Map This! - Cartography Services

[Vandy 110]

Hi, SIMplMn9.

Originally posted by: SIMplMn9 Hey Vandy, I never heard back from you over my Pm... did you get it?quote>

 

My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. Real Life has been a bit tough the past three months.

Check you e-mail for an invitation to a priate topic where we can discuss this project.

Regards,

Vandy

[mkaustin 1]

Hey Vandy,

Great pictures and a very promising map. I really love the idea of the isthmus, as I live in the only isthmus city in the US (or so I am told.) One question though. I am not really sure of the scale of the map, other than by guessing based on the width of the shoreline. Any way I could talk you into posting an overview shot with city borders on in the following updates?

Can't wait to play the map!

[Vandy 110]

Hi, MKAustin.

Originally posted by: mkaustin Hey Vandy,

Great pictures and a very promising map. I really love the idea of the isthmus, as I live in the only isthmus city in the US (or so I am told.) One question though. I am not really sure of the scale of the map, other than by guessing based on the width of the shoreline. Any way I could talk you into posting an overview shot with city borders on in the following updates?

Can't wait to play the map!quote>

 

Thanks for your comments.  I do appreciate them and they are encouraging.  Since you asked so nicely, I'm going to do an "exclusive" here in my thread.  The picture I've posted below is what my map looks like as of 25 February 2008.  It has not been posted anywhere else and will not be posted (as shown) again.  Just for you, my friend.

The config.bmp dimensions are 16 x 12 pixels which gives a grayscale image map dimensions of 1025 x 769.  The city borders shown are all large city tiles.  This IS NOT going to be the final configuration of the city tiles.  That is yet to be determined.

Here is my region to date:

Enjoy.

Regards,

Gary

[mkaustin 1]

Hey, excellent! Thanks for that. Again, I look forward to the playing the map. Cheers

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services

UPDATE!

---

Hello, My Friends.

Yes, Map This! - Cartography Services is still very much in business and now operating once again under its own banner.

I've been quite busy the past few months between appendicitis late November last year and complications that kept me in the hospital most of December and home most of January.

In the past few months, I've been working on two mapping projects for two Simtropolis members -- kingofblades and SIMplMn9.  Both contracted Map This! - Cartography Services' services to create a map for them based on a concept drawing they, themselves, created.

I have just this week completed work on the two maps and, once my customers have approved the maps, I will be uploading them to the STEX for everyone to enjoy.  Once I've gotten the approval on the maps, I'll post an update here concerning them and show you pictures of them.

Once these maps are uploaded, I will FINALLY be able to get back to completing the map I've been working on for -- well, for quite a long time.  I would expect to be able to complete it within 2 or 3 weeks (given the actual time I spend on the computer).

Once I'm finished with that map and have it uploaded to the STEX, Map This! - Cartography Services will be taken a few months hiatus (well, at least I won't be actively pursuing map-making but one or two maps may still "slip" in).  I plan on devoting my time to developing and sharing a CJ with all of you.  If you've been watching my signature, you already know what its name will be.

Have a wonderful day, everyone, and I'll post another update as soon as my customer's maps are ready for the STEX.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services

Map This! - Cartography Services is proud to release its newest fantasy map, Koyama Island.

 

The original drawing and concept for this map was created by Simtropolis Member kingofblades. He is also the creator of the config.bmp file and the author of the storyline. Using the SC4Terraformer application, Vandy created the actual map based on the specifications given to him by kingofblades. Koyama Island will be the map used in a new City Journal being produced by kingofblades. The City Journal will bear the name of the map, Koyama Island, and can be viewed by clicking on the named link.

 

This region is 1537 x 1409 pixels in size with a 24 x 22 pixel city configuration made up of a variety of small, medium and large city tiles.

 

The map consists of a large central island, a smaller island and a small part of a mainland. There is a very large extinct volcano in the north central section of the main island. There are two rivers south of the volcano – one emptying out on the western side of the island and one flowing into a large lake and branching to flow into a bay. A number of other lakes dot the two islands and mainland. Some small “finger” mountains rise up in the southeastern part of the main island. A large cliff complex dominates the southern coast of both the main and small islands. There is a large reef complex between the large and small islands and a man-made “helper island” which will be used to bridge the two islands via a roadway.

