Which apps to use when making maps

[DiscPete]

Hi,

I’m a novice to making maps, and I would like to know if there is a definitive list of application software that is needed to create maps.

Before you all shout “Search the forums!!” , I have done that, and while I can find several programs, I would like to know if I am missing any. I am part of a novice team, and my personal area is modelling.

The programs I have found so far are:

GTK Radient, goes without saying.
Milkshape 3D. Most people seem use this, is there a reason why, or can any of the other popular programs be used (3D Studio Max, Lightwave, Maya)?
Photoshop, for general use and textures I believe?
EasyGen, same question as above - can other software be used?

Are there any other programs I will need? Like I said I will be concentrating on Modelling, but I’d also like to learn about each area of map making. Then, once I have found the correct software, finding tutorials should be no problem,

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[_UBC_McNite]

For a start u do fine with EasyGen for your terrain (use heightmaps for a start) and GTK.
This http://www.planetwolfenstein.com/tramdesign/tutorials/tut_easygen2.html is an excellent tutorial for EasyGen. You ll get your first terrain in minutes.

You ll need Photoshop or another gfx prog for the heightmaps and working on textures (but that s later on). That s all.

[DiscPete]

Thanks for the info and the link, I will be checking that out for sure.

What I need to know though, is, are there any other programs that are not on my list above, that I will need when creating maps, and also can I use alternate programs instead of those use, specifically the modelling one.

Thx again,

Pete.

[Orange]

The reason that people use Milkshape is that it can save md3 files and work with them while in 3dsmax, for example, you’ll have to find some work-arounds and tricks to help you get the result you want.

About EasyGen it’s about the same.
EasyGen is specific for this kind of things and will make your terrain making job much easier.

[zl1corvette]

you can use gmax for modeling in any q3 game

[The_Wanderer]

For modeling you can use any application that can export in one of the formats supported by the game(basically .md3 and .ase). I personally use 3dmax exclusively because I know it well, but you can use anything you want. You can get the .md3 exporter plugin for max here. If you prefer using some other 3d designing software that doesn’t support .md3 or .ase exporting, you can always get some kind of “universal” converter program such as deep exploration which lets you convert pretty much any 3d format into any other format you want.

For terrain generation I use easygen. It’s extremely easy to use and it’s very fast. There are other programs( including the gensurf plugin that comes with radiant) which you can also use, but I never bothered with any of them simply because i never had to(easygen always did it for me). Some people even use 3d modeling software (such as 3dmax) for their terrain as well, but in general easygen is the fastest and easiest to use.

For textures and 2d work you can use anything you want as long as you can save in .jpg or .tga format. I use Photoshop because in my opinion is the best, but you can use whatever you’re most comfortable with.

[DiscPete]

Hey thanks guys for the responses.

So it seems like the list in my first post is all I need for mapping. I have all of them, but am still playing around with various 3d packages.

Wanderer, you’ve almost answered another question I was going to ask: I have been importing 3d images in various formats into Milkshape (with the intention of saving them in the .md3 file type, to use in ET), but I seem to be losing the textures on some, but not on others. Bare in mind I’m still new to Milkshape, so they ‘may’ be there, just not showing in the 3d view pane. Is it normal for everything to be converted/imported, or will it only be the shape without the textures? Or should I use a conversion program instead of import (such as the plug-in you mentioned above)?

Thanks again for any help.

[WeblionX]

You have to set up “materials” in MilkShape3D, and when you export, the MD3 will look for the images in the same spot that you pointed MilkShape to. You can use MD3 Compile to change the fields later on, or just make sure they’re set correctly in the .QC file you normally have to make when exporting. ( Tools -> Quake 3 QC File)

[Oxygen_o2]

Ahh this is easy question

GtKRadiant - Mapping tool
Easygen - For making terrain, but you can use gensurf which is a plugin for GtKRadiant usually bunduled in with the tool.
Milkshape3D - For models (.md3/.mdc) and stuff, you know, incase u wana make models and stuff but you probably wont need custom models, who knows

[leifhv]

An inexpensive alternative to Photoshop is The Gimp…provides similar functionality but is free (and open source).

Linux versions of The Gimp: http:// www.gimp.org
Win version of The Gimp: http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/

Other tools I’ve found usefull:

-A C++ compiler: I use the preprocessor on the scripts I write and this allows me to use things like

DebugMessage(“This is a message that only appear in debug version of map”)

and I can use constants instead of accums:

HaveDecoder set true
instead of
accum 1 set true

-A version control system: With this I can store all versions of all the files that belong to a map. Makes it easy to revert to an older working version if I (or Radiant) break something in a version. I use Visual Source Safe but there are other free alternatives like CVS and SubVersion.

Life

[joop_sloop]

You forgot to mention q3map2, the map compiler. This is a crucial part. If you use the built in compiler that comes with radiant your map will look not as good as when you download the latest version and set up a custom compile using the right switches for your map.

Oh and you don’t need easygen to make your terrain, it only makes things a bit easier for you.If you want real good looking terrain you make it by hand and use the latest q3map2 terrain blending features.