[TUTORIAL] Minimaps

[Steff]

Minimaps are small images for every ADT. I will only describe the tech stuff not the creative


First create a new image with a resolution of 256 x 256 pixel.
Save and convert it with a BLP converter like BLPConverter6 from the Tools section.

Name it like your map plus the ADT number behind.
Like:

MyMap2345.blp for the ADT MyMap_23_45.adt

The copy this file into your patch folder in the directory

TexturesMinimap

Extract the file md5translate.trs from the MPQs to the same directory and open it up with a editor.

To find this file read tip 4 in this tut http://modcraft.io/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=98

The file has many lines so the basic windows notepad will take some time to load it.
In this file add a new line for your map. Insert it in the alphabetic right position to find it again.

dir: MyMap

It should come direct before dir: NetherstormBG with this name.

Than you must add one line for every ADT that connects the ADT and your BLP.

MyMapmap23_45.blp            MyMap2345.blp

The 2 lines MUST be separated with a TAB and NOT with a SPACE!
In the first line you have your map-name followed by a backslash (  ) and the word map.
Then add the ADT numbers separated by an underscore.
Followed by .blp. Don´t ask why BLP and not ADT,  just do it and don´t think about it again

Then a TAB followed by the name of your minimap BLP file.

Save the file and put all together in an MPQ and test it in-game. Fly to the ADT you have added your minimap and you should see it.

[Hypnotoad]

Thanks for posting this here Steff. I, for one, knew little about this. But then again, I couldn't be assed to learn something like this. haha.

[Nevoras]

Im having a little problem.

Im making all same like written but got no minimap ^^

Is there something else to change in the DB or is all clientside ?

Could it be a problem with name, cause my map adts are like this

My - Nice Map_10_10.adt   ->  

md5translate.trs:
My - Nice MapMy - Nice Map10_10.blp   [tab]   Mymap1010.blp

(tryed it also with My - Nice Map_10_10.blp
and "My - Nice Map10_10.blp"
and "My - Nice Map_10_10.blp")

have now renamed the minimap pics to Mymap1010.blp  hope there is no diffrence  

Could i use   "   to make it work anyway ? is the mistake there ? ^^ im helpless x_X

All is now in the Patch from the new kontinent -   patch-5.MPQtexturesMinimap...  

some ideas ?

[Eluo]

Hint: Avoid using space and - or _ in your instance names,

Now to your problem:
It always is instancenamemapadtcoords.blp
so now you should have this in your translate file:
[spoiler:1bqzcxd5]dir: My - Nice Map
My - Nice Mapmap10_10.blp   [tab] Mymap1010.blp[/spoiler:1bqzcxd5]
But as i said avoid using space - and _ in your map names. It just makes everything more difficult^^

It is really hard to understand this via just text. The best thing as you always can do is to have a close look how blizz did it and reproduce the same method.

In genereal the translate file conatins this:
[spoiler:1bqzcxd5]dir: instancename
inastancenamemapX_Y.blp   [tab] theblpforthatadt.blp[/spoiler:1bqzcxd5]

The translated blp file basicly can have any name, but it is wise to have a system in your naming process.

[darkares]

Im having a little problem.

Im making all this but i have no minimap :/ where is my fail ?

"dir: gminsel
gminselmap0_0.blp   gminsel0000.blp
gminselmap0_1.blp   gminsel0001.blp
gminselmap1_0.blp   gminsel0100.blp
gminselmap1_1.blp   gminsel0101.blp"

[Steff]

The 2 lines MUST be separated with a TAB and NOT with a SPACE!

Did you do this?

[darkares]

yes i do this.

[Steff]

Your map is called gminsel
You pack everything into a MPQ.
The path inside the MPQ is > TexturesMinimap
You putt all your minimpa.blp and the md5translate.trs in this folder

[darkares]

I've done everything but I can not see a minimap
It could perhaps be due to the map name for the ADTS 0_0?

[Steff]

No that cant be the problem. Try to copy some existing minimaps over yours to keep clear that not the minimap tiles are the problem. If it dont work then we have to have a look at you patch.

[Guest]

can you give us  download resources which the tutorial mentioned (. Mpq), because we seem to be having a problem, minimap can not be displayed？

[Steff]

But you need your own minimaps files and the entrys in the translation files must be set to your maps. Perhaps you can give me your files and I can have a look.

[fearless_wind]

I made my own BLP files 256x256, named them.
in md5translate.trs I inserted:

dir: Naga
Nagamap1_1.blp   Naga11.blp
Nagamap1_2.blp   Naga12.blp
Nagamap2_1.blp   Naga21.blp
Nagamap2_2.blp   Naga22.blp

I used TAB, as Steff said. But I can't see minimap in game. Minimap is transparent, not green, so it  can't be caused by blps. I think something wrong in md5translate.trs Can anybody help me?

[Ascathos]

I made my own BLP files 256x256, named them.
in md5translate.trs I inserted:

dir: Naga
Nagamap1_1.blp   Naga11.blp
Nagamap1_2.blp   Naga12.blp
Nagamap2_1.blp   Naga21.blp
Nagamap2_2.blp   Naga22.blp

I used TAB, as Steff said. But I can't see minimap in game. Minimap is transparent, not green, so it  can't be caused by blps. I think something wrong in md5translate.trs Can anybody help me?

Rename "mapx_x" to Naga.

[fearless_wind]

Just compare with Blizzard's lines. The have such fromat: MapNamemap_x_y.blp