Mapper
From OPU Wiki
OP2Mapper is a standalone map editor for Outpost 2 which runs on Windows 95 and above.
| Table of contents |
Download
OP2Mapper 2.2.1 (http://www.outpost-universe.net/files/mapper2_2_1.exe) installer (0.97 MB)
You will also need Outpost 2 installed, ver 1.3.3 or better, for the mapper to work.
Features
Rich featured map editor. It can copy, paste, undo, place single tiles as well as groups, directly edit tilesets, and do a whole lot more.
If you want more information on using the advanced editor or information as to how OP2 maps work, go here.
Installing
Extract to any folder, and run mappersetup.bat before you run Mapper2.exe to start the program. You will need the VB6 runtimes installed for this program to run. (If it doesn't run, search the internet for "msvbvm60.dll" and download it).
On first run, the program will ask where OP2 is installed. Locate the directory that contains Outpost2.exe and the mapsXX.vol's.
Project status
Current Version: 2.2.1
Version 3.x is well underway. See the news section below for updates.
Credits
| Project leader: | op2hacker | ||||||
| Programming: | op2hacker, Hooman | ||||||
| Misc credits: | Outpost 2: Divided Destiny is ©1997 by Dynamix. Our version ©2001-2005 The Outpost Universe. This product includes software developed by vbAccelerator (www.vbaccelerator.com). | ||||||
| Beta-testers: |
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If you don't see your name on this list, and you feel you should be included please send me a PM
Project updates
01/09/2006
OP2Mapper 3.x is well underway, with the tile and cell type picker fully implemented. More information here. (http://forum.outpost-universe.net/index.php?showtopic=2813)
21/06/2006
OP2Mapper version 2.2.4 released.
2.2.4 is an 'unsupported' release, released as some people wanted cell type editing support. More information and download link here. (http://forum.outpost-universe.net/index.php?showtopic=3100) (You need 2.2.1 installed first)
11/04/2006
I have started to re-code OP2Mapper in C++. OP2Mapper 3.x and above will be written in 100% C++.
More information here. (http://forum.outpost-universe.net/index.php?showtopic=2813)
11/11/2005
OP2Mapper version 2.2.1 released.
Bug fixes / Improvements
- The code generation functions will now work properly, if the .cpp file doesn't exist in the directory. Also, the templates have been fixed to not include that $$rem line at the bottom (which screws up the compiler, of course).
- The OP2_ART error that occurred in win9x has been fixed. Also, the art loading code has been improved, so there should be no noticeable delay in loading the art files.
- The autosave timer did not work properly, it continued to count up even though the autosave time had expired. It now works properly.
- The mapper will not crash when minimizing the editing tools anymore.
- The error dialog text is now a bit more brief, and includes information like the OS version (so I can see if an error is OS specific).
08/11/2005
OP2Mapper version 2.2.0 released.
New Additions / Changes
- Unit placer. You can now place units directly onto the map, and generate C++ code for them using one of two templates (Default, and Generic LoS Mission). You can also write your own templates. No more guessing coordinates in the code!
- Terrain transformation editor. This feature allows you to edit the tiles that OP2 will use for various things like bulldozed terrain, tubes and walls, etc. Useful when working with new tilesets. This is supported for new tilesets thru a terrains.ctl file.
- Cell types are now shown differently to the user. Instead of the 'tinted' tiles that everyone knows were next to impossible to read, it uses brighter text superimposed on each tile.
- The obscure 'VOL override' feature has been replaced with a list for extra VOLs. (Note: For tilesets.ctl / terrains.ctl files to be read for a new tileset, you must place the tileset you want the CTL's read for at the top of the list).
- Autosave feature: By default, the mapper will automatically save the current file to the Mapper app directory every 5 minutes, with the name "autosave.map". This time period can be adjusted or shut off completely in the Options dialog. (The autosave timer can be seen in the status bar next to the coordinate display)
- I'm sure there's many more, I can't remember them all off hand.
Bug Fixes / Other minor changes
- Windows 9x/Me systems are now officially supported in this release. Now everyone can start mapping.