 

There is ample opportunity to develop a wide mix of rural, small villages and towns and large cities within its landscape as well as ample opportunity for industrial, commercial and recreational development.

Let me take you on a tour of Koyama Island:

Koyama Island - Default SC4 Rendering

koyama Island - Modded C4 Rendering

SC4Terraformer 2D Region View with City Configuration

SC4Terraformer 3D Region View

Region Census Region View

Northwest Corner

North Central

Northeast Corner

Northeast Peninsula

Central

Southeast Corner

South Central

Southwest Corner

Cliffs at the South end of the Big Island

Cliffs at the South end of the Small Island

Helper Island and Reef

Small Island

Mainland

Koyama Island basked peacefully in the sun waiting on some intrepid developer to take advantage of all of its beautiful resources. Will that intrepid developer be you?

Regards,

Vandy

Map This! - Cartography Services

© June, 2008

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services

Map This! - Cartography Services is proud to release its newest fantasy map, Silver River Valley.

 

The original drawing and concept for this map was created by Simtropolis Member SIMplMn9. He is also the author of the storyline. Using the SC4Terraformer application, Vandy created the actual map based on the specifications given to him by SIMplMn9. SIlver River Valley will be the map used in a new City Journal being produced by SIMplMn9.  The City Journal will bear the name of the map, Siver River Valley.

SIMplMn9’s config.bmp is a 6 x 4 pixel all large city tiles configuration. This config.bmp is available in the download archive and is named config_24x16.bmp. If it is desired to use this city configuration file, copy it to the appropriate region folder and rename it to config.bmp. DO NOT use it with its default name or the region will not work.  The file named config.bmp file which is included in the download archive was created by Vandy and consists of a mixture of small, medium and large city tiles.

 

This region is 1537 x 1153 pixels in size with a 24 x 16 pixel city configuration made up of a variety of small, medium and large city tiles.

 

The map consists of a large river valley surrounded by stepped mountain ranges with soaring peaks in the corners and edges. There is a river winding its way through the middle of the valley with sheer cliffs along two areas of the river.

 

There is ample opportunity to develop a wide mix of rural, small villages and towns and large cities within its landscape. The river complex will afford a great deal of development – both industrial and commercial – as well as offer many opportunities for recreational development.

 

---

Let me take you on a tour of Silver River Valley:

SIlver River Valley - Default SC4 Rendering

SIlver River Valleyh - Modded SC4 Rendering

SC4Terraformer 2D Region View with City Configuration

SC4Terraformer 3D Region View

Region Census Region View

Northwest Corner

North Central

Northeast Corner

South Western Corner

South Central

Southeastern Corner

Central Cliffs

Southeastern Cliffs

Southeastern Corner -- Twin Mountains

Southeastern Corner -- Cliffs and Mesa

Southwestern Corner - Mountains

Northwestern Corner -- Mountains

North Central -- Mountains

Northeastern Corner - Mountains

---

Silver River Valley is waiting on you to develop its potential.

Regards,

Vandy

Map This! - Cartography Services

© June, 2008

[Smarty218 2]

Fantastic maps Vandy!

I really admire your work!

Your maps are very fun to play on and some pose some interesting challenges, which all adds to the "Fun Factor".

Keep up the great work!

Best,

TJ

[Vandy 110]

Hello To All My Readers!!

I have some "BREAKING NEWS!!"

I have completed work on my latest map which I have not yet named.  The config.bmp is 16 x 12 pixel in size which gives a 1025 x 769 pixel region size.  I would have said this is my biggest map yet but Koyama Island and SIlver River Valley are both bigger.  Nonetheless, it is the biggest map I've personally created.

Here is the 3D view from SC4Terraformer:

I will be in Dallas, TX this week on business and hope to have a config.bmp city configuration completed along with a storyline.  My goal is to ge the map completely finished and uploaded to the STEX by the end of next weekend.

Wish me luck!

