[XP]Rules Of Mapping (last Updated: March 13th)

Rules Of Mapping
Before you begin mapping please read these rules.

Rule #1

Spoiler for:

Nature is random, so don't ever make it square.

Avoid this.

Don't do this.

Or this.


As you can see the maker of Legacy Of The Gatekeeper and I(not really) should be ashamed. Make a bad map and I will see it! Do you want everyone to see your ugly, square, not random maps?

Instead be random and not square with nature, and be creative with the shape of buildings.


Made by me.


Made by Blizzard.


Made by Nouman.


Made by Nouman.
Please view RMRK's fine mapping tutorials and don't ever make anything square.

Rule #2

Spoiler for:

Don't leave your indoor maps empty.
What we're trying to avoid is this...

As you can see, that's a pretty ugly map. Do you know why? It's too open and boring. Try and make your maps fun and not so empty!
like this...

That's a pretty good map compared to most maps I see today. It's filled with all sorts of things like a real house. remember, don't overdue it.

Rule #3

Spoiler for:

Draw out your dungeons and puzzles before you make them.


Make an easy to understand layout with paths coordinated by colors. List important switches, chests, and stairs.  Failing to do so can lead to easy, boring dungeons. Now you can map your dungeon!

Rule #4

Spoiler for:

Watch your heights.

If your going to make a bridge linking from one cliff to another, make sure the cliffs are the same height.

Don't do this.

As you can see the cliff to the right is higher than the one on the left.

Instead make sure they are the same elevation!

Rule #5

Spoiler for:

Make sure your layering is correct.

Don't do something like this.

As you can see a tree that should be behind the others is looking pretty messed up. Why? Because it's on the third layer instead of the second layer! Make sure the ones in front are on the 3rd layer, and the one in the back is on the 2nd layer. The lower the layer, the lower or further it will be.

This is not complete, I will update the thread with new rules frequently.

Once you've read these rules please visit this thread. It has an excelent amount of tutorial links for all sorts of things.

Darkloard?

You say nature is random and squares are bad, and you give examples of houses? Houses can be in square shapes, and they are not supposed to be random. Houses are man made, and symmetry is fine in houses.

I agree with DL. And where's my map tute pic? :'(

agreed. not bad but could use some fixing.

xD my worst map had to be choosen

Spoiler for:

http://rmrk.net/index.php/topic,7183.0.html

:O

Okay Blizz, lol. I put your map up.

I just noticed Nouman....your map was square. So I had to remove it :'(

And Darklord, I didn't mean it like that about houses. I meant to not make one giant square for a room.

=D

Squares and rectangle work fine for rooms, I've made a few inns and shops which were just one room, in a square/rectangle shape.

Im going to ask the question everyone wants to know the answer to:

Why post this if on like every mapping tutorial it says all this in 3 lines? Is there any need?

Re: First Rule Of Mapping (Read before mapping)

that dosnt answer my question 

Well, I was looking through another topic when I saw Blizzard say screenshots make everything more attractive. Also, for me, the screenshots help me get an understanding of what not to do and what a good map should look like.

can I get a re-try that screenshot was taken from a mapping tut I made in november...I am WAY better. so maybe another try 

Spoiler for:

Wow, Okeydokey.

Why thank you. also I believe if you make a second rule or continue change this to Rules of mapping, and list them under spoliers.

Also may I linky this under you know what 

Wow..., Nouman. I really like the desert map XD I never have the ability to make a huge map because I think it'll look really repetitive and I always forgot to use lots of terrain (which I'm not really good at >_>). Nice maps!

Why thank you. also I believe if you make a second rule or continue change this to Rules of mapping, and list them under spoliers.

Also may I linky this under you know what 

Be my guest.

Ok; now you added the other bits it rather helpful 

Good examples of good maps aswell

Thank you very much.

This is really useful you know. I've read your guys tutorials, and it's helped my mapping get better, lol!

wow those are nice maps

Thanks, that really helped me!

holy fucking old. i'm more surprised that the images aren't broken.

Rules Of Mapping
Before you begin mapping please read these rules.

Rule #1

Spoiler for:

Nature is random, so don't ever make it square.

Avoid this.

Don't do this.

Or this.


As you can see the maker of Legacy Of The Gatekeeper and I(not really) should be ashamed. Make a bad map and I will see it! Do you want everyone to see your ugly, square, not random maps?

Instead be random and not square with nature, and be creative with the shape of buildings.


Made by me.


Made by Blizzard.


Made by Nouman.


Made by Nouman.
Please view RMRK's fine mapping tutorials and don't ever make anything square.

Rule #2

Spoiler for:

Don't leave your indoor maps empty.
What we're trying to avoid is this...

As you can see, that's a pretty ugly map. Do you know why? It's too open and boring. Try and make your maps fun and not so empty!
like this...

That's a pretty good map compared to most maps I see today. It's filled with all sorts of things like a real house. remember, don't overdue it.

Rule #3

Spoiler for:

Draw out your dungeons and puzzles before you make them.


Make an easy to understand layout with paths coordinated by colors. List important switches, chests, and stairs.  Failing to do so can lead to easy, boring dungeons. Now you can map your dungeon!

Rule #4

Spoiler for:

Watch your heights.

If your going to make a bridge linking from one cliff to another, make sure the cliffs are the same height.

Don't do this.

As you can see the cliff to the right is higher than the one on the left.

Instead make sure they are the same elevation!

Rule #5

Spoiler for:

Make sure your layering is correct.

Don't do something like this.

As you can see a tree that should be behind the others is looking pretty messed up. Why? Because it's on the third layer instead of the second layer! Make sure the ones in front are on the 3rd layer, and the one in the back is on the 2nd layer. The lower the layer, the lower or further it will be.

This is not complete, I will update the thread with new rules frequently.

Once you've read these rules please visit this thread. It has an excelent amount of tutorial links for all sorts of things.

To be honest I am making my first game, and I was stupid enough to make nature square <-- (lol) after I read your post, my maps look a lot better Thanks !

Thanks. I actually did make a square map. >.>