- Creation of maps from scratch is now 100% supported. Maps created using File > New will work properly in Outpost 2, crash free. (Previous maps created this way will need to be opened, and copied & pasted into a File>New'ed map to work properly).
- The bottom row of the map is disabled for cell type editing, since OP2 can crash if the bottom row is not all I1 cell type.
- Various errors/bugs involving the mass edit feature, as well as some other features, have been fixed. (The infamous mouse handling error shouldn't occur because you dragged the mouse during a paste or mass edit operation anymore).
- The list of sizes in the File>New window are now all valid sizes. (Some invalid sizes like 96, 768, etc were specified. OP2 only supports sizes that are powers of 2)
- The refresh engine for the minimap has been slightly modified. It should redraw a bit faster now.
- Again, more bug fixes I can't remember or are insignificant. There were quite a few this version.
05/09/2005
OP2Mapper version 2.1.3 is in progress. Functions to allow placement of units on the map, and generation of code, are in progress and almost fully complete.
16/08/2005
OP2Mapper version 2.1.2 released.
- The mapper now has complete support to work with VOL files. It can load as well as create new, and has all the features you'd expect from any other program: it can add/delete/extract/rename files in VOL archives, and save the archives.
- The mapper can load a .map or .vol file passed as a command line argument to the program after startup. (Do not specify the name in quotes as you normally would, the command line parser is very simple at the moment)
- For new tileset makers/users who use the VOL override option in the tools dialog, the mapper will read a file called tilesets.ctl from the VOL. This is used when creating a map from scratch, it tells the mapper what the names of the default tilesets are. This file must have at least one entry, for the 'default' tileset which is added when "no tilesets" is checked. Extra entries are added when "no tilesets" is not checked, i.e. the user is creating a default "full map". The file format is a simple ASCII text file, with one tileset name per line. (The tileset name should not have .bmp at the end). Blank lines are skipped.
The mapper falls back to the well0000-well0012 tilesets if this file does not exist. For tileset developers, please place a tilesets.ctl in your VOL file so the mapper can read it for default tileset names.
- Simple cosmetic changes, e.g. you can now double click on an entry in the File>New dialog to create a new file of that type.
- The mapper now uses a full fledged EXE installer instead of the .bat files.
Known issues/problems:
- Save bug with Win9x. I need to talk to Hooman to get this working right.
(Note, this may create problems with the VOL saving. If VOL saving doesn't work either, let me know, because then I can be *certain* that it's the backend)
- Tile Set entry in New dialog, and .bmp files in Open dialog can be seen. They don't work yet, this is functionality that will be in a coming mapper version (probably next release!)
09/08/2005
Released OP2Mapper 2.0.10, public alpha 2. This version includes more bugfixes and new features.
- Windows 9X is now supported, so it shouldn't crash on load any more.
- Many new and requested features have been added, a partial list:
- A complete working minimap, with save feature (right click on minimap)
- ALL mapper options are now stored in an INI file. (No more registry dust)
- Features such as scrolling with the arrow keys, and a grid on the map view and tileset window can be enabled/disabled through View>Options in the editor.
- The partial ability to create new maps from scratch now exists. (However, sizes lower than 64x64 have tended to be buggy)
- Complete undo support. (with no limit of undo actions)
- Features that make it easier for people working with new/different tilesets, such as an "Advanced Edit" window to directly work with the tilesets and mappings; and a feature that allows you to override the default VOL (maps.vol) so a different VOL can be searched for tilesets instead.
- Various bugfixes, such as the garbled text in the tile group window (well, maps with already garbled text won't be repaired, but the problem won't continue to happen when you save "normal" maps), cut off of rows in the tileset selector, as well as some fixes to stop the editor from crashing as often.
- An improved error-reporting system when errors do occur. (It allows you to copy and paste the text so you can send it to one of us)
- A lot of other smaller features, like current coordinates in the status bar, and more!
10/08/2005
OP2Mapper version 2.0.13 has now been released.