Regards,

Gary

[lil-m 0]

Hi Vandy, I Know you are or will be busy but when/if you have any spare time can you make a region for my RJ/CJ i have posted it in the forum its called "Mapping My CJ" Could you please visit it and make it for me please its small so it wont take very long - Please Help

[Unassigned 23]

Hi Vandy, I hope you are recovered from those health problems - I know from personal experience how long such stuff can last.

How is your not-yet-named isthmus map progressing? I'm eager to try it out

Take care.

[Vandy 110]

Hello, All.

I wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know that Map This! - Cartography Services (MTCS) is still very much a "going concern" and still engaged in the business of matchmaking.

As you are all aware, I have been working on a large map for quite some time now.  The last post I made in which I showed a view of the map was three posts up from this one.  Well, I have finally finished the map.  The only thing I've left to do is render it in SC4 and complete the Read Me file.

The name of my latest map is ?mier? Smoka.  The Polish translates to Death of the Dragon.  It has been so named in honor of the Staff of the SC4 Fan Web site SimCity Polska who have graciously provided space on their Exchange for me to upload my maps.  Once I release the map, the storyline will better explain the title.

I've been getting more and more involved with using Terragen and World Machine 2 -- both excellent terrain generating applications.

I believe MTCS will be taking a bit of a different "turn" in its future offerings.  That is, I expect to start producing maps who's terrain I've created from these two applications as the basis for the map.  I still intend to create "maps from scratch" as well as still have plans to learn how to use DEMs to create terrains based on real-world environments.

Currently in the "pipeline" are four maps that have been created using a Terragen file as the input to a set of World Machine devices.  The output of the World Machine devices (a 16 bit .PNG file) is the import file I use in SC4Terraformer to do any final "tweaks" on the terrain before rendering it in SC4 and releasing the map.

All four maps are small.  They have an 8 x 8 pixel config.bmp file and a 513 x 513 pixel region size.  This is because I am using the free version of World Machine 2.1 Basic which limits terrain size to 513 x 513 pixels.  The four maps I'm currently working have the following basic terrain features:

A large volcano centrally located on a rugged highland
Cratered valleys with lakes set amongst rugged mountains
A detail of the above map showing one large lake and surrounding countryside
Valleys, rugged mountains and waterways

Each of the above terrains have been completed and "tweaked" in SC4Terraformer.  I need to render them in SC4 and write the Read Me files.  Once this is accomplished, I'll be ready to release them.

I do have other maps in various stages of development but am not ready to discuss them at this time.

Once I have released the above five maps, MTCS will be taking an "official"  break from map-making in order for me to concentrate on another project -- that of producing a City Journal.

(WHAT?!?!  Vandy's going to start a CJ?!?!)

SSSssshhh...  Don't nobody go get overly excited or anything, now, y'heah?

That about "wraps up" what's going on at Map This! - Cartography Services.  As I have further updates, I'll post them.

Regards,

Gary

[Fluffyvito 40]

Hiyas! Vandy, I have a question regarding the sketched map on the first page. How did you convert it to greyscale? Did you, in Paint Shop Pro, use the lines you drew as guides for using some sort of select tool to "select" certain areas and "fill in" the areas with the corresponding elevation's color? I'm also guessing this was done on a separate layer over the sketch which was a background. I'm not familiar with Paint Shop Pro but I probably apply what you did in Photoshop. I'm asking beacuse I have a couple of maps sketched up and I am planning on roughing them up in SC4FT but I need a greyscale map first.  Sorry for the rant, I have a habit of getting carried away.... ~Ciao!

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Kabuto23.

You are correct as to what I did.  I scanned in my hand-drawn map then use it as the base layer for my grayscale map "cleaning" it up and making sure all the lines were connected and closed, etc.  Then, I used a separate layer for each elevation change and continued adding them until I was satisfied with the result.  I flattened all the layers, saved it as a .JPG and used it as the import image for SC4TF.

I look forward to seeing the results of your own map-making.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services
Hello, Everyone!

