Just wondering if anyone out there could give me a quick run down on using map finder.

Just wondering if anyone out there could give me a quick run down on using map finder.Have you looked at the Mod Page - Map Finder tab (http://hof.civfanatics.net/civ4/mod.php?show=mapfinder)? (The readme.html that comes with Civ4_Map_Finder utility has the same info.)

Beyond that are you asking about the in-game part or the Civ4_Map_Finder utility?

No, I meant the rule builder part of it. I think I've got the hang of it now.

Well, I could still use a guide. I'm completely lost with this program.

yeah i'm helpless at it. i end up setting it too specific, so that if i watch it doesn't save starts that make me go "OMG that was exactly what i wanted!!" or too general so that it saves everything and i'm too lazy to sort thru them. so i just do it manually and read a book while i sit here *giggle*.

it really is a nifty idea i just have some mental block i guess, but it's me not the program. there might be clues to help me in the support/suggestions thread, but since it's 43 pages long, and since i have to read a book, since the regen doesn't actually run if i tab out while trying to regen, that's not gonna happen any time soon *giggle*.

i wll survive :)

The most important thing to know about the Rule Builder is the all the rules WITHIN a group must be true for that group to trigger a save. ANY group being true will trigger a save.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/38674/DefaultRB.png

The Default rule
Save the map IF:

The map has: One or less Deserts AND 4 or more Forests AND 2 to 6 Hills AND one or less Jungles AND 2 or more Food Resources AND 4 or more rivers

OR

The map has: One or less Deserts AND 4 or more Forests AND 2 to 6 Hills AND one or less Jungles AND 2 or more Commerce Resources AND 4 or more rivers

OR

The map has: 2 or less Deserts AND 3 or more Forests AND 1 to 6 Hills AND 2or less Jungles AND one or more Quarry Resources AND 4 or more rivers

OR

The map has: 3 or less Deserts AND 3 or more Forests AND 2 to 6 Hills AND no Jungles AND 4 to 8 Floodplains AND 4 or more rivers


Terrain Groups:
Deserts Desert
Deserts Desert Hill

Forests Grassland Forest
Forests Grassland Hill Forest
Forests Plains Forest
Forests Plains Hill Forest
Forests Snow Forest
Forests Snow Hill Forest
Forests Tundra Forest
Forests Tundra Hill Forest

Grasslands Grassland
Grasslands Grassland Forest
Grasslands Grassland Hill
Grasslands Grassland Hill Forest
Grasslands Grassland Hill Jungle
Grasslands Grassland Jungle

Hills Desert Hill
Hills Grassland Hill
Hills Grassland Hill Forest
Hills Grassland Hill Jungle
Hills Plains Hill
Hills Plains Hill Forest
Hills Snow Hill
Hills Snow Hill Forest
Hills Tundra Hill
Hills Tundra Hill Forest

Ice Coastal Ice
Ice Ocean Ice

Jungles Grassland Hill Jungle
Jungles Grassland Jungle

Plains Land Plains
Plains Land Plains Forest
Plains Land Plains Hill
Plains Land Plains Hill Forest

Snow Land Snow
Snow Land Snow Forest
Snow Land Snow Hill
Snow Land Snow Hill Forest

Tundra Land Tundra
Tundra Land Tundra Forest
Tundra Land Tundra Hill
Tundra Land Tundra Hill Forest

Saltwater Coast
Saltwater Coastal Ice
Saltwater Ocean Ice
Saltwater Ocean

Bouns Groups:
Camp Resource Deer
Camp Resource Fur
Camp Resource Ivory

Farm Resource Corn
Farm Resource Rice
Farm Resource Wheat

Fishing Resource Clam
Fishing Resource Crab
Fishing Resource Fish

Commerce Resource Gems
Commerce Resource Gold
Commerce Resource Silver

Pasture Resource Cow
Pasture Resource Pig
Pasture Resource Sheep

Plantation Resource Banana
Plantation Resource Dye
Plantation Resource Incense
Plantation Resource Silk
Plantation Resource Spices
Plantation Resource Sugar

Quarry Resource Marble
Quarry Resource Stone

Happiness Resource Dye
Happiness Resource Fur
Happiness Resource Gems
Happiness Resource Gold
Happiness Resource Incense
Happiness Resource Ivory
Happiness Resource Silk
Happiness Resource Silver
Happiness Resource Spices
Happiness Resource Sugar

Health Resource Banana
Health Resource Clam
Health Resource Corn
Health Resource Cow
Health Resource Crab
Health Resource Deer
Health Resource Fish
Health Resource Pig
Health Resource Rice
Health Resource Sheep
Health Resource Wheat

Strategic Resource Aluminum
Strategic Resource Coal
Strategic Resource Copper
Strategic Resource Horse
Strategic Resource Iron
Strategic Resource Oil
Strategic Resource Uranium

Food Resource Clam
Food Resource Corn
Food Resource Cow
Food Resource Crab

It would be nice if there was a step by step "how to guide" for the mapbuilder. This thread helped, but I'm still thoroughly confused. As I understand it:

1) Install HOF mod.
2) Install mapbuilder.
3) Start a game with HOF mod.
4) After generating the game start (with beginning settler and unit displayed on map), choose options, on HOF3 tab, enable map finder.
5) Return to map, type alt-m.
6) Wait, watch maps appear, type alt-x when I see one I like (but see my comment below).

Step 4, enabling map finder in HOF mod options, eluded me for quite some time. Adding this info to the help page (http://hof.civfanatics.net/civ4/mod.php?show=mapfinder) would be a very good idea!

So, what do the other options on the HOF3 options tab mean? What are "regeneration limit" and "save limit"? Where are saves created, and how can I view them?