This update includes a bunch of fixes and features, including:
Bugs fixed:
- Fixed close bug where when trying to exit the main window, tool windows stayed open. (Thanks Lev, TH300, and almost everyone else who pointed this out)
- Fixed bug which prevented copy and paste from working properly. (Thanks Lev)
- Fixed bug with opening multiple new maps at the same time, only one could be opened (got error about Non modal form being displayed) (Thanks zigzagjoe)
Potential problems fixed:
- Copy and paste (or any other tools using selections) screw up if you set the "lower right" corner of the selection up and to the left of the upper left corner. This is now prevented (the command aborts if you click in that area, and does nothing)
- Bounds checking of the map allowed cursor to move past the bottom edge of the map on maps that were wider than they are tall. (Or couldn't move cursor far enough down on maps taller than they are wide) This is now fixed.
- Tileset selector window could scroll even if the tileset didnt fill up the whole window. (So some odd image bugs with certain tilesets) This has been fixed.
Cosmetic changes:
- Fixed some missing or wrong icons.
- Removed cut command from edit menu and toolbar (you can't exactly "cut" data out of a map)
- Added "Tile Set" to File>New menu. Although it doesn't work yet it will serve in later versions to create tilesets directly within the editor.
- You can now specify a different default location to save files in, separate from the directory with the VOL files and OP2, all the open/save boxes use this setting.
New features:
- Added mass edit for tile picker and celltype editor. You can activate mass mode with a toolbar button and set a rectangle which you want to fill with a certain tile or cell type instead of placing tiles or celltypes one by one.
- Added grid button to toolbar and right click menu on map and tileset window. You can enable/disable grid independently for all map windows and tilesets. (The default setting for new/opened maps is set in View>options still)
- Added Replace Celltypes in map right click. This lets you set, for example, all tiles with celltype F1 to celltype I1 (or any other combination). This operation doesn't support undo however.
- Added "eyedropper" tool to map right click, selects the tile under the cursor into the tile selector.
- Added Consecutive tiles features to tileset tool, this is useful for new tileset makers who want an easy way to insert consecutive tiles in a tileset into a rectangle in their map. A better way to describe it:
ABCD (in tileset) --> AB CD (in map)
So it fills a rectangle row by row on the map with consecutive tiles.
- Added Start OP2 toolbar and menu selection, launches your OP2 EXE.
- And probably more I forgot about. :)
16/08/2005
OP2Mapper version 2.1.2 has been released with some new features.
The new features are:
- The mapper now has complete support to work with VOL files. It can load as well as create new, and has all the features you'd expect from any other program: it can add/delete/extract/rename files in VOL archives, and save the archives.
- The mapper can load a .map or .vol file passed as a command line argument to the program after startup. (Do not specify the name in quotes as you normally would, the command line parser is very simple at the moment)
- For new tileset makers/users who use the VOL override option in the tools dialog, the mapper will read a file called tilesets.ctl from the VOL. This is used when creating a map from scratch, it tells the mapper what the names of the default tilesets are. This file must have at least one entry, for the 'default' tileset which is added when "no tilesets" is checked. Extra entries are added when "no tilesets" is not checked, i.e. the user is creating a default "full map". The file format is a simple ASCII text file, with one tileset name per line. (The tileset name should not have .bmp at the end). Blank lines are skipped.
The mapper falls back to the well0000-well0012 tilesets if this file does not exist. For tileset developers, please place a tilesets.ctl in your VOL file so the mapper can read it for default tileset names.
- Simple cosmetic changes, e.g. you can now double click on an entry in the File>New dialog to create a new file of that type.
- The mapper now uses a full fledged EXE installer instead of the .bat files.
Known issues/problems:
- Save bug with Win9x. I need to talk to Hooman to get this working right.
(Note, this may create problems with the VOL saving. If VOL saving doesn't work either, let me know, because then I can be *certain* that it's the backend)
- Tile Set entry in New dialog, and .bmp files in Open dialog can be seen. They don't work yet, this is functionality that will be in a coming mapper version (probably next release!)
Categories: Outpost 2 | Projects | Maps
