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| File: BzII_Level_Editor.txt Date: 06 / 02 / 2003 Version: 1.5 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Battlezone II
Editor FAQ
By: "Horigan"
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| CONTENTS |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
1 .................. Foreword
2 ................. Legal Stuff
3 ................. FAQs
4 ................. Getting Started
5 ................. Quick Overview
6 ................. Height Module
7 ................. Color Module
8 ................. Texture Module
9 ................. Water Module
10 ................. Environ Module
11 ................. Object Module
12 ................. Path Module
13 ................. The "Shift-F9 view"
14 ................. The Console
15 ................. Saving Your Map
16 ................. Converting Your Map to Multiplayer
17 ................. Credits
18 ................. Contact Information
19 ................. Version History
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1: Foreword |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Hello and thank you for checking out this FAQ/Walkthrough for the
Battlezone II: Combat Commander Level Editor. This walkthrough is meant to help people avoid the numerous headaches I've encountered in designing maps for this game. Hopefully this will provide the only instruction you will need for designing single-player Instant-action maps, and
Multi-player Instant maps. (Sorry, I don't know the processes for
Multi-player Deathmatch, Capture-the-Flag or Strategy) So without further a-do, let's get started.
(After reading the Legal notice below of course!)
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2: Legal Stuff |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Actually, this is not a copy-protected document. Therefore, you may distribute this document wherever and however you please as long as you follow a few simple conditions. First, don't make any money or other profit off of this. (And should you decide to convert this to HTML, then don't put up any web-ads!) Second, Give credit where credit is due. Third,
You may modify this, but if you do, make it clear where my work ends and where your work begins. That way, you won't take credit for my work and
I won't take credit for yours. And that's about it, in fact I want you to give this away. Maybe it will help someone else out. I would also like to be notified if you post this elsewhere. You don't have to, I just wouldn't mind keeping track of how succesfull this FAQ is or isn't.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3: FAQs |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
The following I don't know if they are really frequently asked but I do think they could be points of confusion so here they are.
1. My map won't open right. When I try to open it in the Instant Action menu I'm in a Sabre with nothing but gray around me. What's wrong?
A. You forgot to create a file. Let's say your map is called "mymap.bzn" in which case you should create the following file in notepad:(or Wordpad or whatever) mymap.inf. This file should contain the following in this format:
[DESCRIPTION] missionName = "My Map" mapTga = "mymap.bmp" mapDesc = "mymap.des"
mySide = 1 missionName is the map name that is displayed in the level-select menu. mapTga is the picture that is displayed in the level-select menu screen.
The file it refers to should be in the same directory as your other files. mapDesc is the description that is displayed in the level-select menu screen. It should be another file created by notepad (or, well, you get the idea)and should be a short description of your level. (Both of these lines(mapTga = "mymap.bmp" and mapDesc = "mymap.des") are unnecessary but nice.)mySide is a necessary line telling the computer who the Humans will play as. 0 = Scion 1 = ISDF
1.1 My multi-player Instant Map calls itself a strategy map. What going on?
A. I put this under question 1 because they are closely related. You have to put the following lines below what is already in your .inf file (Note:
The numbers in parentheses at the beginning of the lines are my own addition. DO NOT put these in, they are only here to designate what changes the formatting of this FAQ has made. Another-words, they are used to show that what might be multiple lines here, should be one-line in the real thing. I.E, the two lines with the number 5 beside them should be on one line in the actual document as should be the ones with 7, 8, etc.)
(1)[NetVars]
(2)// For master list of descriptions, see source\network\vars.txt
(3)ivar0 = 0 // Kill limit, 0= unlimited
(4)ivar1 = 0 // Time limit, 0= unlimited
(5)ivar2 = 6 // player limit. Commenting out this line means current
(5)setting not changed
(6)ivar3 = 1 // 1=Teamplay on, 0=Teamplay off
(7)ivar4 = 786432 // Bitfields saying which vehicles out of
(7) mpvehicles.txt are allowable. 33= both scouts
(8)ivar5 = 2 // All=0, DM=1, Strat=2, all other values undefined (used
(8)in filters)
(9)ivar6 = 0 // Vehicles allowable II (if ever implemented)
(10)ivar7 = 2 // Strategy02.dll starting prefs: turrets at AI level 2,
(10)rest AI 0,
(11)default scrap, nothing extra [see vars.txt for gory details on
(11)bits]
(12)
(13)// Svar0 (.bzn filename, used to look for an .inf file like this)
(14)// *not* read in, as that would cause an infinite loop
(15)ivar9 = 25 //unit limit, 0 is unlimited
(16)ivar11 = 1 // locks team play
(17)ivar12 = 1 // lock all to team 1
(18)svar1 = "Team Humans" // Team name for team 1
(19)svar2 = "Team Computer" // Team name for team 2
You may modify these as wanted, but this alone should be okay for you.
