TerraForm -- a map editor for CIV dos

[Dack]

TerraForm -- a map editor for Civilization dos

Download TerraForm 6.0.97 28Sep2011
See attched file
file size 2.75 mb


TerraForm is distributed as a msi file, after removing it from the zip a double click will install it.
Read the first 6 entries in this thread, and post 93

After installation you will get the following Icon on your desktop.

All constructive criticism welcome

Use this thread for feedback or E-mail me through civfanatics.

1

Requests for a TerraForm key must be sent via the Civfantics E-mail function.
The process is automated and E-mail saves me the trouble of doing it manually.
Start TerraForm
Click menu item About
Click Request Registration Key
Follow the instructions in the Request For Registration Key text box

NOTE: To send e-mail through Civfantics do the following.
Right Click on This Link and then click on Send email to Dack

New Member Restrictions (see forum rules)

Newly registered members may not use signatures, e-mail forum members, post visitor messages, use the private messaging system or join or create social groups, until they have been members for 5 days AND have at least 5 posts.

Because of these rules you will not be able to request a key until you meet the 5 days / 5 posts rule.

There will be delays in returning Registration Keys between now and then be patient

1) Any request for a TKF (TerraForm Key File) other than those sent via the Civfantics E-mail function are ignored. This includes PM (Private Message), direct E-mail, or posting to this thread.
2) The delay in returning a TFK to you is inversely proportional to your activity on this form.
3) Gratuitous post to this thread are not counted. Be an active member. Have you posted a results to a GOTM thread? Do you have some insight into features of the game?
4) TerraForm exists for active members of the Civfantics forum.
5) By doing one of the following you are indicating that you never want a key sent to you. If one of your first five posts is to this thread you will never receive a key. If you spam this thread to get your minimum post count you will never receive a key. If your first five posts are meaningless you will never receive a key. (see forum rules about Spam)


If you are using Windows 95, 98, and Me see note 5

[Dack]

1) There is a list of 256 names that are grouped by country, 16 for each country and 32 extra. When the game builds a city it used the next appropriate available city name and places the number corresponding to the new city name in to the active city table. Somehow the game keeps track of the next city name to be used for any given country. I can not find the mechanism that the game uses! Therefore cities TerraForm adds to the game are not appropriate marked as used and if the situation arises the game will create a city with the same name. So I've created a work around until (if ever) the method to keep account of the city names is discovered. That is to use the names from the end of the list first and move backwards thru the list as necessary. Thus using names that are seldom used. Unfortunately this does not fix the problem only delays it. If you reach the point the game will use those cities names resulting in duplicate names.23Aug05 fixed in ver 1.0.7 25Aug05

2) Run Time Error 53 - as some times happens, programs run only on there development machine. Repair is taking place now. 25Aug05 fixed in ver 1.0.9 26Aug05

3) Version 1.0.17 has a bug with roads, should be fixed soon.] fixed in ver 1.0.18

4) A large number of islands will generate a Run-time error '5': Invalid procedure call or argument when you try to save the file. The maximum number of islands this program will allow is approximately 200. fixed in ver 1.0.42 25Jano6

5) City built on the sea shore by TerraForm can't build naval units.07Dec05 fixed in ver 1.0.29 9Dec05

6) Cities created with this program that are near mountains or rivers are not correctly marked in there descriptor so they will NOT be able to produce Hydro plant. The correction is known and will be repaired in a later release. fixed in ver 1.0.30 11Jan06

7) Major Bug TerraForm has a major short coming. The terrain that it modifies does not contain the proper information for the games civilizations to be able to build cities on. Research in to this is ongoing a solution will be forthcoming. see this entry fixed in ver 2.0.45 08Aug06

8) The little map is sometimes in error. Off by a square.

9) In build 45, some map files would cause TerraForm to terminate during the save function. see this entry fixed in ver 2.0.49 02Oct06

10) 16Nov09 - When resetting to 4000bc the city names used listed is not cleared. The results being city names that were used before the reset are skiped over when building new cities in the game or in TerraForm. fixed in ver 5.0.87 or 5.0.88 30Nov09
11) 01Sep11 – The city move function fails to set all appropriate bits. Fixed in ver 6.0.97 28Sep11

.

