Fractal Terrains error

I was trying to save my newly generated terrain as either a jpg or bmp so I could import it into CC# and trace it. I keep getting an error that says it cannot save as. Does anyone know why?
JSM

Comments

  • jslaytonjslayton Moderator, ProFantasy Mapmaker
    There are many possible reasons (export too large, for example). What is the exact error message?

    Would it not be simpler to export the world data as a Campaign Cartographer file directly using File>>Save Campaign Cartographer File than saving an image and tracing it?
  • Well there are several problems with that as I see it.
    1. All of my continents act as one single entity in the CC3 map
    2. How do I use an annual with the map?
    3. How do I get all of the chosen annual's sheet effects to the new map?

    That's just for starters.
    JSM
  • MonsenMonsen Administrator 🖼️ 81 images Cartographer
    Well, those three are not that difficult:
    1. Use the break command to break where appropriate, and path to poly to get the resulting outlines into proper filled polygons again (I recommend exporting without the option to multipoly each contour level turned on, allthough this will make lakes disappear)
    2. Go to drawing properties, change the map style there, then import the fill styles from the annual into the map (Usually easiest done by simply inserting a blank map of the chosen annual style into the map, them immediately undo. This removes the inserted map, but leaves fill style definitions behind). You can now use change like draw tool to modify the appearance of the landmasses to match the annual style.
    3. Usually, most styles have a saved preset you can load from the sheets and effects dialog. If not, you can save such a preset yourself from a blank map (or any existing map) in the appropriate style.

    Note that the above procedure isn't always the best, but I generally prefer that over tracing, but some map types lends themselves better to tracing, especially if the detail level of the new style is far less than that provided by the FT export.
  • That's awesome. Thanks for the explanation.
    JSM
  • jslaytonjslayton Moderator, ProFantasy Mapmaker
    You might also be able to zoom to the point on the FT map where just a single continent is visible and export just that view.
  • Thanks, but I am going after all continents at one times. I just wanted them as separate entities once they arrived in CC3.
    JSM
  • edited September 2013
    Well this is not working for me. I am still in need of a little help. I just do not understand how to break this and move these pieces. This is not to mention that it looks like there is an invisible border when I am breaking. Maybe if I show you:
    photo brokencontinent_zpsf45a851e.jpg
  • Ok, got them moved by using the explode tool. Not I have to get the piece combined and the continents into whole pieces again. I'll keep working at it but if you can assist (you = anyone) I would appreciate it.
    JSM
  • edited September 2013
    Ok, used the multipoly tool to connect both pieces but where the outline of each piece is, it has become "hole" in my continent. So now I am trying ti figure out either how to remove the outline before multipolying or multipoly without the outlines disappearing and leaving this hole or gap.
    JSM

    photo brokencontinent2_zpseb04eb38.jpg

    photo brokencontinent3_zps1a48bde4.jpg
  • jslaytonjslayton Moderator, ProFantasy Mapmaker
    It's possible to change the center of projection in FT by using the pan tool (the hand), but holding down the Shift key (a little C will appear on the hand to show that it's moving the center of projection).

    If you're just exportig coastlines, another way to avoid having your continents come in as a single block is to turn off the multipoly option in FT's export. It may not be as convenient as a simple explode, but it would be available any time you wanted to export with a different projection or view area.
  • MonsenMonsen Administrator 🖼️ 81 images Cartographer
    Posted By: jigsawmanOk, used the multipoly tool to connect both pieces but where the outline of each piece is, it has become "hole" in my continent.
    I wouldn't use a multipoly for this. Multipolies are nice when you do need holes in something, but usually I just use CUT and BREAK to reduce the polygons into paths describing the outline, then use combine paths to combine all those paths into one long path, and finally, path to poly to get the path back into a polygon. A standard polygon is so much better to work with than a multipoly.
  • RalfRalf Administrator, ProFantasy 🖼️ 18 images Mapmaker
    Yeah, avoid multipolies if you plan on working on the continents in CC3. I recommend to use the "Coastline only" CC setting in FT3, edit it, and on the "Detail level" page, unselect the "Mulitpoly each Contour Level" option.

    That way you get individual polygons in the exported fcw file.
  • I'm dying here. LOL. Monsen, I almost understand you. Can you give me a step by step please? I do not even know which tools to use. I exported the way Ralf explained. I do not see a CUT tool. When I try a CUT command it tells me that CC3 does not understand that.
    JSM
  • MonsenMonsen Administrator 🖼️ 81 images Cartographer
    My bad, stuff like this happens when I write from memory. I was referring to the TRIM command.

    As for step by step (based on your posted screenshots)
    1. Use BREAK to remove the straight line at the edges where you are going to join the parts (Note that this will leave only the outline of the continents)
    2. Move the parts together, make sure they line up.
    3. Use Combine Paths [CMB] to combine the outlines of the two parts of the landmass into one path
    4. Use Path to Poly [CLOSEPATH] to turn the path into a poly, restoring the landmass to it's former appearance.
  • Thanks :) I'll give that a shot at lunch.
    JSM
  • Nope just not working. The best I can manage is breaking the invisible border from the continents, but I cannot break the small continent pieces from the image in order to move them. No idea why.
    JSM
  • JimPJimP 🖼️ 280 images Cartographer
    edited September 2013
    I find if I export a png from FT3, and then import that into CC3. I can trace it and make changes to.

    Note that I seldom try to match the shoreline when I import the png into CC3.
  • Yeah I considered it but as pointed out tracing takes so very long. I wish there was a more automated trace feature.
    JSM
  • pdjpdj Traveler
    What does "list" tell you about the pieces that are being difficult? Are they just ordinary polys?
  • edited September 2013
    It looks like this in part:

    photo list_zps7f3d7795.jpg
  • MonsenMonsen Administrator 🖼️ 81 images Cartographer
    Your polygons are still multipolies. As me and Ralf said earlier in this thread, you should always export from FT with "multipoly each contour level" turned off, because multipolies are tricky to work with. If you want to modify a multipoly in CC3, you must explode it first.
  • I did. I swear. I specifically went in and turned that off.
  • I don't use the Trace command. I select a bitmap fill and make a polygon that resembles the terrain on the imported png.
  • Yeah I have just started to move forward tracing my continents instead. Not that I do not appreciate the help here, but I have to move forward with the project. There are just some advanced things about these programs that I have yet to discover.
    JSM
  • RalfRalf Administrator, ProFantasy 🖼️ 18 images Mapmaker
    Hm, double-checking the Coastline only export, I see that it still includes an extra outline of the 0 altitude contour - which still might be a multipoly. I misremembered that, sorry. If you still like to try it, use the attached FT3 export setting. Unzip the file to your FT program directory under /Export/. Then start FT3 and choose the "Outline Polygon" setting for the CC3 export.
  • Thanks Ralf. I will tinker with that.
    JSM
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