[MUD-Dev] Re: MapMaker

[oliver#jowett,manawatu.planet.co.nz]

On Thu, 9 Jul 1998, S. Patrick Gallaty wrote:

> Warning - code post. 
> 
> 
> Okay, there's a project I've been working on for 4 years on and
> off.. the concept is this :
> 
> "Array based virtual map manager with dynamic room object 
> configuration and automatic garbage collection."

Yup. Nice :)

3d is more flexible than 2d. However 3d is considerably
more complex than 2d. So..

A vague idea I had a while back for this type of thing was to use a series
of 2d map layers, one on top of each other. By default unspecified terrain
is filled by some default terrain. So, by default, all layers above
"altitude 0" are air, and all below are ground.

Then you can do things like build actual mountains by inserting more
"ground" where the mountain should rise up; seas by inserting areas of
water into layers below altitude 0.. etc. Means you can get a lot of the
physics of the terrain (climbing mountains, diving, etc) while having a
basically 2d (and thus easier to handle) system.

Something to chew on perhaps. Then again, I'm half asleep so maybe this
make no sense :)

-O