Contest [Issue 45] Holiday MapMaking

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

Its that time of year when we look forward to the presents; a holiday map from the Tanki Gods, and I guess the discounts too. But have you ever thought to yourself I could do that! This is your chance to show off your skills in map making. The goal is to make a winter themed map, with the holiday tree included. Read on for more info.

Rules:
1. The map you submit must demonstrate your personal work and should be unique unto you. Submitting others work is prohibited.
2. You mustn't take any current game map, former game map, or contest entry map and recreate/change it for the contest. Brand new maps are what we're looking for.
3. Only the props in the "library" folder of the TanksTestingTool you will receive can be used. External prop usage is not advised. If you did not find a certain prop that you felt you needed, please describe it or post a picture of what you wanted.
4. Gameplay area of the map cannot be bigger than 51x51 spaces. You can extend the borders past what will be played on, but its not required.
5. File size cannot be bigger than 2,401 kb.  
6. You cannot post your submission on this topic. You must send it to the designated account. Your submission must only contain one map and you only have one chance to submit, any other maps sent after the first will not be scored.
7. Absolutely no off-topic discussion. Only questions/comments concerning the contest are allowed.
8. Integrating the Holiday tree prop into the map is required. However, that prop does not run in TTT, so you will have to test your map without it in order for it to work.

Now that you've been briefed, I'll help you get started. Here are the download links to Alternativa Editor (AE) and TanksTestingTool (TTT), along with a guide to the AE. Once you've downloaded them both, look bellow for further instruction.
Alternativa Editor (guide <--- Strongly recommended you read this)
Holiday Map TestingTool (comes with an exclusive holiday map I made named after Orenburg)

:excl: Disclaimer - The software does not work on Macintosh or Chrome-book operating software.

 

Set up for work:

1. It is advised to have either WinRar or 7zip already installed so you can unpack and compress files as needed.
2. Prior to installing AE, you will need to download Adobe AIR.
3. After you've downloaded AIR, you can run the .air folder in order to install AE.
4. Start AE. Refer to the guide for how to use the editor to make your map. You find the Props in the "library" folder inside of the Testing Tool folder you received. Also a good idea to explore all the props before you begin working.

Using TTT:

Run the Flash player. Click File and then Open... Click browse to find the Holiday Map Testing Tool folder. Click the TanksTestingTool.swf to start the walk through.
To test your own map: Delete or rename the current map.xml in the folder. Copy your map and paste it in the folder. Rename it "map.xml" and try it in the flash player. Remember, your map must have a DM spawn point to be tested.

Uploading and posting:
1. Once you are content with your map, create a new folder named after title of your map and paste a copy of the map file. Please include a version of the map file without the holiday tree and another with the tree, lablled with "WT" after the map name. (map_name.xml and map_name_WT.xml)
2. Right click the folder and create an archive
3. Upload the compressed file to Dropbox or MediaFire
4. PM the map to @Vikingsrallentando with the title "Holiday MapMaking 2015." The post should look as follows:
Map Name: -
Number of players: - total (-vs-)
Download Link: -

Example
Map Name: Orenburg
Number of players: 20 total (10 vs 10)
Download Link:  http://www.mediafire.com/download/u8j35m1w5torm1d/Holiday_Map_Testing_Tool%282%29.rar
Additional description can be added. Optional.

I think that about sums it up. Prizes? In the form of crystals. Amounts? Will be dependent upon the quality of submissions!

You must have your map posted by 22:00 UTC-0 on the 5th of January, 2016. Results of the contest will be announced in the next issue.

Happy Holidays everyone; Now get to Work!

Edited July 29, 2017 by Vikingsrallentando
Added disclaimer

[VxV 40]

Seems to be difficult!

[canadarules 1,938]

Seems to be difficult!

its not difficult to create a map mate

I have done plenty of them before

it is alot of fun to do :)

I won't be entering for certian reasons

Edited December 18, 2015 by canadarules

[13rilliant 8]

Hmmmm...

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

The biggest learning curve for me, which is still troubling to this day, was working with the software (sometimes it doesn't work in your favor). I had to ask for help and read guides on how to start map making. I inform you on how to start with the minimum needed to get you on your way. Once you get past the software, its like playing with building blocks or plastic Lego pieces.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Vikingsrallentando

[l.Eat.My.BuIIets 483]

Really mate ? A map making contest ? Do you know how hard it is for newbies (In map making) like me to participate in such contest. I thought this was a newspaper, and I have never seen a map making contest in real life news papers. Just a comment

[NewbieCake 3,067]

Really mate ? A map making contest ? Do you know how hard it is for newbies (In map making) like me to participate in such contest. I thought this was a newspaper, and I have never seen a map making contest in real life news papers. Just a comment

You can learn how to use it instead of complaining.. and yeah, there aren't many "map making" contests in real life newspapers. But that's what makes this contest unique.

