blade2k5's Real World+Fantasy Maps

[Simpson]

I saw your région in the Stex 
They are absolutly superb, great work my friend 

[papab2000]

Ok, now this means war!    Just kidding  Anyway great job on the packs.  I think I do have one map amongst one of the 3 packs.    Look out map world the team of blade & papab are on a rampage! 

[art128]

Wow - that's awesome 

[emilin]

Very nice releases. I think these packs are a great way for people to play around with different terrain.

[blade2k5]

Today I wanted to showcase four of the five maps that have been released already, but have had specific requests by dl'ers that have warranted a Version 2 for each to be done.  The fifth map, Jacksonville FL. is still being worked on in the SC4TF and will be showcased at a later date.

First up to the plate is Baltimore MD.  In the original version, available on the STEX, I focused more on the city of Baltimore itself, making the northern section of the map just beyond Baltimore's city limits.  In the meantime, I ended up getting more of the insanely intricate coastline of the Patabsco Bay to the south which I thought looked really cool and went with it.  Well, how was I to know that Towson seems to be a hot spot for SC4 fans and that I should include Towson [just north of Baltimore], in an updated version.  So, I went back to the USGS website and re-downloaded the DEM data skewed a bit more to the north this time to get Towson on the map, only this time I dl'd the .33 Arc DEM data instead of the 1 Arc DEM.  The two images below show the dramatic difference in detail.....

The original 1 Arc DEM version:


The updated 1/3 Arc DEM version:


Next up to bat is Boston.  Like the Baltimore map, the first Boston was taken from 1 Arc DEM and was pretty much a flat terrain with a few mounds here and there.  Someone complained that the Charles River seemed to be a bit short, so I pulled out my trusty street map of Boston [I collect street maps from every metro-area I can get my hands on] and noticed the commenter was correct.  I re-downloaded the DEM [.33Arc like Baltimore] and made Boston Version 2.  Also like the Baltimore map, the two images below the big difference in detail......

Boston 1 Arc DEM version:


Boston 1/3 Arc DEM version:


Following Boston, Washington DC steps up to the plate.  The original had rivers that were not complete and that always bothered me, so, like the two maps above, I went through the same process and came up with this much improved version 2, though I still have some minor work to do on it yet before it's completed......

Washington DC 1 Arc DEM version:


Washington DC 1/3 Arc DEM version:


And finally, I have gotten dozens upon dozens of requests to do a Metro SD map that covers all the territory the first two did, San Diego Ca. and North San Diego.  I dl'd the .33 Arc DEM and produced this much more detailed map of the San Diego Metro Area.......

San Diego 1 Arc DEM version:


San Diego 1/3 Arc DEM version:


I can't say when and how these 4 maps will be packaged and released, but packaged and released they will be.  Thanks for dropping by and I hope you enjoyed todays update.

[papab2000]

Absolutely amazing difference between the two.  Great job! 

[Pat]

looking good there troy!!!

[Simpson]

Wow    these maps are looking splendid as well
Great work my friend 

[art128]

Troy, awesome Maps  great work 

[blade2k5]

Papab: Thanks.  The difference is between 1 Arc DEM and 1/3 Arc DEM is astounding.  Too bad the rest of the world can't be 1/3, or even 1 Arc DEM

Pat:  Thanks buddy...by the way, where you been hiding at?  You're never on MSN anymore

Simpson:  Thanks for dropping again.  I'm glad you liked the re-dos

art128:  Thanks again Arthur   I hope to have these packaged up and ready for release in the very near future

[blade2k5]

Here's a sneak peak at 3 of the 4 State Paks on the docket for release next week, the fourth will most likely be showcased in papab2000's thread

Arizona 4 Pak:


Connecticut 4 Pak:


Florida 4 Pak [the first of at least 3 Paks]:


If you want to know which day they are released, just keep an eye out for the rendered images to suddenly appear in this thread

[DFire870]

Ooh, I can't wait for the Florida 4-Pak to be released, plenty of building opportunities on those maps.

-- John

[emilin]

Looking good! Especially the Tuscon map.

[BourneID]

Hey, great maps... some of the most detailed that I've seen using DEM.  I was wondering if you had any plans of doing Miami County

after seeing this I so want to try my hand at this area...

[art128]

Oh yes !! Pheonix my favorite city  :thumbsup:and also great map Troy 

[blade2k5]

DFire870 - That's good to hear   I had a feeling that the Florida Pak would be a popular one, good thing there's at least two more Florida Paks after this one

Emilin - Thanks.  Actually, Heblem made the Tucson map, I just rendered it for him

Bourne ID - Yes, I have been working on Miami for quite sometime....it's one of the most difficult FL maps to do due to the fact that's it's completely flat and full of holes....that and the damn freeways/interchanges appear, as raised 'walls' you can call it, that has been giving me the fits.  I am getting closer to completing it and will most likely appear in the third FL Pak.

Arthur - Yeah, Phoenix is a great place.  I lived there when I was very young, 3 or 4 and all I remember about it is that it was blasted hot and the adults around me were freaking out about ticks ....anyways, I thought it would be prudent to represent this Nation's largest [Population wise] Capital in SC4

[Simpson]

Wow this is looking very fine my friend
Looking forward to new map       

[BourneID]

Thanks... I'll be keeping my eye out for it.

[Heblem]

Great to see that youre working on more maps!

[blade2k5]

Simpson - Thanks for dropping by again   Glad you like the new offerings that will be available in less than a week.

Gaston - I'll send you a PM the day it's released

Heblem - Yeah, I've always have my nose in a map somewhere