mapping question

Just a question here. Since I'm making my first map currently, does anyone know how to add custom things into it, like a picture for instance? For some reason, it crashes the Unreal editor every time I try. Is it possible to add a picture in or is this an impossibility?

Is it crashing when you import a texture?

I can import but when I go to save the texture package the editor crashes (fortunately after it saves the texture package)

Everything worked fine for me until the last patch, right now I have 2 installations. One with the latest patch and one without just to use the editor.

Also you could try ucc.exe to create a package.

I was trying it as a static and a texture, neither worked. Should I reinstall it to another drive to make this one work? And what is the ucc.exe, and is it important?

ucc.exe is the command line package tool.

What file type is the picture?
Try it as a bmp if nothing else is working.

In the texture browser you should be able to go to
File > import >

Select the picture from the open file dialog and get a dialog box that has 3 text boxes (name, group, and package) and a couple options you most likely don't need.
For a map you probaly will just set the package to myPackage (or myLevel can't remember which it is) after that it should show up in the texture browser inside ued.

^_^ Ah, thanks, I'll try it later.
Edit: still can't get it. does it have to be a certain size or color for the background, like transparent around the words and picture? Plus, I'm trying to botpath it now, is there anything I should know?

Just ensure the image is either DDS or BMP saved at a size of 256X256 or 512X512.

OG

to elaborate, the resolution of the image has to be a power of two. with the smallest being 16x16. so it can be 32x32,64x64, 128x256, some combinations work and some don't in my experience.

and it's much better to use the Direct Draw Surface DDS filetype, lower file size and it supports layers. If you do use BMP however, you can right click it in the texture editor and go to Compress > DXT1,3,5. (DXT1 is the most compressed, doesn't change the appearance though. DXT3,5 are for complex transparent textures)

and it's myLevel that you save it to. Saving it to anything else will create that package in your directory, so that file would need to be sent with your map when giving it to other players (much of a hassle). Just use myLevel instead, which saves it inside the .ut2 file.

and for the botpathing...
basically just keep the pathnodes evenly spaced. A great feature is the "Show Paths" option that (after rebuilding paths) connects each pathnode with a line. Right click the dark gray area in the viewport, the place that has all the buttons for the different views. Go to View/Show Paths.

Once you're done, open the map up in ut2k4 and play the game. test it a lot. If you press "~", the console comes up. typing "soakbots" turns on debug mode, which stops the game when a bot encounters a problem, such as getting lost off the path. A great debug tool. "showdebug" toggles on/off all that pathing stuff. A trick I've learned that when building paths, it can take a long time. I've heard that if you right click a pathnodes, go to Select/All PathNode, then after you've selected them all, right click and go to Order/First, this might speed up pathing time. I've done it, haven't really noticed a difference since I walk away when I rebuild

but it might be of some use..

good luck and don't be afraid to throw your map up here and let us test it

if you have any more questions let me know

Alright, I'm working on the pathing and the only trouble is that the bots don't seem to understand that shooting while moving is good...Other than that, I can't get any items I place to show up. Health vials, Adrenaline, Weapons, nothing shows up for some reason when I test it, but they're there in the editor. Any way to fix that? Plus, how do you make water work?

ok, maps done for as much as I can do. Got the bots to act right finally, weapons and powerups are working fine, spawnpoints are working, but the only thing I can't do it terrain. If anyone knows how to do it and wants to give it a shot, I'm willing to let you try it.

There are many tutorials on how to create terrain here is one from Angel Mapper

Try it in a completely new map first and play around with it until you are sure you can do it yourself, it should not take long and at least you can get the desired textures etc correct. Good luck.

OG

I figured someone would mention that site. It's where I learned the basics. I'll take another look through there and see what I can do to what I've got. Until then, should a mine cavern be square or round?

You know where to get the best inspiration for ideas and that is the net. If I was you I would Google images of mines and I am sure you will get lots. That way you will get a better insight on how it should appear, go on have a Google!

OG

Ok, the terrain generator seems to really dislike me for some reason...Any other alternative ways to do it?

Ok, the maps ready for testing. I basically redid the entire thing and I didn't need the terrain editor OR many static meshes. It's simple and the map check So, I'll need a volunteer! Anyone?