[l.Eat.My.BuIIets 483]

You can learn how to use it instead of complaining.. and yeah, there aren't many "map making" contests in real life newspapers. But that's what makes this contest unique.

So unique that the number of participants participating will be handful. And yeah, I wanted some contest that would increase my fluency in English, and not my Map making skills. I've got no time for learning :P

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

 

Hey, I understand the frustration (because this is the only contest). I'm sure you get mad at every photoshop contest enacted in the paper. However, as with any guide in the paper, it is provided to help increase your fluency in different areas. Like those guides, this still gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and creativity, especially. While I haven't written any guides for MapMaking (yet), it is still a viable subject that is under-appreciated and is worthy of event, no matter the 'predisposed' difficulty.

Edited December 19, 2015 by Vikingsrallentando

[l.Eat.My.BuIIets 483]

Hey, I understand the frustration (because this is the only contest). I'm sure you get mad at every photoshop contest enacted in the paper. However, as with any guide in the paper, it is provided to help increase your fluency in different areas. Like those guides, this still gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and creativity, especially. While I haven't written any guides for MapMaking (yet), it is still a viable subject that is under-appreciated and is worthy of event, no matter the 'predisposed' difficulty.

ikr, but what will noobs like me { "who cant make any map, and got no time to learn how" } do ?

[richardlord 32]

Any program that can uncompress .rar files for Mac?  I can't spare the $30 for WinRar for Mac.

[viratno2 146]

Damn this ones not for me.

[marc.jp_44 20,837]

LOL, there's one Contest! I can't even do this one, I can't do Map Making! I needed someth Ng to keep me occupied for the school hols! -,-

[BlueDragon_tamki 3,204]

IM-POSS-I-BLE!!

[Quarks 2,255]

I would but chromebooks do not work with this software. So sad :(

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

ikr, but what will noobs like me { "who cant make any map, and got no time to learn how" } do ?

You have the time to do learn how. 15 minutes is what it should take at max to download everything and be ready with props. Can add another 5 minutes to associate yourself with the props. I'm sure you have 20 minutes of down time per day, as you are posting on a forum, which isn't a mandatory life task.

 

Any program that can uncompress .rar files for Mac?  I can't spare the $30 for WinRar for Mac.

 

I would but chromebooks do not work with this software. So sad :(

I'm afraid the software does not work on either Mac or Chrome. Sorry guys. There is UnRarX for mac.

[Quarks 2,255]

You have the time to do learn how. 15 minutes is what it should take at max to download everything and be ready with props. Can add another 5 minutes to associate yourself with the props. I'm sure you have 20 minutes of down time per day, as you are posting on a forum, which isn't a mandatory life task.

 

 

I'm afraid the software does not work on either Mac or Chrome. Sorry guys. There is UnRarX for mac.

I might use the school computer... it is a desktop.

[Bugs.meeny 1,013]

Cant participate. This isnt my computer, so I cant be downloading stuff on it.  :(  Good luck to others

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

6. You cannot reserve your post in advance. Upload and post your finished product when you are confident in its

7. Absolutely no discussion about the contest is allowed.

These rules were mistakenly taken from the original draft of the rules when the contest was set to be submission by comment.  They have been edited to reflect the current PM submission system.

[celroti 133]

TTT doesn't work.Another escape goat making contest :(

[LaserShark 2,095]

TTT doesn't work.Another escape goat making contest :(

What operating system do you use? It all worked fine for me (Well, except the fact that both tools were incredibly laggy)

 

TTT isn't really necessary though, just Alternativa Editor, but you still need to download TTT to get the props.

 

 

 

But, yeah, TTT seems pretty garbagey, doesn't work like a regular editing software, I'm pretty sure these tools weren't built for public use.

Edited December 21, 2015 by LaserShark

[Quarks 2,255]

Damn, doesn't work on a desktop either. Well, this kinda sucks.

[AdustioAtqueDelerent 2]

I have properly installed AE, TTT, and WinRar, but I cannot find the 'props' folder when I try to load a new library. What am I doing wrong, and how can I import the new props?

[LaserShark 2,095]

I have properly installed AE, TTT, and WinRar, but I cannot find the 'props' folder when I try to load a new library. What am I doing wrong, and how can I import the new props?

It's the "library" folder in the Holiday Map Testing Tool.

[richardlord 32]

TTT doesn't work.  Meaning, it does work to load the map and fly around it, but I can't get Tanks Mode to work.  Any ideas why?  The wiki article says "F" switches between Flight Mode and Tanks Mode.  Doesn't work though.