Creating a map editing software

[Po0ka]

Hello, i would wish to know how to create a mapping software, ie: load/save map and what type of data is in those files so i can mess a bit.
I have no idea how to start one :c

 

[Feeh]

I have no idea how to start one :c

Well... I don't want to discourage you but this is a long and hard task.
If I were to create a map editing now, I'd first look at following (and logical) needs:

-Generic UO map reading api/class
-Generic UO map memory handling api/class
-Generic UO map writing api/class
-A nice friendly GUI to display the map correctly (like UO Client) and some additions to allow use of tools you will create
-Set of tools to work the map (add/remove statics, land, map generation from bitmap, transitions, area commands, etc...)
-Some tools found on UOFiddler to handle other muls/uops as necessary

Depending on what you create first or what comes to your mind, the process may be a lot different. Then you may look at optimizations or even during the development process.
UltimaXNA is headed to be a custom client, but you can modify to allow map editing

This is what I have in mind now, its just the basic description; once you go deeper you will see exactly what is needed

 

[Po0ka]

If only i could find the first 3 :/

edit:
searched on XNA, but not too sure about that.

edit2:
found this interesting link...
http://uo.stratics.com/heptazane/fileformats.shtml#2.0

 

[demented]

Could look at the Ultima sdk or OpenUO source.

 

[Po0ka]

Edit:
big fail, sorry guys...
Why i couldn't walk on these tiles is because i was using the map0.mul on a different client just to avoid complications due to file overridings xD

now i have a working map0.mul generator, and i'll complete my java application to generate a file and then applying to the c++ program.