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[sinoth]

I decided to use my excitement for the new release and channel it into some coding      

One problem I have with thinking about Z-axis fortresses is how to visualize them as a whole.  To help with this, I decided to make a program where you can zoom around in 3D space and create rooms much like you would in DF.

Press F1 to see the controls.  By the end of the weekend I hope to add in map saving/loading so you can share your creation with others.

INSERT switches between free roam and top-down mode.  Top-down is much like you'll see the fortress in DF, only one slice at a time.  Free roam lets you see and edit all layers at once.

I'm really looking for any kind of feedback, whether you find a way to break it or have a suggestion to make the tool more useful.  Also, please tell me if it runs ok on your machine... I really haven't done much optimization at this point >_<

EDIT: update to version alpha4

DF map editor alpha4

[ September 27, 2007: Message edited by: sinoth ]

[PTTG?]

Sweet! Especialy if we could use this to lay out and then export to DF. At least now I can stand to wait the next couple of days for The Next Version to come out.

[Keizo]

Very cool. I love it when the community works to create additions to the game, especially visual ones. Awesome work!

[sinoth]

quote:Originally posted by PTTG?:
<STRONG>Especialy if we could use this to lay out and then export to DF.</STRONG>

I'm thinking that maybe I can have an option to save to a macro file for AutoIt, which simply automates keystrokes.  For example, you design your fortress, save to a macro file, load up DF, put the cursor on the starting point, then run the macro file and it manually does all the ENTER,ENTER,DOWN,ENTER,ENTER,LEFT,etc for you.

[Turgid Bolk]

Seems pretty good. I had a couple problems: My keyboard doesn't have an "Insert" key...where it normally is there's only a big "Delete" key. The numpad Insert didn't work. Also, I usually use the numpad Enter key in-game, so that would be nice.

Just on the cosmetics side, it's hard to tell the distance of cubes, maybe make them darken with distance? I don't know how hard that would be. All in all a cool program, I'll use it once you let me switch camera modes.  

[Tahin]

I've been looking for something like this. Thanks!
Some things that I think you should add along with saving and loading:

*Ability to designate a rectangle only for addition and removal, like it is in dwarf fortress. It can be mildly annoying only being able to invert.

*Ramps/Staircases: Just throw in some rotatable "wedge" shapes to represent stairs.

But anyway... Thank you. This is great. If anything I'm suggesting is already in, and I'm just not seeing it because A) I'm an idiot, or B) I'm running it with Wine, just ignore me.

EDIT: Also, isn't the next version going to allow you to place floors over empty space? Might want to add that in, as well. All right, I'm done.

[ September 22, 2007: Message edited by: Tahin ]

[sinoth]

Excellent feedback     Turgid, I'll get the numpad working ASAP, and Tahin.. those are all great suggestions, and I'll try to put in ramps as well as remove/add selections.  My question is, how do you think they should be implemented?  Maybe a key to switch from add/remove/invert mode?  Also, I don't completely understand the thing about floors over empty space.  If you don't mind, explain and I'll see if I can add it.

[DragonHealer]

Very cool! I hope later on we will be able to import a map from DF. I know I'm going to be doing some crazy fortress designs and it would be great to see the overall shape of it in 3D  

[Tormy]

quote:Originally posted by sinoth:
<STRONG>I decided to use my excitement for the new release and channel it into some coding  

One problem I have with thinking about Z-axis fortresses is how to visualize them as a whole.  To help with this, I decided to make a program where you can zoom around in 3D space and create rooms much like you would in DF.

Press F1 to see the controls.  By the end of the weekend I hope to add in map saving/loading so you can share your creation with others.

INSERT switches between free roam and top-down mode.  Top-down is much like you'll see the fortress in DF, only one slice at a time.  Free roam lets you see and edit all layers at once.

I'm really looking for any kind of feedback, whether you find a way to break it or have a suggestion to make the tool more useful.  Also, please tell me if it runs ok on your machine... I really haven't done much optimization at this point >_<

DF map editor alpha1</STRONG>

Looks nice and good...but why is this tool good for us? I dont understand it.

[Tahin]

What I mean by the floor over empty space suggestion, is that if I remember correctly, it won't require you to waste a level on floors, instead having semi-unrealistic "paper-thin" floors. Like in adventure mode, how you go up a staircase, and you're just on the next level, with nothing tangible in between. Hope that makes sense... assuming I actually know what I'm talking about... But I think it's something like that.

EDIT: Also, numpad support for movement would be a nice touch. I'm use to creating square rooms with the 1, 3, 7, and 9 keys and it's mildly disorienting having to hit two buttons to go diagonally.

[ September 22, 2007: Message edited by: Tahin ]

[sinoth]

quote:Originally posted by Tormy:
<STRONG>Looks nice and good...but why is this tool good for us? I dont understand it.</STRONG>

At the moment, it is just a little toy to tide us over until the next version comes out.  Really, it is some decent framework to some day make a DF map viewer, so you can save your current fortress and import it into this program to explore in 3D.

[sinoth]

I apologize for the double post, but I updated the editor to alpha2.
DF map editor alpha2

Changes:

* Can use numpad to navigate
* Can use numpad ENTER for selections
* Can use numpad '/' to switch to top-down mode as well as INSERT
* Use the 'M' key to switch selection modes (add, remove, invert)
* Added saving and loading of files (F11, F12)
* Added export of AutoIt files (F8)

The AutoIt export function is pretty neat, and you can actually use it now to automate fortress mining.  It is a little complicated, but I will do my best to explain.

First, download and install AutoIt from here:
http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/downloads.shtml

Then, run the map editor.  Press the "B" key to turn on the base cube.  The base cube is where the program will center all other cubes around.  More on this later  

Create a map (ONLY ON LEVEL 0 since we have no Z-axis yet) and export it with F8.

Run DF, pause the game, and enter mining mode.  Place the cursor where you want the digging to begin.  The cursor will match up to the Base cube I mentioned earlier.

Double click the file you exported to execute AutoIt.  Once it is running, open the DF window and within a few seconds the program will draw all the mining squares for you.

Sorry if this is unclear, I'll try to get a video of me doing it so you can see what is going on.  It sounds a lot harder than it actually is.

[ September 23, 2007: Message edited by: sinoth ]

[Noctis]

Great tool! First time I've been able to visualize my plan for a grand main entrance.
A few thing that I'd like to see in the program through:

* Colored titles - with the new version we'll be able to build our fortresses out of more materials than the rock we're given.

* Floor/Roof - Just a flat xy square that you can but in between the empty cubes. It's somewhat annoying and difficult to create constructions with multiple floors right now.

* Same as Tahin: stairs/ramps - May be annoying to implement, but still a key element in the new Fortress designs.

* Replace the Z/X key functions with a toggle title function and assign the space key to it - More comfortable this way and less confusing.

* Ability to designate statues

* A designation for liguids?

* Free beer... Lots of it.

* phat l00t!

- Noctis

[Tormy]

quote:Originally posted by sinoth:
<STRONG>

At the moment, it is just a little toy to tide us over until the next version comes out.  Really, it is some decent framework to some day make a DF map viewer, so you can save your current fortress and import it into this program to explore in 3D.</STRONG>

Ohhh, that would be nice. Thanks a lot for your work.
 

[uberubert]

Hey add in some dwarfs and workshops and alcohol and artifacts and furniture and rivers ... Hey, this is the start of dwarf fortress 3d  

[ September 23, 2007: Message edited by: uberubert ]