Official Mapp Squad Discussion

[MayorTim 16]

Thanks guys, and awesome job on my maps!

[RadioheadFan 1]

No problemo. Anyways, TNS has give the heads up to start a new request thread, so I'll get on that ASAP. Also, do you guys want to have our home thread moves to the STEX forum, where the request thread will be? Please leave some feedback on this.

P.S. Search for Mapp Squad-Requests and you'll find the new thread, just wait about a 1/2 hour after this post.

RHF, your official PR Guy.

Edit: Here's the link. Mapp Squad Request Thread

[the_new_simman 5]

Date: 4/2/2005 6:44:19 PM
Author: RadioheadFan
No problemo. Anyways, TNS has give the heads up to start a new request thread, so I'll get on that ASAP. Also, do you guys want to have our home thread moves to the STEX forum, where the request thread will be? Please leave some feedback on this.


P.S. Search for Mapp Squad-Requests and you'll find the new thread, just wait about a 1/2 hour after this post.


RHF, your official PR Guy.

quote>

Hey RHF, could you meet me in the chat. I have some issues and ideas I would like ot discuss with you.

Also, great job on the maps. I will soon be releasing a Map of Green Bay.

[RadioheadFan 1]

MAPP SQUAD UPDATE!

Alright everybody, due to the recent flurry of releases and downloads, etc. it's time for another update! We'll look at the top maps, top members, and biggest uploaders on the Mapp Squad. By the way, we currently have 10 maps out and 315 downloads, as of 7:00 p.m. today.

TOP MAPS

1. Duthford, by MallowTheCloud-95 downloads
2. Kingsport, by airmale007-83 downloads
3. Northern Central Valley, by the_new_simman-61 downloads
4. St. Augustine, by airmale007-21 downloads
5. St. Augustine, by MallowTheCloud-13 downloads
6. Breeze Point Harbor, by comdude21-11 downloads
7. Palm Coast, by MallowTheCloud-10 downloads
8. Straight No Chaser, by BigBaazzoo-8 downloads
9. Guadalajara, by MallowTheCloud-7 downloads
10. Cloudland, by MallowTheCloud-6 downloads

TOP MEMBERS

1. MallowTheCloud-133 downloads
2. airmale007-104 downloads
3. the_new_simman-61 downloads
4. comdude21-11 downloads
5. BigBaazzoo-8 downloads

BIGGEST UPLOADERS

1. MallowTheCloud-5 maps
2. airmale007-2 maps
T3. the_new_simman, comdude21, BigBaazzoo-1 map each

And that's the updated list! Great job guys, this is moving more quickly than any of us expected, I think!

RHF, your official PR Guy.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

I think it's a great idea if this thread was moved to the same category as the request thread!

[RadioheadFan 1]

Righty-o! One of the assorted mods, can we have this thread moved to the STEX forum? I'll message them about this as well.

RHF

[comdude21 6]

I forgot to say before, all of the maps look great! We're exceeding my expectations. RHF, you were right when you said that we have revived mapping here at Simtropolis. Even NDEX has followed suit and started its own mapping division. Great job to all who are making maps on the squad, you're doing great. And RHF, you're doing a really great job as the PR guy, where would we be without you? This is awesome, the Mapp Squad is becoming successful.

Time to get started on my next map.

comdude

[Big_Baazzoo 0]

Okay...I have fine-tuned the logo some and have made one for each of us, I cannot upload it now because I'm at work...(it's luchtime, so I am not cheating the peacock) but we can't go anywhere, we have to stay in the studio, I'm doing the news tonight, and because of Il Papa passing away, we are having extra cut-ins and stuff.

also, another map in the works, and i wanted to ask should I retroactively make a map I have in the exchange from before Mapp Squad be a Mapp Squad map?

[the_new_simman 5]

Guys, I am having a problem uploading a map into SC4. SC4 won't start to create the region. I do the Crtl + shift + alt + R and find my file. But when i click open nothin happens. Does anyone know why this is?

[RadioheadFan 1]

Date: 4/2/2005 8:54:27 PM
Author: Big_Baazzoo

Okay...I have fine-tuned the 'logo' some and have made one for each of us, I cannot upload it now because I'm at work...(it's luchtime, so I am not 'cheating the peacock') but we can't go anywhere, we have to stay in the studio, I'm doing the news tonight, and because of 'Il Papa' passing away, we are having extra 'cut-ins' and stuff.

