Extend the nr of elevations for the use of larger master maps

[harry_vdk]

Currently there are now 2 limitations for the size of a single master map (for cut out one or more game maps).

Maximum of FPRS for entering the map values.
Maximum of 10 levels for the total master map.

For example my dutch map have 8 different elevations and give no problems, but is I want it extend till for example (zuid limburg) there is a problem, that area go much higher and will not fit within the current 10 elevation levels

[WildCatNL]

Harry,

we work around this limitation by using a relative yet consistent scaling; we start with elevation 1 for the lowest point of the map, but the height delta to get from elevation 1 to elevation 2 is the same across all maps.

This works well enough assuming you figure out the maximum height and minimum height in a map early, and maps are somewhat similar in the terrain types you want to present.
It won't work (but little will work) if you want to represent subtle 8-10m elevation steps such as dikes and 250m elevation steps (Vaalserberg / Eben Emael) in the same type of map.

In case you use more than ten elevation levels, you also start running into another problem: you run out of easily distinguishable color tones for each of the levels. Maps become hard to read, and you might be better off abstracting elevation to fewer differences.

Wrt to parsing the Map Values of a cut-out map: with the Southern Storm Map Values editor you would be able to load a different terrain interpretation 'palette' for each cut-out, which should help you satisfying the max 10 elevations limit per map.

William

p.s. how does Command Ops tackle this? These games cover 'your' Betuwe/Arnhem and the Ardennes with, IIRC, a 100m squares map representation.

[harry_vdk]

William,

I agree that more then 10/15 elevations colours are to much for a game map.

But having (for example) 30 elevations on a master map. and with making the cut out for a game map with 7 elevation (12-19) and shift the start elevation from 12 to 1 and render the elevation colour while making the cut out. Overcome this limitation.

Its a extension of the map editor not a extension of the levels within the game.

Harry

Command Ops use individual maps with every map starting on level 1. And there is a dike object.