In order to ease map creation, we recommend the use of Tiled, with our data set (which is composed of a map model and a set of tilesets, see below).



Current Data Set: BlankMapModel_v0.0.zip



A map model is associated to a set of tilesets (of the same version, in case we have to add new tile types later).

• .tmx file is in text format an can be edited with a text editor like notepad++.
• Tilesets are .png files.
  
  

Extract the files from the archive.

.tmx file and tilesets have to be in the same repertory to be opened in Tiled (but you can change the path by editing the .tmx file in a text editor).



A map is defined by several layers (Terrains, Regions, Elevations, Rivers, PointsOfInterest, Spawns), each one related to the tileset of the same name.





Elements (= tiles) of a same tileset cannot be superimposed on a layer of the same name.

More info on a selected tile are displayed in the Custom Properties of the Properties window of Tiled.





Creating a map mod requires the following files:

• one .tmx file
• one WorldGeneratorScenarioDefinition, with a link to the .tmx file path.
  
  

The map mod will add a new world generator preset.





If you have enabled the "--enablemoddingtools" option, you will have a list of warnings and errors (if any) at the start of a new game. An error will block the generation of the world.



List with fidsi output of the different terrains:

MapEditor_ AssetsList.xlsx



List of errors:

• The Layer $MissingLayer is missing.
• The Tileset $MissingTileset is missing.
• The "Stagger Axis" map property of the .tmx file is set to "X" and can create an offset introducing errors.
• The "Stagger Index" map property of the .tmx file is set to "odd" and can create an offset introducing errors.
• The map doesn't respect the minimum quantity of Strategic Deposits per region.
• The chosen size map doesn't match the world generation constraints.
• You cannot enable the Map Wrap option if the map has an odd number of columns.
• The map property is not set to "hexagonal".
• Error when retrieving the map. This can be caused by a wrong file naming or a wrong path in the Scenario data.
• A region cannot be included in another one.
• No solution with the defined spawn tiles can be found.
• The name "$RegionName" is used by several regions.
• ($Coordinate) - Ocean terrain tiles cannot be mixed with other terrain tiles within a same region.
• ($Coordinate) - The end of a river has to be adjacent to an ocean or lake tile.
• ($Coordinate) - The tile doesn't have the property $MissingProperty.
• ($Coordinate) - The tile in the Layer "$LayerName" has no information.
• ($Coordinate) - The elevation of a ground tile cannot be negative.
• ($Coordinate) - A river tile cannot be oriented towards a higher elevation tile.
• ($Coordinate) - A river tile cannot be placed on an Ocean, Lake or Map Edge terrain tile.
• ($Coordinate) - A spawn tile cannot be placed on an Ocean, Lake or Map Edge terrain tile.
• ($Coordinate) - A point of interest tile cannot be placed on an Ocean, Lake or Map Edge terrain tile.
• ($Coordinate) - A Ridge point of interest tile cannot be placed on a river tile.
  
  

Tips:

• Make your first try on a small-sized map, in order to apprehend all of the difficulties.
• Verify you are working with the right tileset on the right layer.
• Don't forget the north and south map edges.
  
  

Click on any image to enlarge.



1. Download Tiled at http://www.mapeditor.org/



2. Download the current Data Set (see /#/endless-legend/forum/15-modding/thread/5782-map-creation-tutorial) and extract the files.



3. Open the BlankMapModel_v0.0.tmx file with Tiled.



4. You can resize the map (Map/Resize Map) if you want, but for a first try, we strongly advise you to keep the current size (20x20).



5. Untick all layers boxes except the "Terrains" one. Select the "Terrains" layer in the top right corner of Tiled.





6. Select the tile #55 of the "Terrains" tileset which correspond to the "Prairie" terrain of Endless Legend. The correspondance between terrains and tiles is available here: MapEditor_ AssetsList.xlsx





7. Select the "Stamp Brush" tool (in the tools bar).



8. Draw your terrain.



9. Repeat the steps 7-9 for the "Ocean" terrain (tile #4). You can use the "Bucket Fill" tool too (in the tools bar).





10. Set the "Opacity" of the "Terrains" layer to 50%. This way, you will be able to see the terrain configuration for the next steps.





11. Tick the "Regions" layer box.



12. Select the "Regions" layer.



13. Select one of the numbered tile of the "Regions" tileset.





14. Draw your first region. Don't forget to switch to the "Stamp Brush" tool if you have used the "Bucket Fill" tool. Warning: regions cannot have ground and oceanic terrains mixed.



15. Repeat the steps 15-16 for other regions. Oceans must have a region number. The map must have north and south regions to its edges.





16. Untick the "Regions" layer box, tick the "Elevations" layer box.



17. Select the "Elevations" layer.



18. Select one of "Elevations" tile of the "Elevations" tileset. Ground terrains must have an elevation of 0+, oceanic terrains must have a negative elevation.





19. Untick the "Elevations" layer box, tick the "Spawns" and "Regions" layer boxes.



20. Select the "Spawns" layer.





21. Place the starting positions of the Empire by using the 8 first tiles of the "Spawns" tileset. Warning: faction-based tiles don't work for now. You can verify the placement by displaying the "Spawns" layer only.





22. Save as "MapCreationTutorial.tmx".



23. Replace the "MapCreationTutorial.tmx" file of this mod template: MapCreationTutorialMod.zip (you will have to extract the files from the archive) by your own .tmx file.



24. Copy all of the files of the mod in the "Community" folder of "Endless Legend" (see the mods intruction here: /#/endless-legend/forum/15-modding/thread/5777-tutorials-for-modding-endless-legend)



25. Launch Endless Legend, enable the MapCreationTutorial mod,





26. Go to the New Game screen, select the "MapCreationtutorial" in the droplist of the Generation Presets.





27. Launch the game.





28. Create a new map, larger, with rivers, points of interest, ... and share it with the community!

Thanks to Boomboy here are some more info if you want to add the anomalies to your map.



"An Anomaly Key which can be used to distinguish anomaly numbers with their corresponding anomalies during map creation."

http://bit.ly/1LKxu9D



Please note that the anomalies are to be placed on the layer "Point of Interest" (like the ruins, villages and watchtower foundations).