Largest Possible Map

[Myn]

Hi guys,

I have a quick query regarding the maximum possible size for a map; basically I had a project in mind that would work with a map roughly the size of the South of the UK. I'm going to work on the general assumption that this isn't going to be possible, but how far off am I looking at?

Thanks,
Myn

[IceBreakr]

First of all, you're looking at a year long project at least - fully detailed would probably require for you to use a team of dedicated mapmakers for a period not shorter than 12 months.
Second is that ground sat-texture for such a place would bring a size of download to couple of gigs... 7zipped not to mention a super-powerful PC to stitch something like that together.

I guess the biggest size allowed would be around 300x300km, but with only a cellsize of 150 meters (very bad, 5-10 is a game standard). A1's Sahrani is 20x20km for example. I would recommend you a map bigger than 5x5km for a first project. You'll spend months even with that size.

[TechnoTerrorist303]

although it has to be said, 300km X 300km would be a truly sick map if it could be done right.

[Myn]

Thanks IceBreakr, in terms of the time, machine and the size of the team that wouldn't have been a problem; this was actually for a possible large-scale VBS2 project but I've always found the ARMA 2 community very knowledgable in these matters!

[colonel29]

make a big map it's very complex and yes must have a big computer also
I have make a brittany map with a part of the uk , but can't more detailed map because pc hang so the map like desertic with a poor tree on some place but good map for air combat like B-17
http://forums.bistudio.com/showthrea...t=brittany+map

[Rip31st]

The WW2 normandy map is 153,600m x 153,600. That is as big as one would want to have considering texture quality goes out the door with the satellite mask unless you have some monster machine that would process it.

The problem with the normandy map is in an aircraft you can't navigate visually at altitude, you have to use the map to see where you're going.

[rstratton]

4096 heightmap with 999 meter cells is the biggest visitor will let u make but i donno bout getting that size in game

[Myn]

Thanks for your help guys.

[ScorpionGuard]

4096 heightmap with 999 meter cells is the biggest visitor will let u make but i donno bout getting that size in game

When you state it will be a 4096 hight map. Is this in kilemeters or meters?

[mankyle]

It is in pixels

The 4096 is the wisth/height of the greyscale fle that gives the topography's terrain.
You can make it a 10 meter cell terrain, thus making it a 40960 meters x 40960 meters island or make it a 5 meter cell terrain making it a 20480 meters x 20480 meters terrain.

Basically the size of one island is controled by two things. Size of the scale map and cell resolution.
I've seen an stable island with 10 meter cell terrain and a 4096 resolution file. Loads well and has a good terrain resolution