Idea : Sketching tools for map creation

[ShadowA]

I'm thinking mostly of drawing lines, with different colors.
(Could be further developed : points, squares, circles, dashed / solid lines, etc ...)

Could be used to sketch the big lines of a map (cliffs, rivers, ...)
(With the further developed tools above : decoration (trees, buildings, ...) , zones of interest, ore patches, etc ...)

Sketching could be done on a separate layer, that you can show / hide with toggle button.

[phrohdoh]

There are countless design applications available to you so I see no reason for OpenRA to grow a homebrewed one.

[ShadowA]

I know. For drawing the basic shape, even a piece of paper is enough :)

However, it's difficult to convert your sketch onto a RA map, mostly because of the sense of scale.

I surely am still a noob at map-making, but I find it quite difficult to draw the already sketched map (done with whatever application or on paper) on the map editor.

The actual process is not fluid enough, or let's say not easy for trial-and-error process.
You have to pick different sprites to draw elements like a river, a road, a cliff, etc ... which can be long (at least for a beginner like me). And when you finished drawing the element, you find out it's not the scale you want or it doesn't feel good.

Just an idea I'm throwing out ^_^ but I'm sure this would accelerate map-drawing process, and encourage more people to draw nice maps.

[penev92]

This comes with practice. There are some great map makers for OpenRA out there.
"Sketching" in the editor wont help, as it will just double the amount of work, and you'll end up with the same results.
Not a feasable idea IMO, sorry.

[ShadowA]

Hmm that might be true ... I'm actually starting to get a grip on it
(Although I still think that could be useful :D but yeah I see your points, no problems 👍 )

[huwpascoe]

A simple tiled "tmx" format importer would easily suffice I think.