Do you mean Straight No Chaser or Buddyland? I think it's a good idea to re-release both, but do as you wish.

the_new_simman, try re-saving the file and rendering it through SC4 again, something might have happened in the process that makes the previous greyscale useless. You never know.

RHF

also, another map in the works, and i wanted to ask should I retroactively make a map I have in the exchange from before Mapp Squad be a Mapp Squad map?

quote>

[airmale007 3]

TNS, make sure that you have it saved as a greyscale jpeg before you attempt to render it.

And mayortim, I'm glad one of the two St.Augustines was to your liking.

[the_new_simman 5]

Date: 4/2/2005 9:04:02 PM
Author: airmale007

TNS, make sure that you have it saved as a greyscale jpeg before you attempt to render it.

And mayortim, I'm glad one of the two St.Augustines was to your liking.

quote>

OMG! I didn't save it as a greyscale! There's my problem. Thanks guys.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Alright, so now our thread's been moved, make sure to update your signature links!

RHF, your official PR Guy.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Date: 4/2/2005 8:54:27 PM
Author: Big_Baazzoo

also, another map in the works, and i wanted to ask should I retroactively make a map I have in the exchange from before Mapp Squad be a Mapp Squad map?

quote>

First of all, good luck with the map! Secondly, that's a good question. I think it's completely up to you.

[the_new_simman 5]

Another one of my maps is out. This was a requested map. The map is Newark & New York Area. Check it out here:
https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?mode=files&filetype=Map&Str=mapp%20squads%20newark%20and%20new%20york%20area

[Big_Baazzoo 0]

 The same thing happened to me...on my newest map, Jack Rackham it would not load, but then I found out I had not saved it as a Greyscale!

 

http://img119.exs.cx/img119/535/jackrackhamregion3mh.jpg align=baseline>

 

But here it is

 

And count in Buddyland https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?mode=files&filetype=map&category=default&sortby=DatePosted&show=12&Str=buddyland

[hoonyr 0]

Hey,

i was very impressed with your excelent maps in the maplist ...

can i please request if you have information to create realistic maps

for Tel-Aviv, Israel and/or Jerusalem, Israel ?

10x

[your_adress_here 11]

All requests go in the requests thread!https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=61937&forumID=42&search=1&searchstring=

 

@ TNS: Maybe you didn't notice, but on the last page I asked to join. I was wondering if you saw that and if you could make my label like this: your_adress_here     Mapp Squad Aprentice

Thanks!

 

@ MallowTheCloud: Could you please tell me how to use the landsscape designer?

Thanks!

[comdude21 6]

YAH: Actually I can tell you how to use the LD. It's pretty simple. Here are the steps:

1. Open the LD
2. Click on Terrain Generator.
3. Select a Steepness, a Smoothness, Max Height and Min Height (They're all on the left).
4. Click Generate. A map will appear.
5. You can edit this map by using any of the controls below the Generate button. If you don't like the changes you've made, you can hit the Original button to go back to the initial generated terrain.
5. Anytime you want to make a new map, just select new parameters on the buttons above Generate, then hit Generate again.
6. To save a map, go to File>Save Terrain, and you'll have to save it as a .jpg (Put the name you want the map to have then at the end, put .jpg.

You can use one of the tutorials in New Member Information, I believe, to render your map into the game.

Hope this helps!

comdude

[RadioheadFan 1]

Now that you've got comdude's KISS tutorial,(keep it simple silly, if you didn't know) I'm guessing that you will take on Ottawa? Thanks comdude for helping him out, I would have directed him to the LD tutorial, but you did better, thanks much. List out tonight guys!

RHF, your official PR Guy.

[the_new_simman 5]

Date: 4/3/2005 10:04:13 AM
Author: your_adress_here

All requests go in the requests thread!https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=61937&forumID=42&search=1&searchstring=

@ TNS: Maybe you didn't notice, but on the last page I asked to join. I was wondering if you saw that and if you could make my label like this: your_adress_here Mapp Squad Aprentice

Thanks!

@ MallowTheCloud: Could you please tell me how to use the landsscape designer?

Thanks!

quote>

I am very sorry, I didn't noptice your post. I will make you a sig image right away!

EDIT: BTW, you can view all of the Mapp Squad Maps here:

Mapp Squad Maps Only

[gundamdude 0]

I would like to join the Mapp Squad.

[the_new_simman 5]

Of course you can, I will get you a signature image as soon as possible.

