RuneScape:Editing/Advanced maps

Advanced maps are usually only created for dungeons, to show the features contained in them. This guide will explain how to create these maps using GIMP, which you can download and learn how to use here. You will also need the following files:


 * Zip of 50 differently colour and shape map dots
 * If you need additional coloured dots you can change the color of the existing map dots using the Hue/Saturation changing tool.
 * If you want to create new dots use 13px gradient dots with the light part of the gradient at the top and a 2.5px radius drop shadow on all sides.
 * Download the Kingthings Petrock font for GIMP
 * File:Advanced maps - title background example.png
 * File:Advanced maps - curve example.png
 * File:Compass.png
 * Any icons that you need to add can be taken from Category:Minimap icons

Be sure to Save-As these images. Some of them have translucency and copying/pasting won't copy the translucent particles over.

Making the map

 * Take a printscreen from the world map while on 100% zoom with map labels, intra-map links and the 'You are here' indicator turned off. To display the world map for dungeons you will need to be in the dungeon in-game.
 * Open the image in GIMP and crop the layer to just the map area.

Adding dots
Mark the locations of any NPCs in the area using the pre-made map dots.


 * Choose a dot which is semi-related to the NPC you are trying to represent.
 * Drag the dot from where you have saved it onto the map.
 * Use the Move Tool to position the dot on the right place on the map.
 * Mark all of the same type of NPC using the same colour dot: if possible use one dot per monster that is present in the area.

Annotations
If necessary you may now annotate any notable features that are present in the dungeon. This could include the destination of any entrance/exits to and from the dungeon, specifics of anything indicated with a map icon or content which does have a map icon. Use accurate naming as much as possible, but keep the labels short.


 * Drag the curve example onto the map and move it to the area you want to label.
 * Flip, resize, and rotate the curve as necessary so that it is a suitable size and shape for where you wish to use it.
 * Use the Text Tool to write a label at the end of the curve. Set the text to white, Kingthings Petrock at size 14 and centre align the text.
 * Move the label so that it is positioned at the end of the curve.
 * After you have made all the labels that you need, merge the labels and map layer (be sure to hide the plain black background layer first).

Legend
Create a legend:


 * Drag a dot you have used for marking the map onto the image.
 * Use the Text Tool as before, with the size set to 18, to write what the dot indicates. You should use the correct name of the wiki article for the content - including correct capitalisation. Do not include combat levels for monsters.
 * Use the Alignment Tool to align the dot and label. With the tool options set to relative to: first item, click the dot and then hold down shift and click the text. Use the align middle of target button so that the text is aligned horizontally to the centre of the dot.
 * Under the distribute options add a value to the offset box and click distribute left edges of target. This will move the text a standard distance away from the edge of the dot. 25 is a good value to use.
 * Drag a second dot you have used into GIMP.
 * This time use the align tool's align left edge of target option to align the left edge of the second dot to the first dot. Use the distribute vertical centers of targets option to align the second dot 25px below the second dot.
 * Create the second label - align it as you did for aligning the first text to the first label.
 * Repeat for all the dots you have used on the map.
 * Once you have all the dots and labels positioned correctly, merge them into a single layer (hide the background and map layers to keep separate).
 * Drag your saved compass file into GIMP. Move the compass so that it is above your legend layer.
 * Align center of target the compass with the legend and merge it down.

Finishing up

 * Move the legend layer to an appropriate place: usually legends are placed below the map. Use the align tool to centre align the legend to the map.
 * You can place the legend in another position if it will keep the map area smaller.
 * Marge the legend layer to the map layer.
 * Drag the title background title into GIMP.
 * Select the Text Tool set to size 18 and write a title for the map. This should be the exact name of the area as it appears on its wiki page.
 * Use the align tool to align centre of target and align middle of target the text to the title background and the text onto the background.
 * Move the title layer to above the map, align center of target the title to the map.
 * Merge all layers together.
 * Crop the edges of the image.
 * Crop the left of the image first so that a small black border is left around the image. Use the selection tool to make a selection of the switch from the left edge of the image to the furthest left part of the map picture.
 * Export the map.

Image mapping

 * Upload the map to the wiki. If creating a new image you should use the format File: map.png.
 * Create a new page by clicking the arrow next to contribute and selecting "Add a new page". Make the page with the prefix Map: e.g. Map: .
 * Use an image map creator to make your image map.
 * Choose your saved file, upload it and accept.
 * Change the Output to Wiki imagemap.
 * Outline the different features of the map using the area select tools. Only do the features that can be linked to a relevant wiki page. Use the drop down to choose a different selection shape. Click the plus/minus icons to add a new selection/remove current area.
 * Rectangle - can be used to outline items in the legend and the title.
 * Circle - can be used to outline individual map dots.
 * Polygon - can be used to draw a more free hand selection, e.g. for areas containing multiple of the same kind of monster.
 * When all areas are outline open the Code section at the bottom of the page.
 * On your map page on the wiki add the following:
 * Copy your image map code from the webpage to the wiki page.
 * Add links to relevant wiki pages where | is.
 * Save the page.
 * Add links on pages.