Map This! - Cartography Services

[Vandy 110]

BRIEF MAPPING AND OTHER INFO UPDATE

Hello, All.

GENERAL INFO

Map This! - Cartography Services is still most definitely in the mapping business.  I've been very busy over the holidays taking it easy while being on vacation and spending time with my wife, son, and grandson.  Consequently, not much has been accomplished in the mapping arena.

Also, over Christmas, my wife and I decided it was time to get a new computer so that I could give hers back to her to use (and "kick" me off it!).  So, here is what I purchased:

Dell Studio XPS system, particulars as follows:

Intel Core i7-920 Processor (8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz)

Windows Vista Home Preimium Edition SP1, 64-bit

Dell 24 inch flat panel monitor

DVD-RW drive

DVD drive

8GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz

750GB SATA hard drive at 7200RMP, 3.0Gb/s, 16MB cache

ATI Radeon HD 4850 video card with 512MB

Integrated 7.1 Channel audio

Hauppauge HVR-1250 hybrid TV tuner with remote control

Dell USB multimedia keyboard

Dell premium laser mouse

Dell All-In-One 948 inkjet printer

I gotta say, I'm loving it!

MAPPING INFO

I will still be posting my Dreamland map in the very near future.  That will be my next scheduled map release.

Next, I am working on my first map release at Cartographers' Guild.  It will be a map of a fictional midieval city named Kimarnock's Ruhba (or, Headland).  I initially created a .SC4M file that I exported to a 16-bit .PNG file to use as the height map for the map.  However, I had difficulty in getting it to a "useable" state.  Consequently, I abandoned the idea of using the PNG and handmade the map following a tutorial.

As I do have the .SC4M file for the map, I will be completing it and releasing it as a SimCity 4 regional map.

As soon as I am able (read -- have my computer reloaded with all my software), I will post pictures of both versions of Klimarnock's Ruhba.

Meanwhile, if you are interrested, you can visit my Introducing Klimarnock's Ruhba - Vandy's first CG Map thread at Cartographer's Guild and get a "sneek preview" of my newest map.

Thanks again to all who have either visited or posted in Map This! - Cartography Services.  I do appreciate your views and posts!

Have a great day.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Folks.

Just a brief update for you on where I stand mapping with SC4Terraformer on my new computer.

Currently, I am unable to use SC4Terraformer on my new computer.  I am getting a message that DirectX is in use by another application.

I'm researching the problem to see if I can find a solution or, to find out that I will be one of the unfortunate ones who can't use SC4Terraformer on a Vista machine.

I do have an older Dell laptop running WindowsXP professional that I can use but -- BOY!! -- is it going to be slow.

I'll keep y'all informed of any progress I make.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Folks.

After quite a long hiatus, I've finally been able to return to Simtropolis and become (somewhat) active again.  At least as active as life and work will allow.

I wanted to let y'all know that I believe I've finally been able to straighten out my problems with running SC4Terrafofrmer on my MS Vista, 64-bit system.  For now, anyway, it seems to be working fine.  That means I should be able to re-engage my map-making and get Map This! - Cartography Service active once again.

I haven't tired to install SC4 on my computer yet.  Does anyone know if there are any issues with installing SC4 on a MS Vista, 64-bit system?

Take good care, all, and I look forward to chatting with you again.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[tungston 19]

I installed it on Vista 32, and Windows 7 64 bit, so I see no reason why it won't work on Vista 64 bit.

[Vandy 110]

Hey, All.

Just stopping by to post a quick note.

I've been able to get both SC4Terraformer AND SimCity 4 BOTH working on my MS Vista, 64 bit machine!!  WHOO-HOO!

I've finished a map I was working on over a year ago and am in the process of using SC4Terraformer to rework some of my old maps made with Landscape Designer.  I'll start posting them real soon.

Of course, I'll post here first in order to preview the maps and tease y'all a bit... 

Regards,

Vandy (Gary)

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services

Hello, Everyone!

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

Dreamland is a small region but one that offers many opportunities for development. Three islands lie offshore from the wide mouth of a river which flows the length of Dreamland. The river eventually branches into two more rivers. A very large lake offers development opportunities around its shores. Two mountain ranges guard the river as it flows through Dreamland and offer an excellent place to build and maintain military bases. An ancient volcano sits in the middle of one mountain range. There are plenty of fertile lowlands on which development can take place as well as semi-level terrain in the mountains for a mountainous town, village or retreat to be developed.

Are you ready to develop your Dreamland?

[sTORYLINE]

It all began at the monthly Divine Council of the Gods meeting. The five permanent members of the council were in attendance -- Dionysus, Thanatos, Nemesis, Eros and Helios -- along with their various and many servants and stewards. Zeus, as the sovereign head of Olympus, presided over the meeting as usual. The same boring agenda was presented and produced the same boring results. Sensing that something had to be done to "liven up" the meeting and to cause an upswing in the participants spirits, Zeus spoke.

"Dionysus, is that failed project of yours still in orbit in the Delta Three sector of the universe?"

Warily Dionysus responded, "Yes. Why?"

Zeus answered, "I think I shall reopen it as a project for the Council. It will be good for all of us to work together again to create something worthy of our knowledge and talents."

