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[Stanger]

Hi All. This started as a project that I am doing for my squad AG-51. We are 20 active and fly 3 times a week.  http://airgroup51.net/forum/index.php
I hated that crapola brown Okinawa map. Our squad use that map a lot. So with the inspiring talented map makers in this community I decided to make a map. I guess if the community would like it I could release it to you. Now some background.

First I am using the default Okinawa map. I have designed it to work with the JSGMEMODS enabler. All I am doing is retexuring the landscape. I click on the default Okinawa map in FMB with the mod enabler on and I have the map. This way when we fly a squad night, members can fly either map and see the same objects. At least that is my theory. I have not seen a FPS hit with theese tiles.

Most terrain tiles have been downloaded from a satelite taken from Okinawa. All images were downloaded over 4,000x4,000. So I got a good resolution when I down size to 2048x2048. Now when carmaster releases his mod for 4096 tiles I am ready for that. Thanks carmaster for your HD mod. I wanted to keep the cities to the default tiles instead of the photo image. So when the 3d buildings populate the do noy look out of place with the photo ones.

Now my method. I first laid down over the whole map the basic ground tile. Then I go back and paint over. Laid down cities, then did mountains, shore lines and so forth. A mountain could have 4 different tiles to give each one a unique look. I just did not lay down the whole tile at once. I would paint around a part of tile like a artist on a canvas. It was really fun.

This has been a learn as you go and keep learning things. Now the bases I use three dirt tiles. Pay attention to the last screenshot. Up close on the ground you can see the dried mud look and stones.

Please be kind to me for this is my first attempt. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly apprciated. I still have to go back and do some tweaking on the map.

Thanks again for carmaster for the HD Mod, and the community for your support for the questions I have been asking. I hope to do more HD maps in the future.

[Uufflakke]

Please be kind to me for this is my first attempt. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly apprciated. I still have to go back and do some tweaking on the map.

Congratulations with your first attempt in the world of mapmaking! 
There are several mapmakers around who can help you if information is needed. Or they will send you a gazillion links to tips and tricks that are floating around at SAS or Ultrapack.

I have to say that I noticed a few things which are common in first time mapmaking.
Here is some constructive comment:

- Textures are not made seemless. Which means you can see where one tile stops and the next one starts. It is especially very noticable in the 5th screenshot with the muddy texture.
- Colours of textures don't match very well at the moment. Some green tends to go to the blue side, another texture to the red and another to the yelllow side.
   
By the way, have you already seen Redko's repaint of Okinawa?
Very good work even after 3 years. For some reason I can not find it anymore at SAS but still visible at AAS:

http://allaircraftsimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=126&t=22192&sid=bd4473fd6382a64c8e2e7db72e1bad2d

In case you don't have an account at AAS here are 2 screenies for some possible inspiration:

[carsmaster]

..... I hope to do more HD maps in the future.

Very good start!.
Skilled cartographers can help you.

[ben_wh]

I have to say that I noticed a few things which are common in first time mapmaking.
Here is some constructive comment:

- Textures are not made seemless. Which means you can see where one tile stops and the next one starts. It is especially very noticable in the 5th screenshot with the muddy texture.

Don't want to sidetrack the conversation (and the Stanger's map is a good start from the look of the screen shots; especially like the mud texture) - is there any article on how to ensure that the texture tiles blend well together at the edges?

Cheers,
 

[Stanger]

Thanks Uufflakke. I tried to harmonized the tiles the best I can do. Yes I agree on the seemless tiles. I tried to get tiles that were as seemless as I can get possible. Theese are well points taken. I have more tweaking on those tiles and keep reading the forums on those little tips that do a lot. I always welcome feedback and suggestions, it is a great way to do something better. I will search for tips on seemless tiles in the forum. Thanks again for your knowledge and help.

[Stanger]

I have to say that I noticed a few things which are common in first time mapmaking.
Here is some constructive comment:

- Textures are not made seemless. Which means you can see where one tile stops and the next one starts. It is especially very noticable in the 5th screenshot with the muddy texture.

Don't want to sidetrack the conversation (and the Stanger's map is a good start from the look of the screen shots; especially like the mud texture) - is there any article on how to ensure that the texture tiles blend well together at the edges?

Cheers,
 

Hey Ben jump right in and you are not derailing it. Any info for anybody is welcome here.

[Stanger]

quote:
- Textures are not made seemless. Which means you can see where one tile stops and the next one starts. It is especially very noticable in the 5th screenshot with the muddy texture.
- Colours of textures don't match very well at the moment. Some green tends to go to the blue side, another texture to the red and another to the yelllow side.

unqoute

Hmm you have an eye for that. I never noticed the color change. Now it is time to see how to fix the color issue. Thanks

[Uufflakke]

There are 2 easy ways in creating seemless textures in the photo editing program GIMP (=freeware).
In option #1 it gets a bit blurred at some places
Toolbar -> Filters -> Projections (I think it's called that way in English) -> Make Seemless

Option #2 is a better way and also easy to do
Toolbar -> Transform -> Offset -> choose values horizontal and vertical (about 20%) and edit the edges with your clone tool.

There is also a 3rd option but that one is a bit more complicated.
By dividing a texture in 4 equal parts and cutting the left top part, pasting it in the right bottom part, vice versa, etc.
But I won't bother you with that one.

[SAS~Tom2]

You are definately talented, Stanger! Good Luck with the future of the release and I look forward to your version..

Cheers

Tom

[Stanger]

There are 2 easy ways in creating seemless textures in the photo editing program GIMP (=freeware).
In option #1 it gets a bit blurred at some places
Toolbar -> Filters -> Projections (I think it's called that way in English) -> Make Seemless

Option #2 is a better way and also easy to do
Toolbar -> Transform -> Offset -> choose values horizontal and vertical (about 20%) and edit the edges with your clone tool.

There is also a 3rd option but that one is a bit more complicated.
By dividing a texture in 4 equal parts and cutting the left top part, pasting it in the right bottom part, vice versa, etc.
But I won't bother you with that one.

Uufflakke I downloaded a program called PixPlant. It makes seemless tiles very easily. I will upload results later. Have you seen this program.? http://pixplant.com/  I have photoshop CS6 so this standalone and plugin looks loke a good one. Thanks for your time.

[Avala]

Stanger

If you are already familiar with photoshop, there is nothing easier than making seamless tiles. Here are couple of good tutorials:



http://www.designbash.com/photoshop/photoshop-offset-filter-making-seamless-textures/

Also, you can harmonize the colors on the textures the easier way by uploading them all to photoshop then go to: "Image>Adjustments>Match Color" then chose.

[Stanger]

UUFFlakke Thanks I have the seamless tiles solved. Pix Plant is so easy. Avala thanks I will look at that too. Avala I did try the match color in photoshop it does ok but UUFFlakke saw that it was not right. Match color is all I know to harmonize. Keep it coming and thanks all for support. Here is the fixed tiles in question. I did for all my tiles and it is looking good. I am so excited for all the feedback to help me.