North America Map 1.0 released

[DublinDoogey]

Introducing...

a map of North America
-60 countries
-10 "continents"

While making the map, I've also learned photoshop (free trial) and it's been a lot fun. I think it's pretty balanced, but I'm no expert at that.
The circles seem kind of annoying to me, but I included them because you would need them to see the numbers... they can be moved and changed pretty easily. In the United States, you'll see full names for states, and abbreviations, I wasn't sure which was best.

I'd love some comments about that, the bonuses, and anything really. Let me know what I can improve, what should be taken out, and what should be added.

Thanks

edit: i forgot to add, i will definatly need some help with the xml, at least starting it. i've read lack's post about it, but i don't really understand it. volunteers anyone?

[zip_disk]

What are the connections to Greenland?

[DublinDoogey]

What are the connections to Greenland?

thanks, just to nanuvut. i'll fix that right away

[Timothy]

I like it!

[IronWolf359]

That's pretty sweet. I could have some fun with that. Some of the postal codes are wrong, but not like anyone cares...


Correction: should care.

[thegrimsleeper]

WOW, this is SO much better than your first version. It's amazing how easy Photoshop makes it, eh? Try playing around with some of the textures, that will take away the flat aspect of the countries.

A tip on doing the circles: with the map as one layer, and the circles as another, select the layer containing the circles, goto Layer Options, and set the Opacity to 50%.

Texico... lol

I'd also recommend changing the gradient of the water. It should be darker, almost navy blue towards the edges, and it should be a light blue instead of almost white in the river area. It's just too busy right now. I think I'll leave the continents and bonuses for Marv to dissect.

XML: Don't get it twisted. You're only doing the map so you have a visual reference to the xml. If you make a stupid mistake here, it doesn't matter how much time you spent on the map. (Trust me) So it's important to triple-check your work.

The first section is naming the Continents. Then, for each Continent, you define which countries are included, and how much the bonus is worth.

So it'll look something like

- <continent>
<name>Nanuvut</name>
<bonus>2</bonus>
- <components>
<component>Greenland</component>
<component>Nanuvut</component>
<component>Manitoba</component>
</components>

The next section is defining countries. This is where you define which countries border which, and where the numbers will show up.

- <country>
<name>Montana</name>
- <borders>
<border>Idaho</border>
<border>Alberta</border>
<border>Saskat</border>
<border>Dakotas</border>
</borders>
- <coordinates>
<smallx>191</smallx>
<smally>152</smally>
<largex>333</largex>
<largey>283</largey>
</coordinates>
</country>

To determine the coordinates, go into Photoshop, use the arrow tool, and on your window that holds the thumbnail, click Info. The bottom-left field will have X-Y, simply click on the crosshair and make sure Pixels is selected, then hover the cursor over the field you want the number to be. Record the X-Y coordinates, and then get ready to spend about 2 hours running the whole thing through the map-maker, tweaking the xml so the numbers will show up in those infernal circles!

[Marvaddin]

And once I thought Middle East map was ugly. I cant believe how ugly this map is. And countries named "IW", "IL", "IN", "KN"... how interesting. The irregular "circles" for put the armies... This map sucks. The idea isnt so bad, but 2000 countries in USA, and 10 in Canada and 2 (2!! ) in Mexico, this is a bit ridiculous, isnt it? Oh, I almost forgot, continental Central America has only 2 countries, too. Are you frustated because someone made a USA map before you? So did you want make your own USA map, but much more ugly and with some more countries?

I dont want be rude, but I want be sincere, and (at least in my opinion) this map as it is today is ridiculous. Nothing against you, but you dont know how to make a map. Countries as small as flies and others gigantic (quebec, greenland, nanuvut). And why? Because you refuse to hide some USA states? 40 countries in USA, Im not exagerating. And because of the size of these tiny countries, they dont have names, only abreviations, and the map is tottaly confused. Are there attack routes between NY and Ontario? And OH - Virginias? And Ontario - Manitoba? And IN - KN?

I simply cant believe you think this map can be used here in Conquer Club... unless you start again re-designing the countries.

[kingwaffles]

I agree with Marv somewhat. I think there should probably be some rearranging of countries especially in the East Coast area. Although I think it should be said that this map may not be perfect looking but its a first draft, if you look at any of the first draft maps, even yours Marv, they werent all that pretty.

[Risk_06]

Yeah, I think you'll need a bit of work on this map...the ocean gets a bit blinding after staring at it after awhile.

The Great Lakes area is too cluttered. I could barely see the bridges that connect Ohio to Kentucky and Illinois to Missouri. Maybe darken a bit, as thegrimsleeper suggested?

And... it's spelled Nunuvut. Please fix that.

[Marvaddin]

I know all the first releases are much worse than the final releases... Im not so worried about this; in fact, the countries dispersion completely ruines the map. In truth, its a copy of USA map with some appendix.

[DublinDoogey]

It's a good thing I've got spring break right now, lol. I will work on changing the contries and whatnot. While I'm doing that, should I also get rid of some of the continents? I don't know if ten continents is too much, and no one said anything about that.

I think the hardest thing, when combining states will be names. I can go back and find some historical ones, use local nicknames (texico) or just use one of the names for the states.

Grim, thank's for the help with the xml and tips for photoshop, it really is a lot of fun to use.

[thegrimsleeper]

North America has the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Carribbean, and everything south of Mexico that I don't know the names of because I went to a real live US public school.

Maybe you should start with just those, splitting them up until you have 42 countries. Then, if you still feel like it would be a better map with more countries/continents, you can go from there.

[DublinDoogey]

i had all the small little central american countries, and the island in the caribean but it turned into the same problem as New England (which i named Maine or MA).

I combined two or three countries to make nicaragua, and it's the same thing with panama. Before, they were just too small to have in there. What I named the Yucatan is actually part of Mexico plus another country. I wasn't too worried about borders staying realistic.

I think that I'm going to combine some of the states, particulary east of of the Mississippi, and add some countries back in where I too them out, maybe a Caribean island or too, and Mexico can be split into two or three parts. I'm also gonna take the stained glass effect out of the water.

[areyouincahoots]

Louisiana...not Louisianna

[thegrimsleeper]

HEY... If all you're gonna do is point out stupid typos, STFU. This is a map forum, not a spelling bee.

[DublinDoogey]

HEY... If all you're gonna do is point out stupid typos, STFU. This is a map forum, not a spelling bee.

thank you!

it's frustrating to have people point out a small, insignificant thing (at this point) when you've put so much work into a map, and when you're prepared to put more. It's also difficult when people state the problems, but don't provide suggestions for solutions. I know that I'm the one making the map, but I want people to play it eventually, so it'd be nice if they would say things they'd do to improve it too.

[Stoney229]

STFU. This is a map forum, not a spelling bee

gee. touchy aren't we? She was just trying to offer a suggestion.

[Marvaddin]

Dublin, Canada is bigger than USA in real life. Canada countries are big and can be better used. Take some ideas of the Canada map. Mexico cannot be two countries, too (you know), and even Central America can be improved. The map background, you will need another one, because this make the map confused. And 10 continent are too much, how about 8? Thegrimsleeper gave you the key: start with 42 countries and after that see what is possible.

[DublinDoogey]

here's the latest version

I was working on this, and then I saw Marv's post and I thought I would post this as an update in progress.

I combined a lot of the smaller states, and I can see places where combinations can occur if needed. I readded the border between nunuvut and northwest territories, and I split quebec in two.

I also kept some of the borders in Central America that I took out before, kept some caribean islands and split up Mexico (Upper Mexico, umm.. Mountainous mexico, Baja California, Mexico City, and Southern mexico)

The map still has sixty countries, but they're spread out between the real countries better.

As mulitiple people suggested, I scaled down the look of the ocean and added textures to the country.

Marv... I agree that the Canadian countries are big, however, if I were to split them up, they would obviously be smaller and could then be as crowded as other areas were, that wouldn't be too desirable would it? I was thinking about how I could get it down to eight areas, and it seemed that giving the maritime countries to other areas might be best, I would like another opinion though, what do you think? The two closest to greenland would go to nunuvut, the islands to eastern seaboard and the remaining country to the great lakes area.

[elebdae]

That is a HUGE improvement Dublin!
Good job! If you keep working that hard on it, we could have a new mwp in a week's time!

Only thing I would change is a connection between the "southest" country you have in the Tropics and link it to one of the tropics island...'cause if you are playing One fortification, it sucks real bad having 8 armies stuck down there...

[IronWolf359]

I think its good. All you really need to do is clean it up a bit. Easily done with photoshop. yahoo!

[Risk_06]

Only thing I would change is a connection between the "southest" country you have in the Tropics and link it to one of the tropics island...'cause if you are playing One fortification, it sucks real bad having 8 armies stuck down there...

Yeah, I agree, something has to be done with that...maybe combine some of the countries there that are next to Panama and Honduras and all that, to make it less? Maybe even divide up some Canadian provinces, like Ontario, to make up for it..

The tropics need a bit of work, since most of them have only one or two bordering countries. Maybe use alternate islands that are midway between the Carribean and mainland Central America, to make connecting routes?

Otherwise, excellent job so far!

[DublinDoogey]

Only thing I would change is a connection between the "southest" country you have in the Tropics and link it to one of the tropics island...'cause if you are playing One fortification, it sucks real bad having 8 armies stuck down there...

I've been thinking of putting in ports, similar to LOTR risk. Like, one would be near New York, one in california, alaska, maybe mexico city, and of course Panama.

[Marvaddin]

Here is a link to some suggestions. I havent even tried be artistic.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/M ... merica.png

The idea: lets avoid small countries, they need names and numbers; about continents, I think its good not mix Mexico, USA and Canada. 3 continents to USA, 3 to Canada, 1 to Mexico and 1 to Central America are fine, in my opinion.

[DublinDoogey]

Still 60 countries and down to a more manageable 8 bonus areas

Points to Note:

-Mountains and Rivers, along with textures, will be added later, probably same as before, but not for sure
-Bermuda, while not a large or important island, was added to give another access route to the Tropics
-Bonus Areas are now more in line with current political borders. Honestly, I didn't like it at first, but this version is growing on me
-You may notice that some country names have boxes underneath them, I would like opinions on whether they make the names easier to read, or are a distraction. I want some way to make the text 'pop' more, suggestions?
-I thought of combining Haiti and the Domincan Republic, along with Nebraska and Kansas. I would need to add two countries in order to do this. I was thinking of spliting Northwest Territories in half, and adding either adding Vancouver Island or adding a third country to Greenland
-Well, I know there was more I had to say, but I can't think of what it was