2. How do I get a file for mymap.bmp?
A. You could create one in Paint or a similar program, or you could have the computer generate one for you. To make a Bitmap (assuming you installed Bz2 to the Default folder) for your Map go to the run menu and type:
"C:\Program Files\Battlezone II\bzone.exe" /shellmap 128 *****.bzn
The ***** is the name of your Map. You will then find the picture in the
Addon folder.
3. My biometal pools look funny. the textures clash with the terrain, what can I do?
A. First, paint the surrounding terrain the same color as the biometal pool ground. then paint the same texture as the biometal pool ground.
Blend to make sure there are no sharp edges and there you go. If you don't have the right texture then tough luck I can't help you. Sorry.
4. My plant shadows are going crazy! They're just one big, black blob!
What's happening? What can I do?
A. Right now there is nothing you can do. But in the future you can prevent this from happening. Inside your main Bz2 folder there is a file called
Render.cfg. Open this file with Notepad and look for a line like this: ;darkplants = 1.
Change the 1 to 0. Otherwise a shadow will be under your plants. Now this is desirable but this particular shadow will grow every time you save and load your map creating an unsightly blob.
5. My files won't save right. What's wrong?
A. If your filenames are over 8 characters in length then that may be your problem. Otherwise, I can't help you. Sorry.
6. I accidentally deleted my player craft! What can I do?
A. Only one thing: be more careful next time. That is one mistake that is irrevocable.
7. My multi-player map enemies are Allies. What's wrong?
A. You opened up your maps .bzn file in notepad and saved it didn't you?
Well, let's hope you have a backup because otherwise you'll have to start over. Now in case you're wondering I will explain this. A text editor like notepad will take binary data and attempt to turn it into aski characters (that gibberish you probably saw). If you save the file then the binary data will remain aski characters. Ruining the file and your map. If you must change something there, (like the .dll your map uses.) Then use a pure text editor. The only one I personally know of is a freeware program called frhed. Use an internet search and get it.
8. I made a mistake in my map. But I've already changed the dll file it uses and now I can't open it. What can I do?!
A. This happens to the best of us. Fortunately it's easy to fix. Open the .bzn file of your map in a pure text editor (like frhed NOT notepad. See previous question.) and do a search (crtl-f in frhed) for ".dll" this should find it for you. You can then change it. (Note: frhed is weird. You have to use the delete key to remove a character in a file.)
9. My map is the wrong size. What can I do?
A. Press Shift-F9. You should see a diagonal line running across your map.
You may have to zoom out using the minus key. If it's not there then you'll have to create it by pressing 1 then 2 to get into edit path mode. and clicking at the point you want to be a corner of your map. And clicking again at the other corner. Then click in the gray text box in the lower-left corner and in the corresponding text box type in: edge_path.
If the text box doesn't appear then press escape and keep trying, it may take a dozen or so tries but it should appear. If it is already there then just click and drag its end point where you want them.
10. My spawn points are in the wrong places. How can I fix this?
A. Press Shift-F9 and look for two points entitled Recycler and
RecyclerEnemy. Move these two position the player and computer start points.(If the aren't there then you can create them. See previous question.)
11. In higher Terrain detail levels my ground is invisible and my water is the wrong color. What's going on and what can I do to fix it?
A. What's going on is you made your map in low detail. In low detail you only see one texture layer. In higher detail you see more then that.
And if the texture layers aren't full the ground's invisible. To fix this simply enter the editor and start texturing all the layers of the map. To make it easier, run the editor in high detail. You could also use the console command editor.texture.fill to fill the currently selected layer with whatever is in the texture eyedropper. The problem with the water is similar. In low detail you only see one of the two water layers for each water table layers. If you notice in the water module, there are two RGB value settings. You have to set them both to get the right effect.
12. Why does my Editor not quite fit your description?
A. I've heard that there are various editor upgrades you can get. These shouldn't drastically affect the accuracy of this FAQ but it could cause small differences.
13. The object lists don't list any scrap. Many other items are missing to.
What should I do?
A. Scrap, Biometal Pools, and numerous other items aren't in the lists for some reason, I don't know why. The only way to get these items is to load a level that has the missing item in it, use the eyedropper tool on the item, and write down the config name. Then go back to your map, type the name into the config box and press enter. You can now use that item.
