Creating new map

[prviper720]

hey, when you make a new map (and you have the map_heights etc files the way you want) theres still the descr _strat that needs to be dealt with (as well as others but they are easy). when i finish my map, i want to test it with only two factions, giving half of the provinces to one and the other half to the other faction (with one unit each). i am wondering how i can do tht in descr_strat. is it possible to only mention the two factions and leave all the others out? if so, how wil the character records work (like will i have to have all the same characters from the original map?)? thanks for any help at all, and if ne one knows a good tutorial on this, please post a link. thank you

[Spurius]

Only chars declared in descr_strat are available at gamestart - so they would all have to be there and all declared correctly familywise.

if you test with only two factions best leave in slaves too as unplayable, and do not give them any settlements, just declare them.

The playables you just give one region first, with only the faction leaders, and see if the map loads ok.

All the non-declared settlements will be slave settlements, totally empty, until you define them - nice thing is you cannot have any errors in them either. Also make sure your regions are not created by factions not defined yet, either as default faction in descr_regions or in descr_strat as faction_creator.

Check if you can manouevre on the map without any ctds first, then add other settlements and factions at will.

Depending on the version RTW you work with you might want to know about a few other files that apply to 1.4/1.5/1.6 only, like win_conditions etc. they might trip you up if you're not familiar with them.

As far as tutorials go, try the Scriptorium at totalwar.org, always a good start.

[prviper720]

ok thanks, also i am wondering about which program to use to edit the map because there is an awesome tutorial on the org cept i dont have photoshop and image ready 7.0, and i dont have a **** load of money to spend on it either. is there any downloadable programs that i can use to "slice" the map, then zoom in and all that jazz? thanks

[Spurius]

WinGimp is an option, also has a .dds plugin now if you want to do some skinning. Not exactly all the options that Photoshop offers, but will do the trick.

http://www.gimp.org/windows/