I would like to run a little contest here on Quadropolis, but need the feedback of others first.
What I want to do is have a contest where I or another member uploads a very basic, bare bones template map. This map will be no more than a roughed out area with a few buildings and whatnot. There will be no lighting, no texturing, and no geometric detail beyond the rough shapes.

This Contest would take 1 ( one ) Node on Quadropolis.
The idea would be for people to download this template, and *detail* it. Each mapper would use what ever theme they choose. They will have to add geometric detail, textures, and lighting.

By detail, I mean DETAIL, in capital letters. The map should be held together in an attractive way. The style or theme used should support itself, and should not look half-done or misplaced. This does NOT mean it needs to be any sort of 'Realism' theme, so long as the visual style fits.
Lighting needs to be complete, and help convey the theme and feel of the map, as well as texturing.
What were looking for is something to grab the interests of whoever is wandering through the map, instantly. The player should be able to look at levels of intricacy down to the smallest item, yet the details should not be a distraction from the map itself.
( It's like walking through the map and being amazed at what you see, then wandering through it again and thinking, "Cool! I didn't see that before!" )

This is all about the artistic eye of the mapper. We want to see what people can come up with, and how well they can use they can use the engine to make an existing structure into that image they see in their head.

Each map, once finished, will be uploaded and sent to an email address which will be specified. From there, the top 5 or 10 maps will picked out by the organizers, via majority vote. The top map chosen will be uploaded to the Contest node. This includes a screenshot and download link, so community members can download, discuss, and rate the final nodes.
( other works that didn't quite make it will likely be accessible elsewhere )

The best works will be chosen by the community. S/he who's content is highest rating gets... erm.. bragging rights, or something. I'm still working on that aspect.

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Possible rules and guidelines:
= Contestants =
-You must turn in your work to the specified location before the due date. Exceptions "May" be made if organizers are contacted prior.
-Your work may not have content copied ( and pasted ) from other works of your own, or others'.
-Plagiarisation of work will result in disqualification.

-Anybody can join. Age and language don't matter. ( hopefully any language barriers can be overcome, if they arise. )
( Content may be submitted from people organizing the project as well. The maps that are voted to the top 5 or 10 are done via a majority vote, and nobody can vote for their own map. If the votes are very close for submitted maps, that top number may become larger by one or two. Ex. Top 12 )
-Drastic geometric changes to the map provided are not permitted, such as moving a building or something large. A consistent base for ALL contestants is important.
-Final entries must be complete. Geometry, light, texture, etc. Time management is very important for this project.
-Anything in the maps that is discriminatory will result in disqualification.
-Contestants who are negative to others during the contest also risk disqualification. We want a clean and fun challenge.
-Mappers may keep a page updated with screenshots or info on their work, if they choose to. External feedback is permitted, but no changes to the entry are permitted by anybody but contestant.

-Texture usage will be limited to included Saurbraten textures. Or maybe it won't.

= Non-Contestants =
-Any criticism given to the works during or after the contest must be Positive, and Constructive.
-Everybody should keep a positive attitude.

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I need feedback.

-Does this project sound like a good idea?
--If so, who would like to help run it and organize it? ( Quad Admin's would be ideal to help run the contest, due to good eyes, attitudes, judgement, and the whole nine yards. We want unbiased opinions on content. )
-What are some things that could/should be changed?

Open for opinions.
Please try to ignore any spelling or grammatical mistakes. I'll fix them as I find them. ;)

I feel so stupid having to ask this. but could someone please post the original "menu.cfg" file.
Somehow I screwed mine up and lost the original. Or if you want to i have posted the menu.cfg (as a txt) that I have. If someone wants to tell me what's wrong i would also appreciate it.

Thanks,
KGDstudios

This unofficial guide is aimed to be moderated and updated by trusted members of the community in order to add and update the help provided for Frequently Asked Questions which often litter the forum. If anyone has a suggestion or an addition to this guide, please contact me by my personal contact form.

This guide will always be prone to updates and additions over time.

General FAQ

1. My maps do not show up in the maps menu, what is wrong?
• Nothing is wrong actually. The maps menu only lists only the official maps the game contains, in order to keep it clean, fast, and in order. To view your custom maps, all you need to do is type /showcustommaps and another menu will pop up which will contain all the custom maps found within your game.
2. My textures do not show up in the texture browser, what am i doing wrong?
• The textures defined in the texture browser are executed through default_map_settings.cfg, a config file located in the data folder. Placing a texture pack in the packages folder won't magically add it to the texture browser. In order for your custom textures to appear in the texture browser, you need to define your very own map config, and execute the texture pack's config from within it. If all is done correctly, the new textures will appear after the end of the default ones.
• In case your textures really don't show up in the browser, it could mean you've made a mistake. Most common problems are mistyped file names, or wrong paths. Sometimes the format might even be wrong or unsupported, or the image its self could be corrupt. Make sure these cases are covered before asking for further help from someone.

How-To Guides

1. Using custom texture packs
• Texture packs usually come in their own directories along with a config named package.cfg which contains the order of texture, shader definitions and texture map usage. A texture pack cannot really be installed, since its advised NOT to modify the default_map_settings.cfg. The best and most compatible for everyone way is to execute the texture pack through your map's config file. This consists of adding a simple exec "path/package.cfg" line within the config, and then loading the map in order for the textures of the texture pack to appear in the browser.

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Changelog

04/12/2010 19:30 UTC+2

Added the first How-To guide; again, more to come at a later time.

04/12/2010 15:15 UTC+2

Initial release, more stuff to be added soon enough to cover more subject, in gameplay, scripting, and more.

I just want to straighten this out. When I go through the official Sauerbraten maps (also most of the ones you make on quad) I see a config file with tons of texture assignments. Is all of that really necessary?
Here's my point: When I made my maps in the past, I'd just use textures from the slot, modified them with vscroll, vscale and voffset whenever the need was there. To me it seems much simpler than writing a dozen lines of code every time I start a new map. By the time I've finished locating the directory of those textures I want (not to mention writing those down), I might've already changed my mind about the theme -.-
Now some people have told me that a config is necessary for official Sauerbraten maps, some tell me it isn't. Most aren't sure at all. The only thing I've used a config for up until now is to add sounds, my own textures or to name bases.
So, my question is: What other gain do I get from typing a whole config besides learning about configs? Because that alone doesn't seem to be worth it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, I've heard a rumor that there would be some script which is supposed to write all used textures/models/ other assets into the config automatically? Now that would be dope, since it would save us all a great deal of work.
Thanks in advance.