Map Creator Assistant

[hawtpawkithero]

So, for a little project I've decided that I wanted to attempt, I want to program an assistant to help with the setup and planning of a map.
The only language I'm at least above noob level with is Java (that makes me a noob anyway, doesn't it?).
So if you are even slightly experienced in Java, or even another programming language, please, I'll need help.

Planned Features:

• Baliame progress tracking
  
• idea/to-do list
  
• 2d top-view map planner, drag and drop squares with name-tagging feature (I'll definitely need help with this)
  
• HTML export for planning and lists, updates, etc.
  
• PNG or JPG export for 2d mapping
  

So what do you guys think? Worth my time? I've had alot of trouble finding things to practice programming on, and this seems at least mildly practical.

[CaffeinePowered]

Before you even program anything, ask yourself is there a need for it?

What does this program offer me that I can't already do in Hammer? Why should I use this to "plan" my map. Hammer already has a 3-D textured window, and 3 other windows on each axis, I can easily plan a map and execute it in the same program.

Not trying to be harsh or anything, just when you decided to program anything, you should first ask yourself if theres a need for it.

[hawtpawkithero]

Before you even program anything, ask yourself is there a need for it?

What does this program offer me that I can't already do in Hammer? Why should I use this to "plan" my map. Hammer already has a 3-D textured window, and 3 other windows on each axis, I can easily plan a map and execute it in the same program.

Not trying to be harsh or anything, just when you decided to program anything, you should first ask yourself if theres a need for it.

I understand where you are coming from.

Here are my opinionated needs for the program:

• programming practice (i needs it)
  
• Planning, in my opinion, is the most important stage in designing everything. I've designed/developed numerous websites already and I find that the designing stage, if well planned, can save upwards of 30% time.
  
• Convenience. Ask yourself why people actually jot down appointments and dates in their blackberries. When your life gets complicated, make it easier and plan things out. Now apply this to designing/developing a map.
  

[CaffeinePowered]

[quote author=CaffeinePowered link=topic=1027.msg26817#msg26817 date=1217653484]
Before you even program anything, ask yourself is there a need for it?

What does this program offer me that I can't already do in Hammer? Why should I use this to "plan" my map. Hammer already has a 3-D textured window, and 3 other windows on each axis, I can easily plan a map and execute it in the same program.

Not trying to be harsh or anything, just when you decided to program anything, you should first ask yourself if theres a need for it.

I understand where you are coming from.

Here are my opinionated needs for the program:

• programming practice (i needs it)
  
• Planning, in my opinion, is the most important stage in designing everything. I've designed/developed numerous websites already and I find that the designing stage, if well planned, can save upwards of 30% time.
  
• Convenience. Ask yourself why people actually jot down appointments and dates in their blackberries. When your life gets complicated, make it easier and plan things out. Now apply this to designing/developing a map.
  

[/quote]

I can understand experience, but what would you do that I cant already do in hammer, you want to make overhead views with blocks, yea I can do that in hammer.

If you have not used hammer, I suggest you take a look at it and think about what you want to do more easily/different.

Also what would this offer me that I can't do with a pen and paper if I want to jot down layout ideas.

[hawtpawkithero]

I can understand experience, but what would you do that I cant already do in hammer, you want to make overhead views with blocks, yea I can do that in hammer.

Well, the overall goal of this program would be to make the whole process more organized and quicker.

If you have not used hammer, I suggest you take a look at it and think about what you want to do more easily/different.

I have used hammer, numerously. I remember making maps for cs 1.6 back when it was called worldcraft. And as I previously said, using Hammer, a pretty complicated piece of software for just drawing blocks, could be a bit tedious.

Also what would this offer me that I can't do with a pen and paper if I want to jot down layout ideas.

Keeping everything centralized, and once again, organized, helps with the planning stages.

All in all, I don't care so much if I get 5 downloads or 1,000,000, I would just enjoy making this program.


About the 2d planning stage. I had the idea of making each colored block customizable in the sense of tagging/naming, being able to search/sort/highlight each one for easy finding, etc etc. So it would be more functional then pen and paper or top-view in Hammer.

Also, I should restate that the program wouldn't just be for the 2d map view, but it would have many useful tools thrown in with it for keeping track of your design/dev process.



This doesn't cut it for me :/

[rumsfald]

Hey you two, get a room.

[hawtpawkithero]

Here's some really quick and messy photoshop mockups.



Now that I'm looking at it, it'll probably be easier to do this in visual c++

[Eschatos]

I know some java, but not enough to do anything like this.