BZFlag map making tutorial. Part 1

I have been asked many times, “how do you make maps” well
there are many resources on the bzflag wiki.

I'll list a few here:

1. General map
   making
2. Making maps by
   hand
3. Wings3d Tutorial

Possibly the best tool for me, I found on Purple Panzers website.
The maptemplate
is what I call it.

I would print that out for a refernce.



Now I usually start simple maps with a text editor, which this is
a beginning tutorial.

The world object

The world object for me is
usually the first order of business, however this depends on the map.



Code:



world
size 400
end



This is a basic world object. There are many options for this.



Code:



world
name my_cool_world
flagHeight 10.0
size 400
freeCtfSpawns
noWalls
end



For more details on the world object. bzflag world wiki link



Options Object.

The options object is the
most underused, and most needed object. It is important to understand
the importance of this object.

It makes it easier for you to keep up with your options. Also if it
gets hosted, the server owner doesnt have to guess at what options are
needed for the map.



Code:



options
-j #allows tanks to jump
+r #allows shots to rico
-ms 4 #max shots before reload
-set _tankSpeed 30 #any set command can stay within a options object
-set _shotSpeed 120
+f GM{3} #add flags to map (this will be discussed later in another tutorial)
-public "my cool map by me" #server list name
end



For more details on the option object. bzflag options wiki
link




Box Object.



The box object is just what it says "a box" .



Code:


box
pos 0 0 0 #center of the map
size 30 30 15 #size of the object
rotation 33 #rotation of the box in angle
end



Below is a screenshot of this box.









For more details on the box object. bzflag box wiki link.





Pyramid Object.



The pyramid is just what it says a pyramid. (see a trend forming :-)



Code:



pyramid
pos 0 0 0
size 10 10 10
rotation 0
end



Below is a screenshot of this pyramid.









For more details on the pyramid object. bzflag pyramid wiki link.





Cone Object.



Cone is a Cone.



Code:



cone

pos 0 0 0
size 20 20 30
divisions 10
angle 360
end





Below is a screenshot of this cone.







Now lets play with the divisions or sides.



Code:



cone
pos 0 0 0
size 20 20 30
divisions 3
angle 360
end





Screenshot below of this cone.









Now lets see what angle does.



Code:



cone
pos 0 0 0
size 20 20 30
divisions 3
angle 180
end

Screenshot of this cone. notice it retains the 3 divisions (sides)
but it is simply a half a cone.









For more details on the Cone object. bzflag cone wiki link.





Arc Object.



Arc is a very useful object, many don't fully understand the full
potential of it.



Code:



arc
pos 0 0 0
size 40 40 15
divisions 16
ratio 1
angle 360
end



Screenshot of the code above.









Now you already understand divisions and angle from the cone. now lets
look at ratio.



A ratio of 1 means solid, anything less. well lets see.





arc
pos 0 0 0
size 40 40 15
divisions 16
ratio .5
angle 360
end



Screenshot of code above.









For more details on arc Object. bzflag
arc wiki link



Now you have the basics to make a map, test these find your own
combinations. I'll get into positioning objects in the next Tutorial.


Just remember practice makes perfect :-)




--ahs3