Map This! - Cartography Services is pleased to announce the availability of its newest map, Smierc Smoka.  As you will read, the storyline for this map has a Polish theme to it.  Smierc Smoka is a fantasy map that contains four large city tiles and a variety of medium and small city tiles.  The region offers a wide selection of terrains on which to develop -- coastlines, harbors, mountains, valleys, rivers, etc.  There are a number of island groups as well.


[Storyline

Before the founding of Kraków, there was the rugged land, lakes, rivers and seas.  From the beginning of time, Smok Wawelski inhabited the land living in a cave under Wawel Hill on the banks of the Vistula River.  The Dragon of Wawel Hill Ruled over the land and feasted on the bird of the air, the fish of the waters and the beasts of the fields.  Life was good for Smok Wawelski and he grew strong off the fat of the land.

Good King Krak, the founder of Kraków, brought order to the land by imposing law and order, promoting commerce and business and brought in farmers to work the land.  For Smok Wawelski, this was good fortune that could not be ignored.  Daily, the dragon would cut a path of destruction across the countryside, killing the farmers and those that lived in the cities, pillaging their homes and devouring their livestock.

It was during the reign of King Krak that Smok Wawelski tasted his first human flesh -- that of a young and innocent girl.  The unfortunate child was in the fields tending her family's sheep when the dragon descended upon the flock intent on eating them.  Spying the little girl and sensing she was a much different food source, he did not hesitate to snatch her up and swallow her.  Ah, such a taste -- such a delicacy!

From that moment on, Smok Wawelski demanded the people of the land deliver him a female child once a month at the mouth of his cave.  In return, the dragon promised to only occasionally raid the farmer's livestock and stop killing the people of the cities and countryside.  However, he further promised, if the people stopped bringing him the female child he required, he swore that no one -- not man nor beast - would withstand his wrath.

Now, King Krak was determined to stop the pillaging of the female children of the land and a challenge went out to all the brave knights of the region and to all the regions of the world -- fight and kill Smok Wawelski and be crowned the Prince of Kraków.

As word of the King's challenge spread throughout the world, the region hosted many of the most famous and bravest knights ever known.  Months turned into years but alas, not one of the knights was able to defeat the dragon.  Instead, they were roasted and devoured one by one.

Eventually, all the young female children of the region had been sacrificed except one -- King Krak's own daughter, Wanda.  In desperation, the King promised his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage as well as the right to become the next King to anybody who could defeat Smok Wawelski.  This new challenge was broadcast throughout the land and the world.

Meanwhile, Smok Wawelski was no longer being provided his monthly female child.  Making good on his promise, he resumed the pillaging of the land -- killing its people and devouring the farmer's livestock.

Great Warriors and Knights from near and far fought for the King's prize and failed.  It looked as if poor King Krak's beautiful land would be completely laid to waste by the dragon.

One day, a poor cobbler's apprentice named Szewczyk Dratewka accepted the challenge.  The people laughed and mocked him saying how could a poor apprentice succeed where the world's greatest fighters failed.  Undaunted, Szewczyk Dratewka made his plans to do away with Smok Wawelski.

He stuffed a lamb with sulfur and set it outside the dragon's cave.  The dragon sniffed at this offering and ate it.  Not long after, he became incredibly thirsty.  Even though Smok Wawelski drank half of the Vistula River, no amount of drinking could quell his stomachache and, after swelling up from drinking so much water, he exploded.  Large pieces of the dragon rained down on the land creating many of the landmarks and terrain features seen today.

Szewczyk Dratewka married the King's daughter as promised and was assured his rise to the throne once King Krak passed on.  The King was so happy that the land has been spared that he declared a National Holiday and called this special day Smierc Smoka or, Death of the Dragon.

Peace came to the region and life once again returned to normal.  The clock of life continued ticking.  King Krak passed on and the new King Szewczyk and his bride, Queen Wanda ruled the region of Smierc Smoka and all that lived there prospered.

---

The region is 1025 x 769 pixels in size with a 16 x 12 pixel city configuration made up of a mix of large, medium and small city tiles.

Smierc Smoka is the result of a hand-drawn map that I scanned and then used Paint Shop Pro to create a grayscale image.  I imported the grayscale image into SC4Terraformer and completed it within that application.

