Editing Map FAQ

This page is an aim at answering some frequently asked questions regarding map creation, and to help people new to mapping.

==Common Misconceptions==
First off let's clear up some common terms and misconceptions:

• The word '''"map"''' is not synonymous to the word '''"server"'''. They are different things. A map is run on a server.

• When we say 'server' we mean 'BZFS', the BZFlag server application that comes with every stable binary release of BZFlag. BZFS allows you to host a BZFlag game, with either a randomly generated map, or a custom map.

• The standard extension for a BZFlag map is ".bzw". There are a variety of ways for making maps, and this can be done on any platform [[BZFlag]] runs on.

• You will often hear the different types of map objects referred to by the first version of [[BZFS]] they appeared in. "1.x" objects are simple boxes, pyramids and teleporters. "2.0" or "2.x" objects are objects such as [[mesh|meshes]], [[arc|arcs]], [[material|materials]], etc. With skill, these can be textured to look like almost anything you want.

• Textures '''must''' be in the .png format.

• 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 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==

===How Do I Make a Map/World for BZFlag?===
'''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 3D modeling application, such as Blender or Wings3D. There are plugins available for each. With a 3D modeler, you can create much more complex maps, but there is a much steeper learning curve.
The blender plugin, [[BZWTools]], can be found [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=5862 here].
The wings plugin can be found [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3652 here].

• Lastly, you can edit maps by hand in your favorite plain text editor. Most maps made by hand tend to be fairly simple, though experienced mappers have made some extraordinary maps in this way. It is a good idea to be familiar with the structure of BZW code, as often exported meshes from 3D modelers will require 'touching up' in a text editor. Even the most experienced 3D modeler user needs to know how to text edit.

===Making 2.0 Objects===
'''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.

See [[Category:Map_Making]] and [[BZW]] for more in depth info.

===Adding 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.

'''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).
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.

===Moving Objects===
'''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 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===
'''Can I get BZEdit for Mac OS X?'''

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.

===Flag and Tank Spawns===
'''How can I get a flag to spawn in a specific place in my map?'''

Use the following simple code:
 zone 
   size 0.1 0.1 0.1  ## Size of the zone 
   pos 0 0 0  ## Position of the zone (i.e. the place it will spawn) 
   zoneflag GM 2  ## For example, this will create two GM flags. 
 end
Note this does '''not''' require you to use the +f bzfs option. If you use zoneflag, the flag will be created automaticaly.

'''How can I get a tank to spawn in a specific place in my map?'''

Use the following simple code:
 zone 
   size 10 10 10  ## Size of the zone 
   pos 0 0 0  ## Position of the zone (i.e. the place it will spawn) 
   team 0 1 2 3 4  ## Every team will spawn here.. 
 end
Next to 'team' you put the numbers of the teams you wish to spawn. See above for more details.

===Death Physics===
'''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|physics driver]]. A physics driver can be applied to any 2.0 object. Specifically, we need the 'death' function.
 physics
   name myDeath  ## Name of physics driver.
   death You Died!  ## Message displayed on death.
 end
Then you add the reference to the object or mesh face:
 phydrv myDeath

===World Weapons===
'''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.

===Starting a Server===
'''How do I start a server to host my map?'''

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

[[BZFS]]

==Getting Your Map Out There==
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!

• Extensions, extensions: you should always give your map the '.bzw' file extension, text edited or otherwise. It dosn't matter what you made it in - it's all the same format. It's just good practice.

• '''Give your map an imaginative name''' - not just "xyz's CTF", and not something obvious like "Bridges" or "Castles", as there are probably about five other maps with this title. Instead think of something decriptive and short. Think as though you were titling a movie or a song, something that's going to be attractive to people browsing the forum or listserver.

• Take nice screenshots using the roaming feature in observer mode. Most people will use only the screenshots to get an idea of how well your map will actually play. Try to capture the essence of your map with as little screenshots as possible, no more than three or four, and (if you can) convert your images to JPEGs for faster downloading.

• Furthermore, '''releasing your map means that anyone can download your map.''' If they decide to host your map they don't have to make you an admin on their server. If you have any issues with the way they are using your map take it up with them personally. It's not up for public discussion. See [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=10575 this announcement] for more information on releasing and licencing in this forum.

• Be open and ready for criticism - if you're new to mapping, the chances are that your map isn't going to be a smash hit, so don't be too offended if somebody doesn't like it. Instead take that criticism on board and use it to improve your map, or to make further maps better.

==Getting Help==
'''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!'''
@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 '''How do I add automatically-shooting weapons in my map?'''
-See [[Weapon (object)|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.
 ===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!'''
-==See also==
-===Map Editors===
-{| class="wikitable" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: 0px;"
-| [[BZEdit]]
-| [[BZEditWin32]]
-| [[BZFed]]
-| [[BZWTools]]
-| [[DI-Machine]]
-|-
-| [[IBZEdit]]
-| [[Modeltool]]
-| [[PyBZEdit]]
-| [[Wings3D]]
-|
-|}
-===Map Objects===
-{{Template:Map objects}}
-===Helpful links===
-* [[Comparison of map editors]]
-* [[Comparison of map objects]]
-* [[Map making by hand]]
-* [[Texturing how to]]
-* [[World units]]