Battlezone Universe

Battlezone Universe => Battlezone 2 => Maps and Modding => Topic started by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 09:24:07 AM

Title: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 09:24:07 AM
I thought I saw something about it some time ago but cant find it.
Usually I just delete the playership and make a screenshot and cut out the radarmap to get the picture for in the shell, but came to believe there is a command for it. Am I correct and does anyone know which command this is, I cant seem to find it ....


edit: Incase you're wondering why I dont use the method of deleting the playership .. I cant, 1.3ta5 removes the ability to delete the playership (it seems).
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: TheJamsh on May 08, 2009, 10:50:46 AM
there is indeed.

when you start the game, go straight into the map with the editor via a shortcut, and use the following example (e.g., to create one for hilo, use the following shortcut:

C:\Program Files\Battlezone II\bz2edit.exe hiloi.bzn /shellmap 256 256

The two last numbers must be a power of 2 and define the height and width of the bitmap it will create. Its never really perfect, but its the best way to do it i feel. i often make mine draw a 512x512 and then scale it down to 256x256 in XnView. (stock are actually 128 x 128)

The outputted bitmap will be in youre BZ2 folder, or in "My Documents\My Games\Battlezone II" if you use vista.
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 10:53:31 AM
Thanks again TJ, +1 karma for you :)
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: GSH on May 08, 2009, 11:15:09 AM
/shellmap is documented in the readme13.rtf. Recommend you read it. :)

-- GSH
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 12:15:36 PM
Quote from: GSH on May 08, 2009, 11:15:09 AM
/shellmap is documented in the readme13.rtf. Recommend you read it. :)

I've read pretty much everything in the 1.3ta5 BZ2 folder, except for all packaged odf's .. perhaps I read a bit too much as I cant recall what I need ..  :roll:
Thanks for the heads up though ;)
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: AHadley on May 08, 2009, 12:50:36 PM
An interesting and useful method is to move the player ship out of the edge of the map in the editor, and take a shot of the map in the editor. Then you get to have fun as you fly back in :lol:
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 01:06:45 PM
Quote from: AHadley on May 08, 2009, 12:50:36 PM
An interesting and useful method is to move the player ship out of the edge of the map in the editor, and take a shot of the map in the editor. Then you get to have fun as you fly back in :lol:

tried that, but couldnt get a screenshot that quickly ... the flight was cool though .. after 20 times back and forward I needed to use the editor to get to a hold again :D
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: AHadley on May 08, 2009, 02:20:21 PM
Take the shot in the editor then, from the minimap there.
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 02:39:24 PM
I already placed pools and scrap, so the editore wasnt really an option. (shellmap didnt work this map either, cause the map is too dark, its just a plain black picture :))

Went with a nice screenshot with the hud disabled (had to ctrl-alt-del out of the game though as I couldnt get it back up ...)
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Avatar on May 08, 2009, 05:53:25 PM
The shellmap generated in BZ2 will depend a lot on layer 3's alpha setting.   There's an excellent tutorial about the various layers out there, I think by TimeVirus, (been a while since I've seen it) that explains this.  You can lighten/darken the minimap by changing the fill in Texture Layer 3, and I've often found my messing around with Winter has caused a totally black minimap to be generated.

That being said you can replace that minimap with any image you choose, so you can always just draw something if you're talented enough.

-Av-
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: TheJamsh on May 08, 2009, 05:55:39 PM
if you save youre map in the bz2 editor Avatar, then re-open it (if generated with winter), the minimap will re-sample the terrain and everything will look right.
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Red Spot on May 08, 2009, 06:27:59 PM
or use the reset function of the console ;)

Thanks for the tip though Av :)
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Avatar on May 09, 2009, 12:31:34 PM
Quote from: TheJamsh on May 08, 2009, 05:55:39 PM
if you save youre map in the bz2 editor Avatar, then re-open it (if generated with winter), the minimap will re-sample the terrain and everything will look right.

Not if you've played with the Alpha settings for layer 3...  that can permanently lighten/darken the map.

You can use layer 3 to lighten/darken the minimap for a reason...  the tutorial I mentioned recommends using this trick to highlight the pools on a map so they show up better on the minimap.  I wish I had a link to it, but maybe someone else knows what tutorial I'm referring to.  It's the only place I've seen that mentioned.

-Av-
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Nielk1 on May 09, 2009, 12:34:40 PM
Its TV's tut IIRC. Whoever's it is, it is on www.bzcommand.com now.
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: Avatar on May 10, 2009, 11:29:10 AM
It's "must read" for all map makers...

-Av-
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: hosolon on June 05, 2009, 10:07:05 PM
Quote from: TheJamsh on May 08, 2009, 10:50:46 AM


when you start the game, go straight into the map with the editor via a shortcut, and use the following example (e.g., to create one for hilo, use the following shortcut:

C:\Program Files\Battlezone II\bz2edit.exe hiloi.bzn /shellmap 256 256


ok i rt click in desk top goto new shortcut i point it to the Sequix( may map) by typing  this
C:\Program Files\Battlezone II\stock\bz2edit.exe Sequix.bzn /shellmap 256 256
the file path to the map is
C:\Program Files\Battlezone II\stock\maps13\Missions\Multiplayer\3rdParty\Hosolon Map Pack\Sequix
stock is my " root" file for this install

the shortcut brings me to my C:\ drive

this is my map
(http://file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/joseph/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/Sequix.bmp)
it is darker then i had hoped but i am happy w/ it

now the Q is how to have it do what i want?
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: hosolon on June 05, 2009, 10:09:08 PM
ok that is not what i was hopping it would do
Title: Re: Screenshot of the radar
Post by: TheJamsh on June 06, 2009, 05:14:15 AM
contact me either on IRC or MSN. Sorry but for some reason my internet cut out last night for about an hour and i had no idea until i tried to open a new website.

my MSN is on my profile. that or add me on XFIRE (but i never use it, ever).