Getting Started

Prior to starting World Builder, set your display resolution to 1152 x 864 or higher. For information on how to set your display, head over to the Windows® support website.

To get up and running in World Builder:

1. To create a new map, select NEW from the File menu. As you read through this document you can test out what you learn inside Worldbuilder.
2. To get familiar with the components of a map, see the Elements of a Map section in this document.
3. For explanations of the different elements of the Worldbuilder desktop, see the Desktop section in this document.
4. For explanations about the individual menu items and toolbar controls, see the Command Reference section in this document.
5. Follow the step-by-step instructions to build your first multiplayer map.
6. After you feel comfortable building multiplayer maps, you may want to try to create single-player maps. Since behaviours for CPU-controlled armies must be scripted, single-player maps are more difficult to create.

## Basic Tool Conventions

* Each square of the grid measures approximately 10 in-game feet on a side at the default settings.  Grid values are fully adjustable through the grid tool.
* To toggle the display of the map grid, select Grid Settings from the View menu. Then check the box “Show Grid.” (Default shortcut: Ctrl + G)
* Be sure that the number in the Z box is greater than or equal to the base terrain height of your map to be able to see the grid.
* The most commonly used tools are placed in the toolbar above the Work window. There are many more editing, viewing, and global tools in the menu system.
* When you select a command or object, a window appears to the right of the Work window. Change the parameters in this window to alter the properties of the selected item or items.
* To select an object on the map, left click it. To rotate that object, click and drag the pointer at the end of the object’s selection circle, or click and drag on the “teeth” of the selection circle.  The cursor will change to the shape of a loop to designate that the object can be rotated by holding down the left mouse button.
* To move the camera, right-click (and hold) and drag the mouse in the direction you want to move the camera.
* If possible, use a mouse with a mouse wheel. Press and hold the wheel to pivot (rotate) the camera in position. Scroll the wheel forward/backward to zoom in/out on the current position. Click the wheel to reset the camera to the default angle and zoom.

## Note to Beginning Map Designers

After installing World Builder and reading through this Introduction, beginning map designers should read the Getting Started chapter below to learn the basic elements of the application. Some fundamental map designing concepts are presented in the Laying Out a Map page.

Start by building a very simple multiplayer map. If you have questions during the process, you can refer to the Tutorial: How To page, which describes in simple steps how to build individual terrain, texture, and object features.

* Skirmish maps are made by adding a few more things to a multiplayer map. If you design a good multiplayer map, you can produce a good Skirmish map easily.
* The difference between them is minimal and in most cases, it's good practice to make your map *both* Skirmish and Multiplayer compatible. (This means designing the map for versing both AI players and Human players). As mentioned above, start by designing your map for versing AI first. Human players are generally better and

When you complete changes to your map, be sure to test it in the game first.

## Note to Advanced Map Designers

World Builder is a graphical tool that was based on industry-standard graphics applications at the time of its release. If you are familiar with these older common art packages, the tools of World Builder should be fairly intuitive, albeit a little dated.

As you learn, you may want to review the Command Reference page, which outlines every toolbar tool and menu item in some detail.

* It is highly recommended that all designers become familiar with the Creating a Multiplayer Map and A Few Extra Steps for Skirmish Maps pages. These pages present a general, step-by-step approach to developing maps. When you’re ready to build the more complicated maps for single-player games, see the Building Single-Player Maps page.

Additionally, the Tutorial: How To section below provides simple instructions for creating rudimentary map features.

* For definitions of terminology used in Worldbuilder, see the Glossary.

## Getting Started

Because the World Builder tools are easy to use, you can begin creating usable multiplayer maps immediately. This chapter discusses how to develop multiplayer and single-player maps in World Builder. However, since single-player maps require behaviour scripting of CPU-controlled opposition, you should begin with multiplayer maps.

At the conclusion of this chapter, you should have enough information to begin developing your own map and have sufficient references to other parts of this wiki to explore topics in depth.

1. To start Worldbuilder, double-click the Worldbuilder icon or use the Windows Start menu. Select NEW from the File menu to begin building a new map.

**Note:** World Builder can require significant system resources to update the map and your computer screen in realtime. If it seems like your computer is updating too slowly, adjust the display settings in World Builder to improve performance.

Each designer discovers his or her own strategy for designing in World Builder.

Consider the following questions as you begin to design.

* What is the basic shape of the map?
* Is there a dominating terrain feature?
* Is there a slope to it?
* Where is the map located?
* Where are the best locations to build a base?

These questions can affect the concept that you begin to implement.

* As you build your map, you may need to reposition the camera and change the scale of the display.
* When you want to test your work in the game, save your map for use in the game.

The following pages provide further details on getting started.

* Elements of a Map - *Defines the basic map components.*
* The Desktop (Interface) - *Describes the windows, tools, and status information displayed in the application desktop.*
* Working with Map Files - *How to accomplish the basic tasks of loading, saving, erasing, and exporting your work.*