14. I tried to place pieces of loose scrap around my map, but they keep disappearing. What's happening?
| File: BzII_Level_Editor.txt Date: 06 / 02 / 2003 Version: 1.5 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Battlezone II
Editor FAQ
By: "Horigan"
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| CONTENTS |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
1 .................. Foreword
2 ................. Legal Stuff
3 ................. FAQs
4 ................. Getting Started
5 ................. Quick Overview
6 ................. Height Module
7 ................. Color Module
8 ................. Texture Module
9 ................. Water Module
10 ................. Environ Module
11 ................. Object Module
12 ................. Path Module
13 ................. The "Shift-F9 view"
14 ................. The Console
15 ................. Saving Your Map
16 ................. Converting Your Map to Multiplayer
17 ................. Credits
18 ................. Contact Information
19 ................. Version History
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1: Foreword |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Hello and thank you for checking out this FAQ/Walkthrough for the
Battlezone II: Combat Commander Level Editor. This walkthrough is meant to help people avoid the numerous headaches I've encountered in designing maps for this game. Hopefully this will provide the only instruction you will need for designing single-player Instant-action maps, and
Multi-player Instant maps. (Sorry, I don't know the processes for
Multi-player Deathmatch, Capture-the-Flag or Strategy) So without further a-do, let's get started.
(After reading the Legal notice below of course!)
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2: Legal Stuff |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
Actually, this is not a copy-protected document. Therefore, you may distribute this document wherever and however you please as long as you follow a few simple conditions. First, don't make any money or other profit off of this. (And should you decide to convert this to HTML, then don't put up any web-ads!) Second, Give credit where credit is due. Third,
You may modify this, but if you do, make it clear where my work ends and where your work begins. That way, you won't take credit for my work and
I won't take credit for yours. And that's about it, in fact I want you to give this away. Maybe it will help someone else out. I would also like to be notified if you post this elsewhere. You don't have to, I just wouldn't mind keeping track of how succesfull this FAQ is or isn't.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3: FAQs |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
The following I don't know if they are really frequently asked but I do think they could be points of confusion so here they are.
1. My map won't open right. When I try to open it in the Instant Action menu I'm in a Sabre with nothing but gray around me. What's wrong?
A. You forgot to create a file. Let's say your map is called "mymap.bzn" in which case you should create the following file in notepad:(or Wordpad or whatever) mymap.inf. This file should contain the following in this format:
[DESCRIPTION] missionName = "My Map" mapTga = "mymap.bmp" mapDesc = "mymap.des"
mySide = 1 missionName is the map name that is displayed in the level-select menu. mapTga is the picture that is displayed in the level-select menu screen.
The file it refers to should be in the same directory as your other files. mapDesc is the description that is displayed in the level-select menu screen. It should be another file created by notepad (or, well, you get the idea)and should be a short description of your level. (Both of these lines(mapTga = "mymap.bmp" and mapDesc = "mymap.des") are unnecessary but nice.)mySide is a necessary line telling the computer who the Humans will play as. 0 = Scion 1 = ISDF
1.1 My multi-player Instant Map calls itself a strategy map. What going on?
A. I put this under question 1 because they are closely related. You have to put the following lines below what is already in your .inf file (Note:
The numbers in parentheses at the beginning of the lines are my own addition. DO NOT put these in, they are only here to designate what changes the formatting of this FAQ has made. Another-words, they are used to show that what might be multiple lines here, should be one-line in the real thing. I.E, the two lines with the number 5 beside them should be on one line in the actual document as should be the ones with 7, 8, etc.)
(1)[NetVars]
(2)// For master list of descriptions, see source\network\vars.txt
(3)ivar0 = 0 // Kill limit, 0= unlimited
(4)ivar1 = 0 // Time limit, 0= unlimited
(5)ivar2 = 6 // player limit. Commenting out this line means current
(5)setting not changed
(6)ivar3 = 1 // 1=Teamplay on, 0=Teamplay off
(7)ivar4 = 786432 // Bitfields saying which vehicles out of
(7) mpvehicles.txt are allowable. 33= both scouts
(8)ivar5 = 2 // All=0, DM=1, Strat=2, all other values undefined (used
(8)in filters)
(9)ivar6 = 0 // Vehicles allowable II (if ever implemented)
(10)ivar7 = 2 // Strategy02.dll starting prefs: turrets at AI level 2,
(10)rest AI 0,
(11)default scrap, nothing extra [see vars.txt for gory details on
(11)bits]
(12)
(13)// Svar0 (.bzn filename, used to look for an .inf file like this)
(14)// *not* read in, as that would cause an infinite loop
(15)ivar9 = 25 //unit limit, 0 is unlimited
(16)ivar11 = 1 // locks team play
(17)ivar12 = 1 // lock all to team 1
(18)svar1 = "Team Humans" // Team name for team 1
(19)svar2 = "Team Computer" // Team name for team 2
You may modify these as wanted, but this alone should be okay for you.
