Mapping and Modding

[[JiF]zougathefist]

In case anyone out there was wondering about map making or modding existing maps
I thought I would share this

I use BattleCraft42 to make maps but there are also one or two other tools out there like Editor42.
BC v2.1 is the easiest to use, but it is not actually that easy to use (if that makes sense)
Unfortunately BC42 will not work on most Laptops that have Integrated Intel Chipsets as opposed to seperate Graphics cards, this is because Intel Chipsets don't support OpenGL, which you need to make BC work. If you have these then you will need to go for Editor42.

Whenever I have encountered a problem or needed to ask a question this is where I managed to get most of my information , along with reading and re-reading the tutorials that come with BC42

http://forumplanet.gamespy.com/planetbattlefield/

you want the section at the bottom
Chances are most of your questions will be answered by Dweller_Benthos he seems to know everything about BC42 and coding for BF42
I would suggest that you read through the previous pages of questions and comments because most if not all questions have been asked at least once. Some of them are repeated5/6 times.
Unfortunately there is no search function, but put in the effort and you will learn a lot.
When I found something of interest I saved it to a Notepad file and filed it in a BF folder for reference. Hate having to go searching for stuff I have seen before.

editing existing BF42 levels is not always a simple simple process, you cannot just open them in BC42, there are other steps that you must take first to stop the kind of problems that crop up most often.
for some mods to existing levels, you do not need BC42, you can unpack the files with WinRFA (or similar) and adjust the code manually. This is useful for changing weapons, vehicles and properties of objects.
BC is best for creating new levels, I find that it works fine on Vista Home Basic 32bit. the biggest issues i have with it are graphics related (OpenGL, Z-Depth Buffering etc...)


Here are some more links to useful places for info:

General editing

http://www.flashbots.co.uk/madbull/ (Not sure about this - Cannot visit it from work comp)http://forums.filefront.com/battlefield-1942-889/
http://www.battlefieldsingleplayer.com/
http://serversidemodding.com/ - link moved - site back up soon

MOD Development

http://mdt.planetbattlefield.gamespy.com/index.shtm - please note this link is dead but can be accessed via an internet archive site (see the PBF forums for more details)
Singleplayer

http://www.cajunwolf.com/
(some very useful tutorials here, along with d/l links to MDT, BC42, ED42 and Botinator amongst others)

to do any kind of work you will need a RFA unpacking tool like WinRFA, this is available for download at KittensPalace http://kittenspalace.org/login.php?sid= ... 93e0e56f18 you might have to join (can't remember) but they have good forums where you can ask questions too.

This is a list of websites associated with BF mods, many of them are dead but some of the links are active and you may get more info there

http://topsites.moddb.com/all/?game=41

if you cannot find help or need something get in touch and I'll try to help.

Laters
ZtF

[[JiF]KellysHero]

Thanks for the writeup!

What about making little changes in regular BF maps? I know on one server I played, they added AA at the mains for Kharkov. Wouldn't be a bad idea for Kursk as well. I was able to play and not have to download any special map packs. If it is relatively easy to do, might want to consider them for our server.

[[JiF]corn]

Good Idea Kelly!

Maybe add a jeep on each side for Berlin CTF

[[JiF]zougathefist]

If i remember rightly, Grimp modded out the tanks for CTF on our server, it is a simple thing to switch the vehicle spawns

If you want any specific changes to maps, list them here, and I'll chsnge them where possible

Kelly what you are talking about is server side mod, I haven't done this but it ought to be a similar process for a standard mod.
I think I would have to make the changes and then one of the Uber admins would have to load it onto the server.
then the PCs of anyone who joins will download the info from the server.

anyway

1. add Flak/AA to Mains at Kursk for CTF

[[JiF]FrenchAfroman]

maybe one aa on each airfield in el alamein that should make those pilots think twice before spawn raping the field

[[JiF]zougathefist]

maybe one aa on each airfield in el alamein that should make those pilots think twice before spawn raping the field

There are 2 sets of AA at each base in El Alemein plus 3 more at the other flags
there are also the MGs on top of the tanks
add that to 3 fighters at each AF
and there is enough firepower to clear the skies above your base, the main problem is that everyone stands out in the open by the hangers waiting for planesI racked up 24 sniper kills on one round by hiding in the allies base and killing players who seemed to be queuing up for my bullets. I even went into the base and reloaded witout seeing an enemy near the tanks
if you get 2 MGs and flak/AA working to cover a base then you can provide enough cover to get your team moving.

teamwork is the key, but everybody wants to be a pilot

[[JiF]FrenchAfroman]

i always use the aa or get a tank close to the airfield and use the machine gun the idea with the aa was just so that i wouldnt have to move my lazy butt to the original AA