Thinking of making a map and...

[Zak]

Yes, I think it's the first time I've posted here o.0

Anyway... Yeah, so I'm thinking of making a map. I have no idea how, other then you can do it in a simple text editor, but that would be inconvenient imo. So, are there any programs that I would be able to download? Note - I'm using Ubuntu, a kind of linux... Thank you in advanced =]

Edit:

Darn it... I posted this in the wrong forum... Could someone please move it for me?

[dango]

For linux there is BZFed, kind of like bzedit, and there is a blender plugin for bzflag maps that Teppic made. There is also modeltool, which converts .obj files into bzflag meshes. Also, if you can get it to compile, there is BZWorkbench.

The source code for BZFed is here:
Blender is here:
And the blender plugin is here:
Modeltool is here:, and in the BZFlag svn repository.
BZWorkbench is in the BZFlag svn repository.

[z[h]ero]

So, are there any programs that I would be able to download? I'm using Ubuntu

The wiki page describes cursorily the pro and cons of "Dedicated Map editors" and "modelers". And tells whether the mentioned programs are for Linux:
http://my.bzflag.org/w/Category:Map_Making

Additionally i would like to mention another and not at all widely known Linux GUI map editor: BZE
http://www.icosaedro.it/bze/index.html
But i can't tell how good it is compared to other linux map editors, as i never used it.

[Triumph of the Soul]

Whether you like it or not, understanding the .bzw code and the process of hand coding in a text editor is an essential part of map making. Even with 3D modelers, you will usually have to hand code in any physics or textures you want afterwards. Also, hand coding is a good way to keep up to speed on your awareness of geometry and space in other applications as well as in your map, which is especially useful when trying position duplicate objects in groups.

So, even if you are determined to avoid text editing, I would suggest studying some of the basic aspects of .bzw, just as a side project. From what I can tell at the website for BZWorkbench, you will be able to view relavent code for any given object in a special dialogue box. I think you would have to compile BZWorkbench to use this though. The wiki's Map Making catagory gives examples of code for just about every object in .bzw, and the Map Development Group has alot of helpful sections on their website. I suppose I wasn't much help where it comes to Linux editors, but I hope you keep this in mind, and whatever you do, good luck.

[Zak]

Thanks guys =]

I think I'm just going to try and use the text editor to map the, well, map. There is one problem though... Is there like a tutorial for learning the BZW language? And also, how would I test (or just see) my maps while they are in the making?

[clarahobbs]

Since you're on Linux, there is a nice man page on BZW code if you just type in a terminal:

Code: Select all

man bzw

There is a tutorial on the wiki, it can be found here.

[z[h]ero]

how would I test (or just see) my maps while they are in the making?

Yes, real testing (via BzFlag client) while creating the map is a good choice. Just looking at the map with a program as alternative for real testing isn't sufficient, generally.

The search box of this forum is your friend
Check out for example what the words "test" + "server" result in after searching 1 minute:
http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t ... est+server
http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t ... est+server
(And not to speak what other intuitional word combinations like "test" + "server" or "map" + "testing" would afford. Sure, the words "starting" + "server" should have even better results, but arn't intuitional for beginners)

For real testing of your map you need either start a local server or a public server in your case. Some links:
http://my.bzflag.org/w/Creating_A_Server
http://my.bzflag.org/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2915&start=0
But be prepared, starting a server for the first time can be really some work.