[Dack]

01) martx 26Dec10
02) GibsonS 26Dec10
03) hexiou 02Jan11
04) LivingDog 03Jan11
05) jaxck 03Jan11
06) fagianooo 03Jan11
07) octobertiger 03Jan11
08) blessern 06Jan11
09) noushina 07Jan11
10) MountainMn10 10Jan11
11) Synthespian 12Jan11
12) jake LL 31Jan11
13) ianwelch 16Feb11
15) Dimosha 17Mar11
16) vojtus 26Mar11
17) chladero 02Apr11
18) babadger62 17Apr11
19) hannurabi 20Apr11
20) erobinson32 05May11
21) nukehumvee 12May11
22) P3aK 16May11
23) maggotman 23May11
24) leibeldms 23May11
25) remzi 23May11
27) Murex003 17Jun11
28) Berke 22Jun11
29) usbyeah 28Jun11
30) Bloodwing 04Jul11
31) 4Eyed Duncan 18Jul11
32) rhaul 19Jul11
33) zygzak 26Jul11
34) DigitalJ1m 01Aug11
35) TBK 14Aug11
36) torstenschaefer 18Aug11
37) Ali_Baba 20Aug11
38) ScottBoy 20Aug11
39) michaelk156 31Aug11
40) Tomasz Lew 20Sep11
41) mopyper 26Sep11
42) omgsrsly 31Oct11
43) Alsannodor 03Nov11
44) fagianooo 05Nov11
45) dansun 12Nov11
46) sotris99 26Nov11
47) skaeff 02Dec11
48) jordissim 21Dec11
49) Urtica dioica 23Dec11
50) Synthespian 06Jan12
51) ianwelch 08Jan12
52) usbyeah 12Jan12
53) Mike_1968 13Jan12
54) Dandenoth 26Jan12
55) jaxck 04Feb12
56) Lord_Hill 24Feb12
57) hannurabi 07Mar12
58) Dimosha 17Mar12
59) GibsonS 26Mar12
60) noushina 06Apr12
61) kos_c4 06Apr12
62) menion 07Apr12
63) Jozef Kunak 10Apr12
64) romulus010 12May12
65) cassanata 21May12
66) muccimaaan 28May12
67) mopyper 04Jun12
68) rogerdude 23Jun12
69) dcruze75 28Jun12
70) RecycledElectro 10Jul12
71) mssmjscss 19Jul12
72) nickthehun 06Aug12
73) Moosgruber 07Aug12
74) flamenco108 20Aug12
75) chladero 28Aug12
76) Morgan Black 31Oct12
77) danheskett 14Nov12
78) Ali_Baba 05Dec12
79) kirkham7 28Dec12
80) Dancika 04Jan13
81) ianwelch 20Jan13
82) Dandenoth 21Jan13
83) Aumo 21Jan13
84) kassuper 31Jan13
85) kirkham7 03Feb13
86) Dark_Nephi 10Feb13
87) Renergy 10Feb13
88) Dandenoth 14Feb13
89) JMKosaty 15Feb13
90)
91) dynamictom2409 12Mar13
92) CivFan1981 25Mar13
93) vgrn 07Apr13
94) dcruze75 10Apr13
95) darkpanda 26Apr13
96) Alkaban 08May13
97) danheskett 10May13