An appreciative and affirmative rumble passed through the meeting as the members discussed Zeus' suggestion and its various ramifications.

"HARUMFGH!!" Zeus cleared his throat and the room grew quiet.

"I sense that we have come to a conclusion concerning my suggestion?" He asked.

The members of the Council offered a variety of affirmative replies to Zeus' suggestion of reopening Dionysus' project.

Good! Then we are in agreement! He said clapping his hands together. "Dionysus, call up your project so we can all see how it looks!"

Dionysus walked into the center of the room and called up the God's Eye -- an optical portal through which the gods could view any part of the Universe they desired. After a few moments of shifting frequencies and celestial tuning, a small asteroid-like mass appeared in the center of the eye. This was Terrae Somnium -- Dionysus' failed Land of Dreams or, Dreamland.

Dionysus offered to the group, "It doesn't look like much, does it?

A quiet murmur echoed through the room.

Zeus said, "It may not look like much now, however; I am confident that we, as a group working together, can turn this useless lump of rock into a land of beauty. Yes, a land truly worthy of conjuring up dreams beyond imagine!"

With a wave of his hand, Zeus dismissed the Council and they filed out. As the last council member left, Zeus was still deep in thought over the terraforming task ahead of him and, much like a diamond cutter, was deep in thought as he studied the small asteroid looking for that one best place on which he could start terraforming it into the beautiful region, Terrae Somnium – his Dreamland.

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 [MAP INFORMATION]
Type: Fantasy
Region Size:  321 x 257 pixels
config.bmp Size:  5 x 5 pixels

[DEPNDENCIES]
SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper

[MAP IMAGES]
Original Region Drawing
As you can see, I changed the config.bmp city definitions in the final map.




Region Picture - SC4 Unmodded




Region Picture - SC4 Modded




Northwest Corner looking North




Northwest Corner looking South

Northeast Corner looking North




Northeast Corner looking South




East Central looking North



East Central looking South



West Central looking North




West Central looking South




Southwest Corner looking North




Sothwest Corner looking South




Southeast Corner looking North




Southeast Coner looking South



 

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 I expect to have the map up on the STEX shortly.

Enjoy.

Regards,

Vandy

---

[Vandy 110]

   Map This!- Cartography Services

Hello, Everyone!

I've been reworking on some of my older maps (created with Landscape Designer and edited with PaintShopPro) by using SC4Terraformer to create a bit more iof a "city-friendly" environment for region developers.  I do not plan on reworking all of them but I do have a series that I'll be reworking.

Map This! - Cartography Services is pleased to announce the availability of its first reworked map, Vicki's Sound.

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After the last ice age, the retreating glaciers scoured out a very large bay which quickly filled with water melting from the glaciers and mixed with water from the surrounding sea.  Over time, the bay and surrounding areas settled into the familiar landscape known today.  Vicki's Sound, as it is now known, has very deep and chilly waters which are frequently visited by whales returning to breed and rest during their migratory journey.

The Oringal Version of this map was made using Landscape Designer and then heavily modified using PaintShop Pro, v9.1x.  Version 2 builds upon the original version by using SC4 Terraformer to modify the landscape so that it is more “playable”.

There is ample opportunity to develop both the upper bay and all around the sound as well as an interesting opportunity to tie the lake into the bay by cutting a canal across the small isthmus separating the two.

As you travel inward from the sound above the first range of hill/mountains, you will find several valleys well suited for development into villages, towns and -- who knows? -- even cities.

There should be little need for terraforming other than personal preferences or personal changes to the landscape itself.

[MAP INFORMATION]

Type:                     Fantasy

Region Size:         513 x 513 pixels

config.bmp Size:  8 x 8x Pixels

[Dependencies]

SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper to render the map

[Map Images]

SC4 Remder - Unmodded

SC4 Render - Modded

SC4Terrformer 3D View with Cities

SC4Terraformer 2D View with Cities

Northwest Corner South Looking North

North Central South Looking North

Northeast Corner  South Looking North

West Central South Looking North - Mouth of Sound

Central South Looking North - Body of Sound

East Central South Looking North

Southwest Corner South Looking North

South Central South Looking North

Southeast Corner South Looking North

Vicki's Sound Large City Tile

 

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Enjoy developing the map.

Regards,

Vandy (Gary)

[Vandy 110]

Hello, All.

Just a quick note to let you know that Map This! - Cartography Services is getting ready to "crank" back up and start producing more fantasy maps.

I am not taking requests at this time as my available time is still limited and wish to devote what I have to creating new maps for you and the STEX.

Stay tuned to this thread for more details and for "sneek peeks" at my new maps.

Regards,

Vandy

[jerrylee22 0]

Hello! I question whether you are still active or not [and shall assume you have retired] -- yet, I hope to ask; what Module did you have installed to obtain the "Modded" textures [that you share along with the "Unmodded" version of the picture]?

 

This question being on the chance that you still "exist" [in terms of this website]...

 

I find these textures to be more appealing than the alternative [default]...

Well, anyways -- you seem to [have made] very good maps, and [if you have read] I applaud you for that!