEdit, how do I add my own colors and textures?'''		'''I created a map in BZEdit, how do I add my own colors and textures?'''

	BZEdit will '''not''' create colored, complex objects. If you want to texture a map made in bzedit, you will need to do so in a text editor such as NotePad. You must change the boxes you want texturing to meshboxes, and define your textures with the [[material]] object.		BZEdit will '''not''' create colored, complex objects. If you want to texture a map made in bzedit, you will need to do so in a text editor such as NotePad. You must change the boxes you want texturing to meshboxes, and define your textures with the [[material]] object.

	'''Where can I host textures that I have made for my map?'''		'''Where can I host textures that I have made for my map?'''

	BZFlag offers a free texture hosting service at http://images.bzflag.org . To qualify to be hosted, you need to own the rights to use those textures (i.e. you made it, or you have permission to use it from the creator).		BZFlag offers a free texture hosting service at http://images.bzflag.org . To qualify to be hosted, you need to own the rights to use those textures (i.e. you made it, or you have permission to use it from the creator).
	You can submit images via the [http://images.bzflag.org/submitimages submissions page], and they will be moderated. Be patient - the moderation can take some time. Remember - this service is a privilege, not a right.		You can submit images via the [http://images.bzflag.org/submitimages submissions page], and they will be moderated. Be patient - the moderation can take some time. Remember - this service is a privilege, not a right.
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	===Moving Objects===		===Moving Objects===
	'''Can I make moving objects in BZFlag?'''		'''Can I make moving objects in BZFlag?'''

	The short answer is no, and there probably never will be moving objects that tanks can interact with. You can, however make moving textures with the textureMatrix object.		The short answer is no, and there probably never will be moving objects that tanks can interact with. You can, however make moving textures with the textureMatrix object.

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	===BZEdit For Mac OS X===		===BZEdit For Mac OS X===
	'''Can I get BZEdit for Mac OS X?'''		'''Can I get BZEdit for Mac OS X?'''

	Yes, it's called [[iBZEdit]]		Yes, it's called [[iBZEdit]]
	Alternatively, you could use Wings 3D, or Blender if you're prepared for a steep learning curve - or you could go for plain text editing in the TextEdit application that came with your OS.		Alternatively, you could use Wings 3D, or Blender if you're prepared for a steep learning curve - or you could go for plain text editing in the TextEdit application that came with your OS.
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	===Flag and Tank Spawns===		===Flag and Tank Spawns===
	'''How can I get a flag to spawn in a specific place in my map?'''		'''How can I get a flag to spawn in a specific place in my map?'''

	Use the following simple code:		Use the following simple code:
	zone		zone
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	'''How can I get a tank to spawn in a specific place in my map?'''		'''How can I get a tank to spawn in a specific place in my map?'''

	Use the following simple code:		Use the following simple code:
	zone		zone
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	===Death Physics===		===Death Physics===
	'''I want tanks to die when a tank touches this box... How?'''		'''I want tanks to die when a tank touches this box... How?'''

	You can create boxes that kill tanks when they are touched by using a [[physics driver]]. A physics driver can be applied to any 2.0 object. Specifically, we need the 'death' function.		You can create boxes that kill tanks when they are touched by using a [[physics driver]]. A physics driver can be applied to any 2.0 object. Specifically, we need the 'death' function.
	physics		physics
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	===World Weapons===		===World Weapons===
	'''How do I add automatically-shooting weapons in my map?'''		'''How do I add automatically-shooting weapons in my map?'''

	See [[World Weapon]]. You can configure the weapon to fire on a flag capture, like on all your favorite CTF servers.		See [[World Weapon]]. You can configure the weapon to fire on a flag capture, like on all your favorite CTF servers.

SpazzyMcGee: /* Starting a Server */

2007-06-23T01:34:14Z

Starting a Server

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:34, 23 June 2007
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	===Starting a Server===		===Starting a Server===
	'''How do I start a server to host my map?'''		'''How do I start a server to host my map?'''

	http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2915		http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2915