2. How do I get a file for mymap.bmp?
A. You could create one in Paint or a similar program, or you could have the computer generate one for you. To make a Bitmap (assuming you installed Bz2 to the Default folder) for your Map go to the run menu and type:
"C:\Program Files\Battlezone II\bzone.exe" /shellmap 128 *****.bzn
The ***** is the name of your Map. You will then find the picture in the
Addon folder.
3. My biometal pools look funny. the textures clash with the terrain, what can I do?
A. First, paint the surrounding terrain the same color as the biometal pool ground. then paint the same texture as the biometal pool ground.
Blend to make sure there are no sharp edges and there you go. If you don't have the right texture then tough luck I can't help you. Sorry.
4. My plant shadows are going crazy! They're just one big, black blob!
What's happening? What can I do?
A. Right now there is nothing you can do. But in the future you can prevent this from happening. Inside your main Bz2 folder there is a file called
Render.cfg. Open this file with Notepad and look for a line like this: ;darkplants = 1.
Change the 1 to 0. Otherwise a shadow will be under your plants. Now this is desirable but this particular shadow will grow every time you save and load your map creating an unsightly blob.
5. My files won't save right. What's wrong?
A. If your filenames are over 8 characters in length then that may be your problem. Otherwise, I can't help you. Sorry.
6. I accidentally deleted my player craft! What can I do?
A. Only one thing: be more careful next time. That is one mistake that is irrevocable.
7. My multi-player map enemies are Allies. What's wrong?
A. You opened up your maps .bzn file in notepad and saved it didn't you?
Well, let's hope you have a backup because otherwise you'll have to start over. Now in case you're wondering I will explain this. A text editor like notepad will take binary data and attempt to turn it into aski characters (that gibberish you probably saw). If you save the file then the binary data will remain aski characters. Ruining the file and your map. If you must change something there, (like the .dll your map uses.) Then use a pure text editor. The only one I personally know of is a freeware program called frhed. Use an internet search and get it.
8. I made a mistake in my map. But I've already changed the dll file it uses and now I can't open it. What can I do?!
A. This happens to the best of us. Fortunately it's easy to fix. Open the .bzn file of your map in a pure text editor (like frhed NOT notepad. See previous question.) and do a search (crtl-f in frhed) for ".dll" this should find it for you. You can then change it. (Note: frhed is weird. You have to use the delete key to remove a character in a file.)
9. My map is the wrong size. What can I do?
A. Press Shift-F9. You should see a diagonal line running across your map.
You may have to zoom out using the minus key. If it's not there then you'll have to create it by pressing 1 then 2 to get into edit path mode. and clicking at the point you want to be a corner of your map. And clicking again at the other corner. Then click in the gray text box in the lower-left corner and in the corresponding text box type in: edge_path.
If the text box doesn't appear then press escape and keep trying, it may take a dozen or so tries but it should appear. If it is already there then just click and drag its end point where you want them.
10. My spawn points are in the wrong places. How can I fix this?
A. Press Shift-F9 and look for two points entitled Recycler and
RecyclerEnemy. Move these two position the player and computer start points.(If the aren't there then you can create them. See previous question.)
11. In higher Terrain detail levels my ground is invisible and my water is the wrong color. What's going on and what can I do to fix it?
A. What's going on is you made your map in low detail. In low detail you only see one texture layer. In higher detail you see more then that.
And if the texture layers aren't full the ground's invisible. To fix this simply enter the editor and start texturing all the layers of the map. To make it easier, run the editor in high detail. You could also use the console command editor.texture.fill to fill the currently selected layer with whatever is in the texture eyedropper. The problem with the water is similar. In low detail you only see one of the two water layers for each water table layers. If you notice in the water module, there are two RGB value settings. You have to set them both to get the right effect.
12. Why does my Editor not quite fit your description?
A. I've heard that there are various editor upgrades you can get. These shouldn't drastically affect the accuracy of this FAQ but it could cause small differences.
13. The object lists don't list any scrap. Many other items are missing to.
What should I do?
A. Scrap, Biometal Pools, and numerous other items aren't in the lists for some reason, I don't know why. The only way to get these items is to load a level that has the missing item in it, use the eyedropper tool on the item, and write down the config name. Then go back to your map, type the name into the config box and press enter. You can now use that item.
14. I tried to place pieces of loose scrap around my map, but they keep disappearing. What's happening?
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