Instructions for MapTrans - The Duke3D Map extender!
====================================================

Contents
--------

1 Introduction
2 How to use it
3 Author information




1 Introduction
--------------

Only a few days after I first used Build, I realised that it placed
too large a restriction on map sizes, especially as I had imagined
creating vast subway and city levels. But now... I am free at last!
With MapTrans, you can create levels any size you want - limited
only by your patience and endurance. Once you have mastered MapTrans,
it's use will become automatic.


2 How to use it
---------------

Installation is simple - just copy maptrans.exe to your Duke3D
directory (or anywhere else that's suitable).

To use the program, just type maptrans at the command line and follow
the instructions given, which are explained here below:


1 "Are you sure you want to continue?" - This is simply to check that
  you have understood the warning notices - answer 'Y'. But don't worry
  - MapTrans seems to work perfectly :-)

2 "Enter filename of map file" - Enter the full name of the map file,
  including the .map extension, giving a relative path (eg ..\big1.map)
  if necessary.

3 "Use 1024x1024 units?" - This is recommended, as it allows maps to be
  moved without losing grid-alignment for the vertices, making use
  more transparent. Answer 'Y' to this question. Any numbers you enter
  later for the amount of map movement should be approximately 1000 times
  smaller than the equivalent if you answer 'N'. For example, if you enter
  'Y' then an X-movement of 60 will move the map by approx half the
  maximum map size in Build, in a horizontal direction to the right.

4 "Enter X transposition" - This is the amount you want to move the map
  horizontally. If you answered 'Y' to the last question, a value of
  60 will move the map by half the maximum map size to the right.
  Also, a negative value will move the map to the left. Experiment
  with these values on a backup file until you are sure of how large
  these values should be.

5 "Enter Y transposition" - This is the vertical equivalent of the X
  transposition. A positive value will move the map upwards (the '60'
  example given previously still holds true for Y transposition) and
  a negative value will move the map downwards.


Now sit back for a couple of seconds and wait until your map file
is processed.

It's not an ideal solution (which would be a patch for Build) but
it is currently the best way to create larger maps for Duke3D,
which is otherwise the best 3D game for the PC ;-)

3 Author information
--------------------

MapTrans and this associated documentation were written by
Andrew Wyllie in June 1996, in a little under 3 hours in
total.

If you find this program useful, a donation of $5-10 would
be welcome (Pounds Sterling would be preferred, but dollars
will do fine ;->). You can send any donations or comments
to:

Andrew Wyllie
25 Castlepark Drive
Fairlie
Ayrshire
Scotland, UK
KA29 0DG


If you would like to reach me electronically, I can often be found
in the 3D Realms Web BBS message bases - particularly the 'Duke3D
editing' section - under the user name of 'pinar'. Look out for
me there.

3D Realms Web BBS:  http://www.3drealms.com/