Mapping Utility?

JoeFaust · Post by **JoeFaust** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:23 pm

Does anyone know of of a utility to facilitate simple map generation while exploring a NWN game? I'm thinking something like the old MUD utility Zmud used to have. However, that one was automatic (it read the screen for your n,s,up,down commands and added rooms to the map on the fly), and I'm perfectly happy with something manual.

Here's a example scenario:

1) Spawn into NS4.
2) Note the location of the starting zone, and create a new "zone" in the (theoretical) mapping tool.
3) Search the starting zone for exits. For each exit found, add an Exit to the Zone in the mapping tool
4) Take one of the exits.
5) Note the location of the new zone, and create a new "zone" in the mapping tool.
6) Link the entrance to the new zone with the exit from the starting zone in the mapping tool.

I could use a flowcharting tool like Visio, but that's pretty overpowered for the level of functionality I want.

Any suggestions? If there's nothing out there, I'm half considering writing my own. I recently bought the adventure game Syberia, and a tool like this would be useful there, too.

--Joe

JoeFaust · Post by **JoeFaust** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:29 pm

I should point out that there are TONS of map-generation tools for Pen&Paper DMs, but that's not what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a tool that will let me easily create a map as I explore NS4.

--Joe

Pettsson · Post by **Pettsson** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:34 pm

Automagically? I think that'd require you to read the area data (which you probably can't anyway, if you could it'd be too easy to download a mod from the server) and their links and other, interesting things. Simply getting a gigantic piece of cardboard beside your computer would probably be much easier/effective...

Mokihana · Post by **Mokihana** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:35 pm

the only thing i can think of off the top of my head is open the map, take a ss and crop out everything but the map and paste them all together in a doc. i know this aint the simpilest way but it works.

also using a program like viso and flowcharting works for some people.

JoeFaust · Post by **JoeFaust** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:37 pm

Pettsson wrote:Automagically? I think that'd require you to read the area data (which you probably can't anyway, if you could it'd be too easy to download a mod from the server) and their links and other, interesting things. Simply getting a gigantic piece of cardboard beside your computer would probably be much easier/effective...

I'm not looking for anything automatic, and I may end up resorting to a pad of paper. I was just thinking that since I have a laptop next to me while I play, a nice computer tool would make things cleaner&easier.

--joe

JoeFaust · Post by **JoeFaust** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:39 pm

Mokihana wrote:the only thing i can think of off the top of my head is open the map, take a ss and crop out everything but the map and paste them all together in a doc. i know this aint the simpilest way but it works.

This would make a pretty map, but I'd be perfectly happy with Squares and Lines.

Mokihana wrote:also using a program like viso and flowcharting works for some people.

I'll probably try Visio first, unless anyone has a better suggestion. I've never tried, but maybe it's easy to make a template.

--Joe

Gil-Este · Post by **Gil-Este** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:44 pm

If you are REALLY ambitious you could write something that processes all of the zone data sent to your computer from the server whenever you load a zone...but other than that its either gonna be pencil and paper or screenprints of the minimap.

Pettsson · Post by **Pettsson** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:47 pm

...And by the time that utility is done, NS5 will be here

Pen/Paper or some similar computer-aided thing will probably work best.

Billiard · Post by **Billiard** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:52 pm

hmm - a map that listed where the transitions were would be good too - since I always seem to forget which clump of trees to turn at

Mokihana · Post by **Mokihana** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:54 pm

i personally keep a sectioned notebook right next to me as i play so i can write everything down. different tidbits go in different sections.

Gil-Este · Post by **Gil-Este** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:09 pm

i rely on my less than perfect memory

JoeFaust · Post by **JoeFaust** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:14 pm

Hm, I'm not sure I was making myself clear, so I've generated an example.

This example was made using Visio 2002, and was more complicated than I wanted it to be. Had to add custom connector points and whatnot. However, this may be the best I can hope for. When I get home tonight, I'm going to try and do some mapping of NS3 using Visio, and we'll see how it goes. May very well be more annoying than it's worth.

--Joe

Pettsson · Post by **Pettsson** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:18 pm

The devs have promised better continuity in area placement in NS4, NS3 has some really interesting connections between areas...

Post by **TGPO** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:26 pm

The layout is much better, however in mapping things out remember that you need to be able to do it in three dimensions. I'll add this piece of advice, dont rely on zone names to pinpoint your area.

Billiard · Post by **Billiard** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 3:27 pm

and portals are gonna be a pain I bet too!