Issues with making *1st map* - following tutorial

[Techromancer]

Hi Tronfaq,

Ok. The screenshot thing was just a matter of my looking the folder, which you pointed out. I was using the correct key, but was expecting it to behave like when I do the prnt scrn key and paste in adobe, which it obviously does not. So that is out of the way - thanks for your help.

Map testing: Previously, yes I did uncheck ded. server, for some reason it went back. However, now that I have changed it back once again - it is still giving me the MFC has stopped working issue. I did get the game running again, where for a little while it was not.

Be well,

[Techromancer]

Ok - if you did not look at the other thread about KA I got it now, so the mod is working and I also know better now with regards to the screenshots.

Still haveing trouble testing my map - I either get a black screen and a small "out of memory" box (sometimes) or or the MFC window. Still working on it.

[TronFAQ]

Well, then I guess we're back to the possibility that there's a problem with the map itself. You said you were able to host deeahchur's map and play it without issue.

[deeahchur]

Do you have all of the GlobalObjects you need for every map to function?

• Worldproperties object
• Light object
• Skybox
• Brush (Detail set to False)
• Player StartPoint

Start a new map and add all the global elements first. I recommend making this a template and use it for other starting maps, as well.

Next, copy some basic elements from the other map you are working on, preferably no Objects, just geometry.

Then save the copy, process the map, include an INFO.txt file and enter the game via KA shortcut or launcher.

Check for errors. If the map loads as normal, then carefully add more elements from the older map, testing along the way. Make notes on what you are adding each time. This may be tedious, but it will be worth it in the end.

[xistence]

Map crashing can happen due to some facts:
-Textures: if you use textures that are using something like ENVMAP or similar, the path used for that command must exists and be right. If not - BAMM!
-Sounds: those thingies should be available if you used them, path and name should match, file should exists
-Special FX: the false use of special fx's can also be a matter, especially if you created your own.
-Sometimes objects can be the problem, in that case you should follow deeahchur advice and play a round of 'ockham's razor' (in a reverse way, so re-build everything step-by-step until you added that element that creates the crash)
-Hopefully you didn't changed anything related to the ATTRIBUTES-files, because any false information here - BAMM! If that was the case, try to restore it and the next - make a copy before modifying anything like that
-You should also try to start up the with as less mods as possible, to exclude that it is not a problem with one of those. So maybe you want to deactivate all unless you just have the bare game itself with all of its patches running.
-Hopefully it is not a geometry issue, this would be very rare but not totally excluded. If in somecase a graphiccard renderer can't deal with something build in the map, hmmm, can result in weird situation, already had that. Maybe also a good point to update/check all of your drivers (directX, graphiccard, soundcard/chio), can never be that bad.

Well, that's most that would i have in my mind.

[deeahchur]

One more thing to add to what X said: Also run the debugging for the map.

View > Debugging > LevelError Detector

Look for things that are listed as Critical, for example non-planar geometry. It is advantageous to do this regularly in order to catch major errors early in the process.

[TronFAQ]

You should also be checking the logs created by the map compiler. Every time you compile a map, a new log file gets created in your Tools folder. You can read those to see if there were any warnings or errors during each compile.

[Techromancer]

Well, then I guess we're back to the possibility that there's a problem with the map itself. You said you were able to host deeahchur's map and play it without issue.

Good point, yes I was. Don't know what I could have done wrong - it's like the third time I ahve done this now. There was something off a bit the first couple times, so I deleted them and started fresh. I forget what it was, but I was able to recognize it at the time.

[Techromancer]

Map crashing can happen due to some facts:
-Textures: if you use textures that are using something like ENVMAP or similar, the path used for that command must exists and be right. If not - BAMM!
-Sounds: those thingies should be available if you used them, path and name should match, file should exists
-Special FX: the false use of special fx's can also be a matter, especially if you created your own.
-Sometimes objects can be the problem, in that case you should follow deeahchur advice and play a round of 'ockham's razor' (in a reverse way, so re-build everything step-by-step until you added that element that creates the crash)
-Hopefully you didn't changed anything related to the ATTRIBUTES-files, because any false information here - BAMM! If that was the case, try to restore it and the next - make a copy before modifying anything like that
-You should also try to start up the with as less mods as possible, to exclude that it is not a problem with one of those. So maybe you want to deactivate all unless you just have the bare game itself with all of its patches running.
-Hopefully it is not a geometry issue, this would be very rare but not totally excluded. If in somecase a graphiccard renderer can't deal with something build in the map, hmmm, can result in weird situation, already had that. Maybe also a good point to update/check all of your drivers (directX, graphiccard, soundcard/chio), can never be that bad.

