Minecraft Forums

Hi!

I got an idea of a mapgenerator. A one that takes a saved map from Dwarf Fortress and converts it into a Minecraft map! It should be possible since people already made 3d viewers for dwarf fortress maps, so the data is available. All that has to be done is to make it into the format for minecrafts map loader. Also since dwarves can walk in a 1 tile high passage all dwarf passages are one tile, so the converter should duplicate each height layer so that every tile becomes two tiles high so you still can walk in them.

Specific conversions would be great too, so that it takes materials from DF and follows a preset list which tells what block to place in Minecraft.

Example:

Silt loam, mud, etc -> Earth
White sand, Red sand, etc -> Sand
Granite, rock salt, gabbro, etc -> rock
Smoothed stone walls -> cloth of the right colour.
Plump helmets -> mushrooms
Trees - > trees

And so on.


Unfortunately, I haven't got the time to do this myself right now. At least not alone. I have programming skills in java, but I haven't worked with this kind of programs before, and I have no idea to start. So if someone feels like doing this, go ahead. =) I just wanted to share my brainstormed idea.

Actually, the idea for a DF map converter was around WAAAYYY back when there weren't even forums yet, on the IRC. (Notch actually MADE a Doom level converter and released the levels he converted with it (but he didn't release the converter))

Do to such things as stairs and wanting to explore these fortresses, I would suggest each cube on DF be a 3x3x3 cube on mine craft, as well as trees being 3x3x5

Other then that, I think this is really one of the oldest ideas in terms of level converting in to Minecraft stuff, just that no one has openly said they are trying to tackle the project.

Why not just make a program that converts alot of different file types into maps.
Like a bunch of converters in one. (Including .png)

I think the more level converters and generators we can get, the better.

I mean, DOOM and Rogue and some deathmatch games like Quake or Unreal Tournament, ESPECIALLY when we get competitive game modes.

Quote from vdgmprgrmr »

I think the more level converters and generators we can get, the better.

I mean, DOOM and Rogue and some deathmatch games like Quake or Unreal Tournament, ESPECIALLY when we get competitive game modes.

Look, I'd make a all in one converter, just give me maps of different games for examples, okay.
And maybe find me some info/the site for the game.

Quote from Visiiri »

Someone needs to take a shot at TES. :biggrin.gif:

Are you...insane?

TES1:Arena - Maybe
TES2:Daggerfall - YOUR OUT OF YOUR MIND.
TES3:Morrowind - STILL OUT OF YOUR MIND, BUT MORE ACHIEVABLE
TES4:Oblivion - Nobody likes Oblivion.

Quote from Iguana »

Quote from Visiiri »

Someone needs to take a shot at TES. :biggrin.gif:

Are you...insane?

TES1:Arena - Maybe
TES2:Daggerfall - YOUR OUT OF YOUR MIND.
TES3:Morrowind - STILL OUT OF YOUR MIND, BUT MORE ACHIEVABLE
TES4:Oblivion - Nobody likes Oblivion.

Actually, I could see at least Arena and Daggerfall making for some pretty awesome AND easy to make city maps. And dungeon maps.

I never really cared for the cities in Morrowind or Oblivion, though.

And quite a few people like Oblivion, generalizations like that are never good.

The problem with a DF map (I... don't know how to get you a file for one) Is that in game you see it as ACSII, and the maps are HUGE if you were to convert each square in to a 3x3 cube (which would be the only way to be able to fully experience a level) if not huge it would at least be very detailed on some maps.

Thread res.

I'd really like to write one of these, but I don't know the first thing about level formats in Dwarf Fortress, or how to even save one into a flat text file, multiple text files, or multiple pictures. Text file(s) would obviously be perferred.

The second step is to decode each of the symbols. Most would be as easy as a simple 1-for-1 substitution, while others, such as trees and statues, would take some time.

Anyone know enough about DF levels to help me out here? I could write something up in Java or perl easily.

EDIT: Corrected a typo. Also, I know about the DF Map Compressor, but I was hoping to cut out that middleman.

Quote from Insane2757 »

Thread res.

I'd really like to write one of these, but I don't know the first thing about level formats in Dwarf Fortress, or how to even save one into a flat text file, multiple text files, or multiple pictures. Text file(s) would obviously be perferred.

The second step is to decode each of the symbols. Most would be as easy as a simple 1-for-1 substitution, while others, such as trees and statues, would take some time.

Anyone know enough about DF levels to help me out here? I could write something up in Java or perl easily.

EDIT: Corrected a typo. Also, I know about the DF Map Compressor, but I was hoping to cut out that middleman.

I figured to give this one more bump before it sinks to the very bottom of the mapping forum. Anyone good with the format of DF maps?

On a server with a friend we found that 4x2x4 (wxhxd) You might find this a little wierd but it works like this:

On df when you have stairs you see it on one level:

....>....

And the second level:

....<....

This means if you make tow 4x2x4 blocks on top of each other and carve out the stairs you get this:

Block 1:

#...
##..

Blocks 2:

###.
####

Complete:

#...
##..
###.
####

Then you can get this

#...##########
##...#########
###.
####
##############

Tada

The stairs would work but what about Up/Down stairs?

Quote from Kerb1 »

The stairs would work but what about Up/Down stairs?

:sad.gif:

wit nvm

Quote from iPope »

Quote from Kerb1 »

The stairs would work but what about Up/Down stairs?

:sad.gif:

i mean Up/Down stairs that are displayed as 'X'.

I know, I couldn't work out how you would do it.

Quote from Kerb1 »

Quote from iPope »

Quote from Kerb1 »

The stairs would work but what about Up/Down stairs?

:sad.gif:

i mean Up/Down stairs that are displayed as 'X'.

Quote from iPope »

I know, I couldn't work out how you would do it.

Those kind of problems can be left for refinement in later versions. The main problem you need to face in the start is how to read Dwarf Fortress Maps and dump it into a file that can be iterated through. Once you have this, you can work on the basic layout, and then you can get fancy with how to solve stairs.