Version 5 users list
01) CajunAzn 21Oct09
02) ndecker 22Oct09
03) GoodAdvice 22Oct09
04) magyarka 23Oct09
05) hannurabi 23Oct09
06) Arbool 25Oct09
07) mxat 27Oct09
08) kosmo 28Oct09
09) esbens 28Oct09
10) bahill 29Oct09
11) Gadinaaa 29Oct09
12) mrfreeze 31Oct09
13) stefan80 02Nov09
14) lifeoftheparty2 06Nov09
15) P3aK 07Nov09
16) clundhansen 07Nov09
17) mxat 08Nov09
18) alvaroundthewor 09Nov09
19) gumiololouc 10Nov09
20) dedsx 11Nov09
21) Supious 15Nov09
22) garlic pudding 17Nov09
23) Evillordb 17Nov09
24) PaoloMrkvos 17Nov09
25) Tarpan 18Nov09
26) Berke 26Nov09
27) Bitbu 29Nov09
28) GioGio 30Nov09
29) olpaj 02Dec09
30) skaeff 04Dec09
31) Chatbot 06Dec09
32) noushina 10Dec09
33) bob27 16Dec09
34) hankyago 19Dec09
35) popelheiner 20Dec09
36) maggotman 21Dec09
37) kuma_cian 23Dec09
38) Xarre 27Dec09
39) jarleja 27Dec09
40) fagianooo 31Dec09
41) Moosgruber 31Dec09
42) jarg 01Jan10
43) RaT666 05Jan10
44) Tristan_C 11Jan10
45) dbz 23Jan10
46) romulus010 10Feb10
47) mopyper 12Feb10
48) returion 12Feb10
49) hellas 19Feb10
50) thrawn0r 26Feb10
51) ahuajehovan 02Mar10
52) Goroux 06Mar10
53) markburton3575 10Mar10
54) Gav Melville 12Mar10
55) hexiou 15Mar10
56) Civ Revisited 30Mar10
57) jerdnar 06Apr10
58) martx 08Apr10
59) vojtus 08Apr10
60) jerdnar 08Apr10
61) GoldBerg 11Apr10
62) h22chen 12Apr10
63) RioAcord 02May10
64) Clownboss 10May10
65) gwidon 03May10
66) g!zmo 21May10
67) remzi 27May10
68) Quejn 07Jun10
69) Bratticuss 11Jun10
70) Bloodwing 05Jul10
71) Oavisation 06Jul10
72) jpciv 15Jul10
73) Diviner 17Jul10
74) lic21 17Jul10
75) Arionas 25Jul10
76) BARBEERIAN 27Jul10
77) SANJYSAN 31Jul10
78) ianwelch 06Aug10
79) michaelk156 06Aug10
80) Zenek 09Aug10
81) billyplod 25Aug10
82) void 26Aug10
83) mmoretal 27Aug10
84) Taz-Devil 02Sep10
85) BigDaveDiode 16Sep10
86) SaltyPepper 20Sep10
87) Dandenoth 21Sep10
88) Knopfdruckoffz 26Sep10
89) Snake05 28Sep10
90) erobinson32 04Oct10
91) GibsonS 08Oct10



Link Version 5 users list
Link Version 4 users list
Link Version 3 users list
Link Version 2 users list

In no praticular order the Version 1 users:
1) Noli, 2) hannurabi, 3) krille, 4) Matrix, 5) carniflex, 6) solharis, 7) Goldberg, 8) flobi, 9) wanwan, 10) clownbox, 11) Tenochtitlan, 12) simonnomis, 13) trada, 14) NuPenguin, 15) sehner, 16) Snake05
There may be other users (one or two), I did not keep records but have reconstructed this list from emails.



Depending on the interest I will determine the level of help files I will develop. You must also understand that the current version most likely has some amount of bugs. I hope that other users will point out any they find.

[Dack]

The function of this program is to show the features it is capable of. All user functions are active except SAVE. Save requires a key.

The sole purpose of the key is so that I would know my users. I've been working on this off and on since July 2004. As you might expect there is a lot of code in this program and it still needs work. The amount of effort in maintaining a program for the use of others gets complicated, if it was only for my use I would know the limitations and work around them. So basically I needed feed back, if no one is interested in it and if I have no users then I don't have to use my time to update and maintain the program.

I would like to thank all who sent me question and problems, and especially those who took the time in the difficult task of finding and fixing some of the difficult startup bugs.

I am sorry for any inconvenience, trepidation, or any feelings that anyone is being ill used by the use of keys to activate the save function.

Following the instructions in the Request For Registration Key text box. I am not always available but will send a key at the earliest opportunity. Only email request are accepted as the key is sent as an attachment.

1) What do you need to register?

You must be a civfanatics member and follow the programs instructions in the Request For Registration Key window. You must send your request by email through civfanatics. Registration is an automated process and requires the request to be in a format the registration program understands.

The steps required to register are:
1) Install and run TerraForm Click About, then Request For Registration Key. Copy the contents of the registration text box.
2)Click on Send email to Dack

Paste the contents of the registration text box in message area of the email.
The Email Subject: should read Request For Registration Key
Any thing other than the above will result in no key.