Well, that's most that would i have in my mind.

A lot fo good info here - thank you. I shall make use of this piece by piece.

[Techromancer]

One more thing to add to what X said: Also run the debugging for the map.

View > Debugging > LevelError Detector

Look for things that are listed as Critical, for example non-planar geometry. It is advantageous to do this regularly in order to catch major errors early in the process.

I did do as you suggested. Nothing critical, just 3 textures missing from the speed and slow zones and the skybox. So based on the tutorial walkthrough isnt that supposed to be the case with the child-node of each?

[Techromancer]

You should also be checking the logs created by the map compiler. Every time you compile a map, a new log file gets created in your Tools folder. You can read those to see if there were any warnings or errors during each compile.

would that stilll be the case if the end of that string I was telling you about said +"always flush log" ?

In any case - when I looked into an older text file I saw this :

Log file created on 04/19/12 at 20:24:26

Warning: Not offsetting world. This is only recommended for engineering and should not be used for other purposes

[TronFAQ]

would that stilll be the case if the end of that string I was telling you about said +"always flush log" ?

Yes.

In any case - when I looked into an older text file I saw this :

Log file created on 04/19/12 at 20:24:26

Warning: Not offsetting world. This is only recommended for engineering and should not be used for other purposes

That's just saying that your map geometry isn't centered at world zero coordinates. Ideally, every map should be built in the editor from the exact center (0,0,0) outward. It makes the map run more efficiently if it's centered. But it doesn't prevent the map from working.

There's an option on the Advanced tab of the compiler called "CenterWorld" that automatically centers the map for you if you didn't center it yourself. It's supposed to be checked by default. You must have unchecked it.


Unfortunately, the error log won't always catch every error. But it was worth a try.

[TronFAQ]

Nothing critical, just 3 textures missing from the speed and slow zones and the skybox. So based on the tutorial walkthrough isnt that supposed to be the case with the child-node of each?

Somehow, I missed this previously.

Yeah, don't worry about that either. Whether or not you put textures on those brushes makes no difference. You can ignore those warnings. The only reason to put textures on them is for your own benefit, to make it easier to tell what they are at a quick glance. You can put the "Invisible" texture on the speed and slow zone brushes, so you know they're invisible in the game. And the "Sky" texture on the skybox brush.

[Techromancer]

Hello,

Sorry for the delay - was away for a little while. OKay - it's time to get back to the old drawing board...

[Techromancer]

Hello all,

I got re-busy with new classes in school as I am now *officially* xferred into the game art & design carriculum. I have not had much time to devote to re-learning map making, but have not abandoned it. Matter of fact, based on some of my ideas I have been working on I want to seriously get even more re-involved in world design. As a reminder, the semi-specific title I am looking to get involved in is Environment Designer. I have no experience with characater modelling yet, that will come later.

I do appreciate all the help and input and will amke use of it, so please do not feel like your words are falling on deaf ears. I think the biggest thing for me is the hurdle of new OS's & 64 bit as opposed to my old 32 bit system working with Dedit. I can't quite get even the simplest LC map to work on my new system yet. I have followed the tutorial step - by step about 7 times, each time or almost each time I did notice 1 little thing I did somehwat differently. Or shall I say - after reading responses to my posts, implemented things. Still - no go (as of my last attempt about 3-4 weeks ago).

It is really aggrivating because I was well on my way t making some cool stuff years back on my old 32bit xp system and have even tried to use those files on my new pc (which should work - but don't). There is obviously somethign I am missing in this whole equation. Even running these TROUGH Dedit a couple times (which I KNOW ) is not recommended, but still they WORKED (in Dedit) and I saw my old worlds I was making years back - but they don't run in the game itself.

Even TronFaq agreed to test my new, stupid, simple LC map himself (yes- I will email the file) - but some how I don't think that is the answer. I think it is some inane system settting kinda thing that is beyond me (for now). I really do appreciate the advice and you folks listening to me whine about this - be patient with me. Trust me - when I get my ass together and I can make this crap work I will be making some cool assed crap to share and would love to collaborate with some of you folks. Hey - i have no choice but to figure this out, I am going to school for it and looking to get into the industry.. :/

Be well,