[Tutorial] Comprehensive Map Modding

Map Modding Tutorial
BY: red cloud @ Winz00e
NOTE: This is for public released. Redistribution on this tutorial is allowed, as long as credit is given to the author (me).
Software that u need:
- Any Hex Editor program (for light n bgm settings)
- Deep Exploration (as usual for 3d editing)
- Any image editor program (for light setting reference)
- Any images for custom textures

Grid references for the map
Here’s the grid guideline’s:
Important Grid for Map Modding:

1.In:
map00
map00hit
map00_2 (if u want ceiling on the map)
map00_2hit (if u want ceiling on the map)
map01
map01hit
mapParts00 (if u want wall on the map)

2.city, city2, city_tac
mapChip03
mapChip03hit
mapChip04
mapChip04hit
mapChip05
mapChip06
Sea
Mountain
mapParts00
mapParts01
mapParts02

3.city3:
map00
map00hit
map01
map01hit
Mountain

4.city4:
map00
map00_
map00_2
map00hit
map01
map01hit
map02
map02hit
map03
map03hit
map15
map15hit

5.city5:
map00
map00hit
map00obj
map01
map01hit
map02
map02hit

6.Moon map grid position:
m_z 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
_x 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
_x 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01
_x 02 02 02 02 02 02 02 02 02 02
_x 03 03 03 03 03 03 03 03 03 03
_x 04 04 04 04 04 04 04 04 04
_x 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05
_x 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 06
_x 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07
_x 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08
_x 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09

7.Skyland map grid position:
m_z 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
_x 00 00 00
_x 01 01 01 01
_x 02 02 02 02 02 02 02 02
_x 03 03 03 03 03 03 03
_x 04 04 04 04 04 04 04 04
_x 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 05
_x 06 06 06 06 06 06
_x 07 07 07 07 07
_x 08

Note 1: I still cannot find out the important grid for In2 map. If anyone knows, then please share to all of us.
Note 2:
1. For any grid that has ‘hit’ on the back, the ‘hit’ must be the same as the file;
e.g map00 = map00hit

2. For moon and skyland map:
Blue – grid where ally landed
Red – grid where enemy landed
Code: m_z0?_x0?

3. For city, city2, city3, city4, city5 & city_tac:
- Buildings will be represented by bill and buildingHigh on the front
- Water will be represented by sea.x
- Tree will be represented by tree.x
- Flyover will be represented by HiRoad.x & HiRoadWall.x for its pillars
- Bridge will be represented by Road.x
- fence.x & gaitou.x for the fences & walls around the building

4. Hit.x is the border for all maps where it set the limit for mechs to move. Remove the Hit.x will make the maps without any borders.

5. For sky background:
- Only moon map uses galaxy.x, the rest uses sky.x
- In & In2 map do not require galaxy.x & sky.x for the maps

6. map.mpd file MUST BE INCLUDED in all maps because it carries the data that relates to the map items. If u do not put this file, the game will CRASHED.

7. U can always find the grid or items that needed in the map.mpd file

For the beginners, I suggested that make In map, coz the grid is very simple and easy to understand. Then, u can proceed with any maps.

How to make custom lighting??????
1. Open map.mpd (from any map) file using hex editor program(I use Hex Workshop n map.mpd from moon map)

2. Find this code in map.mpd

Note:
The code that u need to adjust its light settings will be the LightColor n FogColor (line 1) only. FogColor (line 2) can only be edited in the city, city2, city3, city_tac & skyland only. In & In2 only need to edit LightColor.
This is because I still do not have any ideas on customize the whole map.mpd file things. Just like in some maps produced by 3DGUNDAM in SEEDMOD (for light custom and BGMs). If anyone knows about it, then please share to us.

3. Refer to any image editor software to find the best light scheme for light settings (I use Adobe Photoshop)


For this tutorial, I want to have a volcanic effect. So, I use (255,000,000) to make this effect.

4. Change the light settings based on the light scheme that u want to use

Note: after changing the light scheme on LightColor, do the same thing also in the FogColor(line 1). U should make changes just like this in the value:
LightColor(255,000,000)
FogColor(255,000,000)
However, don’t change FogColor(line 2) – FogColor (0,0,0). Maintain its value5. Then, save the changes (if it says “save map.BAK file”, just save it it doesn’t give any effect on the map.mpd)

6. Copy the map.mpd that u just edited in the map directory (e.g moon)

7. Open the game, test the map. U will have the effect like this in the game:

Note: u need to change the texture of the map that fit with the light settings, so that u have to get something like this:


8. Done...............
Note: These are some examples of the light settings that I made:
- Deep water effect (use map.mpd from Moon map):

- Darker effect (I use map.mpd from City3 map):

Note: for darker effect u can always change the value into 0 (000,000,000)

More info: http://www.amecha.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=5bc79a3c1c4eee325978d5e919de44e2&topic=2190.0 (posted by lightningdragon96 from amecha)

How to make default BGM custom settings?????
1. Select any BGM that u like (for this tutorial, I use Speed and Tension bgm from Gundam Musou n map.mpd from moon map)
Then, the convert the BGM into .ogg, and paste it on the sound directory.
After that rename the BGM according to default BGM’s no of letters:
E.g. I use speed and tension BGM, to match with moon map default BGM (Light Breeze) no of letters, I have to rename according to the no of letters of “Light Breeze”. Spacing also counted in no of letters (e.g for Light Breeze, it has 12 letters including spacing). So, I have to rename my BGM to “speedtension”, just like this:
speedtension
Light Breeze
BGM in sound directory:


2. Go to Hex Editor program (I use Hex Workshop) n find this code:


3. Rename the name in the code to “speedtension”


4. Save the changes of the code, and test the map and use default BGM when choosing the BGM in Survival, Practice or Team Battle mode, play Arcade mode. There should be the BGM that u set up for the map used as the default BGM.

5. Done................

Add Texture on the map
How to change the texture on the grounds, buildings, water or sky background?
(I will use the In map)
1. Open Deep Exploration

2. Choose any texture that u want to be in the map:


3. Drag into the grid:


4. Then save in ur directory. Done................

5. Make the same changes to the other grids by using any texture that u want, then it will something like this:


That’s all I know about the map modding. If anything that u want to add, then please share to us for improving this tutorial. Thank you and have fun trying in map modding