The MapView Project - Editor/Viewer

[kevinman4404]

Hey. If my mod has a map with custom terrains (along with custom resources, features, etc.), will it be able to load with the new and upcoming Mapview? It says it will support graphics for custom terrains, does that mean it will be able to load them, and let me choose the graphics for them?

Anyways, I'm glad you've once again found interest in it and I am still very much looking forward to it

Kevin

 

[Gr3yHound]

Yep, just did that yesterday since i read that request in the civ4 map maker thread. It's not really done yet but i'll show you a video in a sec.

• Add support for custom bonuses, features, units, terrains, etc.
• *new*Changing active mod in the software

I plan to make something so you can just drop in the files:

• - CIV4BonusInfos.xml
• - CIV4FeatureInfos.xml
• - CIV4ImprovementInfos.xml
• - CIV4TerrainInfos.xml

of the mod you want to be supported into a new folder and be ready. The pictures in the toolbar will probably just be an extra feature, but not be required.

 

[kevinman4404]

Sounds fantastic! And I like what I'm seeing in the videos

Looking forward to it
Kevin

 

[Gr3yHound]

here's another video to show you how easy mod support will be

 

[Gr3yHound]

I'm currently rewriting my render algorythm. As soon as got this done i will release something, whether i'm happy with it or not.

The problem is that currently maps start to lag when viewing more then 50x50 fields at once. It's especially very bad when you try to navigate on a 200x200 or even bigger map. My current rewrite will probably be quite fluid when 400x400 tiles (1,000.000 vertex points, due to several layers) are shown at once on decent hardware.

This also requires some secondary rewrites to keep the editor working. I have some spare time about xmas and guess to have a release at the end of the year.

 

[asioasioasio]

Awsome I'll gladly use the newest version of your great software for civ

 

[Gr3yHound]

Looking good guys ;D

 

[Ramesses]

I installed it in the same folder as the .exe file of Civ4 (Vanilla).

Upon starting up the program, a notice popped up saying it couldn't find a copy of Civ4 on my computer (and to report the bug). In the actual program, instead of a map, I only see a black screen with "x: -1; y: -1" in the top left corner. Clicking on the Errors tab, it simply said "Couldn't find idk/Assets/XML/Text/CIV4GameTextInfos_Objects.xml" many, many times.

Am I installing it in the wrong location?

 

[Gr3yHound]

Wait a few days and try to new version

 

[David Smith]

Ok, When, it is almost 01/03/09 now?

 

[Gr3yHound]

I never focused on things that will let you work with the teams/player settings. That's what i currently implement.
Working on the app all day long ;D Expect something soon.

 

[Gr3yHound]

So, today i spend the evening on cleaning up the application. Removed semi-done options and added last things absolutly necessary.

I'll now add the feature to let you change the owner of units and cities. As soon as this is done you'll get your hand onto MapView point two

MapView is now 100% depending on civ installations. So i have some important question and every response could be extremly helpful. I am aware of those registry keys that can identify a civ installation:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4 Gold");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier`s Civilization 4 Complete");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Wow6432node\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Wow6432node\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4 Gold");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Wow6432node\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier`s Civilization 4 Complete");

Do you have anythings else?
Well, it would not really matter. You can define this manually if problems occur. But would be great to know anyway.

Now the important thing:
I currently assume "Warlords" or "Beyond the Sword" to be subfolder of whatever you specify as Civ4 Directory. Is this correct?

I'm currently ignoring:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4 - Beyond the Sword");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier`s Civilization 4 - Warlords");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Wow6432node\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier's Civilization 4 - Beyond the Sword");
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Wow6432node\\Firaxis Games\\Sid Meier`s Civilization 4 - Warlords");

What i'm saying is:
You will currently only get full support if your BTS or Warlords folder is EXACTLY like this:

[path to civ4]/Beyond the Sword
[path to civ4]/Warlords

Is this good enought for you? Anything i should know about?
Those are the big mods i'm aware of. I could probably add similar things to bts or warlords that is (usually) a subfolder of civ4 within seconds.

 

[kevinman4404]

Wish I could help you out with the registries. I think you are right with the paths- that's what mine was by default. Firaxis/Civ4/nameofexpansion, in short form.

Looking forward to trying it out, it's the only way I'm going to be able to make reasonable progress on my map, it's getting to be too problematic on this old computer, being so large.

 

[asioasioasio]

I have it like this
[path to civ4]/Beyond the Sword
[path to civ4]/Warlords
so it's ok for me

 

[Simple Simon]

I think it is totally OK if the paths must be the same as for default installs - however, if you can add an option to easily change the references in your program that would help all those people who run dual (or even triple) installs. I know a bunch of people who play BOTM and want to use some of the mods and patches that do not work well with HOF mod. They have dual installs, and need them.

 

[Gr3yHound]

I think it is totally OK if the paths must be the same as for default installs - however, if you can add an option to easily change the references in your program that would help all those people who run dual (or even triple) installs. I know a bunch of people who play BOTM and want to use some of the mods and patches that do not work well with HOF mod. They have dual installs, and need them.

It's possible to have a few installations and overrule registry entries already. As long as the bts/warlords structure is as i described you could have 10 different installations.

If it's really getting problematic i'll see if i can get this fixed and allow custom paths for bts / warlords too.

 

[Ramesses]

It's possible to have a few installations and overrule registry entries already. As long as the bts/warlords structure is as i described you could have 10 different installations.

If it's really getting problematic i'll see if i can get this fixed and allow custom paths for bts / warlords too.

Well, that can't be the problem for me. I've definitely got the folders set up very similarly to how you and others described.