The region offers many coastlines, rivers, lakes, island groups and mountainous areas.  There is ample opportunity to develop a wide mix of rural, small villages and towns and large cities within its landscape.  The coastal and river complexes will afford a great deal of development -- both industrial and commercial -- as well as offer many opportunities for recreational development.  The numerous lakes and harbors can be developed into recreational areas as well as serve as seaports for shipping and receiving goods.  The islands afford both recreational and commercial development.  The mountainous areas are not too rugged and many different types of mountain communities can be developed.

Smierc Smoka awaits your touch and creative hand to develop its resources.  Come visit and build the land in which the dragon once ruled.

___________________________
© October, 2008
Vandy
Map This! - Cartography Services

Map Information

Map Type:  Fantasy
Region Map Size:  1025 x 769 pixels
config.bmp size: 16 x 12 pixels

Dependencies:  Either the SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper applications are required.

For installation instructions, please read the included ReadMe file.When unzipping the archive, ensure you use the "Use Folder Names" option.


Region Pictures

Region Picture - SC4TF 2D View with Cities

Region Picture - SC4TF 3D View with Cities

Region Picture - SC4 Unmodded

Region Picture - SC4 Modded

Northwest Corner

North Central

Noreast Corner

Southwest Corner

South Central

Southeast Corner

Southern Island Group

South to North Headland

Northeast Harbor Area

 

---

I certainly hope you'll enjoy this new map.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Hallo7 1]

I would like to make a request. I almost just started to play SC4 and now I feel ready to start a CJ. But I could not found any good map to start it.

I already have the ''Story'' of the region... the only thing I don't have is the region

I made this draft to make one but I don't really know how works CS4 terraformer.

Here it is:

So as you seen the is a mountain chain at the top , a big plain and an island.

So do you want?????

[Vandy 110]

Hello, Hallo7.

Thank you for your interest in Map This! - Cartography Services.  I do appreciate your request.  However, I must decline at this time.

Map This! - Cartography Services currently has seven maps in development and, once these maps are released, will be taking a leave of absence from map-making to concentrate on creating and publishing a CJ.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Hallo7 1]

Ok thank you...

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services 

---

Hello, Everyone!

Map This! - Cartography Services is pleased to announce the availability of its newest map - Republka Tawalsu.

Daniosek of SimCity Polska (Danio of Simtropolis) requested I make a map for his use.  He asked to have a map that has a coastline, river in the middle, islands off the coast and a pre-made harbor area.

I created map which has a long, diagonal coastline with a large gulf in the center leading into an inland lake.  From the northeast and northwest corners of the lake, a river flows to the edge of the map.  There are three islands off the coast -- a large island off the western coast with a large harbor on the western side of the island, a smaller island off the southern coast with a small harbor on the western side of the island and a smaller island a bit farther out from the southern coast with a small harbor on the southern side of the island.  Finally, there is a very large pre-made harbor area on the northern edge of the inland lake.

There are two large mountain ranges that flank the entrance to the gulf as well as a smaller mountain range behind the harbor area.  Long coastlines invite development along them as do the islands and their harbors.

The config.bmp file has a large city tile that encompasses the harbor area and then a variety of medium and small city tiles.

The Region dimensions are 769 x 513 pixels which gives a config.bmp dimension of 12 x 8 pixels.

SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper are required to correctly use this map and to render it in SimCity 4.

The Republika Tawalsu awaits your development skills to create a beautiful, working region.

________________________________
Vandy
Map This! – Cartography Services
© November, 2008

Map Information
Map Type: Fantasy
Region Map Size: 769 x 513 pixels
config.bmp size: 12 x 8 pixels

Dependencies: Either the SC4Terraformer or the SC4Mapper applications are required.

For installation instructions, please read the included ReadMe file.

When unzipping the archive, ensure you use the "Use Folder Names" option.

