AAS:MapMaking

From Special Boat Service

How to make your own Advance and Secure map in three easy steps! This is all you have to do.

Step One : Make a new map from the template

• Unzip the template map "aas32TemplateMapV0p2.zip" into your map editor folder
• Make a fresh copy of the template map folder and rename it to your map name e.g. "aas32MyMapName"
• Open the "mapname.hpp" file and change the MAP_DESCRIPTION string to contain your map name

// File Description
// Name           : mapname.hpp
// Called by      : Arma preprocessor during code compilation
// Referenced by  : description.ext
// Client/Server  : client and server side script
// Function area  : declaration of constants for code
//
// Description
// This file contains the map-specific defines which change
// from map to map. It is separated out from description.ext
// so that changes can be made to the overall description.ext
// and copied into other folders in the map pack without having
// to re-edit them afterwards to cover all the maps

#define MAP_DESCRIPTION "AAS - Monte Yorito Redux V0.2"

• Open the "mission.sqm" file and search for the string "briefingName". Edit the briefing name to contain your map name. This one is the most important -- it governs what name your map will have on the list of maps on the ArmA server. To follow the convention, make sure the briefing name starts with "aas32". You can also put a short one line description in "briefingDescription".

	class Intel
	{
		briefingName="aas32 Monte Yorito Redux V0.2";
		briefingDescription="Mixed rural/town AAS map near the Monte Yorito";
		startWeather=0.100000;
		forecastWeather=0.300000;
		year=2007;
		month=6;
		day=7;
		hour=8;
	};

• Save all your changes to the above files, then load the map into the Armed Assault map editor

Step Two : Position your Objectives and Spawns

• In the editor you will see a row of eight flags and accompanying armouries laid out along the length of the runway at the Airport north of Paraiso. The flags are as follows:

• • flag_west
  • flag_alpha
  • flag_bravo
  • flag_charlie
  • flag_delta
  • flag_echo
  • flag_foxtrot
  • flag_east

• Drag each pair of flag and armoury to the location where you would like that spawn to be.
• Create and drop down any extra objects you would like to add defensive positions and cover to the zones (for example you can make bunkers and camo nets)
• Place some vehicles the spawn points if you wish. The template map contains some jeeps which you can drag and drop, or duplicate. In order to ensure each vehicle respawns, make sure the 'init' line for the vechile reads nil = execVM[bla bla bla]
• Hit F6 to go to marker view, and position each pair of markers over the top of the flags. One marker is a green circle representing the zone, and the other is a black flag with the name of the zone. They are named as follows:

• • respawn_west
  • zone_alpha / mA
  • zone_bravo / mB
  • zone_charlie / mC
  • zone_delta / mD
  • zone_echo / mE
  • zone_foxtrot / mF
  • respawn_east

Step Three : Preview, Package and Release

• You can now try the map out in preview mode.
• Save the map, and then save again selecting the "Export to MP Missions" option
• The map file should now be present in the MPMissions folder under your main arma folder, and you can host it from your own PC, or your can upload it to a dedicated server.

All done!