[comdude21 6]

I've been thinking about this, and the future of the Mapp Squad may be in question for a couple of reasons:

1. We shouldn't take requests. Listen, requests work well with lots and BATs because many other members besides the one who originally requested it will download and use the file. With maps, you're basically filling out the request for one member by making that member their map, spending the two or so hours doing this, just for one member. Our maps have gotten very few downloads so far. I know it sounds greedy and selfish, which it is. But we really should not be taking requests for maps.

2. Nobody downloads maps anymore. I know I don't. If someone wants a map, they can just make it on their own. The in-game terraforming tools can be used to great measures if you know how to use them. Plus, there's the Landscape Designer, along with the maps already inlcluded in the game, and somebody can make their own real-world terrain using DEMs. There's just no point in making the maps if nobody is going to use them.

3. We're flooding the exchange. There's already been a thread made about the maps taking up all of the space in the exchange. We should either make much less maps, or not make maps at all.

In the end, it's a supply and demand thing. We have a huge supply, but no demand. I just don't see the use in continuing with the Mapp Squad, UNLESS:

1. We make our maps and present them in a more professional and uniform way, so they at least look good and organized.

2. We make less maps, only enough to meet demand.

3. We stop requests and instead have divisions. I, for example, can make ficticious maps, someone else can make American maps, someone else could make International maps, etc. Right now, everyone is just randomly making maps and it makes no sense.

Take this stuff into consideration. I hope I'm not sounding like a traitor here, because I'm not. I just want the Mapp Squad to be more successful.

[RadioheadFan 1]

comdude, you may be onto something. Why don't we place a limit on the number of requests we take at a time, and release our maps more slowly? I agree, this has been moving way too fast. Post your opinions on this here!

RHF, your official PR Guy.

[comdude21 6]

Date: 4/3/2005 5:38:26 PM
Author: RadioheadFan
comdude, you may be onto something. Why don't we place a limit on the number of requests we take at a time, and release our maps more slowly? I agree, this has been moving way too fast. Post your opinions on this here!


RHF, your official PR Guy.

quote>

You've got some good ideas there. But like I said before, I think that we should completely eliminate requests. We should have a limit on the amount of maps that can be posted per day. I think it should be one map per day. We can have some sort of schedule. For example, I could release one map every Monday, then no maps until the next Monday. Another Mapp Squad member could release one map every Tuesday, another member Wednesday, and so on. I also think we should have very well-defined divisions. I can make ficticious maps only, someone else can only do American maps, etc. We have to be really, really organized and can't just make random maps.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

I agree something must be done. We need more organization.

However, I disagree with this statement: 2. Nobody downloads maps anymore. I know I don't. Out of the requested maps, most of the ones that are more than a day old already have over 20 downloads. This may not seem like a lot, but keep in mind only one person requested it.

Sometimes, people don't realize they wanted something until it is presented to them.

So, I disagree that we should stop taking requests. I just think we should only fulfill one or two requests a day.

That's my opinion...

[comdude21 6]

Alright, I did exaggerate a lot when I said that Nobody downloads maps anymore. I have downloaded a couple of maps, just not very recently. Some maps do get quite a few downloads, but those are the best of the best. But as the Mapp Squad, we should (And I think we are) be making the best of the best maps.

Anyways, I figured out the problem I had making the Minneapolis-St. Paul region for a request and I got it to work. So I can finally make a real-world terrain using DEMs! I know it works now because I checked it out in the Landscape Desinger, which is a really great tool for making new regions or editing existing greyscale images. I'll release it, but I don't feel like rendering it. Is there a way to take a picture in the Landscape Designer to post with the description on the STEX? Or is that not allowed? If anyone could answer those questions, it would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Hey, that's great! I'm glad you could get that to work...

Anyway, there isn't a way to render it in the Landscape Designer. However, there is a color version of the region that saves along with the greyscale version. If you want, you can use that as the final map. It looks pretty good that way, I think.

[the_new_simman 5]

Mapp Squad Update

Hey everyone, with recent problems and threads regarding too many maps on the exchange, I have come up with a few solutions. I will state the solutions below:

 

- Limit 5 Requests per week

- Release all maps on Fridays, no other days

- Use zip downloads if it requires more than one map set.

 

Updated Member List

the_new_simman
kvasir
Big_Baazzoo
MallowTheCloud
comdude21
airmale007

Radioheadfan

BarbulaM1

your_adress_here

gundamdude

scipio

 

Newest Signature Images