 

---

Region Pictures

SC4TF 2D Region View with Cities




SC4TF 3D Region View




SC4 Rendered Map in Region Census (Unmodded with Cities)




SC4 Rendered Map in Region Census (Modded with Cities)




Northwest Corner




Northeast Corner





Southwest Corner




Southeast Corner




Large Island




Two Small Islands




Harbor Area

---

Once the upload-to-the-STEX issues have been resolved, I will upload the map file to the STEX and post an update that I've done so in this thread.

I certainly hope you'll enjoy this map. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in this thread. 

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Jawzz 0]

Hallo7 I can make your map if you trust me enough. Just PM a little info and I'll do it.

[Hallo7 1]

Thank you Jawzz but I will do it by myself

[bracra1 0]

I've tried downloading Republika Tawalsu, but I don't know where to unzip SC4 Mapper. Where is the "Use Folder Names" option? I can't find it! I've tried atleast 5 times now and I have no success. How do install mapper?

[Vandy 110]

Hello, bracra1.

Originally posted by: bracra1 I've tried downloading Republika Tawalsu, but I don't know where to unzip SC4 Mapper. Where is the "Use Folder Names" option? I can't find it! I've tried atleast 5 times now and I have no success. How do install mapper?quote>

 

This is a personal preference only but I would suggest you use SC4Terraformer rather than SC4Mapper.  It is more "full featured" and allows you to do so much more with a map that SC4Mapper.  Nonetheless, I suggeest reading through the following articles in the OmniMaps - Mapping and Terraforming Information section of the Simtropolis Omnibus:

Mapping Applications and Mapping Tools

Installing a Map Created by SC4Mapper

Installing A Map Created by SC4Terraformer

As to where you should unzip the application, I would suggest reading through the following article:

Downloading, Installing and Running SC4Terraformer

Finally, whatever application you use to unzip the downloaded file, when you extract the files, make sure you select the applications option to allow the recreation of ALL SUB-FOLDERS in the archive.  This is essential in order to properly install the application.  For example:  In the WinZip application, when you click on the Extract buttin the Extract window shows a number of checkboxed in the lower center of the window.  One of these checkboxes is labeled "Use folder names".  This checkbox MUST BE CHECKED in order to correctly extract the application files.

I hope this information will be helpful to you.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services 

---

Hello, my fellow Simtropians.

Within the last couple of months, I have started to experiment with using a Terragen .TER terrain file as the file input to a World Machine .TMD file.  I then took the resultant .TMD file and saved it as a 16-bit .PNG.  The .PNG file was imported into SC4Terraformer, tweaked and then saved as a .SC4M file.

This process has opened an entire new direction for me in the area of fantasy map mapking.  The first results of this direction are presented below in my FIRST EVER map series (I won't use the term Map Pak as I believe that to be a mark of the NHP as well as currently being used by blade2k5 and papab2000.

Now then, for the first time here at Simtropolis, I would like to present to you "The Wamusco Series."

---

The Wamusco Series

What in the world is a "Wamusco"?  Well, I don't have a clue, either.  I go through quite a process when naming my maps and, to be honest with you, I was at a loss as to what to call these four maps.  Suddenly, without warning and totally out of the blue, a thought came into my head -- "Call them Wamusco."  It sounded just strange enough to work.  Consequently, the four maps I am presenting to you all have the word "Wamusco" in their titles.

I am initially present an "overview" of all four maps showing the SC4Terraformer 2D (with city boundaries) and 3D views of each of the four regions as well as the SC4-renderred view of the region.

I will wait to show the SC4-rendered modded version and any close up pictures until I actually am ready for the map serie's STEX release.  As a tribute to Heblem's excellent Mexico Terrain Mods, I have rendered each region using one of his four terrain mods as you will seen when I post the Simtropolis release of each map in the series.

Let me give you a bit of the history behind how these maps were created.  Using Terragen, v0.9.43 I created a terrain then "played" with it until I got something I liked.  I saved the .TER file for later use.  Next, using World Machine 2 Basic, I used the .TER file as an import file to create a terrain.  After "hooking up" my devices and setting the various device parameters to my liking, I saved the resulting .TMD terrain file as a 16-bit .PNG file.  I then imported the .PNG file into SC4Terrafomer and, using that excellent application (thank you, wouanagaine!), "tweaked" the terrain to ensure it looked as close to the original .TMD file as possible.  Finally, I did some flattening, smoothing and contouring to make the resulting region a bit more "playable" in SimCity 4.

