[Map] Operation Sandpiper (4km) [WIP]

[Amok@ndy]

all objects you unzip need to be in /pr_edit/objects/

[Killer2354]

-bump-
Alright, I've decided to get my gear going and to continue to work on this map. Exams this week is boring, but I at least get home around 1:30 (school ends at 1). I haven't done much with this map yet, partly because I was too lazy to get back into editor. Anyway, I'm going to go and place some parts of the map where I want it and then make the terrain around the areas (as not to conflict with anything static wise). Anyway I'll upload some eye candy when I get around it it.

[J.F.Leusch69]

you will always get a more realistic look if you do the terrain first and than place statics

[Killer2354]

you will always get a more realistic look if you do the terrain first and than place statics

I'll take note of that.

[Killer2354]

*bump*
sorry for the really long session of no updates. had stuff that I had to do, and I wouldn't get around to work on this, and the times that I did, I had to stop before I made much progress. Anyway, I have an update on the terrain. I'm testing out a good way to make kind of ridges that looks like it could have formed from a dust storm (though truth to be told, it doesn't look like that ridge looks right). I uploaded a pic for you guys to decide (it's in grid mode)

WARNING: I didn't bother resizing this, so only click the link to your discretion.
Picture of map in grid mode, trying to create a ridge out of rolling hills.

[AFsoccer]

The dunes in the middle look pretty good. Nice job!
The ones on the far left though don't look natural. I'm guessing those haven't been smoothed yet?

[Killer2354]

The dunes in the middle look pretty good. Nice job!
The ones on the far left though don't look natural. I'm guessing those haven't been smoothed yet?

ya, I made tuns of progress after the pic was taken. I even made a small "canal" across part of the map that had part of it filled with sand. The canal was made before the MEC took over the area, and haven't had time to destroy it before the USA attacked... (the canal will have some... interesting... situations )
*edit*
anyway, more updates on the terrain. the "canal" that I planned on making, turned into some interesting areas if you drive like a maniac. Anyway, more pictures!
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6320/map5pq.png
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6820/map6z.png
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6754/map7r.png

I do realize some parts need more work than others.

Sorry for the direct links, I don't want to really re-size right now, or go through the trouble of making them thumbnails. This does mean that the pictures are at my native resolution (1600x 900) but are less than 1mb each.

[Killer2354]

grr I'm stuck in a dilemma. I'm not sure if I want to do my terrain and smoothen at the same time or do all basic looks of the terrain, fine tune, then smoothen it. The smoothening process is painstakingly slow right now, but with the results I'm getting for going back 3-4 times looks realistic (more so than the pictures above). What do you guys suggest for making the terrain?

[sylent/shooter]

I usually fine tune the terrain first. This way placement of buildings looks way more realistic. Don't forget you can always change it later.

[Killer2354]

oh I know. I planned to complete the terrain before the buildings but I'm trying to see if I want the terrain done then fine tune or fine tune as I go along. I think I'm going to fine tune as I go along so I don't miss anything.

[AFsoccer]

As a mapper, you just need to find out what works best for you. Some mappers will do all terrain and then statics, but I don't. I like to do test areas to make sure I'm happy, then slowly expand and fill in the spaces. I often work on statics and terrain in the same session. That way you don't get bored or bogged down. But as I said, experiment and find what works best for you.

[BloodBane611]

As soccer says, there is no right way. The last map I completed (tashree), I found myself setting down statics, then tweaking terrain in places to work better with my statics - creating ditches, holes, uneven areas, etc. But however you can do it to keep yourself interested and get a good quality product is the only way that really matters

[Killer2354]

Alright, I've decided to continue the map after taking a "break" from making it. Christ, I still have a ton of things to do for the map. I'll be uploading some progress pictures sometime soon, I just have to re- set up bf2 editor for the newest patch of PR. I do kindly harp on my request to change the thread's title to Operation Sandpiper 4km [WIP], as this is what I decided on the final map title, if you would please.

[Wakain]

operation sandpiper? you mean as in a guy with a flute blowing sand? one word containing both sand and piper couldn't sounds more dubious
madness.

good to see you're back, but may I ask how you dug up this name?

[Killer2354]

operation sandpiper? you mean as in a guy with a flute blowing sand? one word containing both sand and piper couldn't sounds more dubious
madness.

good to see you're back, but may I ask how you dug up this name?

It was a name someone suggested in here. It does fit the map and I don't plan to change the name.

Should have some pictures up today after school.

[Wakain]

excuse me for my unasked-for involvement in this matter but I hope you will reconsider this map's name.
the sandpiper, as stated by wikipedia (an unreliable and thus secundary source, but hey, we're talking about birds here), is a gentil and cute fellow with a large family, who likes to hang out at the beach or in shallow waters, he's happy as long as there's wetness and sand, and he eats small invertebrates (spineless creatures) which it picks out of previously named sand with it's often long and narrow (and apparently very sensitive) bill.

I recall this map's situated in the desert, it's a high-strung confrontation between MEC and USA (neither of which comes to mind as narrow and sensitive or invertebrate) to gain control of large oilsupplies, with a focus on un-respawning armor, little air-support and little AA because of overstretched supplylines (nice scenario, btw, I would like to see more maps with little or no respawns for armor).

how does the gentil sandpiper fit to your map? there's not enough airsupport to think of birds, there's not enough water to make any shorebird feel like home, neither of the respective parties involved is really spineless (unless they lose their heavy assets, so allright, they could become spineless). And do sandpipers actually live in the Middle East (or North Africa for that matter)? the only references are sand and that they would have to fly long to get there.

now I'm not trying to bash you here, I see that you have a troublesome past with coming up with your map's name, but shouldn't you look a little further still? Come with a name that resembles your map. A location, perhaps a reference to the grand risk of the whole operation for both sides. Or a reference to (burning) oil, as that's what it's all about, right?

I hope you'll think about it and good luck with your project

[Reddeath]

excuse me for my unasked-for involvemblahblahblah

Operation Planet X
Operation Panther Squeeze
Operation Ivy Blizzard
Operation Squeeze Play
Operation Scorpion
Operation Purple Haze

That is just a short scroll through Iraq War Operations, its just a name. There are even more ridiculous ones out there I'm sure.

[Wakain]

Operation Planet X
Operation Panther Squeeze
Operation Ivy Blizzard
Operation Squeeze Play
Operation Scorpion
Operation Purple Haze

That is just a short scroll through Iraq War Operations, its just a name. There are even more ridiculous ones out there I'm sure.

operation purple haze, it can't get more awesome!

I just think it's a shame that someone who's spend hours, and will continue for countless more on a map, uses such an unecessarily ridiculous name, one he's got from someone else even! it's not ridiculous enough to be genuinely funny and not catchy enough to make for a favorite.
it's unnecessary and can still be undone.
at least those guys were paid to fight under such ridiculous operation names.

maybe I'm overreacting a little because "piper" sounds very similar to dutch for blowjob, making the word sandpiper even stranger.

oh and squeeze play, nice.

[Killer2354]

Sorry for there not being any updates. I got bogged down with school work. I should have some terrain updates by the end of the weekend.

[sylent/shooter]

what about operation Icarus? or something like that, refering to the story of icarus' wings melted off because he flew to close to the sun. I.E this is a desert map and some other connections I could probably think of