Making a GUI to generate custom map XML code

from GalCiv2 Forums
Hello, im not much of a modder but i think i have a good idea that would help me, and the rest of the aspiring map makers out there to become more active in making maps. For even a non expert programmer(which im not even a novice) this would be pretty easy to do. I was poking around the custom map XML files and was not happy with all the cords of the various objects. For one thing if i was to design a custom map, it would be next to impossible for me to imagine where all the planets go using just cord values.

What if someone could make a small GUI program that consisted bascially of just a grid that fit to the size of the map you specify and you could simply plop down objects like planets(edit there name, PQ and relative size), anomolies, stars ect ect. The GUI prog would then spit out a corasponding XML file that can be used in the custom map folder.

Let me know what you all think about this.
modding
11,648 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Sounds like a good idea. If you're having trouble visualizing the planets, and stars, try using your 3d program and placing various spheres representing the different spacial objects (spobs).
Then whe nyou have all your spobs placed, just write the co-ordinates of each one to the xml file
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Great idea, thanks! But i still wouldn't be sad if a GUI editor like this would show up in the future
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I had some ideas for making custom maps as well, however, I have no programming skill at all. I would be very interested in a way to easily create custom maps for Gal Civ2 for some scenarios I had in mind. This GUI idea sounds very promising.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've started to work on putting one together. So far, I have the data structures and save/load mostly written and tested, but no actual gui done for it. Does anyone know the syntax for anomalies, homeless races, or ships in the map files? I didn't see examples for those in the custom maps. At the moment, I seem to be able to load up a map and save it back into another file without messing up any of the data, so I think that everything is pretty good on that front.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Ok, I'm pretty much done with an initial working version. Does anyone know a good place where I can put it up online?
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can put it in the GC2 library... eventually. If you want a place to host it other than the library, you can make a Geocities website... And if you just want a place from which people can download it for a few days, before the library reviews and posts it, you can email it to me and I'll host it for you, assuming it's no more than a couple hundred kb (compressed).

address:
(saber marionette cherry(at symbol)yahoo(d0t)com), with underscores instead of spaces.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The wonder is that one wasn't included in the initial package... I mean there was a map/scenario editor in the previous game. One would imagine the next game would built on its predecessor' strenghts. Oh silly me ! Of course they had to save money during design and will publish it later to milk more cash *rolleyes*



G.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a fairly rough verion completed. It can be downloaded from Link.

It's kind of bare bones right now, and I definitely plan to improve on it, but I'd like to get some feedback first.

BTW, the source code is at Link
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
FYI - you have to put http in front, or the link will break (as above).
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have a fairly rough verion completed. It can be downloaded from Link



Link effectively broken.



G.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The forum isn't letting me go back and edit, so here is a working link.

Link