2) What does The message "All other tabs are currently disabled" mean ?

These are debugging screen that have not been deleted

3) Screen size must be at least 1024X768

4) When updating to a new version, the easiest way is copy the ini file.If you install to the regular loctation it should be C:\Program Files\TerraForm\TerraForm.ini
Before you remove the old version save the old ini file somewhere. After you have installed the new version copy the old ini file to C:\Program Files\TerraForm\TerraForm.ini
This will save you from have to load the key and set the path to your map files

5) Windows ME/98/95
If you are using something other than XP note the following:
No testing was done on Windows ME/95/98 for version 2. No guarantees that this program will work on anything but a XP machine. (version 1 did work on Windows 98 ver 4.10.1998)
TerraForm uses the Windows Installer (MSI files) to install. In XP and Win 2000 unZIP the downloaded file and double click on the TerraForm.msi file. In ME and 98SE (ver 4.10.2222) it may install the same. In 98 (ver 4.10.1998) and 95 you will have to install the following.

1) Windows Installer 2.0 Redistributable for Windows 95, 98, and Me click here Look down the page and download InstMsiA.exe

2) Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) CORE 1.5 (Windows 95/98)click here

Windows 98SE needs WMI.

[trada]

*downloads it*
Go Dack! This is going to be fun.
/me can finally add New Zealand to the world map.

[Dack]

There are six main functions:
Terrain modification, Terrain Improvements, Unit, City, Move Terrain, Visibility

Terrain modification

This mode works in three ways
1) Active not checked - in this mode if you click on the large map you see a pop up menu and you can select a terrain type for that square.
2) Active checked - will allow you to select one terrain type each for the right and left mouse. Then by clicking on the large map with the right or left mouse will set that square to that terrain type.
3) Wipe checked - holding down the mouse (left or right) will cause the terrain type to be set as you move the mouse along.
4) addition of centering of big map

Terrain Improvements

You can use a pop up menu or select the function you would like the right & left mouse to perform.
Unit or City
You can add, move, delete cities or units
Move Terrain
Will allow you to replicate areas of the map

The small map allows you to select the area of the large map you wish to work on.


The little blue box allows an instant popup to allow easy change from mode to mode.

[Noli]

Why do I get a run-time 53: file not found error

[GoldBerg]

This Program/Tool works only after a FREE registration.

You may contact
DACK (TERRAFORM - MapEditor - Programmer)
via
CFF EMAiL FORM
http://forums.civfanatics.com/sendme...member&u=38586

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpo...8&postcount=30

Originally Posted by Dack

... ...
KEYS can take some times take up to a week.... ...

tags:
civdos civ dos civilization civ1 sid meier's terraform editor scenario editor map edit

[Noli]

Originally Posted by GoldBerg

1. same here (sometimes) with win98se.

2. no 'OPEN (file)' option available / all disabled
(so nothing is possible to create/access with TF (here))

3. program window size should be movable/changeable/fit-to-screen button top-right is missing.

Goldberg,

I removed my version of TerraForm and then I installed the 1.09 version. It now works fine but you can't save until you get it registered. Now I just need to wait for the registration key.

[Dack]

Originally Posted by GoldBerg

2. no 'OPEN (file)' option available

Use the path menu item to select a path to the map & sve files. After a path is selected the Open menu functions become active.

Originally Posted by GoldBerg

3. program window size should be movable

Program uses a fixed 761 by 650 window.

[Ifrit9]

IMHO, for some reason the interface is user unfriendly.

[Dack]

Originally Posted by Ifrit9

IMHO, for some reason the interface is user unfriendly.

"for some reason" is pretty vague.
I admit that I have not written any instructions.
And just looking at it now I found a bug.
In the normal click on the big map ocean is not a choice.

But, back to the point. What do you really not like. Remember this is a free program. With money you can have any interface you want - LOL - sorry but I had to type that.

I must admit that I was more interested in getting it to work than how it looked. Come on now be specific what is the most horrible thing about it? How would you improve it?

thanks,

[Noli]

User unfriendly?!? Naaaaaa! Dack helped me to get TerraForm to work prrrrrrfectly and I'm very happy with it! GO DACK!!

[Dack]

Originally Posted by GoldBerg

1. same here (sometimes) with win98se.