The only thing I can figure is watching it generate maps and stopping it when I see one I like. But then people on the forum talk about running it overnight, so there must be something I'm missing. On the screen, it keeps incrementing Count=3 Saved=0; Count=4 Saved=0.... What does that mean?

If I want to use a different set of rules, how do I specify that? When I type alt-m, it doesn't ask which rules I want to use.

On the rule builder, what is "Test Range"?

Every time I start the mapfinder, it says "One or more of the Map Paths in the HOF-1.61.010 HOF Ini File was invalid. The Map Finder Paths in the HOF-1.61.010 HOF ini File have been set to the current Application folder." What does this mean? How can I eliminate this repeating error message?

I think Step 4 and beyond is where I'm being baffled. Alt-M hasn't done a thing for me, and I have yet to get the spiffy starting screen or chart displayed on the map finder program.

I think Step 4 and beyond is where I'm being baffled. Alt-M hasn't done a thing for me, and I have yet to get the spiffy starting screen or chart displayed on the map finder program.

I had the same problem when I first starting using Map Finder. In the end I manually typed the directories of MapFinder in the HoF Options under Rule Builder Path, Rule Builder Name and Save File Path.

Also, make sure you've opened MapFinder, enter in a basic rule (or modify another), save the new rule set and then on the main MapFinder screen click the "Load in Civ4 button".

Hope this helps. :D

It would be nice if there was a step by step "how to guide" for the mapbuilder. This thread helped, but I'm still thoroughly confused. Good idea. I forgot how strange this seems to someone seeing it cold. I will update the above post tonight.As I understand it:

1) Install HOF mod.
2) Install mapbuilder.
3) Start a game with HOF mod.
4) After generating the game start (with beginning settler and unit displayed on map), choose options, on HOF3 tab, enable map finder.
5) Return to map, type alt-m.
6) Wait, watch maps appear, type alt-x when I see one I like (but see my comment below). This is good all except for #6. It is supposed to save maps for you. ;)

Step 4, enabling map finder in HOF mod options, eluded me for quite some time. Adding this info to the help page (http://hof.civfanatics.net/civ4/mod.php?show=mapfinder) would be a very good idea!Agreed, although it should be noted that all options in the HOF Mod must be enabled before they can be used.

So, what do the other options on the HOF3 options tab mean? What are "regeneration limit" and "save limit"? Where are saves created, and how can I view them?The limits are just what the say. It will quit once it either regenerates or save that many times. The VB utility (Civ4_Map_Finder) is for viewing your saves and make rule file. They are created in the save path in the HOF options. The three paths are the connection between the VB Utility and the HOF Mod. Making sure they are right is necessary for it to work. (more below)

The only thing I can figure is watching it generate maps and stopping it when I see one I like. But then people on the forum talk about running it overnight, so there must be something I'm missing. On the screen, it keeps incrementing Count=3 Saved=0; Count=4 Saved=0.... What does that mean?You have to create a rule file that will decribe what maps you want to save. The default rule (shown in the post above) is what it will be using unless you change it. The "Count" equals the number of regenerations. The "Saved" is the number of map that have been saved for you. If you let it run awhile it should find some using the default rule. ;)

If I want to use a different set of rules, how do I specify that? When I type alt-m, it doesn't ask which rules I want to use.As noted above, there is a text box in the HOF Mod Options that has the full path and name of the rule file. (more below)
On the rule builder, what is "Test Range"?This is the range in tiles from the start position (settler) that will the checked. 1 would check the 8 surrrounding tiles, 2 would check the "fat cross" range, etc. I like to use 3 as I know I can usually move the settle one tile and still settle on the first turn.

Every time I start the mapfinder, it says "One or more of the Map Paths in the HOF-1.61.010 HOF Ini File was invalid. The Map Finder Paths in the HOF-1.61.010 HOF ini File have been set to the current Application folder." What does this mean? How can I eliminate this repeating error message? This is the VB Utility attempting to help you with the HOF Mod options. It will set the paths and the rule file in the options for you. What version are you using? (Try downloading 1.5. It say beta but I pretty sure it good.) It should be a yes/no question. If you answer yes it should only appear again if you install a new version of the mod. There is also a check box in the Rule Builder screen that tells the VB utility to change the rule file to the one being saved in the HOF Options. (your question from above.)

Lots of good questions here. :goodjob: Hopefully, I can build upon this to update the docs.

Also, make sure you've opened MapFinder, enter in a basic rule (or modify another), save the new rule set and then on the main MapFinder screen click the "Load in Civ4 button".If I understand your comment, while the "Load in Civ4 button" is supposed to be for loading a saved game from the viewer, I suppose you could use it to launch Civ4 even when there are no maps. It is not required for it the Map Finder function in the HOF Mod (ALT-m) to work.

I had the same problem when I first starting using Map Finder. In the end I manually typed the directories of MapFinder in the HoF Options under Rule Builder Path, Rule Builder Name and Save File Path.


I think Step 4 and beyond is where I'm being baffled. Alt-M hasn't done a thing for me, and I have yet to get the spiffy starting screen or chart displayed on the map finder program.

Ozbenno, has it right. The other thing is to go into the Options in Civ4 and enable Map Finder. It should display the paths and rule file it is using when you hit ALT-m.

If I understand your comment, while the "Load in Civ4 button" is supposed to be for loading a saved game from the viewer, I suppose you could use it to launch Civ4 even when there are no maps. It is not required for it the Map Finder function in the HOF Mod (ALT-m) to work.

You are right of course. I was at work and didn't have the program. I meant the option under HOF menu "update save path"

You are right of course. I was at work and didn't have the program. I meant the option under HOF menu "update save path"That's alright, I had to open the program to check some things and I wrote it. ;) I appreciate your helping out. :goodjob: