What You Need

   You need an idea on how your map will look. Really you have to jot something down, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS. Layers being so key to map making, if you don't have alot of experience making maps, draw it out. If you want to know what its like to make a map as a rookie without a solid idea on how you want it to look as a sketch would supply, try hitting yourself in the nuts with a hammer & then try to lift an air conditioner. There is a similar sensation in map making when you are a couple of dozen hours into making it & its scrap. Make a sketch or drawing.. something basic like this:

MAN!! That's ugly! Oval blobs are hills. X's are houses. T's are towers, & the scribbling is forest. Hey, I said basic, you CAN use a real picture if you want as well. But this is a beginners kit, so baby steps.

   This will be the example of this guides demo map. Yeah, very basic. But note that this map has all the basics you need to know to make most maps. There are other guides, in particular by Dodam which show you to make other cool things to add to your maps. You'll find those for download ON THIS PAGE. Now go to THIS PAGE & download all the dl's on it. These are needed to make the map this guide will outline.

What do you do with these four files? First of all make a file on your desktop where you'll store all your work on your first map. Lets call it 'FirstMap' folder

3C AND Groof2: Unzip the zips inside this in their own folders inside the 'FirstMap' folder. (3C & Groof2)

DemoObjects: Unzip this into the main 'FirstMap' folder

Demo Textures: Pop these into your C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7/Patterns folder

Demo Tubes: Pop these into your C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Tubes folder

Java Virtual Machine: Don't do anything with this yet, in fact you MIGHT not need it.

So your desktop folder will look like this:

 

I'd recommend coffee as well, but that's not essential! Wait.. IT IS!!!

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