All of the maps have region dimensions of 513 x 513 pixels and config.bmp dimensions of 8 x 8 pixels.  (The reasoning here is because World Machine 2 Basic only supports region sizes of up to 513 x 513 pixels.  One has to purchase the Standard or Professional version to support larger regions.)

Below are pictures of each of the four maps in the Wamusco series.

Lake Wamusco

Lake Wamusco is a detail of the large lake in the upper left-hand corner of the Wamusco National Park map.  I've edited the shoreline of the lake to make it a bit more "rugged".  The modded version of the map uses Heblem's LBT Chihuahuan Terrain Mod, normal version for its terrain covering and the standard Maxis rocks.

Here are some screen shots of the map:
==============================

SC4Terraformer 2D View with Cities




SC4Terraformer 3D View




SC4 Render Unmodded




Republic of Wamusco

The Republic of Wamusco had its origins as a Terragen .TER file (shown below).  The .TER file was used as a file input to a World Machine set of devices.  The .TMD output of the World Machine devices (shown below) was saved as a 16-bit .PNG file and used as the import file for SC4Terraformer.  Once in SC4TF, I "tweaked' the region to make it a bit more playable and completed it. The modded version of the map uses Heblem's LBT Yucatan Terrain Mod, normal version for its terrain covering and Dogfight's Dark Ingeneous rock mod from his Rock Mods by Dogfight.

Here are some screen shots of the map:
==============================

SC4Terraformer 2D View with Cities




SC4Terraformer 3D View




SC4 Render Unmodded




Wamusco National Park

The Wamusco National Park had its origins as a Terragen .TER file (shown below).  The .TER file was used as a file input to a World Machine set of devices.  The .TMD output of the World Machine devices (shown below) was saved as a 16-bit .PNG file and used as the import file for SC4Terraformer.  Once in SC4TF, I "tweaked' the region to make it a bit more playable and completed it. The modded version of the map uses Heblem's LBT Bajio Terrain Mod, normal version for its terrain covering and the Maxis standard rocks.

Here are some screen shots of the map:
==============================

SC4Terraformer 2D View with Cities




SC4Terraformer 3D View




SC4 Render Unmodded



Wamusco Volcano

The Wamusco Volcano is the result of a World Machine tutorial.  The .TMD output of the World Machine devices (shown below) was saved as a 16-bit .PNG file and used as the import file for SC4Terraformer.  Once in SC4TF, I "tweaked' the region to make it a bit more playable and completed it. The modded version of the map uses Heblem's LBT Cumbres Terrain Mod, normal version for its terrain covering and the SMP Gray Marble Rock Mod for the rocky terrain.

Here are some screen shots of the map:
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SC4Terraformer 2D View with Cities




SC4Terraformer 3D View




SC4 Render Unmodded

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I plan on having the map series "packaged" and uploaded to the STEX over the next few days.  Again, as I release a map in the series, I'll post the details here in the MTCS thread and provide the STEX download link.

I certainly hope you'll enjoy The Wamusco Series as much as I did creating them.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[patfirefghtr 160]

*opens door, sneeks in, looks around, still drools* Gary nothing but the best sir!!!

[Metropolpitan 0]

Uhh, hey. Are you still making maps for people? I think what you're doing here is great, cause I could never, ever make a map as good as those up there! If you aren't that's okay, but if you are, please get in touch with me! I need a good region.

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services 

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Hello, my fellow Simtropians.

It's been a bit quiet here at Map This! - Cartography Services lately and, yest, there has been a reason for it.

I've had quite a bit of time to think over the Holidays as to just what it is I wish to do concerning SC4 in general and mapping in particular and have come to the following conclusions:

1)  "Playing" The Game
I am not in a position to actually become "good at" playing SC4.  I just don't have the time to devote to it as I'd like.  I have tried to develop a region and create a publishable CJ but i have come to the conclusion that this will never happen for me -- at least in a form that  ** I BELIEVE ** is acceptable.  That's okay and I'm okay with it.

