I was just curious on things other mappers may use to plan out their maps before going about it. Besides from the mighty pen/pencil and paper of course.
Question came up to me recently, as I just realized how great of a tool Sim City 4 became. Lol.
By using Sim City I can plan out the layout and grid of any urban or city map I plan to make, then sketch a blueprint when I am satisfied. Since roads, railroads, highways and all can be simply dropped or deleted, it seems much easier than drawing, erasing, and re-drawing until happy. And it's always nice to get a rough visual feel of the actual layout.
What about you? Any other tools, techniques, or rituals you go through before mapping?
I don't plan out my map I just look at pictures and other media to get going.... the map I am doing now, I got the ideas/inspiration of what I wanted for my map from Flicker and youtube
I'll do some freehand sketches, using reference images. I then sometimes block out a basic idea in sketchup before getting to work in Hammer.
Nothing, just my head.
Listen casual gamers, what they want.
I then do alternative things, that CGs dont want.
Not that people would actually make maps for them.
Brain
Depends on the map. If it's heavily gameplay orientated, the I plan it out roughly on paper before I start to make sure the gameflow is exactly as I want.
Otherwise I tend to work straight out of my head.
I use my head and refrences.
I just use my head, no sketches or references.
We could need a couple of highway maps or something in that ways.
I will do something like that because I think we need one.
I make things after what I think people would like to have.
I very rarley do sketches. but I'd imagine The Sims would be good for planning a building.
Pencil and Paper.
When I get a random idea, I record it into my phone's memopad. If I see something interesting, I photograph it. Sometimes I use graphing paper to do a rough sketch.
I've found that most of my planned on paper maps aren't really very good.
I just use my head
I plan most of it in my head, then if I have a basic story or idea it kind of develops as I go along, a lot of my ideas just occur randomly though and I'll scribble down half-assed plans in MS Paint just to help remember them.
An idea pops in my head, I think about it and eventually form a basic layout in my head.
Now in the past few days, I got a whiteboard and hung it in my room. I have a more detailed layout on that whiteboard, along with a todo list and details of specific locations, like a puzzle. Right now, my single player contest map is on my whiteboard, along with a todo list, detail of a gate puzzle, and the number of days left until the competition is over.
Makes me want to get a whiteboard. Lol.
My room is too damn small to hang one. </3
You can get some pretty small whiteboards, even 3'x2'. Hang it vertically if you still don't have enough space.
It can be pretty useful, especially if you keep a Todo list and update it regularly.
I just might do that.
The main reason I avoid pencil and paper is because I have to alter stuff constantly to make the map work. And the layout looks like shit after erasing an area 400 times on paper.
sometimes 1 or 2 ref pics.
mostly I work as I go
[QUOTE=GraffitiRTST;22792793]I just might do that.
The main reason I avoid pencil and paper is because I have to alter stuff constantly to make the map work. And the layout looks like shit after erasing an area 400 times on paper.[/QUOTE]
exactly why dry erase markers are better :v:
[QUOTE=robmaister12;22790404]-Little story about a whiteboard-[/QUOTE]
You went one better than me, I recently bought a blackboard, it's still good for drawing out plans on, I draw out a rough plan on paper, then move it up to the blackboard while making huge changes, then I sometimes rough out something in 3DS Max/Sketchup whichever one I'm in the mood for.
Brain only
[QUOTE=Netheous;22793834]Brain only[/QUOTE]
Tools for planning a map:
Artline 70 (bullet tip)
A4 printer paper
Imagination
I generally sketch it aout on apiece of paper if I`m not home. If I am home I`ll make it from my head or I`ll make a rough diagram on paper than turn that into a texture and build up from that in hammer. :v:
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
