Re: How Do You Handle Mapping?

From: randygr@aol.com (RandyGr)

Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000

In article <34ae9fe5.74431807@news.alt.net>, coldfire@alt.net (Zero^) writes:
> I would be interested in hearing how you handle mapping in the PBM
> games that you play.
> Do you use the old pencil and paper method?  Or, have you
> found a good software mapping tool.  Or do you use a simple
> paint program.
> Does anyone have any thoughts or comments on the subject of
> mapping in PBM/PBEM games?

It really depends on the type of mapping used in the game, the size of the map,
the amount of detail you want to record, etc.

There is a decent utility called Hexmap. It's shareware, but the author has
made available to reg code. It will handle hex maps with minimal detail.

If you know the size of the world and have access to a nice spreadsheet program
like Quattro Pro or Excell, you can set up you own hex grid.
What I did for my most recent game is to create groups of cells (2 wide and 4
high) and each group is a hex. I can outline each 'hex' with a bold line and
put 8 pieces of info (because I have 8 cells) in each 'hex'.
For example: the x and y coordinates, the terrain type, the movement cost, the
size of any cities, and special resource available (in this game it is
available mana) and whatever units I have in the hex.
Just offset every other column and each hex is now in it's proper orientation
to it's neighboring hexes.
You can also color in your hex whatever you want for terrain types (blue-
ocean, etc).
With Quattro Pro I can also NAME each hex for speedy goto's.
If you have much experience in programming spreadsheets, you can create a base
5x5 grid and have it perform computations to display the appropriate x and y
without having to enter EVERY hexes x & y.
Hope this helps,
If you need more detail, E-mail me and I'll try to explain a bit more.
Randy.

References

How Do You Handle Mapping?
coldfire@alt.net (Zero^)
Sat, 03 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000