Consequently, I am stopping all plans and development on the City Journal I had entitled "Dreamland" and will not be going forward with developing it.

2)  Mapping as it Relates to SC4
I really enjoy the aspects of mapping as it relates to SC4 and plan on continuing in this vein for a very long time.  I enjoy helping the members of Simtropolis with their mapping questions and issues and also enjoy creating maps for members to download and develop.  THIS IS THE AREA in which I really believe I can be a value-add to Simtropolis and its membership.

Consequently, Map This! - Cartography Services will continue to create maps and will continue to take requests for maps.  I cannot guarantee that I will take on every mapping request but I can guarantee that I will consider them.

3)  New Opportunities in Mapping
When I was a young teenager in the 60s, I was very "involved" with a friend in creating hand-drawn maps and devloping them -- creating countries, cities, roads, mountains, rivers, etc., as well as managing "campaigns" , wars and pacts / treaties.  (This was well before the age of RPGs.)

During the month of December, I found a new Website -- Cartographers Guild.  I have fallen in love with this site!  It is EVERYTHING I have been looking for in the field of mapping and is a most logical extension and continuation of my teenage mapping adventures.

Consequently, I find myself drawing into the everyday life of this mapping Website and will eventually start creating similar style maps as what I've already seen on the site.  I have already started my own SC4-related mapping thread on the site and will use it to showcase my SC4-related maps.

Through my "Map This! - Cartography Services" thread, i plan on contiuning my service to members by creating fantasy maps as well as plan on continuing to make SC4-related maps.  Further, I plan on using this thread to showcase the new style of maps I'll be creating.  For the most part, they will not be SC4-related, however; I am working on a way to create a SC4-related map and use it as the basis to create a RPG-related map.

In closing, I will continue to moderate the Mapping Community Board Room as well as continue to author and consider articles for the OmniMaps section of the Simtropolis Omnibus.  As stated earlier, I will continue to create SC4-related maps as we as use this thread to showcase the new styles of maps I will be creating.

Finally, even though I create maps for my own pleasure, there is that part of me that is just vain enough to hope that you enjoy them as well.  Please feel free to comment on my maps, make your requests and help keep Map This! - Cartography Services alive and going strong!

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Meg 368]

Sounds good, Gary. I know that maps are one area of the game where I, for one, have no talent. I'm sure that people here will enjoy your mapping efforts. We appreciate your expertise and your willingness to share it with this community.

[un1 41]

I hope you come back to mapping soon because, your maps are really great!

I also can't wait for your CJ if you are still going to do it, Vandy.

-un1

[Vandy 110]

Hello, All.

PERSONAL REPLIES

patfirefghtrf -- Hey, Pat!  Drool all you want, my friend.  The Wamusco Series is now available on the STEX,

Metropolitan -- Hello, and welcome to Map This!  Yes, I am still making maps for people but before I can commit to a new project, I'll need much more information and details.  Please either PM me or post in the thread as to what you're looking for in a map.  Thanks for the request!

Skigeek -- Thanks!  I really appreciate your support as well as your very nice comments.  I do enjoy mapping and helping our members and look forward to a long and rewarding time in doing it.

un1 -- Ah, c'mon now.  Yer making me blush!!    Thanks for your very nice comment.  I most certainly do plan on continuing to make SC4-related maps.  As a matter of fact, I just uploaded The Wamusco Series of maps and I've got another one completed and just about ready to upload.  As to my pending CJ, that isn't going to happen for the reasons I posted earlier.  Thanks for your visit and your post and all the best to NNM!

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   Map This! - Cartography Services 

 

Hello, All.

Map This! - Cartography Services is proud to announce that The Wamucso Series of maps is now available on the STEX.  Here are the links for the maps:

Lake Wamusco

Republic of Wamusco

Wamusco National Park

Wamusco Volcano

For further information and pictures, please read my previous post introducing The Wamusco Series of maps.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please post in this thread.

Thanks to all who have visitied Map This! - Cartography Services and a special thanks to those of you who actively support my service by posting and / or downloading and using my maps.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)