Targetware: Terrain Development
MapMaker User's Guide
Exporting Game Files
Once all data files have been loaded and you have defined the region for your terrain, it is time to generate some output. There are four basic types of output that you will want MapMaker to produce for you: Targetware Terrain Files, a high resolution printable Tactical Pilotage Chart, a compressed MapMaker file, and an object file.
1. Targetware Terrain Files.
These files are the primary objective of your sessions with MapMaker. They are the input files that the Targetware engine will use to draw your terrain within the simulator.
To generate these file select Map -> Save Targetware from the menu.
After making this selection, a standard file-save window will open. Navigate to the location where you want your terrain files stored and supply a base name for the files.
Following this, MapMaker will begin the process of translating and producing the terrain files. This process may take several minutes to complete, depending on the size and complexity of your terrain. A progress bar will provide you some feedback on the status.
A description of each file created during this process are provided below. Note: Not all files listed below will necessarily be created for your particular terrain. Which files will be produced is determined by the data types you have included in your terrain. File_name will be the name you provided when selecting Map -> Save Targetware.
| File_name.ter | The top-level configuration file. Instructs simulator how to use the accompanying terrain files. |
| File_name_elv_h.tga | Low Resolution Elevation/Height data (high bit). Sets height of land at a particular location. |
| File_name_elv_l.tga | High Resolution Elevation/Height data (low bit). Sets height of land at a particular location. |
| File_name_landcover.tga | Land Cover type. Sets what land type (forest, fields, etc) will be used at a particular location. |
| File_name_coastline.tga | Coastline layout. Establishes proper texture for coastline. |
| File_name_rivers.tga | River overlay. Places river textures on terrain. |
| File_name_roads.tga | Road overlay. Places road network on terrain. |
| File_name_rails.tga | Rail overlay. Places railway network on terrain. |
| File_name_slope.tga | Soil Erosion overlay. Allows areas of high slope to be modified with an erosion texture. |
| File_name_TPC_0.tga | Tactical Pilotage Chart. This chart can be used to provide an inflight pilot map within the simulator. |
| File_name_TPC_1.tga | Text overlay for TPC. Contains text data that can be applied to the TPC using a graphics editor. (Optional) |
| File_name_TPC_2.tga | Text overlay for TPC. Contains text data that can be applied to the TPC using a graphics editor. (Optional) |
For more detailed information about terrain files, format, and how they are used by the Targetware engine, see the TargetWare Terrain Specifications.
2. Printable Tactical Pilotage Chart
A high resolution map, with proper scale and projection, can be created by selecting Map -> Save Targetware.
After making this selection an options screen will appear. The printable map can be spread over multiple pages so a large map can be created.
To create a multiple-page map, indicate how many pages wide you would like the map to occupy. The number of pages required for length will be determined automatically depending on the aspect ratio of the output region.
To help you in the process of connecting the various pages together, reference lines have been provided on the map, located in the upper-left and bottom-right.
Note: Due to the complexity of this process, it may take several minutes before the map will be printed.
3. Compressed MapMaker Files
Whenever terrain files are created, MapMaker also creates a compressed file in a native format (file extention is .sdz). This file contains all the information related to the terrain you just created. Since this file is typically much smaller than the input terrain files, you can use this file to easily exchange terrains with other Players. To create input terrain files from this format, select File -> Unpack *.sdz from the menu bar.
After making this selection, a window will open asking for the location and name of the file you want to load. Following this, MapMaker will take that file and rebuild its contents. Once rebuild, the terrain files and printable map can be output as described earlier.
The applicability of this process depends on your goal:
Disadvantages:
- Any changes made to the terrain files following the original export will obviously not be represented in the sdz file.
- The region cannot be expanded (bring in more area) after unpacking. It can however be made smaller.
Advantages:
- File is small and very compact. If packed further using a zip utility it can be made even smaller. This makes it easily transportable.
- A player receiving a sdz file is not required to have any USGS or e00 files to recreate the terrain. All that is required is the MapMaker executable (which is quite small).
4. The Object File
An object file is a comma-delimited file that is created during Map -> Save Targetware. If MapMaker determines that your terrain has any static objects, an object file containing these objects will be created. This file is not directly used by the Targetware engine but it can make it easier for you to establish these objects in the terrain configuration file.
Since the object file is in comma-delimited (.csv) format, it can be opened into a spreadsheet program or even a simple text editor. The format of the object file is:
| Legend/Type | Count/Status | X-position in Terrain coordinates | Y-position in Terrain coordinates | Name of Object |
Legend/Type and Count/Status are information provided in the raw data files. Neither is used by Targetware.
See the TargetWare Developer's Guide section on Scenarios for more information on how to apply objects to your terrain.
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