I had the opportunity to install and run TerraForm on a Windows 98 machine. Unfortunately it does not run on 98 (I quite sure 95 will not work either). Until I get a chance to load a 98 system with the development tools and try to figure out what resource is not in 98 and work out a fix; TerraForm does not run on Windows 98.

TerraForm runs with Windows 98, 95 may work also see the top for necessary Microsoft downloads.

[Ifrit9]

Well, I just had such feeling about it ;(. It's hard to define what specifically makes TerraForm a little bit uncomfortable to use. Maybe it's because you didn't make windows, buttons, etc. in the usual Windows style? Maybe smth else. Currently I can state three points that IMHO could be improved:

1. As it was already said here, it annoys that you can't change the main window's size.
2. In the normal terrain modification mode, left-click at the map dublicates the right-click, instead of moving the map, as it was in Civ.
3. Placing mountains doesn't remove the irrigation; placing ocean doesn't remove roads; etc.

Anyway, I didn't mean I don't like the program in general or something. It is the best editor I saw and I wish you good luck. Looking forward to see TerraForm version that will be able to edit .sve files as well.

[Dack]

Quotes from Ifrit9 in Green

1. ... it annoys that you can't change the main window's size.
If you mean that the images of each square terrain should expand or contract as you manipulate the window size. This is not going to happen, the programming effort would just be too large. Sorry but you will have to remain annoyed.

2. In ... terrain modification mode, left-click at the map dublicates the right-click, ....
It really dosen't you get to chose between two types of terrain. But, I undestand that a re-centering mode would be nice. I may add that.

3. Placing mountains doesn't remove the irrigation; placing ocean doesn't remove roads; etc.....
I treated each data function separately. I can see how this could lead to illegal land use (mines in the ocean, etc..). I will have to work up a check box to deal with this.

Looking forward to see TerraForm version that will be able to edit .sve files as well.
I have a program CIV$
Never did get any comments. It's DOS but runs XP/ W2K
I do have an update to it but haven't posted it yet, and I may never.
It does just about anything you could ever want to a savefile

CIV$ - editor for CIVIL*.SVE files

.

[Ifrit9]

Originally Posted by Dack

1. ... it annoys that you can't change the main window's size.
If you mean that the images of each square terrain should expand or contract as you manipulate the window size. This is not going to happen, the programming effort would just be too large. Sorry but you will have to remain annoyed.

No, I meant the part of the map that user sees at one time should increase/decrease. The same with controls. Again, haven't you ever worked with ordinary Windows programs written, for instance, in Delphi? Most of them can be stretched.

[Dack]

Quotes from Ifrit9 in Green
No, I meant the part of the map that user sees at one time should increase/decrease. The same with controls. Again, haven't you ever worked with ordinary Windows programs written, for instance, in Delphi? Most of them can be stretched.

I was going to use bit-block transfer but decided on 17 X 17 grid of images. The audience for this so small why knock my self out. I suppose that the grid could be made smaller or bigger I took this code from another mapping program that I wrote it has a zoom effect using the same screen area. So I could make a change but its not really worth it as the code was written for this fixed area and changing it would induce bugs. And the other thing the control area on the left hand side can't really be easily modify without worrying about font sizes and user read ability.

This is just a prelude to what I want this program to do anyway; namely to produce more varied land forms and set up the non-human players automatically. So that I can play games outside the scope of the current game startup.

[krille]

nice! this is what I've been looking for my entire gaming life (almost). civ 1 is the absolute number one game of all times imo. haven't spent half the time on all other gaming together. and i never got mapedit21 to work. but this looks very promising!

i just wanted you to know, that there are tons of people out there, who don't write on the forums, that appreciate your work. and that this game is if anything still alive!

GREAT JOB!!

[Noli]

Originally Posted by krille

nice! this is what I've been looking for my entire gaming life (almost). civ 1 is the absolute number one game of all times imo. haven't spent half the time on all other gaming together. and i never got mapedit21 to work. but this looks very promising!

i just wanted you to know, that there are tons of people out there, who don't write on the forums, that appreciate your work. and that this game is if anything still alive!

GREAT JOB!!

1. Same here.
2. I have been daydreaming about a map editor like TerraForm when I was in highschool in '92-'94.
3. Great job Dack!