Ummm...Creating maps...eh?

[applecake]

Hi! I began playing BZ about a year ago, though I feel very newbie about all things with map creating and hosting..
And I came up with the idea of making some maps.. I got two map ideas.
First, one CTF where you hide the flags, and they doesnt show up on radar, thus the gameplay will be focused on hiding the flag at a good place, and finding the other teams flag.
And second, one "hide n seek" rabbit hunt map, with lots of ST flag on it..

The problem is that I:
Dont know how to create maps (Ive tried BZEdit though)
Dont know how to make the configure file
Dont know how to make/apply the plugins that would be needed
and that I dont think I am to able to host my own map, due to low internet speed, and that i havent got a server..

So, anyone interested in helping me understand this? I saw a thread by nn (http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=13453), where he says he is able to host maps, so that may be the solution on the host problem..

Thanks for help!

[z[h]ero]

Configure file:
BZFS Configuration builder helps in configuring the file: http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f ... 65#p131465

Plugins:
http://my.bzflag.org/w/Plugins

How low is your internet upload (not download) speed? If you upload speed is enough you could make a server yourself:
http://my.bzflag.org/w/Creating_a_server

Yes, the map-file-upload-page doesn't work, like you mentioned in your other post. So you could try to PM the guy personally, like he did write in his post:
http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=13453
Alternatively other hosts could be willing to host your map. If you have done your map one day, you could post your map-file here, if you are lucky someone will host your map for you: http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewforum.php?f=64

(Ive tried BZEdit though)

Is it the following program? http://my.bzflag.org/w/BZEditWin32 (It's a nice map making program for beginners in order to create easily Bzflag maps, I would say)

Btw, the Bzflag wiki is your friend, too. (Sadly the new forum system doesn't allow me to add more links here...)

[applecake]

Thanks for a nice and fast answer.. Maybe I didnt write the whole truth in my first post..

While Ive been waiting, Ive tried some things.. As I said, Ive been using BZEdit, I think its enogh for my needs.. And I have already tried the BZFS Configuration builder.. So now, I guess the only problem is a plugin to hide the team flags.. And that I need to read..ugh..

Ok. Ill probably fix this.. As for hosting, am I right about that you need to send both the bzw-file and the conf-file?
And, as you said, If I dont get any hosting by nn, I can post it here, and hope somebody find it. Do you need to choose an license, as they say? Or do you just need to be aware of that people can use you map as they want?

And finally, what do you think of the ideas I have? I just got bored on playing Missile War all day..

Thank you very much!


Did someone move this thread here??

[blast]

I highly recommend that you do not use the configuration builder if you are new to configuring bzfs. It's far too easy to generate an invalid configuration because you don't understand the options. Start off basic and generate your own configuration by hand by reading the documentation for BZFS. This will help you understand the options better and will also help you determine what options cause problems (because you'll only add a couple at a time between testing, so you'd know that it would probably be one of those few options you just added).

If you post the map on the forum, you need to give a license that allows anyone to host it without restrictions.

[z[h]ero]

Ok. Ill probably fix this.. As for hosting, am I right about that you need to send both the bzw-file and the conf-file?

Yes, these 2 files are essential.

Ive been using BZEdit, I think its enogh for my needs..

Yep, this App is nice for the basics of making a map. If you plan one day to add extended features (like physics or eye-candy objects or...) to your map, then you would need to learn at least how to hand-code.

And finally, what do you think of the ideas I have?

Heh, I'm normally not so keen on commenting, but as you ask so nicely, well just some of my thoughts, but don't take it too serious, as it's just my personal opinion:
"CTF with hidden flags": That's an interesting new idea. However CTF-players are totally crazy for the CTF-HIX map, and they love the conservative settings of HIX, so other CTF styles will hardly have a chance against it.
" "hide n seek" rabbit hunt map with lots of ST": This could be also a new interesting style, as I don't know about anything like that in combinationwith a rabbit-map. But I prefer action on Bzflag, as I personally don't like seeking too long for other tanks
As a side note, mostly conservative maps and laser-sniping maps get popular, I would say. On the other side it's refreshing to think about creating total new map-styles and pretty different settings, like you do. As when going on like that, one of these maps could get popular (and it's really difficult to create a popular map)

Btw, the thread indeed was moved.