[Tool Guide]Learn how to use maps4cim to create Cities in Motion 2 Maps

Cant figure out how to use the maps4cim tool from http://www.nx42.de/projects/maps4cim/ ?
Look no further, read this guide showing how to import rendered maps of real areas into Cities in Motion 2.

1. Intro

The tool maps4cim is extremely useful in getting a real world rendered section of maps into
Cities in Motion 2. The tool is fairly simple to use and once you figure it out, its quick and easy!

2. Get the files!

First off you are going to need to grab the maps4cim files! You can visit http://www.nx42.de/projects/maps4cim/ and click the link directing you to Filebase for the newest release of the application. Once you have done that unzip the file and browse to the now unzipped folder location like below. Generally the file will be located in your Downloads folder.

EXAMPLE: C:\Users\'YOUR USERNAME'\Downloads\maps4cim-gui-0.9-beta



Double click the maps4cim-gui-0.9-beta file (Executable Jar File) to run the program and remember you MUST have Java installed!

3. Render a Map

So now that you have the files extracted and have run the java program, its easy to generate a CIM2 map template for any place in the world! Want to do your hometown? Easy, peasy, lemon squeasy!

Once the program is open you will see a window like this:

There are many options, really the main onces you should concern yourself with are
Extent and Texture Detail. Extent will set how much of a given location the program will render. Texture detail is well that, how detailed you want it! This all really depends on what kind of scale you want to use for your map.

To select an area you use your RIGHT-CLICK mouse button!



Once you have selected an area click the "Render" button on the bottom right of the window.

You will then be prompted to select a save location for the map file and to name it. You most likely want to save it in your CIM2 'Maps' directory for which the default directory can be seen in the image below, just be sure to change "internalfyre" to your username to get to the right directory!



And voila! You will then see a window like below pop up, it is an event log and will let you know when the rendering is finished. After it is done you may load up CIM2 and use the map editor tool to then create a real life map!



This is an example of what you will get ingame, its a great starting template for creating real life cities in CIM2! Map on my friends!

4. Credits

All credits go to original author of the maps4cim application, with data from the OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) as well as creators and authors of Cities in Motion 2 for creating a fantastic game!

Links:
Project Website: http://www.nx42.de/projects/maps4cim/
CIM2 Website: http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/cities-in-motion-2

Enjoy the game!
Internalfyre

[honda nsx]

Download 1.0.1/1.0.0:
http://www.wisim-welt.de/wsif/index.php/Entry/382-maps4cim/#files

[[M]aster Shifu]

Invalid download link. Redirected to
maps4cim v1.0.0: http://www.citiesskylines.de/filebase/index.php/Entry/382-maps4cim/

[dwtrains_nz]

Does the box for the centre of the map have to be square? Is there a way of resizing it however you want?

[Contractor]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you very much for taking the time to demystify for the rest of us. After some experimenting with height percentages when exporting, I have an accurate representation of my hilly childhood home (city). Some frustrations with the using the editor when manually creating the roads however. If the roads would just fall 'flat' onto the map it would work well. Currently it will create valleys, bridges and tunnels where none should be. If the road stayed flat and followed the contour of the map it would be a non issue.

[leslie032064]

And to "gordon.pilcher1" I just typed in "download maps4cim" and found it very easily. Hope that helps you

[leslie032064]

love it! much easier to use this then the other method someone suggested which is using a program call "See through windows" which allows you to place google maps over the map editor. The other thing I like about "maps4cim" is that it also used topographical information when building the map, that is great! thanks for the program!!

[[FHW] Jack]

Great Thanks!

[SadisticalPenguin]

There is a link at the top to the page of the author.

[gordon.pilcher1]

Where do I get this?