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FAQ Version 4.2 / Dec, 20 1999

General Questions

Gameplay Questions

Technical Questions

Missions and Choice of Maps

Map Editor

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Questions about the Map Editor

5-001-0 I have installed the Editor properly but I can neither use the
menu item "Start Game With Map" nor "Export Game Map File".
5-002-0 I have too many separate islands.  The number of islands has
increased although I have only placed Settlers and objects on the map.
5-003-0 I have problems when drawing the rivers.
5-004-0 Victory conditions can't be configured in the Editor or the
corresponding menu items remain grayed out.

 

 

[Answers]  Questions about the Map Editor

 

5-001-0

I have installed the Editor properly but I can neither use the menu item "Start Game With Map" nor "Export Game Map File".to top

In order to be able to use all of the functions of the Editor, the Mission CD also has to be installed.  The autorun installation program has two separate buttons: "Install Mission CD" and "Install Editor". The Mission CD can, of course, be installed afterwards.

5-002-0

I have too many separate islands. The number of islands has increased although I have only placed Settleres and objects on the map.to top

The problem: Every area on a map which is separated by "blocking" terrain or "blocking" objects counts as a separate island. If you have a lot of "blocking" from objects like densely set trees or stones (Settlers and goods piles can't lead to blocking) or types of terrain like snow which you've sprayed or sprinkled, you can easily run up the number of separate islands you have on your map. The island recognition part of the program is working fine. The problem is the unwanted islands caused by "blocking".

Possible Solutions:

  • Thin out areas where a lot of objects are very densely set.

  • Be careful with terrains like snow that can lead to "blocking". If you use the "Spray" or "Sprinkle" function when you are applying snow, many small patches can form on the borders, which are surrounded by unpassable terrain and therefore count as separate islands. Going over the edges again by hand without the "Spray" or "Sprinkle" function can lower the number of these unwanted separate islands considerably.

To get a feel for this, begin a new map and try drawing islands with and without the "Sprinkle" function and checking the number of separate islands using the menu item "Check Map".

This problem generally occurs only in areas which are very large and densely packed with objects or in combination with the "Spray" or "Sprinkle" function when drawing islands. Additional information about solving this problem in also available in the Online handbook under Error reports and Warnings.

5-003-0

I have problems when drawing rivers.to top

The following guidelines are recommended when drawing rivers:

  • Draw the rivers before you place objects or Settlers on the map.

  • Use zoom level 4 for drawing.

  • Move your mouse slowly. If there is a gap in your river, you should be able to close it in almost all cases.

5-004-0

Victory conditions can't be configured in the Editor or the corresponding menu items remain grayed out.to top

If you can't select the menu item "Victory Conditions" , the map you are editing has been defined as a multiplayer map.

Solution: Choose the option "Single Player" in the menu  "Edit Map Settings". (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + M)

If the menu item isn't grayed out but the window still doesn't open, this often has to do with the Comctl32.dll file which exists in different versions, with each more recent version offering additional functionality. This library is part of the Microsoft operating systems Win 95, 98 and NT4 as well as a part of the Internet Explorer.

In the Victory Conditions, the Editor uses a function which is only available in more recent versions of this .dll file. Actually, this problem will only occur among very few users who are still have an older version of the .dll file installed. As soon as you've installed Windows 98, IE 4.0, a new service pack, more recent office versions or similar programs from Microsoft on your system, this .dll file will be replaced automatically by a more recent one and you'll no longer have this problem.

Another solution:

  • The most recent version of this .dll file can be downloaded from the Microsoft website at no charge. This version is for Win 95, 98, and NT 4.0 users. (Not for Alpha-computers). The file is located at the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/ieplatform/ie/comctrlx86.asp

  • Installation of IE 4.0 or IE 5.0

  • For NT 4.0 users: Installation of Service Pack 4.

 

 

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